It‘s been snowing here in Seoul, and I‘m quarantined with covid, so I picked a good time to read this. There were some unsettling moments, but overall I thought this one was just okay.

My favorite book is “Battle Royale,” so I‘m no stranger to the theme of dystopian regime holds a competition that kills teens. However, I found this book to be underwhelming. Maybe it‘s because I wasn‘t emotionally attached to any characters, so their deaths didn‘t affect me. Still, I‘ll be thinking about this when I‘m walking around Seoul on Saturday afternoons 😅

I was super surprised to find this at a Kyobo in Seoul, so I had to get it. I love Joe and his murderous antics, what can I say? This was a fun read, but doesn‘t come close to the first “You.”

“The Terror” is my second Simmons book, and I had a similar experience reading this as when I read “Drood.” I flew through the first 200 pages, life got busy, and it took me 6 months to finish 😬 I enjoyed learning about the Franklin Expedition and the supernatural aspect, but the story felt off balance. I‘m not sure if more history or more horror would have helped.

I feel bad giving this just a so-so rating when this book is about a child losing their parent at a young age, truly the worst thing that can happen to someone. It‘s full of emotion, but I didn‘t feel any particular need to finish reading it. It‘s weird, but I felt hungry all the time when reading it (and it‘s a good thing I live in South Korea, so I can eat all the food Zauner lovingly describes).

Fun fact: This is the first book I‘ve finished after moving to South Korea! I read this for the horror aspect and 80s nostalgia, but what stuck with me is how accurately Hendrix was able to capture female friendship. What was really scary is how well he portrayed the excruciating time that is being a teenage girl.

Just as charming as the Netflix adaptation (full disclosure: I‘ve watched it twice already). Love the Max Brenner reference! A cute read for the holiday season or winter.

I really wanted to like this because I‘ve enjoyed the adaptations, but something about James‘ style made this so hard to read. I usually don‘t have a problem reading things from the 19th century. James‘ sentence structure is very convoluted and it‘s often difficult to figure out what exactly the characters are talking about. I get that the point is to make you question the narrator, but there‘s mystery and then there‘s obfuscation.

It‘s taken me the better part of a year to read this, but I am glad I waited until I was in a good headspace. Reading her final letters was still devastating. Now that I have spent a fair amount of time reading both volumes, I can say that no other writer reflects my thoughts as well as Sylvia. To read her letters is to affirm her existence as more than “the patron saint of weird literary girls.”

It‘s no secret to anyone who knows me that I‘m a massive K-pop fan (16 years and counting!). So it makes sense that I was very excited to read Jessica‘s book and get the tea. Overall, the tea was lukewarm, but it was interesting to read a book about the trainee life from someone who lived it. I would recommend this to my fellow K-pop stans who want a little insight on our idols.

Essential reading, always.

Can a book be mundane, yet thoroughly terrifying at the same time? “Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982” has become the feminist rallying cry of contemporary South Korea. Detailing the life of one Kim Jiyoung, who on the surface appears to live an unremarkable life, Cho‘s book presents a real picture of what it means to be a woman in this century. The themes are universal; every woman will see herself in Jiyoung and the women around her.

You know, maybe reading about the time Ebola nearly broke in America (and the mysterious history of the disease) while in quarantine actually was a good idea. Yes, the accounts are exaggerated, but I did learn a lot. I certainly realized that Americans really take their health for granted and don‘t realize the extent to which their health depends on the rest of the public. We unfortunately haven‘t learned much since 1989.

I think I‘m finally in the right headspace to read this. Plus I‘ve got tons of time, so a 1,000+ page book will keep me plenty occupied.

Weird timing, but reading a book about dating/life advice during the quarantine probably worked out for the best. I have the time to absorb the advice and think about how I need to grow before attempting dating again. No lie, but reading this did show me all the ways I went wrong when I attempted to date last year. Nothing like a quarantine to make you grow as a person!

“Goth” is a collection of short mystery stories that focuses on two teenagers and their town that seems to attract killers. The stories are incredibly well written; however, they are very difficult to read (it‘s not a spoiler to say there are graphic deaths of children and animals). To temper the darkness of this book, here‘s a picture of my reading buddy! She loves having me home all day 😸

My goal is to read as many books as I can while I‘m off work. First up: “Goth” by Otsuichi. I‘m in the mood for something creepy.

I loved this! It‘s a perfect winter read. McMahon is so good at describing the season; her writing is chilling (in all senses of the word). I‘m looking forward to checking out some of her other books.

I have to admit I was a little apprehensive when my sister got me this for Christmas. I remembered the uproar over the idea of paring down one‘s library. But now that I‘ve finished the book, I feel motivated and ready to declutter! I‘m super curious to see how many books I can get rid of (they‘ll be donated, don‘t worry!).

Having a full weekend off work means I finally had time to finish this nostalgia trip. I was 14 in 2001, and still remember the emergence of the NYC scene. So many of my friends and boyfriends loved the bands featured in this book (I myself am, to this day, an avowed Bright Eyes fan and I loved every mention of Conor Oberst and his projects). If you liked any of the rock bands of the early 2000s, this book is a must read!

Since the start of “Queer Eye,” Jonathan has been my favourite. His motivational quips are sprinkled throughout my gratitude journal and I‘m totally convinced we could be best friends. Needless to say, I loved his book. After reading about the trauma he‘s survived, JVN is even more of an inspiration now. It‘s also entirely possible to read this book in his voice, which makes the pop culture references and funny moments more enjoyable.

Finished just in time for the movie‘s release! A passable sequel to “The Shining;” I just wish it carried over more of the creepiness.

Still the best.

Life got in the way and it took me months to finish it. I remember flying through the first 200 pages and then it became a slog.

Last week I took my very first solo vacation — I went to Seoul, South Korea, for a week! I was there to fangirl over K-pop, buy all the best Korean makeup, and experience the city. One of my favourite places I visited was the Starfield Coex Library. It is more beautiful in real life, if you can believe that.

I cannot even begin to say how important Sylvia Plath is to me. After reading her letters, it‘s official: no other writer knows my soul better than her. Her views on life, men, and the need to write mirror mine to an almost terrifying degree. Spending so much time in her thoughts makes me feel her loss so profoundly. It is devastating to read of all she wanted to achieve while knowing how her life plays out.

As we say on tumblr, big mood.

I wanted to love this book, since the 2008 K2 tragedy is what sparked my interest in reading about mountaineering. Bowley paints the picture as well as he can, but there‘s a lack of emotion (which you can find in the documentary “The Summit”).

As the youths say, I felt seen on nearly every page of this book. While this is more of a memoir of Roberson‘s dating misadventures than a guide, the majority of her experiences resonated with me (a single feminist trying to navigate the world of dating). Specific sections felt like they came from my head; for example, “Interesting Topics to Think and Talk About That Are Not Some Dude You Hung Out With Two-and-a-Half Times but Never Kissed.”

I have never seen a more accurate description of my life.

I hate to give this book a so-so rating, but it did not have the creepy magic of “You” (which was my favourite book I read in 2018). “Hidden Bodies” was pretty heavy-handed and a little tedious at times. LA may have given him Love but it really sucked the (creeper) life out of Joe.

This year was one of transformations for me, and The Fab Five were a major part in helping me to start living my best life. The first season was released just after I ended a 5-year relationship; the second season came out around my birthday; and their book is the perfect capstone to 2018. I‘m looking forward to putting their tips to work in the coming year!

Maybe I was expecting something more, but I was severely underwhelmed by “Dracula.” Jonathan Harker‘s misadventures at Castle Dracula were the only enthralling parts of the book. It started off with the right amount of suspense and myth-making, but I thought the rest of the plot plodded along to a rather anticlimactic ending.

My local bookstore hosted their first holiday open house, where I picked up “The Terror” (which has been on my wish list for a while) and “Rage Becomes Her.” I need to hurry up and finish “Dracula” so I can start these!

I loved this! I was introduced to Gorey through his illustrations for John Bellairs‘ books back when I was in fourth grade, but I had never actually read any of his own stories. “Amphigorey” is a great Gorey starter — and of course my favourite book ended up being “The Gashlycrumb Tinies.” Deliciously unsettling artwork and nonsensical stories make for a great combination.

My favourite limerick from “The Listing Attic.”

Annie Wilkes may be a nurse, but I wouldn‘t want her taking care of me.

I‘ve been fascinated with haunted places since childhood (Salem and the Winchester Mystery House have always been at the top of my list). Dickey‘s book is an extensive travelogue for those who like history with their hauntings. I found myself trawling Wikipedia after each chapter, wanting to learn more about the legends featured in the book.

Maybe it‘s just me, but I didn‘t find this one to be as devastating as many have made it out to be. A solid read that makes you think about the implications of scientific progress.

I think I‘m reading this at the perfect time since I am 31 as well!

(Using a picture of Choi Siwon since I envisioned him as Nick, and hello eye candy!) A solid summer read that has made me more excited for the movie next month. Although I could have done with fewer Eleanor-focused chapters, and easily enjoyed a whole book of Astrid and cousin Oliver trading bon mots.

I didn‘t expect to see a 비 Rain reference! My sister would love that 😂

I figured I had better read this before the movie comes out and there‘s not much time left!

Who knew Classics students could create so much disorder? Although I guess if invited, I too would want to take part in a classic bacchanal. Good job on that one, Henry.

And the final haul! So excited for all my finds!

This is my second haul!

Every June, my local library holds a massive sale as their annual fundraiser. It‘s my favourite week of the year because the books are cheap and my birthday always falls during that week. The books I buy are my early gifts to myself. This is the first haul!

So excited to start this tonight!

The world is truly lacking without David Foster Wallace‘s insight. Reading this transcription of David Lipsky‘s interview with DFW makes his loss even more heartbreaking. His thoughts on fame (the general nature of, as well as his own) and the writing process are profound yet relatable. There‘s a lot to be gleaned from this interview but what is most noticeable is that a great voice was sadly silenced with Wallace‘s death.

Saw this shirt at my local bookstore and I had to get it!