The Best Books I’ve Read in 2023

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Hello friends!

This is my first official post of 2024 (yay)! I hope you had an enjoyable New Year’s Eve, and I wish you all the best for the new year! I’m so excited and ready to start my new reading year but first, we need to do a wrap-up and talk about all the books that were part of my reading year. So let’s talk business!

You know me, I have to tell you all about my favorite reads of 2023! I’ve read amazing books last year that I want to share with you, so today’s post is exactly about that! And who knows, maybe you’ll find yourself a few new books to read.

I ended up reading 78 books in 2023 and there were plenty 4 and 5-star ratings, but today you’ll only find the crème de la crème! You’ll find books from different genres including romance, self-development, memoirs, science, literary fiction, science-fiction, fantasy – except thriller, apparently I don’t have favorite thrillers from 2023?

Just a small disclaimer: these are not necessarily books that came out last year! This list is focused on my personal reading year and the books that were part of it. Meaning: you’ll find a few oldies here!

Ok so now that we got that out of the way, let’s get into it! Below each book you’ll find the respective synopsis in case you’re curious. Here are my favorite 12 books I read in 2023:

1. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

This is still a tough book for me to talk about, but I’ll do my best. I’ve never read a book that broke me like this one did. If I had to pick a book that made the biggest impact on me this year, this is the book I would tell you about. I don’t want to share much about it because I think it’s best to go into it without knowing too much. I left the synopsis below in case you’re curious! If you decide to read it, keep a few tissues at hand.

Synopsis

“Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives–and the way they understand each other so completely–has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is a love this devastating has no happy ending.”

2. Ready Player One (Ready Player One #1) by Ernest Cline

This story blew me away! It’s funny to think I’m not a huge fan of science fiction, but I absolutely loved this book in a way I never thought was possible. The world-building is unreal, the games and challenges are super fun and creative, the dozens of 80’s references… it was a true pleasure to read this book. I just know I will read this in the future again – and trust me, that rarely happens! Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing for the second book of the duology “Ready Player Two” – this was a very unnecessary sequel in my humble opinion. I highly recommend this book. If you saw the movie and don’t want to read the book because of it: forget the movie, it’s very different and the story was changed radically for the movie version. You won’t regret it! Just… stick to the first book, that would be my only advice.

Synopsis

“In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade’s devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world’s digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator’s obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’s going to survive, he’ll have to win—and confront the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.”

3. Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen

I read this randomly near the end of the year… and I just can’t stop thinking about this book. I’m not sure if this was popular or not when it first came out, but I don’t think I heard a lot of people talking about it. It was a very heartbreaking read, but there was something very special about this book that stuck with me. Also, a few weeks after finishing the book, the movie version was on TV and I ended up watching it. If you saw the movie, I would say that you don’t necessarily need to read the book because I thought they did a good job adapting the story to the big screen. But of course, there’s always something that is lost so if you like the story, I would say to read the book anyway!

Synopsis

“When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.
Beautifully written, Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford.”

4. Best Self by Coach Mike Bayer

Hands down, the best non-fiction/self-development book I read in 2023! There are plenty of things I love about this book, but what I like the most is how practical this book is and the intention behind it. This book has a lot of exercises so you have no option but to reflect on your life. It is an amazing book and unfortunately is super underrated. It’s a great way of looking at all areas of your life and getting some inspiration to start making changes. I highly recommend this one, and it’s the perfect book to read during this time of the year!

Synopsis

“Ask yourself…are you truly who you want to be? Is this the life you really want? Are you living each day as your best self? What can you change, today?
How would you answer those questions? Think about your daily life. Are you thriving, or going through the motions? Are your days full of work, relationships and activities that are true to your authentic self, or do you feel trapped on a treadmill of responsibility? If you dream of a better life, now is the time to turn your dream into reality. And the tools you need are within your grasp, to design a life that is fulfilling on the deepest levels. Best Self will show you how.
Mike Bayer, known to the thousands of clients whose lives he has changed as Coach Mike, has helped everyone from pop stars to business executives to people just like you discover the freedom to be their best selves. By asking them and leading them to ask themselves a series of important but tough questions—such as “What are your core values?”  “Do you go to bed each day more knowledgeable than when you woke up?” and “Am I neglecting some aspect of my physical health out of fear or denial?”—he helps them see what their Best Selves and Anti-Selves really look like. As a mental health specialist, a personal development coach, and an all-around change agent, Mike has seen the amazing ways in which lives can improve with honesty and clarity.  He understands our struggles intimately, because he’s faced—and overcome—his own. And he knows that change is possible.
By working through each of the Seven SPHERES of life—Social, Personal, Health, Education, Relationships, Employment and Spiritual Development—Best Self is an accessible and interactive book that distills all of Coach Mike’s wisdom into a compact, focused guide that will ignite anyone’s desire for change. Chock full of revealing quizzes, and full of provocative questionnaires, Best Self will empower you to embrace your authenticity, acknowledge what is holding you back, and break through to live a passionate life to the fullest, forever.”

5. The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

This was probably one of the most interesting books I’ve read in 2023. It was far from being a perfect book, but I thought I would mention it because I ended up learning a lot from it and I found it very interesting. This is a non-fiction book about – you guessed it – trees! It talks about how they are social creatures and how they are more extraordinary than most people think. If you like Nature books, botanicals, or even just like to acquire new random knowledge like myself, this is a great book for you to pick!

Synopsis

“In The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben shares his deep love of woods and forests and explains the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration he has observed in the woodland and the amazing scientific processes behind the wonders of which we are blissfully unaware. Much like human families, tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, and support them as they grow, sharing nutrients with those who are sick or struggling and creating an ecosystem that mitigates the impact of extremes of heat and cold for the whole group. As a result of such interactions, trees in a family or community are protected and can live to be very old. In contrast, solitary trees, like street kids, have a tough time of it and in most cases die much earlier than those in a group.
Drawing on groundbreaking new discoveries, Wohlleben presents the science behind the secret and previously unknown life of trees and their communication abilities; he describes how these discoveries have informed his own practices in the forest around him. As he says, a happy forest is a healthy forest, and he believes that eco-friendly practices not only are economically sustainable but also benefit the health of our planet and the mental and physical health of all who live on Earth.”

6. How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur

A very interesting book that got my attention just by looking at the cover – I just love that misplaced title ahah! It turns out this was a deeper book than what I initially thought. It’s a philosophical book that talks about how to live a good life as a good person and how to always make the right choices. And the conclusion? Well, it’s impossible, of course. There are many interesting perspectives here that could change your way of thinking. I ended up learning a lot and for that reason, I highly recommend this book. I wish more people would talk about it because it’s super underrated!

Synopsis

“From the creator of The Good Place and the cocreator of Parks and Recreation, a hilarious, thought-provoking guide to living an ethical life, drawing on 2,500 years of deep thinking from around the world.
Most people think of themselves as “good,” but it’s not always easy to determine what’s “good” or “bad”—especially in a world filled with complicated choices and pitfalls and booby traps and bad advice. Fortunately, many smart philosophers have been pondering this conundrum for millennia and they have guidance for us. With bright wit and deep insight, How to Be Perfect explains concepts like deontology, utilitarianism, existentialism, ubuntu, and more so we can sound cool at parties and become better people.
Schur starts off with easy ethical questions like “Should I punch my friend in the face for no reason?” (No.) and works his way up to the most complex moral issues we all face. Such as: Can I still enjoy great art if it was created by terrible people? How much money should I give to charity? Why bother being good at all when there are no consequences for being bad? And much more. By the time the book is done, we’ll know exactly how to act in every conceivable situation, so as to produce a verifiably maximal amount of moral good. We will be perfect, and all our friends will be jealous. OK, not quite. Instead, we’ll gain fresh, funny, inspiring wisdom on the toughest issues we face every day.”

7. A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass

I can’t even describe the immense joy this book gave me. Everyone has a comfort zone, a place where they can feel cozy, warm, and happy… and to me, that’s “The Selection” series by Kiera Cass. That’s my happy place when it comes to reading! So when she released this book, I hoped this would be as good as the series I love. Even though it wasn’t at the same level, it was definitely close and it took me back in time to the first time I read “The Selection” series. I love the kingdoms and princesses Kiera Cass creates; this book is the perfect example. Reading this was just… relaxing and fun – as reading should be! What more can you ask from a book? My only complaint is that it was over too fast – next time give us a series girl!

Synopsis

“#1 New York Times bestselling author of The Selection series Kiera Cass is back with her most epic novel yet—a sweeping enemies-to-lovers standalone romance.
“Love has a sound. It sounds like a thousand heartbeats happening at the same time.”
Princess Annika has lived a life of comfort—but no amount of luxuries can change the fact that her life isn’t her own to control. The king, once her loving father, has gone cold, and Annika will soon be forced into a loveless marriage for political gain.
Miles away, small comforts are few and far between for Lennox. He has devoted his life to the Dahrainian army, hoping to one day help them reclaim the throne that was stolen from them. For Lennox, the idea of love is merely a distraction—nothing will stand in the way of fighting for his people.
But when love, against all odds, finds them both, they are bound by its call. They can’t possibly be together—but the irresistible thrum of a thousand heartbeats won’t let them stay apart.
Kiera Cass brings her signature sparkling romance to this beautiful story of star-crossed lovers and long-held secrets.”

8. Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

This is a book that surprised me a lot! I picked this randomly now thinking much about it, but I ended up falling in love with this story. I admit it was a difficult read at times and I was heartbroken at the end, but it was completely worth it. It’s a story about second chances, empathy, and kindness… oh, and sweet bean paste, of course! Also, I know this was a movie adaptation but I never watched it, so if you did and you think it’s worth it, let me know.

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.”

9. Spare by Prince Harry

I thought I would mention this memoir here as well because I enjoyed it for what it was and I learned a lot about the British Royal Family from it. It’s a sad memoir knowing what Prince Harry went through, especially when it comes to his mother and difficult family bonds, but I think it’s important to read this with a grain of salt because we’re only hearing Harry’s side. Still, it’s definitely a very interesting book that makes you reflect on the role of the British Royal Family and their family dynamics. Definitely worth checking out.

Synopsis

“It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world watched in sorrow—and horror. As Princess Diana was laid to rest, billions wondered what Prince William and Prince Harry must be thinking and feeling—and how their lives would play out from that point on.
For Harry, this is that story at last.
Before losing his mother, twelve-year-old Prince Harry was known as the carefree one, the happy-go-lucky Spare to the more serious Heir. Grief changed everything. He struggled at school, struggled with anger, with loneliness—and, because he blamed the press for his mother’s death, he struggled to accept life in the spotlight.
At twenty-one, he joined the British Army. The discipline gave him structure, and two combat tours made him a hero at home. But he soon felt more lost than ever, suffering from post-traumatic stress and prone to crippling panic attacks. Above all, he couldn’t find true love.
Then he met Meghan. The world was swept away by the couple’s cinematic romance and rejoiced in their fairy-tale wedding. But from the beginning, Harry and Meghan were preyed upon by the press, subjected to waves of abuse, racism, and lies. Watching his wife suffer, their safety and mental health at risk, Harry saw no other way to prevent the tragedy of history repeating itself but to flee his mother country. Over the centuries, leaving the Royal Family was an act few had dared. The last to try, in fact, had been his mother…
For the first time, Prince Harry tells his own story, chronicling his journey with raw, unflinching honesty. A landmark publication, Spare is full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief.”

10. The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

I read this book during my flight back from Japan and I couldn’t put it down! The only reason why I didn’t finish it in one sitting was because the plane landed and we had to leave. This was probably the best romance that I read this year! It’s a romance between Jack, a Hollywood superstar, and his tiny bodyguard, a small woman named Hannah. I thought this was a very unique and funny story, and I had an amazing time reading it. I can’t recommend it enough, I had a lot of fun!

Synopsis

“She’s got his back. He’s got her heart. They’ve got a secret. What could possibly go wrong?
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with her bare hands. But the truth is, she’s an elite bodyguard and she’s just been hired to protect a superstar actor from his stalker.
Jack Stapleton’s a Hollywood heartthrob – captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, rising out of the waves in clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity.
When Jack’s mom gets sick, he comes home to the family’s Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah – against her will and her better judgment – finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover.
Protecting Jack should be easy. But protecting her own heart? That’s the hardest thing she’s ever done…”

11. Scandalized by Ivy Owens

This is also a romance worth mentioning because it was also one of my favorites from the year. I personally think the cover doesn’t make this story justice because it’s a little tacky, but I love the romance in this. This is a best friend’s brother romance, with a mysterious sub-plot. I liked it a lot and I wish more people knew about this book. Also very underrated!

Synopsis

“A one-night stand between two old childhood friends turns into something more, but when a scandal threatens to tear them apart, they must decide how hard to fight for love—a steamy romance written under the pseudonym Ivy Owens by Christina Lauren coauthor Lauren Billings.
Exhausted and on deadline with a story that could make or break her career, investigative journalist Georgia Ross is on the verge of a meltdown when a cancelled flight leaves her stuck in the airport overnight. But when a familiar face appears—the older brother of her childhood friend—and offers help, Gigi seems to have caught a break.
Alec Kim is handsome, humble, and kind—exactly the sort of man that Gigi has forgotten existed after her own painful heartbreaks. An evening of reconnection followed by a night of no-strings-attached passion with Alec feels like a gift—that is, until Gigi finally realizes that their childhood connection isn’t the only reason he seems so familiar to her.
Alec is determined to prove to Gigi that he is truly the man she thinks he is, even if it means coming clean about his fame—and his family’s connection to the story Gigi’s been working so hard to break. But as their feelings for each other grow deeper, Gigi and Alec must navigate a new reality…one where both of their hard-won careers are put directly in the path of an international scandal.”

12. The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

I’ve read a LOT of memoirs this year, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be this one. Maybe I’m biased because I grew up looking up at Britney Spears and listening to her music, but I really liked this. Even though I wasn’t very aware of what she’s been doing in the last few years, I knew she was under a conservatorship. It made me very happy to know she is free now and she is getting her life back, slowly but steadily. Maybe I have an emotional attachment, but even if you’re not a fan, who wouldn’t feel bad for what she went through? She had a very interesting upbringing and adult life, so I would still recommend it if you’re not a fan.

Synopsis

“The Woman in Me is a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.
In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history.
Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.”

Great books huh? Well, but not everything is sunshine and roses… I also read a few “bad” books! So – you guessed it – that’s exactly what I’m bringing you in my next post: “The Worst Books I’ve Read in 2023”! So stay tuned for that. 🙂

What about you? What were the best books you read last year? Did you read any of the books I included in the list? Let me know in the comments!

See you in the next one!

Wishing You a Happy New Year!

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Hello dear friends!

Are you ready for the new year? You know I am! I love this time of the year because it fills me with inspiration, good energy, and gratitude. So I came here to wish you all a happy New Year!

To me 2023 was a great year, but not necessarily an easy one! Sure, I had a few challenges along the way as it was a year of growth (as it often is), but I had a lot of amazing, unexpected things that happened in my life. I’m very grateful for all of the blessings and lessons this past year has taught me, but now I’m ready for what the new year will bring!

This blog has been such a source of joy in my life and it has kept me busy! I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate you all that keep reading my crazy reviews and posts. It truly gives me joy knowing that someone reads what I write and I’m very grateful for all of you! So here’s a very sincere: Thank you.

Friends, I wish you all the best for 2024. I wish you health, wealth, and a lot of good times with the ones you love. Oh, and a lot of good reads of course!

Let’s always strive for happiness!

TBR | January 2024

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Hello friends!

I hope you’re doing well! I hope you’re enjoying your holidays, and even though I am too… you know me – I’m always too eager to start working on my yearly goals and on my brand-new TBR! So that’s exactly what I’m bringing you today: all the books that I’m planning on reading in January!

If you read my post on How I Create My Monthly TBR Lists, you already know my magical formula to create a reading month. This is the formula I’m planning on keeping for the new year, so the goal for January is to read 2 paperbacks, 2 audiobooks, 1 ebook, and 1 manga volume.

If everything goes well, I’m starting 2 new series (a contemporary and a fantasy), and hopefully, I’ll finish the trilogy I was reading for the past few months. The manga I’m currently reading is from a series I started in December so I’m excited to continue the story and make some progress. To complement all these series, I’ve picked 2 literary fiction books from my TBR as well – one historical and one contemporary.

It’s going to be a very interesting month! So without further ado, here are the books I’m planning on reading in January:

1. As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

This is a recent addition to my physical TBR, but I admit I don’t know a lot about it. I really want to dive into this book without knowing much about it because I want to have the experience of just exploring a subject I don’t know a lot about. I’ve heard great things about this, so I’m excited to see it for myself!

2. Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

I’ve seen this book before, but it wasn’t until I saw Warren (a friend of the blog! Hi Warren!) mentioning it in a previous blog post that I decided to read this book. I’ve taken a look at the synopsis and I found the book really interesting. So why not add it to the reading list this month? Thank you again for the suggestion Warren!

3. Magnolia Parks (Magnolia Parks Universe #1) by Jessa Hastings

I’m super curious about this series so I decided to read it this month! A Youtuber I follow always raves about how much she adores this series, so I immediately got curious to see what it’s all about. She says it reminds her of Gossip Girl – and I love Gossip Girl. We’ll see how this one goes!

4. Pita-Ten (Vol. 3) by Koge-Donbo

This is the manga I started in December and the goal for January is just to continue this series. I’ll probably end up reading more than one volume, but the goal is just to read at least this volume until the end of January.

5. Scar (Ink #3) by Alice Broadway

I’m hoping I’ll be finally done with this series in January. To be honest, when I first started this series I thought the story would be better. I’m not loving it, but I still want to do it right and finish the entire thing since I’ve already read the first 2 books. I’m not expecting a lot at this point, but maybe the conclusion will surprise me… a girl can dream!

6. Sea Witch (Sea Witch #1) by Sarah Henning

I’ve picked this series from my 30 Oldest Books From My TBR list so that I can keep tackling my oldest books! Also, I’m feeling like reading a sea-themed fantasy book so this is the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Fingers crossed!

Aaaand there you have it friends, my TBR list for January! As usual, I hope you liked this post! Let me know if you have any recommendations for me. You know I’m always grateful for those!

Thank you for reading, have a great day!

Merry Christmas!

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Hello friends!

I wanted to jump in here and wish you all a merry Christmas!

My wish for you is that you have a wonderful time spending the holidays with the ones you love, surrounded by tons of love, warmth, and yummy food – oh, and books of course!

Please enjoy yourself and have a lot of fun during this magical season!

I’ll see you in the next post!

My 8 Reading Goals for 2024

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Hello friends!

I hope you’re doing well! Are you excited for 2024? I know I am! Today I’m following up with a tradition here on the blog, with a post you already know was coming: my reading goals for the next year!

The reason why this is probably my favorite season of the year is because I’m a planner at heart. I always like to reflect on how the year went (good and bad), and I get inspired to plan and create new goals for my life! And of course, reading is a big part of who I am so of course I’m planning my reading year as well!

So after some thought and reflection, I came up with all the reading goals I want to achieve in 2024! Here they are:

1. Read 60 books

This is not news to you – every single year my reading goal is set to 60 books. This means I’ll read about 5 books per month, which is a good number for me! It’s easy for me to achieve, and I usually surpass this goal – but with that said, if I just get 60 books read in a year, I’ll be more than happy with my reading year!

2. Reduce book collection to less than 230 books

I’m so embarrassed to say that I’ve had this same goal for the past few years… and I never reached it! But can you blame me? Book shopping is so much fun! Ok, I digress. As I’m writing this, I currently have 280 books on my shelf. That’s a ridiculous amount of books to have, and my goal is to reduce my collection to a more manageable number. The truth is that nobody needs that many books, so it’s time for me to reduce my collection. For now, I’ll try to reduce it to 230 in 2024!

3. Read 24 books from my physical TBR

I had a similar goal last year, but this time I’m doing 24 books instead of 20! I’m thinking of reading at least 2 physical books per month anyway, so I think this is a doable number. As you know, I read books in different formats but I want to prioritize what’s currently on my shelf. Hopefully, this will go smoothly!

4. Read 2 fantasy series I have always wanted to read

I always struggle with fantasy series, so I decided to add this goal to the list! I have a hard time compromising with long series, but I want to fight this instinct! So in 2024, I want to go through some of them, like for example one of the following: Dune, The Lord of the Rings, A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Red Queen, City of Bones, Shadow and Bone, Throne of Glass, and many more!

5. Read 1 big book (>500 pages)

I’ve been struggling with this goal for the past few years, so for 2024 I’m going to try to read a single book over 500 pages. As I mentioned a million times before, I’m intimidated by big books, and since I know I’m missing out on some amazing stories, I need to fight this!

6. Only buy 12 books max

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But Neide, you literally just said you want to reduce your collection”. Yes, that’s true, I do want to reduce my collection. I’m planning on doing this by selling my older books and by controlling my spending habits (in this case, on books). And that’s exactly why this goal exists. I still want to have some freedom and have fun by visiting a bookstore and buying a few books whenever I feel like it… but I want to do it in a controlled way. This way I’m allowed to buy only one book per month, and that should be more than enough!

7. Read 10 pages or a chapter a day

This may seem a simple one, but I really would love to read every single day. This is just a way for me to ensure I pick up a book every day. I know this is going to be a little challenging, but I think I can easily read 10 pages or 1 chapter a day, so I’m sure at the end of the day this will be a simple one to achieve.

8. Use my TBR Prompt List with my TBR Wheel

I haven’t told you about this yet, but I recently created a list of TBR prompts! It’s a random thing I created last month, and the goal is just to get a prompt randomly using my TBR wheel, and then pick a book based on the prompt. I made this list for fun and to help me pick books whenever I’m feeling indecisive. I’m thinking about including this in my monthly TBR posts! Should I do it?

So what do you think of my reading goals for 2024? I think all of the reading goals that I’m setting for 2024 are both challenging and achievable!

Tell me about you! Do you have any reading goals for 2024? Let me know!

See you in my next post 🙂

10 Books I would love to find under the Christmas tree | 2023

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Hello friends! 

I hope you’re doing well and I hope you are excited for the holidays just like I am!

I think I unintentionally started a mini tradition by writing a “Books I would love to find under the Christmas Tree” post, so it only makes sense for me to keep it up!

Today I’m bringing you 10 books that I would be thrilled to find under my Christmas tree. These are books that have been on my radar for the last few months and I don’t have physical copies (yet).

Ok, enough talking – let’s dive in!

1. Heartstopper Vol. 5 by Alice Oseman

This is a highly anticipated read! I’ve been waiting for this book since it was announced. I’m very excited for the next chapter on Charlie and Nick’s lives, and I can’t wait to read about these amazing characters again!

2. King of Wrath (Kings of Sin #1) by Ana Huang

I’ve read the “Twisted” books this year, and I am curious to read more from Ana Huang. She started publishing this particular series in 2022, and there are already 3 books published – so why not dive into a new romance series? I’ve heard great things about this series, so I’m excited to put my hands on the books!

3. Flock (The Ravenhood #1) by Kate Stewart

Everyone and their mother is recommending this book! I believe this a darker romance, which, funny enough, is one of my palate cleanser genres. The fact that it is a series scares me a little, but I would still like to read it and know what it is all about.

4. Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1) by Rebecca Yarros

I mean… are you really surprised this book is in here? This is probably the book I’m the most excited about – and I’m not only talking about this list, I mean from my entire TBR list. I have a feeling that I’m going to love this book, and if I got it for Christmas, I’m sure I would read it in a couple of days. The only reason why I haven’t started this is because there are only 2 books published in what is going to be a 5-book series. I don’t like to wait between books, so that’s why I haven’t bought and started this yet.

5. The Snow Girl by Sophie Anderson

I’m a sucker for a Sophie Anderson book! She writes the most amazing middle grades and I should know, because I’ve read all of her books so far. I’m hoping to get my hands on her latest work!

6. The Name Drop by Susan Lee

Okay, maybe I added this immediately to the list only by looking at the cover. Oh, and it’s a Susan Lee book – the same author as “Seoulmates“! Yeah, I don’t think it’s surprising this is part of the list.

7. Spy x Family Vol. 1 by Tatsuya Endo

During my trip to Japan, I discovered this manga series. It’s super popular there right now, and even knowing it’s still ongoing… I can’t help but be curious. I think I’m going to dive into this one soon!

8. A Magic Steeped in Poison (The Book of Tea #1) by Judy I. Lin

This series looks like the dose of magic I’m currently needing. I’ll admit I don’t know a lot about it, but it sure looks cool!

9. Behind the Net (Vancouver Storm #1) by Stephanie Archer

This is a series I discovered recently and it sounds exactly like something I would like. I’ve heard great things about the romance, so I’m now curious about it!

10. A Court This Cruel & Lovely (Kingdom of Lies #1) by Stacia Stark

Another book I heard a Booktuber talk about recently! The title is a little suspicious, but it sounds like a book I would enjoy from all the good things I heard about.

I know, these look so good! Either if I find these in my Christmas tree or not, I still really want to read these in the future. Oh dear Santa, I’ve been good(ish) this year! I’ll take my reward in books, thank you very much!

What about you, friends? What books do you hope to get this Christmas? Do you have a book list for Santa ready? Have you read any of these? Let me know in the comments!

Thank you for reading, aaaand I’ll see you in the next one!

Review | Ink (Skin Books #1) by Alice Broadway

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“We’re all a bit bad. We all have things in our lives that bring us shame and regret. Things that have hurt our souls or hurt the people we love. But ‘re all a bit good too. i reckon we’re mostly good actually. And life is about trying to learn the balance, plot our place on the continuum… We’re not just made up of good and bad: we’re everything else too.” – 2.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: old stories, tattoos, ink, procedures, public markings, new jobs, secrets, crows, witches, public readings, best friends, funerals, skin books, family trees, and blank skin.

There are no secrets in Saintstone.

From the second you’re born, every achievement, every failing, every significant moment are all immortalized on your skin. There are honorable marks that let people know you’re trustworthy. And shameful tattoos that announce you as a traitor.

After her father dies, Leora finds solace in the fact that his skin tells a wonderful story. That is, until she glimpses a mark on the back of his neck…the symbol of the worst crime a person can commit in Saintstone. Leora knows it has to be a mistake, but before she can do anything about it, the horrifying secret gets out, jeopardizing her father’s legacy…and Leora’s life.

In her startlingly prescient debut, Alice Broadway shines a light on the dangerous lengths we go to make our world feel orderly–even when the truth refuses to stay within the lines. This rich, lyrical fantasy with echoes of Orwell is unlike anything you’ve ever read, a tale guaranteed to get under your skin…

I’ve had this for so many years on my TBR! As a dystopian fan, as soon as I read the synopsis for this book a few years ago I was convinced this story was something I would like to binge on.

I still think the concept behind this book is very unique and interesting. A society that makes you tattoo every important mark on your skin and when you die, the skin is saved as a life book? A society that sees non-tattooed people (or blanks, as they call them) as outsiders and rebels with souls that will be lost? Sounds like a cool story to me!

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the amazing story I thought it would be. There were a lot of things that didn’t work out, but the most important one for me was the execution – it was not good. This plot was an absolute mess and the world-building is severely underdeveloped. It was such a slow-paced story to the point where it felt like it barely progressed. There are a lot of scenes that don’t make a lot of sense, and at the end of the day, it was difficult to find the reason why they hated/feared the blanks so much?

A big thing about this story is that the portrayed society created its foundation on old tales. They have these stories that they use to explain why things are a certain way. So a few chapters are dedicated to telling these stories to the reader. Even though I liked the fables and understood their role in the story, they stole the attention from the actual plot and story – and trust me, they really needed the spotlight more!

Now the characters! As a main character, Leora is very childish, annoying, and has a superiority complex that it’s difficult to read at times. It’s difficult for me to root for a character like that. But she wasn’t the only weird character! It was really weird to see the interactions between the characters because you couldn’t understand why they did the things they did. I’m not a writer or anything (obviously), but I think the story would have benefited from a simpler plotline with more… common sense.

In conclusion, this was a flop to me because there was barely any character development, the characters were bland and acted with unclear motivation, the story lacked structure and there was so much nonsense. It just felt… flat. Either way, I still have the intention of continuing the series. I hope the other two books will be a little better and the story picks up. We’ll see!

Review | Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

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“Sometimes there is such beauty in awkwardness. There’s love and emotion trying to express itself, but at the time, it just ends up being awkward.” – 3.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: drawings, beets, scurvy, genocide starvation, Baltic countries, Stalin, deportation, and labor camps.

Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they’ve known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin’s orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously—and at great risk—documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father’s prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives. Between Shades of Gray is a novel that will steal your breath and capture your heart.

This book has been on the back of my mind for years! I followed a YouTuber a few years ago named Joana Ceddia – you may have heard of her -, and she mentioned this book in a video, saying this was her favorite book of all time. Since then this book has been on my TBR. I finally picked it up this month, and even though I didn’t love it as much as Joana did, I still liked it!

It’s a work of fiction based on what happened to the Baltic states after the Soviet Union annexed and occupied their countries. The people from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia were deported and imprisoned, and many of them ended up in Siberia doing forced labor. This story in particular follows a teenage girl named Lina who was deported from Lithuania, along with her mother and brother. She was an artist, but her dreams were put on hold the moment the soviet soldiers broke into her home and forced them to leave with them. It’s a heartbreaking sad story, as you can imagine!

I believe the target audience for this book is young adults, but I have to warn you there is some violence in this book, so keep that in mind when you decide to read this. Still, for a YA historical book, this was a good book. 

And yet, I kept thinking about why this didn’t grab my attention like I thought it would. After some thought, I think I finally found out the reason why! The author did a great job creating a very atmospheric read, but I feel like the tragic events were toned down (a lot) because at the end of the day… it’s still a YA book. I just had this constant feeling that things were way worse than what the author was describing. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that – I just prefer a more realistic, true approach to historical themes. Again, this is a YA book and I’m not exactly in the targeted age, so that’s on me.

I wasn’t mind-blown by this book, but it was still an okay story for me. I personally didn’t know a lot about this situation, so it was nice to learn about the history behind the fiction. I ended up doing some research on the topic after reading this book – and that’s exactly what I consider a positive impact from a book!

It’s an informative book for youngsters, so I would still recommend this if you are in the age range and want to learn a little more about the topic through a work of fiction.

Review | Woke Up Like This by Amy Lea

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“For some reason, I always thought adults made decisions with purpose. That they knew what they were doing all the time. But maybe adults are just like teens, bumbling around aimlessly, unsure if they’ve gotten it right.” – 4.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: prom nights, time travel, new siblings, yoga studios, car hide-and-seek, wedding plans, dangerous ladders, that one move from “Dirty Dancing”, and mac and cheese.

Planning the perfect prom is one last “to do” on ultra-organized Charlotte Wu’s high school bucket list. So far, so good, if not for a decorating accident that sends Charlotte crash-landing off a ladder, face-first into her obnoxiously ripped archnemesis J. T. Renner. Worse? When Charlotte wakes up, she finds herself in an unfamiliar bed at thirty years old, with her bearded fiancé, Renner, by her side.

Either they’ve lost their minds or they’ve been drop-kicked into adulthood, forever trapped in the thirty-year-old bodies of their future selves. With each other as their only constant, Charlotte and Renner discover all that’s changed in the time they’ve missed. Charlotte also learns there’s more to Renner than irritating-jock charm, and that reaching the next milestone isn’t as important as what happens in between.

Navigating a series of adventures and a confounding new normal, Charlotte and Renner will do whatever it takes to find a way back to seventeen. But when―and if―they do, what then?

It has been a while since I’ve last picked up a contemporary YA that I actually loved. This was the one to break the curse because I had so much fun reading this! I wasn’t even planning on reading this anytime soon, but I just randomly grabbed it out of my TBR and I’m glad because I had a wonderful time.

Charlotte, the main character, is in school and she always plans for the future – she even has a bucket list! She has her future entirely planned out and she is focused on her goals and what she wants to achieve. But while she was decorating for prom, she fell over her nemesis, Renner, and woke up when she was 30. The surprising thing is that her life is not as she thought it would be – she’s married to the guy she hates, she doesn’t talk with her best friend anymore… and that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Let’s just say she learns the hard way things do not always happen the way we want them to! It was such a well-made, creative story. It reminded me a lot of the movie “13 Going on 30” with Jennifer Garner, with a few differences. The main difference is that she’s not the only one that time travels, but the guy is also trapped with her! So as you can probably tell, this is essentially a romance book and let me tell you: if you like the enemies-to-lovers trope, you are in for a treat. I loved the love/hate relationship between Charlotte and Renner! The characters were endearing and sweet, and I couldn’t get enough of them.

I wouldn’t say this is fully a contemporary book because there’s a fantasy element of time traveling. And yet, I just can’t call this fantasy. It always makes me nervous when the time travel element is added to books, but I have to say this was done perfectly here! Of course, you don’t know why it happened and there’s some mystery there, but I didn’t see any major plot holes so that was a plus.

I didn’t know how much I was missing a good quality YA romance book until I read this! It’s a very easy book to go through, and it’s a relaxing, cozy, fun read! I loved it and I’m curious to read more from this author.

Wrap-Up | What I Read in November 2023

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Hello friends!

As usual, I’m bringing you this month’s Wrap Up! November was a great reading month and I’m thrilled about all the books I read. I feel like in the past few months I’ve been reading really “easy” books (manga, simple romances, etc.) and I wanted to get back to normal to pick more complex books – and that’s exactly what I did!

Not only did I take my TBR list very seriously this month, but I also had some room to challenge myself and explore new books. The result was an impressive 13 read books in November! I can’t believe I ended up reading so many good books this month!

Well to be fair, I still read some manga books, but it was only a small portion of my reading month! I’ve read amazing books in November, and even found a few new 5-star reads! I’m very excited to share with you all of the books I’ve picked this month, so enough rambling – let’s take a look at the books:

1. Ink (Skin Books #1) by Alice Broadway: 2.5/5⭐

Starting with the last book I read this month, we have “Ink” by Alice Broadway. This is a book that is part of my Oldest 30 books in my TBR list, and I decided to add it to my TBR this month so I could start tackling my oldest books! This has been on my TBR for years and now I finally started this series! I’m sad to say it wasn’t as interesting as I thought it would be. The concept of this dystopian series is unique and different, but the book is very slow and it felt like there were only a few scenes that were important to the book – the rest is just filler. I’m going to read the second book “Spark” in December, so hopefully, it gets a little more interesting!

2. My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing: 3.25/5⭐

I’ve been wanting to read this book for years! It’s funny how I barely pick thrillers anymore, but this was probably the only one I had on my TBR that I actually wanted to read for the story. A couple that spices up their boring lives and marriage by killing women together? That sounded so different and interesting! But unfortunately, this wasn’t what I expected, and I ended up giving 3.25 stars out of 5. It wasn’t bad, but I thought the story would be better and more engaging. Oh well, at least I’ve finally read it!

3. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma: 5/5⭐

I have to be honest with you, “Forbidden” completely shattered me and broke my heart – I’m not even being dramatic, it’s the truth. I’m still picking up the pieces and gathering my thoughts and emotions, but I have no doubt this is a 5-star read. I’ve never read a book that triggered so many strong emotions in me. Sure, I’ve cried before while reading a book, but this made me feel sadness, heartbreak, and anger on another level. Just writing about it is making me upset! I knew it would be a tough read, but it was way worse than I initially thought. It was an amazing book, even though I’m still mad about it. I’ll talk about it with you guys one day!

4. Ready Player One (Ready Player One #1) by Ernest Cline: 5/5⭐

I must tell you about “Ready Player One” because… oh my God! I can’t believe I took so long to start this series. I devoured this book like a mad woman and loved every second. It was such a fun reading experience that I believe I’ll probably reread it one day. I rated it 5 stars because it would be impossible for me to give a lower rating!

5. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen: 4/5⭐

I picked this randomly this month because I had time to read it and it has been on my TBR for a very long time. I didn’t know the story or anything about it before picking it up, so I was completely in the dark – but I ended up giving it a 4-star rating! It was a fascinating and well-made story. I have to say I found the animal abuse scenes disturbing and upsetting to read, but I get why they were important to the story. Later I found out this has a movie adaptation with Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson. I might watch the movie now!

6. Best Self by Coach Mike Bayer: 5/5⭐

I’ve been eyeing “Best Self” for a few years now because I’m a huge fan of Coach Mike. So I finally read his book and I absolutely loved it! It’s a very hands-on book, which I wasn’t really expecting but it made sense because of its content. I ended up doing all the exercises and it made me reflect on my life and areas that need some help. It was the dose of inspiration I needed I plan on rereading it again in the future someday – I feel like I’m going to grab this one for the rest of my life to be honest!

7. The Guncle by Steven Rowley: 4.5/5⭐

Another book I picked randomly near the end of the month was “The Guncle”. This one in particular surprised me a lot! I admit I grabbed it thinking it would be just your average fun contemporary book, but in reality, it was super wholesome and had a great, unique story. It was way better than I had anticipated! I’ll talk to you about it soon!

8. Lovely War by Julie Berry: 3.5/5⭐

I almost DNF’ed “Lovely War” if I’m being completely honest with you. I just wasn’t feeling the theme of the book, the super slow pace, the weird connection between Greek mythology and the World War, the boring romance… but I’m glad I continued it because it got better. I wasn’t interested at first, but the pace picked up and I connected a little more to the story. It still wasn’t a 4-star read for me, but the last chapter where the author talks about the real historical facts behind the book made me like it more.

9. Twisted Hate (Twisted #3) by Ana Huang: 4.5/5⭐

This is a book I planned on reading in November, so it was part of my TBR! I almost didn’t finish this one on time, but fortunately, I finished two days before the month ended – it was a close call! I had a lot of fun reading this book and it’s my favorite from the “Twisted” series so far! I’m still missing “Twisted Lies”, so hopefully I’ll finish this series in December.

10. Tokyo Mew Mew Vol. 6 by Mia Ikumi: 3/5⭐

I’ve started my reading month by finishing the manga series “Tokyo Mew Mew”. I was missing the last 2 volumes, so one of my priorities this month was to finish the rest of the series. I thought the books were cute in general, but my interest in the series decreased with time. It started to get a little too nonsensical to me – but when the very young school kids get married at the end… Well, that was the nail in the coffin. To be fair, I believe it’s kind of normal in Japanese shojo that the MCs get married at the end… but I still think it’s pretty weird. Anyways, it’s still cute!

11. Tokyo Mew Mew Vol. 7 by Mia Ikumi: 3/5⭐

Already said everything above!

12. Woke Up Like This by Amy Lea: 4.5/5⭐

This was a random book I picked this month and I ended up loving it! I feel like it’s very difficult for a YA contemporary romance to leave a mark on me anymore, but there was something special about this book that I loved. I just had a lot of fun reading this and loved the story and characters. Definitely recommend it!

13. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys: 3.5/5⭐

After finishing all of the audiobooks I had planned for the month, I decided to pick another one: “Between Shades of Gray” by Ruta Sepetys. This was the favorite book of a YouTuber I followed a few years ago, so I was curious and it has been on my TBR since then. It’s a work of fiction based on what happened to Lithuanians (and the other Baltic countries) after the Soviet Union annexed and occupied their country. These people were deported and imprisoned, and many of them ended up in Siberia doing forced labor. It’s an interesting, but sad story as you can imagine!

I was so surprised this month – I’ve read plenty of books and found multiple 5-star books. That rarely happens! I guess that’s what happens when I finally pick up more complex books. As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books soon.

What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!