The ending was confusing for me.

I really enjoyed this book! The detail about making a Japanese language dictionary was fascinating. But the characters really had me hooked, especially Majime in his awkward neediness & and &single-minded commitment to his task. His love letter to Kaguya had me rolling. The insights to Nishioka's personality, and Kishibe's struggles to fit in with her new colleagues made those characters very real to me. I cried when I characters this lovely story. I'm now enjoying another read from Shion Miura, The Easy Life in Kamusari.

She worked on this novel with Holly Black and Cassandra Clare.

Fantastic review! Everything you said is exactly how I felt after finishing, only you're far more eloquent 😂 ❤

My vote is still out on this book because I just started section 3 so I feel like a light will be finally be turned on for me with this book. One thing Ido want to say is that I am listening to an audio version and even though I do not often say this, I think reading the actual book would be more beneficial to anyone. I think I really needed to see the section breaks with their titles to have a better comprehension about what is going on here. I am going to also purchase the book now. I think seeing the way the words are laid out on the pages will be beneficial. At first I did not get the Rask/Bevel thing and that confused me. I now know what was going on there and it puts things in focus for me. I appreciate your review.

Where did your husband read about the sprouting from the death of Alice and Mary? I do recall it

This review was clear, engaged, and informative. Many thanks for posting it. And thank you for serving your community as a librarian. I too chose to work at a non-profit for perhaps the same reasons you did.

most beautiful book ive read

I love Easy Beauty!!!!

Hi Sabrina. I rely on audiobooks a lot. Especially because I’m permanently tired. They help ease anxiety. Some books you might like The Mars House by Natasha Pulley A Botanical Daughter by Noah Medlock Brotherless Night Night Bloom Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad Service by Sarah Gilmartin 🇮🇪

Ann Patchett told me about Tom Lake before she even started writing it! THAT'S what makes it special for me :)

Yes thank you, I really did not like Birnam Wood at all, had to DNF it after the first part, really hated the reading experience so much thar I got rid my copy of The Luminaries as I could not see myself ever picking it up 😂

Hello there hey there hey Hello

The Luminaries is much different from Birnam Wood, but I didn't love either one. I liked Luminaries more or else I wouldn't have been able to finish it. I would suggest you start it and if you like the writing keep going. If it doesn't grab you fairly early, don't.

I just saw your review of TRUST, I was about thinking not to continue Reading …. But You changed my mind… I will get back to you when I finish.

a fellow librarian here. I just finished North Woods a few moments ago and don't think I'll ever forget it. It's a literary miracle. A few months ago, I had my book group read Gender Queer. All thumbs up for the experience. Consider that, if you haven't already. Keep up the great work!

The book read as a collection of sermons regarding social issues near and dear to the author’s heart. Maybe it’s my inborn mistrust of authors presenting personal opinion as settled fact. This is not a novel, but an exercise in confirmation bias; a meandering sermon preaching to the already converted.

Outstanding review!

I agree with you that the connections feel so contrived. The book is more interesting in concept than application.

Thank you for another great video! ❤️🌈📚

100% agree with your thoughts on Strong Female Character. i thought the strongest part of the book was actually the last chapter describing her meltdown. shame we had to wait so long for that

You've made me even more excited for North Woods! I reserved it while back and it came in for me to pick up today 🎉

I loved North Woods too! Great wrap-up. Always enjoys hearing your thoughts. 🥰

Hello there hey there hey Hello hi hello hey there

Hello there hey there hey Hello hi hello hello hello there there

So happy to see you uploading regularly 💛💛💛 Your recommendations are always spot on. So very sorry to hear about your kitty though. Hoping for health and happiness your way 💛

The fat phobia and body shaming has been the reason why I dnf'd Strong Female Character. I totally agree that you don't have to include every detail in a memoir and in this case, it didn't add anything to the picture with regard to her personal story of late diagnosis. I'm actually quite surprised that I don't hear more people talking about this, because I heard nothing but uncritical praise about this book. Maybe I'll pick it up again at some point, only because I'm very much interested in the topic, but I'm not sure yet.

I will definitely be picking up North Woods after this video - I think the concept of following one house/plot of land is absolutely fascinating! Ghosts and beetles? I'm in.

I liked The Bear and the Nightingale until the fantasy stuff kicked in.😅

I've just finished A Place Called Winter and i want to note that i think this review was heavily focused on the mental health explored in the novel. The book primarily deals with a young man who is shunned from his native Edwardian England, building a new life for himself in the newly colonised Canadian Prairies. The book explores themes around sexual identity, homesteading in a new wilderness, indigenous culture, WWI and Spanish Flu pandemic. It is a great read :) I just wanted to provide more balance here.

@katiejlumsden brought me here. Happy Reading! 😎📚👍

‘It would be difficult to observe any criticism with any type of grace.’ Indeed!

I think this book is excellent. I finished it yesterday and slowed down my reading in the last few pages to savor the author’s last few words. Hiking through my local forest will never be the same! I will certainly reread it! I loved hearing the author’s interviews (KZfaq). Great review Sabrina, thanks.

Great review! I feel like I haven't heard a lot of people talking about this one so I was intrigued to hear your thoughts. Don't think it's for me but really appreciated the review

So very true I have waited years for her novel the plot was barely there massively confusing. I didn’t like any of the characters, the book didn’t build worlds at all. I finished to see if there would be a resolve but there was none, and it is entirely too long and ends up being an investment of time where one is left more confused than satisfied. I am sure she will do better on her next offering🙏🏾

希望 Netflix 能像 3 Body Problem 一樣，趕快買 巴別培學院 的 copy right 版權，趕快拍 🥹

Hello there hey there hey Hello hi hello

“A group of local individuals who read whatever I tell them to” is kind of the dream. Thanks for the review!

loving the single book reviews! i'm 511th in line for this at the library so i'm just going to have to buy it i'm sure i'll like it going off of those passages you read haha

Terrific review, thanks. I loved North Woods also, but I didn’t make that excellent connection with David Mitchell. Now I am thinking about it again along with The Bone Clocks and Black Swan Green. Cheers!

This is the second book you have influenced me to buy this year. you are powerful.

Thank you for the awesome summary ❤

4245 book club👍

Hello there hello hey

I love these single book reviews! I appreciate your in depth insight, feels like chatting with a friend.

I won’t be reading it based on your review. I’m really struggling to find value in YA.

You convinced me to cancel my hold on this at the library 😄 have you seen the UK cover? It looks super YA.

I had this checked out from the library but brought it back today after seeing your review. I was already skeptical about the page count and this confirmed it for me. Thanks for saving my time!!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this book, your video came right on time for me! I started 'The book of love' on audiobook and only got like 15% in (that's already 3,5hrs!) and was unsure if I should push myself to keep going or should I just move on.. Found myself just forgetting I was listening to it, not drawn to return to it at all - felt really repetitive so far and the voices seemed indistinct to me as well. So, I think you helped me make a decision here and saved hours of my time 😉

I feel like I saw so many people posting about this one leading up to the release date and ive not seen a single review since. Thanks for this review - I was curious but I'm not sure this is one I need to prioritize over my 200+ other unread books 🥲