#FebruaryWrapUp #FebruaryReads 2025

Total books read: 6
physical book(s): 4
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 1
female author(s): 4/6
new author(s): Freida McFadden and Jordan Lees
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 0/0
MG/YA: 1/0
DNF: 1

It's a page turner - fast paced and easy to read but it's messy, crazy, unrealistic and rather unoriginal. Unlikable characters but quite interesting story.
Always stay hydrated 😂

Unreliable characters, twists, revenge and juicy drama. Such a great domestic thriller short story!

The characters were caricatures in the best way possible. Classical F. Backman :) Perfect short read!

Richly imagined and atmospheric, mysterious and adventurous. There's magic and darkness. Incredible story!

Very action-packed with frantic pacing, a lot of war strategy stuff and LOOONG story (unnecessarily long one), but it was a decent sequel.

DNF. This is not journalism or non-fiction nor it is actual fiction. Didn't like the author's “style“.

This sequel paints a bigger picture of a horrible story of messed up family/broken people. The story is interesting, complex, dark, creepy and disturbing.

#JanuaryWrapUp #JanuaryReads 2025

Total books read: 5
physical book(s): 3
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 1
female author(s): 4/5
new author(s): Syou Ishida, M. C. Beaton and Elle Kenedy
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 1/0
MG/YA: 1/0

Well, it's almost palpable that this book was written more than 30 years ago... Writing style, the main character, the the world-building...
The mystery is not very elaborate, no twists. It's short and takes a long time to take off. But it's a quick read :)

overhyped

Another exciting mystery! The engrossing writing, the intriguing story and wonderful characters 📖

Quite bizarre and somewhat original/different, but the book leaves you feeling hopeful and inspired. Main idea - an interpretation of “What is meant to happen will happen“ ;)

Inspiring and reflecting stories about the importance of our libraries, bookstores and reading.

Happy New Year everybody!
Lots of good reads in 2025 📖 📖 📖 😁

And the winner is! #BookoftheYear 2024

@Catsandbooks (thank you for the original template)

My favorite fiction novels of 2024!

Total books read: 76
Female Author(s): 37
New Author(s): 26
Most Read Genres: romance, fantasy and YA
Top Author(s): Liane Moriarty, Richard Osman, Ashley Elston and B. B. Alston
Most Read Author(s): Ali Hazelwood, Abby Jimenez, Holly Black

#DecemberWrapUp #DecemberReads 2024

Total books read: 6
physical book(s): 4
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 1
Female Author(s): 4/6
New Author(s): Laini Taylor, Kira Gembri and B. B. Alston
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 0
MG/YA: 2/2

Atmospheric, quite childish but imaginative! Likeable characters and captivating story.

Complex and creative world building, unusual story, interesting and conflicted characters, but the romance was questionable.

Similar to previous books in this series - bittersweet and sad.

Short story full of Christmassy spirit :) Not so much a mystery, but fully Molly style

Amazing fantasy world, truly imaginative story and likeable characters.

At first - it was very confusing and quite boring. Insta-love wasn't very romancey. But the ENDING!

#NovemberWrapUp #NovemberReads 2024

Total books read: ~6
physical book(s): 1
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 4
Female Author(s): 4/6
New Author(s): Laurie Gilmore
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 0
MG/YA: 1/0

The whole Under The Mistletoe Collection was fine 🙁 but nothing special

Again, as the whole series - very predictable and cliché, but it wasn't the worst :)

Felt very generic, unoriginal, but was quite entertaining.

Silly, somewhat funny clasiccs

It was OK, but nothing special

Addictive! Highly enjoyable and fun and clever. Amazing fast paced, mystery filled with a new cast of likable characters and great writing.

#OctoberWrapUp #OctoberReads 2024

Total books read: 6
physical book(s): 2
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 3
Female Author(s): 6/6
New Author(s): M. G. Leonard & Sam Sedgman
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 0
MG/YA: 1/3

Modern retelling - the movie story in a real world setting - I don't thing it translated great into a book. Anyway, there‘s nothing spectacular wrong with the story, but there‘s nothing outstanding about it as well...

Such a good read! Liane Moriaty did it again :) I highly recommend it!
The story is emotional, witty, mystical, dramatic. The author blends determinism and intuition.

So much fun! Well thought-out and unpredictable and touching. The characters really interesting. This book is joy to read.

A classic Ali Hazelwood story :)

I expected more from this series :)

#SeptemberWrapUp #SeptemberReads 2024

Total books read: 6
physical book(s): 4
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 1
Ffmale author(s): 2/6
new author(s): Jack Meggitt-Phillips, Rebecca Yarros, Hisashi Kashiwai and Shaun Bythell
non-fic/memoirs: 0
MG/YA: 1/2

Seemed to me a little mean spirited and patronizing, but there were some good insights and interesting conclusions.
I am still very interested in The Diary of a Bookseller and Confessions of a Bookseller :)

I'm not a fan of the writing. So much cruelty and for a fairyland... All the political aspects, all the scheming, the back stabbing and the revelations - were quite boring. But great ending!

Intriguing premise that keeps you guessing. But I didn't like the reasoning, the how, the why, the justification. Not quite convincing.

Rich country‘s food culture, a lot of descriptions of local ingredients and blends of flavours. The “mystery“ aspect wasn't developed, but was heartwarming and cosy.

The storyline was compelling and imaginative, the illustrations were wonderful.

It felt like the story was lacking originality and wasn‘t very memorable but it was interesting and enjoyable.

#AugustWrapUp #AugustReads 2024

Total books read: 8
physical book(s): 3
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 4
Female Author(s): 7/8
New Author(s): Rufi Thorpe, Kayvion Lewis, Mantas Adomenas, Holly Black
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 0
MG/YA: 0/3

I think I liked it - the premise was interesting, but felt undeveloped. The story had emotional pull, but the conclusion of the book was weird. Magical realism was very down to earth, but reasoning was vague.

YA mystery queen McManus is back - she didn‘t disappoint! The story is well-plotted, twisty and there's a lot of action. It's an entertaining read.

The story-line was quite tragic and emotionally harrowing - so much cruelty. The characters were annoying and morally grey.
It was good, but it wasn't astonishing or mind-blowing.

I wanted to quit this book so many time... Couldn't understand why was is written? There were a few original thoughts about literature and writing, about maternity, about Church and St. Mary, but on the whole - it was boring and nonsensical, repetitive and not funny. This just wasn't for me...

Non-traditional (of an unclear genre, multifaceted) book - lots of philosophizing, existential reflections, pompously described historical moments and conspiracy theories, etc.
The story is told engagingly, expressively, but there's too many digressions into memories and side stories - it feels like it's overdone.