Overall mood: perplexed – this isn’t necessarily to do with my reading but my thoughts about how my reading has gone in recent months. I felt like I hadn’t read much this month, but upon closer inspection realised that not only have I in fact read above my average count, but enjoyed a lot of the books I have read this month. It seems like its a symptom of my reader burnout, so I’m doing my best to look past it.

Books read:

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

This iconic fantasy world has so much detail, imagery, and heart in it, and I cannot get over how immersive it is. Being able to see the emotional response to things the main character is experiencing and thinking about makes me feel a lot closer to him and more understanding of his actions, and it makes me feel invested in the story. If this is how all the books are going to go, this is going to be an absolute favourite.

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

You give me a mystery romance with a historical fiction thread and I’m going to let it pull me down the rabbit hole. The Unmaking of June Farrow has so many beautiful elements to its storytelling, an amazing collection of characters, and scenery that makes me sigh with every detail. This is a book I think I’m going to add to my wishlists because it is my kind of adult fantasy with multiple things going on.

Foster by Claire Keegan

Such beautiful writing for such a small book, Foster is another of Claire Keegan’s gorgeous short stories that manages to stab you in the heart and leave no room for apologies. It is mesmerising, not just in the writing itself but the way in which she crafts a story, the key words used to grab the reader’s attention and really bring out the best of the scene. She will always be a recommendation from now on.

The Summer Children by Dot Hutchison

This series really just keeps getting better and better, and I don’t know how I’m supposed to act normal after finishing it. The Summer Children has so much suspense, so many moments where my breath was literally taken from my lungs, and I cannot get over how it turns out. An amazing book in an incredible series that I will not stop yapping about.

Gloves Off by Stephanie Archer

I love a good sports romance from time to time, and Gloves Off did a decent job at keeping me entertained. The characters are good, the plot is fun, and the banter really makes this book worth it. Unfortunately, it hasn’t moved the series up in my books, but I think a lot of contemporary romance readers will like it.

The Vanishing Season by Dot Hutchison

The way this book had me in a chokehold for the first half, then proceeded to make my heart hurt for the rest of it. I loved it. I love this series. I know I am going to be recommending this for years to come, not to mention be scouring the New Zealand bookstores for copies to buy. The Vanishing Season does such a wonderful job of wrapping everything up, but I still will be sad over the fact it is the end until the end of time (or a surprise new book comes out).

The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin

I can see how Ursula K. Le Guin became a classic, compelling fantasy author, as if A Wizard of Earthsea wasn’t brilliant enough. I love the expansion of the story world and the different perspective introduced here, and I am looking forward to more stories with these characters working together.

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman

A beautiful but gut-wrenching novel about nearing the end of ones life, suffering from memory loss, and losing touch with who you are in the process. Told in such a kind yet confronting way, this novel is a much-needed read for those dealing with such situations in their family life.

Walk the Blue Fields by Claire Keegan

This collection of her short stories really shows how incredible she is as an author, even early on in her career. While I didn’t like all of them, there are some I felt had that integral Claire Keegan feel I’ve experienced in her later books. I’d definitely recommend this collection for those wanting to read more short stories and get into foreign authors.

Lemon by Kwon Yeo-sun

This was a good read, but I genuinely can’t tell you what goes on in it, mainly because not a lot does. The writing is good, the setting is well-crafted, and the characters are interesting, but there isn’t a whole lot going on that translates well to a review. I finished it thinking I may have missed something as I didn’t really care for what was going on, the characters, or the long expanse of time covered. Would be interested to hear what others who have read it thought about it.

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young

I did like this one, but I feel it is a little bit of a step down from The Unmaking of June Farrow and Spells for Forgetting. The imagery and setting establishment is phenomenal, the characters complex and mysterious, and the plot was good. Just missing that secret ingredient for me.

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo

What a powerful, enraging novel. I could feel myself getting fired up as I read each page, and by the end of it I was ready to burst. This contains so many important experiences and voices, and showcases the far-reaching impact of systemic sexism in society. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is a definite recommendation for starting 2026 right if you haven’t read this novel yet already.

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

This novel. Oh my, did I fall in long with the writing style and language use in this story. I could not put this down, I loved every second of it, and I have so much to learn from the author. I wil be requesting this again when my reading is less busy so I can experience the wonder that is Open Water again, taking my time to truly absorb all the magical and evocative prose within. The inclusion of Black art, be it music, novels, dance, and more, cements my love for this even further.

Cat Gamer Volumes 1-7 by Wataru Nadatani

I love this manga series. I relate so strongly to the main character, I laugh at almost every page, and there is just so much cuteness and hilarity in the interactions that I cannot help be feel relaxed and lighter after reading it. I have already Vol. 8 in my library requests and have added another cat manga to my list because Cat Gamer is too good.