First things first! Yesterday I mentioned green tea has been making me nauseous. One suggestion on the internet is to make sure it’s very hot, which seems to help (don’t ask me why). When I’m drinking it at home, I can put it in the microwave when it starts to cool down- this doesn’t work of course if I’m sitting at Starbucks. I drank my tea piping hot today and had no issues.
Let’s talk about reading! I finished three very different books this week. First up was:
I think you would describe this as “cozy fantasy” which isn’t a genre I would normally be interested in. But my son really wanted me to read this, so I did, and enjoyed it. It’s a magical story about… a moving castle, and the odd cast of characters who live there. There’s a witch, lots of magic spells, a dog, and some romance. It’s very cute, and I appreciated the humor. But because “cozy fantasy” isn’t my genre, I wouldn’t go on to read any of the other books in this series.
Next, for something completely different, I read:
This is a police procedural set in Norway. In the first chapter, a six-year-old girl is found hanging lifeless from a tree and dressed in doll’s clothes. Around her neck is a sign that says “I’m traveling alone.” A serial killer is on the loose.
Despite the grizzly premise, I liked this book! We get a lot of details about the personal lives of the two investigators, which I enjoyed. In the past I haven’t loved police procedurals, but these days I’m liking them more and more. There’s a second book in this series, which I’ll read at some point. There are so many books on my TBR, I don’t want to repeat authors right now. But I’ll get back to it.
And then, for another change of pace, I read:
I had complicated feelings about this one. Meredith from Currently Reading Podcast absolutely loved it, so I went in with high expectations. This book is described as “a missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each.” The writing could be described as “poetic”, and I prefer a more straightforward writing style in my novels. The storylines of obsessive, unrequited love seemed fairy tale-ish to me, and I don’t love that.
BUT! It is a mystery, and the ending is very, very satisfying. But it’s long and convoluted- I’m glad I read it to see what the hype is about, but I wouldn’t read anything else by this author.
Next up… a mystery that takes place in Palm Beach, Florida:
Have you read any of these books?
What are you reading now?
Top photo by Ed Robertson on Unsplash
17 Responses
I haven’t read any of these books, and my pick would be (lol the irony), I’m Traveling Alone.
This weekend I read Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell in one day and it was SO GOOD. It’s about a young mother who leaves an emotionally abusive marriage. I hesitated to read it for so long since it’s about a heavy topic. I wasn’t wrong about that, but the magic was watching her put her life back together and the book ended up being a joy to read.
Ooh, Nesting sounds good. And- I think you would probably like I’m Traveling Alone.
I haven’t read any of those books – they do not seem like they align with my interests much! I’m glad you liked them!
I’m currently reading The God of Small Things and so far I’m really enjoying it.
No, our book interests don’t usually align! I don’t think you would like any of these.
I haven’t read any of those books. Currently reading Good Dirt and I’m really enjoying it so far.
It feels like certain themes keep showing up in the books I’m reading; right now, A LOT of historical fiction that leans heavily into the slave experience in the Southern US. And I have The Kitchen House on my nightstand to start soon, too, which is 100% the same theme!
That’s funny because I also read two books this summer on that topic- Gone With the Wind and Kindred. I read your book review post this morning! I love book reviews.
I’ve heard mixed reviews of All The Colors of the Dark and so far I have not been tempted. I’m currently reading The Coast Road, and also What I Ate in One Year (Stanley Tucci), and for the latter, you simply cannot read it without having something good to eat on hand.
Ha, I’ve heard of that Stanley Tucci book! And… my advice is to skip Colors- but a lot of people apparently loved it.
I have not read any of these books! I don’t read much in the way of mysteries and have given up on thrillers for the time being. I had been tempted to read All the Color but I have heard such mixed reviews! It’s so interesting how books can elicit such different experiences from people!
I finished The Correspondent on Monday and LOVED IT. I gave it 5 stars and it will be on my top books of 2025 list for sure. I just loved Sybil so very much. She was flawed but gosh did she live a hard life! Now I am reading a book called “I Leave it Up to You” which is sort of a contemporary book with some romance aspects set in a family-owned sushi restaurant in NJ. Next I will read “This is a Love Story” which I failed to tag with a recommendation source!
YES! I also loved The Correspondent! I haven’t heard anyone say yet that they don’t like that book- it seems to appeal to everyone. Right now I’m reading the Jordan Chiles book, which is really fun. i think you were the one who got me thinking about it- I also love books about the gymnastics world.
Wait until you get to the pictures at the back of the book and see how ripped she was at like age 8!! It’s unreal. I finished it alone in my house, otherwise I would have showed Phil and the boys. I am glad you are enjoying it. It’s a bit niche but great for those of us who love gymnastics!!
It’s hard to imagine anyone not liking The Correspondent. I think it’s a “swiss army knife” recommendation which is a phrase a podcast I used to listen to use to describe a widely appealing book!
Have you seen the movie version of ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’? You and your son might enjoy watching it if you’re into that genre at all. It’s not my very favorite Miyazaki film, but it’s still worth watching, especially since you just read the book. Your library might even have it on DVD, it came out in 2004.
I’ll ask my son! He might have already seen it, but if not I’m sure he would like it.
I haven’t read any of these books, but I’ve heard so many rave reviews of All the Colors of the Dark that I really want to read it. But I am intimidated by the length! Now I know to go into the book with tempered expectations based on your review. 🙂
Right now, I’m reading I Hope This Finds You Well, which I keep debating if I should abandon. Some of it is interesting and I want to see where things go… but I’m also rather annoyed with every single character in the book. I’m also listening to The Last One, which is a thriller that takes place on a cruise ship and has not gone ANYWHERE I would have expected. I have 2.5 hours left!
I love Diana Wynne Jones – odd seeing her described as cozy fantasy, though, as I’d associate that more with books written now, like the Travis Baldree novels; she’s been around so long, she’s simply fantasy to me. Anyway the two sequels to Howl aren’t very good in my opinion, but the Chronicles of Chrestomanci are top-notch!
I’m reading a lot of nonfiction at the moment, which is something I like. Sabrina Imbler’s My Life in Sea Creatures was fascinating.
Green tea was making you nauseous… the first line of _Traveling Alone_ almost made me pass out. Damn, Jenny. I don’t think I could have read beyond that.
Although now I’m thinking about it, and I think I did read Donna Tartt’s _The Little Friend_, which kind of starts with a similar scenario…
Green tea was making you nauseous… the first line of _Traveling Alone_ almost made me pass out. Damn, Jenny. I don’t think I could have read beyond that.
Although now I’m thinking about it, and I think I did read Donna Tartt’s _The Little Friend_, which kind of starts with a similar scenario…