This reads like the romcom “Set It Up” but in slightly different setting. I liked that mental health was such a huge part of the story. It really was a pretty cute romance. A few wrinkles, but nothing too glaring. Breakup felt silly to me. What I did notice though is that mature content 🌶️ matches the one from the book I‘ve read prior, down to the sequence and details. This book came out 2 years earlier, it is now the trend, I guess.

Romance reading seems to be my coping mechanism of choice this month. Not sure it‘s working though.
“How to End a Love Story” by Yulin Kuang. An enemies to lovers complicated by a shared tragedy. Really lovely romance, very interesting tidbits about screenwriting for a TV show, compelling atmosphere. I really have no complaints, it was a page turner. Mature content throughout.

Finally read the first installment of The Daevabad trilogy. It was fun, different flavor from most of the fantasy I‘ve read lately. It seems to be focusing more on elaborate world building and personal development of the characters rather than romance, (though I still hope there will be some). I am a bit lost in the political intricacies and not fully grasping all the tribal differences, but I‘m curious enough about what‘s going to happen next.

Since the sequel is so short, I ended up reading it in a couple of hours. Soft pick. I felt it was more messy than romantic, and I was getting impatient while characters trudged through the murky waters of their feelings. Wrapped up too conveniently. While it was fine, it would have been fine to stop at first book too. Or make it one book. I didn‘t hate it, but I doubt I will be rereading it.

Epistolary novel. A pretty easy read. It is a story of how an accidental email turned into a pretty intense emotional affair. Was it a romance? Was it a warning that the line between flirtation and “too far” is invisible? Was it an invitation to look outside of one‘s bubble? To reassess a longterm relationship? I can‘t tell yet. The ending was logical. Apparently there is a sequel, I don‘t know if I care enough to read it.

Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley
I‘ve enjoyed this one. A sweet romance AND I learned a little bit about the business of guided tours. I like when a light and fun read is also educational. Little snags here and there, maybe a tad too long. Mature content wasn‘t vulgar, third person narrative helps with that, I find. I would read it again.
It made me miss Scotland, I really hope to go back one day for a more thorough visit.

That was…mediocre. I liked The Magic of Ordinary Days a lot, and this is the same author, but 15 years later. With the same set of stylistic tools, clearly passionate about WWII, and yet, it was merely tepid everything from the setting to romance. I read it in one day, and wondered the whole time if I should drop it. I hoped for a different ending, briefly, but alas.

Finished my rereading of “Le Petit Prince” after a really long time. And here I am, with my heart completely in pieces. The loneliness, the enchantment, hope and despair is a potent mix.

“The Magic of Ordinary Days” movie was my comfort watch for years, but I‘ve never noticed it was a book.
I decided to read it now because we just drove through southern Colorado. Also Camp Amache recently became National Historic Site. I really enjoyed the book. Historical context was fascinating. I loved the romantic story line as well, but I felt it wrapped up a little too quick . The book is darker than the movie, but there‘s beauty in that.

Finally completed this reread. To be honest, I struggled a lot. It seemed too slow and there was too much dwarf politics for my taste. But I made it. The world-building is meticulous, but I wanted more action. I love the imperfection in the characters though, and it‘s fun to see the author grow book to book. One more reread in this series and then to the new one!

Finally completed this reread. To be honest, I struggled a lot. It seemed too slow and there was too much dwarf politics for my taste. But I made it. The world-building is meticulous, but I wanted more action. I love the imperfection in the characters though, and it‘s fun to see the author grow book to book. One more reread in this series and then to the new one!

“I Capture the Castle” by Dodie Smith. Reread after I don‘t know, 10 years? And just as beautifully heart-wrenching, but also delightfully comical, and sweet as it was when I first read it. I only wish I‘ve first read it when I was 17. Complicated family dynamics, social commentary, coming of age, first happiness, and heartbreak! All set to the backdrop of English countryside. I love this book so much. Planning to rewatch the movie soon as well.

My romance fix for March. Like a bag of candy eaten in one sitting, it‘s good while it lasts, but also not craving any more any time soon.
It was a fun read overall. The characters were amusing, the banter in Manchester accent kept me reading. There was more spice than I expected, but somehow it was explicit without being super vulgar. Some character inconsistency here and there, some repetition. The usual. I enjoyed it for what it was.

Chocolate Wars by Deborah Cadbury was a fascinating read (the author is related to Cadbury family, but not the chocolate-making branch). Meticulously researched, this book talks about process of creating chocolate as we know it today, and Quacker values that were the foundation of the company. The author touches on Hershey and Mars companies as well. And finally we arrived to acquisition of Cadbury by Kraft. Five stars.

This is a new author for me, and it was a pretty fascinating read. The story starts as a random encounter of two lives which slowly converge without ever really touching. Lots of beauty but also ugliness, peace and horror, pain and love. Just like life, I guess. The author is zen priest so the influences were very interesting. I will need to digest this book for a while.

My children‘s book read (or rather a listen) of February. I have an art challenge for this book coming up and I don‘t think I have ever read the full book, only abridged versions. So it was nice to follow the story all the way through. It‘s charming and absurd, just what I needed.
Lesa Lockford narrated it beautifully.

Soft pick. It was fine. I was entertained.The plot thickened somewhat, but I felt underwhelmed when it came to the character development . It could have been 250 pages shorter without taking away from the narrative too. Mature content felt a bit gratuitous. But it hit all romantasy checkboxes and I will likely read the next installment when it comes out, but not quite craving it yet.

Finally got to this super popular book. It has all the things a fantasy book needs to have to be a roaring success — dragons, acboarding school but for adults, action, intrigue, and romance. Not without cliches, but entertaining nonetheless. Mature content. Only two books out of goodness knows how many is out, so I‘m looking forward to the second one. Colorado author.

Another Terry Pratchett, another absolutely brilliant story of growing up, taking responsibility, and choosing to live on your own terms. Funny, and sharp, and sad. I will be thinking of it for a long while, as it always is with Pratchett‘s books.

My contemporary romance fix for this month. It was ok, cute enough, the chemistry was sweet. It hit all the checkboxes of the genre - miscommunication, daddy issues, inevitable jealousy. Mature content again, was predictable enough. (Can we please stop calling condoms “foil packets”? I immediately think of Sarah Millican‘s “that‘s a weird time for a KitKat”.) Overall I enjoyed that, cheesy bits and all. Grateful for the third-person narrative.

“The Winter of Our Discontent”, technically it‘s a reread but because it‘s been more than 20 years it read almost like a new story. A story of a man lost between a glorious past of his ancestors and brutal present of not only his diminished status, but also a struggle to gain his place in the world. He finds out he can take certain steps to make gain but nothing comes without price. I loved this book before and I loved it now.

Devoured the final Emily book in one day somehow. It was very very good. The relationships, the growth, and especially creativity struggles were very well written. The only drawback for me was probably the way the ending was wrapped up, but still it was a very good conclusion of the trilogy, and the saga was a pleasure to read.

First read of 2024. Second installment of Emily of New Moon. This is a coming of age book, and it takes us on a journey through Emily‘s high school years, first attempts at serious writing, and even shows little bits of first love. I enjoyed the romance of it, but also the darkness. Interesting how the relationships are portrayed. For instance Emily‘s friendships with Perry and Dean (still creepy). I am looking forward to the final installment.

Final book of 2023! I really enjoyed it. A lot of things overlap with the beloved “Anne of Green Gables” saga, the setting, the inclination to writing and romance in the heroine. And yet, it‘s darker, the set up, the loss, the issues around her, some really unhealthy adults - from obsessively jealous or criminally neglectful parents, to creepy groomer relative. Made it more relatable. Can‘t wait to read the next book.

This book made a lot of noise when it first came out, but I only got to it now. It was a quick but rather sad read. The author talks in detail of living with a narcissistic parent, of her experience being a child actor, especially one that is pushed by a mother. She honestly talks about her struggle with alcoholism and eating disorders. I‘m glad she is doing better now.

Finished The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton as we were landing after our trip. I really enjoyed this collection of reflections on various emotional aspects of travel. This is not a how to, more of a “why”. Highlighted a lot of passages and quotes to return to later.

Reread of book 2 of #theinheritancecycle is complete. More worldbuilding in this one. Lots of details. It took me quite a while to get through it, though I enjoyed it.

This books was an absolute delight. It reads as a 260 pages long love letter to home, friends, food, travel, Italy, the South, the life. Deeply moving, very poetic, something I especially needed to read now.
As always when such book ends I ask myself in what way it will change me? I‘m looking forward to it. Lots of bookmarks to come back to later.

Reread after 12+ years for a refresher before I read the new one. You know what, it held up. Is it derivative? Absolutely! But considering it‘s history and how young Christopher Paolini (who‘s my age as it turns out, what??) was when he wrote it, it‘s pretty darn good. And it was more entertaining than most of the fantasy I read in the last few years. I will continue with the series and see how the other books go.

Read as a break. It was ok. Misleading name, not sure why. The story had some genuinely sweet moments, and then there were some that felt like not quite as developed, and even unnecessary. But overall I enjoyed it. A little bit of mature content.

Closing October with Yellowface by R.F.Kuang, which appeared so much in my feed, that I decided I have to read it before Babel, which I planned on for a long time. It lived up to the hype 100%. Impossible to put down page turner of a story of jealousy, longing , deceit and, inevitably, madness told by the most unreliable of narrators. And brutally honest insight into the reality of traditional publishing.
5 stars for sure.

Another excellent read. Quite a dark book comparing to the movie. Gripping action holding up until the last minute. I was surprised how the focus of the book was almost complete opposite from the movie, greed vs. miscalculated dream. Both movie and book are excelent, now I am very curious about The Lost World book, hopefully will pick it up soon.

This was a fascinating read. Lots of research, insight into famous cases and less loud ones. I thought I was pretty well informed, but there is so much underneath it all. “Algorithm has no moral compass”.
But ultimately it‘s a story of tremendous greed. And we are living it. This is a must read

I was sick yesterday and today, and wanted something light and fun. This book just came out and I liked the premise. It was an enjoyable read overall. The environmental message was strong, complicated family dynamics were interesting,even if sometimes incredibly irritating. The romance was sweet, and it would‘ve been sweeter if intimate bits weren‘t vulgar, it felt forced and gratuitous at times. Magical realism was a nice touch.

It was ok. The concept was really interesting but it didn‘t quite develop, as I was hoping it would being instead a long build up to a quick resolution. Apparently there‘s a sequel, but to me the story has finished, I don‘t particularly crave another look into this world. But who knows I might pick it up later.

This one has been on my list for a long time, and I enjoyed it a lot. If anyone would ask me what this book is about, I probably would struggle to tell, as it swirls together a post apocalyptic society, memories, regrets, and flashbacks. But in the end it works and puzzle pieces fit together. I guess it‘s just about life, how it goes on, despite everything . I know I will be thinking about it for a while. Has anyone seen the tv show?

This is my second Yoko Ogawa novel, and I couldn‘t put it down. Semi-dystopia. Ogawa‘s ability to weave precious moments of love and human connection into the most desperate and hopeless situation is exquisite. The book raises and answers so many questions: how far can a system go in its determination to oppress? how much can people really put up with? do tiny acts of rebellion matter? Powerful read

I really enjoy Elizabeth Von Arnim‘s style, her descriptions are delicious, and her humor even when self deprecating is enjoyable . This book doesn‘t really have a plot, it‘s a semi-authobiographic diary-style book about her garden in a remote corner of Germany, at the turn of the century. It is nonetheless a delightful, cozy and calming little book, with some sharp social commentary inserted here and there.

A delightful reread. I hope to get through the entire Death series, especially because I barely remember The Thief of Time.

The cover is pretty. That is all.
It‘s been a while since I‘ve read something so elitist, pretentious, condescending and boring. The author beats the reader over the head with tired old complaints that aren‘t even true. In reality people do read, good books come out all the time, there is more than one way to enjoy the books. We never really get to know the characters. The dialogue is repetitive. Oh and the cat is barely there.

I was eagerly anticipating this book, and finally had enough space in my head to properly absorb it. As with Wintering, I found myself instantly connecting to author‘s experience. So many things I was relieved to read were not only my experience. Little connections in my head and heart that got tangled, and severed in the past several years. Now to ponder, digest, recollect and reconstruct.

This “picture book for adults” is Peter Sís‘ adaptation of 13th century Persian poem by Farid Us-Din Attar. Mystical and philosophical search for answers only to realize they lie within. But not until a long journey comes to an end. I am very curious about the full text of the poem. The art is absolutely beautiful.

Second book from Celestial Kingdom duology. It was definitely darker comparing to the first one. The narrative had more snags, but still it was a pretty solid read and I enjoyed this book.

It took me a while to finally get to this book, but I enjoyed it a lot. The world building is very vivid, mythology and action are abundant. The story flowed nicely. I am looking forward to the second installment of this story, and wondering how things turn out.

Beach Read by Emily Henry.
I enjoyed it overall. The writing process bits were very interesting. The love story was nice, I appreciated the smooth ending. It was not without cliches, expected from the genre, but in the end I didn‘t mind them too much. The mature content was not vulgar, which was a relief . (I can‘t say about two other romances I read this year.) I would likely read it again.

A quick romcom for a break. The neuroscience bits were very interesting, thus “pick”. The banter was ok. Other than that it was pretty much just like any other book by this author that I‘ve read, even down to character‘s physiques and turn of events🥱. Mature content. But it was a quick read, and now I can hopefully settle on my next book.

Finished wonderful, heartbreaking book today. A story of family, exile, hope, suffering, belonging, search of home. Tears in my eyes in the end. I also realized how little I really know about Tibet and its people, will be learning more. Highly recommend this book.

A delightful reread!

It started well enough, beautifully descriptive language, rich world building and an intriguing plot. And then after a while it was only language, and the plot became more and more diluted in interruptions and side stories. I struggled with a rather fractured narrative and unfinished tidbits. The final 20% of the book took me almost a month. More disappointing than not, I am sorry to say. I was excited for this one and wanted to like it, oh well.

Sweet little gem of a book written by Hannah Fries, invites readers to experience the forest with all five senses. There is an abundance of images, poems and quotes to inspire one to get out and submerge oneself in a forest. Enjoyed it very much. Craving a forest walk, hopefully soon.