November 2021 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hi fellow readers! So we almost reach the end of the year. I finish another book series that I've been meaning to read for a while. I'm aiming to finish another series by the end of the year though it seems unlikely. At least I think I'll finish the first book. Anyway, here's the recap of what I read in November.

[Review] The Year of the Runaways - Sunjeev Sahota

Title of Book: The Year of the Runaways
Author: Sunjeev Sahota
Publisher: Picador
Publication Year: 2015
Language: English
Format: Hardback
Pages: 468

October 2021 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hello fellow readers! I'm still trying to catch up on my wrap-up and favorites. Almost there! Anyway, I didn't read any horror themed books but I did watch a horror show and what a show! I highly recommend it. Before I talk about the show, here's the list of books I read in October.

August-September 2021 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hello fellow readers! I'm still in the spirit of catching up with my current reads and watched films and series. Although it's November already, I'm still going to share books I read and my favorite shows in August and September. Without further ado, here's the list of books I read in August and September.

[Review] Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World - Haruki Murakami

Title of Book: Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
Author: Haruki Murakami
Translator: Alfred Birnbaum
Publisher: Vintage International
Publication Year: 2015
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 400

June-July 2021 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hi fellow readers! How are you? I haven't been posting for a while but I still want to share the books I read (even though I only read three in total for two months) and films I watched so I decided to merge the wrap up post for June and July. July was not kind to me. I lost a member of family and a close friend at work a week later. It felt like my life was put on hold and I couldn't function at all. I chose to distract myself with work and guess what? Because of the worsen pandemic situation, my job was so hectic that when I look back on it, I don't think I had time to care for myself. The truth is, I miss reading. I miss losing myself in these fictional worlds because reality is not looking good at all. So in an attempt to light up my desire to read, I'm writing this post.

[Review] The Miracles of the Namiya General Store - Keigo Higashino

Title of Book: The Miracles of the Namiya General Store
Author: Keigo Higashino
Translator: Sam Bett
Publisher: Yen On
Publication Year: 2019
Language: English
Format: Hardback
Pages: 320

May 2021 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hi fellow readers! I know it's already in the middle of June. This wrap up might be a little late but that's okay because I still want to share what books I read in May. Without further ado, here are the books I read in May.

April 2021 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hello fellow readers! How are you? Hope you all are safe and healthy. This year, the last half of April coincides with Ramadhan month. Usually, during Ramadhan I have more time to spare which means more time to read. However, for some reason this year in this particular month a project at work is scheduled to start which takes my time and concentration. Not to mention, during fasting month I have to make an adjustment to my life schedule (as in sleeping and eating). So as an entertainment, I prefer binge watching series to read books. Anyway, here's the list of books I read in April.

[Review] The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - Junot Diaz

Title of Book: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Author: Junot Diaz
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Publication Year: 2007
Language: English
Format: Hardback
Pages: 335

[Review] Hyouka - Yonezawa Honobu

Title of Book: Hyouka
Series: Kotenbu (Classic Literature Club) #1
Author: Yonezawa Honobu
Translator: Andry Setiawan
Publisher: Haru Media
Publication Year: 2017
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 244

[Review] Before the Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Title of Book: Before the Coffee Gets Cold
Series: Before the Coffee Gets Cold #1
Author: Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Translator: Geoffrey Trousselot
Publisher: Picador
Publication Year: 2019
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 213

March 2021 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hello fellow readers! How are you doing? March has passed by. It's film awards season so I spent my time mostly watching films and playing catch up with my to-watch list. On the reading front, I finished a trilogy that's been hanging over my head since I was in college. I'm a completist. I feel a bit itchy when there's a series that I haven't completed (unless the series is so bad I can't continue on). It was fun. I almost forget how fun it is to read a series. These days I mostly read standalone or even short books. So that was refreshing. Moving on, here's the books I read in March.

[Review] Two By Two - Nicholas Sparks

Title of Book: Two by Two
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Year: 2016
Language: English
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 486

February 2021 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hello fellow reader! How are you doing? In February, instead of binging on TV shows, I did plenty of reading and watched quite a lot of films. My biggest accomplishment in term of reading would be reading The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. The book has been on my TBR list for such a long time it's getting ridiculous. I was intimidated by the length and the topic of the book so I always feel hesitant to pick it up. No more! Finally finished it this year. Anyway, here's the list of books I read in February.

[Review] Angelfall - Susan Ee

Title of Book: Angelfall
Author: Susan Ee
Series: Penryn & the End of Days #1
Publisher: Hodder
Publication Year: 2012
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 326

January 2021 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hello fellow readers! Happy New Year! It's 2021, huh? Though the year has changed, I don't feel much change in my life. Still working from home, trying to make do in the safety of my compact room. How about you? I'm just feeling grateful that I survive 2020. I don't make specific resolutions for my 2021. As long as I stay healthy mentally and physically is enough for me. Anyway, I think I started the year strong. I read 10 books in January. True, three of them are actually novellas. Still, I finally read the Year of the Runaways which has been sitting on my bookshelf since I first moved to Jakarta. I remember because I bought it the first time I went to Big Bad Wolf Book Fair in the city. I'll take that as an achievement. Without further ado, here's the list of books I read in January.

[Review] How to Be Both - Ali Smith

Title of Book: How to Be Both
Author: Ali Smith
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Year: 2015
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 372

December 2020 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hello fellow readers! The year 2020 has finally come to an end. It's already 2021 actually, I posted this just now because I want to chill a bit after such a hectic year-end at work. In December, I watched and read some heartwarming contents that I'd love to share. Online Japanese Film Festival also happened in December so I watched several Japanese movies for a whole week. Some even become my favorite of the month. Anyway, here's the list of books I read in December.