Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part 5 Volume 5 by Miya Kazuki with You Shiina (Illustrator), quof (Translator)

Almost didn’t start this on the weekend. I still really like this series but its weaknesses in writing were starting to show again. Finally after many volumes, Rozemyne’s engagement was about to be cancelled which I think all readers were anticipating. The pace has become so slow. I think this one only covered a couple of weeks. There’s probably only a year or two left in the remaining 7 volumes. I also miss the commoner characters a lot and the emotional depth has not been as deep lately. This was a better volume because a lot happened to Rozemyne and she is now on the precipice of the next phase of her journey. I do think she’s largely alone. I do not miss Ferdinand.

April 13-14, 2025 on Kobo Libra 2 and Kobo Clara BW.

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part 5 Volume 6 by Miya Kazuki, You Shiina (Illustrator), Quof (Translator)

This volume was back to the more domestic life but really delved on how Rozemyne has changed the lives of certain characters and her environment. I got emotional for the first time in awhile in this series with Lady Elvira’s scene. I missed that and it was so lovely. I also liked Lieseleta’s short story for a similar reason. I like the bonds Rozemyne has made. The Lutz engagement was a surprise and realistic but jarring still for me as someone who liked Lutz and Myne. At least everyone is family in the end. The other short stories set the stage for the action and politics to come to a head finally. I think I’ll finish this whole series by end of this upcoming Easter long weekend.

April 14-15, 2025 on Kobo Libra 2 and Kobo Clara BW.

We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida with Natsumi Kuroda (Narrator), Emmie Madison Shimoda (Translator), Naruto Komatsu (Narrator)

Another collection of Japanese cat fiction. These were kinda goofy in terms of how the cats change the lives. Some of the stories were better than others. It was fine. Not sure I’ll continue with this series.

1.5x. April 14-16, 2025.

The Complete Brambly Hedge (Brambly Hedge #1-8) by Jill Barklem

Love. I can’t believe I didn’t know about Brambly Hedge until a couple years ago. I liked Peter Rabbit as a child so these cottage core stories are up my alley. I love the community of mice at Brambly Hedge. The illustrations were great and the stories are very cozy. It was very soothing to read this book.

April 14-16, 2025.

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part 5 Volume 7 by Miya Kazuki with You Shiina (Illustrator), quof (Translator)

The cover had two Rozemynes which was odd until you read the book and she gets a growth spurt basically. The ending was stressful. I do love that even though I’ve been reading this series for almost 30 volumes, it feels really quick. No wonder they call these light novels and yet the world building has been incredible.

April 15-17, 2025 on Kobo Libra 2 and Clara BW.

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part 5 Volume 8 by Miya Kazuki, You Shiina (Illustrator), Quof (Translator)

Stressful. I tore through this one. It was mostly action except the middle bit where Ferdinand and Rozemyne do a history lesson. The ship is as strong as ever. While I admit they are a very good looking couple, my heart is not fluttering. Great side stories including from Effa and Gunther’s perspective. Kazuki is really great with action scenes. Honestly she is great with balancing humour, world building, and plotting.

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part 5 Volume 9 by Miya Kazuki, You Shiina (Illustrator), Quof (Translator)

The next books until the last volume are a blur form as I dashed through them over Easter weekend. This and the next couple volumes are really action packed. I cannot remember many details. I liked Matthias and he got cover time and solid action in this volume.

April 17-18, 2025 on Kobo Libra 2 and Clara BW.

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part 5 Volume 10 by Miya Kazuki, You Shiina (illustrator), Quof (translator)

More stress and anxiety since this was the climax which had been building up for awhile. The title of the series and the subtitle finally happen.

April 18, 2025 on Kobo Libra 2 and Clara BW.

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part 5 Volume 11 by Miya Kazuki, Quof (translator), You Shiina (illustrator)

Home stretch. There was still an issue of memory loss which was disturbing. The endgame ship went full steam ahead. This novel had a lot of post war clean up and discussions.

April 18-19, 2025 on Kobo Libra 2 and Clara BW.

I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself: One Woman’s Pursuit of Pleasure in Paris by Glynnis MacNicol (Narrator)

One woman’s trip to Paris during the pandemic in 2021. I have been listening to a lot of memoirs including many by women as they reflect on life in their middle age. This one included travel. I liked it because I’ve been back on a Francophile kick. I appreciated the author’s reflection on being alone and the push and pull of society has on women of a certain age and status.

1.5x. April 17-19, 2025.