In this book, Agustina Bazterrica explores a dark, dystopian world in which animals are no longer edible, and humans become the primary source of meat. This haunting premise forces the readers to confront the uncomfortable reality of our relationship with the nature of factory farming, sustainability, and overconsumption. The story follows Marcos Tejo, a man working in the “processing industry” of human meat. As he attempts to navigate the horrifying reality of his life, Bazterrica writes a brilliant story about how an environment can affect human nature. As someone interested in the intricacies of our food systems and sustainability, I loved this book. I can confidently say it left me thinking about the meat industry for days and pushed me to confront our society’s habits and values surrounding food consumption. Given the novel’s graphic content, this book is best suited for mature readers who can handle dark and intense themes.
In The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky offers a poignant glimpse into the life of Charlie, an introspective and awkward high school freshman. The book is formatted as a series of letters written to an anonymous friend, with Charlie, the writer, staying anonymous as well. This novel explores themes of trauma, relationships, identity, and friendship, with straightforward yet eloquent writing. As Charlier befriends a group of older, somewhat irresponsible students, he comes out of his shell, yet his life grows to become more complicated. From grieving his best friend and aunt to cigarette addiction, Chbosky’s narrative captures the intensity of adolescence, and how the people around you can influence your idea of self. I found this book deeply moving. For its time, it is an incredible portrayal of mental health and relationship dynamics. While the novel deals with heavy themes like abuse and addiction, it ultimately offers a message of healing. Due to its sensitive topics, it is best suited for mature readers ready to engage with heavy content.
In Butter, Asako Yuzuki combines true crime and culinary culture in an exploration of feminism, manipulation, and desire. The story follows reporter Rika, who investigates the case of a woman accused of murdering her lovers after seducing them with her exceptional cooking. As Rika starts writing the suspect to learn more about her, she becomes entangled by her and starts to question her relationship with food, beauty, and relationships. While this book can be slow at times, Yuzuki’s sharp critique of gender roles and societal pressures that women in Japan face kept me hooked. (Also, the rich descriptions of cooking throughout the novel never failed to make me hungry!) I found Butter to be engrossing and thought-provoking and gave me an insight into how women in different countries experience sexism. The writing is incredible and it is a unique and impactful story.
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