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.

Read this contemporary romance as a break (and to avoid finishing a book that drags a little) and it was ok, I guess. Some sweet moments, mature content (with, again, absolutely ridiculous moments in it), a dramatic resolution. Not a terribly original plot, so no surprises here either. Would love for the Spain part to have more flavor, but it is what it is.

I hardly ever read graphic novels, and I was missing out. This one is a brilliant though sad story of Beethoven‘s early years, his struggles with his family, learning, and health. But also a tribute to his genius.
This is not a little kids‘ book, rather for teenagers and up.

I have finally finished the 2nd Arc of Scythe book last night. It took me months, my son recommended it so I feel I need to complete it, but it felt a bit of a chore. The chapters are short, and the world building is decent. But just like with the first book I felt things didn‘t start to really happen until about 70% mark. The final book is huge and I am not sure when I will get to it.

This book is a nice mix of mystery, a sweet little romance, historical fiction and a ghost story.The narrative travels between the present day and Tudor England. It was an easy read and I was entertained. This is a new author for me and I would check her other books out for sure.

The Lord of the Rings, reread after 10 years. Savored this book over the month of January and didn‘t want it to end. It was a much more emotional read for me this time, all around.

Yeah, I‘m dropping it. 45% in and I just can‘t make myself care. The story seems to move slowly too. Shame, I loved all three Cruel Prince books and will reread them again gladly. Maybe I‘ll give this one another try someday but not now.

30% in and I‘m not feeling it:(( hopefully it will improve.

I enjoyed this sweet collection of poems very much indeed. Life sketches in these with or without a message were comforting to me in these final days of this heavy year.

Finishing my final reads of 2022. This one was meticulously researched and very informative, if a bit dry. I‘m glad I finished it. I came full circle in my non-fiction reads this year, started with Cultish and ending with this one.

I was hesitant after seeing negative reviews, but ended up loving it. The story is rich and complex, with so many layers to unravel. Some of it was a bit like a dream and some a bit like Studio Ghibli movie- you might never know what or why some things are, but the story as a whole is absolutely enchanting. I will read it again for sure, slower next time so I can savor it.

A short read, a somewhat cute story with interesting STEM bits. Graphic steamy scenes I didn‘t care for much (some ridiculousness there, again) but would love to read more about Mars rovers.

One of the favorites, such a good reread! I missed this joy of unhurried rereading, when one already knows the story so well, there is no need to devour- only to savor.

Final book of October and what a fascinating read! How well do we know the ladies of Greek mythology? I as it turned out not nearly well enough. An in depth look into stories of 10 women, how often do we see them represented as more than a conquest or accessory in popular culture? Looking forward to further reading on the subject.

This was an incredibly kind and compassionate book, I think all women regardless of how they feel about their sexual lives will benefit from reading this book. The most informative part of this book for me was the connection between stress and sexuality. I am looking forward to further reading about stress in author‘s other book “Burnout”.

This was a fun read, with advise and reflections not just on how to live a more simple and happier life, but also on why. The authors are funny and frankly quite convincing (even if I doubt I‘d dumpster dive or make a roadkill stew), there are a some tips that seem a bit too radical, but most are doable. I got this book from the library, but I think I‘ll buy it too for the times when I need a better living pep talk.

Ok, I read another romance, but only because I requested it from the library a while ago. I didn‘t hate it, but it was not a right book for me, though a lot of moments were sweet and I liked that the friendship was priority. But it was also very even, and slow burn romance remained so. But again, I think I just should pause reading contemporary romance for a while.

This was a difficult, and yet a fascinating read. The trauma, the perseverance, the healing. Lot to ponder.

Read this witchy romance to shake off the reading slump I found myself in. It was fun overall. Mature content, but not the most graphic I‘ve read this year. The second book (standalone) from this series came out just now, but I‘m not sure if I‘ll read it yet, maybe I‘ve had enough of romance for this year.

Finished A Hat Full of Sky today, and as always Wow, Terry Pratchett never disappoints. Passing it to my girl now.

Another The Wild Swans retelling of sorts. I enjoyed it, though it took me a long time to read through it. I am glad the sequel comes out in a couple of weeks, I want to know what happens next. It will also make a fun read for my kids.

Another summer romance read. This time with Shakespeare, which made this book so much fun. I really enjoyed banter and slow burn in this one.

The Wild Swans has always been one of my favorite stories. Jackie Morris‘ wonderful retelling, or rather expansion of the original tale is absolutely lovely. 🦢

Another romance for my summer reading. This one was super cute! A Beauty and the Beast retelling. And for once not written in first person, I LOVED that. Not very steamy, but plenty romantic, which also was refreshing. I enjoyed it very much indeed.

I loved this story of an unconventional life, honest choices and ultimate belonging. It was absolutely charming.

That was a pretty cute romance read. We went to our first Renaissance Fair last week, so it felt extra fun to read a book on the same topic. I will continue with other books in this series.

I rather enjoyed this one. It felt a little slow, but i love the plot, the setting and a slow burning romance. The second book is due to come out later this year and I‘m looking forward to it.

Delightful reread, this is my favorite Austen novel, much as I love Pride and Prejudice, yet this one is a pute perfection.

This one was a good read. It‘s cute, the banter and dialogue were fun. It did start to drag towards the end, and a couple of scenes were just too cheesy for my taste. But I enjoyed it, I think it‘s a lovely summer/beach read

Reread this trilogy after 8 years. It was a much more difficult read this time around, especially Mockingjay.

Quick and fun read, it was a good one as far as romcoms go. Cute banter, plenty of emotional moments, not the worst romantic scenes I‘ve read (but as always it feels a bit weird to me to read it in first person present tense). I loved the bookishness of it, and that it is such a love letter to NYC. The sister relationship in the book was a bit irritating and the ending fell a bit flat for me. But I enjoyed it overall.

Comfort reread, and will have a comfort rewatch of the movie soon. I really love this book, and I love that it is so different from the movie that I can heartily enjoy both.

This book was on my TBR list for a long time, and finally I got to it. It was chilling and depressing, but also strangely comforting. I can‘t explain why I felt calm after finishing it. Horrific “shades of gray”, rhetoric that happens even now chilling one‘s heart with eerie resemblance to the past. But everything ends. But we didn‘t learn a thing, did we?

“Oh, God— the lives people try to lead.
Oh, God —what a world they try to lead them in!”

This is an absolutely delightful book of 52 things to look forward to, I managed to savor it over a few days, and it warmed my heart a lot. These are simple things, personal and yet universal.

This book was published in 2014 right after Crimea annexation and it reads a bit like a prequel to today‘s horrors. It‘s written for a Western reader and in general I didn‘t find a lot of new information, but it did help me to fill some gaps (I left Russia 20 years ago and never lived there as an adult). And some things that were true back then didn‘t change. It‘s a good primer, even if sometimes the book structure felt somewhat shaky.

I enjoyed this one. The story of young lovers from two feuding families reminded me of The Night Circus (which I really should read again). The writing is beautiful enough for me to ignore little snags in the narrative. It was a fast read.

Lovely story, a retelling of a Korean folktale, imaginative and beautiful. Really enjoyed it. Will pass it to daughter, she‘ll like it for sure.

It‘s always such a treat to take a peek at a successful illustrator‘s sketchbooks and learn from his process. Especially if the artist is Shaun Tan. Absolutely loved it. It reminded me how grounding sketchbooks are and how ideas are not coming from the void, but through consistent practice.

Another love letter to Britain, written by Bill Bryson 20 years after The Notes from the Small Island. I started it a while ago, hoping that I can visit again soon. I hope I don‘t have to wait too long to go.

🌏 🌱 🌸

This one was better! I lowered my expectations and it was an entertaining read. Worldbuilding got better, and while I still don‘t quite buy the regency era setting, at least it didn‘t feel like Wild West (almost). While I see why some people were upset with changes made in the show, but I prefer the way it turned out on the screen. I don‘t reject the possibility of continuing reading the series, just a bit later maybe.

Not the best read of my life. But a fast one and it helps that I wasn‘t expecting literature, but rather what it was. Was disappointed by the lack of regency feel, if author didn‘t tell us I would have pictured it takes place in America. The romance felt tepid and went in circles a lot. That one scene left a bad taste (and so did the scene in the show). I hear book 2 is better so I‘ll give it another chance.

I was meh about 1st season, but the 2nd one was awesome! Are books any good?

I‘ve finished Columbine by Dave Cullen today, it was a very difficult read, but I‘m glad I finally did it. Not just because it‘s my community where it happened 8 years before it became my home, but because turns out what I knew about it was mostly wrong. I also needed to read it especially now, as I watch most heinous deeds unfold, asking why. This book provided some answers, and it made me very sad. Because despite everything, horrors go on.

The Handmaid‘s Tale+Never Let Me Go+ every parent‘s worst nightmare = this novel. It was a well written book, along with dystopian flavor it raises very real issues. But it was not a happy read, though it was a quick one. I would not recommend it for new moms, though, I had my insecurities resurfacing, even though mine are teenagers. I chose “pick”, but won‘t reread.

“If this goes on-“ is a sci-fi novella by Robert A. Heinlein, written in 1940. I often reread it. This story is set in the USA that was overtaken by theocratic dictatorship, and where population is ruled by propaganda, until at last there is a revolution. And the whole time I was fascinated by the fact that it was written 80 years ago, right at the beginning of WWII, and yet people didn‘t change at all. I definitely recommend it.

I heard about this collection of passionate, sensual poems from Brian Selznick‘s brilliant talk during #scbwi winter conference. I really enjoyed this book, beautiful artwork opens and closes the book, most interesting literary notes about Whitman and this specific collection.

A quick read, a romcom I needed to lose myself in to exhale. I didn‘t know much about this book, but apparently it‘s very popular online. I don‘t know anything about the world of academia, so again a new topic. It was sometimes cute and sometimes stupid, full of sweet and sometimes cringey moments. It has problematic bits, and some that are outright ridiculous. But I enjoyed it, and though I probably won‘t reread it, it was fun.

I really enjoyed The Scent Keeper , it had two things I love -scents and islands, the story is compelling and full of heart. It was a “librarian favorite” in my library, and it‘s now one of my favorites too.