Hello friends!

How are you doing? I hope you’re all well – and well read! I heard you are looking for something spooky to read since Halloween is approaching, and once again… I got you!

To be honest, I wish I was more of a seasonal reader, but I’m the kind of person who reads whatever I feel like, whenever I feel like – and yes, I definitely read beach reads on Christmas in case you’re wondering! Still, I know a lot of you are seasonal readers, so I thought I’d show you a few thrillers that you might find interesting.

This is the perfect time to grab a nice creepy book, some tea and a cinnamon bun! So c’mon, let’s find your next read!

1. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

This is for the ones who just prefer to read short stories! This is a story about a woman who got into a bad headspace after having her baby. So her husband, being a doctor, decided that she should be isolated to get better. That will solve it, right?

Anyways, this is a very messed up story, but what I find the most interesting is that this story is based on real events that the author went through. It talks about serious subjects that are not talked about often, such as postpartum depression and the place a woman takes in marriage. 

It’s messed up and scary… so why not read it for Halloween? Also, it’s on the shorter side, like I mentioned!

Synopsis

“Diagnosed by her physician husband with a “temporary nervous depression—a slight hysterical tendency” after the birth of her child, a woman is urged to rest for the summer in an old colonial mansion. Forbidden from doing work of any kind, she spends her days in the house’s former nursery, with its barred windows, scratched floor, and peeling yellow wallpaper.
In a private journal, the woman records her growing obsession with the “horrid” wallpaper. Its strange pattern mutates in the moonlight, revealing what appears to be a human figure in the design. With nothing else to occupy her mind, the woman resolves to unlock the mystery of the wallpaper. Her quest, however, leads not to the truth, but into the darkest depths of madness.
A condemnation of the patriarchy, The Yellow Wallpaper explores with terrifying economy the oppression, grave misunderstanding, and willful dismissal of women in late nineteenth-century society.
First published in January 1892 in The New England Magazine.”

2. The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor

Another interesting book that was super hard to put down! This story is about a group of friends in 1989 that used drawings made of chalk to leave each other messages. It was like a secret code that only they would understand and know what it meant – until something weird starts to happen! 

This book kept me interested the entire time. I was never bored and I was always looking forward to knowing more about what was going on! There were a lot of secrets to unfold and in each chapter you discover something new. I would definitely recommend you to not know much about the book before going into it! I recommend this if you like eerie stories or if you are a Stephen King fan.

Synopsis

“In 1986, Eddie and his friends are just kids on the verge of adolescence. They spend their days biking around their sleepy little English village and looking for any taste of excitement they can get. The chalk men are their secret code; little chalk stick figures they leave for each other as messages only they can understand. But then a mysterious chalk man leads them right to a dismembered body, and nothing will ever be the same.
In 2016, Eddie is fully grown, and thinks he’s put his past behind him. But then he gets a letter in the mail, containing a single chalk stick figure. When it turns out his other friends got the same messages, they think it could be a prank … until one of them turns up dead. That’s when Eddie realizes that saving himself means finally figuring out what really happened all those years ago.
Expertly alternating between flashbacks and the present day, The Chalk Man is the very best kind of suspense novel, one where every character is wonderfully fleshed out and compelling, where every mystery has a satisfying payoff, and where the twists will shock even the savviest reader.”

3. If I Can’t Have You by Charlotte Levin

Now here’s a debut I thought was interesting. This is more of a stalker story, so extra creepy! It was really interesting to see the point of view of someone who has a strong obsession for someone else and the extreme situations they put themselves to. The plot was really good and the story was very well written. 

It’s a good book if you have strong feelings for it… it means it did its job!

Definitely check this one out!

Synopsis

“Samuel, the day we met I knew I’d finally found what I’ve been waiting for.
You.
Happiness, at last.
Then you left me.
And now I am alone.
Everyone I love leaves in the end.
But not this time.
I’m not giving up on us.
I’m not giving up on you.
When you love someone, you never let them go.
That’s why for me, this is just beginning.”

4. A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena

An author I love is Shari Lapena, so I thought I would recommend this book to you since I read it in one sitting! Her books have their own style, and I love how the stories are structured. I would compare her stories to icebergs: when the story begins you are only given a very small portion of what the story is, but as the story progresses you discover new and important details that compliment what you knew at first. So it’s safe to say you never know what is going on for sure, and you can’t trust anyone or what they’re saying.

The pacing is very fast and you’re on the edge of your seat the entire time! Definitely worth it.

Synopsis

“He looks at her, concerned. “How do you feel?” She wants to say, Terrified. Instead, she says, with a faint smile, “Glad to be home.”
Karen and Tom Krupp are happy—they’ve got a lovely home in upstate New York, they’re practically newlyweds, and they have no kids to interrupt their comfortable life together. But one day, Tom returns home to find Karen has vanished—her car’s gone and it seems she left in a rush. She even left her purse—complete with phone and ID—behind.
There’s a knock on the door—the police are there to take Tom to the hospital where his wife has been admitted. She had a car accident, and lost control as she sped through the worst part of town.
The accident has left Karen with a concussion and a few scrapes. Still, she’s mostly okay—except that she can’t remember what she was doing or where she was when she crashed. The cops think her memory loss is highly convenient, and they suspect she was up to no good.
Karen returns home with Tom, determined to heal and move on with her life. Then she realizes something’s been moved. Something’s not quite right. Someone’s been in her house. And the police won’t stop asking questions.
Because in this house, everyone’s a stranger. Everyone has something they’d rather keep hidden. Something they might even kill to keep quiet.”

5. White Bodies by Jane Robbins

If you prefer uncomfortable, weird reads, this one’s for you! The main themes of this book are obsession, sibling relationships and domestic abuse (well… for the most part, that is).

Let me tell you straight up: there is not a single likable character in this book. The two main characters (the twins Tilda and Callie) are both terrible. Of course these characters were created with the purpose of making the book disturbing and intriguing, and I guarantee the author accomplished that!

I always like to read about twins in thrillers because of the strong bond and connection they usually have, and you definitely get some of that here. While reading the book I frequently questioned myself if there was more to it, because her behaviors and actions crossed the lines in so many ways.

Intrigued? Give it a try, then! It was weird, unexpected and creepy… but very entertaining!

Synopsis

“This chilling psychological suspense novel–think Strangers on a Train for the modern age–explores the dark side of love and the unbreakable ties that bind two sisters together.
Felix and Tilda seem like the perfect couple: young and in love, a financier and a beautiful up-and-coming starlet. But behind their flawless facade, not everything is as it seems.
Callie, Tilda’s unassuming twin, has watched her sister visibly shrink under Felix’s domineering love. She has looked on silently as Tilda stopped working, nearly stopped eating, and turned into a neat freak, with mugs wrapped in Saran Wrap and suspicious syringes hidden in the bathroom trash. She knows about Felix’s uncontrollable rages, and has seen the bruises on the white skin of her sister’s arms.
Worried about the psychological hold that Felix seems to have over Tilda, Callie joins an Internet support group for victims of abuse and their friends. However, things spiral out of control and she starts to doubt her own judgment when one of her new acquaintances is killed by an abusive man. And then suddenly Felix dies–or was he murdered?
A page-turning work of suspense that announces a stunning new voice in fiction, White Bodies will change the way you think about obsession, love, and the violence we inflict on one another–and ourselves.”

And there you have it friends! As always, I hope you found this recommendation post interesting and I hope you found yourself some new books to read. I’m always looking for book recommendations so let me know if you have any for me!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post! I hope you liked what I had to share with you today. I’ll see you in the next one! 🙂

Hello friends!

It has been a while since I’ve discovered a good new dystopian series to binge on – and that makes me sad because dystopian used to be my comfort genre for a very long time! There was a time a few years ago when dystopian books were very popular, but I feel like this genre is not as popular as it was. Of course there are some new series that came out recently, but there was something about the “older” dystopian books that made them special and unique.

So today I’m bringing you a recommendation post on some of my favorite dystopian series that influenced my love for fiction. This reading era was very important for me because it taught me a very interesting and unexpected lesson: reading could be very fun! It’s not like I haven’t picked random books before, but the feeling of pure joy and curiosity that I got from reading, not wanting to put down a book and being transported to a new world was news to me!

Needless to say, I devoured these series (and even reread some of them later). So today I want to talk about them and show you what I was reading a few years ago, and maybe you’ll give a chance to the ones you haven’t read yet!

Just a quick disclaimer: I said they’re old, but they are not ancient. The books I’m about to mention were published between 2008 and 2012 – the dystopian golden era to me!

I’m very excited to share some of these beauties with you, and I truly hope you give them a try and decide to pick them up in the future!

Here are the books I want to share with you today! Let’s look at them individually:

1. The Selection series by Kiera Cass

Starting off my favorite, The Selection series by Kiera Cass! There’s no surprise this dystopian series is here since I’ve talked about it a lot. This series has a great story and plot, but I have to say this is in essence a romance book. And by this I mean this is not a dystopian series like The Maze Runner or The Hunger Games because the center of the story is the love story.
So of course, a romance junkie like myself was completely hooked to this story. It’s pure perfection, and I would sell my soul to read this again for the first time!

Synopsis

“For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.”

2. The Maze Runner series by James Dashner

Another dystopian series I loved was The Maze Runner! I’m sure this one needs no introduction since it’s a fairly popular series, so at least I’m sure you’ve watched one of the movies or at least heard about this.
I personally really liked the concept behind this story and how the boys fought and stuck together to survive. It’s a very entertaining story that keeps you hooked for the characters and the mystery. You don’t know what’s going on and why they are in the maze, and since the characters don’t remember anything you are all on the same boat. Throughout the series we start to unravel what is going on, but it takes a while – or 6 books to be exact (trilogy, prequels and a sequel)!
If you watched the movie and think you’re good with this story: I would still say to consider reading the books. The first book is similar to the first movie, but from that point forward the story was changed a lot to fit the movie format. The second and third movies look completely different from the books. Also, there are a few prequels that explain somethings that are not even mentioned in the movies.
It was one of my favorite dystopian series, and I even reread them!

Synopsis

“If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.
Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.
Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.
Everything is going to change.
Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.
Remember. Survive. Run.”

3. Delirium series by Lauren Oliver

Another great dystopian series I read was the Delirium trilogy! It was not a perfect read by any means, but I had a really fun time reading this! The reason for this series not being perfect for me was because of the slower pace and not being a slow burn romance (which are my favorites!). Still, the concept is very interesting and the story was entertaining to the point I had a hard time putting it down. I would still say this is still a really nice series to binge on!

Synopsis

“In an alternate United States, love has been declared a dangerous disease, and the government forces everyone who reaches eighteen to have a procedure called the Cure. Living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in Portland, Maine, Lena Haloway is very much looking forward to being cured and living a safe, predictable life. She watched love destroy her mother and isn’t about to make the same mistake.
But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena meets enigmatic Alex, a boy from the “Wilds” who lives under the government’s radar. What will happen if they do the unthinkable and fall in love?”

4. Matched series by Ally Condy

I’ve picked the Match series also during this time! Again, this wasn’t a perfect book for me as well, but I also enjoyed this and flew through the pages. It’s also on the slower pace side like Delirium, but the story is unique and worth trying!

Synopsis

“Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander’s face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate… until she sees Ky Markham’s face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it’s a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she’s destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can’t stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society’s infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.”

5. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

And last but not least we have The Hunger Games series! At first I was afraid to dive into this trilogy in book form because the movie love triangle made me crazy! “Movie Peeta” annoyed me so much that I had no interest in watching the last two movies, and therefore, I didn’t want to read the books as well. But after giving it a try, I ended up loving this series – including liking “book Peeta” more than “movie Peeta”. The book was incredible, original and inspiring, and definitely became one of my favorites!

Synopsis

“Could you survive on your own in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don’t live to see the morning?
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weight survival against humanity and life against love.”

And there you have it friends! These were some of the dystopian series that got me into reading. It was very nostalgic coming back to them and today I feel very grateful I found these books at the right time, because this dystopian era was epic!

As always, I hope you found this recommendation post interesting and I hope you found yourself some new books to read. I’m always looking for book recommendations so let me know if you have any for me!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post! I hope you liked what I had to share with you today. I’ll see you in the next one! 🙂

Hello friends!

Time is flying by and I can’t believe we are already in August. This realization is the reason why I’m bringing you this recommendation post! My trip to Japan is coming soon and I’m feeling inspired by all of the amazing books I’ve read written by Japanese authors!

It is true that when you read from different places around the world, you start to find different patterns and cultural differences in writing. Still, with my short reading experience, I found that Japanese written non-fictions books are often short, slow paced and talk about deeper topics such as grief, regret, nostalgia and beauty – at least the ones I read. It is very easy to find beautiful and meaningful books written by Japanese authors, and I love to pick them up when I’m in the mood to contemplate life and do some reflection.

I’m very excited to share some of the beautiful books I have read today with you, and I truly hope you give them a try and decide to pick them up in the future.

Here are the books I want to share with you today! Let’s look at them individually:

1. If Cats Disappeared From the World by Genki Kawamura

Let me introduce you to the book that started it all! This was my first time ever reading a book by a Japanese author (besides manga), and I absolutely loved it. 

“If Cats Disappeared From the World” is about all the things we take for granted in our daily lives and what makes us human. With moments of deep reflection and heartbreak but also with humor and lightness, this book talks about what really makes life worth living and what connects us as humans. Not only did I shed some tears, but I also laughed out loud in some of the chapters.

I loved this book and I highly recommend it. It’s a fairly short book, it’s wholesome and I’m sure it will leave an impact on you.

Synopsis

“The international phenomenon that has sold over a million copies in Japan, If Cats Disappeared from the World is a funny, heartwarming, and profound meditation on the meaning of life.

The postman’s days are numbered. Estranged from his family, living alone with only his cat Cabbage to keep him company, he was unprepared for the doctor’s diagnosis that he has only months to live. But before he can tackle his bucket list, the Devil appears to make him an offer: In exchange for making one thing in the world disappear, our narrator will get one extra day of life. And so begins a very bizarre week…

With each object that disappears the postman reflects on the life he’s lived, his joys and regrets, and the people he’s loved and lost.

Genki Kawamura’s timeless tale is a moving story of loss and reconciliation, of one man’s journey to discover what really matters most in life.”

2. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Next on the list we have the amazing “Before the Coffee Gets Cold”. This book has a clear message for the reader: live in the present and focus on what’s in front of you because we can’t change the past and who knows what the future holds.
I personally did a lot of reflecting on my own life and thought about what would make me want to time travel. While reading this book, you’ll find yourself thinking about what it would be like to go back and relive a moment from the past or what it would be like to peek into the future. Would you do it if you had the chance?
It’s the kind of book that will make you reflect. Definitely worth it!

Synopsis

“What would you change if you could go back in time?

In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a café which has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time.

In Before the Coffee Gets Cold, we meet four visitors, each of whom is hoping to make use of the café’s time-travelling offer, in order to: confront the man who left them, receive a letter from their husband whose memory has been taken by early onset Alzheimer’s, to see their sister one last time, and to meet the daughter they never got the chance to know.

But the journey into the past does not come without risks: customers must sit in a particular seat, they cannot leave the café, and finally, they must return to the present before the coffee gets cold…

Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s beautiful, moving story explores the age-old question: what would you change if you could travel back in time? More importantly, who would you want to meet, maybe for one last time?”

3. Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

This is a very special book. I believe you probably heard about the movie adaptation for this book, because it was fairly popular when it came out.
I’m not going to lie, it’s a tough book to read. The message is strong, but combined with the amazing characters and immersive writing, the book is brought to the next level. I just love how timeless this book feels. It felt like I was reading a classic book, and it would still make sense to read it in 100 years.
I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. Even though it was a heartbreaking book, I still loved everything about it and I’m sure the story is going to stay with me for a very long time.

Synopsis

“Sentaro has failed. He has a criminal record, drinks too much, and his dream of becoming a writer is just a distant memory. With only the blossoming of the cherry trees to mark the passing of time, he spends his days in a tiny confectionery shop selling dorayaki, a type of pancake filled with sweet bean paste.
But everything is about to change.
Into his life comes Tokue, an elderly woman with disfigured hands and a troubled past. Tokue makes the best sweet bean paste Sentaro has ever tasted. She begins to teach him her craft, but as their friendship flourishes, social pressures become impossible to escape and Tokue’s dark secret is revealed, with devastating consequences.
Sweet Bean Paste is a moving novel about the burden of the past and the redemptive power of friendship. Translated into English for the first time, Durian Sukegawa’s beautiful prose is capturing hearts all over the world.”

And there you have it friends! I hope you found this recommendation post interesting and I hope you found yourself some new books to read. As usual, I’m always looking for book recommendations so let me know if you have any for me!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post! I hope you liked what I had to share with you today. I’ll see you in the next one! 🙂

Hi friends!

I don’t know about you, but the warmer weather is starting to make a stronger appearance here where I live! And for me that’s great news, because now I’m taking a lot of nature walks and I’m spending a lot of time at the park… reading, of course!

I just feel like it’s difficult to top a relaxed afternoon with a cozy book on a park bench. Being outside gives me a lot of good energy, but doing that while reading also allows me to stay in tune with my introverted nature. It’s honestly such an amazing way of spending time for me, that I wish you would experience that feeling as well.

So today’s recommendation post is exactly that! Today I’m sharing with you some books that I think would be perfect to read outside, surrounded by nature on a sunny day. Here they are:

Have no fear, I have books for all of you readers according to genre! Let’s take a look at them individually:

1. On the Fence by Kasie West

For all of my YA lovers out there like myself, I have a great recommendation for you today. This is probably my favorite Kasie West book, and coincidentally, I think this would be perfect to read at the park! This is a very cute romance book featuring a tomboy lead who plays soccer, perfect if you love the “boy next door” and “brother’s best friend” tropes! I honestly love this so much, and I automatically thought of this book because they spend a lot of time outside doing outdoor activities. It’s fast paced and the romance will make you swoon! Definitely recommend this one if you love YA romance. You can find the synopsis below!

Synopsis

“For sixteen-year-old Charlotte Reynolds, aka Charlie, being raised by a single dad and three older brothers has its perks. She can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows—including her longtime neighbor and honorary fourth brother, Braden. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn’t know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world of makeup, lacy skirts, and BeDazzlers. Even stranger, she’s spending time with a boy who has never seen her tear it up in a pickup game.
To cope with the stress of faking her way through this new reality, Charlie seeks late-night refuge in her backyard, talking out her problems with Braden by the fence that separates them. But their Fence Chats can’t solve Charlie’s biggest problem: she’s falling for Braden. Hard. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.”

2. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

If you prefer adult romance, I would recommend “The Unhoneymooners” by the duo of writers Christina Lauren. I know a lot of people pick this up during the Summer because it’s a great beach read, but I can 100% say this has park read potential! You can check the synopsis below to see what the story is about, but I really like how fresh this story feels and the entire vacation atmosphere the book projects, so I thought I’d recommend this one to you. If you haven’t picked this up yet, I highly recommend you give this one a chance.

Synopsis

“Olive is always unlucky: in her career, in love, in…well, everything. Her identical twin sister Ami, on the other hand, is probably the luckiest person in the world. Her meet-cute with her fiancé is something out of a romantic comedy (gag) and she’s managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a series of Internet contests (double gag). Worst of all, she’s forcing Olive to spend the day with her sworn enemy, Ethan, who just happens to be the best man.
Olive braces herself to get through 24 hours of wedding hell before she can return to her comfortable, unlucky life. But when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning from eating bad shellfish, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. And now there’s an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs.
Putting their mutual hatred aside for the sake of a free vacation, Olive and Ethan head for paradise, determined to avoid each other at all costs. But when Olive runs into her future boss, the little white lie she tells him is suddenly at risk to become a whole lot bigger. She and Ethan now have to pretend to be loving newlyweds, and her luck seems worse than ever. But the weird thing is that she doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, she feels kind of… lucky.“

3. His & Hers by Alice Feeney

Don’t think I forget you, my fellow thriller fans! This is your park read, right here: “His & Hers” by Alice Feeney. I picked this thriller for today’s recommendation because it’s fast paced, intriguing and full of smart twists! But the main reason it’s because I also read this book outdoors and I remember how perfect and fitting it felt. The story is really good and the mystery is very well put together. You can read the synopsis below and see what it’s all about!

Synopsis

“There are two sides to every story: yours and mine, ours and theirs, His & Hers. Which means someone is always lying.
When a woman is murdered in Blackdown, a quintessentially British village, newsreader Anna Andrews is reluctant to cover the case. Detective Jack Harper is suspicious of her involvement, until he becomes a suspect in his own murder investigation. Someone isn’t telling the truth, and some secrets are worth killing to keep.
His & Hers is a twisty, smart, psychological thriller. A gripping tale of suspense, told by expertly-drawn narrators that will keep readers guessing until the very end.”

4. Ikigai by Héctor García & Francesc Miralles

For my non-fiction fans, I have a great park bench recommendation as well! I’ve also read “Ikigai” outside, but the difference this time is that I listened to the audiobook version while walking in nature, not sitting on a bench. I don’t know exactly what it is, but there’s something about this book that emanates really good and inspiring energy. You feel grounded and at peace while reading this, and I truly think it pairs very well with a sunny and relaxed afternoon at the park! You can check the synopsis below for more details!

Synopsis

“Bring meaning and joy to all your days with this internationally bestselling guide to the Japanese concept of ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy)—the happiness of always being busy—as revealed by the daily habits of the world’s longest-living people.
What’s your ikigai?
“Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.” —Japanese proverb
According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai—a reason for living. And according to the residents of the Japanese village with the world’s longest-living people, finding it is the key to a happier and longer life. Having a strong sense of ikigai—the place where passion, mission, vocation, and profession intersect—means that each day is infused with meaning. It’s the reason we get up in the morning. It’s also the reason many Japanese never really retire (in fact there’s no word in Japanese that means retire in the sense it does in English): They remain active and work at what they enjoy, because they’ve found a real purpose in life—the happiness of always being busy.
In researching this book, the authors interviewed the residents of the Japanese village with the highest percentage of 100-year-olds—one of the world’s Blue Zones. Ikigai reveals the secrets to their longevity and happiness: how they eat, how they move, how they work, how they foster collaboration and community, and—their best-kept secret—how they find the ikigai that brings satisfaction to their lives. And it provides practical tools to help you discover your own ikigai. Because who doesn’t want to find happiness in every day?”

5. Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

If you are looking for a literary fiction novel, I think this may be the perfect fit for you! This was the first book I have read in 2023 and I loved it. I don’t want to spoil the story for you, in case you don’t know what it’s about, but I recommend you to read the synopsis below to see if it’s a good fit for you. But even if you’re skeptical, I would still recommend you to try this because the story was very wholesome, heartbreaking (in a good way) and completely worth it. It’s also a fairly short book, so why not?

Synopsis

“Sentaro has failed. He has a criminal record, drinks too much, and his dream of becoming a writer is just a distant memory. With only the blossoming of the cherry trees to mark the passing of time, he spends his days in a tiny confectionery shop selling dorayaki, a type of pancake filled with sweet bean paste.
But everything is about to change.
Into his life comes Tokue, an elderly woman with disfigured hands and a troubled past. Tokue makes the best sweet bean paste Sentaro has ever tasted. She begins to teach him her craft, but as their friendship flourishes, social pressures become impossible to escape and Tokue’s dark secret is revealed, with devastating consequences.
Sweet Bean Paste is a moving novel about the burden of the past and the redemptive power of friendship. Translated into English for the first time, Durian Sukegawa’s beautiful prose is capturing hearts all over the world.”

And there you have it friends! I hope you found this recommendation post interesting and I hope you found yourself some new books to read. As usual, I’m always looking for book recommendations so let me know if you have any for me!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post! I hope you liked what I had to share with you today. I’ll see you in the next one! 🙂

Hello friends!

Today I have a recommendation post for you – and this one is focused only on short reads! 

Sometimes you’re not in the mood to read a complex story. Sometimes you just don’t have time to pick up a regular size book. Sometimes you just feel like reading a short book. Whatever your reason is: I got you covered!

And yes, I know I have a weird fear of big books… but I don’t just read short stories! Still, I decided to make this post to show you a few short books I really liked and that I would recommend to you! Maybe you’ll find some interesting news books in this list.

And by the way: these are shorter than 100 pages! You can find the number of pages of each book in front of their title. Let’s take a look at the books!

1. Galatea by Madeline Miller – 20 pages

This (super) short story is perfect for Greek mythology lovers! Madeline Miller is the author, and she is known for writing regular length books about Greek mythology like fiction. In her books the characters are brought to life as the famous historical figures, and this short story follows the same format. This one is about Galatea, a statue that is brought to life by its sculptor. You can check the synopsis below for a detailed description, but I can tell that I loved this one and that is completely worth it… and it’s only 20 pages long, so why not?

Synopsis

“An enchanting short story from Madeline Miller that boldly reimagines the myth of Galatea and Pygmalion.
In ancient Greece, a skilled marble sculptor has been blessed by a goddess who has given his masterpiece — the most beautiful woman the town has ever seen — the gift of life. Now his wife, he expects Galatea to please him, to be obedience and humility personified. But she has desires of her own and yearns for independence.
In a desperate bid by her obsessive husband to keep her under control, Galatea is locked away under the constant supervision of doctors and nurses. But with a daughter to rescue, she is determined to break free, whatever the cost…”

2. And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman – 97 pages

This short story broke my heart… in only 97 pages! I didn’t even think that was possible, but here we are.This is such a beautiful, heartbreaking story that tells us about what it is like to suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia, as well as being a family member/friend to someone who is suffering with it. It’s a great story to better understand how people suffer internally and how sometimes they feel ashamed and know exactly what’s happening to their brains. It gives an honest, cruel and truthful vision of the reality of so many people who struggle with the disease. You can find the synopsis below:

Synopsis

“Grandpa and Noah are sitting on a bench in a square that keeps getting smaller every day. The square is strange but also familiar, full of the odds and ends that have made up their lives: Grandpa’s work desk, the stuffed dragon that Grandpa once gave to Noah, the sweet-smelling hyacinths that Grandma loved to grow in her garden.
As they wait together on the bench, they tell jokes and discuss their shared love of mathematics. Grandpa recalls what it was like to fall in love with his wife, what it was like to lose her. She’s as real to him now as the first day he met her, but he dreads the day when he won’t remember her.
Sometimes Grandpa sits on the bench next to Ted, Noah’s father—Ted who never liked math, prefers writing and playing guitar, and has waited his entire life for his father to have time for him, to accept him. But in their love of Noah, they have found a common bond.
Grandpa, Grandma, Ted, and Noah all meet here, in this peculiar space that is growing dimmer and more confusing all the time. And here is where they will learn to say goodbye, the scent of hyacinths in the air, nothing to fear. This little book with a big message is certain to be treasured for generations to come.”

3. Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins-Reid – 88 pages

Next on the list we have “Evidence of the Affair” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. While I was reading I remember thinking to myself “How was I so interested in such a short (and yet complex) story?”. Even though it was not a full length book, I was very invested in the entire plot and characters! This fiction story is told entirely in letters,which was also very interesting! Honestly, I couldn’t even predict what would happen next because everything was so unexpected and I never knew where the story was going. This was a really fun and different read that I would recommend to anyone! Check the synopsis below for more info!

Synopsis

“The repercussions of an illicit affair unfold in this short story by bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Dear stranger…
A desperate young woman in Southern California sits down to write a letter to a man she’s never met—a choice that will forever change both their lives.
My heart goes out to you, David. Even though I do not know you…
The correspondence between Carrie Allsop and David Mayer reveals, piece by piece, the painful details of a devastating affair between their spouses. With each commiserating scratch of the pen, they confess their fears and bare their souls. They share the bewilderment over how things went so wrong and come to wonder where to go from here.
Told entirely through the letters of two comforting strangers and those of two illicit lovers, Evidence of the Affair explores the complex nature of the heart. And ultimately, for one woman, how liberating it can be when it’s broken.”

4. The Sisters by J.S. Ellis – 26 pages

If you feel like reading something on the darker side, I definitely recommend this one! This short story is about Evie, who has a perfect older sister. She has it all! She is blonde, tall, smart, has a great career… and she’s everything Evie is not. She has been living in her sister’s shadow since the day she was born. One day her sister brings home her perfect boyfriend for her family to meet. I wish I could say more but you’ll have to read it to know what it’s about! Let’s just say that these sisters may have more in common than what you first think! It was very entertaining for a quick read, and I think it’s worth it! And by the way… I’m still processing that ending! That was crazy.

Synopsis

“Evie always watched her older sister Jenny from afar. Jenny can’t do wrong; she’s the apple of their mother’s eye. She’s tall, blonde and a model. Evie is the total opposite of Jenny: she has dark hair, is short and sells jewellery. It’s a regular Sunday afternoon, only it isn’t so regular…not when Jenny is about to bring her new boyfriend home. Evie is curious. This is what happens… “

5. Truth or Dare by Camilla Läckberg – 96 pages

The last book I have for you is “Truth or Dare” by Camilla Lackberg. I would say that this book is the most developed and complex of the ones from the list. This short fiction book follows the New Year’s Eve party of four (very rich) teenagers: Liv, Martina, Anton and Max. They decided to have their own small party at Max’s place while their parents are celebrating next door at Anton’s. Even though they’ve been best friends since primary school, all of them have some personal issues that they feel like they can’t tell each other – so, as you can imagine they have some dark secrets they’re hiding! As the evening progresses, they keep drinking and the games they play also keep getting darker… and that’s where I’ll leave it! I had fun reading this and I liked it for what it was: a quick and entertaining short story! Definitely worth checking out if it sounds appealing to you!

Synopsis

“Four friends
Liv, Martina, Max and Anton have been best friends for years. So on New Year’s Eve, they’re more than happy to spend it together – drinking, flirting, and playing games.
Four terrifying secrets
But each of them is keeping a terrible secret. And when a game of truth or dare takes a dark turn, it’s not long before the shocking truth emerges.
A night that will end in murder
Now the secrets are out there, nothing will ever be the same again. And not everyone will live to see the chime of midnight…”

And there you have it! These are some of my favorite short stories. I hope you found this recommendation post interesting and I hope you found yourself some new books to read! As usual, I’m always looking for book recommendations so let me know if you have any for me!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post! I hope you liked what I had to share with you today. I’ll see you in the next one! 🙂

Hi friends!

Here I am with another recommendation post! Today’s recommendation post is all about creepy thrillers I loved. I really enjoy reading thrillers, but I noticed I usually don’t talk about them here on the blog – so I decided to change that!

This list was very easy to make because I’ve read some really amazing thrillers that creeped me out! But after some thought, I have put together a list of my top 5 books I would recommend to my reader friends who love a good, unsettling thriller.  So here is my crème de la crème:

Cool list, huh? Let’s see each one of the picks a little closer!

1. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

First on the list we have “The Broken Girls” by Simone St. James. This was a great book – very close to being a perfect thriller/horror book, to be honest. This story is told in two parallel timelines, one in 1950 and another one in 2014. In 1950, we are given the daily life of four friends that lived in a boarding school for “troubled girls” named Idlewild. There were rumors that the school was haunted by a ghost named Mary Hand, who knows all about the girls’ worst fears. The four girls share a room and they become close friends after sharing their fears with each other… until one of them disappears. Nobody knows what happened to the girl and the mystery was never solved… until a journalist finds out in 2014.
I loved the story, I was entertained the entire time, and I couldn’t put the book down because I was so invested in everything that was happening. Not only that, but the book was so creepy that after I put the book down I kept looking at the corners of my house afraid I might see something scary! It was an amazing experience that both intrigued me and made me anxious. I definitely loved and recommend this one!

Synopsis

“Vermont, 1950. There’s a place for the girls whom no one wants–the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It’s called Idlewild Hall. And in the small town where it’s located, there are rumors that the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming–until one of them mysteriously disappears…
Vermont, 2014. As much as she’s tried, journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot stop revisiting the events surrounding her older sister’s death. Twenty years ago, her body was found lying in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And though her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of murder, Fiona can’t shake the suspicion that something was never right about the case.
When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during the renovations will link the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past–and a voice that won’t be silenced…”

2. The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

Next we have “The Turn of the Key” by Ruth Ware! I have to be honest with you: this is not a perfect book and I have mixed feelings about it for a very specific reason.

When I first read this I was simultaneously immersed in the story; scared most of the time and intrigued to know how it was all going to end. There’s definitely something nerve racking about the house history, and the poison garden and the previous family. Even the Happy application got creepy sometimes!

The reason why I have mixed feelings is because of the ending. I personally thought it was a little weak and rushed, and for that reason I didn’t love this book from beginning to end. With that said, I still think this was a very entertaining book and is still a really good thriller/mystery that provides a great reading experience. And for that reason, I would still recommend it!

Synopsis

“When she stumbles across the ad, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—a live-in nannying post, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan Caine arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family.
What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare—one that will end with a child dead and herself in prison awaiting trial for murder.
Writing to her lawyer from prison, she struggles to explain the unravelling events that led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the cameras installed around the house, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the girls, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman, Jack Grant.
It was everything.
She knows she’s made mistakes. She admits that she lied to obtain the post, and that her behavior toward the children wasn’t always ideal. She’s not innocent, by any means. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty—at least not of murder. Which means someone else is.
Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware’s signature suspenseful style, The Turn of the Key is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.”

3. Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

A great book that I would also like to recommend to you is the amazing “Imaginary Friend” by Stephen Chbosky. To be fair, I would identify this book as horror, but I still think it should be part of the thriller genre. I got chills reading it and I felt uncomfortable most of the time, but it’s not an in-your-face kind of horror. It’s more of a disturbing kind, like Stephen King’s horror books.
I was creeped out most of the time because of the way the story kept building up. There is almost nothing comforting about this story other than the relationship between Christopher and his mother. You just feel uncomfortable most of the time – but in a good way! What makes this book so great to me is the combination of writing, characters and overall plot.
I don’t think I ever read something like this, but I liked it a lot. It was a very interesting book, to say the least. I truly can’t recommend this one enough!

Synopsis

“Christopher is seven years old.
Christopher is the new kid in town.
Christopher has an imaginary friend.
We can swallow our fear or let our fear swallow us.
Single mother Kate Reese is on the run. Determined to improve life for her and her son, Christopher, she flees an abusive relationship in the middle of the night with her child. Together, they find themselves drawn to the tight-knit community of Mill Grove, Pennsylvania. It’s as far off the beaten track as they can get. Just one highway in, one highway out.
At first, it seems like the perfect place to finally settle down. Then Christopher vanishes. For six long days, no one can find him. Until Christopher emerges from the woods at the edge of town, unharmed but not unchanged. He returns with a voice in his head only he can hear, with a mission only he can complete: Build a treehouse in the woods by Christmas, or his mother and everyone in the town will never be the same again.”

4. Mexican Gothic by Sílvia Moreno-Garcia

“Mexican Gothic” was an amazing read. Just like with “Imaginary Friend”, this is mostly a horror book, but could still be part of the thriller genre.
It starts out nice and slow, and it escalates to a creepy story! This book has a very interesting and different approach to the typical “haunted house” story because of the unique main character and unique setting: Mexico. It was a very atmospheric and rich reading experience!
Still, I have to warn you that there are some disturbing scenes that happen. Not only there are some creepy gore scenes, but there is also a few sexual assault scenes that gave me goosebumps. So here’s your warning if you’re triggered by these topics.
Overall I was very happy with the book! I thought it was very creative and different.

Synopsis

“After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find—her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.
Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemí’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.
Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.
And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.”

5. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

This book wins first place being the creepiest book I have ever read.
How to describe this masterpiece? I don’t think I can describe this book other than: this was a crazy, insane roller coaster. After I finished the book I had to put it down and process for a few days what happened before I sat down and wrote a review on it.
This book provides a very immersive experience, so I guarantee you’ll feel the unsettling and creepy setting in your bones! There’s a lot of confusion from the point of view of the reader, and I can’t say a lot about what this book is about… but I promise you it’s a very cool experience.
The ratings are so polarized with this book, and I completely understand why. The truth is: you either love it or hate it. And I absolutely loved it. It was unsettling, mysterious and confusing in a really good way. Give it a go! Maybe you’ll find a new favorite.

Synopsis

“This is the story of a serial killer. A stolen child. Revenge. Death. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street.
All these things are true. And yet they are all lies…
You think you know what’s inside the last house on Needless Street. You think you’ve read this story before. That’s where you’re wrong.
In the dark forest at the end of Needless Street, lies something buried. But it’s not what you think…”

And there you have it! These are some of my favorite creepy books. I hope you found this recommendation post interesting and I hope you found yourself some new books to read! As usual, I’m always looking for book recommendations so let me know if you have any for me!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post! I hope you liked what I had to share with you today. I’ll see you in the next one! 🙂

Hello my dear 친구 (friends)!

I hope you are doing well and I hope you’re having a great day! Intriguing title right? I think it’s better to give you a little context first so you’ll understand the inspiration behind this blog post. 

The pandemic completely changed my life in very different ways – some bigger than others, of course -, and one of the things that happened is that I’ve become a huge fan of k-pop and k-dramas. What are those, you may ask? K-pop is korean pop music and k-dramas are korean soap operas! 

The funny thing is that I never understood the hype around both of those things. I never hated it, but I just didn’t understand it and why people were obsessed with it. But one faithful day I went down the rabbit hole… and I never came back! 

I can honestly say that these amazing things that I discovered during that time gave me a lot of happiness and helped me go through those hard times. And so a new love began! After listening to a good amount of k-pop and swooning my way through a few k-dramas, I started diving into books inspired by them – as a dedicated reader should!

So here we are today! I decided to honor my love for k-pop and k-dramas through today’s recommendation post, and I hope you enjoy it! Here are today’s recommendations:

 Good looking list, right? Let’s dive into them individually!

1. Bias: A K-Pop Romance by Lucy Gold

This was my first ever k-pop inspired read and it was everything I ever hoped for! This is a typical romance between a fan and her bias (her favorite person in a k-pop group). It was romantic, super cute and fluffy and as a plus… there was a lot of food talk! I kept getting hungry while I was reading this book! I believe this is a great option for k-pop lovers! Definitely recommend it.

Synopsis:

“K-pop star Wooyeong is hot, talented, and jaded from his fame. He’s also dead-set on one unwritten rule: Dating a fan would be social suicide.
So why can’t he stop thinking about her?
American fan Madison has just moved to Seoul, South Korea. It seems like every fan’s dream come true when, by a one-in-a-million chance encounter, she finds herself sitting across from her bias, the idol Wooyeong. Little does she know things have only gotten more complicated…
This snowy Korean romance by debut author Lucy Gold is sure to be a new favorite for K-pop fans and romantic souls alike.”

2. XOXO by Axie Oh

Another book I loved is the amazing “XOXO” by Axie Oh! This is more of a kpop themed book with a forbidden romance. Starring an average girl who plays the cello and a Kpop idol from a boy group, this story is every kpop fan’s dream!
They both attend the same fancy music school in Seoul and, of course, after they meet they fall in love. But like it would probably happen in real life, Jaewoo (the kpop star) can’t start any dating scandals.
What I liked about this book is that it has a really good balance of fluff and seriousness. Also, the setting is very fun and it’s cool how they kept bumping into each other at school.
It was a very light and fun read for me! Definitely recommend this one. You can find my full review of this book here and the synopsis below.

Synopsis:

“Cello prodigy Jenny has one goal: to get into a prestigious music conservatory. When she meets mysterious, handsome Jaewoo in her uncle’s Los Angeles karaoke bar, it’s clear he’s the kind of boy who would uproot her careful plans. But in a moment of spontaneity, she allows him to pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night of adventure…before he disappears without a word.
Three months later, when Jenny and her mother arrive in South Korea to take care of her ailing grandmother, she’s shocked to discover that Jaewoo is a student at the same elite arts academy where she’s enrolled for the semester. And he’s not just any student. He’s a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world—and he’s strictly forbidden from dating.
When a relationship means throwing Jenny’s life off the path she’s spent years mapping out, she’ll have to decide once and for all just how much she’s willing to risk for love.”

3. Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho

This is a good option if you prefer a Korean-American book. The reason for this is because iIt has k-pop… but it also has a very American prom! This is also a really cute book because the main characters were childhood best friends, but the boy grew up and became a big k-pop star. When they were little they promised each other they would go to prom together, so the girl was shocked to find her long lost best friend standing at her door with a rose in his hand and asking her to go to prom with him. Like I said, this is a very cute book as well and I loved the characters! You can check the synopsis below for more info.

Synopsis:

“What would you do if the world’s biggest K-pop star asked you to prom? Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel brings the glamour and drama of the K-pop world straight to high school.
Elena Soo has always felt overshadowed. Whether by her more successful older sisters, her more popular twin brother, or her more outgoing best friend, everyone except Elena seems to know exactly who they are and what they want. But she is certain about one thing – she has no interest in going to prom. While the rest of the school is giddy over corsages and dresses, Elena would rather spend her time working to save the local community center, the one place that’s always made her feel like she belonged.
So when international K-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up at her house to ask her to prom, Elena is more confused than ever. Because the one person who always accepted Elena as she is? Her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi. And the one thing she maybe, possibly, secretly wants more than anything? For the two of them to keep the promise they made each other as kids: to go to prom together. But that was seven years ago, and with this new K-pop persona, pink hair, and stylish clothes, Robbie is nothing like the sweet, goofy boy she remembers. The boy she shared all her secrets with. The boy she used to love.
Besides, prom with a guy who comes with hordes of screaming fans, online haters, and relentless paparazzi is the last thing Elena wants – even if she can’t stop thinking about Robbie’s smile…right?”

4. Flip the Script by Lyla Lee

My first k-drama recommendation of this list is “Flip the Script” by Lyla Lee. This a very cool read because the main character goes from a k-drama watcher to actually starring a role in a k-drama! This book is a queer YA romance between two girls, and you can find the synopsis below!

Synopsis:

“The first rule of watching K-dramas: Never fall in love with the second lead.
As an avid watcher of K-dramas, Hana knows all the tropes to avoid when she finally lands a starring role in a buzzy new drama. And she can totally handle her fake co-star boyfriend who might be falling in love with her. After all, she promised the producers a contract romance, and that’s all they’re going to get from her.
But when showrunners bring on a new girl to challenge Hana’s role as main love interest—and worse, it’s someone Hana knows all too well—can  Hana fight for her position on the show while falling for her on-screen rival in real life?”

5. Seoulmates by Susan Lee

Nate, one of the characters of this book, is just like me: obsessed with k-pop and k-dramas! But not Hannah. And this book is great exactly for that: it’s very different and out of the box! This is more of a k-drama inspired book, but also it’s mostly a coming of age story with romance! Definitely worth checking out. Check the synopsis below if you’re curious!

Synopsis:

“Hannah Cho had the next year all planned out—the perfect summer with her boyfriend, Nate, and then a fun senior year with their friends.
But then Nate does what everyone else in Hannah’s life seems to do—he leaves her, claiming they have nothing in common. He and all her friends are newly obsessed with K-pop and K-dramas, and Hannah is not. After years of trying to embrace the American part and shunning the Korean side of her Korean American identity to fit in, Hannah finds that’s exactly what now has her on the outs.
But someone who does know K-dramas—so well that he’s actually starring in one—is Jacob Kim, Hannah’s former best friend, whom she hasn’t seen in years. He’s desperate for a break from the fame, so a family trip back to San Diego might be just what he needs… that is, if he and Hannah can figure out what went wrong when they last parted and navigate the new feelings developing between them.
Her ex-boyfriend wants her back. Her former best friend is in town. When did Hannah’s life become a K-drama?”

And there you have it friends! These are some kpop/kdrama inspired books I loved and will always recommend to my bookish friends. I hope you found this recommendation post interesting and I hope you found yourself some new books to read! As usual, I’m always looking for book recommendations so let me know if you have any for me!

Have a great day!