Overall mood: drained – safe to say the year has hit me hard, and I have found it quite difficult to stay engaged in my reading this month. I opted for several short reads and manga volumes to keep the reading bug fed, but even then, there have been days when I haven’t wanted to pick up a book. This is, in part, my usual summer reluctance when it comes to reading, but equally, just reader burnout hitting from the last few months of books.

Books read:

Murder at Somerset House by Andrea Penrose

This historical fiction murder mystery has been on my requests list for so long, and I eagerly await each release within the Wrexford and Sloane mystery series. I was not in quite the soundest of minds when I was reading this, so I will need to get it out again and read the latter half of the book once more to really absorb everything fully, but it was just as good as the others, so I have nothing to complain about. I love this series, and there really isn’t a dull moment.

The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar

An astonishing novella of fantasy brilliance, I could not get over how succinct yet lushly built up this story is. from the characters and the setting to the folklore and history, this novella ticked all the boxes for me. I know I could reread this and fall even more in love with the writing, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I did. A must-read for fantasy readers!

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

What an incredible and moving set of short stories. I didn’t know what to expect or even what to hope for with this collection, and I was blown away by the writing style and insightful depth of the characters and topics. Jhumpa Lahiri is an author I need more of in 2026, and I will be looking through her publication list to find more gems to review. If you want something fresh and timeless, this is the one for you.

Breathe with Me by Becka Mack

This book rocked me and served as the perfect end to this whirlwind romance series. I felt every emotion under the sun, even the ones I didn’t expect or want to feel in a romance book, and it made every page more and more amazing. This is not a book for the soft-hearted, both when it comes to the smut and the sensitive content, so check before you pick it up if this is alright for you. Absolutely recommend this series.

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

This literary fiction piece is so comforting and healing, making for a fantastic book when you need a break and to recoup for a while. It is easy to read, soft yet engaging, and delivers some amazing kernels of wisdom for the soul. I can see why this is a popular one among foreign lit, and I am keeping my eye out for the next release.

Cat Gamer Vol. 8 by Wataru Nadatani

I am so sad that this is the end of the series, but it finished in such a perfect, funny way that I can’t be too mad about it. Easily a manga I could reread and laugh at againa nd again, and I know it is something I can recommend to my friends for something lighthearted and relatable. I highly encourage you to pick this up if you are in your late 20s to early 30s and a bit confused as to what you’re doing with your life – maybe you just need to get a fur baby.

A Man and His Cat Vols. 1-5 by Umi Sakurai

This manga is so cute, sweet, and radiates found family energy. The premise is fairly simple, but there is a lot of history and background we are drip-fed for the sake of keeping the interest high. It isn’t as relatable to me as Cat Gamer, for obvious reasons, so I am not sure if I will be continuing with the series so soon. I might have to wait a bit to see how I feel about it in a few weeks.

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

A long-awaited read that I enjoyed, though perhaps not as much as I was hoping to. This is a simple romance with an easy-going plot and character representation that isn’t popular in romance books. The vibes are definitely cosy, happily-ever-after with a sprinkle of spice, so if you are a casual romance reader or looking to get more contemporary romance into your reads without the smut taking over, I recommend The Bride Test to you.