favorite read of january

 

I absolutely loved these stories. I felt Not only is this a beautiful book and edition, I found myself stopping to just stare at the wall as I read through the stories. 

I wasn't a huge fan of The Premonition- because I am never a fan of reading about adult/child relationships (be forewarned), but I can't deny that her writing is phenomenal. 

As I read through the stories, I was reminded of how the most simple stories of lived experiences become so deeply emotional when described in a deep way. 

"I felt that I was being handed the perspective that had been borne of his experience". (p. 98)

Yoshimoto has a way of writing that speaks to something intangible, but it shows us how we are capable of truly feeling our way into our stories. Her writing makes me want to write. They make me want to consider how I remember. It reminds me of how inspired I was when I finished all 7 volumes of Proust's The Search. I wanted to pay more attention to my life in order to remember it better.

my book journal

Banana Yoshimoto remains one of my favorite authors, and this set of stories is described perfectly by Brandon Taylor as, "Strange. Melancholy and Beautiful".

Happy reading. ☕️ 

novels that i loved / changed me in 2024

 

i enjoyed every one of these titles immensely

traveling with this physical novel
started so many conversations in nyc
this summer. awesome memories

What I learned in 2024 was that re-reading continues to save me. I love the comfort of returning to characters that I know very well. 

Read in one sitting:

Cried while reading:

Couldn't put down:

Reminded me of intense emotions:

Sent me down the biggest rabbit hole:

Austen of the year: 
(theme: if at first you don't succeed...)

Re-read that I journaled 

the most around:

Travel physical re-read that 
I was asked the most about:

As I begin my reading for 2025 my one true focus is to read what changes or truly entertains me. All else will be ignored. :)

Happy reading ☕️