1. The God of the Woods – Liz Moore (10/10)
A beautifully written and deeply atmospheric mystery about a girl who goes missing from an elite summer camp. The story moves between past and present, revealing the secrets of the powerful Van Laar family and their haunting legacy. The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife—I couldn’t put the book down, even with a baby jumping on me!
It’s not a fast-paced thriller, but a slow, thoughtful unraveling of buried truths and silenced voices. Emotional, haunting, and richly detailed—it stays with you long after the last page.
2. Margot’s Got Money Troubles – Rufi Thorpe (3/10)
A satirical take on OnlyFans culture and financial survival in America. While the premise is interesting, the execution falls flat. The characters feel like caricatures, and the humor lacks depth. There are sharp moments about gender and class, but they’re buried under a chaotic plot and dull tone. Not for me.
3. Sweet Bean Paste – Durian Sukegawa (6/10)
A quiet, reflective novel about the friendship between a dorayaki shop owner and an elderly woman with a painful past. It explores themes of regret, stigma, and finding beauty in small moments. Touching and poetic, though very slow-paced—it may not be for everyone. But if you enjoy a gentle story, this one can warm your heart.
4. Almond – Sohn Won-pyung (10/10)
Remarkable. This Korean novel follows Yunjae, a boy with alexithymia—an inability to feel emotions. His journey is a profound exploration of empathy, connection, and what it means to be human. We often treat emotions like baggage, while someone like Yunjae might give anything just to feel, even die. Beautifully written and deeply moving.
5. James – Percival Everett (10/10)
A bold reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man. Everett gives Jim a brilliant, powerful voice, turning the classic story into a sharp commentary on race, freedom, and history. Intellectually provocative, darkly funny, and emotionally resonant—a truly masterful novel.
Tanja's diary 🧚🏻‍♂️ 