Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett, Elle Porter (Narrator), Michael Dodd (Narrator)

One of my favourite series in the last couple of years! I love this series and will brook no criticism for it. I loved the cozy settings, the otherworldly creatures, and the resourceful protagonist. The romance is sweet and not cloying. It had enough stakes to make it suspenseful but still cozy. I liked that each novel had two conflicts, one large one and a secondary one which Emily had to lead herself. I am a bit sad that this is the last one, but it was done wonderfully. Each novel has ended with such great satisfaction. They will make great rereads especially in the colder months.

This is one of the rare books in which I listen to partially in tandem and intend to finish the audiobook even if I have finished the text. The audio narration is fantastic.

1.5-2.5x. February 27-March 1, 2025.

Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman, Rick Allen (Illustrator)

Lovely! I adore children’s books with poems. This one was also very educational. Beautiful art. One of my favourites so far this year. I was disappointed there wasn’t one about the fox though.

March 3, 2025.

The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz

Cozy fantasy at its best with a dragon who loves to bake. So cute.

March 3, 2025.

Educated by Tara Westover, Julia Whelan (Narrator)

Audiobook for about 60%. This was a very popular memoir a few years ago and I can absolutely see why. I thought it was excellently done and brutal to read. It started off slow and I became more interested about halfway. I found the theme of gaslighting and memory was interesting. It’s a common theme in isolated, cult communities where abuse is hidden or denied to keep the status quo. The author was very lucky to have escaped with the help and resources she had. It was also realistic that she had many problems with breaking the toxic cycle and returning home constantly. While the book is extremely uncomfortable to read, it’s a fascinating portrayal of escaping from the cycles of family and community abuse.

1.75x. March 2-4, 2025.

Ascendance of a Bookworm (Manga) Part 2 Volume 9 by Suzuka (illustrator), Miya Kazuki (Original Story), Quof (translator)

This was the latest manga of Part 2. It was a bit bewildering to read at first because this volume is behind the anime which I watched a few weeks ago and where I am now in the light novel. Still great of course and so fun to see Suzuka’s illustrations.

March 4, 2025.

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part 3 Volume 4 (light novel) by Miya Kazuki with quof (Translator), You Shiina (Illustrator)

This felt like more of a filler and set up volume. I was also annoyed a little with Myne because she had done something in the previous that came to fruition in this volume. I do not like it when the lead is a bit too stupid for plot reasons especially now when she’s learned so much. She’s flawed but this girl should not be stupid enough to hold things back. There are new and returning and villains which was less interesting to me since I read this more for the world building and slice of life than conflict. I did like the sword subplot. That was funny.

March 2-5, 2025.

The Night Mother Vol. 1 by Jeremy Lambert, Alexa Sharpe (illustrator)

A good start to this graphic novel series. I liked the illustrations because the setting of the novel is a world full of night. It’s intriguing and looking forward to seeing where this goes.

March 6, 2025.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, Shayna Small (Narrator)

This popular book from 2020 explored colourusim, performance and acting, and passing. It was a bit of a slow start and written in a nonlinear narrative. The character work was interesting since all the women in this novel were deeply flawed and many showed realistic traits. It was a sad novel for most of it and likely reflected the actual historical reality and experiences for women of colour in the US. The ending seemed to trail off. Still, a good read and I’d be interested to see if the TV adaptation goes anywhere.

Audiobook for about one third. Very good job by the narrator.

1.5-1.75x. March 5-7, 2025.