Yesterday was my birthday, hence I didn’t post anything. Today, instead of a review post, I have decided to write a little about myself. Nothing extensive, but something different from my usual discussion content that I think wraps everything up nicely. What do I like? What got me into the field I am in? What do I do when I’m not reading, writing, or researching? To celebrate my birthday, I’m taking a break from my review posting schedule and indulging in a little me-time.

To start off, my reading tastes have been varied for a while now. I have always been interested in reading a diverse range of genres, authors, and content, and I find myself drawn to the differences in perspective and possibilities that a breadth of writing covers. I love a good epic fantasy novel that lasts well into the 600-page range, but a graphic novel is also a wonderful way to spend an hour or two. I love historical fiction, and have always loved fantasy, but I am finding so many gems within the crime fiction and adult thriller circles that make me feel like those are also genres I will be seeking recommendations from for some time now. I cannot get enough variety in my reading, and I look forward to seeing how wide my reading spectrum spans in 2026.

I have always had an interest in creative writing and making stories up from a young age. I remember I used to grab A4 pieces of printer paper and draw out characters, giving them names, ages, outfits, star signs, and all sorts. When I got into my teen years, I found myself gravitating towards writing fan fiction and short things, as one does when you’re a kid learning new words and watching movies and TV shows that seem to become your personality for weeks on end. In saying all this, I didn’t actually solidify my choice to do a BA in Creative Writing until a few weeks before the intake deadline. I don’t know what I would have done looking back at the four consecutive years of my BA, and MA shaped me as a young adult, and this PhD I am in the middle of grew from those experiences. Ina. way, books and stories have always been a part of me, and they were always going to be my future.

I love learning about cultures and histories, and I have self-directed my learning of various languages since entering adulthood. I took Spanish as an undergraduate minor, but I have also learnt Korean over the last few years (still working on the pronunciation), and I will be embarking on my te reo Māori learning this summer. In 2026, I am actually hoping to revitalise my language learning skills overall and get back into regular intervals of learning as part of my personal curriculum (something I will get into more in 2026). I would love to use the languages I have learnt when I travel, and I am looking forward to these trips when they are possible. It doesn’t look like there will be any holidays in the next eight months, but planning is as fun and exciting as the trip itself.

It may not seem it, but I am a gamer – or at least am getting back into it. I grew up playing with my brothers on our PS2, and the Dragon Quest franchise has a special place in my heart. Now, as an adult, I see gaming as another form of storytelling, and I get so excited playing the main stories and doing the side quests to get all the dialogues, items, and endings possible. My best friend just got me into Love and Deepspace, and, unfortunately, I have been maxing out on it ever since. Luckily, it has a built-in structure that forces me to stop for several hours, so it isn’t too bad. But I also have my Dragon Quest games, Tales of the Shire, and The Witcher III: Wild Hunt on Switch that I love, so I think I’m settled for a long while.

Maybe in 2026 you’ll find out a little more about me, but that’s all for now! Did anything surprise you?