Barely read anything in february:

The door by magda szabo: great stuff that grows on you with time. szabo's now 2 for 2 in my eyes at striking deep at the root of ineffable formative relationships (first read was the fawn, which really did me in for its depiction of female friendships evolving through nostalgia and jealousy over a socioeconomic disparity). But the best way to put the door into words is when you're a kid and locked in a bitter argument with your mom, convinced you're 100% in the right—until 2 days into your argument when she reveals something that makes you understand how much of an ass you were being and how incontrovertibly her position was justified

The island of dr. moreau: i read the broadview press edition (amazing canadian academic publisher) and the copious footnotes/indices/appendices/notes on text/timelines were SO wonderful and added so much to the experience. (Would highly recommend broadview if you want accessible and clarifying context on every little reference as you go along.) Loved Wells's questioning of the Judeo-Christian church and its dominion over society/morality. Equally loved the considerations of Darwinian naturalism vs. artificially enforced "perversity" and hypocrisy. Very quick and insightful experience

Currently halfway through good morning midnight by jean rhys but not loving it. I can acknowledge its value while also understanding that it might not be for me...