Toni's Book Corner

Author: tonisbookcorner

  • Get to know my booktaste

    Get to know my booktaste

    I have been posting on my blog for a few weeks now, and I thought it could be a good idea to expand on my personal book taste. That way, you know if my taste aligns with yours and if any recommendations I give would please you too. Preferences are so personal, that someone can recommend a book with all of their praise, but someone else can think it is the worst book they have ever read. Therefore, in this article, I will highlight the genres I enjoy reading, some of my favourite authors and books and some extra things that define my book taste. Hopefully you can still find some common ground and enjoy my future reviews and recommendations.

    Genres

    This is the most difficult category for me, since I enjoy a lot of different genres and as I get older my preferences change. Although I don’t have a favourite genre and it switches throughout the year in terms of what is going on in my personal life, I feel like lately anything fiction-adjacent has been at the top. Let me expand on this vague description. While I do occasionally read books that are fully contemporary fiction, I enjoy books with a mix of genres far more. For instance, I recently read and loved The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead (review to come), which is classified as literary fiction, contemporary fiction, music fiction and rockstar romance. Another example is Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone, which took me so completely by surprise that I cannot stop talking about it. I initially expected this to be a contemporary romance, which is not untrue, but a very prominent part of the book leans closer to emotional fiction than romance. These are the books I thoroughly enjoy. As you can find out from going through my blog, Kristin Hannah is heavily featured on here, which is because she is heavily featured on my list of favourites as well. She writes both contemporary and historical fiction, the latter one of my favourite genres as well because it allows me to travel through time and learn more about other cultures. Another genre I have discovered recently is healing fiction, but I want to dedicate an entire post on this genre soon, so I won’t expand too much on it here.

    I have always been a thriller reader as well, which I like to switch up with some heavier books to have variation between easy breezy reads and more dense books to dive into and analyse. Some of my favourite fiction authors are Riley Sager, Lucy Clarke and Freida McFadden, who have never let me down with one of their books yet.

    While I don’t read too much fantasy, I do enjoy the genre occasionally, and once I get sucked into a world I am there to stay. Sarah J. Maas is one of my all time favourite authors, and although I have never read any fantasy like her books, I have found some other great reads to sweep me away from reality for hundreds of pages at a time.

    Finally, classic books will always have a special place in my heart as well, although I believe a classic book is not the genre of the book. There are thrillers, romances, sciencefiction, satires and many other genres that make up the list of classical books. That being said, I did want to include them in books I like to read, because people often view them as a separate group. As a literary major, I have read and analysed a lot of the most ‘famous’ books, and after graduating I have slowed down in reading these. I thoroughly enjoyed delving into analyses in class and learning more about the books, authors and time periods than I ever could by reading them on my own, but I have come to realise that I don’t need to pressure myself into understanding every hidden meaning or commentary, as long as I just enjoy the book. Therefore, I have a number of classics that I haven’t yet read on my list to read soon.

    While these are the genres I read most often, I dabble in many more occasionally. I recently read Project Hail Mary, which is a sciencefiction novel and my favourite of the month. Andy Weir has now expanded my list of books to read by writing such a masterpiece, because obviously I now have to read his other books as well. I have also started to read more non-fiction lately, mostly memoirs, but I am open to exploring more.

    Authors

    This is such a difficult list to set up, because I have read and loved so many books. For the purpose of not making this article too long, I have listed the ones I thought of first and authors I have read more than one book by, the only exception is when they only have one book out yet (because I had to include Matt Coyne). I will add them in list form, because I simply cannot expand on them all if I don’t want to keep writing until tomorrow.

    • Sarah J. Maas
    • Kristin Hannah
    • Matt Coyne
    • Beth O’ Leary
    • Freida McFadden
    • Riley Sager
    • Cara Bastone
    • Jane Austen
    • Jessa Hastings
    • Jennifer Saint
    • Emily Brontë
    • Shakespeare
    • Katy Brent
    • Elin Hilderbrand
    • Fredrik Backman
    • Emily Henry
    • M.J. Alridge
    • Abby Jimenez
    • Lynette Noni
    • Louisa May Alcott

    Various

    Here are some things I love, either in books or about books without too much extra context. Firstly, I love fleshed out characters that show growth, no matter what genre they are in. When I get to connect to characters in a way that makes me sad the book is over because I miss them, I know it is a great book. What truly makes a book stand out to me besides its characters, is its depth. Lately I have been reading books that either explore some more difficult topics like grief, or show different sides of humanity when put in different situations, and these are the stories I love. Reading makes us understand other people better, because we see things we would never encounter in real life. While I enjoy some books to take me out of reality and whisk me away in a world of adventure, drama or fantasy, I also enjoy books grounded in humanity that show hopeful stories of heartfelt and true connections.

    While I can keep going, there are too many things to list and I don’t want my post to go on forever. This article is like a moment in time for me, because if I revisit this in a few years’ time, I am sure my feelings and tastes have changed once again. If after reading this article, you have any tips or recommendations for me of books you think I would love, please let me know down below.

  • Six Romance Books for Spring

    Six Romance Books for Spring

    Now that it’s officially spring, it is time to recommend some spring books to read, and today those are specifically romance books. As summer, far and winter (particularly the holidays) are more popular for books tailored to that season, I did my best to find books that really embody spring. To me, that means happy, lighthearted vibes, growth and new things. But most of all, to me spring is the season of hope and feelings that bloom. Here are my recommendations for romance books that perfectly encapsulate those exact feelings.

    Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young

    Unlike most romance novels, the love interests in Out of the Woods are already a couple at the start of the book. Bonam-Young introduces Sarah and Caleb in her first instalment of this interconnected standalone duo logy, Out on a Limb. The high school sweethearts have been married for quite a while and still love each other strongly. However, getting together at such a young age is a challenge to their own identities: where do their individualities end and where does their relationship begin? Who are they without each other? To find their way back to each other and themselves, Sarah and Caleb partake in a week-long hiking retreat to help struggling relationships. Will they find their way back, or will their love get lost in the wilderness? Spring is all about growth and hopeful new beginnings, sentiments that Out of the Woods perfectly embodies. This novel explores themes like identity, love in longer relationships and independency versus trust. Since a large part of the book also involves hiking and camping out in nature, the setting is also perfect for spring.

    First Time Caller by B.K. Borison

    Not only does First Time Caller take place in the spring, but Borison has given readers a very original romance plot with this book. Radio host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, Aiden Valentine, has lost his love for love, and his job is starting to suffer from it. That is until one night, the radio receives a call from a young girl, asking for dating advice on her mother’s behalf. Listeners go wild for the ensuing conversation between Aiden and Lucie Stone, who eventually agrees to be set up on dates for the program. But when romance starts to stir, it might not be between her and the gentlemen taking her out, but rather with the charismatic radio host who starts to dislike his own new segment more and more with each passing date. First Time Caller is often associated with Valentine’s Day, however, I think it is filled with hopeful new beginnings, and fits the spring season perfectly.

    The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

    As you may know, I cannot recommend any type of romance book without including anything by Beth O’Leary. She has some very unique concepts for her novels, and her debut, The Flatshare, is no exception. When Tiffy needs to find a new apartment to get away from her cheating ex-boyfriend, she ends up sharing a flat with Leon. The catch? The apartment only has one bedroom. The solution? Tiffy takes the flat from the evening until the morning, while Leon, who works the night shift, uses the fact during the day. The new roommates get to know each other through a series of notes, and despite never meeting each other, their connection starts to grown. The Flatshare is a lighthearted, sweet romance, that literally feels like a sunny, bright spring day.

    Swear On This Life by Renee Carlino

    Emiline works as an adjunct writing instructor in stead of having the flourishing writing career she’s always dreamed of. When a young new author suddenly gains popularity with a debut novel, she is reluctant to read it, but when she finally starts the novel, she is taken aback. Reading about the story of two childhood best friends falling in love and dreaming of a better life together sounds a little bit too familiar to be coincidental. Realising that the author has used a penname and is actually Jackson, a person from her past, she is furious that he has used that painful past to write his novel. The only way to move forward is to confront her beginnings, but is she ready to face the boy she once knew, or will the ending of their real story be an unhappy ever after? Carlino utilises flashbacks to tell both timelines, so it is not just set in one specific season or year. It is a story of second chances, staring anew and hoping for connection.

    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

    This novel is a classic, so many people will already know it, but it is so perfectly fitted to the spring season that I had to recommend it. Set in nineteenth century England, a mother with five daughters’ main goal is to ensure they are all married to a rich and respectable husband. When a wealthy gentleman moves into the estate near them, Mrs. BEnnet is confident one of her girls will marry him. While Jane, the eldest, forms an early attachment to the newcomer, Lizzie is less impressed with his stern and unsociable friend, Mr. Darcy. The two find themselves in each others company more often than expected, and are not amiable to say the least. But, when feelings start to stir, will Mr. Darcy’s pride stand in the way of true love? Or will it be Lizzie’s prejudice that proves too strong to overcome a genuine connection? This literary masterpiece covers a budding, growing attachment between the two main characters that is parallel to the feeling spring often brings out.

    Once upon a broken heart by Stephanie Garber

    Although this is not technically a romance, Garber has written a fantasy novel where romance is an important part of the plot. Evangeline Fox is heartbroken when the love of her life is suddenly marrying her sister. To fix her devastating situation, she decides to do the one thing all the fairytales have advised against: making a deal with a Fate. She quickly realises the warnings were not unfounded when she gets increasingly tangled up in the web of plans and schemes that is Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. This whimsical romantic fantasy is filled with magic, fairytales and love, perfect for the spring season and letting your imagination run wild.

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  • Book Review: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

    Book Review: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

    One of my reading goals this year is to read more books by Fredrik Backman, because I have enjoyed all three of the books I read by him immensely. His writing style is unique, his characters bravely vulnerable and his stories heartwarming. While I have already mentioned some of his books in my other articles, I want to write a full review on Anxious People, because it is by far my favourite and I want to read it again this year. Not only is the plot unique, but the way the characters all came together was so hopeful. In times where humanity is often so divided, books like these really matter.

    When a bank robber loses control of the situation and runs into an apartment building across the street, the robbery turns into an involuntary hostage situation. Unbeknownst to the robber, the apartment in question is currently hosting an open house for prospective buyers. With a pistol pointed at them, the people in the apartment anxiously huddle together. With police gathering outside and the unlikely group of people inside stuck in a sticky situation, who knows how this will end? But maybe people have really bad ideas sometimes, and maybe some people are lonely while others are desperate. Maybe we are all just anxious people, trying to get through life together.

    While a dry description of the plot might sound like a thriller, the way Backman goes about writing his book makes it a humorous situation. From page one you are smiling as he calls the bank robber an idiot and urges you to think about biscuits. His writing is unlike any other, and I think I would be able to read a passage and say it is written by him without knowing it in advance.

    He also manages to make even the most unlikely situation relatable, which is a real feat. One of the reasons I have loved reading my whole life, is because it gives you an insight in the minds of so many others, which offers an understanding of humanity in ways living life is unable to. For instance, the bank robber. Of course most of us would never rob a bank (at least I hope so), and while this book does not suddenly make that allright, or while not everyone would do the same if they were in that situation, Backman makes us understand why the robber did it, and makes us feel for them.

    You probably have someone in your life whom you’d do something stupid for. But obviously you would still never rob a bank. Of course not. But perhaps, though, you’ve been in love? Almost everyone has, after all. And love can make you do quite a lot of ridiculous things.

    This innate understanding of people’s motivations, even if we don’t agree with them or wouldn’t do it ourselves, is what makes this book so important and what makes Backman such a notable writer.

    His character work is also one of the main characteristics of most of his work and Anxious People is no different. There’s Anna-Lena and Roger, who have been married for a while and are trying to find ways to save their marriage, Julia and Ro who are about to become parents and are dealing with it very differently, A lonely bank manager Zara, or Estelle who seems to be pleased to just be around so many people even if she doesn’t know them. Then there is the robber, or the police agents. Every single character is well-developed and different from the others. We are given their background, what drives them and how they became the way they are. A cast of characters different in age, beliefs, past and situations, but who are thrown together into an anxious situation. I love when different storylines and characters are separately developed and then come together, which is exactly what happened in this book.

    Finally, there were many absurd elements in this book, that made the storyline extra entertaining. But what I found even more impressive is that they all made sense in the end. They were not just elements added to hook readers, but they were a true value to the storyline and contributed to making all of the pieces come together.

    I always find it difficult to write a full review on a book without giving spoilers. But, I hope I have successfully conveyed my enthusiasm and love for this book by highlighting what made it so great, and that I have convinced you to read it as well.

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  • Authors I wish had more books out

    Authors I wish had more books out

    When I find a new favourite book by an author I have never read before, I always look up other books they might have written. It is no given that you will like all of their books, but the chances are high if the writing style and type of content is similar. Sometimes I am lucky enough to find a new favourite author who has a bunch of books out already, like Kristen Hannah or Freida McFadden. But often I find a debut that has no follow-up out yet, or an author with a short backlist. It does however give me new authors to follow in their growth and I alway keep an eye out to pick up on any of their new releases. In this article, I will list authors that I wish had more books out. These authors have one or two books out that I have read and enjoyed so much that I am certain I will enjoy their other books as well.

    Matt Coyne

    Here I am again, talking about Frank & Red, because it is one of my absolute favourite books and I cannot stop recommending it. If you want my full review you can read it here, but let me just repeat that this is one of the most wonderful, heartwarming books I have ever read. Frank & Red is about the unlikely friendship between a grumpy old man and a young boy, who are both going through struggles that come with different stages of life. Coyne’s character work is excellent and the way his story grips you is unparalleled, which is why I am convinced I will like any of his books. So far Frank & Red is his only adult book out, but I can’t wait to read more of his masterpieces.

    Katie Holt

    Holt’s debut novel came out in 2024 and I read it before I even saw it recommended anywhere. Not in My Book has gained some popularity and rightfully so. The plot is unique, with the protagonists who are in a writing class together not getting along at all, and as punishment having to write a book together. I enjoyed the city setting and Rosie’s Peruvian background. Her culture added depth to her character and I always love learning new things when I read. Furthermore, Aiden felt like such a mature and steady character, which I really enjoyed in this story. Rosie’s fire and Aiden’s calm matched each other perfectly and I had a really great time reading this book. Though it is Holt’s first and only book currently out, she has a new publication planned for May, so her publication list is currently expanding.

    Sonoko Machida

    The Convenience Store by the Sea is her debut novel and has many great qualities. It is similar to both Welcome to the Hynam-Dong Bookshop and Days at the Torunka Café in that they are all comforting and show the positives of slow and conscious living in stead of a fast and efficient lifestyle. The focus on human connections grounded me and made me feel very present when I was reading this book. There is a sequel out which I have not yet read, but plan to soon. I hope more of her books will appear in the future.

    Maggie Knox

    I stumbled upon Maggie Knox when I was looking for a holiday romance to get into the festive spirit a few years ago. She has two of those out, All I Want for Christmas and The Holiday Swap, and they were both so enjoyable. They were fun and festive, but not too cringe or stereotypically Hallmark and I was sad to find she has no other books published. I hope in the future she decides to put out more books, because I would love to see what else she has to write.

    Katy Brent

    I have mentioned Brent before on my blog, and she does have three books currently out with a fourth on the way. But, her books are so entertaining and humorously thrilling that I cannot put them down and want to read so many more of them.

    Hwang Bo-Reum

    Welcome to the Hynam-Dong Bookshop is a comforting read that feels like a warm hug and someone telling you that everything will be allright. This is one of the books I want to re-read this year, because I have come to really enjoy this healing fiction genre. Bo-Reum has a short story collection out, which I do plan to read, but I hope she will come out with more fiction books in the future as well.

    M.L. Rio

    I have not actually read all of the books Rio has out currently, but I read If We Were Villains and loved it so much. As a graduate in English Literary studies, the Shakespeare references that were woven throughout the entire book were a path straight to my heart and I could not put the book down. While I am not sure her short story Graveyard Shift is for me, I want to read Hot Wax as soon as possible (if only there weren’t so many great books out there). I look forward to seeing more of her work in the future.

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  • Books I think are worth the hype

    Books I think are worth the hype

    With the rise of attention on books in social media, some titles have gone viral with thousands or even millions of recommendations. While tastes can differ, these are books that the majority of people (online) agree upon as being worth your time. It is either a blessing or a trap, to find a book you love just as much as anyone else, or to feel like you have been lied to. I myself have read a good amount of books that are very popular online, and have experienced both of these emotions. Some books that I read because I saw them highly recommended I heartily enjoyed, but some I did not like reading at all. Since I like to keep things positive here, I will recommend you some titles that are highly popular online, that I think deserve the praise.

    Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

    Sarah J. Maas is one of the biggest names in the online book community, and has been for a while. With three series out, that I have all three read and can recommend to the fullest, she has recently taken the internet by storm again by announcing her two next releases. While ACOTAR is probably her most popular series, Throne of Glass is very close behind and my personal favourite. A theme with some of the book in this article is that I have read them before the got so popular, which means I read them because I liked their contents, and not just because a bunch of people online could not stop talking about them. Throne of Glass is a fantasy series about a girl who has to compete in trials to escape slavery and in stead become the king’s champion. What follows in a story that goes beyond your wildest imagination, where the stakes are high, the characters fleshed out, wonderful and brave, and where every rolling pebble eventually becomes a landslide. If there is ever a book or series where the hype is totally justified, it is this one.

    The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

    This is one of the books that got popular in the beginning of books gaining a space online, which coincided with (and was probably a consequence of) the pandemic. The House Across the Lake is a thriller about a woman moving to a lake house to gain some peace and quiet in her life. Across the lake, her neighbours Tom and Katherine make for a good pastime, as Casey watches them with her binoculars. After saving Katherine from drowning, the two start up a friendship, but it quickly becomes clear that her neighbours don’t have the perfect marriage they want to let the world believe they have. The novel is full of twists and turns, with thrilling moments and secrets all around. It is the girls Riley Sager book I ever read, and now I read everything he publishes.

    If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

    Julie Olivia’s book is a more recent online hit, but deserves every praise it gets. It is a small town romance that is full of depth, development and nostalgia. Set in the 1990s, Michelle moves to Vermont to temporarily take over her late mom’s bed and breakfast before her younger sister has graduated, ready to run it fulltime. Her new next-door neighbour and his two daughters are extremely helpful in finding her way around everything and make the place feel more like home. Since she is leaving in three months, friendship is all she can offer the three of them, but as that date looms closer, she has to decide if friendship is truly all she wants.

    Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

    I have to preface this by saying it is definitely not a book for everyone, and I had my doubts after reading the first one, but the second book had me hooked to the series. The storyline follows a group of high society friends, with Magnolia and BJ as the main characters as they go through what I like to call ‘rich people drama’. The first book had a bit too much of just that for me, but from the second book on there was more plot added which kept me interested. There is a lot of drama and toxicity involved, but for the people who want to escape reality and get sucked into a different and entertaining world reminiscent of Gossip Girl, Magnolia Parks is the way to go.

    A Little Life by Hanya Yanigahara

    I actually read this book about ten years ago, before it got popular online and before there even was such a big online book community as there is now. At first I was surprised to see it recommended this much online, because it is so unlike other books I saw discussed on social media, but it is a beautiful book so I have to agree with the praise. The cover perfectly portrays the devastating heartbreak that is this story about the life of four friends living in New York City and trying to find their way through life. Jude is the main focus of the story, as he is not only finding his way like his friends, but also struggling with a traumatic past that still haunts him everyday and has left him scarred. It is a tough read, as it is over 600 pages and filled with all of the emotions a human can feel, so if that does not sound like something you would enjoy, I would not recommend it. But, for people who want an emotional book filled with friendship, love, growth and heartache, it is definitely worth the hype.

    The Nightingale Kristin Hannah

    Kristin Hannah is another author I got to know via social media recommendations, and The Nightingale is the first book I read by her because I saw people talking about it online. As you might know from previous articles, I have read nine of her books in total so far, two of which I have read twice, so I would encourage you to read any of her books. The Nightingale is set in WWII France and follows two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, as they take two completely different paths dealing with the German intruder. This powerful story shows how bravery can have different faces, how far we will go to protect the people we love and how each sister takes a different path fighting for freedom.

    The Secret History by Donna Tart

    With over a million ratings on Goodreads, it is a highly popular book and has many opinions brought out. It follows a group of pretentious friends at an elite New England college. When a new student starts and slowly befriends the group, he discovers their eccentric way of thinking and living and follows along with them. When a chain of events leads to the death of a classmate, the novel deals with the consequences of pushing the boundaries of normal morality. While the story has a slower pace and is therefore not the easiest to fly through, it is filled with characters and a plot that makes you sit with your thoughts after finishing. There are layers and themes that can be analysed and discussed, so it lends itself perfectly to read as a bookclub book. I have also seen people say they think this will be a classic in years’ time, since there is much to be discussed about it.

    The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab.

    This book I s a bit similar to the Secret History, not in the plot but in the pacing. There are slower parts where the storyline does not move along at a high speed, but that is because it is a book largely driven by characters and emotions. Addie Larue makes a deal with the devil to live forever, but because of this she is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. An indefinite life of loneliness, spanning decades, countries and cultures, spent in countless ways trying to leave her mark on the world. But then everything changes, when in a hidden bookstore, there is a young man who remembers her name. This story is so much more than meets the eye and makes you think about life in a new way. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a character driven book with magical realism and a lot of emotion.

  • Book Review: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

    Book Review: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

    It will come as no surprise that Kristin Hannah is one of my favourite authors. With nine of her books read so far and two of them twice, her writing has ensured me that I will enjoy every on of her books and that I will cry at every one of her books. It is far too difficult for me to pick a favourite out of her masterpieces, but there are two that I have read twice already, and one of them is The Great Alone. It is a beautiful story about strength and resilience, and the beauty of Alaska is highlighted in such a wild and untamed way that feels refreshing. There are many themes, metaphors and things to discuss, so let’s get into it.

    Plot

    Lenny and her parents have been moving around ever since her father has come back from the war. The country is changing and so is her father, Ernt, whose restless spirit prevents the family from finally grounding somewhere. This time, he has inherited a plot of land from a friend up in Alaska, and he promises this is the fresh start they need. Away from the politics, away from the protests, away from the people ruining the country and away from society. The land of Alaska is wild, and living there is not for the fainthearted. But slowly, the three find their way in their new environment. As they learn to live from the land and self-provide, it seems her Lenny’s father is finally happy and their new home looks to be permanent. However, beautiful and wild as Alaska is, the outside sometimes reflects the wildness from within and when winter falls, darkness is all-encompassing. As Ernt’s mental state starts to deteriorate worse than ever, Lenny and her mother realise they will soon find out what is worse: the threats from the outside, or the dangers from inside.

    Themes

    There are a few themes that are quite prevalent in the book and that are important to the plot. For instance, the opposition of community versus self-sufficiency. When the family arrives in Alaska, they come there to live away from society and provide for themselves. At the same time though, they are wholly unprepared for what it truly takes to survive in the last frontier, and heavily rely on the help of the local community. Everyone comes together, helps build sheds, shares and trades foods and materials. So although people leave the masses behind, these places have the strongest communities I have ever read about. I found it perfectly showed how quality of relations is much more important than quantity, which was portrayed beautifully with the people of Kaneq.

    Another important theme is resilience, which goes hand in hand with strength. These people have to be extremely tough to survive in extreme circumstances of darkness, cold and danger. Things don’t work from the first time, and new challenges arise every day in Alaska, which is where the people’s resilience really comes to the fore. Lenny and her mother especially deal with more than just their environment in surviving, but their strength and character makes them fit right in with the Alaskans. These two themes go hand in hand, because strong people can build an even stronger community, and a tight community with people helping and teaching each other makes for smart and resilient people.

    Finally, I found symbolism in this book, a theme that heightened the reading experience. What Phoebe said about Wuthering Heights in Friends, applies for The Great Alone as well. The wildness of the land is clearly reflected in Ernts character, made even more apparent by the clear influence of the seasons on his mental state. When the days are long and the land flourishing, he is more patient and forbearing, but when winter starts creeping up the darkness creeps inside their home as well. This connection between Ernts character and the land made it more tangible for readers and conveyed the direness of the situation Lenny and her mother found theirselves in.

    The Great Alone is another clear hit for me. It shows the strength people can find in themselves, the beauty of uncontrollable land and the unforgiving nature of, well, nature. How much forgiveness should we show the people we love, and what is the final straw that makes us say, no more? As all Kristin Hannah’s books, this is not merely a story about a family moving to Alaska, but rather a story about people coming together, building a community, and strong relationships. Beware, because it is a tearjerker, but one that will open your eyes to the beauty of the wild.

  • 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.