Scan barcode
velsbooknook's reviews
251 reviews
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
emotional
hopeful
reflective
5.0
Absolutely beautiful but yet sad novella. I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Dementia
Death and the Sisters by Heather Redmond
2.0
I really wanted to like this book but it sadly wasn't for me. I liked the idea of the book, but the character depth was lacking for me. I had trouble following the POV switches, because the characters were missing their own voice. The pacing for me was also off and I had to DNF, even though I only had about 70 pages left. I wish this story would have grabbed my interest more.
The Mist-Walker Vol. 1: The Breath of Things by Stéphane Fert
This was the perfect graphic novel to read in October! I loved the graphic style and colour palette. This graphic novel was very fun and cute but also had some dark pages. You see how much dedication and hard work went into creating this illustrations. (Swipe to get a little spoiler-free look into the book.)
4.0
This was the perfect graphic novel to read in October! I loved the graphic style and colour palette. This graphic novel was very fun and cute but also had some dark pages. You see how much dedication and hard work went into creating this illustrations. (Swipe to get a little spoiler-free look into the book.)
The vibes and atmosphere were creepy and mystical filled with witches, magical creatures and a threatening mist and I can't wait for more volumes to come out!
Thank you to Stephané Fert, Europe Comics and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Blood
Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
4.5
Lark is grieving her husband and moved to Ireland to embrace life again. Little did she know that she moved right next to a funeral home. Callum, owner of the family undertaking business can only carry on their legacy under one condition: he must need to marry before his 35th birthday.
The first time Lark meets Callum I knew I would enjoy this book very very much. The humour was spot on and I was chuckling on my couch.
Callum is so adorable and I have no idea how you can't fall in love with him?! He was so sweet and the Irish dirty talk was so well done!
Lark is the complete opposite of Callum but she also is such a beautiful and joyful character even though the sudden death of her husband totally broke her.
The book is the spiciest I have read so far but it was so well done and I enjoyed it a lot! It felt very mature and natural and the MCs had a lovely dynamic.
This is a recommendation for all you romance lovers out there! It's duo POV, strangers to friends to lovers, demisexual & disability rep. and shows that love is possible again after losing someone you love.
The first time Lark meets Callum I knew I would enjoy this book very very much. The humour was spot on and I was chuckling on my couch.
Callum is so adorable and I have no idea how you can't fall in love with him?! He was so sweet and the Irish dirty talk was so well done!
Lark is the complete opposite of Callum but she also is such a beautiful and joyful character even though the sudden death of her husband totally broke her.
The book is the spiciest I have read so far but it was so well done and I enjoyed it a lot! It felt very mature and natural and the MCs had a lovely dynamic.
This is a recommendation for all you romance lovers out there! It's duo POV, strangers to friends to lovers, demisexual & disability rep. and shows that love is possible again after losing someone you love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
dark
mysterious
tense
3.5
The story follows Rachel who is taking the train, watching the same houses pass by everyday. She loves to see one particular house, because it reminds her of her past life, before she got divorced. She calls the people living in it Jess and Jason. One day she sees Jess kissing another man. The next day she hears about the missing Megan Hipwell and Rachel knows from the address in the newspaper that Megan is Jess.
The story gets told from three POVs. Rachel, Megan and Anna. I liked to get those different looks onto the story. Rachel has an alcohol addiction which made her a very unreliable narrator. I enjoyed how the story unraveled and Rachel slowly regained her memory from the night Megan went missing. It is definitely a thriller with a slower pacing which I don't mind but I was missing some turns that made me rethink my theories. My reading experience was definitely better than what I heard about the book before. The Girl on the Train was a quick and easy read for me and I enjoyed my time reading it but it was nothing groundbreaking.
The story gets told from three POVs. Rachel, Megan and Anna. I liked to get those different looks onto the story. Rachel has an alcohol addiction which made her a very unreliable narrator. I enjoyed how the story unraveled and Rachel slowly regained her memory from the night Megan went missing. It is definitely a thriller with a slower pacing which I don't mind but I was missing some turns that made me rethink my theories. My reading experience was definitely better than what I heard about the book before. The Girl on the Train was a quick and easy read for me and I enjoyed my time reading it but it was nothing groundbreaking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Murder
Weyward by Emilia Hart
dark
hopeful
mysterious
4.0
This books tells the story of 3 women from different generations of the Weyward family. Altha's story is set in 1619, Viloet's in 1942 and Kate's in 2019. I enjoyed all three story lines but it took me some time in the beginning to pinpoint who is who and what is going on. I read the book as an audiobook and the different narrators definitely helped me immensely. It got me immersed in the story very well after having some trouble in the beginning.
Each one of the Weyward women tells her own story of empowerment, while escaping abusive men and learning about their affinity with nature. I absolutely loved the familiars but I would have loved to see a little more witchcraft and a little less of those heavy topics like abuse for example. I wanted it to be more of a cozy, witchy read but it got really really dark at some points. Be sure to check trigger warnings since this one is heavy on domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault.
I enjoyed Weyward and it reminded me a lot of The Witch of Tin Mountain which I read and loved last year! I think TWoTM is the more cozy, witchy choice. So if that sounds like something you would enjoy go give it a go!
Each one of the Weyward women tells her own story of empowerment, while escaping abusive men and learning about their affinity with nature. I absolutely loved the familiars but I would have loved to see a little more witchcraft and a little less of those heavy topics like abuse for example. I wanted it to be more of a cozy, witchy read but it got really really dark at some points. Be sure to check trigger warnings since this one is heavy on domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault.
I enjoyed Weyward and it reminded me a lot of The Witch of Tin Mountain which I read and loved last year! I think TWoTM is the more cozy, witchy choice. So if that sounds like something you would enjoy go give it a go!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Abortion
All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
dark
tense
3.0
This was a good thriller but not as thrilling as I would have liked it to be. This is for everyone who likes family secrets, an unreliable narrator and true crime podcasts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
Witness by Jamel Brinkley
3.0
A collection of 10 short stories all set in New York. They were all very well written and diverse story-wise. I think it is obviously easier to connect with the places and stories when you're from New York. I liked them but I did not love them, which was because I think short stories are just not my jam really. My favourite stories from the collection were Arrows and Witness.
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
funny
lighthearted
5.0
This book was so stinkin cute, I had the best time reading it! I had some trouble concentrating on sitting down and reading recently so I listened to the audiobook and I devoured this book.
The story is about Liz who has been in love with Michael for a very long time. He did not really notice her before but now that he moved back to Liz's town she is determined to win his heart. She even asks her annoying neighbour Wes for help.
Following Liz on her journey to win her crush's heart was so fun! I also really enjoyed all the romantic comedy references and the importance and comfort they had on Liz.
Liz and Wes had such a beautiful dynamic and I loved their deep talks about their lives and feelings.
Helena probably was my favourite character and I was so sad at one moment in the book I just wanted to hug her. She was such a sweet person!
Better Than The Movies definitely is better than all the romcoms I've seen so far and I had a blast reading it. A very comforting and beautiful book.
Perfect for everyone who enjoys a highschool setting, enemies to lovers, movie references and a clean and sweet teenage love.
The story is about Liz who has been in love with Michael for a very long time. He did not really notice her before but now that he moved back to Liz's town she is determined to win his heart. She even asks her annoying neighbour Wes for help.
Following Liz on her journey to win her crush's heart was so fun! I also really enjoyed all the romantic comedy references and the importance and comfort they had on Liz.
Liz and Wes had such a beautiful dynamic and I loved their deep talks about their lives and feelings.
Helena probably was my favourite character and I was so sad at one moment in the book I just wanted to hug her. She was such a sweet person!
Better Than The Movies definitely is better than all the romcoms I've seen so far and I had a blast reading it. A very comforting and beautiful book.
Perfect for everyone who enjoys a highschool setting, enemies to lovers, movie references and a clean and sweet teenage love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig
hopeful
informative
inspiring
"Be kind to yourself. If the negatives of the work outweigh the positives of the money, don't do it. If someone is using their power to bully or harass you, don't stand for it. If you hate your, job, and can get away with walking out on your lunch break, walk out on your lunch break. And never go back."
After I experienced some severe panic attacks and waiting for my psychology appointment I was looking for a book that would make time pass a little quicker for me. Usually reading is my way to relax but I had some trouble staying focused so this book was just the right pick for me.
The chapters are short and the book gave a good look on life when times get rough.
I read The Midnight Library last year (and very much enjoyed it) and got this one shortly after. It was just waiting for me on my shelf for the right time.
The book shows many different moments in which anxiety can affect life but also how to cope with it. I just needed that little reminder that everything will be ok and that I'm already doing a very good job of taking care of my mental health.
I really love Haig's writing style and I found his look on life and his person very likeable. It was like sitting down with a friend sharing and evaluating some important moments in life.
I loved this book so much and found myself in the pages but also saw that I'm not alone and that is what I really needed rn.
It definitely won't be my last book by the author and I'm excited to pick up another one soon!
Highly recommend!
After I experienced some severe panic attacks and waiting for my psychology appointment I was looking for a book that would make time pass a little quicker for me. Usually reading is my way to relax but I had some trouble staying focused so this book was just the right pick for me.
The chapters are short and the book gave a good look on life when times get rough.
I read The Midnight Library last year (and very much enjoyed it) and got this one shortly after. It was just waiting for me on my shelf for the right time.
The book shows many different moments in which anxiety can affect life but also how to cope with it. I just needed that little reminder that everything will be ok and that I'm already doing a very good job of taking care of my mental health.
I really love Haig's writing style and I found his look on life and his person very likeable. It was like sitting down with a friend sharing and evaluating some important moments in life.
I loved this book so much and found myself in the pages but also saw that I'm not alone and that is what I really needed rn.
It definitely won't be my last book by the author and I'm excited to pick up another one soon!
Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts