Hi everyone! It’s great to be back again. Over the past few months, I took time off from blogging for extensive eye treatments. Viewing a computer screen has been quite challenging due to my dry eye condition. However, per my last follow-up, my eyes have responded well to the treatments, and reading has become much easier for me now! I’m glad to let you know that I should be able to contribute here more regularly. In this post, I will summarize the books I have read so far this year!
Reading Statistics
Reading Wrap-Up at a Glance
Mini Reviews
Book Cover images link to Goodreads. Highlighted Book Titles link to book reviews. Content Warnings link to The Storygraph, if available.
Reuniting With Strangers: A Novel by Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio
Published: April 16, 2024
(4.25 stars)
Initially, I was interested in reading this novel as it was on the longlist for Canada Reads 2024. Although I didn’t get to every book on the list, I did try to read each book that most appealed to me. After reading the synopsis, I knew this book would be about reunifying the families of Filipino caregivers. Fortunately, I was hooked from the first chapter. Unfortunately, the main issue I encountered was the pacing — some parts were quite slow, but overall, the story was strong. Make sure you have tissues handy!
Content Warnings: None are currently listed, but this book has some heavy themes.
Fiction
The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Expected Pub Date: July 16th, 2024
Review to come. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Content Warnings.
Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Thriller
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
Published: January 16, 2024
(4 stars)
“The Fury” is a gripping medium to fast-paced book about a former movie star, her friends, a spontaneous trip to a private Greek island, and — a murder. It even incorporates elements of Greek mythology and has an Agatha Christie feel to it. Like Michaelides’ prior works, I was captivated by the story, but I couldn’t put down this one. The twists and turns were fantastic. Even though I would place “The Silent Patient” higher on my list, it’s near the top of his works. If the plot piques your interest, I recommend it!
Content Warnings.
Thank you to Celadon Books for this ARC! All opinions are my own.
Mystery/Thriller
A Ovelha Curiosa by Ana Maria Magalhães, Isabel Alçada, Nuno Feijão (Ilustrador)
Published: January 1, 2015
(4 stars).
It is a goal of mine to read as many Portuguese short novels as possible in 2024. This is the first Portuguese book I’ve read this year, and it was very cute! It’s about a cute and curious little sheep that gets into all sorts of trouble on her farm. I don’t believe there is an English translation yet, but if you want a short Children’s book to read in European Portuguese, this is lots of fun.
Children’s
O Nabo Gigante by Aleksey Nikolayevich Tolstoy, Niamh Sharkey (Illustrator)
Published: First published January 1, 1910.
(3 stars) This is the second Portuguese book I’ve read this year. It is the Portuguese translation of “The Gigantic Turnip” by Aleksey Nikolayevich Tolstoy. The book is a Russian folktale about a gigantic turnip that needs to be harvested and the teamwork it takes. While it wasn’t my favourite Children’s book, the illustrations were lovely.
Children’s
101 Dálmatas by Walt Disney Company
Published: Jan 1st, 1994.
(4 stars) We all know the story – 101 Dalmations! It’s one of my favourites from childhood. When this translation was recommended to me, I had to read it! It was only 48 pages long, and it was at a level that I could comprehend pretty well while also learning lots of new vocabulary in European Portuguese. Sometimes, embarking on a full-length novel can be intimidating (I’m still working on an Emily Henry book!). Reading these short books can help me stay engaged in the language while learning some new vocabulary. I will continue the series and am excited to start The Lion King soon!
Children’s
Bad Medicine by Christopher Twin
Published: October 24th, 2023
(3 stars).
This is another book on the Canada Reads 2024 longlist. In it, a group of Cree teenagers gather to share horror stories in front of a fire. Some of the stories were very moving, and overall, I enjoyed this book. However, I would have enjoyed a longer graphic novel to expand on the stories and enjoy the artwork.
Content Warnings.
Graphic Novel
River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta
Published: August 22nd, 2023
(2.75 stars)
In this book, Alicia embarks on a quest to find the comb of River Mumma, the Jamaican water deity, in the streets of Toronto. I was very excited to read the novel, but the story could have been longer and expanded. Additionally, I felt the world-building needed some development. But I enjoyed the mythology and also the setting in Toronto.
Content Warnings.
Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism, Mythology
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Published: September 1, 1952
(3 stars).
I’ve heard of Ernest Hemingway many times before, but I hadn’t actually read any of his books until now. I decided to start with something small, so I read “The Old Man and the Sea.” It is the story of a Cuban fisherman and his encounter with a giant Marlin in the sea. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t resonate with me as much as I’d hoped. I will try to read more of his novels in the future.
Content Warnings.
Fiction, Classics, Literature
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
Published: January 1, 1979
(5 stars)
I had heard of Octavia E. Butler’s books many times before. Due to its historical nature, I read it during Black History Month, but I recommend it at any time of year. Dana is transported back in time to the antebellum South. The first scene of the book pulls you right into the story. I couldn’t stop reading this from start to finish. I rearranged my entire day to finish the book; it was very captivating. I highly recommend it!
Content Warnings.
Historical Fiction, Science Fiction
QOTD: What books are you looking forward to reading in March? Let us know!
Note: This post was edited with the help of Grammarly AI.
I’m really glad your eye treatments are helping you get back into reading and your other hobbies, Sara! I know people who have struggled a lot with dry eye—it seems like the treatments that are out there now are not the greatest, so I’m glad you’ve finally found some luck.
And it looks like you’ve been reading some great books! I love your goal to read more Portuguese books, and I also second your five-star rating of Kindred—I read it in early 2023, and by the end, I literally could not put it down either.
Thanks so much for the wonderful post, as always, and take care!
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Hi Max, thank you for your comment! Yes, finally I have some relief from the dry eye. Still present but less intense.
I hope you have been well! Thank you for your stopping by!
I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had eye issues, but so glad they’re better now with treatment! I have the opposite problem with my eyes watering a lot when they’re tired. I should probably rest them more and not stare at a screen so much! I hope you continue to get better!
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Thank you, Haze! Yes they’ve gotten quite a bit better, thank you so much!
Yes, screen time definitely does have an impact on the eyes. I should probably rest them more from the screen as well! Thank you, and happy reading!