The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
The Teller of Small Fortunes

Title: The Teller of Small Fortunes
Author: Julie Leong
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Cozy fantasy, Fantasy, Magic
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024

Thoughts

I seriously enjoyed going on Tao’s journey through the country with her. Joining her on her journey to accepting herself and finding Found Family. This was such a sweet cozy fantasy that I really enjoyed reading. There was nothing intense and heart stopping about the story, and I didn’t necessarily feel like my emotions got too tangled up in the drama. But there was affection, there was love, and there was growth. Plus, there was an adventure that dealt with a whole set of challenging circumstances, and a feeling of life coming full circle at the end of the book.

I really loved this band of misfits – Mash, Silt and Kina worked so well together. They fit together so seamlessly, and beautifully. Mash is the strong, driven family man (with a bit of a past) who is completely driven by finding his daughter, and also the primary activity that drives the four on their journey. Silt is such a happy-go-lucky character and often brings almost comedic relief to the story. Kina then rounds out the group with emotion and joy. Her love of life and happiness were probably my favourite parts of the whole story and group. Tao might have been the main character, but it was the bonds between the four that truly drove the story.

One of my favourite things about this book is how Tao explains the difference between big and small fortunes. She’s a seer regardless (which becomes wonderfully apparent as the story unfolds), but the cost and the challenges of reading the different kinds of fortune is beautifully explained. I particularly love, that, as Tao’s back story comes out, the reasons for her choice of fortunes was even more powerful. There is such intricacy to this world building, right down to the rules and costs of magic, that I absolutely adored. Plus, I love the idea that even our small fortunes have the ability to give us some major changes in our lives. Ones that may or may not be needed.

There was something entirely innocent about this whole story. It was cute, sweet and worked out really well. When reading the blurb, I thought that the journey to find Mash’s daughter was going to be a little bit dark, and have some potential horrors in store. Instead, it was just as innocent as the rest of the tale. There was this almost naivety to the writing and the storyline that I really needed. And it’s a great reminder why the cozy fantasy genre works so well. There is action and intrigue that makes you want to keep reading, but it is so damn sweet and innocent, that the emotional stakes don’t totally destroy you.

<- The Keeper of Magical ThingsMore cozy fantasy ->

Image source: Amazon

So Gay For You by Leisha Hailey & Kate Moennig

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Overview
So Gay for You: Friendship, Found Family, and the Show That Started It All

Title: So Gay For You: Friendship, Found Family & The Show That Started It All
Author: Leisha Hailey & Kate Moennig
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Celebrity, LGBTQI, Memoirs
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2025

Thoughts

I’ve watched all of The L Word, except for the final season (and the reboot), so, when I saw that two of the actresses had written a memoir together, I was intrigued. And, I was definitely not disappointed. I mean, everything about this was interesting and intriguing. I enjoyed the insight into what it was like to be a part of The L Word team and how groundbreaking it was at the time. But, I also enjoyed how honestly and openly Hailey and Moennig wrote about their lives, before, after and during their hit show. I always love how insightful memoirs that are built around a TV Show (or movie) can be, and how it can provide an insight into the lives of others and different experiences.

Although I loved the insight into The L Word, mostly I just really loved the voices of Hailey and Moennig. They were smart and sassy, with a whole lot of honesty that I seriously appreciated. One woman was out before the show even came to form, the other slowly had her sexual recognition throughout her filming of The L Word. I loved how different their tales and journeys were, but how they built together. Particularly to the moments when they first met, how they felt about it, and then how they built a friendship that is the envy of all friendships. Their love for one another and honesty was enviable and I really enjoyed learning more about how other women have grown and found each other.

I read a lot of stories which feature Found Family and Soul Mates (not romantic Soul Mates, those friends who are forever). But I haven’t read many memoirs that actually feature the reality of this kind of relationship. I love how they were able to find each other in this insane world that we live in, and figure out a way to have each other’s backs. But, they aren’t romantically entangled – I love that Hailey and Moennig found each other and created their own Found Family – one in which they are accepted and beloved. That support and love is something that I think everyone deserves, and I absolutely loved reading about it.

Although I picked up So Gay For You because of my knowledge of The L Word, I love that this novel wasn’t actually all that much about it. Yes, it featured in it for a fair chunk of the book, but even then, it was just a part of a greater story. One which I really enjoyed, and would definitely enjoy reading further. Mostly though, the focus was on the beautiful friendship between these two women, and the ways in which they were able to find each other. The community that they built together and the way that their love for one another was supportive and helped them both to grow into better versions of themselves.

<- The Last Black UnicornThe Hospital by the River ->

Image source: Amazon

She’s the One by Helena Hunting

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: She’s the One
Author: Helena Hunting
In: Nightingale (Skye Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2022

Thoughts

She’s the One is a great little short story based on one moment in time. Yet, even though it was quite short, it kind of felt like the beginning of something else. It was both well rounded and an enjoyable read, but felt like it could be the beginning of a greater novel. I believe that it sits in with the All In series by Helena Hunting, but I’m quite happy to leave it as a standalone short story.

Nolan and Pattie meeting, flirting, and then kissing happened at quite a fast clipped pace. It was fun to jump into the journey of finding someone and flirting in those first moments. Then, there’s the build up to both agreeing to go on their first date, all with the potential complications of Nolan’s brother and the intricacies of building the start of a relationship whilst watching a hockey game together.

It was a total cliche, but I did enjoy how Nolan takes advantage of Pattie’s sort-of-ex to engage more intimately with the woman he has his eye on. It’s such an obvious ploy, but I particularly liked that he owned up to this and consistently asked Pattie for permission / checked in with her thoughts.

All in all, this was a good and simple short story that I enjoyed. I don’t know if I have any driving need to revisit these characters, but it was a quick and enjoyable departure from reality anyway.

<- NightingaleExpansion ->

Image source: Amazon

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

Title: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
Author: Lori Gottlieb
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Memoirs, Mental health, Psychology
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I’m writing this review a fair while after actually finishing the final page of this book (because adulting). But, honestly, even though it’s been a couple of weeks, I seriously can’t stop thinking about Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. I don’t know if it is how well written this book is, the relevance of the topic to my life at this point, or the unflinching honesty. But, regardless of the reason, I absolutely adored this memoir and will gladly read this again and again in the future.

Not only is Maybe You Should Talk to Someone a humorous memoir, it is also a great insight into one woman’s journey to becoming a therapist. As someone who is studying to become a counsellor, I can tell you that the majority of therapists and therapists-to-be that I spend my time with have entered the field in a somewhat convoluted manner. Gottlieb is no different, and I love how she is able to share those integral parts of her journey to working in mental health throughout the memoir. Then, she’s brutally honest about how she acted within her own therapy – and the pitfalls of ego that we all fall into. Sometimes to protect ourselves, but sometimes just because that’s what our brains do.

I really enjoyed how Gottlieb was able to intersperse the anecdotal tales she was sharing with actual therapeutic / psychological theory. It was great to read for anyone who is interested in mental health. But, as someone who wants to work more deeply in this field, it made me really question how I’m not only engaging with future clients, but how I’m engaging with my own therapist. I particularly loved how she talked about Unconditional Positive Regard and how challenging that could be in moments. Something that I will have to make sure I work towards myself in future endeavours.

My all time favourite aspect of this novel is how open and honest Gottlieb is about therapy and the therapeutic process. She doesn’t pretend that it is easy (on anyone), or that there are magical fixes. But she emphasises the growth and the change that people may experience, and shines a light on the fact that therapists of all calibres have their own challenges and sometimes are simply just humans who need a little bit of help too.

<- Bits and PiecesFrog ->

Image source: Booktopia

I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokpokki by Baek Se-hee

Book Review, ,
Overview
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: The International bestseller: I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki Baek Sehee Bloomsbury Publishing - Bloomsbury

Title: I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki
Author: Baek Se-hee
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Memoirs, Mental health
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Reading this off of the back of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone made this a mental health memoir that had a lot to live up to. And, quite frankly, this did not live up to it. Honestly, this whole book for me was just a huge transcript of someone’s therapy. But, with all of the important parts pulled out. There was none of the honesty that a good mental health memoir should have. Rather, it felt kind of self-indulgent and as though the author still wasn’t actually ready to face up to her own shit. 

Image source: Bloomsbury

Frog: The Secret Diary of a Paramedic by Sally Gould

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Frog | Book by Sally Gould | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster AU

Title: Frog: The Secret Diary of a Paramedic
Author: Sally Gould
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Medical, Memoirs, Mental health
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2025

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this memoir, and it’s one that I actually can’t stop thinking about it. Even though it’s been a while since I turned that final page. It was intense, it was well written, and like all of the best memoirs, it was brutally honest. Honestly, I just couldn’t put this down and I love how honest Gould is not just about her journey into becoming a paramedic, but also her own mental health challenges and difficulties. One of the best medical memoirs I’ve read in a long while, and a reminder of why I like this subgenre.

In Frog, Gould talks about her first three years as a paramedic in Australia. She doesn’t give any specifics of where, but it felt like a lot of the suburban hubs that make up our wonderful country (I am intrigued as to where though, because I’m nosy). She’s honest about her drives and why she wanted to pursue this career path, but, most importantly, she’s honest about the challenges that she faced. Some of the anecdotes are kind of funny and a little bit quirky. Others, not so much. They run the gambit of difficult training officers, to somewhat insane patients and the tragic endings. If it was a pivotal moment for Gould, she has included it.

Being someone who works in the “helping professions”, I understand that the risk to mental health is higher than in other areas. I really loved how honest Gould was in her memoir about the impact that her career has had on her mental health. And also the consequences of this. I absolutely adored this, although, I read Frog at a bit of a triggering time, so some of the passages were ones that I had to put down and aside. It was incredibly intense and potent, but, again, the ability of Gould to be open and honest about difficult to talk about topics made it so much more powerful.

Everything about Frog was fantastically written. It was a wonderfully insightful memoir, and was a reminder of why I really enjoy diving into this style of book every now and then. Plus, for me, it was all that much more potent because it was an Australian woman working in a “helping profession”. I really hope that Gould writes more books in the future, because I will definitely be keen to dive into them!

<- Bits and PiecesWe Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

The Book of Dragons by E. Nesbit

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Book of Dragons by E Nesbit

Title: The Book of Dragons
Author: E. Nesbit
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Dragons, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Collection, eBook, Novel
Year: 1899

Thoughts

I honestly can’t believe that I didn’t read The Book of Dragons when I was younger! Or that I never knew that Nesbit was really an author. I would’ve absolutely inhaled these books when I was growing up, and then gone back to read it again and again and again. Luckily, as an adult, I’m still more than willing to dive into books like this and read them… again and again and again. Honestly, everything about this ticked all of my boxes as both an adult, but it also would’ve been fantastic as a preteen.

One of the things that I loved about The Book of Dragons is that it is nine (or maybe it was eight) short stories about dragons. Rather than being one long, intense tale, it is a series of smaller ones that had me smiling happily at the conclusion of each and every one. I really enjoyed that each and every story featured dragons in some shape or form, but that each and every one had a slightly different theme and message. It meant that as soon as I finished one of the stories, I couldn’t wait to see what twists and turns the next one would provide.

Although all of the stories in this book were about dragons, they were also all quintessentially English. Probably another reason why I absolutely adored this and couldn’t believe that I’ve never heard of these books before – there is something that I find so soothing and eerily familiar about English stories. And honestly, reading this just felt like a big hug and a way to return home.

After finishing The Book of Dragons, I found out a little bit more about Nesbit and her life. And honestly? It just made me love the book and her all that much more… I wonder if there is a biography out there somewhere that I can dive into about this fascinating author and enjoyable literary mind.

Image source: The Nile

Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish

Book Review, , , , , , , , ,
Overview
Accidentally On Purpose by Kristen Kish

Title: Accidentally on Purpose
Author: Kristen Kish
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Celebrity, Food, LGBTQI
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2025

Thoughts

I know of Kristen Kish from the Disney+ show, Restaurants at the End of the World, but I didn’t really know much about her beyond that. Which meant, that when her biography showed up on one of the Goodreads Challenges that I wanted to read, I couldn’t wait to dive in. It was also pleasant reading a biography about someone I knew I liked, but with no actual idea of any of her life. Everything about Accidentally on Purpose reminded me of the voice of Kish from her food documentary, but with an extra layer of honesty and integrity that I admired.

One of the parts of this memoir that I really loved is how Kish is able to incorporate multiple facets of the life that she lives. It starts pretty simple with Kish talking about her adoption and upbringing. But, the more she shares, the more she talks about how the different aspects of her personhood intersect. From being adopted, to being Korean, to being gay, Kish is honest and open about who she now is. But, also the struggles that she experiences to get there. And I loved how she talks about each and every part of her identity with raw brilliance.

Before reading Accidentally on Purpose, I knew nothing about Top Chef, beyond the fact that it was a TV show. Now, knowing that this is how Kish got her Celebrity Chef start, I’m a more than a little intrigued. The whole idea of the show and Kish’s love for it make me want to watch it. Then there’s the history behind it and the importance of representation which Kish touches upon. Again, all aspects of the story that make me really want to get to know more about Top Chef, and maybe watch a season or two.

Each memoir I read has some kind of life message or wisdom to impart that I enjoy. In the case of Accidentally on Purpose, it’s Kish’s openness to new experiences and just enjoying the path that you are on. She frequently shares how she just stumbled into lucky positions throughout her life, and took advantage of them. It’s a good reminder that sometimes we have to take advantage of the path we are on, and remember that the journey is absolutely more important than the destination.

<- Twas the Nightshift Before ChristmasPirate Hunters ->

Image source: Amazon

Reading Update as of mid-August 2025

List, ,

A bit delayed in scheduling my next batch of reviews… mostly because I’m now officially a Working Mum. And my daughter is refusing to sleep. And basically, just general life… which is probably why there are also a whole lot of rereads in this batch.

Series

Short story collections

Standalones – Novels

Standalones – Novellas

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Dial A for Aunties
Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
Series: Aunties #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Humour, Mystery
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Holy crap, this book was freaking amazing. And totally unforgettable. There was just something about it that made me fall head over heels in love from the very first page. I mean, it is pure insanity and hilariously unhinged. But, I love that in a good book. Unhinged in real life isn’t great, but reading about it. Particularly when that unhinged comes from a place of love? That works wonderfully. Which, considering this is really a love story about four aunts and their niece, meant that I thought this was the most delightfully and chaotically unhinged story that I’ve read in a long while.

As I mentioned, there is the romance between Meddy and her past flame, but for me, the biggest love story is Meddy and her aunties. They just don’t hesitate to dive right in and help her out, regardless of just how bad the situation is. Which is particularly hilarious when they are literally trying to hide a dead body. I mean, honestly, the incredibly foolish and ill-conceived decisions just keep coming. And they had me laughing outloud throughout the entire novel. But, the fact that this all came from a place of love and care? It made what was actually quite macabre to be absolutley beautiful and kind of heart melting.

To begin with, there are the multiple timelines in this novel. Starting with the chaotic choices made by Meddy’s mum and leading to the whole body situation. But then, you flash back to Meddy’s past. This doesn’t happen throughout the entire story, but it occurs enough to giv eyou a background not only into Meddy’s past relationship, but also to just where some of her discontent sits. I love though, that when that smaller arc from the past is completed, you are just plunged into the present full time. driven along with the knowledge of some of Meddy’s past, and the reasons why she is not quite happy in life the way it is.

Dial A for Aunties crossed a whole lot of genres in the most enjoyable manner. It felt a little like a mystery, a like sattirical, a little contemporary / contemporary romance and a whole lot of familial love. I basically spent the entire time reading this laughing and giggling – there was just something ridiculously fun and light about this. Which was particularly surprising when there was literally a dead body at the centre of this story…

<- More Jesse Q. SutantoFour Aunties and a Wedding ->

Image source: HarperCollins