A light-hearted, hopeful little story set at Christmas, revolving around love and forgiveness

#LitsyAtoZ #C @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #ChiliOil @Lauredhel
#Christmassy
#Classic

Every year I add the newest Stephen Graham Jones novel to my TBR; every year I fail to read any of his work. This year I'm quite vexed with myself for failing, because the brilliance of his work is exactly what I didn't know I needed.

This was not an easy book to listen to. Jones's characters come alive on the pages in a horrifically real way, that makes you care and hate them with equal measure.

👇🏼 continue 👇🏼

A fast-paced, light-hearted, humourous love story of two childhood friends talking to each other after a very big misunderstanding.
Ali tends to make me think I can maybe like the romance genre....

#LitsyAtoZ #C @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #PrimrosePink @Lauredhel
#Christmassy

A sad but cosy bookish adventure.

I tend to dive blindly into any Christmas theme books this time of year (especially if they are free), and thus get a lot of misses.
But ever once in a while I stumbled onto something that just speaks to my heart, exactly like this little book did.

#LitsyAtoZ #C
#Pantone2025 #WispyClouds
#Christmassy

4½✨

Another excellent, suspenseful thrill that kept me on the edge of my seat, and up way too late. Meyer just gets better, and better as he goes.

My full Afrikaans review is on StoryGraph and Goodreads

#SeriesLove2025 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView
#OffTheShelf2025 @Librariana
#LitsyAtoZ #K @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #CumulusCloud @Lauredhel
#DoubleSpin @TheAromaofBooks

For a short story this dragged on forever.
The character was bland and awful.
The suspense smeared on so thickly it had me rolling my eyes.
And the predictability of it all was just a let down.
Also did not enjoy the audio narration.

#LitsyAtoZ #H @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #MagicalForest @Lauredhel
#Christmassy

Another excellent addition to the cold case expert - Karen Pirie series.

I love cold case detective stories, I love how different the procedurals are and how new evinced are discovered.
Val does an amazing job with these cases from the past; she brings an urgency to them that makes you really care about the outcome.

👇🏼 continue 👇🏼

December
#BookSpin - Heks (Dibi Breytenbach)
#DoubleSpin - Kobra (Deon Meyer)

Two Afrikaans books 😳 well I did want to read more Afrikaans.

 @TheAromaofBooks

A super adorable, hilarious, and engaging adventure.
Slapstick comedy featuring a festive showdown packed with toys.
This was an excellent way to start the Christmas season

#LitsyAtoZ #S @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #PoppyRed @Lauredhel
#Christmassy

November #WrapUp

1 #OffTheShelf2025
1 #Chunkster
1 #FictionalTraveler
2 #SeriesLove2025
4 #BookChain2025
1 #LitsyAtoZ
#BookSpin
#DoubleSpin
6 #Pantone2025
2 #Classic
1 #NonFiction

The funny yet emotional tone of this book was exactly what I didn't know I needed.

A blend of humour and tenderness that offers a different perspective on the darker parts of loss and grief. With its thoughtful pacing, clever dialogue, and emotional richness, Espach weaves a captivating tale of strangers meeting and, in more ways than one, helping each other out.

#Pantone2025 #CrownBlue @Lauredhel
#LitsyAtoZ #W @Texreader

My December #BookSpin List

 @TheAromaofBooks

4½✨

Such a raw, vulnerable and intimate memoir.
I've always been fascinated by Demi. I admire her work and controversial voice.
Now knowing how she was struggling through it all... I'm in total awe of her.

#LitsyAtoZ #I @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #CumulusCloud @Lauredhel
#NonFiction
#BookSpin @TheAromaofBooks

This is such a great series!
I love Ruby's voice; her inner conflict and the drama that she endures is so intense and authentic
I would have chosen a different ending to the love interests, but I can be cruel like that.

I just found out there's a fourth book that came out 4 years after all this, so I definitely need to get my hands on it!

2½✨

Teen drama and turmoil at full throttle

The way this story was told from three different perspectives—first, second, and third person—really threw off the flow. It felt like I had to reset my brain with every chapter.

#BookChain2025 #LowerRating @TheAromaofBooks
#LitsyAtoZ #X @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #CrownBlue @Lauredhel

A briks, witty look at the complex relationship between two sisters.

How far will you go to protect your baby sister?
When is it okay to lie for her? And when should you rather tell the truth?
As an older sister I related a lot with Korede and it really made me wonder about my own relationship with my sister.

#Pantone2025 #MauveWine @Lauredhel
#LitsyAtoZ #M @Texreader

I'm not a fan.

The snobbery, constant gossip and battle of egos just rubbed me the wrong way.

I only finished the book, because I was curious about who Rachel's dad was, and even that was a bit of a disappointment

#FictionalTraveler #Asia @julieclair
#BookChain2025 #MoreRecentlyAdded @TheAromaofBooks
#LitsyAtoZ #C @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #FrenchRoast @Lauredhel

4½✨

Kaza's story in Othbringer was one I really wanted to know more about, the mysterious island, surrounded by ñ storm. The fact that the whole crew got poisoned. I kept thinking there should be more.
So imagine my delight when I learned that is exactly what Dawnshard is all about.

As usual Sanderson outdid himself. Quirky banter, a serious mission and a deep story about self-worth. It's so easy to love all his work.

4½✨
My newly discovered love for all things with teeth and a lust for blood; has me searching out Vampire Lore in any form, shape or size.

Carmilla is a short, very engaging tale, with just the right amount of dark gothic horror and innocent intrigue that without a doubt withstood the test of time. There's even a touch of queer subtext shimmering just below the surface.

My only complaint is that it was too short, I wanted more.

November
#BookSpin - Inside Moore (Demi Moore)
#DoubleSpin - Carmilla (J. Sheridan Le Fanu)

 @TheAromaofBooks

October #WrapUp

2 #OffTheShelf2025
2 #Chunkster
2 #FictionalTraveler
4 #SeriesLove2025
5 #BookChain2025
2 #LitsyAtoZ
#BookSpin
#DoubleSpin
7 #Pantone2025
2 #Classic
1 #NonFiction

Definitely listen to this Audio!

This Razor-sharp psychological Thriller with a contemporary infused setting, was not at all what I expected. It was so much more, it grabbed me form the get-go and didn't let up until the very end.

Mixing the amnesiac, mind-game vibes with the media-obsessed true-crime-podcast created an unique story, brilliantly narrated by January LaVoy and Will Darmon

I struggle with this one.

I didn't connect with any of the characters, in fact I kept thinking that if it weren't for Kyle (who I hate, by the way) this whole story wouldn't exist.

The slow pace, character driven plot just didn't grab me like the Farseer Trilogy did.

However, I understand that Hobb develops her stories over time, and I can see a lot of potential in this trilogy and its importance in the overall Elderling series.

My November #BookSpin List

I honestly can't believe this year is almost at its end.

 @TheAromaofBooks

This is an awesome second book.
In YA, I often run into what I like to call middle book syndrome – where the second installment seems to lack enough content for a full story, but without that content, the final third book just wouldn't make sense.

Alexandra really nailed it with this one.
It is action packed, power driven, tense and dark featuring a high-stakes rebellion and political oppression.

👇🏼 Continue 👇🏼

I'm pretty much done with the Reunion trope.
Especially when it comes to dual timelines. They all seem to blend together now. Just another close-knit group of suspects with buried pasts, set against a college backdrop that feels a bit too far removed from real life.

This book wasn't terrible, I'm just really tired of the whole "I know what you did Last Summer" theme.

#LitsyAtoZ #I @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #BronzeBrown @Lauredhel

I'm a Day fan!
But for some reason I never knew she wrote a memoir; How?

This was just brilliant.
Her quirky, geeky self is exactly what I expected and I got so much more.
She's brutally honest about her own struggles, and gives a fun filled overview of how she became the beloved woman who inspired so many of us gamer girls.

#LitsyAtoZ #Y @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #LavenderBlue @Lauredhel
#NonFiction

I live in Mpumalanga province, South Africa

Mpumalanga means "the place where the sun rises"
And we honestly have the most spectacular sunrise and sunsets.

Thanks for the tag @eggs

#majicmonday

I recently discovered a love for cozy mystery, so this series became the next natural choice, as it feels like everyone is taking about it.

I enjoyed the lighthearted, humor‑infused, octogenarian sleuths.
The fact that there are multiple cases to focus on and figure out was another plus.

👇🏼 continue 👇🏼

Back in 2016 I discovered Alexandra Bracken and I was ensared by her. So shortly after reading Passenger I learned she had a trilogy about kids with psychic abilities, so obviously I had to have it.
I diligently read books one and two, but for reasons unbeknown to me now, I never got around to reading the third book.

👇🏼 continue 👇🏼

Fun, lighthearted and entertaining.
Featuring vibrant artwork.

#BookChain2025 #SameColorTitle @TheAromaofBooks
#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #Damson @Lauredhel

Even more magical than part one!
It's high spring and the art shows every spectacular detail of the beauty of the secret garden.
Combined with Collin's new found strength and appreciation for life it's a bitter sweet ending.

#FictionalTraveler #Trees @julieclair
#LitsyAtoZ #S @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #WispyClouds @Lauredhel
#BookChain2025 #StartFirstLastLetter @TheAromaofBooks
#Classic

A dark, gripping, period‑set, teen‑led mystery that blends traditional crime suspense with a hint of the uncanny.
Blood‑draining murders, a teenage suspect, and a collaboration between a journalist-son and a sheriff-father to try and reveal the truth.

While some aspects of the story feel a little unbelievable, I genuinely appreciated Michael Jensen's storytelling and his subtle crush on suspect Marie Catherine Hale.

This has always been one of my favorite childhood stories.
So when I discovered it was turned into graphic novels, I knew I had to get my hands on it.

The adaptation is incredibly faithful and features stunning artwork.
I found myself just as immersed in this secret garden as I was in Frances Hodgson Burnett's original.

I'm thrilled that I already own part 2.

½✨

The most positive thing I can express about this one is that I'm relieved it's finally over.

The sole reason I pushed myself to finish it was that it fulfills my letter Z for my #LitsyAtoZ . Under normal circumstances, I would have given up at the 5% mark.

I'm not even going to waste my time writing a review.

#LitsyAtoZ #Z @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #MagicalForest @Lauredhel

October
#BookSpin - All These Bodies [Kendare Blake]
#DoubleSpin - The Darkest Minds [Alexandra Bracken]

 @TheAromaofBooks

September #WrapUp

1 #OffTheShelf2025
1 #Chunkster
1 #FictionalTraveler
1 #SeriesLove2025
1 #BookChain2025
#BookSpin in progress
#DoubleSpin
1 #Pantone2025
1 #Classic
1 #NonFiction

My October #BookSpin List

@TheAromaofBooks

I've realized that I ought to have read Dickens in order of publication.
It seems I've already enjoyed the best of his works, and now the remaining ones feel insufficient, boring and lacklustre.

I thought Oliver Twist was rather dull, filled with mostly unlikable characters, and its progress so slowly that I had to force myself to read.
The ending however, did redeem some of my faith in Dickens

A very interesting compilation of some lesser known serial killers.

Short, sweet and to the point.

#LitsyAtoZ #F @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #PoppyRed @Lauredhel
#DoubleSpin @TheAromaofBooks

I've now started 6 books and the only one I'm kind of enjoying is Faces of Evil...
And that's while I have nothing to do like waiting in the doctor's office or some other mundane activity

It's like my reading "want" is broken ?

I attempted to read this before, but I just couldn't bring myself to care about the characters.

This time, I decided to get the audiobook, which made it a little easier to listen to and complete the story. However, I'm not a fan.
The narrative felt redundant since we already knew Snow was an evil tyrant. The details of how it happened didn't interest me, and I believe that contributes to my dislike.
The story wasn't bad, it just wasn't needed.

Never in my life did I expect to root for a serial killer.

This was fun! I really enjoyed Lottie's inner musings, her self-made moral compass, and how her advance age was now working against her.
Placing the daily life of a retiree alongside that of a serial killer creates such a distinctive backdrop.

If you're looking for a clever, gripping thriller infused with humour and wit, look no further.

September
#BookSpin - Dawnshad (Brandon Sanderson)
#DoubleSpin - Faces of Evil (Dominic Utton)

 @TheAromaofBooks

August #WrapUp

3 #OffTheShelf2025
1 #FictionalTraveler
2 #SeriesLove2025
2 #BookChain2025
1 #LitsyAtoZ
#BookSpin
#DoubleSpin
11 #Pantone2025
1 #Classic
2 #NonFiction

A path of recovery, optimism, and familial affection.
But the the overwhelming nature of what feels like mental self-punishment, made it hard for me to truly enjoy it.

#LitsyAtoZ #M
#Pantone2025 #VapourBlue @Lauredhel
#NonFiction

My September #BookSpin List

@TheAromaofBooks

I only realised after the fact that this is part of a series. Nevertheless it can be enjoyed as is.

Even without knowing the background of the sluth ladies, I really enjoyed their personalities, witty banter and internal struggles.

The plot was somewhat far-fetched, but I suppose that's typical for a cozy mystery.

#LitsyAtoZ #Q @Texreader
#Pantone2025 #PearSorbet @Lauredhel

This is my favourite kind of Crime Thriller, packed to the brim with police procedures and a change to discover for one self who the culprit is.

Slaughter really has a unique ability to write characters you can't help loving; in impossible situations, you don't want to find yourself in.

I'm intrigued to know what will happen next for my new friends in North Falls.

I only have one goal for the #SummersEnd #ReadAThon:
To catch up on #RealmOfElderlings

It's 897 pages, so it should keep me occupied for the whole Readathon.

@Bookwormjillk