As you’ll know if you read my 2022 retrospective, that year was challenging for me on a personal level. 2023 wasn’t without its own difficulties, but it was a year that felt so much more fulfilling and fun. I did a lot of traveling, spent so much quality time with people I love, and got to do quite a few things in and around New York. It really felt like a reset year combined with an adventure year in so many ways, and I was so grateful and relieved for it after the mostly harrowing nature of 2022.

What did I take away from my time in 2023? I gave myself the grace to live in the moment. I leaned into rest, understanding when I hit my limits (physically or emotionally) and stepping back to recenter. I also realized that it’s perfectly fine that I have so many different hobbies and areas of interest, but that I wanted to make sure that I found a way to balance them all a bit better. My work-life balance significantly improved, as well as my handling of my finances (we’re making progress and it makes me feel like an adult!) and my TBR (I read so many of my own books and enjoyed them, which is a treat and hopefully, I can do it again this year!).

Anyway, on to the memories that I made in 2023! My entire year was festive and celebratory for a number of reasons, and it brought me a lot of joy to walk through it again when I was drafting this post.

JANUARY: Deep-cleaned the apartment with mom & dad’s help; Song of Silver, Flame Like Night event; Mel & Steven’s civil wedding (+ reception and karaoke); family comes to town; Hell Bent event; weekend getaway with Macky on Roosevelt Island

FEBRUARY: visiting Cancun; Mel & Steven’s wedding; Ben Barnes concert with Danica + Rachel; Rachel’s disco Dua Lipa birthday; The Last Tale of the Flower Bride book event; Some Like It Hot with Mom and Rachel; visiting The Edge and doing other NY things with mom and dad; Last Violent Call book event

MARCH: A Day of Fallen Night book event; Grey’s belated birthday party; Suzume early screening with Macky; evacuating because a fire caused too much smoke by the apartment; ABBA-themed Candlelit Concert

APRIL: Asian Aunties go to the Bronx Zoo; NY day out with Mela; Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow book event; RJ & Edu’s housewarming party; The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue book event; visiting Santa Barbara; Bianca and Josh’s wedding; Jill and Mako in NY; RADWIMPS concert with Macky

MAY: visiting the Bahamas with Rachel; visiting Philly with Rachel, Mela and Yanna; Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour twice; Yellowface book event; the Elstons visit NY; Memorial Day hangout

JUNE: Taylor Swift exhibit at MAD; Chynna is in town; TS Eras party; Ed Sheeran concert; first beach day of the year; New York, New York with Macky; Like Water for Chocolate ballet

JULY: Beat the Bomb with the fam; 4th of July hangs; Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) listening party; Water Lantern Festival; Age of Madness concert; Immortal Longings book event; Saturday trip to Beacon

AUGUST: Birthday festivities; Family Lore book event; Masters of Death book event; Jonas Brothers concert; Her Radiant Curse book event

SEPTEMBER: celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary with a renewal ceremony; a Brooklyn day out; visiting Prince Edward Island with Rachel; Merrily We Roll Along with Macky, Pat & Ian; Getaway weekend

OCTOBER: Wreck the Halls book event; Wicked the Musical with DJ; NYCC; Taylor Swift: The Eras tour film with the fam; Unholy Terrors book event; The Great Gatsby with Macky; A Curse for True Love book event; Kit-sitting weekend

NOVEMBER: Autumnal Saturday picnic, visited the Noguchi Museum + MOMA PS1; autumnal day out with Rachel; cozy Thanksgiving vibes; Reyna Ube’s drag debut

DECEMBER: Stephen Schwarz with Macky; Back to the Future with Macky; Astra Lumina with Danica; Christmas festivities; Kahl comes to town

Thanks for revisiting the past year with me by reading this post!

Cheers to 2024 being a good, solid year for us all.

Since it’s been over a full year since 2022 ended, I had to dig a little bit into my journal to remind myself where I was at the end of that year. If 2021 was the year when it felt like my life was starting to find a regular groove again and everything was starting to pick up, 2022 was simultaneously one of the most fun and most difficult years of my life.

Truthfully, one of the defining aspects of 2022 was just work-related stress. I was overtaxed, overanxious and constantly challenged by my work life for at least two thirds of the year. I cried a whole lot, went into multiple anxiety spirals, was struggling with sleep and panic attacks and fending off illness; I was constantly struggling to just get to work, questioning all the choices I’d ever made in my life and making panicked contingency plans for how to just get out. I’m so lucky to be able to say I made it through, and I genuinely could not have done that without my support systems.

2022 wasn’t all terrible times though, because there were so many wonderful things that I got to do with Macky, family and friends (more on that in a moment!). Luckily, I can now, in hindsight, refer to 2022 as a crucible year since it felt like I was severely tested and came out as someone brand new who feels surer of herself in all the ways – relationships, capabilities, preferences, goals, dreams and lifestyle. The most important lessons I learned were the necessity of a support system you can really lean on in times of hardship (and I’m so fortunate to have some of the best), understanding the real importance of delegation and asking for help when you need it, and how, oftentimes, the only way out is through.

Anyway, on to the actual reason I wanted to do this retrospective even two years later – a collection of memories that I made and truly cherish in 2022! It was fun going down memory lane, and it definitely made me feel super warm & fuzzy to see the good stuff that happened in 2022.

JANUARY: Taylor Swift-themed Candlelit Concert; Grey’s first snow day

FEBRUARY: Flew to LA for Greyson’s birthday, baptism + first Disney visit; painted ceramics with my sisters at Color Me Mine; Patrick Droney concert with Rachel; Polonsky Exhibition at NYPL with Danica; the Met with the Asian Aunties + Grey

MARCH: Jennifer E. Smith + Rebecca Serle event; Dua Lipa concert with the Woodside Fam; Pat’s Back to the 90s party; Van Gogh experience with my sisters; Brooklyn High Low tea

APRIL: Ed Sheeran-themed Candlelit Concert; The Script concert with Mel & Steven; Six the Musical with Rachel; NYBG visit with Rachel, Danica + Grey

MAY: Escape the Room with Woodside Fam; Macky’s A Very Merry Unbirthday party; first picnic and first beach day of the year; Six the Musical with Macky + Rachel; Memorial Day picnic at Gantry

JUNE: Company the Musical with Macky; a beach day with the girls; flew to North Carolina for Olivia’s birthday; James Bay concert with Macky and Danica; Sojo Spa Club day with my sisters; MJ the Musical with Rachel; mini-reunion with roomie Rach

JULY: 4th of July get-together; Bastille Day hangout; Mel’s Kleinfeld session; Kristin’s birthday hangout

AUGUST: Birthday festivities + a luau party

SEPTEMBER: the last beach day of the year; Into the Woods with Woodside Fam; James Bay with Woodside Fam + Danica; pottery class with the sisters; The Music Man with Macky; Cold Spring outing with Rachel, Foul Lady Fortune book event

OCTOBER: Gustav Klimt: Gold in Motion experience; NYCC; New York Coffee Festival; Coach Gabe visits; The Atlas Paradox + Strike the Zither book events; Joe Hisaishi Candlelit Concert; Halloween with Greyson

NOVEMBER: Monet’s Garden experience with Danica; Mel’s bridal shower weekend getaway; Mela arrives to stay for a while; Thanksgiving in Connecticut; Amaze Light Festival with the fam

DECEMBER: MerryMas with the dumdums; The Poison Season book event; visiting the Philippines (and not being able to do anything because I got COVID); & Juliet with the dumdums; Met visit with Danica and Mela, Christmas festivities

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for my upcoming 2023 retrospective post!

Oops.

The truth is in two parts when it comes to what made me drop off the blogging train yet again. The first part is that I was, quite simply, very, very, very busy in 2023. It was such a momentous year (and eventually, I’ll get a belated retrospective up on this here blog too) in many ways, and I was preoccupied with all the life stuff and loved ones that graced my days. And to be fair, that’s how I want it; being present is so important to me, especially given how much it helps ease my anxiety.

The second part is that I was, in hindsight, struggling just a touch to hear my own voice clearly enough to be able to translate it into the longer form writing I do here. I apparently had no issues with writing reviews to share on Storygraph or Goodreads, posting short captions on Instagram or filming videos for YouTube, but whenever I tried to draft a blog post, I’d find myself typing, deleting, typing, deleting, typing, deleting… you get the picture. Eventually, my frustration with the entire exercise would simply boil over and I’d give up – and that happened over and over. It wasn’t fun; this was an unwelcome obstacle to my best laid plans.

It also mirrored how any attempts to write fiction in 2023 went too.

And so, with the marginal patience and calm I’ve learned over the years, I decided to simply let it go. If I couldn’t write anything that satisfied me after April 2023, then so be it. I’d just wait it out, wait until inspiration and desire sparked yet again… and that brings us to the present.

I’m not calling this a comeback, especially given I’ve decided to be very relaxed with myself about writing for this space – both in frequency and length. (And yes, this is also happening with my fiction.) I’m simply relieved to be able to tap into a wellspring of words again, and to finally hear myself clearly enough to translate those thoughts onto (digital) paper. It feels like coming out of hibernation, like brushing dust and cobwebs away from corners, like drawing the curtains open to let in the light.

It feels like coming home.

My sister Rachel and I have a tradition of picking out a word at the start of every new year, which I know many other folks do as well. I usually have a word lingering in my mind that feels like the right word for the year ahead, but 2024 is the first year where I ended up with more than one potential pick. I deliberated for a while on which one I wanted to use as manifestation and description of the year to come, and finally, I’ve settled on the word flourish.

The definition of flourish, at least the one I’ve elected to focus on, is “grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment”. In response to the epic nature of a year passed filled with wonderful, cherished, memorable experiences, I want to be able to use that as momentum forward in my own life.

There’s the physical aspect: maintaining a cozy, clean home, a better-balanced diet, and a regular exercise routine. There’s the financial aspect: improvements in money management and building up my savings. There’s the relationship aspect, specifically making the effort to spend quality face time with loved ones. And, most importantly, there’s the creative aspect: balancing out my hobbies (funny how doing the things I love that don’t seem directly related can often serve as creative fuel), working on my original works of fiction and jumpstarting my online spaces in the ways that feel right for me.

I just reread that last paragraph and wow, I’ve inadvertently put a lot on my own plate for this year. But I’m feeling good about it! I like having goals (your girl thrives when she has a to-do list). And I’m going to take the graceful approach to it all – no actual totals, figures, limits, hard goals to reach, but instead, just striving to incorporate these things into my day to day so they become a permanent part of my lifestyle. It seems to be going well so far, and hopefully, this cascades through the rest of the year.

Anyway, whether you’re a long-time follower or new reader, thanks for being here and for reading all the way to the end of this post. And, because it’s a new year and because this feels like a fresh start yet again… welcome to this blog, my little online space to chat about everything I’ve read, the things I’m interested in (these days, this trends heavily towards anime) and some of my real-life experiences too. Hope you’ll be sticking around (and that I will too)!

(P.S. If you'd like to hear more about my specific reading-related goals, I actually filmed a video for my channel where I talk about them and the twelve books I want to read in 2024.)

My best friend Rachel & I love teaming up for collaborations, and this year, our brainchild collaboration is a series of Buddy (Re)reads. We put our heads together and picked out one book or series to reread together quarterly during this year.

Our first pick was Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid! We had both read and loved this novel when it first came out, and it felt like the right time to revisit the story given that the Amazon Prime miniseries aired in March. I'll be sharing my thoughts on my reread and the TV show below. Don't forget to go check out Rachel's thoughts as well!

I listened to the audiobook the first time I read this, and I absolutely loved it. I chose to do my reread via the same format since I’d had such a stellar experience with it previously. And it was honestly still an incredible reading experience this time around. Given that I knew how it all ended, I was curious to see if that would affect my overall feelings about this story this time around. It did not (and that was a good thing)! I’m going to point you in the direction of my original review for more fleshed out thoughts because everything I said four years ago still holds true. But this reread reminded me of the three things I liked best about this book: the nuanced character portrayals, the use of interviews to tell the story from multiple points of view and the excellence of the audiobook production (with a full voice cast and incorporated music). Even though generally celebrity-centered fiction isn’t my thing, I still concede that this story is well-done and still holds up even years later. (It also may make you want to listen to rock and roll music from the era, which is absolutely not a bad thing at all.)

I don’t watch a lot of live action series to begin with (since I usually stick to watching anime), but I knew that this was going to be an exception to that general unspoken rule given that it was an adaptation of a book that I really enjoyed. And the TV series was good. The cast were chosen well, and I enjoyed seeing how these actors brought the characters I’d read about to life on screen. I was especially impressed with our main characters: Riley Keough as Daisy Jones, who really embodied Daisy’s free spirited, highly emotional nature; and Sam Claflin as Billy Dunne, as he did a great job playing the rock star with his vulnerabilities. The production was also strong, particularly the costumes (I loved the fashion and only wish I could pull it off the same way these characters do), the setting (there was a nostalgic feeling to it) and the music (I’ve been listening to the soundtrack a fair bit since it dropped).

Like any adaptation, changes were made to make it work better for tv show audiences. I’m normally pretty lenient when it comes to these things, but I didn’t love every single choice they made for this show. It bothered me to see character personalities change to some extent, especially Daisy, who starts this series off differently than she does in the book. There were also a couple of events thrown in for additional dramatic effect, and while I understand the merit of doing so for a tv audience unfamiliar with the book, it didn’t sit quite right with me. Still, and most importantly to me personally, the series did capture the overall nuance of the book and it did stick the landing by bringing viewers to the same emotional place the book ends at despite the difference in the route to get there.

Daisy Jones and the Six is a solid book-to-series adaptation; the showrunners did a good job capturing the spirit of the story. Would I recommend checking out the tv show? Absolutely, there’s plenty it has going for it though I’d still suggest checking out the book before watching it since I ultimately think the novel is the superior version of the story.

My hopes were high for this YA debut, but it fell short of my expectations. I struggled with the plot; it starts off slower than I would like, and a large chunk of the novel passes before things really pick up. I also didn’t feel very connected to the characters, particularly Violet (our morally grey heroine who has built extremely high walls around herself as a form of self-defense) and Cyrus (a prince who deals in artifice and masks and who feels impossible to get to know, especially given we don’t get his perspective). Even so, I can’t deny that Violet and Cyrus’ explosive, often confrontational, relationship dynamic always caught my attention with the raw emotional energy pouring out of their encounters. I also found the themes (especially of power and agency) interesting, as well as the use of (and occasional subversion) of fairytale-inspired elements in the tale. It might not have been entirely my cup of tea, but it’s still objectively a solid and very readable YA debut.

Add it on Goodreads | Add it on Storygraph | Purchase it on Bookshop.org

Pub Info: July 26, 2022 by Delacorte Press

Grim as this sounds, any hints at death magic or Death personified in a book synopsis will immediately grab my attention… which was the case for this book (and is one of the aspects of it I liked best). Truthfully, I’m generally more drawn to quest stories or epic political or battle sagas in my fantasy reads, there’s something appealing about the change of pace this novel offers with its limited setting and small cast murder mystery plot. It took me a couple of chapters, but once I was settled into the narrative, I was hooked! What works very well for this one is the author’s ability to create an atmospheric setting (I seriously had some The Secret Garden vibes, and since that’s a favorite for me, that’s a point in its favor) and interesting lore, both of which work together to entice and haunt the reader into immersing themselves in the tale. I also found the characters and the overall plot easy enough to get invested in, so reading this book was quite enjoyable. I’m curious about how the sequel will play out, though this one could certainly stand on its own if the reader so desires.

Of the three titles I’ve read so far, this one was the most pleasant surprise (and easily my favorite)! This YA debut does start out feeling like a typical YA fantasy read; it sticks really closely to the details provided in the synopsis and generally gives the reader the feeling that things are going to play out in the expected way (especially if, like me, you’ve read a lot of YA fantasy over the years). But there’s a turning point at which this novel finds its own footing, and the end result is an immersive, gripping tale that I easily flew through. This book has a lot going for it: 1) a great cast of characters (led by main character Alessa, who blossoms beautifully over the course of this novel), 2) excellent dialogue (the banter, wit and one liners were so good), 3) romance (I was absolutely rooting for our couple, and their tension was delicious), and 4) an interesting plot that escalates at a great pace and ends at a point that satisfies the reader but also leaves room for more. All of these elements are really appealing to me personally as a reader, so you can imagine how overjoyed I feel at finding a new YA book that hits the mark. I’m definitely dying to get my hands on the sequel to find out what happens next!

How do I even begin to talk about The Last Tale of the Flower Bride? It’s one of those stories that felt deeply personal, both in the actual telling of the tale and in the experience of reading it. It’s whimsical and odd; beautiful and unsettling; relatable and raw. It comforts, challenges, charms and, dare I say, consumes the reader lured in by the promise of the prologue.

I’ve read this novel twice now: first, devouring the author’s eloquent, arresting prose on the page; second, listening to the same stunning sentences delivered by our two audiobook narrators. The first time felt like a race - to discover the truth behind the magic, to arrive at the culmination of these complex relationships, to fit the pieces of the puzzle that is the past and the present together. The second time felt like an invitation - to sit with the sentiments so truthfully declared, to understand more deeply the way the fantastical can give us a lens with which to view the world, to reflect on the way life, in all its glory and guts, is filled with the darkness and the light. Both experiences left me reeling from the visceral reactions I had to having things I’ve felt or thought or experiences put into words; both experiences also left me soothed, simply for the way I felt seen and understood.

Can you tell that this story gave me the most contradiction-filled reading experience I’ve had in a long time (and one that I doubt I’ll stop thinking about anytime soon)? The contrasts are stark - between the whimsy and horror of fairytales, between what comes to light and remains in the shadows (at least, until such time as the light reveals all), between the fanciful and the factual, between Indigo and Azure even. The truths bared - about growing up, about marriage, about secrets and pain and identity, about magic - are all at once exquisite and horrifying. The way Chokshi was able to portray these things side by side through the tale of Indigo and her Bridegroom was enough to stop me in my tracks, so unlike anything I’ve read before and entirely unexpected in the way it hit the bulls-eye again, and again, and again.

This novel isn’t going to necessarily be everyone’s cup of tea. It certainly still feels impossible to fully capture the way I personally connect to it with my own words. But, for me, Chokshi’s adult debut is a masterpiece. The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is a fairytale, but it is also a true story. If this is the type of adult work we can anticipate from her going forward, I know I, for one, will be eager to pick up whatever comes next.

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

Pub Info: February 14, 2023 by Harper Collins

Source: e-ARC via Netgalley | ALC via Libro.FM

I truly don't even know where to begin when it comes to talking about TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW. Because, wow. It's a novel that I initially picked up solely for the cover (because I'm a sucker for the exact design style it has). I then picked it up to read with cautious optimism given that it was getting so much praise, and had been a 2022 favorite for so many people... and it clearly worked out very well for me, given that it's left me with the temptation to simply keyboard smash and demand that others read it too.

I will, however, do my best to give this book the actual review it deserves from me. I'm fairly confident this is the first novel I've ever read from Gabrielle Zevin, but it certainly won't be my last because everything about it just really was my cup of tea: the character work, the narrative tempo, the storytelling style (including the actual writing). All of Zevin's clever authorship comes together to weave a story that had me in its grasp from the minute I started listening to the audiobook (more on the listening experience to come at the end of this review), tying together plot, characters and narrative style with an expertise that I am always awed by and quick to consume when I find it in a book.

But it's truly the characters - Sadie, Sam, and even the members of the ensemble that come and go in their lives over the year - that made TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW work for me. There's nothing I like better than to feel like the people I'm reading about could potentially exist somewhere out there in the world; it's more than likely to be the case when an author is fully able to capture most of that individual's essence by giving us a glimpse into their dreams, downfalls, joys, griefs, frustrations and flaws. These folks didn't always do or think in ways that I appreciated, but the human quality of that (we're alike in many ways, but different in others) always make things feel more real to me as a reader. Because I came to care so deeply for so many, it only makes sense that, as my journey through their lives continued, I felt it all with them when they hit those highs and lows.

If you can't tell, I clearly enjoyed TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW. I'm still tempted to keyboard smash at this point and just insist that everyone read it because it's a very good book indeed... so consider this your sign to go and acquire a copy if you haven't already.

RE: the audiobook - I wound up having an Audiobook Listening Copy of this title, narrated by Jennifer Kim & Julian Cihi, thanks to the influencer program with Libro.FM. I liked the audiobook experience a great deal, and felt like the narrators did a good job in bringing this story to life for my ears.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Pub Info: July 5, 2022 by Knopf

Source: ALC received from Libro.FM (Thank you!)

For today, however, I'm keeping things simple by sharing a casual TBR that my friend Kristin & I will be tackling for the rest of the 2023. We both realized recently that we have a lot of FairyLoot editions from our active subscriptions with the company, so in a bid to whittle away at our rather large TBR piles and to get to these books before their special edition sequels are put up for sale, we decided we wanted to read some of these titles together.

1. Belladonna by Adalyn Grace - Signa must ally with Death in order to uncover a murderer and keep the rest of her latest guardian family alive.

2. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig - Elspeth is on a quest to cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it while also dealing with the monster in her head.

3. Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett - Emily journeys to a small town to study faerie folklore and discovers a mystery. 

4. Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen - A morally gray witch and a cursed prince must deal with a prophecy that entwines their destinies.

5. This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede - Alessa hires a bodyguard for protection when rebellion is incited and her life is threatened.

6. Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan - The follow-up to Daughter of the Moon Goddess, where Xinyin has to battle a new threat to the realm.

Welcome to another Paranormal Book Club post! The Paranormal Book Club is a casual book club I do with my friends Rachel, Kristin & DJ, and it came into being because we decided we wanted to revisit (or experience for the first time) a few older YA paranormal/fantasy books together. Our fourth and final quarter pick for this year was Something Strange & Deadly, the debut novel from author Susan Dennard.

Summary: Eleanor Fitt has a lot to deal with: a missing older brother, a mother determined to marry her off and familial financial struggles. But the Dead are rising in Philadelphia and when Eleanor Fitt realizes her brother's disappearance may have something to do with them, she must team up with the notorious Spirit-Hunters in order to discover the truth.

I hadn't reread this book in literal years, but I have very fond memories of it (and the rest of the series). Seriously, I loved this series so much that Rachel & I teamed up to host the Something Strange and Deadly Celebration and the Something Strange and Deadly Surprise Party back in the day! I was genuinely excited to dive back into this world... and luckily, it turned out to be an excellent experience all around. I loved revisiting this world, this lore, these characters and their story; while there were key events that I remembered, there was a lot of detail I'd completely forgotten about too. That aspect of my reread, plus listening to the entire trilogy on audiobook, made the whole experience feel almost brand new! That said, as a reread, it definitely held up for me from start to end!

“How could I dream when I knew I could act instead?" This feels like a very fitting quote to pick out from our last read of the year. It still fits the theme of endurance in the face of great odds that has been sprinkled throughout the year for me, but what I really appreciate is the the agency in the statement. Eleanor isn't just going to sit back and dream about what could be; she's going to do something to try to reach for it.

There are many things about Eleanor that I don't relate to, but I did identify with her tenacity of spirit, her determination to do right by those she loves and her willingness to go the distance herself when it comes to facing the obstacles in her life.

I genuinely would have loved to read more about Eleanor's brother Elijah (especially his own journey prior to the events of this series as he travels a lot). I would also have liked to read more about a character we encounter in the second book who quite easily has won their spot in my heart.

I can confidently say that it's one of my favorite series of all time, as it's one of the few that truly held up on a reread. And yes, I did reread the entire trilogy instead of just the first book, which already says a lot in and of itself. I'm certainly planning on continuing to read Dennard's Witchlands series (I've only made it through the first two books and the novella) and will also be checking out her new book The Luminaries.

If you're interested in finding out what the others thought, check out their posts below:

I'm excited to be featuring The Girl by Victory Witherkeigh today, as it's one of the only physical books I'll be taking along with me on my trip to the Philippines this month! It seemed a fitting choice, what with this title being by a Filipina author and the story itself being inspired by an aspect of Filipino mythology. Those are, of course, two of the reasons that I'm personally looking forward to picking this one up. More reasons that I'm excited to pick this one up include: it's a coming-of-age story (my favorite), the fantastical twist (bonus points) and an anti-heroine main character (which I generally enjoy). I'm hoping to be able to share my final thoughts when I'm back from my trip at the end of the month, but I'm certainly hoping to really like this debut novel! 

Publication Info: December 6, 2022 from Cinnabar Moth Publishing, LLC

Summary: The Girl follows a nameless main character only known as The Girl. She’s been told since a very young age that she was a mistake, a demon who shouldn’t have been born. Shunned by her parents, she’s shuffled between her parents’ and grandparents’ homes until her eighteenth birthday. The Girl is baffled by her ordinary life in Los Angeles. For all intents and purposes, she’s just like everyone else. That is, until the Demon comes to claim her.

About the Author: Victory Witherkeigh is a female Filipino/PI author originally from Los Angeles, CA, currently living in the Las Vegas area. Victory was a finalist for Wingless Dreamer’s 2020 Overcoming Fear Short Story award and a 2021 winner of the Two Sisters Writing and Publishing Short Story Contest. She has print publications in the horror anthologies Supernatural Drabbles of Dread through Macabre Ladies Publishing, Bodies Full of Burning through Sliced Up Press, and In Filth It Shall Be Found through OutCast Press. Written during NaNoWriMo, Victory’s first novel, set to debut in December 2022 with Cinnabar Moth Publishing, has been a finalist for Killer Nashville’s 2020 Claymore Award, a 2020 Cinnamon Press Literature Award Honoree, and long-listed in the 2021 Voyage YA Book Pitch Contest. Find out more about her at: https://victorywitherkeigh.com/ | Facebook: @victorywitherkeigh | Twitter: @witherkeigh | Instagram: @victory_witherkeigh

Welcome to another Paranormal Book Club post! The Paranormal Book Club is a casual book club I do with my friends Rachel, Kristin & DJ, and it came into being because we decided we wanted to revisit (or experience for the first time) a few older YA paranormal/fantasy books together. Our third quarter pick for this year was The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, a novel that I read back in 2011.

Summary: Kate has a lot to deal with - her mom is dying, they're moving into her mom's childhood home to fulfill her mother's last wish, and she's starting at a new school where she knows no one. But things get even more complicated when she meets Henry, who claims to be Hades and who offers her a bargain: he can keep her mother alive if she agrees to try to pass seven tests to become his future bride & a goddess.

When this title came up as an option for book club this year, I had two immediate responses. First, I recalled an overall fondness for the series itself, as it was one I followed with every new release. However, I didn't necessarily remember anything very specific about the first book, except for the basic premise outlined in the summary. Second, I was curious to see how I would feel since it's been over ten years since it first came out. The landscape of YA publishing has changed so much since then, as have my tastes, so I was a little eager to see how it would hold up. 

“Keep trying until you have no more chances left," said my mother. There was a hint of steel in her voice that made me wonder if she were really as passive about this as she seemed. "And even then, you keep going." I feel like there's been a theme to the quotes that appeal to me the most lately from the books I read, and that theme is endurance in the face of great odds. I've had to face a lot of difficulties in my own life this year (and still am!), and this particular bit resonated with me.

I didn't fully connect with any of the characters as much as I would have liked to, but I do find Kate's love for her mom very relatable. She treasures her relationship with her mom so much and the lengths she is willing to go in order to preserve and honor it were admirable.

Since this is a completed series, we do get more of what would have been my answer to this question which is 1) more of Henry, 2) more of Henry and Kate and 3) more about the other gods and goddesses.

Overall, it was still an entertaining read that had interesting lore and a compelling story. I don't feel the urge to continue on with the series this time around, since I do know how it ends. 

If you're interested in finding out what the others thought, check out their posts below:

I was really eager to read The Ballad of Never After after falling in love with Once Upon a Broken Heart last year. It was already incredibly exciting to return back to the whimsical, magical universe that Stephanie Garber brought to life in her first trilogy then; after absolutely adoring the first part of Evangeline's adventures (including her entanglement with a certain Prince of Hearts), I was chomping at the bit to get more of her story. In this follow-up, Garber successfully manages to tell an even more incredible, compelling tale -- and it's easily my favorite of her published works so far!

This second installment picks up at pretty much the exact spot where the first novel ends. Our heroine Evangeline Fox is now swept up in a world of curses and prophecies, and it's up to her (perhaps with the help of allies, some welcome while others are not-so-welcome) to uncover more truths and figure out how to break curses in order to save the day. I'm sorry to be a little vague with the summary, but I definitely feel like this is one of those sequels where it's best to go in not knowing too much (and it also is even better experienced as a back-to-back read with the first book). I certainly had no idea what to expect, except perhaps for more of Garber's whimsical world and her fairytale-like storytelling (which is what I did get, but more on that shortly). 

I said it about the previous book, but it's still very much true about this sequel: The Ballad of Never After feels like a modern fairytale. The familiar tropes and twists are ever present in the tale, from the character types, plot elements and story progression. But Garber puts that all together in a way that still feels fresh and organic to the actual story she's telling. The two novels very much work together to feel like they are part of one bigger story, and I love that! 

I loved this second book so much. One reason for this had to do with the storytelling -- from the way that the world of the Magnificent North expands a touch more to the well-paced cadence the plot adopts as it unfolds. There's even more whimsy and magic, more delights and dreads, and it all just popped off the page in the way I've come to love from Garber's work. It was also fun to pick up on all the hints laced throughout the narrative, and to try to figure out which ones were truths and which ones were simply there to throw us readers off the scent. Garber had a clever hand in weaving those bits in, as I genuinely could never be sure what to expect. And the plot kept me hooked too, as I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering what troubles and triumphs Evangeline would face next! I seriously couldn't set it down past a certain point because I just had to know exactly what would befall our heroine next, and the turns and reveals felt well-earned and well-placed each and every time.

Evangeline Fox has cemented her place as my favorite Garber heroine, and she happens to be another reason I adored the book. I was still Team Evangeline, as I wanted so badly for her to succeed and to find her own happiness. The girl deserves it after everything she's gone through, that's for sure (and especially after the events in this sequel!). She's still harboring the fascination with magic, and belief in love and happiness; she's still stubborn and a touch reckless and determined to make her own way. But her kind, soft heart; her indomitable spirit; her fearlessness; her desire to be loved and belief that everyone deserves a chance -- it's all still as appealing and charming as it was when I first met her, and I adore her to pieces.

There are many characters that I enjoyed seeing again or meeting for the first time in this sequel, but the only other character I really feel deserves to be mentioned is, of course, Jacks. While the contradictory, confusing feelings about him still lingered throughout the story, the truth is that by the time I hit the very last page, I couldn't deny the fact that I cared about him. He's obviously flawed, and he's got some deep-seated issues that result in questionable choices; but he's also got a heartbreaking past, a deep sense of loyalty and devotion, a wicked sense of humor and a talent for banter with our dear Miss Fox. He reminds me, in a lot of ways, of the complicated, messy antihero (somewhat akin to Klaus Mikaelson, who happens to be one of my favorite fictional men), so it's really no surprise that he's wormed his way into my heart.

(P.S. Speaking of Klaus, I have always loved his relationship with Caroline on The Vampire Diaries. And the relationship between Evangeline and Jacks in this one gave me similar vibes with the push-and-pull, the undeniable tension and chemistry and the characteristics of the individuals involved. -- it's the first time I've ever encountered the dynamic captured in another piece of fiction in the way that specifically hooked me with TVD and I'm thrilled about it.)

The Ballad of Never After was a lovely follow-up that didn't hold back on delivering the swoons, the thrills and the fairytale whimsy. I already knew that I was going to enjoy this sequel even before I picked it up, but I'm even more pleased to be able to say that I absolutely loved it! I'd highly recommend picking up this sequel if you loved the first book, and if you haven't read that book yet, pick up both for sure on release day. (And if you have read it, come find me on Instagram so we can chat about the ending! Okay? Okay.)

The Ballad of Never After (Once Upon a Broken Heart #2) by Stephanie Garber

Pub Info: September 13, 2022 by Flatiron Books

Source: e-ARC received from the publisher (Thank you!)

It is so bloody wild to think that it's been an entire decade since Throne of Glass first made its debut in the world! I vividly remember being one of those lucky people who got an ARC at BookExpo America; I also recall in detail how I fell in love with this novel. And with every single one of the seven installments that followed, I developed a deeper appreciation for this story, these characters and their world. I've said it many times, and I still stand by this statement: of all of her series, Throne of Glass is my absolute favorite.

I've featured the series many, many times before on this blog (and you can find post links at the end of this post), but it felt important to celebrate this significant milestone! Luckily, my friends Rachel & Kristin felt the same way, so we ended up doing a series reread (I'm a book behind, and I'm concerned for the emotional roller coaster that will be my reread of Kingdom of Ash). And we also decided to share our series favorites today! Don't forget to check out Rachel's post and Kristin's post!

Favorite female character? I have a deep, abiding love for Yrene Towers. I've reread the series many times now, and Yrene's innate goodness and her quick wit continue to impress me each time I encounter it. I find her journey incredibly relatable, from the challenges she faces (from without and from within) to the way she meets each one with her confidence and determination.

Favorite male character? I can say without any doubt that my answer for this question has never changed - it's Chaol Westfall. I love him, full stop. Is he flawed? Sure. Does he occasionally make poor choices? Yup. But I admire him for growing through and past that as the series goes on. His loyalty, protectiveness and heart are part of why I fell head over heels in love with him.

Favorite book in series? I'm truly tempted to say Kingdom of Ash, despite not yet having done a full reread of this novel, because it's so satisfying to watch everything that's been building since the start of the series reach culmination. It's also the biggest emotional roller coaster ride for me in terms of reading experience, including highs, lows, curveballs and everything in between. But if I were to be brutally honest, Tower of Dawn is actually my favorite. I loved this book so much when I read it the first time, and each reread has cemented this installment as one of the most pivotal in the series. It's wonderful to see an expansion in the world, the lore and the cast of characters; it's equally great that the story is also quite compelling. On this particular reread, I got even more emotional than I've ever gotten before!

Favorite place? If you've taken note of my previous answers, then it's certainly not going to surprise you that Antica is my answer. I love the time we spend on the Southern Continent with Chaol, Yrene, Nesryn, Sartaq and the other individuals they encounter along the way. I love that it feels incredibly different when contrasted with the other locales in the series, and that despite the ever-looming threat to the entire world, there's also places that inspire moments of wonder and peace for the characters. I could also totally see myself wanting to visit Antica if it were a place I could go to in real life!

Favorite animal? I love Abraxos! He leans towards playful, sweet empathetic, but also has a warrior's heart when it comes to putting up a fight for the people he loves and deems worth of his protection and loyalty. 

Favorite member of the Cadre? I was torn between two members (Gavriel was the other), but I had to go with Fenrys. There's just something about him that really appeals to me (and it likely has to do with the fact that he reminds me a little of anime characters I like: witty, a little arrogant and deeply loyal). Even without having reread the finale, I can remember so keenly the role he plays in it -- and because it's still so vivid and it does make me incredibly emotional to even think about it, he felt like the right choice.

Favorite member of the Thirteen? I adore the Thirteen so much, but my favorite is definitely Asterin. She's incredibly loyal to Manon; her belief in her cousin, a better future and a place to call him are the reasons she is willing to be painfully vulnerable about her past and incredibly stubborn about doing the right thing (even if it means challenging Manon directly). She's amazing!

Favorite villain? Maeve is, without a doubt, the individual who fits the bill for me. She's evil, and the things she's done are terrible and terrifying. But it's also compelling to learn more about who she is, how she got to where she is; it's no secret that she's had to be intelligent, cautious and prepared to keep the life she's carved out for herself. Definitely the villainous character I find the most interesting for sure!

Favorite assassin? The Mute Master! I've always enjoyed the novella that tackles Celaena's time in the Red Desert. I'm particularly fond of the training sessions she has with the Mute Master, as he totally gives off the slightly-kooky-but-also-could-take-you-down-before-you-could-blink mentor vibes.

Favorite quote? Really, I'm only supposed to choose one quote when there are so many excellent lines in this series?! One of my favorites actually is from Throne of Glass, and it's definitely one of the more well-known quotes: “You could rattle the stars," she whispered. "You could do anything, if only you dared. And deep down, you know it, too. That’s what scares you most.”

Favorite fight scene? The fight between Manon and Aelin when they first meet in Queen of Shadows. It was just really cool to see two powerful young women battle it out, and eventually acknowledge a mutual respect for each other's skills. The fact that this fight also ends with a thread of fate tying them together, well, that's just a bonus.

Most memorable romance? This is a very hard question to answer, as I'm torn between a few different couples. My heart obviously beats for Yrene and Chaol (watching those two stubborn idiots eventually admit to their deep feelings is always fun), and there's an equal amount of joy to be found with Dorian and Manon (their chemistry is undeniable and they could totally have used a ton more page time). But on this reread, it was actually Nesryn and Sartaq who stole my affections. It was lovely to see two independent, capable individuals developing a regard for one another, and watching those feelings grow deeper as they spent more time together. Plus, I must admit to being a sucker for the fact that Sartaq knows what he wants pretty much from the start!

Most memorable friendship? I'm never going to be able to pick just one answer for this one. Never. I refuse to pick on the grounds that one of my favorite things about this series is that there are so many wonderful friendships within its pages. (I will say that the ones that stand out the most in my mind are Chaol and Dorian, Aelin and Lysandra and Manon and her Thirteen.)

For the next three questions, I'm going to preface this by saying -- I'm supposed to pick just one?! I feel like it's always an impossible task when I'm forced to pick just one since this is an eight book series and there are so many standout moments. Since I technically already cheated on the previous question, I'm going to do my best to pick only one scene for each question below, but I want to state for the record that this is under real personal duress.

Scene that still makes you cry? I haven't reread it yet, so but just thinking about the big pivotal scene with the Thirteen in Kingdom of Ash makes me tear up. That moment just wounded me very deeply.

Scene that still makes you laugh? I find plenty of moments in this series funny, especially because there often tends to be a lot of banter between our main cast of characters (and occasionally one-sided banter between one of them and an opponent). But one moment that never fails to crack me up isn't actually on page for more than a sentence or two - it's literally that bit where Lysandra vomits on Lorcan in Queen of Shadows. The mental image it presents me with makes me laugh every time!

Scene that still makes you swoon? I'll never ever ever forget the scene where Chaol and Yrene finally admit to their feelings for one another during Yrene's birthday celebration in the desert. From the present that Chaol gives her to their inevitable passionate embrace, it always makes me swoony.

And that's the end of this favorites post! If you're interested in finding more of my Throne of Glass related content, I'm going to link to as many of my old posts as possible in the hopes that you'll check them out!

Reviews: Throne of Glass Novellas (4 of them are in The Assassin's Blade) | Throne of Glass | Crown of Midnight | Heir of Fire | Queen of Shadows | Empire of Storms | Tower of Dawn | Kingdom of Ash

Blog Features & Tours: Throne of Glass Discussion, Throne of Glass Celebration, Throne of Glass Celebration, Part Deux, {Book} Shopping for Celaena, Shopping for Celaena, The Throne of Glass Book Tag, 10 Reasons You Should Be on Team Celaena, {Bookish} Travel Buddies, Alexa's A to Z of TOG, What Throne of Glass Means to Me, Twenty Questions, Series Roulette

Each time that I pick up a new romance to read, I'm always optimistic that the story will contain the two things I always look for in particular when it comes to this genre: 1) a main couple who I enjoy as individuals but also root for as a pair and 2) compelling story elements outside of the romance. This was my mindset going into Scandalized, and luckily, Ivy Owens delivered on both fronts! 

I enjoyed this book! I wholeheartedly feel this way, despite the sweeping dramatic turns it takes (especially in the third act); it simply made sense for the story to unfold as it did because of Georgia's explosive high-profile investigative journalism piece and Alec's worldwide celebrity. Scandals and unexpected scenarios aside, it was also just a delight to watch Georgia and Alec's relationship blossom. It does start off feeling like their connection is primarily based on lust, an instant spark that appears right when they are reunited in the first few chapters. (Not that I'm complaining, because that romantic tension and the pair's chemistry were off the charts and made all the swoony and steamy moments even better for me!) But watching them work through ups and downs, realizing their connection was much more than just physical attraction and a brief period of shared history - it was all very well-done. I'm really impressed by the fact that every second of their love story was believable despite their unusual circumstances!

Truth is, Scandalized would not have worked as well for me if I didn't love Georgia and Alec. Gigi is driven, determined, capable and loyal; she's also still healing from the scars left on her from a past relationship that ended badly. She felt like someone I would want to be friends with in real life! Then there's Alec, gorgeous, thoughtful, kind, equally loyal, who is clearly enamored with Gigi right from the start and who is willing to do everything and anything he can to win her affections; a man who trying to balance his celebrity with his own desires. (Can you tell I harbored a tiny bit of a crush on this man?) I loved these two a whole lot, and that made the experience of watching them fall in love even better.

If you couldn't already tell, I had the best time reading Scandalized! It made me happy; it made me deeply emotional (somewhere between angry and sad at a variety of points); it also made me swoon (listen, there are plenty of moments that made me all warm and fuzzy and others that were very hot). It's a contemporary romance that I definitely would recommend!

Content Warning: Georgia's investigative journalism centers around a sexual assault plotline. While the assault doesn't happen on page, there are mentions of rape, drugs and non-consensual film recordings.

It's absolutely wild to think that 2022 marks ten whole years of my friendship with Rachel. I didn't know it back when we first met, but Rachel is, without any doubt, one of my best friends. We've been through our fair share of ups, downs and all arounds (seriously, the last ten years have been stuffed so full of different life events for us both), but it's really and truly a blessing that Rachel is one of the people I get to do life with and to have in my corner. 

Our friendship means so much to us both, so we decided we wanted to commemorate this milestone by looking back at the last decade together and highlighting ten of our favorite memories. We decided together that we wanted to really dig deep and pick specific moments, not just opting for big blanket ones like saying "a trip to Paris" or "ice cream dates". And let me tell you, with the wealth of memories we've made over the years, this was a challenge! I honestly wish I could just take the easy route and tell you that I treasure all my memories with Rachel (which I do). But that's not what the goal of this post is, and plus, it was really fun to take this trip down memory lane though. Without further ado, in no particular order, here are ten favorite memories I've shared with Rachel since 2012! (PS - Don't forget to check out Rachel's post!)

1. Let me take it waaaaaay back to the night we first met. I don't have an actual photo for this one, but the memory basically lives rent free in my mind because it felt like a turning point. In July 2012, I went to an event at Books of Wonder with Melina Marchetta, Gayle Forman and Kristin Cashore. I grabbed dinner with a few friends afterwards, and one of those people happened to be Rachel. We immediately deduced that, in addition to a love of reading, we also shared a cultural background (both Filipino, as many of you may already know); from there, our conversation just spiraled outwards into a nonstop back-and-forth as we got to know each other. You know how authors sometimes describe those moments where there's a spark in books? That's how it felt - like this was the beginning of something (and it certainly was).

2. Since our friendship began, Rachel & I have watched plenty of films, shows and musicals together. But one of the first (if not the actual first) shows we actually went to see together was Matilda the Musical, which is fitting because it's about a bookworm and it's based on a book (which is one of my childhood favorites). But actually, the thing I remember best about this day was hanging out in Barnes and Noble Union Square and making a stack of books to use as a tripod so we could film something together for a blog collaboration we were doing. Get you a friend who is willing to do these things in public with you for the love of the project you're working on ;) (If you're curious, the project was for our SS&D Celebration and we were doing an interview video with Susan Dennard!)

3. One of the things we share in common is our love for Sarah J. Maas, which all started when we both fell in love with Throne of Glass the year it came out (which coincidentally was also in 2012). We shouted to the rooftops about her books and series on our blogs and other platforms, even going so far as to collaborate with other SJM fans on MaasThirteen. I'll never forget waiting for hours at the Heir of Fire launch party to meet Sarah, get our books signed and give her a present. It was one of those moments where I truly realized how lucky I was to find a friend who was equally passionate about something I loved, a surreal realization since I hadn't really had that in years.

4. Rachel and I have been lucky enough to attend so many book events together, and one of the most special ones has to be the very first ApollyCon in 2015. The event itself was a blast, true, but it's actually the time on the road down to Philly and back to New Jersey that stands out in my mind. (Granted, I'll admit that the many times we've done road trips since could very well be superimposed on this memory.) It's the fact that we spent hours together in the car listening to music we both liked (and we eventually ended up creating an entire shared playlist) and just talking about anything under the sun (seriously, we never ran out of conversation topics) that stays with me. 

5. It's funny how you can be friends with someone for years and still learn new things about them. I'm sure it had come up previously, but Rachel and I ended up purchasing season tickets for the American Ballet Theatre in 2016. I enjoyed all three of the ballets we went to see, but it was really special to see Stella Abrera dance in person. Not only did we have fun going to see the ballets we did, but we also got to see the first Filipina principal dancer perform live together -- that's unforgettable for sure!

6. You know those moments that you see on TV or in a film but never quite believe can happen in real life until they do? That's how I felt when we went to the Bryant Park movie night for Dirty Dancing. Up until that moment, I'd never actually had the chance to attend a similar event (a movie night outdoors with a crowd) even though I'd also wanted to, so it was extra special to get to share that with Rachel. But what I remember best about that night was when we joined everyone who got up and started dancing and singing along at the very end. It just felt like the best way to end the night!

7. One of the most epic trips I've ever been on was the (almost-on-a-whim-but-not-quite-in-the-end) trip we went on to Iceland. It was our first international trip together, which already makes it a landmark, and it was a pretty random destination choice, but I still think back on that adventure quite fondly (despite the fact it was sooooo cold while we were there). But actually, the memory I wanted to mention was the pockets of time we spent reading. We read on the tour buses, and the airports and airplanes, and almost every night when we were winding down from the day's events. It's honestly just lovely to literally be able to sit with someone else and just read undisturbed because they totally get it and are likely reading too. (Plus, I'm pretty sure this was the trip that started my downward slide into reading a looooot of contemporary new adult/adult romance that Rachel recommended...) (For more about our Iceland trip, start by checking out part one of my Iceland Diary). 

8. I find it impossible to forget the day that it was pouring rain in Paris. You'd think that the inclement weather would put me off the city entirely, especially because it was happening during a vacation, right? It's instead become a cherished memory, since Rachel is now literally a person who would weather a storm with me (that's true figuratively speaking as well). Plus, I just remember that instead of getting upset (and truly, being wet and cold is upsetting, don't get me wrong), we just did our best to make the most of it and find a silver lining (and a solution to dry off a wee bit). (For more about our Paris trip, start by checking out part one of my Paris recap).

9. If there's anything I took away from the year COVID-19 shut down the world, it's that the moments I get to spend with loved ones should be cherished. During the pandemic, Rachel and I went from seeing each other very regularly (at least once every 2-3 weeks) to going months without actually getting to see each other in person. So it was a real treat when Rachel met up with me at Gantry Plaza to celebrate my birthday. We were blessed with beautiful weather and a not-too-crowded park, true, but the fact that we could (safely) be together to catch up in person and celebrate a special occasion that really makes this memory meaningful to me. 

10. Remember how I mentioned Rachel and I have gone on our fair share of road trips together? One of our longest trips (in terms of hours spent in the car) was up to Vermont during the fall of last year. While so much of that trip was wonderful, what I still think about the most were the foliage drives we went on to see all the fall foliage. Mother Nature really is incredible when she's out in full force (seriously, so much stunning foliage and I couldn't even capture it properly on camera honestly). Getting to share such a special experience with my best friend was absolutely priceless, that's for sure. (I didn't get to do a blog post for this trip, but Rachel did!)

The truth is, at the end of the day, I genuinely am just floored by the fact that Rachel and I have made so many memories over the last decade. Getting the chance to revisit so many of the activities and events and trips and collaborations from our past while putting together this post was really a lot of fun and very nostalgic.

Welcome to another Paranormal Book Club post! The Paranormal Book Club is a casual book club I do with my friends Rachel, Kristin & DJ, and it came into being because we decided we wanted to revisit (or experience for the first time) a few older YA paranormal/fantasy books together. Our second pick for this year was Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, which I don't think I would ever have ended picking up if not for it being a 2022 PBC pick.

Summary: Aislinn can see the faeries that walk otherwise unseen in the human world. Despite her Sight, faeries have never approached her... until Keenan, the Summer King, has decided that Aislinn is the one who will be his Summer Queen after nine centuries of searching for her. Aislinn will have to figure out how to navigate this new world of faery intrigue without losing everything she values the most.

Unlike many of the other Paranormal Book Club picks, I genuinely only knew two things about Wicked Lovely prior to picking it up: 1) the title and 2) that it was about faeries. I wasn't necessarily the most excited to read it since I never know if I'll like an author's approach to fae, but I was at least mildly intrigued. This book ended up surprising me! I do enjoy tricksy terribly behaved faeries, and that's definitely the kind that are in this novel. The set-up and story were compelling enough to hold my attention til the end. It's not a perfect read, by any means; I didn't get invested in the characters as much as I'd like. But even though it's not a new favorite, I can at least confidently say that it entertained me.

“She was afraid, but she couldn't just sit around waiting for someone to save her. She had to try to save herself, try to figure it out." I picked these particular lines out because I see myself reflected in them. I've felt this way so many times in my own life, and I'm certain that's going to happen again and again. But I want to be as strong-willed and determined to keep pressing on as the statement implies.

I didn't feel like I really related to any of the characters, though I can't help but admire Aislinn's sense of self. She knew what she wanted and what she didn't, and she was willing to fight to make sure she got to do everything on her own terms.

I know there are more books in the series, so these things may actually happen later on. But I liked Donia and would be curious to see how her story continues. I also would have appreciated a bit more time with the characters, just getting to know them better and to have more build up in terms of their relationships with one another.

Wicked Lovely was a quick, entertaining read that I enjoyed much more than I anticipated I would. I'm mildly curious about the rest of the series but won't be rushing to pick it up anytime soon either.

It may be the day after Philippine Independence Day (June 12, for those who were wondering), but my best friend Rachel & I are still excited to share our Mabuhay! posts for the year. This is a feature we've done nearly every single year since 2014 where we celebrate Filipino voices in literature & Filipino culture. This year, we're centering our posts around food - I'm doing a mini-feature on KABISERA (which is a new-to-us Filipino restaurant) and Rachel is sharing a ranking of our favorite ube desserts in NYC.

I'd never heard of KABISERA until Rachel suggested we go eat there a few weeks ago. I'm always down to try Filipino restaurants in the city, and I was especially excited that we were going for breakfast (because I harbor a very deep love and appreciation of Filipino breakfast ulam). Here are two fun facts about this restaurant (and its name) before I talk about our personal experience during our visit!

1. Kabisera, roughly translated into English, means "head of the table".

2. KABISERA states on their website that "good coffee and good food bring great hearts with great minds together". They're passionate about connecting with passionate individuals over cups of coffee and have teamed up with many individuals and organizations to empower and encourage others.

We were the first customers to come in and sit down to have a meal on the Saturday we visited. The vibe and decor were very reminiscent of my past experiences at smaller, family-owned restaurants in the Philippines. There were souvenirs and photographs for sale that represented the Philippines (always cool!), and of course, there were so many Filipino-inspired dishes on the menu.

We ended up ordering longsilogs (marinated sweet pork with garlic rice, sunny side up eggs, a side of tomato and onions and shrimp paste with vinegar for dipping), ube lattes and ube hopia and biko to share. We did end up having to wait a while for the main course, since the kitchen had just opened and the longganisa is freshly made. But it was worth it because the food was great! I was genuinely stuffed when we finished our main meals, to the point really where I couldn't even finish all our dessert picks. I definitely would recommend visiting this spot and I certainly plan to go back and try more dishes myself!

To wrap up this year's Mabuhay! post, we thought it would be fun to share a book rec and a book we'd like to read by a Filipino author. It was tough to narrow it down to one option for each category (which is really awesome honestly!), but here are my final picks.

There are quite a few titles I'm excited to read, but Freddie vs. the Family Curse by Tracy Badua is the one I wanted to feature today. In this middle grade book, Freddie finds a family heirloom that supposedly will counter all of his bad luck... only to discover that the spirit of his ancestor is trapped in the amulet and the vengeful spirits that killed him are now after Freddie. It sounds like it's going to be a book filled with shenanigans and humor, and I'm truly excited to see how Tracy integrates Filipino culture and lore.

Don't forget to go check out Rachel's post!

And if you're interested in more Mabuhay! content from past years, you can click here.

Welcome to another Paranormal Book Club post! The Paranormal Book Club is a casual book club I do with my friends Rachel, Kristin & DJ, and it came into being because we decided we wanted to revisit (or experience for the first time) a few older YA paranormal/fantasy books together. The first pick for this year was Angelfall by Susan Ee, a book that I'd seen hyped up so much when it first came out but never got around to reading. I'd always been interested in checking it out, so it worked out perfectly that I finally got to read it this year.

Summary: The arrival of the angels marked the start of the modern world's decline, making superstition, street gangs and the fight to just survive all part of daily life. When her younger sister is taken away by warrior angels, Penryn is willing to do anything to get her back -- even making a deal with one of the enemy angels to make their way to the angels' stronghold in San Francisco together.

I already alluded to this a little bit at the start of the post, but Angelfall had been on my radar for ages due to the gushing of so many of my bookish pals back in the day. I never did get around to reading it while the series was being published, likely because I had started to gravitate towards reads that were less dystopic or paranormal in feel by then. So, I was really glad that it got picked for one of our reads and I was nervous and excited to read such a hyped book! I'm pleased to report that I did like this book. While it's not a new favorite, the author did a really good job breathing life into her characters, their gritty world and the angelic lore. It's a really compelling story!

“I never thought about it before, but I'm proud to be human. We're ever so flawed. We're frail, confused, violent, and we struggle with so many issues. But all in all, I'm proud to be a Daughter of Man." Simply put, this resonated with me because I often find myself thinking along similar lines. I may struggle a lot with my imperfections and flaws and mistakes, but at the end of the day, I'm proud to be the person I am today because of or in spite of all those things.

Penryn, primarily because I could relate to how deeply she loved her family. I also appreciated how, even when faced with so many difficulties, she's purpose-driven in pursuit of her goals -- an attitude I've somewhat learned to embrace over the years as well. 

I know there are two more books in the series, but since I'm unsure I'll be picking them up (given that i've received the advice that I could probably just... not), I'm going to say that I would love to see more of Penryn and Raffe together doing anything at all.

I'm so happy that I can finally say that I've read this book! It was engaging right from the start for me, and I found myself immediately swept up in Penryn's story. I've never read anything quite like it either (at least not in recent memory), which is always a bonus when I pick up a new story -- I like being charmed or surprised! Since this is the first of a series, it stands to reason that I'd be left with quite a few questions (about the characters and the world), so even with my hesitations and after having been told I didn't have to go on, it well may be that I'll eventually continue on with this series. 

I figured it made the most sense to start off nice and easy with a recap of everything that I got up to in the first three months of the year. But first, a series of thoughts, mostly for my future self whenever she reads this: you had a ton of fun already in 2022, but you've also had some of the most stressful, anxiety-inducing moments of your life (and they've been bad). Luckily, you have your faith and your constants and that's what has gotten (and will continue getting) you through.

January started off with another unexpected twist in our inner circle when my youngest sister Rachel tested positive for COVID. She, Macky and I ended up finishing out our quarantine together for the first full week of the year, which involved working from home and watching a ton of movies. When I finally was able to get back to the office in person, it was the start of a very stressful period in my work life (and I honestly have never felt more conflicted or exhausted). But I found temporary relief when we finally reunited with the rest of the NYFam for the first time in a month since we'd all gotten sick! The rest of the month included attending a virtual book event for the release of Jodi Meadows' Nightrender, candlelit concert performance of Taylor Swift songs, babysitting Greyson with Macky and Rachel, finally getting my COVID booster shot and having two snow day experiences.

February was definitely the most whirlwind month of the year so far, just because it's the shortest month but it was jam-packed with all sorts of activities! I attended two virtual book events: one for the paperback release of The Soulmate Equation, and the other for the release of House of Sky and Breath. We also flew to LA for a few days to spend Greyson's first birthday and baptism weekend with the fam (and got to sneak in a trip to Disneyland too!), which was really fun and hectic all at once. I was also reunited with Rachel for a monthly pre-work breakfast date for the first time since December! Other activities that happened this month included going to Color Me Mine with my sisters, visiting an exhibit at NYPL, a birthday dinner for Steven at Tacombi, a double dinner date with Andrew and Kristin, seeing Patrick Droney (my first in person concert since the pandemic began), seeing Lili for brunch and going to visit the Met with the other Asian Aunties + Greyson.

March started off with my first in person book event since the pandemic, and it was to see Rebecca Serle and Jennifer E. Smith at The Strand. Macky, Steven, Mel, Rachel & I went to see Dua Lipa that same week (which was super fun). I finally got my dental implant surgery... on the same day that Macky had his citizenship interview! We also celebrated Pat's birthday with a 90s party/sleepover at Steven's new apartment. Mel, Rachel & I visited the Van Gogh Experience at the end of the month, followed by a tea time appointment with Macky at Brooklyn High Low. Other things that happened in March included: a mice issue in our apartment for a while (though it's hopefully resolved now), finally hanging out with both Kristin & Rachel for a Kino/dinner date, and spending quality time with the NY Fam whenever we could manage it.

2021 was, despite certain moments, a very good year. (It was definitely an improvement on 2020.) We welcomed baby Greyson into our lives and hearts, and he's literally brought our tiny New York family so much joy from the moment he came into the world. I, along with many of my family and friends, got vaccinated, which meant it was ultimately safer for us to hang out in person (and also to go back to work at our office, in my case) and it definitely meant that I only got milder symptoms after catching COVID right at the end of the year. Two of my best friends got engaged! I got to go on two separate trips - one to Stowe, Vermont with Rachel to see the fall foliage (which was absolutely lovely) and one to Orlando, Florida with Macky and Danica (which ended up being such a wonderfully fun and relaxing trip). And my sister Rachel came back to New York for the holidays (speaking of things that didn't go according to plan...) because my other sister Mel got engaged! And in between all of the fun things, there were anime shows to inhale, movies to laugh and cry over, and virtual calls and hangouts to be had aplenty.

On the lessons learned front, all I can really think to share is that I'm grateful. I've been blessed in so many ways on so many fronts, whether it's getting an unexpected work promotion or being given the gift of compassionate endurance that allows me to soldier on with the day to day. I've had my world rocked quite a few times this year (the death of one of my grandmothers being one of those big things), but I've somehow been able to find the serenity to seek acceptance and peace. It helps that I have a pretty spectacular support system in place, that's for sure.

2021, cheers for all you brought into my life and for all that I've learned.

We've made it through one more year, friends, and here's to what comes next!

It's the end of October and you know what that means - my best friend Rachel & I are going to share our thoughts on a paranormal series that we read together during the year! We've hosted a BDB Party with our friend Kelly, held a Vampire Academy Gala and a Fallen Angels Fête, and last year, we had a Guild Hunters Ball. This year, we decided to read the Night Huntress series by Jeanine Frost together!

Half-human, half-vampire Catherine “Cat” Crawfield is hunting down vampires in order to find the deadbeat one who sired her and effectively ruined her mother’s life. She finds herself captured by vampire bounty hunter Bones and coerced into an unlikely partnership: she’ll train with him to hone her fighting skills and he’ll help her find her father. They’ll soon find themselves facing down a group of killers, the first in line of a series of enemies that they’ll have to work together in order to defeat.

The Night Huntress series by Jeanine Frost is so, so much fun. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself so thoroughly when I was reading a novel, and I especially can’t remember the last time that every single book in a series had me cackling loudly while I was reading.

I love that there are many familiar tropes at play throughout the series; it’s generally twists and plot devices I’ve come across before in other series. But Frost has a deft hand at weaving it all together in a way that was entertaining and exciting. The author gives us plenty of action-packed moments, fun plot twists, and swoony romantic encounters, and I was here for every single second. There’s always some new obstacle or mystery or enemy that appears in each book, and it’s just so easy to roll with it.

My big love for the series is very much due to the fact that I adored the cast of characters, but most especially loved Cat and Bones. Cat is intelligent, determined, feminine and loyal; she’s an undeniably badass fighter who can totally hold her own whether it’s using her weapons or using her wits. Bones is a smart, equally badass vampire and bounty hunter who has a wicked sense of humor and an irresistible charm that will draw readers (and Cat, of course) in.

Personally, I do think that the earlier titles in this series -- specifically books one through four -- are the best. The last three books are still wildly entertaining and so easy to devour once you start them, but they felt more episodic and lacked a little bit of the magic that made the first four so compelling to read. Still, the Night Huntress series in its entirety is a really a stellar addition to the adult urban fantasy romance genre. It's funny, it's swoony, it's captivating and it's really just a whole heck of a lot of fun. I'm so glad we ended up reading this series for our joint spooky read this year, and definitely intend to check out more of Frost's work (including the series spin-offs that exist)!

As we've done every year, Rachel & I will be sharing our series favorites! I've gone out of my way to keep my answers non-spoilery, so you have nothing to fear by checking out my answers to our questions below.

Favorite book? This was a tough choice between two books, but I ultimately decided to go with the third book in the series, At Grave's End. I thought this installment balanced romance, action, tension and series reveals really well!

Favorite quote? "Life is a bitch and then you get stabbed." When I first heard this quote (I primarily listened to the series on audiobook), it made me cackle out loud. But it also feels really relatable for those times when life already takes a turn for the worse and then something else piles on top of that...

Favorite heroine? There's really only one answer to this question and it's our titular character, Cat Crawfield. When it comes to longer adult urban fantasy romance series like this one, the heroine we start off with has the tendency to make or break my interest in the series. Luckily, I immediately fell in love with Cat! She's sassy, smart, stubborn and capable of taking care of herself (and taking down some very badass supernatural beings to boot), and I just adored coming along for the wild ride that is her life after she crosses paths with Bones.

Favorite hero? There's also only one answer for me when it comes to this question, and of course I loved Bones. How could I not love the vampire who proves his loyalty to those he cares for and his love and devotion to Cat over and over again as this series goes on? The same vampire, mind you, who can be extra sassy and incredibly commanding (and terrifying) when the situation calls for it, who makes me laugh with his commentary and tear up with his sweet declarations and go "aww" when he does something sweet.

Favorite secondary character? One of the most enjoyable aspects of this series is that there are so many excellent secondary characters that we're introduced to along the way -- and it's all too easy to fall in love with most of them (despite some of them having rather obvious flaws). I'm rather torn on this one, because I actually enjoy quite a few of the secondary characters, but I ultimately had to pick Denise, who is Cat's best friend. She's brave, loyal and honestly just as kick-ass a lady as Cat is!

Favorite couple? Not to be a broken record, but obviously, the answer to this is Cat and Bones. While they have their fair share of a relationship learning curve (and it takes some major wild turns at times that turns it into a real roller coaster), it's clear to everyone that their love and devotion to each other is the kind of lifelong romantic bond many of us aspire to find. I loved watching them fall in love, and seeing their relationship evolve as the series went on.

Welcome to another Paranormal Book Club post! The Paranormal Book Club is a casual book club I do with my friends Rachel, Kristin & DJ, and it came into being because we decided we wanted to revisit (or experience for the first time) a few older YA paranormal/fantasy books together. Rachel, DJ & I picked up Unearthly as our most recent reread. It's been a hot minute (read: almost a decade) since the first and only time I read this series, so I was interested to see how I would like it now.

Summary: After learning about her part angel heritage, Clara Gardner begins to receive visions of her purpose, the thing she was put on earth to do. The clues in her visions lead to a move with her mother and brother to a new town and a new school where she begins to see the elements of her dream in real life. But as Clara hurries to figure out her vision and learns more about her angel heritage, she encounters more than she bargained for and finds herself questioning all she knows about her life and her destiny.

I was looking forward to revisiting Unearthly when we chose it as one of our book club reads for the year, as I hadn't read the series again after the first time I devoured the trilogy back to back. Luckily, the book held up pretty well! It was a bit slower paced than I remembered, but the novel in its entirety - the characters, the setting, the story, the lore - all come together beautifully.

“So often we only do what we think is expected of us, when we are capable of so much more.” When I read this line in the book, I felt a very strong personal resonance to it. It's such a simple statement, but it rings with such honest truth. We all are capable of so much more than we can imagine; it's just that we sometimes lose sight of that in the grand scheme of our lives and busyness.

Clara, primarily because I find her struggle to figure out, understand and fulfill her purpose so relatable. She really experiences the whole spectrum of emotions - joy, fear, doubt, anger, denial, awe - and I feel like I, along with many others, have the same experience at many points in our lives.

Since I know that this one is a series and that we do get more of the things I want (like Christian and the angel lore and Tucker), I'm going to say no, it's great as it is.

I'm so glad that we decided to revisit this book because it was a wonderful story to sink back into. I would definitely continue with the series (especially since I actually don't remember the details of the other two books, save for the romance and how that concludes), and the only reason I didn't was because I have a massive TBR threatening to topple over. I've actually read quite a few books by this author, and would certainly read more!

If you're interested in finding out what the others thought, check out their posts below:

I’ll point you in the direction of Macky’s clever review for the series, but I felt like it would still be appropriate to give you my personal thoughts on Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians too. This middle grade series starter centers around Alcatraz Smedry, who finds out on his thirteenth birthday that everything he knows about himself and the world around him is, in fact, a lie. Because the evil Librarians are out to take over the world by spreading lies and misinformation, and it’s up to Alcatraz and his up-until-this-point unknown family to help stop that from happening. As you might know if you’ve read my blog for a while now, I generally prefer to be able to connect with the characters I read about. That, unfortunately, did not happen when I read this book, simply because the characters felt crossed the line between real person and caricature for me. However, that didn’t stop me from enjoying this read! This is one of those rare instances where I was fully content to be dragged along by the plot (which is shenanigans piled on top of other shenanigans and shoved into a close with, you guessed it, more shenanigans) as it played out. I also enjoyed the humor of this story, which runs the spectrum from really out there zany to being patently sarcastic and witty (which Macky basically embodies). And the narration style, which might not work for everyone with the tongue in cheek remarks and the allusions to future plots, ended up working quite well for this book too! While I’m not really rushing to pick up the next in the series, I do eventually plan to because I so enjoyed my time with this book.

Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Pub Info: February 16, 2016 (or. October 2007) by Starscape

Even though I’ve now read quite a few adult fantasy books, I still found the idea of starting The Stormlight Archive series very intimidating. After all, The Way of Kings is just about thousand pages long – and the rest of the books that have been released in the series so far equal or surpass it in length. But I couldn’t help being curious after seeing so many folks I follow on BookTube rave about it (and even more curious after my friend Kristin told me how much she loved it), and so, I finally took the plunge. The Way of Kings introduces us to three narrators: Dalinar, a decorated general in the King’s army beset by unexplained visions; Kaladin, a slave who works as a member of a warlord’s bridge crew despairing over the curse that causes him to fail all those he wants to protect; and Shallan, a young woman who aims to be apprenticed to a master scholar in order to steal the relic that the master possesses in order to save her family. Each of their perspectives is distinct from the others, and the lengthy page count ensured that there was ample time for the formation of a solid character-reader relationship with each of the three. I never once felt lost or bored no matter who I happened to be following at any given moment as well! I also appreciated how each main character (and a couple of other secondary characters too, specifically in the interludes) offered a different view of the world, and that contributed to the world-building right alongside actual descriptions and the insertion of sketches and maps. In terms of plot, while I normally do not gravitate towards war stories, it worked really well here. It’s probably got a lot to do with Sanderson’s writing and the way he gave human faces to people involved in the conflict. I’m glad I finally picked this tome up because I really enjoyed the time I spent reading it, and I’m looking forward to the next installment.

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Pub Info: August 31, 2010 by Tor Books

My original experience with Howl's Moving Castle was, of course, the iconic Studio Ghibli film (which I enjoyed, though it's actually not one of my Ghibli favorites). I'd heard from many folks over the years that the novel that was the source material for this whimsical tale was equally incredible, and I'd been curious about it for ages so I finally took the plunge and read it this year. And friends, this book was so enjoyable! In Howl's Moving Castle, Sophie finds herself cursed by the Witch of the Wastes. She decides to make her way to the moving castle owned by the wizard Howl in order to find a way to break her curse, only to find herself swept up in a series of adventures with Howl, his apprentice Michael and the fire demon Calcifer. It was fun to pinpoint the details that made an appearance in the film, but it was equally entertaining (and a wonderful surprise) to discover that there was more to this story. I really enjoyed being swept up in this adventure with Sophie, Howl and the rest of the cast of characters, though I did feel like I wasn't as connected to it in a personal way as I would've liked. Still, I was entertained, charmed and engaged completely from start to end, and if that's not the sign of a good read, I don't know what is. I'd definitely recommend reading Howl's Moving Castle (and if you haven't yet, you should totally watch the film too)!

Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's Moving Castle #1) by Diana Wynne Jones

Pub Info: April 22, 2008 (or. April 1946) by Greenwillow Books

In Huaxia, boys and girls are paired to pilot Chrysalises, the giant robots that make up their country's main defensive force against the mecha aliens beyond the Great Wall. Zetian offers herself up as a pilot concubine, not for glory or honor, but for the chance to assassinate the pilot who was responsible for her sister's death -- and she succeeds at her mission of vengeance by killing him through the psychic link while in the Chrysalis and emerging from the cockpit unscathed. Dubbed the Iron Widow for what she's accomplished, Zetian is paired with the strongest, most controversial male pilot in the force, Li Shimin. There are many who would see them both dead despite the unquestionable asset they happen to be in the war. But driven by her determination to understand and overturn the misogynist pilot system and prevent the needless deaths of more girls, Zetian won't go down without a fight.

I had an inkling that I would, at the very least, enjoy Iron Widow. (And I say that as someone who rarely, if ever, reads sci-fi.) As it turns out, it's so, so good, and very much unlike anything I've read previously despite some familiar elements and tropes! I'm rarely able to just sit back, relax (or stress, depending on what the characters are going through) and let the author lead me where she will with her words, so this was a pleasant surprise. With her debut novel, Xiran Jay Zhao has done something really interesting here; she's taken a historical figure (Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history), planted them in unique circumstances and let her imagination run wild with how it all comes together. The plot is the main driving force behind Iron Widow, and while I normally prefer more character-driven tales, I didn't mind it at all in this case.

There are, however, a few elements of Iron Widow that could have used a little bit more development (though I anticipate that happening as the series continues). Like the world, though it's understandably limited considering the position Zetian is in and the heavy focus on the war effort. And the characters, who we only get a limited perspective on and usually through the lens of limitations or trauma. (And yes, this includes Zetian, who readers will mostly identify as an angry young woman who is reckless after losing the person who matters most to her; someone who will do whatever it takes to keep herself and her own safe.) And the character relationships too, especially the romance that blossoms in this story (though I'll definitely give it props for surprising me in a good way).

The thing is, however, that despite my reservations, I really enjoyed Iron Widow. The beginning hooked me immediately, the story was compelling and refreshingly different from anything I've recently read and it totally gave me anime vibes (which is always a good thing in my book). I'm so glad that I ended up reading it and I'm very much looking forward to the sequel!

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Pub Info: September 21, 2021 by Penguin Teen

Source: e-galley received from publisher via NetGalley

Jade Fire Gold was guaranteed a spot on my TBR after I saw the cover, the character art the author commissioned and the mentions of said characters being reminiscent of Zuko and Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender. This YA fantasy twines together the stories of two characters: Ahn, a girl with no past or family but in possession of powerful magical abilities; and Altan, a lost heir hellbent on exacting vengeance and reclaiming his throne. Their respective paths start out seemingly straightforward, but soon discover that things might be more complicated than they could ever have foreseen.

I genuinely enjoyed parts of Jade Fire Gold, including the story lore, the characters (they were archetypes I like in general) and the banter that made an occasional appearance. These were the things that kept me turning the pages of this novel, the three elements that kept my interest piqued and my hope that I would eventually really click with the story alive all the way until the end. But the truth is that the novel fell short for me in, coincidentally, three specific ways that affected my overall feelings. First, the plot (plots, really) had one too many different strings to follow. It felt messier and less developed than I would have liked, and there were certainly moments that felt unearned (especially at the conclusion, which felt like it was trying to lead into a potential sequel). This also lead to, second, the pacing being all over the place; there was a rather large lull to me in the middle of the book. And lastly, while I wanted to love the romance (seriously, it should have been precisely my cup of tea), I ended up feeling a little cheated and less invested than I'd hoped. Unfortunately, while there are details of merit to this book and while I'm sure it could potentially appeal to other readers, I did feel a little let down by Jade Fire Gold by the time I reached the end of the book.

Jade Fire Gold by June C.L. Tan

Pub Info: October 12, 2021 by HarperTEEN

Source: e-galley received from the publisher through Edelweiss