Saturday again, huh? Time is flying by! Still not living in the new house for complicated reasons that I won’t go into here, but we’re getting closer to that point, and soon we’ll get my bookcases properly set up — including possibly two new ones. Exciting!
Books acquired this week
Nothing, really, but I will highlight a book I snagged on Kobo Plus! I’ll be getting myself a print copy in due course (KJ Charles’ work is an auto-buy for me), but in the meantime, I was very excited to realise this was on Kobo Plus.
I’m not sure when I’ll get to it, because I’m so behind on reading, but it’s very nice to have it there.
Posts from this week
It’s been a busy one! Let’s start with the reviews as always:
- Non-fiction: The Cleopatras, by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones (4/5 stars, “really liked it”)
- Classic children’s: The Moomins and the Great Flood, by Tove Jansson (3/5 stars, “liked it”)
- Fantasy manhua: Solo Leveling, vol 2, by Dubu & Chugong (4/5 stars, “really liked it”)
- Fantasy romance: The Baby Dragon Café, by A.T. Qureshi (2/5 stars, “it was okay”)
- Poetry: Standing Female Nude, by Carol Ann Duffy (3/5 stars, “liked it”)
- Non-fiction: Chinese Dress in Detail, by Sau Fong Chan (5/5 stars, “it was amazing”)
- Classic children’s: Comet in Moominland, by Tove Jansson (4/5 stars, “really liked it”)
Other posts:
- Top Ten Tuesday: Titles with Honorifics
- What Are You Reading Wednesday
- Discussion: Finishing 1-star reads
What I’m reading
I’ve done a lot of reading this week, but not such a lot of finishing books. I’ve lowered my reading goal for the year and am just accepting that given everything that’s happened this year (losing Grandma, final exams, moving) it just isn’t happening, and that’s fine — it was a big goal anyway (400 books in the year).
So, no kicking myself, and anyway, I read fast and a lot compared to a lot of people! I’m doing just fine as long as I’m having fun.
Here are the books I finished this week that I’ll (eventually) review on the blog, though you can always check my StoryGraph to see my thoughts sooner if you like:
For this weekend, I’m not 100% sure what I’ll read, but more of T. Kingfisher’s Clockwork Boys, which I started on Thursday, is pretty much a certainty. Probably I’ll read more of Wendy A. Woloson’s Crap: A History of Cheap Stuff in America, which I got back into this week.
But wherever my whim takes me, that’s just fine: “As my Whimsy takes me” is my motto too, in honour of a certain fictional character. (You get a lot of brownie points if you know who!)
Linking up with Reading Reality’s Stacking the Shelves, Caffeinated Reviewer’s The Sunday Post, and the Sunday Salon over at Readerbuzz, as usual!
Wow you do read fast! Very curious to see what you think of Cinder House. Good luck with all the moving stuff, and yay for new bookshelves
I enjoyed Cinder House, but did have a couple of quibbles about pacing. Really fascinating setup though!
I’ve been wondering about the Baby Dragon Cafe. Have to check out your review. “Okay” is not enough for me to read it. I thought it looked too cozy. Not sure those types of fantasy are for me. I just finished Violet Thistlewaite Is Not A Villain Anymore. Okay and cozy are the words I would use for it.
Hope you enjoy your new books.
Val recently posted…Stacking the Shelves 7-19-25
Yeah, I think it’s really more for a romance audience, personally. There’s a bit of worldbuilding, but it didn’t really feel like a fantasy novel. Which is definitely for someone! But not me.
I bought The Baby Dragon Cafe when it came out. I have seen some very excited review, but I have also seen more it’s just okay reviews. Not sure if I will get to it any time soon.
I hope all the house stuff is sorted soon and you can finish your move and get your bookshelves sorted!
Marg @ The Intrepid Reader recently posted…Sunday Salon: Spell the Month in Books – July
I think it really depends what people are looking for; it feels more romance than fantasy. It’s cute, but frothy. For me it just felt a little unsatisfying, but I bet there will be people who love it to bits.
Thank you!
I will be adding the two non-fiction to my TBR list. I hope you are able to move in soon!
Here’s hoping! The ducks are nearly all in a row.
Crickey – 400 books is an amazing total! I think you’re very wise to step back from your proposed goal and decide to just enjoy the books you’re reading. It sounds like you’ve a lot on this year, anyway. Have a good week, Nicky.
Thanks! Sometimes I get too focused on the numbers, but really what matters is that I’m enjoying myself. I try to use them to make sure I see reading (which is restorative for me) as a priority, but sometimes when it becomes a stick to beat myself with, it’s time to switch tack.
I love that motto!!! I sort of live that way too. And I know the reference although I have not read any of those books. That seems like the consensus on Baby Dragon Cafe which is a bummer. It looked so cute!
Yeah, The Baby Dragon Café sounded adorable, and there were aspects to like about it, but it feels like it didn’t quite find the right niche. I read romance as well as fantasy, but when they cross I want a bit more complexity.
I am always delighted to read wherever “my Whimsy takes me.” It looks like you had a delight of a reading week with lots of very good reads.
Deb Nance at Readerbuzz recently posted…The Sunday Salon: Reread of Lonesome Dove—Complete
Well, I only finished three books (posted reviews always lag behind, because I don’t want to post 2-3 posts every day, that gets spammy for folks), but they were fun!
400 books in a year is a very ambitious goal! I love that you aren’t kicking yourself for being behind and are focused on having fun–that’s the point of it all, isn’t it? Have a great week!
Yep! I try to have a goal that nudges me to make reading a priority, because that’s really all it’s about. It just needed adjusting to the reality of what this year has been like, and that’s fine!
It’s really nice once you get settled in with places for things and everything put away again. Especially when you get more bookcases.! I bought the Clockwork boys on audio and have to try to read them. I’ll look forward to your thoughts when you have them.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Anne – Books of My Heart recently posted…Winter’s Heat by Denise Domning #DeniseDomning @sophiarose1816 #KindleUnlimited
I’m so looking forward to sorting my books, to be honest! They’ve needed it for a while, but we didn’t really have the space. Now we do!
You do read fast and a lot compared to many people, and I am so jealous!! On the bright side, you are also my best source for all the interesting books! Except that it takes me so long to get to them all because I read slow! I enjoyed the Clockwork Boys, I hope you do too!
Haze @ The Book Haze recently posted…Sunday Post | 20 July 2025
Haha, I should come with a warning label. 😛
I really liked Clockwork Boys, I’m glad I already have the sequel on hand!