Interesting historical setting with a murder mystery on the side, though I somehow didn't warm to any of the characters. I learned about Paraguay 's history, so I won't complain😅

#foodandlit
@Catsandbooks @Texreader

My fiction pick for #foodandlit 🇹🇭 this month...there is a common parent-child relationship theme in all of them. They offer a sad look at some of Thailand's most prominent social issues, well-written and touching.
I would have preferred a more balanced view, it's important not to gloss over things, but I'm sure there are happy stories worth telling, too.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

@Catsandbooks @Texreader

Such a disappointing read...I wanted to learn about the country and its people...but there is literally nothing on early history or nation building or actually anything much on culture (history starts 1930🙄). Everything is portrayed with a negative view (Buddhist Monasteries -> corruption and discrimination, national holiday --> public disturbance and excess drinking, etc.).
That's a big fail on #foodandlit this month
@Texreader @Catsandbooks

My easy take on Thai Green Curry when there's not much left in the house but there is green paste and some veggies. Turned out alright!

The book has a very specific take on telling Thailand's history. Halfway through I am still stuck with more recent history that of course makes limited sense to me as the author chose to start with that without any general introduction to the country...

#foodandlit 🇹🇭
@Catsandbooks @Texreader

A bad summary could say: Making goat cheese in Japan against all odds😄

A beautiful slow-paced story about how life can go and how inspiration can come from unexpected places.
I would have liked a less open ending, but still a powerful read, especially concerning the relationship between food and tradition and everything in between.

🐐🧀

Rafik Schami always tells stories about an old Damaskus, that feels magical and painfully real at the same time. They are all somewhat mesmerising, but this one was not my favourite, but still a decent read. Helped pass the time on the train :)

🇸🇾
⭐️⭐️⭐️

@Catsandbooks @Texreader
#foodandlit

I liked this one, honest, nuanced and poetic.
It felt real and touching.
Also great translation, keeping some of the Korean expressions for atmosphere but not expecting too much of the reader. I knew my K-drama habit would come in handy at some point🤭🇰🇷

Got over my audio book slump and now I am all ears for this mesmerising story of a young man's struggles to find his place in the world🐰

This was different. I was touched by the love story, I am still very confused about the other world of Prophets, but I like it :D
Especially because the obvious love story is in such a stark contrast to the complex universe created in the other one. Reminded me, how much fun philosophy can be. A slow burn, but worth it.

My new bookmarks arrived😍

I'd make food from various countries and prepare a Ladies Night to share travel stories, including romantic adventures!🤭
Who I'd invite: Auntie Mame (tagged), Miss Fisher (Miss Fisher's Murder Mystery Series) Aunt Augusta (Travels with my Aunt), Irene (The Invisible Library Series) and Bibi Chen (Saving Fish from Drowning).

@RaeLovesToRead #ihavequestions

My final pick for #foodandlit Dominican Republic 🇩🇴: Another great story about Dominican women and how a shared tragedy brings them suddenly together.

@Catsandbooks @Texreader

My take on Dominican Spaghetti! A very easy and quick dish, truly yummy!🇩🇴

#foodandlit
@Catsandbooks @Texreader

Another book-matching-outfit incident😄

I liked the first story and am now completely immersed into the second one, which has some very clever world-building 🌱

1) only finished it to write a legit 1-star-review😄 Privileged, self-absorbed woman takes time off, everything is described as if she is the first human ever to: gain weight, learn a foreign language (it's Italian, she is not exactly tackling Mandarin🙄), pray, get a bladder infection, travel, etc.

2) Anything by Jojo Moyes, Nicolas Sparks or Cecilia Ahearn. Can hardly stand a movie based on their novels😅

#ihavequestions @RaeLovesToRead

I get that this book caught some attention, but I just couldn't care much about Oscar's misfortunes. Not very wondrous, but repetitive and clichéd.

I learned a lot about Dominican history, which I honestly knew nothing about. That's a big plus, thank you #foodandlit

The vulgar narrator may be a provoking idea, but it left me with the feeling that this is what you do when you have nothing else to contribute.

@Catsandbooks @Texreader

Uuuh, I loved it, very powerful and brilliantly performed by the author! I liked the mix between Spanish and English, underlining differences between the generations and emphasising emotion.

First dive into the Dominican Republic for #foodandlit 🇩🇴

@Texreader @Catsandbooks

🌚 Did I like the MC? No, she is rude, irrational and frankly just not the brightest.

🌕 Did I love the Chinese zodiac theme? Very much.

🌝 Do I think we need a dating app based on our Chinese zodiac traits? Yes, absolutely! 😄

🌛 Have I been called over-critical: Constantly.

Most of the story didn't make sense, especially some parallels between the MCs were illogical and obviously not thought through but necessary for them to connect.

Olivia might just be the most annoying person ever. On the other hand, I like that this is a RomCom, where the female MC is deeply flawed and not perfect and described as pretty every 2 minutes😅

I know it's probably unrealistic, but I think her love interest deserves so much better and is a rational and kind person, I sort of hope they won't end up together😅

I'll say 3,5 🌟
I loved the idea how language is a resource on its own.
The book tries to capture various points of view but somehow misses some topics completely (sexism in other cultures and its effect on the characters and conflicting religious beliefs are only very remotely touched)
The in depth exploration of what it takes for people to use violence as their last resort is well written and believable.
I strongly recommend the audiobook!

This was a straightforward 5 🌟 read!

I have never read anything so simply honest about the endlessly complex - and frankly - uncomfortable circumstances that make up any society and how religion, race, intergenerational trauma and national identity form our views and attitudes on every level.

I also learned about an aspect of history I wasn't even remotely aware of, an absolute win!

Perfect for #foodandlit 🌯🤤

@Catsandbooks @Texreader

I bought the most fantastic calendar ("The World in your Kitchen") and it's perfect for a #foodandlit -like challenge, as it includes a recipe for every month.

Because what is better than one foodandlit challenge? Two foodandlit challenges!??

It arrived only Saturday, so I'm a little behind on January, but would still like to try.

Any reading suggestions for Argentina? ???

The story somewhat defies summaries but this picture somehow fits perfectly, sending light from an uncommon place as well.
I love how well the title fits the story!

I think it's best to go into this book without too many expectations and preconceptions, just read it! I strongly recommend the audiobook, it creates an amazing atmosphere. Make sure snacks are readily available at all times, preferably doughnuts😄🍩

Had an instant cover crush on this one and I am super excited to start on it for #foodandlit
#Uganda 🇺🇬🪶

@Catsandbooks @Texreader

I was sceptical at first but it turned out a very different and interesting read! Especially the villain's motivations were something unexpected and I liked the philosophical questions behind the overall story.
Could've been 50 pages longer to tie up some of the loose ends, but maybe there is a direct sequel planned?
???/5
Also I got "99 Red Balloons" stuck in my head for the next days?

#foodandlit
@Catsandbooks @Texreader

I really wonder sometimes...when people research books and incorporate words from foreign languages...does anyone check those at all??

Well, nobody cared to check the German words in this one. Not even little bit...on the bright side: I'm still laughing at "freundschaftsbezeigungen" which is not a thing. German famously allows you to lump words together, but they have to be actual words.?

Does someone share this specific bookish problem??

I don't know...somehow most of the characters' motivations and priorities didn't make much sense to me. The evil ruler is just evil, no story here.

I was also seriously annoyed at the stereotype scholar who is somehow an expert and at the same time too stupid to leave his books behind when his life is in danger.
I keep waiting for a Hermione-like characters and instead being educated is too often portrayed as flawed, annoying and useless🙄

Noah is brutally honest when telling you both the tragic and the hysterical.
He's a remarkable person and I am grateful he chose to share his story with the world.

I picked this up at an open "book cupboard". I never knew there was a book, the movie is a famous German classic and watched traditionally for Christmas. It's about a young man who has been home-schooled and is teased for having missed out on a lot of fun in school. So he leaves Berlin to go to a small town school and poses as a student while playing pranks, finding friends and enjoying himself thoroughly.

#foodandlit
@Texreader @Catsandbooks

#foodandlit
@Texreader @Catsandbooks

When in doubt, bake cookies?! Made some of these Vanille Kipferl to unwind from work today🤗

🎄☃️🇩🇪

Home-made German "Stollen-Konfekt"?

#foodandlit
@Catsandbooks @Texreader

I liked it, but I think it tried a bit too hard to show all the ways women might have struggled in that time and society. Actually I think one essential situation might be missing: the happy woman with or without children or a happily married couple. This felt a bit forced and unrealistic, but the story is good and it wasn't easy to put down!

I bought the sequel so definitely a pick ;)
3,5/🌟

#foodandlit

It's funny, there were two plot twists happening at once and I found one to be absolutely predictable, the other one left me totally surprised.
Looking forward to the next part of the book!🤓🤯

#foodandlit #india

Cooking my favourite Paneer Pasanda and Naan for #FoodandLit India!
Should really make that more often 😅

I read this sequel directly after the first book and wasn't disappointed! Life in Kamusari village just gets curiouser and curiouser! 😄
I really hope there will be a 3rd one!

🌲🌲🌲🌲/5

I loved it! This village of Kamusari is something else! Cute and wise coming-of-age-story, but it's generally a very intriguing tale for anyone who ever felt like they didn't belong.

🌲🌲🌲🌲/5

Finally finished the October #foodandlit buddy read! (7 minutes left until November in my time zone😄)

This was a very different and unexpected story, I enjoyed Alaine's snarky remarks, mixed-medium diary/assignment reports and will definitely spend some time googling the food and dishes mentioned, Haitian cuisine sounds delicious!

4/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Unpopular opinion: I didn't care for it. I find it clichéd, trying a bit too hard and unnecessary stretched out.
I cared for Davey and Marjorie (the main character's brother and best friend) significantly more than for Rabbit. She and her daughter were too faultless.
Did anyone else in the universe feel something similar? :D
Not a Pan (but on the edge) because it kept me reading with some interest, but I wouldn't recommend it to a friend.

"So in order to be a source of fulfillment, a good hobby probably should feel a bit embarrassing. That's a sign you're doing it for it's own sake"

This was a gift from a dear friend who has no idea what kind of books I like at all?
I am still determined to give this a fair chance.

It's about a woman dying of cancer and her family coping.
I liked one simple quote of her sister and husband (the sister's) talking:
"All is well my darling", he said.
"We do our best to support her."
"And what then?"
"Then we say goodbye."

In two words: Ok, boomer.😅
This is written from a place of immense privilege and 'why are you here?' becomes a very dark question when you haven't won the place-of-birth lottery.
The sarcasm about having enough money for retirement made me especially angry. There is a fine line between how much do you really need and being unable to afford a roof over your head.
Also all sorts of epiphanies seem to happen on expensive holidays abroad.🤔

Totally confusing in the end but also somewhat magical. As usual, Ogawas characters form unlikely bonds that are beautiful and heart-warming.
Fun fact: the German cover is completely random and feels like a default design for the author. Adds to the overall confusion :D

I was instantly absorbed into the story, Yoshimoto's writing is beautiful prose that sets a perfect mood for the story.
I liked the emphasis on how people bond over shared tragedy in unexpected ways and find new families in the process.
I'm looking forward to reading her other books!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

"And some of us will inevitably find ourselves rolling around in a puddle on some roof in a strange place with takeout katsudon in the middle of winter, looking up at the night sky, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Ah, but the moon was lovely."

Lovely book about the love of books!
A typically Japanese fantasy story that one should especially (re-)read when life seems out of your own control and you need some motivation and courage to go on.

Loved it!

🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱/5

Reading the chapter about Düsseldorf in Düsseldorf while lounging on the "Rhine Lawn" by the Rhine river bank...priceless ?

I am really surprised by the depth of this one! It portrays incredibly well how the children of immigrants experience confusion, guilt and pressure when choosing their own paths that often do not match their parents' expectations or values. Or how it feels to be brought up in a very different way than most of your friends.
Totally hits home and it feels very universal.

This is an amazing story that includes other crime short stories, so you get 8 murder mysteries in one! Highly recommended, I don't want to spoiler any of the content, so I'll just say: This is the most original crime mystery since The Orient Express.

I was hooked from the very start: A pirate girl, who tries to survive as a boy, another girl sent off to be wed and their unlikely love and friendship caught somewhere in between.
The world-building is quite original and just the right amount to make the story work. It's full of intriguing characters to love and hate! And the Sea!
It's told from different perspectives, I think two of them would have sufficed, it just doesn't add much.

🐚🐚🐚🐚/5