Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books by Hwang Bo-Reum with Rosa Escoda (Narrator), Shanna Tan (Translator)

This was nice after the lacklustre travel reading earlier in the week. I really liked Hwang’s novel Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop and even bought a copy of it after I read it. This book is preaching to the choir of book lovers. It was essays about how to enjoy and improve your reading life, It was a comforting listen about something I love. Great job on translation and narration. Recommended if you need ideas to spice up your reading life or go out of your comfort zone. I do most of these tips naturally so I am glad to confirm my reading life is going well.

Audiobook January 22-23, 2026.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo with Elizabeth Acevedo (Narrator)

Over the last couple of years, I have listened to a number of these young adult novel through verses. I have enjoyed all of them and this may be the best one yet. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the narration and the writing style. I had a lot of empathy to the protagonist even though we were so different. Excellent poetry.

Audiobook Jan 24-26, 2026.

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid, Tor Thom (Narrator)

I could not avoid the show on social media through December and January. I had watched most of eps 1-3 through reactions by the time I started the novel. I did listen to the audiobook for the first start and the narrator was not good especially with the accents of Shane’s parents. As this was a romance novel, I did not have high expectations for writing or the character writing. It was a fine. After I finished the novel, I immediately watched the show. I preferred it for most things especially Shane’s characterization which was underdeveloped in the novel. I could tell that the author preferred Ilya over Shane. The female characters on the show were also a lot better. Having said that, I would consider reading the other books in the series where Ilya and Shane are featured.

About 20% on audiobook. Read Kobo Libra 2 January 26-28, 2026.

I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong with Charlie Anson (Narrator)

I like microbes. They are interesting. This was a well written and well narrated audiobook.

Audiobook January 28-31, 2026.