The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On by Franny Choi

I am trying to read at least one poetry collection a year. I liked this one even though it was dark and somber at times. It explored grief, culture, identity, assault, climate change, and technology. I wanted to read this on my Kobo but the publisher’s note in the ebook discussed how they tried to recapture the use of space in digital format. I decided to borrow the book from the library and I did appreciate the format better.

Read June 5-7, 2024.

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum with Shanna Tan (Translator)

Last week, I kept getting signals to start this book from a podcast and seeing a post from the translator on Instagram. I’ve read at least one translated from Korean book where I struggled with the prose. It was much better here. The novel was about a woman in her late 30s who after burning out from work and divorce, opened a book shop. The story chronicled her development as a bookseller and the characters who frequent or work with the bookshop. There were themes of work, burn out, existential crisis, depression, isolation, family relationships, and identity. I found most of the characters very relatable. There were women and men across a wide demographic becoming friends and colleagues. I really enjoyed reading this novel. The debut author and translator both did very good jobs with the writing. I really hope to read more from them both in the future.

Read June 8-9, 2024 on Kobo Libra 2.

Every Living Thing (All Creatures Great and Small #8) by James Herriot

Read by Nicolas Ralph. The last book in this lovely series which I started back in February. These books were all so wonderful! I am sad that it is over but glad I can listen to them or even reread over text.

1.25x. June 2-11, 2024.

I adored Brooklyn and was pleasantly surprised to learn that there would be a sequel. Even better, I won my only Goodreads giveaway by winning a copy of this book. The publisher also sent a copy of Brooklyn. I look forward to rereading it at some point.

Brooklyn ended so neatly and it did not need a sequel. I think some readers who liked Brooklyn would not necessarily like this sequel. It really upturns Tony and Eilis’s happy ending. As someone who was more neutral on Tony in Brooklyn, this novel does him and his family no favours. Having said that, I enjoyed the messiness and drama of Eilis’s Irish hometown relationships. I could not help root for a relationship even though I knew it would not end well. The pacing of this novel was unusual because while it was character driven, the reader sort of knows there are no simple, good solutions for the characters. The ending had a fitting resolution yet it was open ended too for Eilis. There was not enough Eilis who I really liked as a character. I am now hoping Tóibín writes a third book in this series. Very well written as before. It reminded me that I should read Nora Webster too.

Read June 3-4, 2024.

Moonbound by Robin Sloan

A few months ago, I was wondering when Robin Sloan’s next novel was coming out because I really enjoyed Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Book Store and Sourdough. I was delighted to get this ARC and it uplifted me after a not as good read. This novel was set in the post-apocalyptic future which is a setting I do not gravitate towards. It was sci-fi but had elements of fantasy and classic middle grade fantasy classics. At times, it reminded me of Studio Ghibli and anime. I felt immersed in the world building and the adventures of Ariel the 12 year old boy protagonist and the Chronicler. There were many side characters and quests. My small quibble was that there were perhaps too many side quests, but most things played a role in Ariel’s journey. The writing had the same interesting yet lighthearted tone of Sloan’s previous novels. It’s a distinct tone that I’ve found engrossing as a reader. I had a great time. I’m looking forward to reading the print copy for the maps.

Thank you to Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. This book was published June 11, 2024.

Read on Kobo Libra 2. May 29-June 1, 2024.

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas by Yoru Sumino, illustrated by Idumi Kirihara, translated by Beni Axia Conrad

This was a two volume manga omnibus about two high school classmates who become friends when the introverted boy discovers the popular’s girl’s secret of terminal illness. The story had good character development and developed a strong platonic friendship between the leads. There is a twist which is very sudden and in keeping with the theme of mortality and randomness of life, but it was very jarring. Not sure if that was the right plot device. Aside from that, this was good manga.

Read June 2, 2024.

Period Power: Harness Your Hormones and Get Your Cycle Working For You by Maisie Hill

Read by the author. This was fine. I was already familiar with most of the concepts and conditions. It’s a bit more “woo” than I would have liked since there were treatments here which need more scientific research. I understand that things are understudied but until we have studies, most things are guesswork and placebo. Overall, the book has a good message about trying one’s menstrual cycle and giving the message to have more agency in women’s health.

1.5x. May 27-June 4, 2024.

I Left the House Today! by Cassandra Calin

Very cute and funny comics. Some were very relatable to me.

June 5, 2024.

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

I am going through the Throne of Glass series a bit slowly and reading library books when they come in. I had mixed feelings about ACOTAR, but I did enjoy that series’s word building. I kept hearing from others that this is the better series. I like Celaena a bit better than Feyre. I like Dorian a little bit, but I do not really care about any other characters including the love triangle. Overall, I was meh on this book until the last 50 pages which had a set up for the next book in the series. There will be a nice change in scenery. Before that, I will try the next in the recommended order: The Assassin’s Blade which is the prequel novella collection.

May 24-25, 2024.

Words to Make a Friend: A Story in Japanese and English by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Naoko Stoop

Cute and lovely children’s picture book about two girls who communicate in English and Japanese. I wish my library had the hard copy. Lovely illustrations.

Read on Libby app. May 27, 2024.

The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong

Narrated by Eric Yang. Audiobook for 23% and it was fine. I read most of it on hardcover. This book was darker than I expected. In the last couple of years, I’ve become more sensitive to some content. This book reminded me that I should check content warnings more often. This novel is a work of metafiction. It went between a graphic novelist Benson and the his version of his 13 year old self Benny. I was interested in Benny the kid and he was the only likeable main character. The other adults Benson and Constantine the Samurai had issues and they felt underdeveloped by the end. The novel was slow and difficult to read until it got to the metafiction part. Then it felt like an interesting time travel novel which was more enjoyable. Unfortunately, then it got dark again. The climactic ending felt abrupt and confusing. I understood most of it but it still felt disorienting. I was dissatisfied since I was not really feeling most of the characters. I am glad Benny was unharmed because there were many moments where he was vulnerable or at risk. I am not sure if I am glad I finished this book. It was distinctively written and I did feel for one of the characters. On the other hand, I didn’t enjoy the gloomy and humourless mood of the novel.

1.5x. May 26-28, 2024.

Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu

This novel was written like a screen play. It’s difficult to describe the work. It’s one of the most experimental works of fiction that I’ve read in a long time. It’s short due to the format, but it took me awhile to finish because there were heavier themes as it tackled Asian migration and identity in the West. I was impressed with how the author packed so much character work, reflection, and humour in this format. I felt like I could reread it again to appreciate the weight of some of the ideas and writing. It was unique.

Read on Kindle Keyboard. May 11-20, 2024.

Book Love by Debbie Tung

Adorable and relatable for all bibliophiles.

May 23, 2024.

Number One Is Walking: My Life in the Movies and Other Diversions by Steve Martin, illustrated by Harry Bliss

A cute illustrated memoir. Steve Martin tells stories to Harry Bliss and his dog Penny. They are illustrated in a comics style and Penny gets some lines too. The other half of the book are New Yorker style comics which I assume Martin also wrote while working on this.

May 24, 2024.