reading

Monday, February 16, 2026 →

Finished reading: Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer 📚

1969 | Middle grade, time travel, historical fiction (WW1, 1950s)

I gave this book to my husband for his birthday. The book was the inspiration for The Cure’s song “Charlotte Sometimes” (one of his favorite songs from his all-time favorite band). I didn’t know the song well, so I didn’t catch the lyrics drawn from the book, but I can see and appreciate the inspiration for sure. The book was thought-provoking about the feel of identity in the midst of day-to-day life and there were times I felt real tension about how the plot would resolve. And I love the title so much.

📖 (own)
✭✭✭1/2

Monday, February 16, 2026 →

Finished reading: Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel 📚

1989 | Magical realism, historical fiction (Mexican Revolution, early 20th century)

I am a huge fan of magical realism. This book was ridiculous, and I loved it. It very much had the feel of a folktalke and/or a telenovela, so the parts that were over the top (and there were many) weren’t too heavy or dark. I didn’t actually like the central romantic pairing (Tita and Pedro) at all, and that whole (pretty central) storyline did not go how I would have liked it to. But I tend to like a book where the plot goes in a different direction than I’d prefer — it keeps it more interesting.

📖 (own)
✭✭✭✭

Monday, February 2, 2026 →

Finished reading: Awake by Jen Hatmaker 📚

2025 | Memoir

📖 (library)
✭✭

Monday, February 2, 2026 →

Finished reading: Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen 📚

2020 | Christian, mental health

I know you’re not really supposed to do so, but I read this primarily with someone else in mind (not toxic thoughts about this person, but helping her overcome her own toxic thoughts). Overall, I thought it was pretty solid. I am not recommending it, but I wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it either, if this kind of book is your jam.

🎧 (Libby)
✭✭✭

Monday, February 2, 2026 →

Finished reading: The Black Wolf by Louise Penny 📚

2025 | Mystery, number 20 in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series

I’m ambivalent about this series. Twenty books in, there is too much repetition, too little character growth, and too much really cheesy writing (I was going to flag examples to complain about, but I didn’t bother). And yet, I like the familiarity of the characters and the reliability of the setting. I keep thinking I might be done with the series, but what I do like about it still outweighs what I don’t.

📖 (library)
✭✭3/4

Reading Project Thoughts

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

A bit more than a week into thinking about a longer-term reading project, I have thoughts. What is working: I have started both War and Peace (first time) and The Brothers Karamozov (again!), reading at the pace of one chapter a day. W&P is 361 chapters, and TBK is 96 chapters (in the edition I’m reading). I am loving them both at this pace–just enough that I’m not forgetting day-to-day what is happening and also leaves me wanting a little more without getting overwhelmed.

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Reading Project

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

I’ve been thinking for a while about starting another long-term reading project. I know about myself that I don’t necessarily need to complete a reading project to enjoy it, but I like the idea of planning it out and following as long as it remains enjoyable. As an example of what I mean, here’s a list of reading projects I’ve had going in the past (I doubt this is a complete list):

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Tuesday, October 14, 2025 →

Currently reading: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury 📚

This book is different than I remembered–more strangely written and more sinister. It feels like a good October read, but I’m not loving it as much as I did the first time through.

Thursday, August 14, 2025 →

Yesterday I finished King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby. Each time I talk about this book, I reflexively do a long blink, take a deep breath in, and say, “It was dark” on the exhale. I mean, wow.

Although the first one I read, Blacktop Wasteland, is still my favorite, Cosby’s books have become an automatic read for me. His books are violent and gritty, and even so, I just really like his writing; I consistently want to keep reading. I love it when the writing or the plot is compelling enough to override the aspects of a story that usually would be a pass for me (e.g., violence, drugs, characters that stress me out).