The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

This was fine. I was underwhelmed considering how many people love this book. It came down to the lack of characterization and development. I did have some sympathy for Addie. Her character did not have many defining traits other than stubbornness though. There were too many flashback scenes that did not add much to her character or the plot so it dragged since this was over 440 pages. Maybe I expected a bit too much literary fiction from this fantasy and historical novel. The fantasy aspects were actually rather low and the evil Luc’s character arc was half-baked as well. Ending was decent but it did not wow me. Schwab can write, but I was not itching to read more from when I finished.

August 23-25, 2026.

Richard Scarry’s Fun With Words by Richard Scarry

This was a used book I got as a kid. I am not sure if it was a gift or bought at some sort of yard sale. It was not in good condition when I got it in the 90s and the spine has been further damaged by time. I have vivid memories of drawing lines in this book. I do not think I ever really read it in full. It is a dictionary of sorts so there is no story or plot. I have been meaning to read it for years. It was really lovely to look through the drawings and the various Richard Scarry characters. It has really held up well since for a book published in 1960. I considered donating the book but I like owning it too much so I am keeping it for now.

August 26-29, 2026.

French Provincial Cooking by Elizabeth David with Juliet Renny (Illustrator)

Continuing my cookbook reading, I read this classic from 1962. It was very nice but dense and slow. After awhile, I wanted to finish it before the month was over so I sped through the second half on the last weekend of August. The recipes used imperial measurements and I do not think I will make anything from this book. I like eating French cuisine but it’s one of the least favourite to try and cook due to the unctuous nature and processes. It was a good book. David had a very conversational tone and the historical information was interesting.

July 29-Aug 30, 2026.

Ascendance of a Bookworm (Manga) Part 4 Volume 3 by Hikaru Katsuki, Miya Kazuki with quof (Translator)

I really like the mangaka of Part 4. I wonder who will do Part 5. Since it’s been a couple weeks since I read this, I do not remember much of what happens other than the exams and the start of the library arc. I love this series and it actually makes me want to read other manga.

August 30, 2026.

The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie with Hugh Fraser (Narrator)

Superintendent Battle #1 1925. Back to a much earlier Christie and new series too. This was good. It was more of a political story with a bit of a treasure hunt. I generally am not a big fan of the more political or treasure hunt stories. The best parts of the book were the character types and the atmosphere of 1920s England.

August 24-31, 2026.

Jane Austen’s Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney with Rebecca Romney (Narrator)

A well written and researched exploration of female authors that Jane Austen did and could have read. It was interesting to explore the lives and works of Frances Burney, Ann Radcliffe, Charlotte Lennox, Charlotte Smith, Hannah More, Elizabeth Inchbald, Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi, and Maria Edgeworth. It made me reflect on why some authors are left out of the classics canon and how male dominated publishing was in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was a good feminist history of writing from this time period. I enjoyed Romney’s experience of reading from each of the authors and trying to collect rare editions. As a big reader especially of classics, I surprisingly do not have much interest in collecting old editions. I appreciated her expertise on the subject. I look forward to one day reading from at least couple of of the aforementioned writers. I listened to this completely on audiobook read well by the author. I did get the book from the library around the same time. There was a very good bibliography.

August 23-31, 2026.