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April Reading Wrap Up
If I thought March was a crazy month, then April is sure to take the cake. The fourth month of the year brought much favour to my reading habits and with the end of the school term, I found myself with an abundant amount of time on my hands. In other words, I had plenty of reading time and managed to read 11 books! Here's all the titles I devoured this past month: The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood Benang by Kim Scott This Book Made Me Think
cynthiagiraudo
3 days ago3 min read


Feminist Fantasy Novels - A Place Where Any Woman Can Truly Do Anything
Reading is one of the best ways to escape the stresses and horrors of the everyday world. When you are someone who is not just fighting to survive in the modern economy but also against the clutches of the patriarchy, there is no place better than in the pages of a book. In particular, the rules of any fantasy universe can stretch and overrun the outdated principles of our own. If you would like a break from the anti-feminist rhetoric on social media and in our everyday encou
cynthiagiraudo
Apr 162 min read


March Wrap Up: New book finds to inspire you
Sometimes the best inspiration to pick up a new book is to know that someone else has read it, and in not that long a time too. As such, you may find this 'Books I Read this Month Wrap-up' somewhat inspiring, if not a helpful list of books to give a try.
cynthiagiraudo
Apr 34 min read


Feminist Titles to Add to your Bookshelf
The Fight for Equality: Celebrating Strong Female Characters In the ongoing battle against patriarchal society, we crave strong, independent female characters crafted by women. We want stories that reflect the kind of person we aspire to be. These are tales of women who challenge oppressive systems and those who exist in worlds where such systems are absent. Top Feminist Literature Recommendations Here are my recommendations to enrich your bookshelf: Emily Wilde's Encyclopedi
cynthiagiraudo
Mar 223 min read


Cozy Quick Reads
There are some days you just want to read a chill, relaxing book where you can trust in the narrator to lead you through the gentle whirlwind of a stranger's story. In Australia, the nights are already becoming longer and I can feel myself reaching for a novel with the perfect combination of softness and calm to tenderly end my chaotic day. Here are my Top 5 recommendations for cozy books that will lull you into beautiful dreams. Top 5 Recommendations Emily Wilde's Encyclope
cynthiagiraudo
Mar 123 min read


Unlocking Magical Conversations: Free PDF of Book Club Discussion Prompts for Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries
Book clubs thrive on lively discussions that bring stories to life. When your group dives into a richly imaginative book like Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries , having thoughtful questions can transform your meetings. To help book lovers spark meaningful conversations, a free PDF of book club discussion prompts is now available. This resource is designed to deepen your understanding of the book’s enchanting world and encourage engaging dialogue. What You’ll Find in the F
cynthiagiraudo
Mar 72 min read


Books Like The Thursday Murder Club
There’s something truly magical about settling into a cozy nook with a book that wraps you in warmth, wit, and a dash of mystery. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman does exactly that. It’s a delightful blend of humour, clever plotting, and charming characters who prove that age is just a number when it comes to adventure and intrigue. If you’ve finished this gem and find yourself craving more stories with that same spark, you’re in the right place. Let’s explore some
cynthiagiraudo
Mar 12 min read


Must-Read Historical Fiction Novels You Need to Explore
Introduction Historical fiction is a blooming genre which blends history with rich storytelling. Set against the backdrop of important historical events, this genre is loved for its ability to place every reader in the mind of characters who very well could have existed a long time ago. By understanding different time periods, we are better able to acknowledge how our world came to be. This is a list of 4 books that I have come to love from this genre. 1. 'Last Night at the T
cynthiagiraudo
Feb 212 min read


Your Next Fantasy Read
For the past year, fantasy stories have been really scratching my brain (and not the spicy kind too). The type to take you into another world and expose you to an imaginative realm beyond your wildest imaginings. These are my top 5 reads for your next fantasy adventure: #1 The House on the Cerulean Sea - TJ Klune The world building is relatively simple and easy to follow. Klune creates such loveable characters each unique with their own stories and motivation. There is no sto
cynthiagiraudo
Feb 131 min read


The 'Emily Wilde' Series by Heather Fawcett- Yay or Nay
Covers of the 'Emily Wilde' series by Heather Fawcett Emily Wilde is an inquisitive and curious dryadologist who finds herself scouring the world of Faerie with her companion Wendell Bambleby. Along the way she uses her growing knowledge on the Faeries to embark on dangerous missions to save the people she grows to care about. What I Loved About the Series The 'Emily Wilde' series by Heather Fawcett is by far one of the fastest series I have ever read since I was a young teen
cynthiagiraudo
Jan 312 min read


Discovering the Enchantment of "Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries"
I was initially drawn into this fantasy novel by its shiny front cover and the blurb hinting at an enemies-to-lovers arc. However, as I delved deeper into the magnificent world created by Heather Fawcett, I became absolutely enamoured. Overall Thoughts Fawcett has a remarkable command of language. She takes you on an adventure filled with rich descriptions. Each scene is crafted with enough detail to paint a vivid picture, yet it remains concise enough to keep the plot moving
cynthiagiraudo
Jan 202 min read


Discovering Richard Osman's 'The Thursday Murder Club'
My Initial Thoughts 'The Thursday Murder Club' was an easy-to-read novel from the start. The chapters are small and centered around one main part of the story, sort of like reading quick scenes from a movie. It gives you an instant reward and makes for an easy start, removing that sense of burden that comes after starting a new chapter only to realize it's 50 pages long! The vocabulary is clear but not too simple. I could never believe the novel was written for younger audien
cynthiagiraudo
Jan 72 min read
Book Review - "Until We Shatter"
In this fantasy novel, Kate Dylan redefines what it means to be 'stuck in between'. I was initially drawn to this book by that phrase. Cemmy (which by the way I'm still not sure if her name is pronounced 'Semmy' or 'Kemmy') is half-shade, half-human. Her precarious identity puts her at risk of both the overlooking Council and the oppressive Church, both of whom despise existence of people like her. This isn't a new trend in the YA fantasy genre, however, Dylan's attention to
cynthiagiraudo
Jan 72 min read
Book review - For all us who are 'Plain Bad Heroines'
Emily M. Danforth's 'Plain Bad Heroines' is a captivating and intricately woven tale that explores the lives of eight women ensnared by a mysterious curse. Set against the backdrop of a haunted boarding school, the narrative changes between different historical periods, creating a complex tapestry that is as enchanting as it is challenging to follow. This novel is undeniably crafted for a more mature audience. Danforth's writing is rich with literary references that add dept
cynthiagiraudo
Jan 72 min read


'How To Kill Your Family' - A review
Book Review: 'How To Kill Your Family' by Bella Mackie - a criminal protagonist you hate to love. Any and all true crime lovers will absolutely froth over this novel by Bella Mackie. This is the type of story that makes you fall in love with the criminal, even if you know the crime is objectively wrong - or is it? Mackie weaves through the fine line between 'good' and 'bad', twisting a tale of crimes into the life of Grace Bernard where every page will leave you shocked. Soon
cynthiagiraudo
Nov 25, 20252 min read
To those who have been
Like the butterfly, transform leave white spindly cocoons for the harsh wind and wish for safe impossible return. Wings engraved,...
cynthiagiraudo
Apr 6, 20251 min read


Poem - Thank you to the moon
The moon peers into my mind where it searches and finds the hazy, yet mistakeable image of who I want to be. There under moonlight the...
cynthiagiraudo
Apr 3, 20251 min read


Pride and Prejudice - is it worth it?
Please note that this page contains affiliate links. By clicking on these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to...
cynthiagiraudo
Mar 21, 20252 min read


Exploring Resilience and Ambition in 'Lady Tan's Circle of Women' by Lisa See
Note: Some links in this text are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. 'Lady Tan's...
cynthiagiraudo
Mar 12, 20252 min read


A Must-Read Book by an Australian Poet
'Drop Bear' by Evelyn Araluen - an award winning poetry collection that you do not want to miss out on.
cynthiagiraudo
Mar 8, 20251 min read
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