Instagram story viewer> @vanreads> Tagged
sunni(@vanreads)'s profile avatar HD Profile

sunni

@vanreads

4.5K
followers
954
following
☼ books + photos
☼ coast salish territory (vancouver, bc)
☼ posting sporadically these days
POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED
Better late than never! 🐾 Taking a little trip down memory lane with these custom cat coasters I made for a lovely client last year. 🧶 I realized I never got the chance to share these fluffy faces on my feed! The best part? This same client @vanreads reached out again this year for a new order. There is truly no bigger compliment than a returning customer. Thank you for trusting my hands (and needles) once again! 💖 #NeedleFelting #CatCoasters #CustomMade #HandmadeWithLove #PetPortraits WoolFelt SmallBusinessLove FiberArt LatePost RepeatCustomer 貓部 羊毛氈 手作 訂製
5
Download
📚2025 Recap & Reflections💫 Each year, I choose one word to center my focus. I started 2025 with “intentionality” as my word of the year, hoping to be more mindful of how I spend my limited time, resources, and energy. But what began as a year focused on being more intentional and “productive” slowly turned into a year shaped by health challenges, the political and social climate, and big toddler emotions and tantrums. Overall, I’m just glad we survived. So my word for 2025 ended up being survival. When older folks say, “health is wealth,” I used to brush it off. I’ve had my share of health issues because of my heart condition. But after dealing with intense stomach issues for the past year and a half which led to two endoscopies, 2 CT scans, a heart catheter, and even testing for ovarian cancer, I was brutally reminded that I am getting older and need to take better care of my health.
 That said, there was still a lot to celebrate. We moved into what we think is our forever home (at least for now), celebrated Nana’s book launch in L.A. (prob my favorite trip of 2025) took a few smaller trips (Dallas, San Diego 2X , L.A. 2X, Disneyland, Vancouver Island, and Utah 2X, and enjoyed many slow, cozy days with just the three of us (+ Belle). BUT, I do wish I could’ve done more. I feel the itch to travel internationally, to be more productive with my time to sit and journal, declutter, read, and write more. But if 2025 taught me anything, it’s that I need to take better care of myself in order to do more. So while I don’t have much to show for 2025, we survived. And that counts. Going into the new year, I hope to invest more in my health and well-being so I CAN do bigger things. (As I schedule for a colonoscopy, MRI in my brand new compression socks 😜) As for this book account, I’ll still be here! Reading when I can, writing reviews when I can. Still be more selective about what I read and support, and focus on the friendships I’ve made through this app. What’s one goal you have for 2026? 새해 복 많이 받으세요! ✨
18
Download
✨ Asian bookstagrammers recommend Asian-authored books they think you should read ✨ I credit bookstagram with opening up new worlds to me, one of which is the incredible community of Asian readers who point me to books I would never otherwise discover. It was through the enthusiasm of this community that I found favorite authors like Weike Wang and Alexander Chee, and I can count on these friends to highlight underhyped gems that might miss the mainstream buzz. This year, I asked 20 trusted readers to recommend an Asian-authored book they read in 2025 (backlist or frontlist) that they’d love to see more people picking up. They were kind enough to blurb their recs, so scroll on through and see which pique your interest! (Don’t sleep on that very last rec, it’s one of my all-time faves). And please consider following their accounts so that you can get their recs firsthand. There are so many others who I couldn’t include (IG only gives me 20 tags per post) but I’ll try to feature some in my stories over the next few weeks. In alphabetical order: Bhavna | @rendezvouswithbooks | ON THE BANKS OF THE PAMPA Brittany | @scienceowlreads | BECOMING GHOST Cal | @low_keybookish | THE POET AND THE SILK GIRL Ceci | @winstonandbooks | WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM Diana | @owlslittlelibrary | I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER Elena | @elena.luo | THINGS IN NATURE MERELY GROW Esther | @estherfungreads | WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE A LIST OF FURTHER POSSIBILITIES Helen | @readwithneleh | HOW TO WRITE AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL Hilary | @hilaryreadsbooks | THE HOLLOW HALF Josephine | @obsessivelybookishjojo | THE QUESTION OF RED Kat | @booknerdkat | DOGEATERS Monica | @tackling.my.tbr | AWAKE IN THE FLOATING CITY Nancy | @nancyslitlounge | THE WATER OUTLAWS Paige | @paigerragerreads | THE SATISFACTION CAFÉ Ren | @adelicatereader | SMALLER AND SMALLER CIRCLES Rita | @theritareads | THESE DEATHLESS SHORES Sophia | @beyondthemekong | IN THE SHADOW OF THE BANYAN Sunni | @vanreads | LAOZI’S DAO DE JING Surabhi | @surabhi.reading | THE AFTERLIFE IS LETTING GO Viviann | @vietgirlreads | CHEMISTRY Have you read any of these? Any on your TBR?
84
Download
yesterday was the sacred heart motel’s book birthday, with a double rainbow to cap it off🥺💕🌈 💕 i’ve written at greater length about how reading my own writing makes me feel (bad) (read my substack 𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓴 𝓲𝓷 𝓫𝓲𝓸) but the sacred heart motel marked the end and the beginning of stages in my writing life that i’m still parsing out but that feel differently charged. writing on meds, in a different place in life, with completely different relationships and surroundings and priorities, all of which are still undergoing change, is new and intimidating. i’m so grateful to all the readers, friends, mentors, supporters, publishers, that helped shape this ongoing journey🫀⚔️
12
Download
💫7 월 wrap up & photo dump 🎞️ {#giftedbooks are tagged} July was a mix of quiet moments and more social days. With my husband working all but four days this month, there were so many times I felt overwhelmed and barely hanging on. But we made it. PHEW 😮‍💨 A big highlight was spending time with @jjoongie (who complains but still comes to see me in this ridiculous Vegas heat lol), @vanreads , and @johannajournaled 🥰 We ate our way through Vegas and snacked nonstop (yet idk how I still have a bag of untouched snacks), had late nights, deep convos, and laughed until we cried. Honestly, this little get-together was the best part of the month. Was reminded of my college days. But oh man… I was also reminded I’m no longer in my twenties because barely getting sleep is NOT it for my almost 40 year old old self😅 I’m still recovering. Unlike June, I managed to squeeze in some reading this month! Here’s what I finished in July: 🌟FAVORITE ▫️My Train Leaves at Three (gifted) STILL THINKING ABOUT ▫️God Help the Child ENJOYED WITH COMPLAINTS ▫️Park Avenue (gifted) ▫️Kakigori Summer (gifted) 🎯Do you have any goals for August? I guess for myself is to post more reviews (I’m so behind) and limit my time on my phone. My son has told me a few times, “mommy, no phone. No phone” so I’m trying to really limit my screen time, especially when with my son. Inspired by @thestackspod, I bought myself a Brick and it’s been doing wonders so far. — What were some of your highlights in July whether that be books or fun moments? ✨
24
Download
㬢 For @vanreads A forgotten name given by her grandfather Lean on the tree under the shade, the root is deep. #sealtoskin #familylove
1
Download
Some wonderfully whimsical Enchantment Ball pics by the incredible @khlphotographyvancouver 🧚🦄🧝‍♀️ Thank you again to @faetedfantasy for having me on behalf of the @bookish_songs collective! To more magic 🥂 #faetedfantasy #theenchantmentball #vamcouverevents #fantasyball #bookishsongs
6
Download
A mini Enchantment Ball vlog feat. my first glambot! Didn’t realize I was shy until that moment HAHA ❤️ Truly the most magical night with so many wonderful friends, old and new 🧚🦄🧝‍♀️ #bookishsongs #bookishmusic #fantasymusic #livemusic #fantasyball #faetedfantasy
18
Download
What do you MEAN this is my job? Truly still floating from the magic created by @faetedfantasy 🥹 Thank you SO much for having us and bringing this incredible event to life. Thank you @victoria.carbol (& @bookish_songs) for lending your INCREDIBLE voice and sharing the stage with me. It was such an honor to work alongside you 💕 and finally thank you to all the attendees who came & listened. Everyone singing along to the songs and listening with such attention- CORE memory. So lovely meeting so many of you and sharing such a wonderful evening together!! • • • Photos by @vanreads 🫶🏼 • • #fantasyball #liveperformer #livemusic #travelingbard #musicalstorytime #pianist #fantasyevent #bookishsongs #musicforbooks
58
Download
A night I won’t forget I attended my first fantasy ball this weekend & was absolutely blown away. Kelsey & Cass at @faetedfantasy went above & beyond to bring us such a magical event that was so welcoming & wonderful. Everywhere I went was filled with smiles & laughter. It was truly unbelievable & I can’t wait for the opportunity to do this again✨ Victoria & Taylor blew everyone away with their set. These two are so talented & they had an entire ball room entranced. If you’re not following them & their collectives @bookish_songs & @duologymusichouse go do so! Honestly I’m still riding this high #fantasyball #faetedfantasy #bookish
15
Download
More Enchantment Ball shots by @vanreads! When I posted my first book-inspired song to YouTube nearly nine years ago, I never imagined it would lead here, to a bunch of faeries, witches, and other wild ones singing my words back to me on a night of glorious make believe. I say it is a dream come true because the phrase fits my sentiments, but the truth is I never even knew to dream for it. This life caught me completely by surprise and I am beyond awed and grateful that I get to live it. The little girl in me who spent her days tucked up in her room reading and banging away at the piano is kicking and giggling her feet right now. I think she would cry happy tears to know she gets to be me. 🥹 I have to say the biggest thanks again to @faetedfantasy for having me, and to @taylorashmusic for allowing me to crash what was originally planned as a solo set. And of course to @bookish_songs for going on this journey with me and helping me take my bookish soundtrack career to new heights. I am so so grateful for this community and all it has given me. 🥲📚🐉🧚🧝‍♀️ #fantasymusic #fantasyball #bookishsongs
14
Download
I went to Vancouver for work, and accidentally did an indie bookstore crawl after my conference sessions! I’m so glad I got to support these stores and hope yall support indie tomorrow as well! Shoutout to also @vanreads for these recs! Vancouver stores are also the best at book categories. For example: Paper hound had shelf categories like Books with Bears! Skills! Maritime Aventures. Getting High. Getting Higher. I was so tickled by these shelf categories that totally broke out of typical genres. (A customer also came in with a very specific rec, so it was cool to see the staff trying to give them suggestions!) Massy is indig owned and could totally tell! (They were setting up for an event so I didn’t have a ton of pics tho loved their stairwell.) but, some of the biggest shelf space for indigenous and Pal stinian authors 🤌🏻 and always appreciate stores with discount sections to make books accessible. I’ve been wanting to go to Nooroongji for so long bc of @vanreads and the name is so good (the yummy crispy rice that’s at the bottom of a pot). The front had this beautiful floral display and it’s got so many translated (mostly Asian) authors. Lots of kids books too. (And a great Pal stinian author section too.) Upstart & Crow also had clever shelf descriptions and a whole table for political reads in the moment (I bought Tyranny here). Lucky’s Books was not planned but a fun stop. I got some zines for class, and they had lots of manga and community art as well. ? What bookstores are your favs / are you hoping to stop by tomorrow ? #vancouverBookstores #IndependentBookStoreDay #supportindependentbookstores #shopindie #AsianAmericanReaders
24
Download
back to up