2 x book circle books

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Yrsha

I have two book circle discussions coming up tomorrow and I thought I’d better do a small reflection on my own before I head to the discussions.

Moby Dick by Herman Melville has raised a lot of interesting discussions throughout our reading. On my own, I probably wouldn’t have finished it – not because I didn’t like it but because I found it quite boring and it was long. It did have a poetic language and I appreciated others reading quotes from it, I just didn’t pick out those by myself. It did have some highlights that I appreciated more than others but mostly I zoned out a bit while reading. We were all a bit pleasantly surprised that Herman Melville seemed to be pretty progressive in some areas, that was a fun discovery. Our prejudice on old authors was challenged to the better. It was an okay read.

The Names by Florence Knapp was a book I almost gave up on, I would have if we hadn’t moved our discussion one and a half week forward in time. This is one of those books that I have a hard time rate because I disliked reading it so much but I think it perhaps was well written and therefore deserves a higher rating. I have a hard time reading about domestic violence so I felt really bad throughout the whole book always expecting the worst to happen. It will be interesting to have our book discussion about this book to see what the others felt about this book. I perhaps felt a bit unsatisfied by the ending and am perhaps thinking that I could indeed have ended the book when I almost did? It’s an important topic and I though that perhaps the author would have a comment about it in the afterword as well.

Have you been reading anything for a book circle/book club lately? Did you enjoy the reads?

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Read your colour #2 – Slow Horses

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Yrsha

This is the first book read in the quest to see if Read your color is indeed recommending good books (to your colour).

This book was recommended as a red recommendation with the motivation: “This became an Apple TV smash hit for a reason: you’re not going to be able to put it down. Herron blends dry gallows humor with real stakes, tightening the vise one chapter at a time. High stakes, moral gray zones, and a finale that’s one of the best payoffs in modern thrillers.“.

Slow Horses – Mick Herron
Original title: Slow Horses (2010)
Series: Slough House #1
Next book in the series: Dead Lions
Read edition: Swedish audiobook Slöa Hästar
Length: 13 hours, 50 minutes

5%: based on who the recommendation is for, someone liking fast paced stories, I was a bit disappointed with the beginning of the story. I get why the author wanted to do the first part, giving the background to why the main character became a slow horse. But after that, the oh so long description of the setting was not in my wheelhouse. Can’t we just get to the story? I don’t care what colour the doors have.

8%: still not really anything happened yet, we are being presented with a bunch of characters and since I haven’t read all in a go, I’m not completely sure of who is who.

22%: we’re still being introduced to people and getting their backstory. For being a “fast paced” book it’s really moving forward slow.

Final thoughts: I found the whole book a bit boring. It was slow paced, a lot of descriptions, many characters and I was never really invested. I listened to this mostly in the car but also had the option to switch to the ebook and read it on my phone or tablet but I was never really feeling an urge to pick it up.

As a recommendation to a red reader, I didn’t think it was a good fit. I was never sitting on the edge of my seat needing to know what happened. If I weren’t set on finishing it for the sake of this post (and to give the tv series a try), I would probably have slowly abandoned it. I’m however a bit inclined to try the TV series to see if I like the story better that way.

I gave the book 2 stars – it was OK.

Current tally of read books:

ColourRead booksAverage rating
Red12
Blue13
Yellow44*
Orange0–
Green0–
Purple0–

Red got both a read count and an average rating after this book.

*Only two of the yellow books are rated, I need to remind myself of what I thought of the other two.

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A reading update

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Yrsha

I haven’t been reading or updating much lately but I’ve finished a couple of books. Here’s four fairly recent finishes.

I read Red Rising (Red Rising Saga #1) by Pierce Brown together with one of my book circles. I was planning on reading it as an ebook in Swedish but my audiobook service had unfortunately removed that one. I had started that one over a year ago and thought this was a good opportunity to reread the beginning and continue. I ended up listening to it. I did like the book but I think I would have appreciated it more reading it with my eyes. Let’s see if I’ll do a reread with a library copy at some point before moving forward in the series.

Trick of the Night by Eric Ugland is a good addition to The Bad Guys, this was number 8 in the series. There always side quests so you are making very small progress to the main story but I think that’s easily how it gets while playing a game like this. I really like this narrator to this series.

I’ve seen someone read Saga by Briak K. and Vaughan on Instagram and thought I would give it a try as they had it in the library. Fun with a sci-fi graphic novel! There was more nudity than I expected from a story like this, wasn’t prepared for that. Overall I liked the story and am pleased that I have a couple more volumes at home.

Selected (Moonclaw #1) by M. L. Francis showed up as a suggestion in my audiobook service, I hadn’t heard of it before. I realised afterwards that it’s a Dutch paranormal romance. Fun to read something that isn’t English or Swedish in origin. I thought this book was okay but the mystery “behind” felt a little out of place and almost added afterward? I didn’t like the male character and their dominance fights, it felt unnecessary. The human-were relationship (for example having humans as servants and at the same time having the ball for the sake of humans) felt a bit weird and I guess will be explored more in coming books. I’ll probably not continue with the series.

What have you been reading recently?

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March 2026

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Yrsha

I think we can say that I failed in my read-instead-of-scrolling goal this month too. But I haven’t really been in the mood to read. I did read a couple of things and the reading feeling is back in April! Let’s take a look.

I read 4 books; 3 novels, 1 graphic novel. All of these were new to me books.

English: 4
Swedish: 0

Audiobook service: 2
Library: 2
Owned: 0

Physical: 2
Audio: 2
Ebook: 0
Audio + Ebook: 0

Mostly novels this month, I tested out a new graphic novel series that I enjoyed; Saga.

Top rated book this month (rated 3,75):
* Mate – Ali Hazelwood

Have you read anything good lately?

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Read your colour #1

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Yrsha

I recently watched a video by bookswithlala where she reads according to her book colour. She linked the test where you figure out which type of reader you are and I did it a couple of times interpreting the questions a little different.

Every time, except one, I got red reader and the first look was good, the description felt like a match. I also got quite high on orange and yellow (and was picked a yellow reader one of the times I did the test). The results I got usually looked something like this:

After going through and logging all the free recommendations for the different reader types, I can show the result of the already read books:
Red: 0
Blue: 1
Yellow: 4
Orange: 0
Green: 0
Purple: 0

Books already on my radar were a couple in yellow and orange. But mostly, the listed books were those I had never heard about before and I think that is on purpose from the creator. He wants to broaden your mind and make you interested in looking outside your normal reading bubble, or get you to start reading as a first.

The recommendations for red seems to be mostly thrillers and that is something I seldom pick up. For the yellow books, many seem to be sad books, also not a book type I tend to pick up.

I decided that I would try this colour thing out. Maybe these recommendations are great and maybe I should be reading more thrillers? I don’t think I will be reading the saddest yellow books though, I don’t like being sad.

Let’s read a couple of recommendations, maybe from different colours and see how it goes!

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February 2026

Posted on March 13, 2026 by Yrsha

I failed in my read-instead-of-scrolling goal this month. I don’t really have a good reason for not putting in the work more than I zoned in more on other interests and scrolled a bit on social media for these. I think we got quite a lot read anyway, but I could have put some more effort in. I guess we can’t be successful every month!

I read 10 books; 4 novels, 5 graphic novels and 1 middle-grade. One of these was a re-read.

English: 8
Swedish: 2

Audiobook service: 4
Library: 0
Owned: 6

Physical: 6
Audio: 2
Ebook: 1
Audio + Ebook: 1

It seems like there was a majority of graphic novels this month. I finished A Business Proposal and am currently thinking about what graphic novel to pick up next, they were quite cozy and relaxing to read. Not a lot of high rated reads but I enjoyed most of my reading.

Top rated books this month in reading order (rated 4 or higher):
* A Business Proposal, volume 8 – Haehwa, Narak
* Fire Touched – Patricia Briggs (re-read)

Have you read anything good lately?

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Down the TBR-hole #22

Posted on March 7, 2026 by Yrsha

It is time for another round of Down the TBR-hole, where I go through the books in my To Be Read shelf on Goodreads and try to decide if I still want to read them (should they stay) or not (should they go?).

The Downstairs Girl – Stacey Lee
I think this sounds like an interesting read (and am giving me some tv series Bridgerton vibes?) and was excited to see it available at my audiobook service. It was unfortunately in Polish so I won’t understand it… I’ll keep it anyway.
Verdict: Stays

Rules of Engagement – J.T. Geissinger
Also a story that sounds for me, but not something I have available to borrow.
Verdict: Stays

Lakeshire Park – Megan Walker
This is added this to my audiobook service already so I’ll give it a go.
Verdict: Stays

Duke and Duplicity – Emma V. Leech
Could be fun. Not available somewhere unless I buy it. Do I feel like it’s worth a buy? Probably not. The author has other books on my audiobook service so I might give them a try to see if it’s worth a revisit on this one.
Verdict: Goes

Vald av vargar – Frida Hallberg
Another Swedish fantasy author that I want to give a try.
Verdict: Stays

Letting Go of the Words – Janice G. Redish
I think I saw this book recommended on a list for designing stuff for the web. The reviews are a bit mixed, some saying that it’s now a bit outdated. I find the subject interesting but I don’t think I want to buy it.
Verdict: Goes

Universal Principles of Design – William Lidwell, Kristina Holden, Jill Buttler
This one is actually available at my audiobook service as an ebook! Saving it in my shelf.
Verdict: Stays

Forms That Work – Caroline Jarrett, Gerry Gaffney
Sounds interesting!
Verdict: Stays

Fritt fall – Anneli Olsson
I own this one and did start it at some point. I think I need to re-start it now. Have every intention of reading it though.
Verdict: Stays

A Whisper in the Dark – Jessi Elliot, K. J. Sutton
I’m a little intrigued but it doesn’t feel like a book I would prioritize, and I have to buy it to be able to read it.
Verdict: Goes

Seafire – Natalie C. Parker
This one is available at the library so I’m adding it to the to-borrow-shelf and will give it a try.
Verdict: Stays

The Boyfriend Project – Farrah Rochon
I think part of the reason why I added this was because the main character seems to be an app developer. It’s a keeper.
Verdict: Stays

How did it go this time?
Books in the TBR shelf at start: 240
Number of staying books: 9
Number of leaving books: 3
Total amount of leaving books: 63
Number of reserved books at the library: 0
Number of books put in to-borrow-shelf: 1
Number of books added to audiobook-account: 1
Current amount of books in my TBR shelf: 256

A bit of a mix this time. We have removed a totalt of 63 books now, and the current amount is shrinking again. The books we looked at now were added in late 2020 so we are starting to get into present time.

Did you find anything here you would like to read?

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Four recent reads

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Yrsha

The Duke’s Wicked Wife by Elizabeth Bright was a fun read but I don’t think I can say that it was very memorable, I think it will be one of those books I look back at later this year and not remembering so much about. This book is a part of a series, each with different main characters, and I haven’t yet decided if I’m going to check out the others.

Norrskenet is a children’s book about arctic foxes. If I understand it correctly, the two authors are a father and his little boy. The illustrations are beautiful in this one, only that makes it worth reading. It was a quick read and I would like to know how the story continues.

In anticipation for the latest Mercy Thompson book, I decided to do some re-reading. I have just finished Fire Touched and am ready to move on to the next book. Always a delight to read this series! Love it!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mate! It was very easy to just keep reading and I wanted more, I like Ali Hazelwood’s writing. The plot was kind of thin, though. If there are more books published in this world, I’d be happy to read it.

What have you been reading recently?

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5 x A Business Proposal

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Yrsha

I read the rest of the A Business Proposal volumes!

Volume number 6 of A Business Proposal was leaning a little towards feeling like a filler book. I did like it though. Ends on a bit of a cliffhanger as usual.

Volume number 7 of A Business Proposal feels quite similar to volume 6. There’s a new character and it feels like we are going forward and towards the end.

I think the front cover spoils a little what’s going to happen in A Business Proposal volume 8. I’ll say “bad chairman, that wasn’t nice!” and now I’m wondering that’s going to happen in the last two volumes, it could have ended here?

In volume 9 of A Business Proposal, we get to follow more of the side characters than the main characters. I think we are tying up loose ends and building up to the finish line. Still think that it could have perhaps ended after volume 8 but it was a nice read. Only one left now!

Volume 10 of A Business Proposal is the last volume in the series. I didn’t feel like I needed this last part of their story but I could understand why it’s there. I enjoyed the brother’s story more.

Overall, I really liked this series and I think it’s something I’ll read again in the future. I’m curious about the tv series as well and will give it a go, hopefully not too far into the future so that I’ve forgotten what I’ve read here. These volumes are quick reads, I like the illustrator style and really appreciate the little guide at the back of each volume where we get some explanations for some sayings, pop-culture references and food dishes that I wouldn’t have understood otherwise. I’ve gotten a taste for more. If not korean drama, then trying more graphic novels!

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Down the TBR-hole #21

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Yrsha

It is time for another round of Down the TBR-hole, where I go through the books in my To Be Read shelf on Goodreads and try to decide if I still want to read them (should they stay) or not (should they go?).

Other Words for Home – Jasmine Warga
A middle grade book written in verse. I am curious and requested them to buy it at the library, I think this can be appreciated by many.
Verdict: Stays

De försvunna fotspåren (White Priory Murders) – Carter Dickson
I own this book, it’s a keeper.
Verdict: Stays

Ängeln på sjunde trappsteget (Angela’s Ashes: A Memoir) – Frank McCourt
This book was gifted to be, I admire it sometimes put procrastinate picking it up.
Verdict: Stays

This Place has no Atmosphere – Paula Danziger
This sounds like a fun book, not sure how I’ll get ahold of it though.
Verdict: Stays

5 to 1 – Holly Bodger
This sounds like an interested read, I’ll keep it.
Verdict: Stays

The Duke’s Wicked Wife – Elizabeth Bright
Yep, sounds right up my alley. Adding it to my audiobook shelf.
Verdict: Stays

Ellie, Engineer: The Next Level – Jackson Pearce
This is book two in a series. I really liked the first one and would like to read this one as well.
Verdict: Stays

Mermaid Inn – Jenny Holiday
I’m not sure when and how I added this one to my shelf. It’s not available at my audiobook service or the library so I think I will let it go. My audiobook service did have other things by the same author so I might give them a go.
Verdict: Goes

De dödas dolk – Jenny Töredal
This is book two in a series. I liked the first but don’t remember anything from it anymore. I think I should give this a go since I read Swedish fantasy quite seldom. Just need to update myself of the first book first… Putting it on my to-borrow-shelf.
Verdict: Stays

Livstjuvarna – Linda Andersson
Another book I own.
Verdict: Stays

Crescent City – Sarah J. Maas
This one is sitting on my physical shelf waiting as well.
Verdict: Stays

The Paying Guests – Sarah Waters
This was recommended to me by a friend.
Verdict: Stays

How did it go this time?
Books in the TBR shelf at start: 240
Number of staying books: 11
Number of leaving books: 1
Total amount of leaving books: 60
Number of reserved books at the library: 1
Number of books put in to-borrow-shelf: 1
Number of books added to audiobook-account: 1
Current amount of books in my TBR shelf: 259

A lot of staying books this time. A bunch of books that I own and also a few recommendations. I always get excited to read all of these when making these posts.

Have you added anything interesting to your TBR lately?

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