The Book I Read in February

Happy Thursday! So, in recapping my GoodReads 2020 reading list, I think I only read one book in February. Haha.

I've noticed I tend to be either all into reading, flying through books in a couple of days, or not reading at all. I don't know if I burn myself out or what happens, but I can't seem to find a balance in my hobbies (which, there are many). So, I guess for the month of February, I only read one book! lol. At least it was a romance - which is something I normally don't read - and it was very good.

Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shelves: Modern Lit, Gay Fiction, Romance, All-Time Favorites

Review: This was a painfully beautiful book. It isn't the typical book I'd choose - I'm not one for romance novels - but after watching the movie and seeing the moving performances, I felt I had to read the book. It was a story that stuck with me weeks after watching.

The prose is wonderfully written (although I'm not a fan of some of the more explicit stuff). I feel like most people could find themselves in the shoes of Elio, or Oliver. It delves into that first momentous relationship where you obsess over someone romantically and/or sexually, however unhealthy it may be. It is from the perspective of a man recalling the summer when he was a 17-year-old boy, exploring himself and his sexuality. It's written perfectly.

It was then devastating to walk with Elio through the heartbreak and uncertainty of his and Oliver's future. It was also all-at-once heartwarming to follow him as he became more comfortable with himself through the affection of Oliver. Seeing the change and growth from a monumental relationship was, I think, the part that I enjoyed the most.

I felt like the story ended as it should have (I won't be reading the sequel), and, for a romance novel, I am so glad I read this one. It will stay with me for a very, very long time.