Edit: Guess who thought this post was already scheduled only to find it still sitting in her drafts A WHOLE WEEK AFTER it was meant to be published.
B O O K S
In January, I read 5 books!
For transparency, every book marked with * are titles I received for free as I currently work at PRH UK.
Nordlys, Volume 1*
The night before her coming-of-age ceremony Sonja finds herself transported to another world by a mysterious boy. Suddenly, she is in a Norway she’s never seen before. One filled with trolls, pirates and magic. As she soon learns there are also enemies in this world and her sudden arrival might just get her in trouble.
Such an adorable graphic novel! Think Peter Pan with the same underlying dark elements that are still suitable for a younger audience. I wasn’t a fan of the face that the cover of the book is completely different to the actual art style. The original is stunning and wish it was used for the cover since the current one makes it look like a movie adaptation.
When the Cranes Fly South*
Bo is determined to live the rest of his days in his small Swedish village with his dog, Sixten, by his side. Until his son Hans decides that Bo is too old to care for Sixten and plans to whisk him away from Bo. The threat of losing his lifelong companion takes Bo down memory lane as he attempts to keep Sixten with him.
A remarkable and moving story. I had finished the book on my plane home from Germany and had to hold back tears the entire time!
Augusta Pine Does Not Exist*
In a future where identification is all done through a permanent biometric tattoo, there are still people like Augusta Pine. Hired by the government with no official existence. She is merely a Wraith. And if she wants to see her family again, she must comply and serve her sentence. On a rare weekend off, Augusta finds the building where she’s renting is hacked and locked down by cyber terrorists. To save everyone, Augusta must stay one step ahead of the killers and for the first time, she may have found her match.
A reverse heist about a teen spy who much outsmart ecoterrorists to free a building of hostages. We are SO back, Totally Spies. I think the Identity Security Division should give Augusta her own slide where she can change into her gear. Great fun! Definitely recommend for any teen readers in your life!
The Other World’s Books on the Bean Counter, Volume 1 & Volume 2
An overworked Japanese salary man is accidently transported to another world and instead of accepting the generosity of this mysterious kingdom, he simply asks for a job. When he begins to discover mismanagement in the Kingdom’s accountancy, he finds himself almost dying from overwork. In comes Commander Aresh, the handsome lone wolf, who saves him from near death by using physical intimacy. With his weak institution, Seiichirou Kondou must rely on this man to process this magical world or risk dying from magical exposure.
I loved so ridiculous this plot was! I started reading the manga first before swapping to the light novel as those were the original text. I have to say the manga does SUCH a good job at adapting the story. In the English translation, the story has a habit of constantly repeating itself, the plot, characters, anything that was mentioned a few chapters before. This is just due to its nature as a light novel when it was serialised on a novel publishing site. But the pacing of this book would’ve been so much better if they had just edited out any unwanted repetition.
That’s it for this month! Tell me what went on in YOUR life this month! What sort of things was important for you this month? New obsessions? New TV shows? Or book? Any new song recs (I’m always open to new music!)? Best books you read this month?
as told by zaheerah 