Title: The Raven Scholar Author: Antonia Hodgson Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again) Pace: Slow Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2025
The Raven Scholar was a great premise, but for me, quite a forgettable execution. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad. But, for me to love an epic fantasy, it has to be damn good. But, this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
There was a whole lot of set up to this story, that i struggled to get into the tale. But, this may be one of those stories that I give another shot… when I have a little more patience for all of the non-action to start the story.
Title: The Old Man and the Sea Author: Ernest Hemingway Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Classics, Contemporary, Oceans Pace: Slow Format: eBook, Novel Year: 1952
Something about this novella hit really deeply. There was so much emotion in such a short number of words, that it still gives me a feeling of loss and hopelessness. I can’t even quite put my finger on it, after all, it is about a man going to fish, getting lost along the way and then coming back with nothing. Kind of, at its core. Honestly, if I were to articulate why there is some deep feelings here, I wouldn’t (and obviously can’t) explain it. Yet, the stubbornness and futility in the story are what makes it so worthwhile a read. My first Hemingway, and I’m really not disappointed.
There is so much love in this story – the love of the man and the sea, the boy and the man, the man and the fish. Everything about this spoke of affection and love. And how we can love something, care for it, and still have to let it go. I also found the death of the fish rather tragic. I mean, they battle, the man shows his love and consideration, and then, by the time he gets home… every evidence of the majesty of the fish is gone. An absolute exercise in futility.
The Old Man and the Sea was a little bit heartbreaking, but kind of bittersweet at the same time. I enjoyed the journey that the old man went on, and how he eventually returns, exhausted, but still honored and loved. I don’t know that I would read this novella again, but I definitely enjoyed my first foray into Hemingway.
Title: A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang Author:Lee Onhwa Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Cozy fantasy, Ghosts, Magical realism Pace: Slow Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2024
I thought that this book was incredibly sweet and a whole lot of fun. It played a little with the concept of time, but not in an overwhelmingly confusing way. It also highlighted the importance of life and love, and just living the best version of life you can. But I particularly loved how each and every chapter is the story of a life lived and lost, all with a bit of bittersweetness thrown in.
There was something about A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang that was beautiful and really nostalgic. I’m not sure what it was making me nostalgic for, but that was most certainly the feeling I had. I honestly didn’t want the story to end, and could’ve read so many more stories about lives (mostly) well lived. It was such a gentle souled story.
Although this is a book that is ultimately all about death, it is really rather hopeful. For me, the beautiful mix of the past and present was a great reminder to live every day to its fullest. And, in every moment there is hope. Something that i really needed at the time i read this, a reminder to live life and always be hopeful for the future.
I wasn’t really expecting there to be a twist in this story. But there definitely was. And I enjoyed how it bought everything full circle. Something about the way this ended tied everything together beautifully, and gave a sense of serenity as I turned that final page.
Title: The Keeper of Magical Things Author: Julie Leong Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Cozy fantasy, LGBTQI, Romance Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2025
The Keeper of Magical Things was just as sweet, adorable and impossible to put down as The Teller of Small Fortunes. Julie Leong has definitely shifted right up there to one of my favourite cozy fantasy authors. Everything about this story was sweet and adorable. It was filled with so much love and felt like a giant cuddle with each and every page. This was a great story that was an easy read and departure from reality, something that I always enjoy in a good book.
This is a great opposites attract couple, and I love how they are both able to balance out each other’s short comings. They also accept each other for who they are, not trying to change each other or bring each other more into line. Both work well together to build a life, although both of them make mistakes that could cost them everything. Again, I love that this is a story in which both characters have short comings, both make mistakes, but ultimately, at the end, they both come together to create their own version of happily ever after.
I really love the idea of the library that they create at the end of this story. It’s all about giving back to the community and embracing a future where nothing is hoarded. After all, half the issues that occured in this story happened because power and powerful artifacts were only given to a few. A reminder that, no matter what, power should be used for the community, not just the few powerful. Plus, it’s a library, so I’m absolutely all there for that.
Everything about The Keeper of Magical Things is cozy, cute and gives you so much hope for the future. It is beautiful and sweet, in a way that all cozy fantasies are. I love that it is about community, life and finding your own happily ever after. There is a reason why cozy fantasies have become such a popular genre in recent times, and that need to depart reality for a joyful, kind read is exactly. Which Leong has managed to deliver yet again.
Title: Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, & Advice for Living Your Best Life Author: Ali Wong Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Comedy, Feminism, Memoirs Pace: Fast Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2019
I’ve seen a few of Ali Wong’s Netflix features, and I wasn’t sure how her wit and humour would translate to her writing. It turns out that she is just as hilarious with the written word as the spoken. Something about her had me in hysterics from the very first page. Honestly, the woman is just as filthy, ridiculous and hilarious in writing as she is on TV. And I absolutely was here for each and every moment of its insanity.
I absolutely adore how brutally honest Wong is about life, love and the plain old challenges of being a woman. She talks about how brutal motherhood is, the ridiculousness of childbirth and how insane it is to be a strong woman in a man’s world. All with her healthy dose of humour, wit and sarcasm. I honestly couldn’t stop laughing whilst reading this. It was honestly hilarious, and definitely not sane. My kind of woman, honestly.
As much as I enjoyed just the chaos of Wong’s writing, I found it especially funny that each and every “chapter” in this book is actually a themed letter to her daughters. Which felt kind of unhinged considering some of the topics of these letters. I may not get the chance to ever be that blunt with my own children, but I really appreciated how Wong approached this. It also tied in very nicely to the fact that every word in this reeked of her love for her children.
A lot of the commentary in Dear Girls was great – but I felt particularly connected to her discussions around motherhood. I have young children myself, and her brutal honesty as to how ridiculous and difficult being a mother is was… brilliant. We need more people with this level of honesty in the media – motherhood is amazing, but it is hard and no joke. Her honesty around this and ability to be up front and frank about the challenges we face as mothers… something that I need more of in my shelves.
Title: Bromantasy Author: Maire Roche Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Cozy fantasy, LGBTQI, Romance Pace: Fast Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2026
Holy crap, this story was hilarious, adorable and with enough emotional angst to really hit home. Honestly, I had no idea what to expect, since it was a book I picked up as part of a reading challenge. But, it turns out that it was a completely unforgettable and irreplaceable part of my shelves now. Juniper and Mo are incredibly cute, find themselves on the most ridiculous of adventures, and were a whole lot of sweet and pleasant fun.
Juniper and Mo absolutely have issues, they are kind of both a calamity walking. And yet, I really loved how humorously they unravel their quest and selves throughout this story. They both have issues upon issues, and these frequently get in the way of their ultimate goals and happiness. It had me laughing out loud throughout the whole story. Yes, it was an emotional bit of growth, but it was also completely beautiful how they are able to overcome their issues and insecurities to find their happily ever after.
At it’s core, this is a cozy fantasy about two bros who are in love. They somehow adopt a dragon and find themselves in one after another set of hilarious calamities. I also love how they are able to piss off almost every person in this story. Mostly through accident, but sometimes on purpose. Each and every dumb moment had me laughing out loud, it hit me in all the positive feels.
I loved this book so much, it hit all of my happy buttons for a good cozy mystery. It was filled with laughter, light and just enough emotional angst to keep me absolutely hooked. I will most definitely be reading more Maire Roche in the future – I already have her other book lined up on my ereader.
Title: Bibliophobia Author: Sarah Chihaya Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again) My Bookshelves:Memoirs, Mental health Pace: Slow Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2025
I absolutely loved this book to start with – it started off with so much promise and intensity. And then, it quickly lost traction. I don’t know why, but it started to feel a little repetitive without much forward movement. As much as I wanted to absolutely adore this (which I did in the first few chapters), I didn’t really stay hooked into the story and struggled a little as the reading went on.
This is probably a great book from a more academic perspective of mental health, but, I like to read memoirs for the emotionality of it all. Honestly, I got about a third of the way through it, and then, honestly, started to skim read through the rest of the book.
I am not so organised with scheduling this year, but I have finally had some time to do so. Here are the stories that have been filling my mind lately.
Series
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas (Spanish Love Deception #1)
The Flame Game ReRead by R.J. Blain (A Magical Romantic Comedy (With a Body Count) #16)
The Vampire of Montana ReRead by Susan Copperfield (Agents of the Royal States #1)
Iron Unicorn ReRead by Susan Copperfield (Agents of the Royal States #2)
Null and Void ReRead by Susan Copperfield (Royal States #3)
The Captive King ReRead by Susan Copperfield (Royal States #4)
A Guiding Light ReRead by Susan Copperfield (Royal States #5)
Huntress ReRead by Susan Copperfield (Royal States #6)
Bonds ReRead by Susan Copperfield (Royal States #7)
Runaway ReRead by Susan Copperfield (Royal States #8)
Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavours by Sonali Dev (The Rajes #1)
Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett (Emily Wilde #2)
Imperfect Chemistry by Mary Frame (Imperfect #1)
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig (The Stonewater Kingdom #1)
Catering to Aphrodite by Laura Greenwood (Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency #2)
Swipe Right for Kuk by Laura Greenwood (Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency #3.5)
Trading Names for Polite Sprites by Laura Greenwood (Obscure Academy #6)
Hounded ReRead by Kevin Hearne (The Iron Druid Chronicles #1)
The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton (Love’s Academic #1)
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune (Cerulean Chronicles #1)
The Undoing by Shelly Laurenston (Call of Crows #2)
To Kill a Badger by Shelly Laurenston (Honey Badger Chronicles #6)
Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver (Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #1)
The Sea of Monsters ReRead by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson & the Olympians #2)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ReRead by J.K. Rowling
An English Bride in Scotland ReRead by Lynsay Sands
Marriage & Masti by Nisha Sharma (If Shakespeare Was an Auntie #3)
Bonds of Justice ReRead by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #8)
Play of Passions ReRead by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #9)
Declaration of Courtship ReRead by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #9.5)
Kiss of Snow ReRead by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #10)
Texture of Intimacy ReRead by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #10.5)
Tangle of Need ReRead by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #11)
Partners in Persuasion ReRead by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #11.5)
Heart of Obsidian ReRead by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #12)
Flirtation of Fate ReRead by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #12.1)
Wild Invitation ReRead by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling Companion)
Wild Embrace ReRead by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling Companion)
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Vera Wong #1)
The Fairy Festival by Arizona Tape (The Griffin Sanctuary #0.75)
The Sphinx Pride by Arizona Tape (The Griffin Sanctuary #5)
The Griffin Flock by Arizona Tape (The Griffin Sanctuary #6)
The Kelpie Crisis by Arizona Tape (The Griffin Sanctuary #7)
The Hellhound Growl by Arizona Tape (The Griffin Sanctuary #8)
Although it’s not hard to fall for an animal, I really loved how strongly Charlotte bonded with Obie, the hellhound. It may not be the best, or most recommended thing for when you work in conservation, but, it’s also such a human response. Especially when you’re talking about well, a hound. It doesn’t matter what type – put a canine with a human, and they’re likely to bond. It just made Charlotte that much more relatable and loveable.
Although Charlotte bonded beautifully with Obie, her experiences also highlighted the risks that come with creating a special bond with an animal – that eventually they must be returned to the wild. Especially when working in conservation – rehabilitation means letting the animal remain as wild as possible. And although Charlotte manages to earn Obie’s trust to a degree, she still has to say her goodbyes and let him spread his wings.
After the turmoil in their relationship through the last few books, Charlotte and Felicity seem to be on firmer ground throughout The Hellhound Growl. I love that throughout everything, they have continued moving forward and just showing up for each other. In each and every moment, they show affection and acceptance. Which made it such a relief to finally find them back in a healthier and happier place.
As much as I love Charlotte, Obie absolutely stole the show for me in this one. He kind of reminds me a little of my boofheaded dog. So his journey to regaining the ability to trust and finding happiness again was just too beautiful. It made my heart explode with joy – again, because canines.
Yet again, I really enjoyed how Tape was able to create a mythical creature out of something in our reality. And then give it the behavioural and conservation challenges that are already faced in our mundane world. In the case of the kelpies, they are a seahorse crossed with a horse. Semi aquatic and amphibians. With all of the challenges which seahorses and amphibians face in today’s world.
Throughout The Griffin Flock, Felicity and Charlotte find themselves at the first challenging point of their relationship. I love that throughout The Kelpie Crisis, these challenges are still there, but they’re working on them. It’s an indication of the health of their relationship – communication and a willingness to work through their grievances. And ultimately, they end up coming out of it stronger.
As someone who sometimes struggles with friendships and socialising, I really liked how Charlotte primarily viewed the friendships she was making as a networking opportunity. I sometimes do similar when I’m feeling stressed about being in a social situation, so it was really nice to be able to relate to that. Particularly as she very obviously formed strong friendships, she just had to shift her lens about her own expectations a little.
I can’t wait for more Griffin Sanctuary books. I’m really hoping that there will be a few moments in which Mei or others will do cross training at different sanctuaries. Or that Charlotte will be able to travel to someone else’s place. Like The Abyss. That would be intriguing and add to the cute and fun nature of these books.
