Toni's Book Corner

Author: tonisbookcorner

  • 8 Books and their perfect snack

    8 Books and their perfect snack

    If you are like me, you enjoy having a snack and a drink with your book. While I try to read whenever I have a bit of time, the best feeling is when you get to sit down for an extended period of time, focus wholly on your book and get immersed in that world. It gets even more enjoyable if you create a cosy atmosphere: light a candle, play some soft music and enjoy a drink or snack. In this article, I will pair some books with the perfect drink, snack or food to heighten your reading experience even more.

    The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs and a Martini

    The cover of this book speaks volumes already, and while any cocktail would do, a martini is the perfect fit. After three husbands’ bad investments robs their wives of the carefree futures they deserve, the women have to come up with a retirement plan of their own. The inspiration? Finding out their husbands have very expensive life insurance’s. The plan? Planning three murders, with a refreshing alcoholic beverage on the side.

    One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune and chocolate cake

    Even if it is not your birthday, you should have a huge cake on hand when you are reading this book. Set during summer at a lake, it is a beautiful love story between photographer Alice, who goes back to her Nan’s cottage to care for her after an operation, and Charlie Florek, who has been summering there for decades. It is a perfect book to read on a warm and sunny day, and I can also recommend listening to the audiobook. However, I was unlucky enough to be listening to this book while I was not at home and a birthday was taking place. Fortune’s writing is fantastically immersive, but in my case it was too immersive, because the chocolate cake she was describing was making my stomach grumble and my salivary glands tingling. I therefore recommend everyone who reads this book to have a chocolate cake at hand, so the same unfortunate circumstances don’t befall you as they did me.

    Days at the Torunka Café by Satoshi Yagisame and a cup of coffee

    This will come as no surprise to anyone who has read my review on this book, or read the book itself. Nestled in an alleyway that branches off of the market street, people who are meant to find the place will stumble upon the Torunka Café. The book is filled with warmth, lovely characters and heartfelt advice disguised in three different stories about love and life. All of this takes place while the café owner pour a mean cup of coffee that will heal your soul.

    The Reunion by Bronwyn Rivers with a lot of water

    Ten years after their friend Ed passed away, Hugh, Charlotte, Alex, Laura and Jack go back to his childhood home to remember him with his mother Mary. She, however, is convinced the five people she has invited are keeping secrets about what really happened all those years earlier, and she will stop at nothing to find those out. Set in the Australian outback, tensions are not the only things that rise and survival makes us reach back to the basic necessities. Trust me, you will want a glass of water next to you when reading this book.

    People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry with ice cream

    As you might be able to guess, a big portion of this book takes place on vacation. Poppy and Alex meet on a road trip home from college, and while their initial connection leaves things to be desired, they become fast friends and make a pact: once a year, every year, they will go on a vacation together, somewhere in the world. As years pass and destinations get crossed off, they draw closer to finding out if there is more than friendship between them, or if they are doomed to fall apart. The perfect snack to accompany a summer vacation book? Ice cream, of course.

    Breathless by Amy McCulloch with a hot tea or soup

    A thriller set on one of the highest mountains in the world, where journalist Cecily Wong goes to interview internationally famous mountaineer Charles McVeigh. To make or break her career, Cecily bets everything on this article, including her life, by climbing Manaslu. When one climber dies, it can still be seen as an accident, but when a second climber dies, one thing is certain: there is a killer on the mountain. Set in an icy world of snow, wind and cold, this book pairs perfectly with a hot cup of tea or a bowl of nourishingly warm soup.

    If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia with a cinnamon roll

    Michelle, after losing her mother and divorcing her husband, moves from Seattle to Vermont, to temporarily run her late mother’s bed-and-breakfast, until her sister graduates and can take over. Her new neighbour is a single dad and runs a bakery, but he still finds the time to help her get settled in the bed-and-breakfast and offer companionship. They quickly develop a strong friendship, but as the end of Michelle’s three months in Vermont nears, they wonder if their relationship can blossom into something more than friends. Not only is the male main character a baker, Michelle is also constantly trying out new recipes to offer her guests warm and yummy pastries, to a cinnamon roll or any other baked good would go perfectly with this book.

    Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe with popcorn

    When Margo falls unexpectedly pregnant, she has to find a way to provide for her child and herself, and quickly. She decides to make an OnlyFans account and with the help of her estranged father, crafts a series of videos starring a compellingly curious character. When her account skyrockets into succes, she has to ask herself if this is truly the answer to her problems, or just a temporary fix. The story was so entertaining, that it feels just like watching a reality series or something equally compelling, and what is more perfect to go with that than popcorn?

  • 5 Great Audiobooks

    5 Great Audiobooks

    In the digital age, there are more than one ways to read a book. Besides a physical copy, there are also ebooks and audiobooks. While I prefer reading a physical book, there are many advantages to its digital counterparts. An ebook is smaller, easier to bring along wherever you go, especially when you need multiple books. They are light and easy to hold, and many editions have built in light which makes it easy to read at night. I got into audiobooks a bit later than ebooks, because I sometimes find it hard to keep my focus on the story. I usually listen to audiobooks when I am doing something else, so it is easy to let my thoughts drift off and go on autopilot. The more books I have listened to though, the more I have started to enjoy them. It is wonderful to be able to listen to a book when you are doing something else like commuting, cleaning up, cooking, exercising, etc. I have found that some books lend themselves better to be read as a physical copy, ebook or audiobook, so in this article I will recommend some books that I found perfect in audiobook form.

    I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

    I have mentioned before how I enjoy listening to memoirs, and I think this is the genre I like the most for audiobooks. Especially when it is narrated by the author themselves, which is the case for McCurdy’s book. Hearing her tell her own story makes Jennette’s voice even more prominent than if I were to read the book and added a layer of emotion and depth that I really enjoyed. It is not an easy story, and it felt even more real by hearing it said out loud. In case you want to read more about my thoughts, you can read my article on my favourite memoirs.

    The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

    Similar to McCurdy’s book, this is also a memoir narrated by the author herself. Not only is Bishop telling her own life story in this book, but she is also a fabulous actor, with a voice that perfectly fits the topic of broadway and her rise to fame. I won’t elaborate on my thought too much, because it is also featured in my article on memoirs, but I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much as I did if I had read it physically, rather than listened to the audiobook

    Promise me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

    I listened to this audiobook very recently, and it actually inspired me to write this article. It was the first book I had read by Bastone, and she did not disappoint. The book follows Lenny after she has just lost her best friend and has to figure out how to live again without her. When she meets Miles during a nannying gig, she does not realise he is her saviour just yet. As he helps her find the surface and breathe again after drowning for so long, she starts to realise he might be more than just a friend. Not only is this a wonderful book exploring grief in a heartbreaking and simultaneously beautiful way, but I think the voice actress did a terrific job. She portrayed all of the emotions in such a striking way, that I was never bored or distracted while listening to this book. Every character had a different voice register and inflection, which made the whole experience immersive, and made them feel like real people. Alex Fink has narrated all of Cara Bastone’s books, so I plan on listening to those very soon, because I truly enjoyed the ride.

    Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

    While I have tried and failed to read some fantasy books as an audiobook, Fourth Wing was so compelling that I got lost in this world immediately. The book gets thrilling almost right from the beginning and is not too complex in its world building that it is difficult to understand without being able to leaf back to pages with important information. I listened to the regular audio, but I think the dramatised version would be even more immersive and make it feel as if you are actually there, experiencing things alongside with the characters. They also used different voice actors for the point of view of the two main characters, which I always enjoy immensely. I still have to listen to part three of the series, but I will be sure to do it in audio version.

    The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

    Although I don’t always enjoy listening to a romance book, the voice actors for the Paradise Problem were such a great fit that I flew through this one in a couple of days. Both the female and male main characters were voiced by different actors, which is a recurring theme in whether I really enjoy an audiobook or not. It always adds a layer of reality, although some actors are talented enough to create many different characters and make each of them as realistic as the other. Patti Murin’s voice was the embodiment of the bubbly, positive main character and Jon Root the perfect counterpart. This audiobook made me feel like I was on a tropical island with them, and made my commute to work feel like a preview to the summer holidays. The execution of this audiobook was absolutely wonderful, so I would strongly recommend it for romance lovers.

  • Book Review: The Favourites by Layne Fargo

    Book Review: The Favourites by Layne Fargo

    They were an obsession, then a scandal, and ultimately… a tragedy

    A glittering world of competition, a destructive love inspired by a decades old classic, and a devastating moment that had the whole world hold their breath. That is what you will get into if you read The Favourites. The story is complex and compelling, and full of themes of love and betrayal. I promise you will not get bored.

    Plot

    The Favourites is about Katarina Shaw, who knows from a young age that she is meant to compete at the Olympics in ice dance, and Heath Rocha. He is a lonely kid stuck in the foster-care system, and when Kat and Heath meet each other, their connection is instant. Their chemistry continues onto the ice as they grow from childhood sweethearts to a force to be reckoned with on the ice. Already notorious in the public eye for their beautiful ice dancing, rebellious streak and up-and-down relationship, everything explodes when a dramatic turn of events at the Games themselves destroys their partnership in front of the whole world. No one truly knows what happened, so when ten years later a tell-all documentary is released, everyone is eagerly watching. Will Kat break her silence and change her narrative? Or is the truth as scandalous as everyone believes it to be?

    By now, I’ve hear it all: Katarina Shaw is a bitch, a diva, a sore loser, a manipulative liar. Cold-blooded, a cheater, a criminal. An attentions whore, an actual whore. Even a murderess. Call me what you want. I don’t give a damn anymore.

    My story is mine, and I’ll tell it the same way I skated: in my own way, on my own terms. We’ll see who wins in the end.

    Narration

    Told in a documentary style, the people close to the protagonists Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha, or the people who were involved in what happened ten years earlier each tell their version of events, filling in the blanks to finally share with the world, and the reader, how it all went down. This type of narration makes the story extra compelling and immersive, and heightens the pacing. You are constantly getting a new point of view, receiving more information and hearing different voices, so it never gets boring. You can almost hear the crowd roaring in the distance, see the camera flashes, and feel the cold of the ice on your face while reading. The way this story is told fits perfectly with the scandalous nature of the plot and really took the novel to a higher level.

    Former olympic ice dancer Ellis Dean speaks to an interviewer in a West Hollywood bar.

    Ellis Dean: We used to joke they were going to die in each other’s arms or kill each other with their bare hands. Nothing in between.

    Figure skating coach Nicole Bradford is interviewed in her suburban Illinois kitchen.

    Nicole Bradford: They were the most talented skaters I’ve ever worked with, no question. But looking back… yes, I could see the signs of trouble to come.

    Characters

    There were a lot of different characters in this book, both because of the style of narration and the competitive world of fame and elite sports. The protagonists and main side characters were well fleshed out, and the inspiration from Wuthering Heights is especially visible in the characters of Kat and Heath. While Heaths temper is reminiscent of Heathcliffs violent nature, he is more mellow than his original, but because of the modern setting that was a good thing. He was similar enough that his and Kats characters clashed when they had to, but dialed down enough that he is palatable for a modern context where too much temper or even violence would not be accepted by readers for a protagonist. Kat was just as selfish, venomous and manipulative as Brontë’s Catherine, but her reasons for acting that way were always there. We can see how she grew up and got to where she was, and how the competition and rise to fame get to her. Though we can see how Kat and Heath are not always good for each other, I was still rooting for them to make it. They truly met their match in each other.

    The many side characters support the character arc of our protagonists, because they enable the situations they get in. It feels like a chain reaction of people setting each other off and starting the development of events. The twins and their mother were important side characters, who are also clearly inspired by Brontë’s original, but Fargo made adjustments where necessary for them to fit into this modernised story and steer Kat and Heath to where they needed to be. I feel like she made the perfect balance in retaining elements from the original and changing key elements in both the characters and the plot, to make everything fit together perfectly.

    Final thoughts

    This is as much as I want to give out on The Favourites without risking spoilers. It is truly one of the best books I have ever read, and as I said in my previous post on 7 books I want to read again, I also read it in just over a day. I was so completely immersed in this world that I could not put it down. Wuthering Heights is also one of my favourite books, so for me those elements enhanced the reading experience even more. However, it is more of an inspiration than a complete retelling, so if you have not read Brontë’s book or you did not enjoy it, I am sure that won’t influence your reading experience of Fargo’s book. If you are as fascinated by ice skating as I am, you are in for a treat because both the beauty and intensive training of this sport are highlighted and I have gained a lot of respect for professional skaters. If you are ready to get truly swept up in this whirlwind of a book, do pick it up, and let me know if it is one of your new favourites.

  • 7 Books I want to read again

    7 Books I want to read again

    The highest compliment you can give to a book, is that you want to read it again. Not only does it show you enjoyed it, but that you liked it so much you want to read it again, even though you already know everything that happens. This year, I have already read some of my favourite books again, for instance The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah and the entire Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, and they are some of the best books I have ever read. So, in stead of giving you recommendations of great books to read, I will list books that I have already read, but plan to read again sometime, because actions speak louder than words.

    The Favourites by Layne Fargo

    If the fact that I want to read this book again, less than a year after reading it the first time, does not convey how much I enjoyed this book, maybe the fact that I finished it in just over a day will. I was completely invested in the story of Kat and Heath and almost read it in one sitting. After the recent Olympic Games, Fargo’s book is extra relevant, especially for those who enjoyed watching the skating. She transports the classic story of Wuthering Heights to the modern setting of figure skating, where it is mostly the passion and toxicity between the protagonists that is taken from the original. Kat and Heath have been partners on the ice for years, and are skating their way to the Olympics. Their chemistry on the rink continues on into real life, but the way to the top is ruthless. After a dramatic turn at the Games themselves, their years-long partnership falls apart while the whole world is watching.

    Fargo tells this story in a documentary-style, which makes it even more captivating. Each character tells their version of the events so the reader can figure out what actually happened ten years earlier, one piece at a time. Picking up this book means getting swept away in a whirlwind of pirouettes, medals, passion and rivalry, and finding out what lies between ambition and love.

    Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum

    After reading Days at the Torunka Café, I was reminded of Bo-Reum’s book . The two have a similar atmosphere, in that they are both comforting, and promote feeling happiness in the little things of life in stead of striving after constant success, forward movement and speed. While reading this novel, it actually feels like you are in the bookstore, surrounded by the other characters, which made me feel incredibly peaceful. I have another book in this genre of healing fiction on my radar, but in the future I will re-read Welcome to the Huynam-Dong Bookshop to get that warm feeling again.

    Anxious People by Frederik Backman

    I recently wrote about Anxious People in my post on 6 books with the most original plot, and this made me realise how much I enjoyed reading this and what a wonderful book this was. Generally, I really appreciate books where the characters are truly developed and feel like real people, and this is definitely true for Anxious People. Not only is the plot unique and well-developed, filled with both fiction and thriller elements, the execution of the storyline is woven into the characters and the human connections they form with each other. The story is a beautiful reminder that we never know what other people are going through, and that we are never truly alone, even though it sometimes feels that way.

    Beach Read by Emily Henry

    As I mentioned earlier, I find it hard to rank Emily Henry’s books in terms of which one is my favourite. I have read most of her books by now, and enjoyed all of them. The reason I specifically want to read Beach Read again, is because the first time was a busy period for me, and I don’t feel like I got to enjoy it to the best of its abilities. Exactly because Henry’s books always make me fall in love with reading, I want to read Beach Read to its full potential. I Particularly enjoyed the setting by the lake and the meta-aspect of the protagonists both being writers. It gives an actual insight into what writing must be like for Henry herself, since I assumed authors often put little pieces of themselves into the subject matter they write about. Plus, I truly enjoyed all of the cameo’s of the books of both January and Gus in Henry’s other books. This was coincidentally the book I read right after The Favourites, so it was a great week of reading for me then.

    Frank & Red by Matt Coyne

    This will come as no surprise if you have read my review on Frank & Red. It was my first favourite of 2026 and really tugged at my heartstrings. The characters truly feel like friends at the end of the novel, which I why I want to read about them again. Since I have already gushed about this book quite a lot on my blog, I won’t write too much about it here, other than that I knew right when I turned over the last page that I would one day read this book again.

    Firefly Lane Kristin Hannah

    It could also come as no surprise that Kristin Hannah features on this list, since I have written many a positive word about her, and as mentioned in the intro I have re-read the Great Alone by her at the beginning of the year. Choosing which book of hers I wanted to re-read next was the most challenging part, and it was a toss-up between Firefly Lane and The Nightingale. I might pick the latter up again in the future as well, but since it is being made into a movie coming out in 2027, I will be more surprised watching it if the contents have moved to the back of my mind a bit more. I vividly remember how I felt while reading Firefly Lane, and it was full of many emotions. Though I have cried with almost each of her books, Firefly Lane really hit me hard, and that is because it is so relatable for many of us. The book shows the power of female friendship, and because I have been blessed by wonderful friends myself, it felt special reading about it. While I am convinced it is not the last Kristin Hannah book I will read once again, it is the next one on my list.

    Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

    Because of my Literary studies and interest in literature I have read many classics and Austen’s books have always been among my favourites. While I have read a few and have read her most famous work Pride and Prejudice multiple times already, I want to read Sense and Sensibility again soon. The first time I read it is already a few years ago, but I love the lyrical writing, reading about a different time, and the characters. It is a love story set in a different time, but still moves me as a reader in the 21th century. And, since the edition I have is incredibly beautiful, I have to honour it by reading it again.

  • Books that are coming to the screen in 2026

    Books that are coming to the screen in 2026

    The last few years has seen a surge of book to movie adaptations with the online popularity of books rising. Although it can go one of two ways when you favourite book is being brought to the screen, it is usually exciting. After seeing both The Housemaid and People We Meet on Vacation, I wanted to list the other upcoming adaptations for myself, so I decided to write a post about it. Here are some book to movie adaptations coming out in the next few months.

    His & Hers by Alice Feeney (January 8)

    I only found out there is already a series out for this Feeney book by doing research for this article. At first I wasn’t going to include it, but there might be others like me, who read and liked the book and don’t know it has recently been made into a series yet. His & Hers is a thriller with a hint of romance and a great plot that keeps you guessing until the very end.

    Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (March 20)

    While I have not read this book yet, I have a copy because I want to get to it soon. I have heard great things about the novel, and since I want to expand my book taste this year I chose Project Hail Mary as the first book to dip my toe back in to sci-fi. It takes place in space, is supposedly funny ánd thrilling, so I expect great things of both the book and the movie.

    Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (April 15) Elle Fanning

    Thorpe has written such an original storyline with Margo as the protagonist. When she falls pregnant, unplanned, she has to find a way to provide for her child and herself, and quickly.

    She is twenty years old, unemployed and about to get kicked out of her apartment when she decides to make an OnlyFans account. With the help of her estranged father, who moves in with her to help care for her child and, oh yeah, is also a famous wrestler, she crafts a series of videos starring a compellingly curious character. When her account skyrockets into succes, she has to ask herself if this is truly the answer to her problems, or just a temporary fix. The book was so cleverly crafted and funnily absurd, that I can’t wait to see how they bring this to the screen. The main role is reserved for Elle Fanning, who will undoubtedly do a fabulous job and other names like Nicole Kidman promise a wonderful movie.

    Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (May 8)

    Like Project Hail Mary, I have this book on my shelf, but still have to read it. Not only did this debut novel gain in popularity last year, but it is a unique concept where themes of loneliness, grief and hope are explored through the narration of an octopus. I am anticipating a wonderful reading experience with this book, but also am intrigued to see how they will bring this to the screen.

    The Odyssey by Homer (July 17)

    As this is an indisputable piece of cultural history, I don’t think I need to give a summary of the book, nor do I think I can. This literary masterpiece is set in Ancient Greece and forms the basis of many other stories, books, movies and so on. Though it has been adapted often before, Ancient Greece and Greek mythology are topics that I am very interested in, so am excited to watch The Odyssey when it comes out in July. With names like Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Christopher Nolan and many more working on this film, I am sure it will be nothing short of inspiring.

    Verity by Colleen Hoover (Oktober 2)

    Many of Hoover’s books are getting adapted recently, but I have not watched any of them yet. The adaptation of Verity one I will definitely watch though, since I both enjoyed the book and Dakota Johnson is starring as the main character alongside Anne Hathaway. When the cast is that strong, the movie has to be too.

    The Hunger Games, Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collings (November 20)

    Another book I have not read yet, but I will without a doubt watch the movie. I have read the original trilogy way back when they had just come out, and was captivated by them, like so many of us. The movies were possibly even better, and when The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes came out, I watched the movie without having read the book. If I get to it first, I still want to read the latest novel, but if not I will gladly watch the movie when it comes out.

    The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (2027)

    While this one is not planned for 2026 and does not have a definite release date yet, I simply had to include it in this list. As you may know, Kristin Hannah is one of my favourite authors and The Nightingale was the first novel I read by her. The storyline is captivating, heartbreaking and devastatingly relevant today. Set during World War II in France, it follows two sisters who take different paths in the war. The roles will be filled by the Fanning sisters, which I think is an excellent choice for these roles and I am incredibly excited to watch this move whenever it comes out.

    Beach Read by Emily Henry (2027)

    It is hard to pick a favourite Emily Henry book, but Beach Read is definitely in the top for me. After watching People We Meet On Vacation, I am even more excited to watch all of her other adaptations, if they are set to follow the same trend of colourful settings and great casting. Knowing that Phoebe Dynevor is already cast as January, I am confident this adaptation will be at least just as good as the previous book, if not better. Though we are still waiting for an official release date, it is already on my radar for 2027.

    If you watch any of these adaptations or read the books, let me know what you thought of them. And if there are more book-to-screen adaptations that I have missed, be sure to let us know as well.

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  • New Releases to add to your TBR

    New Releases to add to your TBR

    I might be a bit late with this post, since the beginning of the year is a time people look for the new releases that are coming out and it is already March. Some of the books I was excited for in 2026 have already come out, though I have not yet read all of those, but spring and summer are also popular periods to publish books. In this article I will share which releases in the coming months I am looking forward to.

    MARCH

    You With The Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate (March 3)

    This one actually just came out, but is still new enough for me to include in this list. As I have mentioned in my article about inspiring memoirs, it is a genre I have come to enjoy and appreciate more recently. I am always looking for inspiring stories of different people and to learn from them. I was really entranced by Kelly Bishops recounting of her life in the showbusiness, so I hope to find something similar in Applegate’s book. The memoir will also talk about her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis, an illness that many people deal with and that I imagine to be quite painful, so I want to learn more about it to understand what some people go through.

    Starside by Alex Aster (March 24)

    I have read the Lightlark series and Summer in the City by Aster, and enjoyed both of them. Though I have yet to read Crowntide, I am curious about Starside and what exactly she will do with it, since it is her adult fantasy debut.There are some similarities with Lightlark from what I can tell by the blurb. It is about a land split in two, where every fifty years the gates separating them open and fifty challengers can go on a quest for magic, wealth or an extended life. Aris, the protagonist, is not after the glory or prize, she wants vengeance on the gods and is joining the quest to kill them. I expect this to be a thrilling fantasy and am curious to see what Aster does with the plot, and how she differentiates from her YA fantasy.

    The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez (March 31)

    Abby Jimenez is an author whose new releases I will always want to read. Her writing style is engaging and her characters are always fleshed out, which I often look for in the romance genre. Her books are usually interconnected standalones, and this one is in the same world as her previous book, Say You’ll Remember me, so I am excited to see the cameo of those characters in her new book. I am a bit apprehensive about the plot itself, since it is the main character’s boyfriend’s best friend, but I trust Jimenez in writing this well. And bonus: this one again includes a dog, which is an instant win in my book.

    APRIL

    The Name Game by Beth O’Leary (April 7)

    If you have read almost any of my posts, you will know that I am a big fan of O’Leary’s books, so I will read all of her releases. Her newest one is coming out in April, and it is about Charlie Jones who arrives on a small island, Ormer, to embark on a new life. When she arrives at her new job, she finds that she is not the only Charlie Jones. Both of them are supposed to start this same job, but there is only one position available. Once again, I find this premise intriguing, and the cover promises a beautiful island setting.

    Wolvers by Taylor Brown (April 7)

    Although I have not read anything by Brown before, the blurb of Wolvers peaked my interest. It is described as a beautiful story of pursuit, survival and redemption between two species: human and wolf. Trace Temple is hired to take down the most notorious wolf of the area, but after a harrowing incident, he has a change of heart. He joins two others in protecting both the wolves and the wilderness area against a ruthless hunter and assassin. Brown is an award-winning author, and I hope to really enjoy this book.

    MAY

    The Shippers by Katherine Center (May 19)

    While I have currently only read The Romcommers by Center, I have wanted to read some of her other books for a long time. The Shippers is a romance book, set on a cruise, featuring a wedding and what promises to be a messy, chaotic situation. This will be lovely to read away on a sunny day in May.

    JUNE

    Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni (June 16)

    After finishing her Prison Healer trilogy, I have wanted to read something else by Noni, but I have not gotten around to it yet. Reeve Ashton is a reaper, one of the deadly creatures plaguing the city of Aravell. Viri is a reaper hunter, wanting nothing more than to capture their leader who has killed her parents. When she captures the leader’s right hand, Reeve, he offers her a bargain to avenge her parents. Trusting a reaper does not only come with a high risk, but also with a heavy cost. Will she finally avenge her parents, or will she loose everything, including her heart…

    JULY

    Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead (July 14)

    I was actually more excited for her other new release, The Future Saints, but when looking this one up, I found out she has another new release in 2026. This one seems more similar to In My Dreams I Hold a Knife, as it tells the story of Scout Sage. Aspiring singer-actress, the one thing plaguing her past is the mysterious death of her sister Georgia. When years later, murders in LA are making the headlines and Scout is pointed to as the killer, she will have to prove her innocence. In trying to discover the true murderer, the detective on this case unearths secrets that are way in the past, secrets not even Scout knows. This feels like a mystery thriller heavily entwined in Hollywood culture, which is right up my alley.

    AUGUST

    The Unknown by Riley Sager (August 4)

    To be honest, I had not even read what this book is about before putting it on my future tbr list. I have not read a single book by Sager that I have not enjoyed, so whatever he comes out with, I am bound to like. In function of this post, I have looked up the blurb and it has made me even more convinced that this is a book I will enjoy. For a role in a movie about an unsolved mystery, actress Marin Keane is required to go to the island the mystery took place at to do research. That way, she can be fully emerged in the part. The island is one with a history of spiritual mediums, who disappeared without a trace, except for their dresses, hanging from a tree branch. Consider me intrigued.

    To All the Men I’ve Killed Before by Katy Brent (August 27)

    This is the third in the series of How to Kill Men and Get Away With It. I have not seen many people mention Katy Brent, but I wildly enjoyed all three of her novels. While I wish she wrote something new, like her second book The Murder After the Night Before which is not a part of the series, I am curious to see how she continues Kitty’s adventures. I hope the series is not dragged out unnecessarily, and that the book introduces an interesting new plot, but Brent’s writing is truly captivating. Her books are original, and they always make me laugh while being entirely engaging, so I will definitely read her new release.

    Bonus: Sarah J. Maas!

    Now, originally I wanted to stop at August, since September introduces us to a new season of reading, but after the news of this week I had to include Sarah J. Maas’ new releases. I have read all of Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City, and like many of us, have been (im)patiently waiting for a new book by her, whatever it would be. We have been graced with not one, but two release dates for the continuation of ACOTAR, the first on October 27th and the second on January 12th of next year. Needless to say, I will definitely be reading these as soon as they come out.

  • Read this if you like…

    Read this if you like…

    Readers are often chasing the high of finding a book they love. Nothing beats loving a book, and then finding similar ones that you equally enjoy. To make this easier, I have compiled a list of some similar books, so that if you read and enjoyed one of them, you can find some new ones to try and hopefully love. Some of these recommendations are similar in plot, while other duo’s are more similar in characters, setting or atmosphere.

    If you like Misery by Stephen King, read The Crash by Freida McFadden

    If you enjoyed Misery particularly for the plot, I’d recommend McFadden’s book. The writing styles and pacing of both authors are quite different, but the plots are similar. In both books, the main character has a car crash that leaves them stranded and wounded in a snowstorm. They are rescued and brought to shelter by someone who will care for them until they are healed enough to go home or continue their journey. And then both situations turn sinister the longer they stay put. The details differ per book, but the main plot is similar.

    If you like A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, read Frank & Red by Matt Coyne

    I have talked about both of these before in my Favourite Book of January post, and mentioned how they have some things in common. Backman writes about a lonely grumpy old man who warms up to the family that moves in next door, and Coyne writes about a lonely grumpy old man who warms up to the six year old boy and his mom who move in next door. While the premise of both novels is quite similar indeed, the execution and endings are different, which makes each book unique. Although the characters are one of a kind, I do believe Ove and Frank would get along. Both novels are heartwarming stories about human connections and the way of life, so if you like books like that, you will enjoy both of these.

    If you like And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, read Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

    Agatha Christie’s books have been used as inspiration for many different media, including And Then There were none. The story involves ten strangers who are invited to an island and then get killed one by one. Daisy Darker is about a family going to the home of their grandmother, getting cut off from the rest of the world by a storm, and then, you guessed it, getting killed one by one. A well-used formula for a thriller book, but one that always works at keeping readers’ attention and interest. 

    If you like Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, read With a Vengeance by Riley Sager

    As I said, Agatha Christie’s work is a source of inspiration for many, and her arguably most famous novel has once again inspired another. In both of these books, a group of people find themselves on a train with a select group of people, when suddenly one of them is found dead. With no way out and a killer amongst them, will anyone reach their destination alive? 

    If you like Tangled the Disney Movie, read Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren

    This one is quite obvious because Christina Lauren’s novel is based on the movie, but I find they did the adaptation to a modern context really well. They retain both the key elements of the story and the original essence of the characters while transporting the story to a modern context. Ren is Rapunzel brought to paper and I could not find a single element of the movie that does not make an appearance in the book, and I say that as a true fan of the Disney movie. 

    If you like Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë or Magnolia Parks by Jessica Hastings, readThe Favourites by Layne Fargo

    If you have read Wuthering Heights and Magnolia Parks, you might be confused as to why I am recommending one book for the both of those. The Favourites is loosely based on Wuthering Heights in a modern day setting of competitive ice skating. If you like Wuthering Heights and also enjoy reading romantic fiction, I think you will enjoy the hints to Brontë’s classic, but Fargo didn’t write a novel set in 19th century Britain. The real inspiration is the passionate but toxic love between the two protagonists, which brings me to Magnolia Parks. Hastings’ series of the London socialites is filled with dramatic relationships, gossip and toxicity, which also features in Fargo’s novel about competition, drama and fire. 

    If you like Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, read Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

    This comparison is more about the atmosphere and setting than about the actual plot. Both of these novels take place in 1970s America, and popular culture of that period is prevalent in both of them. It was the time of love, drugs, rock ’n roll and discovering a new sense of freedom. Daisy Jones & the Six is about the rise and fall of a music group and Mary Jane is about a young girl from a ‘proper’ family, who goes to work for another family to help out with their little girl during the summer. She then discovers there is more than the small world she grew up in and falls in love with the family and their way of life. 

  • Favourite Book of February: The No-Show by Beth O’Leary

    Favourite Book of February: The No-Show by Beth O’Leary

    Like last month, I wanted to review my favourite book of the month that has passed, since it is now March. However, I have been a bit too enthusiastic in writing my review for Days at the Torunka Café right after finishing it, because now it turns out to be my favourite book of February. But, never fear, I have read many great books so I decided to review my second favourite book of February which was The No-Show by Beth O’Leary.

    I have mentioned O’Leary’s books multiple times already on my blog, but that is because I truly enjoyed all of the books I have read by her so far. The storylines are original and her characters unique, displaying both depth and growth. The No-Show was no different, and it is also the first romance book I read that had a big plot twist in it.

    When three different women get stood up by the same man on Valentine’s Day, you are not inclined to like this man. Siobhan has a breakfast date with Joseph, Miranda is waiting for her boyfriend Carter at a lunch place, and Jane needed a fake date to her colleague’s engagement party, for which she asked Joseph Carter. The story involves three very different women, whose only similarity is that they get stood up by the same man.

    What I enjoyed so much about The No-Show, is that O’Leary creates a situation in which the readers cannot easily root for the male protagonist, but eventually warm up to him. It is hard to give my full thoughts on it without spoiling the book, but when going in to it, you know that it is a romance book. As I read about Joseph’s situation with all three women, I kept thinking: there has to be an explanation for this, right? All the while believing there was to way O’Leary could write her way out of this situation.

    Like all of her books, the characters were well fleshed out, and I was rooting for everyone to get their happy ending. Siobhan is the first character we meet, and she is fierce, passionate and fiery, a real go-getter. Miranda is similar to her in that aspect, since they are both very strong characters. Her occupation as a tree surgeon made her really cool in my opinion, and I enjoyed the interactions with her co-workers. She has a softer side as well, which is something she shares with Jane who is a real sweetheart. She is kind and more introverted, set in her routines, but that is because she has some bagage from her past. Finding this out feels like a plot in itself, but it was also wonderful to see how the people around her cared for her and wanted her to get out of her shell. While they all go through an evolution, Joseph is the character who grows the most. While he comes across as chaotic, and sometimes deceitful, he is going through hardships of his own and in the end I found him a very likeable character.

    The side characters added to the plot and showcased different types of relationships and what they can bring: love, friendship, family, colleagues, hardship, loss, forgiveness and growth. As a reader, you can see the compatibility Joseph has with each of these women, and at times I didn’t know who to root for. The plot makes it so that you don’t know what to think the entire time, and while it can seem like there is no good possible ending, it all works out.

    If my review of the book intrigues you, don’t wait any longer to give it a chance, because it really is worth your time.

  • 6 Books with the most original plot

    6 Books with the most original plot

    Sometimes we read to have something familiar, to find comfort. When we know what we like, it is easy to look for similar books, because those (probably) won’t let us down. Sometimes, however, we want something new, something unique, something we have never read before. Some formulas are tried and true, but when a unique plot comes along it can peak your interest like no other and draw you in from page one. If you are looking for a book exactly like that, this post is for you as I will share six books I have read with an original plot.

    1 (and 2) Swept Away and the No-Show by Beth O’Leary

    O’Leary truly is the queen of original plots, no one does them like her. It was difficult to choose only one of her books, so I chose two.

    Swept Away is O’Leary’s latest release and I enjoyed it as much as her other books. When Lexi and Zeke meet at the pub, chemistry draws them to each other, and a passionate kiss leads to a night spent together of a home boat. Though Zeke was looking for true love and Lexi’s only interest was a no-strings-attached situation, they quickly find their difference in expectations the last of their problems. Going to the deck the next morning shows they are surrounded by water, more water, and then even more water. Lost at sea with a boat that is not equipped to sail and low on supplies, Zeke and Lexi will have to find a way to survive; both their adventure and developing feelings for each other…

    The No-Show is a story of three women with a date on Valentine’s Day. Siobhan is waiting for her breakfast date with Joseph, Miranda is at the restaurant for a lunch date with Carter, and Jane is at her co-worker’s engagement party, waiting for her fake date of the evening: Joseph Carter. One Valentine’s Day, three women, and no Joseph Carter to be found. O’Leary not only creates a unique concept with The No-Show, but her execution is equally captivating. This story is not what it seems, and the characters will take you along on a journey of waiting, heartbreak, and love.

    Another honourable mention is The Flat Share, O’Leary’s debut novel with an equally interesting premise. To learn more about this book, read my post about romancebooks without a third act breakup.

    3 How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent

    The title of Brent’s debut speaks volumes, and the book delivers on it. When Kitty Collins notices a man following her after a night out, what starts out as defending herself ends in a murder. No one is around, and it was surprisingly easy. When the body is discovered, days pass and Kitty finds herself completely off police’s radar. Could it really be that easy? Does that mean she should do it again?

    Brent writes a compelling story about a strong female character taking matters into her own hands. It is dark, twisted, hilarious and extremely entertaining.

    4 Anxious People by Frederik Backman

    Have you ever gone to an apartment viewing when suddenly a completely incompetent bank robber runs in and politely takes you hostage? Or, have you ever robbed a bank and have things escalate to you running into an apartment building to hide from the police, where you accidentally take a group of people viewing that apartment hostage? Probably not. But, if you want to read about this exact situation, you should pick up Anxious People. If you know Frederik Backman, you will know that he is not a thriller author, so this novel is a portrayal of different characters, their situations and how they all end up in their current situation. While the strangers in the apartment are anxiously huddled together, the story unfolds into a beautiful study of people in different stages of life who come together in this difficult situation and find their way of it. It is full of twists, turns, revelations and heartwarming people.

    This is my personal favourite Backman novel (out of the ones I have read), and I truly think it is one of those books almost everyone can enjoy.

    5 The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincebergs

    Three wives have had enough of their terrible husbands and their terrible marriages. When an investment went wrong a few years ago, Hank, Larry, Andres and Dave have cleared their savings and have nothing to show for it. After a tragic event, the women find out their husbands have taken out high life insurance policies. This discovery on top of the sufferings of their marriages has the women come up with a retirement plan of their own. One that will make them rich, husbandless and set for the future. One that involves… murder. What they don’t realise, is that their husbands have a plan of their own. When both situations start to collide, the future doesn’t look so rosy anymore.

    This lighthearted book with twists and turns is filled with humour, tension, and characters who don’t have the faintest idea about what they are doing.

    6 The Wedding People by Alison Espinach

    One hotel, one wedding, and one person who is at the wrong place at the wrong time. Or maybe she is exactly where she is supposed to be? When Phoebe Stone arrives at the hotel, she finds herself the occupant of the only room that is not rented out for a big wedding. Undisturbed, she plans to go ahead with her scheduled weekend, but that is without taking the bride into account. Lila has been planning her wedding for months and is not about to let a divorced, depressed stranger ruin it with her dark plans. One elevator conversation introduces the two women to each other, and will derail all of their best-laid plans.

    This novel is filled with friendship, love, tough decisions and finding our way in life.

  • 4 Inspiring Memoirs

    4 Inspiring Memoirs

    Memoir as a genre of books is one I have come to enjoy and appreciate over the last year. During my commute to work, I wanted to listen to audiobooks and though I prefer reading fiction, when listening to a book I actually prefer non-fiction. Consequently, I have discovered a number of memoirs that I really enjoyed. In this article, I will list my four favourites.

    1 The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bisschop

    While the title is a little misleading, (I went into this thinking it would mostly be about her time on Gilmore Girls), I was pleasantly surprised. Bisschop talks about her entire career in the showbusiness and her personal life, as the two have always been closely intertwined. When listening to a memoir, it is always so much better when it is narrated by the author themselves, and Kelly Bisschop did a wonderful job doing so. I have only one word to describe both the book and Kelly Bisschop herself: Fabulous.

    2 Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz

    The subtitle is a clear indication of what her memoir is about: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an Actual Cult!). The most important takeaway for me is that you can never truly judge a situation as an outsider if you have never been through it yourself. People, myself included, often think people who join a cult are really naive to be manipulated as such and fall into the trap. Reading from the perspective of a person who went through it, shows exactly how it can happen, and that it is never as black and white as it seems. Lenz opens up and places herself in a vulnerable position, both in the book itself and by writing it. Not only does she share how she got into a cult, but also how she got out, which shows her strength.

    3 The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

    Everyone knows Britney Spears as a true pop icon of the 2000s and her life was led in the spotlight. Articles and photographs show a woman going crazy after the pressure of fame got too much, but in The Woman in Me, Spears finally gets to tell her own story. It is a heartbreaking one, and while I hope the media and paparazzi have changed since then, it is still important for these stories to come out. Not only so Spears can move forward, change the narrative about herself and her family and regain control over her life, but also to make a difference for the next generations.

    4 I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

    With this title, McCurdy instantly drew the attention of thousands of people, and it sets the scene for how extreme the relationship with her mother was. This book is about more than that relationship, but also about growing up as a child actress on famous Nickelodeon shows and the struggles she endured because of her controlling mother and problematic director. Despite what the title might imply, McCurdy manages to convey her story in a respectful way, displaying a level of maturity and strength that I really admire. Similar to The Woman in Me, this book is important for exposing the toxic circumstances many actors and singers had/have to work in, and ensuring improvement.