Wrap Up: October 2025

Hi everyone

October has been the perfect month for cozy evenings in; rainy, dark, and chilly. There’s nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good book, a warm cup of tea (or a diet soda, if I’m feeling rebellious), and maybe a little snack. Wrapped in a blanket, lost in another world, what could be more perfect? 
And I read some great books!

Here's what I read. 

- 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 

And there was one book I could not finish

- Michaeleen Doucleff: Hunt, Gather, Parent 

How was your reading month? Did you discover any new favorites or revisit old ones? I like rereading and discovering new books. What about you? I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Grant Snider: The Art of Living

Hi everyone

I recently finished The Art of Living, the second collection I’ve read by Grant Snider. 
I got my copy from Bol.com.

"In The Art of Living , beloved cartoonist Grant Snider—author of The Shape of Ideas and I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf —has created a humorous, uplifting look at mindfulness in this collection of one- and two-page comics that map his inner thoughts, poetic observations, and frequent failures at living mindfully."

Just like I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf, this collection was pleasant, cozy and warming, but not much more than that. It never made me laugh out loud or feel particularly emotional. It was all a bit meh.

While it’s a charming little book, I wouldn’t say it’s a must-read.

Happy reading!
Helena 

Bookhaul

Hi everyone

I have some exciting bookish news to share; I bought some new books and received an amazing surprise!
*    happydance    *

My parents went on holiday to the UK, and my dad came back with a very special gift just for me. And it is SIGNED! I was over the moon when I saw it. How cool is that? I’m still grinning just thinking about it. 

- Ben Aaronovitch: Tales From the Folly

 

And because no book haul is complete without a little self-indulgence, here are the books I treated myself to.

- Ben Aaronovitch:  The Masquerades of Spring

- Amy Bloom: In Love 

- Benedict Jacka: An Instruction in Shadow 

- Grant Snider: The Art of Living

- Emily Tesh: Some Desperate Glory 

I can’t wait to dive into these! Have you read any of them? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts. 
Which one should I start with?

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: January 2025

 Hi everyone

January felt so long, cold, dark, and a little depressing. But you know what? It was also the perfect time for cozy evenings filled with books and endless cups of tea. There’s something so comforting about curling up with a good story when the world outside feels gray.

Here's what I read last month:

- 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 

Did you discover any gems last month? Or maybe you revisited an old favorite? I’d love to hear about your January reads; let’s swap recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena

Grant Snider: I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf

Hi everyone

I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider is a charming comic book about being a reader, loving books, and the quirks of bookish culture This was a sweet gift from my husband and as a self-proclaimed bookworm, I was excited to dive in. 

"A look at the culture and fanaticism of book lovers, from the beloved New York Times illustrator and creator of Incidental Comics.
It’s no secret, but we are judged by our bookshelves. We learn to read at an early age, and as we grow older we shed our beloved books for new ones. But some of us surround ourselves with books. We collect them, decorate with them, are inspired by them, and treat our books as sacred objects. In this lighthearted collection of one- and two-page comics, writer-artist Grant Snider explores bookishness in all its forms, and the love of writing and reading, building on the beloved literary comics featured on his website, Incidental Comics. I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf is the perfect gift for bookworms of all ages."

This was ok. It was never laugh-out-loud, but it did make me smirk and smile. Some things were recognizable, others were farfetched. Nothing really stood out to me.

This was okay. It never made me laugh out loud, but it did make me smirk and smile a few times. Some of the comics were very recognizable while others felt a bit farfetched.
The art style is charming, and Snider clearly loves books, but nothing really stood out to me. It’s a light, pleasant read, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re a book lover, you’ll likely enjoy the relatability, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking.

Have you read this one? Did it make you smile, or did you find it forgettable too? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading.
Helena

Christmas and New Year's Bookhaul

 Hi everyone

The holidays are finally over, and life is slowly getting back to normal; thank goodness! This year, I was spoiled with gifts for Christmas and New Year’s. I received mostly money (which, of course, I’ll be using to buy more books) and three wonderful books.

My parents gifted me with:

- Kristin Hannah: The Great Alone

- Richard Swan: The Justice of Kings

From my husband I received:

- Grant Snider: I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf

And with part of the money I received I bought myself books too:

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Escapes

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Protects

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

- Brian McClellan: Promise of Blood

- Brandon Sanderson: Tress of the Emerald Sea

I’d love to hear if you’ve read any of these books! Did you love them? Should I prioritize one over the others? Or is there another book you think I should read ASAP? Let me know; I’m all ears!

Happy reading!
Helena