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Charlie C - Bookmarked

@bookmarked95

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🩵 Book lover
📖 Beginner book reviewer
🐶 All books complete with Otto hair
🌙 Squeezing in all the minutes of reading!

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My weekend was very idyllic… it involved a lot of this and not much else 🩵

Did everyone else have a bookish weekend?

#bookstagram #bookish #reading #cosycorner #readingtime taken in Salisbury, Wiltshire by @bookmarked95

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3

5 hours ago

Tales from the Cafe by Toshikazu Kawaguchi ☕️

The second instalment of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series did not disappoint.

The foundation of the story follows much the same theme and rhythm as its predecessor. We return to the family-run café with its one very special seat, which allows you to travel back in time. But, of course, there are a very specific set of rules that must be followed…

I really enjoyed getting to know Kazu a little more throughout these short stories. We also meet the ‘ghost’, and Miki was definitely a firm favourite of mine. She’s such a cheeky, vivacious little girl, and I’m looking forward to learning more about her as the series continues.

As with the first book, each story carries so much emotion and sentiment. Toshikazu has such a beautiful way of writing that you are instantly drawn into each character’s life. I found myself feeling their sadness, their regrets and their hopes, with my heart genuinely aching for them at times.

There is something so wonderfully simple about these books, yet they manage to leave you thinking about some of the biggest things in life.

A beautifully written Japanese novel that reminds you of the preciousness of life, the importance of the people we love, and that you do deserve to be happy.

One thought I’m taking away from this book is that even when someone you love and care about is no longer with us, it wouldn’t be doing their life justice to stop yourself from being happy again.

Another beautiful, emotional read — and I’m definitely continuing with the series 🫖🤍

#japaneseliterature #bookreview #bookstagram #bookrecs #bookish taken in Salisbury, Wiltshire by @bookmarked95

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2 days ago

ARGHHHHHH… and breathe.

I am hooked, obsessed, addicted etc etc etc… how have I gone over 10 years of my life not reading these god damn magical, sexy books!!

Anyway, ordered the whole set in hardback after borrowing @whizzymaclean ACOTAR. Patiently waiting for them all to arrive and look stunning… and for me to develop dark passionate imaginary relationships with dark, sexy winged men.

Unavailable for the foreseeable. 🏹🩵

#ACOTAR #bookstagram #bookish #fantasy #romantasy taken in Salisbury, Wiltshire by @bookmarked95

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4 days ago

Mare by Emily Haworth-Booth

What a phenomenal debut into adult literature.

I picked this book up because I was immediately drawn to the name and the cover. As a glorified ‘horse girl’, I was thoroughly intrigued. What I didn’t expect was the raw emotion I would feel while reading it.

Mare touches on so many subjects that, as a woman, can be incredibly challenging to navigate. Finding yourself in your late 30s and childfree, and then having that choice abruptly taken away from you as the menopause raises its unwelcome head. Losing your way in a career you thought you understood, when the ideas suddenly stop flowing. And then there is that strong, deep-rooted passion for a four-legged animal, and the heartbreak of watching that animal perform just as well, if not better, for someone else — someone who will never love that animal in quite the same way you do.

On a personal level, I found Mare deeply touching. It brought a tear to my eye at times — sometimes because of the witty, almost dark humour, sometimes because of the wonderfully accurate descriptions of the ‘yard’ and the ‘horse’, and other times because it hit a chord somewhere inside me that I could really feel.

At times, I honestly felt like I was reading someone’s private diary or memoir; something intimate and secret that I perhaps shouldn’t be reading. Emily has woven these characters into such a lyrical and beautiful story, so seamlessly that it all feels incredibly real.

Quite simply, a lovely book. One that I didn’t expect to affect me quite as much as it did. 🐴

#books #bookstagram #bookreview #bookish #booklover taken in Salisbury, Wiltshire by @bookmarked95

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4

4 days ago

Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki 🌒 ☕️

The second instalment in this mystical, star-gazing series, and another beautifully written book that delves into astrology, natal charts and the mysteries of the night sky.

As someone who has a slightly bizarre affinity with the moon, I absolutely love these books. There’s something about them that completely draws me in. I love the feeling I get while reading them; I feel so involved in the stories and strangely connected to the characters throughout. Mai has such a beautiful way of writing, with a lovely natural flow to the story, and kudos has to go to Jordan Taylor for translating it so wonderfully.

This one touched a slight chord with me. It hints at some issues that I can relate to on a personal level, which I think made me feel even more drawn into the story. The fragility of family, the need for forgiveness, learning to prioritise what is truly important to you, and the importance of always showing compassion and love are all beautifully woven throughout.

Once again, we follow the mystical felines, beautifully named after the planets in the night sky, as they set up their magical coffee shop exactly where it is needed. You’ll be served a delicacy that you perhaps didn’t know you needed, but definitely did, while the cats delve into your astrology and help you understand what it might truly mean.

There’s something so comforting about the idea of the Full Moon Coffee Shop appearing exactly when you need it most. And I have to admit, there are definitely times in life when I would very much like to stumble across it myself. 🌒 ✨

#bookish #bookstagram #japaneseliterature #books #bookreview taken in Salisbury, Wiltshire by @bookmarked95

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6 days ago

It’s been a pretty big week of reading for me…

I’ve always been a bit of a speedy reader, I remember at primary school the librarian refusing to believe I was actually reading the books and making me a do a reading journal! - this is something that has stuck with me into my adult life and I still do a mini write up after each book!

Are you a slow or speedy reader? 📖

#bookstagram #bookish #reading #read #book taken in Salisbury, Wiltshire by @bookmarked95

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7 days ago

The Restaurant of Lost Recipes by Hisashi Kashiwai

The second instalment of the Kamogawa Food Detectives series did not disappoint! Another beautifully written book, full of multiple short stories, each one centred around a visitor to the restaurant searching for a very particular dish, with each meal holding an important and often nostalgic meaning to them. It’s down to Koishi and her father, Nagare, to help these clients track down the dishes they remember.

Koishi gathers the information, while her father Nagare, a former police detective, uses his skills to piece together the clues and recreate these very special meals. And, of course, there is Kikuko, Nagare’s deceased wife, who feels like she is quietly watching over them throughout it all.

Each visitor has a very different reason for wanting to find a particular meal, but for me, so much of it comes down to closure. The idea that something as simple as a certain dish, a taste or a smell can bring back memories and emotions, and perhaps allow someone to find the closure they’ve been searching for, is really beautiful.

Hisashi has such a wonderful way with words that I genuinely feel like I can taste every bite of the food Nagare prepares. The descriptions of the dishes are so vivid that I was constantly thinking about how delicious everything sounded. It honestly leaves me wanting to jump on a plane and hunt down this restaurant myself, just so I can devour one of those phenomenal-sounding bento boxes!

Another heartwarming and comforting read, and I’m already looking forward to the third instalment and, of course, more delicious-sounding food! 🥢 🍜

#bookstagram #bookreview #japaneseliterature #bookrecommendations #bookish taken in Salisbury, Wiltshire by @bookmarked95

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9 days ago

🇯🇵📚 A little love letter to Japanese literature…

Japan will always hold a very special place in my heart, as it’s where my husband and I spent three weeks on our honeymoon. 🤍

Whilst travelling around Japan, I fell in love with their bookshops, and somewhere along the way, I fell in love with Japanese literature too.

There’s something about these stories that I just can’t quite put into words. Reading them feels a little like being wrapped up in a big, warm hug, or being engulfed in a mug of hot chocolate. ☕️ They leave me with this surreal feeling of serenity and peace, whilst gently reminding me of the importance of love, forgiveness, trust and belief.

Japanese culture is so beautiful, and the way its traditions, values and philosophies are woven into these stories feels nothing short of magical. ✨

These are just a few of my favourite translated reads so far, but I have a feeling my collection is only going to keep growing!

🌙 Now, I need your recommendations… What are your favourite Japanese books, and which ones do you think I absolutely HAVE to read? 🇯🇵

#bookstagram #japaneseliterature #translatedfiction #bookreview #bookrecommendations taken in Salisbury, Wiltshire by @bookmarked95

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9 days ago

Today I took a half day. I left work at 1pm and ventured to a new little independent book shop!

I have wanted this edition of ‘what you are looking for is in the library’ for a while now, I was very happy to have found it there!

I did sneak off to Waterstones as well, the Andover branch has the most amazing member of staff who is just an absolute fountain of literacy knowledge and is so passionate about books!

I picked up song for Achilles, preordered the stunning hardback edition of Circe and may have pre orders the first 2 instalments of ACOTAR in hardback! EICK!

(Sorry bank balance) 💸

#bookstagram #bookbuying #tbr #booklover #reading taken in Salisbury, Wiltshire by @bookmarked95

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10 days ago

My new cosy reading corner + Otto 🐶

#bookstagram #cosycorner #winniethepooh #reading #cottagecore taken in Salisbury, Wiltshire by @bookmarked95

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13 days ago

The Passengers on the Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa

Another soul-touching Japanese story, full of heartfelt meaning and beautiful reminders about the importance of love, friendship and family, of staying true to yourself and your beliefs, showing courage and bravery, and learning to forgive. There’s definitely a theme of being the ‘bigger person’ and choosing kindness, even when it might not be the easiest thing to do.

I loved how Hiro Arikawa brings the lives of a select number of passengers on the Hankyu Line together, allowing their stories to collide through chance meetings and brief encounters. From these seemingly insignificant moments, friendships are formed, love grows and lives are changed.

It really made me think about how short life is and how important it is to speak up when we see or experience something that doesn’t feel right. To strike up a conversation with someone we might not normally speak to, to be brave enough to step outside our comfort zone, and to show kindness and compassion because everyone is on their own journey, both physically and metaphorically.

There was something so comforting about reading a story where such small interactions could have such a big impact. It reminded me that we never really know what someone else might be going through, or how much a small act of kindness could mean to them.

I truly loved this book. I could have carried on reading it over and over, and I honestly didn’t want it to end. I really hope there’s a second instalment because I would happily spend more time with these characters.🚃🇯🇵

#japaneseliterature #bookreview #bookstagram #bookish #readmore taken in Salisbury, Wiltshire by @bookmarked95

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15 days ago

Some authors really do stay with you. 📚❤️

Jacqueline Wilson was such a huge part of my childhood, but one book in particular has always meant so much to me — Best Friends.

I was 7 when this photo was taken, and we were about to move to France, leaving my best friend behind. I remember how much this book meant to me at the time, and somehow, all these years later, I still have my signed copy. 🥹

Looking at these books now feels a little bit surreal. The books I loved as a little girl sitting alongside two of Jacqueline Wilson’s books for adults.

There’s something really special about an author growing with you. The stories might change, and you might grow up, but that feeling of finding comfort in their words somehow stays the same.

From a little girl reading Best Friends to me now, still picking up her books. ❤️📖

Some authors become part of your childhood… and never really leave.

#JacquelineWilson #BestFriends #Bookstagram #BookLover #BookReview

@jacquelinewilson_hq taken in Salisbury, Wiltshire by @bookmarked95

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17 days ago