Hello everyone! Short updates today. This week was hectic, but luckily, I finished two books, so I am on track with my reading goal of 52 books this year (though I would like to aim for more if possible!). I’m delighted to be blogging again.
Happy Easter, everyone!
My Easter Foccacia
Olivia Update 🐾
There have been many snoozes this week! Olivia has also been happily eating her soft food, which she increasingly enjoys as she ages. Today has been a great day. She listens to the birds singing outside, who are starting to chirp now that the snow is melting.
Reading/Watching Update
Currently Reading
We are currently listening to Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. And we are likely to start reading some of our ALCs and ARCs this week for review.
New On Our Shelf Nothing new this week.
Recently Watched
I watched several movies featuring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino this week, including: A Streetcar Named Desire, Mutiny on the Bounty, One Eyed Jacks, Don Juan DeMarco, Insomnia, and my new favourite: Scent of a Woman. I became interested in these two actors’ filmographies after watching The Godfather and falling in love with Marlon Brando’s performance as Vito Corleone. I wasn’t expecting to love Scent of a Woman so much, but Al Pacino was so good! Hooah! It truly was an Oscar-worthy performance. The film reminded me a lot of The Holdovers, one of my favourites, which was nominated for Oscars this year.
Currently Watching
I am enjoying The Regime and can understand the mixed reviews. The show is pretty odd, but I love Kate Winslet’s acting so much that I must keep watching it!
A couple inherits an apartment with a spine-tingling past in this binge-worthy thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six.
Rosie and Chad Lowan are barely making ends meet in New York City when they receive life-changing news: Chad’s late uncle has left them his luxury apartment at the historic Windermere in glamorous Murray Hill. With its prewar elegance and impeccably uniformed doorman, the building is the epitome of old New York charm. One would almost never suspect the dark history lurking behind its perfectly maintained facade.
At first, the building and its eclectic tenants couldn’t feel more welcoming. But as the Lowans settle into their new home, Rosie starts to suspect that there’s more to the Windermere than meets the eye. Why is the doorman ever-present? Why are there cameras everywhere? And why have so many gruesome crimes occurred there throughout the years? When one of the neighbors turns up dead, Rosie must get to the truth about the Windermere before she, too, falls under its dangerous spell.
I really enjoy reading psychological thrillers, so I was very happy to see that Libro.fm was offering this ALC for the month of March. The synopsis sounded very promising and mysterious. It truly caught my attention! I also noted several very promising reviews, including Sarah Michelle Gellar’s recommendation of the book. Naturally, I just had to listen to it to see for myself!
The book starts off very strong. Set in New York City, it was fascinating to see how Rosie and Chad’s life would change in this coveted apartment. And, of course, as the book progressed, Windermere became a much darker place. However, although plot elements were coming forward, the pacing of this novel started to feel slow and I felt that the book lost some momentum. I lost some interest but still kept listening onwards. Ultimately, I thought the conclusion was done well.
So, yes I did leave the book with mixed feelings, but I do feel like I may have enjoyed a physical copy more than the audiobook. I wonder if the narration had an impact on my enjoyment. While it didn’t fully click for me, largely due to pacing, I think that readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with paranormal aspects may enjoy this one!
Hi everyone! This week I was pressed for time and only come up with three options but I wanted to participate so badly. As a compromise, I’ve added some books that I would love to see as movies! Let me know what your options would be as well!
Title: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) Thoughts: To be honest, I’m not quite sure how it would be done, but I think it could be great! To fully immerse oneself in Joel and Clementine’s world could prove quite profound. A novel could also provide an in depth exploration of the ethics and consequences of the technology used in the film. It’s my favourite film, so of course, I would love it in novel form!
Title: Incpetion (2010) Thoughts: The first time I watched Inception, I didn’t appreciate it. I recently rewatched it and I absolutely loved it! A book could allow the reader to describe the dream sequences in even greater detail while expanding on their physics and rules in depth. I would also like to dive deeper and explore Cobb’s backstory.
Title: The Lobster (2015) Thoughts: The concept of this film is fantastic. In this film set in a dystopian society, single people are given only 45 days to find a romantic partner. If they do not, they will be transformed into an animal and sent into The Woods. I’m honestly surprised it isn’t based off of a book already!
And, to mix things up, here are some books I would love to see as films or tv shows:
It looks like life will be calm for the next while, which is excellent news. I am excited to have more time to read and write book reviews because so many books are on my TBR list!
I’ve been into movies lately and watched many Oscar nominees this year. That took up quite a bit of my spare time last month, but I love to do this every year! More on this below.
Olivia Update 🐾
Olivia has been having a great time in her (relatively) new bed this week! She loves spending time with her Dolphin and Banana friends, napping beneath our piano (her favourite spot). She is also enjoying our new soft carpets, which provide a comfortable space for a super senior cat like her!
My partner and I have officially had Olivia for 10 years! We got her when she was 7.5 years young. There have been lots of cuddles and treats to celebrate.
Reading/Watching Update
Currently Reading
I am about to finish reading The New Couple in 5B, and What You Are Looking For Is In The Library. Great Expectations is a book that I am re-reading, and it just so happens to be my favourite book of all time. I am enjoying it!
No new books to add this week!
Thank you to Libro FM for the ALC of The New Couple in 5B. (All opinions are my own).
Oscar Nominees (Feature Films) We’ve Watched
I may post more on this since we’ve watched so many! My favourite films were The Society of The Snow and The Holdovers. Overall, I was happy that Oppenheimer won Best Picture. Although pleased with the award winners, I was personally rooting for Lily Gladstone for Best Actress. She performed expertly in Killers of the Flower Moon and showed fantastic dedication to the film. Happily noted, I was overjoyed when Da’Vine Joy Randolph won Best Supporting Actress. She was just amazing in The Holdovers!
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.
The Furyby 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 Curiosaby 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 Giganteby 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 Dálmatasby 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 Medicineby 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.
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 Seaby 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.
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!
I have been gone for quite some time! I encountered some issues with my eyes in mid to late 2023, and being in front of a screen was too challenging. Reading, likewise, was a huge challenge, and I ended up reading 20 books. This is a good number! However, I am used to reading about 50-70 books a year on average.
Fortunately, my eyes are doing quite well now. They are not feeling perfect, but they are in a much better position than they were initially!
I have a few goals going into 2024. With my improved eye health, I would like to read 52 books this year. I would also like to read the Canada Reads Longlist. Note: Canada Reads is held every year by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. I try to read as many books as I can! If I am unable to make it through the longlist, I will definitely do my best to make it through the shortlist which comes out later this month. Finally, I want to read more adult fiction this year. My preferences are changing a bit, and I hope to see that reflected this year.
And, of course I would like to be consistent with blogging!
Olivia Update 🐾
Olivia is doing well! She is a super senior cat, being 16.5 years old! And of course she needs more care. I feel so lucky to have her and to read and snuggle with her.
Currently Reading
I want to express my gratitude to the publishers Penguin Young Readers and ECW press for advanced reading copies of Holly Horror and Farhang.
Reuniting With Strangers is on the Canada Reads 2024 Longlist.
Two women investigate a murder mystery through communicating with the deceased via a séance led by renowned spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire. Lenna Wickes overcomes her skepticism to join Vaudeline as an apprentice, but they begin to suspect they are caught up in a web of deceit.
Thoughts: I’m really looking forward to getting back into this after finishing The London Séance Society. I am excited to go back to the sea!
A girl named Selly is left behind by her father in Kirkpool. A magician boards her ship and assigns them a risky mission to navigate the Crescent Sea undetected. The mission involves rebellion, fear, and dangerous gods. This captivating fantasy series is full of magic, romance, and adventure, written by the bestselling author of the Aurora Cycle.
Thoughts: I am thinking about reading “Ithaca,” the first book in the series, before continuing with this one. However, I haven’t made a final decision yet. We’ll see!
House of Odysseus is a YA retelling of ancient Greek myth, giving voice to the women who stand strong in a world ruled by ruthless men. The story takes place in the palace of Odysseus, where Queen Penelope tries to prevent her home from being crushed by two mad kings, Orestes and Menelaus, with the help of Elektra and Helen of Troy. The goddess Aphrodite watches over them all, with her own plans in mind.
Recently Finished Reading
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to finish any books this week. However, I am almost done with “TLSS”. So progress has been made!
Reading Next
Thoughts: Have you read this book yet? I am eager to dive back into it and determine if it would make a good recommendation for Autumn.
“Weyward” by Emilia Hart is a novel that intertwines the stories of three women from different centuries who display remarkable resilience and a deep connection to nature. Kate flees to her great aunt’s ramshackle cottage to escape her abusive partner, only to discover a hidden secret from the witch hunts of the 17th century. Altha is accused of witchcraft and must use her unique magical abilities to maintain her freedom. Violet is trapped in her family’s estate during World War II and longs for the education and freedom her brother receives, while searching for traces of her deceased mother.
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my gratitude to the publishers who have provided me with review copies of the following books: “The London Séance Society” by Legend Press through NetGalley, “The Isles of the Gods” by Penguin Random House/Knopf Books (gifted copy), “House of Odysseus” by Libro.FM and Hachette Audio, and “Weyward” by Libro.FM, MacMillan Audio, and St Martin’s Press through NetGalley.
I want to express my gratitude to my local library for giving me the opportunity to borrow the book “Ithaca” by Claire North.
Thoughts: I’m really loving my Kindle and audiobook combo! It just makes everything so much more enjoyable. I thought it would be more fantasy-focused, but it’s actually more of a murder mystery vibe. There are a few slower parts, but they don’t bother me because the mystery is just so intriguing. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Two women investigate a murder mystery through communicating with the deceased via a séance led by renowned spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire. Lenna Wickes overcomes her skepticism to join Vaudeline as an apprentice, but they begin to suspect they are caught up in a web of deceit.
Thoughts: At the moment, I haven’t been able to make much progress with this book because I’m really caught up in “The London Séance Society.” But it’s right there on my nightstand and Kindle e-reader, and I’m planning on getting into it as soon as I finish TLS. It’s a fantasy book, so it might require a bit more focus, but I’m super excited to see where the story takes me!
A girl named Selly is left behind by her father in Kirkpool. A magician boards her ship and assigns them a risky mission to navigate the Crescent Sea undetected. The mission involves rebellion, fear, and dangerous gods. This captivating fantasy series is full of magic, romance, and adventure, written by the bestselling author of the Aurora Cycle.
Thoughts: I haven’t had much time to dive into this book, but I’m really excited about its focus on Greek mythology. I absolutely love reading about it! I’m particularly interested in getting a glimpse of Queen Penelope’s perspective while Odysseus is off on his journey back to Ithaca. Although I haven’t read the first book in this series, I plan to see if this one is OK as a standalone. So far, so good.
House of Odysseus is a YA retelling of ancient Greek myth, giving voice to the women who stand strong in a world ruled by ruthless men. The story takes place in the palace of Odysseus, where Queen Penelope tries to prevent her home from being crushed by two mad kings, Orestes and Menelaus, with the help of Elektra and Helen of Troy. The goddess Aphrodite watches over them all, with her own plans in mind.
Recently Finished Reading
Thoughts This book was super creative! Can’t wait to share my review.
A girl enlists the help of her former friend, Elwood, to uncover the truth about her missing mother and suspects his family’s involvement. Elwood, on the run from his family’s cult, agrees to help in exchange for hiding. As they investigate, they uncover decades of cult activity and discover Elwood’s bizarre transformation. Wil is left wondering if she can save the boy she loves from the darkness.
Reading Next
Thoughts: I started reading this book a couple of months ago but had to take a break. Luckily, I have both the ALC and a Kindle review copy. I’m planning on setting aside a whole weekend to really dive into this book. Actually, I’m hoping for some rainy weather, candles, and a spooky atmosphere to really get into the witchy vibes! I want to see if this book is a good choice to recommend for Autumn reading. After reading the summary, it sounds like the perfect pick for a witchy read!
“Weyward” by Emilia Hart is a novel that intertwines the stories of three women from different centuries who display remarkable resilience and a deep connection to nature. Kate flees to her great aunt’s ramshackle cottage to escape her abusive partner, only to discover a hidden secret from the witch hunts of the 17th century. Altha is accused of witchcraft and must use her unique magical abilities to maintain her freedom. Violet is trapped in her family’s estate during World War II and longs for the education and freedom her brother receives, while searching for traces of her deceased mother.
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my gratitude to the publishers who have provided me with review copies of the following books: “The London Séance Society” by Legend Press through NetGalley, “The Isles of the Gods” by Penguin Random House/Knopf Books (gifted copy), “House of Odysseus” by Libro.FM and Hachette Audio, “Together We Rot” by Penguin Random House/Viking Group for Young Readers and NetGalley, and “Weyward” by Libro.FM, MacMillan Audio, and St Martin’s Press through NetGalley.
QOTD: During the summer, which genre(s) do you prefer? Let us know!
We have been enjoying the weather! Especially for gardening. The catnip is growing, the succulents are propagating, and the herbs are flourishing. We’ve had some alternating days of rain and heat both of which are essential for the garden. We cleaned our AC unit and it’s effective and chills our apartment down quickly.
And I’m very much enjoying reading and blogging again! If it’s your first time here, let me know in the chat below. We review a pretty wide variety of books. And we especially love any books about cats.
Olivia Update
My cat Olivia and I have been enjoying spending time on the catio. We go outside together in the evenings so I can water the plants and read while she lounges under the outdoor table. However, several nights ago our peaceful evening was interrupted when I noticed a wasp near us by the outdoor sofa. I have a fear of wasps that stems from a painful experience in high school when I stumbled onto a wasp nest while hiking with friends. Although I tried my best not to panic, I calmly brought Olivia inside. It wasn’t until we were safely indoors that I could relax and breathe again!
Reading Update
Currently Reading
Looks like I’m in the mood to read fantasy this week!
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my gratitude to Penguin Random House for providing me with a physical copy of “The Isles of the Gods” for review purposes. Additionally, I would like to thank Libro.FM for granting me early access to the audiobook version of “House of Odysseus”. Finally, I am grateful to both Legend Press and Libro.FM for providing me with review copies of “The London Séance Society”.
Watching Update
Currently Watching
I’ve been absolutely loving Wimbledon this year! So many of my favourite players are still in the tournament, but I’m especially rooting for Jabeur and Rybakina on the women’s side. I’m really excited about the upcoming Berrettini vs Alcaraz match and honestly, I’m rooting for both players! I have a feeling it’s going to be an amazing game.
I’m currently watching and loving Schitt’s Creek for the first time. The writing of the show is incredibly witty and clever – I can’t get enough! The characters are so endearing, and it’s entertaining to see them adapt to their new lives in the town. The acting in the show is outstanding, particularly Dan Levy’s dialogue delivery and facial expressions!
Thank you to the internet for all of the SC memes. They’re just the cherry on top of this hilarious series.
