Naomi Alderman: The Future

Hi everyone

I just finished my first Naomi Alderman book; The Future and I read this on my e-reader. 

"The Future—as the richest people on the planet have discovered—is where the money is.
The Future is a few billionaires leading the world to destruction while safeguarding their own survival with secret lavish bunkers.
The Future is private weather, technological prophecy and highly deniable weapons.
The Future is a handful of friends—the daughter of a cult leader, a non-binary hacker, an ousted Silicon Valley visionary, the concerned wife of a dangerous CEO, and an internet-famous survivalist—hatching a daring plan. It could be the greatest heist ever. Or the cataclysmic end of civilization.
The Future is what you see if you don’t look behind you.
The Future is the only reason to do anything, the only object of desire.
The Future is here." 

This book was very different from what I expected based on the blurb, but definitely not in a bad way, because I really enjoyed the story.

The book started out slow. There are quite a few (rather similar) characters to keep track of, and at the same time you’re trying to understand this world; how it’s different and yet eerily similar to our own. But once you get past the initial setup/work, you’ll have a hard time putting it down. It’s fast-paced, suspenseful, and full of twists that keep you hooked.
The book is set a few decades in the future, and it imagines a world where climate change, income disparity, and the power of a few billionaires have only gotten worse. It’s a chilling but thought-provoking vision of where we might be headed. The idea of these billionaires having secret bunkers (safe from the chaos they helped create) is terrifyingly plausible. It’s the kind of premise that makes you pause and think, "Wait, could this actually happen?"
I liked the perspective on AI and how it’s woven into the story, especially with how omnipresent it is now.

My only gripe is that I didn’t really care for the characters. They felt too shallow or one-dimensional to read like real people. I wanted more depth, more nuance to them; something to make me connect with them emotionally. But even with that, the ideas and themes carried the story for me.

There are so many great ideas in this book. Alderman is clearly a brilliant thinker, and The Future will make you think about things you’ve never considered before. That’s definitely what I loved most about it.

 Have you read The Future? What did you think? Did it make you see the book differently, or did you find it as thought-provoking and suspenseful as I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Christopher Buehlman: The Blacktongue Thief

Hi everyone

I finally finished Christopher Buehlman's The Blacktongue Thief, the first book in the Blacktongue series.
My copy is from Bol.com.

"Kinch Na Shannack owes the Takers Guild a small fortune for his education as a thief, which includes (but is not limited to) lock-picking, knife-fighting, wall-scaling, fall-breaking, lie-weaving, trap-making, plus a few small magics. His debt has driven him to lie in wait by the old forest road, planning to rob the next traveler that crosses his path.
But today, Kinch Na Shannack has picked the wrong mark.
Galva is a knight, a survivor of the brutal goblin wars, and handmaiden of the goddess of death. She is searching for her queen, missing since a distant northern city fell to giants.
Unsuccessful in his robbery and lucky to escape with his life, Kinch now finds his fate entangled with Galva's. Common enemies and uncommon dangers force thief and knight on an epic journey where goblins hunger for human flesh, krakens hunt in dark waters, and honor is a luxury few can afford." 

This book was not my cup of tea. I can see why others might enjoy or even love it, but I really didn’t.
The biggest issue for me was Kinch. He’s written as too childlike, both in his actions and in the way he talks. His constant cringy tone and stupid, predictable, and repetitive jokes aggravated me. I found it hard to connect with him or take him seriously, which made it difficult to stay engaged with the story.

The structure of the book also frustrated me. You get a chapter that follows the main storyline, and then the next chapter is either a giant infodump or a way-too-long flashback. This kept throwing me out of the story, breaking the pacing, and making it hard to want to keep reading. The main storyline itself felt like a bunch of loosely connected short stories; there was too much happening too fast, and it all felt too superficial. The whole book felt fragmented, which made it very hard for me to enjoy it.

That said, there were some bright spots. I did like Galva and her magic; I just wish she had been more central to the story. Norrigal was okay; she was interesting but also very predictable. And I enjoyed the goblins as a race and their history. Christopher Buehlman clearly put a lot of thought into their culture and lore, which was one of the more engaging parts of the book.

All in all, The Blacktongue Thief was a very forgettable story for me. It had some interesting elements, but they weren’t enough to make up for the frustrating pacing, the childish protagonist, and the disjointed storytelling.

Have you read The Blacktongue Thief? Did you feel the same way, or did it work for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena  

Terry Pratchett: The Truth

Hi everyone 

This was my third time reading The Truth by the inimitable Terry Pratchett. It’s the 25th Discworld novel, but it’s one you can start with even if you haven’t read the previous books. Some familiar characters make an appearance, but it’s mostly a fresh cast of wonderful and lovable people. If you’re curious, you can read my previous review from my second read-through here (It was my second review on this blog!)

"William de Worde is the accidental editor of the Discworld's first newspaper. Now he must cope with the traditional perils of a journalist's life - people who want him dead, a recovering vampire with a suicidal fascination for flash photography, some more people who want him dead in a different way and, worst of all, the man who keeps begging him to publish pictures of his humorously shaped potatoes.
William just wants to get at THE TRUTH. Unfortunately, everyone else wants to get at William. And it's only the third edition..."

This book was such a joy to read; I loved every moment of it and found myself reading long after I should have gone to sleep. While the Industrial Revolution subseries of Discworld isn’t my absolute favorite, The Truth stands out as something special to me. 

What makes The Truth so brilliant is how it pokes fun at journalism, media, and the pursuit of truth; all topics that feel just as relevant today as they did when the book was first published. William de Worde is such a relatable and endearing protagonist. He’s just a guy with baggage, trying to do the right thing in a world that’s utterly chaotic, unpredictable, and ever-changing. 
But my absolute favorite character in this book is Otto Chriek, the recovering vampire with a passion for photography. His way of talking, his clever wit, and his obsession with capturing the perfect shot (even at the cost of his own well-being) make him unforgettable. There’s something so charming about his enthusiasm and his struggle with the black ribbon.

One of the things I love most about Pratchett’s writing is how he weaves in social commentary without ever feeling preachy. The Truth is no exception. The story is hilarious, vivid, clever, witty, and it makes you laugh, think and agree with everything going on. 

It’s a book that makes you laugh out loud one minute and nod in agreement the next, as it explores themes like the power of the press, the nature of truth, and the absurdity of human (and non-human) behavior. The way Pratchett balances satire, humor, and heart is pure genius. The story is vivid, clever, and witty, and it leaves you feeling like you’ve just spent time with old friends.

Have you read The Truth? What’s your favorite Discworld novel? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

New Year's Bookhaul

Hi everyone,

As is tradition in my family, we all receive a book from my parents every year. This has been going on since I was a really small child, and now my parents give books to my brother and me, our partners, and my daughters. I love this tradition so much; it’s always such a joy to see what everyone likes reading and to watch my girls get excited about their new books too!

This year, the book I received was:

- Jen Williams:Talonsister

I’m so excited to dive into this one! Jen Williams’ worldbuilding and storytelling were amazing in The Ninth Rain so after finishing The Winnowing Flame series I will definitely continue with this duology.

Do you have any holiday book-related traditions in your family? Or maybe a favorite book you’ve received as a gift? I’d love to hear about it!
If you’ve read Talonsister already, let me know what you thought; I’m always curious to hear others’ opinions before I start! 

Happy reading!
Helena 

My Favorite Books of 2025

Hi everyone

Looking back at my reading year, I realize I must have been very critical in 2025. Out of the 95 books I read, only 13 earned the full five stars from me. But those five-star books; they were so worth it!

Here are the stories that stole my heart, made me think, or just swept me away completely:

- Katherine Addison: The Tomb of Dragons  

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Strikes 

- Becky Chambers: A Prayer for the Crown-Shy 

- Roald Dahl: Matilda 

- Jonathan French: The True Bastards 

- Eowyn Ivey: To the Bright Edge of the World  

- Cameron Johnston: The Maleficent Seven 

- Brian McClellan: Promise of Blood

- Harriet Muncaster: Isabella Maan gaat naar de kermis 

- Emma Newman: Before Mars

- Terry Pratchett: The Fifth Elephant 

- Dennis E. Taylor: Not Till We Are Lost  

- Jen Williams: The Ninth Rain 

Each of these books stood out for a reason; whether it was the characters, the world, or the way they made me feel. They’re the ones I’ll remember, recommend, and reread for years to come.

What were your favorite reads of 2025? Did any of these make your list too? I’d love to hear what five-star books you (re)discovered! 

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: 2025

Hi everyone

Happy new year!

2025 had its ups and downs, like every year, but I’m grateful to say there were no major problems in our family. Instead, it was a year filled with lots of fun together; family time, cozy evenings with just my husband and me, catching up with extended family, and, of course, plenty of me-time with a book nestled in bed or on the couch.
For me, reading is my perfect way to recharge; curling up with a blanket and a cup of tea, especially when the world outside is cold and rainy. And in 2025, I did a lot of that.

I read a total of 95 books in 2025, not counting the books I didn’t finish.  

Series I started reading:

- Ilona Andrews: Kate Daniels 

- Jim Butcher: Codex Alera 

- Robin Hobb: The Rain Wild Chronicles 

- Benedict Jacka: Inheritance of Magic 

- Brian McClellan: Powder Mage

- Jen Williams: The Winnowing Flame 

 

Series I continued reading:

- Ben Aaronovitch: Rivers of London 

- Terry Pratchett: Discworld 

- Patrick Rothfuss: The Kingkiller Chronicle 

- Dennis E. Taylor: Bobiverse 

 

Series I finished reading:

- Katherine Addison: The Cemeteries of Amalo 

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot  

- Becky Chambers: Monk and Robot

- Emma Newman: Planetfall

- Shelley Parker-Chan: The Radiant Emperor 

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Earth

- Dennis E. Taylor: Quantum Earth  

Series I started and finished reading:

- M. R. Carey: Pandominion 

- Jonathan French: The Lot Lands

Series I quit reading:

- Joe Abercrombie: The Age of Madness

- Trudi Canavan: Millennium's Rule 

- Glen Cook: Chronicles of the Black Company 

- David Dalglish: Shadowdance 

- Fonda Lee: The Green Bone Saga  

- Tasha Suri: The Books of Ambha 

- Rebecca Thorne: Tomes & Teas 

- Martha Wells: The Rising World 

Here are all the books I read this year with a link to the review.

- Benedict Jacka: An Inheritance of Magic 

- Eowyn Ivey: To the Bright Edge of the World 

- Fredrik Backman: A Man Called Ove 

- Grant Snider: I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf 

- Rebecca Thorne: Can't Spell Treason Without Tea 

- Jonathan French: The Grey Bastards 

- N. K. Jemisin: Emergency Skin 

- Greg Pizzoli: Worstje en zijn vrienden

- Robin Hobb: Dragon Keeper

- Sam Harris: The End of Faith

- Sarah Andersen: Adulthood Is a Myth

- Fonda Lee: Jade City 

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Bites

- Tasha Suri: Empire of Sand

- Philippa Perry: The Book You Want Everyone You Love To Read

- David Dalglish: A Dance of Blades

- Darren Hardy: The Compound Effect

- Julie Leong: The Teller of Small Fortunes

- Joe Abercrombie: The Trouble With Peace

- Dennis E. Taylor: Earthside

- Terry Pratchett: The Last Continent 

- Becky Chambers: A Prayer for the Crown-Shy

- Stephen King: The Dark Half 

- Neil Gaiman: The Ocean at the End of the Lane 

- Bessel van der Kolk: The Body Keeps the Score

- Richard Matheson: A Stir of Echoes

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Escapes

- Terry Practhett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Mars

- Jim Butcher: Furies of Calderon 

- The Poetry of Emily Dickinson

- Harriet Muncaster: Isabella Maan gaat naar de kermis

- Harriet Muncaster: Mirabelle heeft een slechte dag

- Paul van Loon: Birthday Surprise

- Paul van Loon: Full Moon

- Shelley Parker-Chan: He Who Drowned the World

- Emma Newman: Before Mars

- Rachel Joyce: Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North

- Yoko Ogawa: Revenge 

- Stephen Aryan: Of Gods and Men

- Jonathan French: The True Bastards

- Trudi Canavan: Thief's Magic

- Martha Wells: Witch King 

- Brian McClellan: Promise of Blood

- Yuval Noah Harari: Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Burns

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Protects

- Christian White: The Nowhere Child

- Terry Pratchett: Carpe Jugulum 

- David Dalglish: A Dance of Mirrors 

- Marie Brennan: The Waking of Angantyr 

- Margaret Atwood: Surfacing 

- T. J. Klune: Under the Whispering Door

- Tommy Orange: Wandering Stars

- Neil Gaiman: Coraline 

- Glen Cook: The Black Company 

- Vernor Vinge: A Fire Upon the Deep 

- Katherine Addison: The Tomb of Dragons

- Brandon Sanderson: Tress of the Emerald Sea

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Utopia 

- Lori Gottlieb: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

- Brian Jacques: Redwall

- Robin Hobb: Dragon Haven

- M. R. Carey: Infinity Gate

- Jim Butcher: Academ's Fury

- Mark Manson: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

- Cameron Johnston: The Maleficent Seven

- Ben Aaronovitch: The Masquerades of Spring

- Roald Dahl: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

- Jonathan French: The Free Bastards 

- Terry Pratchett: The Fifth Elephant

- Grant Snider: The Art of Living 

- Delia Owens: Where the Crawdads Sing

- Dennis E. Taylor: Not Till We Are Lost 

- Jen Williams: The Ninth Rain

- Emma Newman: Atlas Alone

- Patrick Rothfuss: The Narrow Road Between Desires

- Werner Herzog: Of Walking in Ice

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Cosmos

- Nikki Erlick: The Measure

- Benedict Jacka: An Instruction in Shadow 

- Debbie Mirza: The Covert Passive Agressive

- Brian McClellan: The Crimson Campaign  

- M. R. Carey: Echo of Worlds 

- Claire Keegan: Small Things Like These 

- Roald Dahl: Matilda

- Sequoia Nagamatsu:Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone 

- Lindsay C. Gibson: Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

- Leslye Penelope: Daughter of the Merciful Deep 

- Ilona Andrews: A Questionable Client 

- Samantha Harvey: Orbital

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Strikes

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Mourns

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Dreams 

 

I already have a list (of course I do!) with about 25 books I definitely want to read in 2026. But aside from those, I plan on reading whatever I want. Because reading should be fun, not a chore.
In 2025, I reread some children’s books with my eldest daughter and even read a few of her favorites just because I wanted to. It reminded me that there’s no “should” in reading. Never let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn’t read! I try to live by the saying: “You do you.” 

Do you have any book recommendations for me? Or did you read something amazing in 2025 that I could add to my list for next year? Let me know in the comments; I’d love to hear from you!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2026 filled with incredible books and cozy reading moments. Here’s to another year of adventures between the pages!

Happy reading
Helena 

Wrap Up: December 2025

Hi everyone

December is always one of the busiest months in our house (and I suspect it’s the same for most of you!). Between Sinterklaas, Christmas decorating, ordering and wrapping gifts, writing holiday cards, entertaining family, and visiting loved ones, it’s a whirlwind. 
But we managed to end the year on a high note with a short getaway to Center Parcs with our children, and we had a really, really lovely time. 
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season too! 

Even with all the holiday hustle, I still found time to squeeze in some reading. Here’s what I dove into last month:

- Debbie Mirza: The Covert Passive Agressive

- Brian McClellan: The Crimson Campaign  

- M. R. Carey: Echo of Worlds 

- Claire Keegan: Small Things Like These 

- Roald Dahl: Matilda

- Sequoia Nagamatsu:Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone 

- Lindsay C. Gibson: Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

- Leslye Penelope: Daughter of the Merciful Deep 

- Ilona Andrews: A Questionable Client 

- Samantha Harvey: Orbital

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Strikes

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Mourns

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Dreams 

Did you find time to read in December, or were you too busy with holiday prep? Did you discover any new favorites or reread old ones? I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading!

Happy reading!
Helena