"I've lived a thousand lives and I've loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant shores and seen the end of time. Because I read."
George RR Martin.
The Song of Achilles
Madeline Miller
I read The Song of Achilles after years of being in a reading slump. This book reignited my love for reading. I laughed, gasped, said “wtf” out loud, cried and felt such deep hurt while reading this.
It has such a special place in my soul. I haven’t stopped reading since then.
I can’t wait for the time I am ready to reread this book. For now, my heart still hurts too much.
Cleopatra’s Daughter
Michelle Moran
Following The Song of Achilles, I went down a rabbit hole of Greek mythology and anything related to myths. The book starts with Cleopatra’s rule crumbling around her and follows Cleopatra’s daughter, Selene as she is taken from her home to Rome.
I loved how Selene’s relationship with her twin, Alexander was portrayed. They had an incredibly close bond and Moran really captured their deep bond and affection for each other.
The Mask of Mirrors
M.A. Carrick
This is definitely an adult fantasy book. The book is complex; the writing, the plot – takes a while to wrap your mind around everything. It’s a slow burner but I love how many layers there are. The characters are multi-faceted and have depth. I read this book before Book #2 and Book #3 were out. I was devastated when I realized it was a new book!
With a strong female lead and many twists and turns, you can’t help but root for the main character, Ren.
Alone With You in the Ether
Olivie Blake
The House in the Cerulean Sea
T.J. Klune
House of Earth and Blood
Sarah J. Maas
I might’ve cried a little and “awed” out loud a couple times.
“Light it up.”
I loved loved loved how friendship was highlighted in this book. Bryce and Danika. Lehabah. Fury. Juniper. The love the characters had for each other and the sacrifices they made brought tears to my eyes. All of it made me think of the friends I had back home and how much I miss them which just made me cry even more lol.
“Then let the world know that my first act of freedom was to help my friends.“
I’ve read all of SJM’s books and they are all about the same thing – relatively. I didn’t feel much originality in this book but I live for the banter and the relationships. It could’ve been a shorter book though.
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me
Mariana Zapata
Anyone else lives for a slow burn with a splash of angst? Giirrrrlllll.
My current reads.
Women Who Run With The Wolves
Clarissa Pinkola Estés
I’m pretty sure I came across this book on TikTok. If Maya Angelou says this a book everyone who can read should read… I’m def reading it.
Will update once I’m done!
This Other Eden
Paul Harding
‘O Si Manu a Ali’i
‘Aumua Mata’itusi Simanu
Moving back to Samoa and working in the language showed me how much my Samoan is lacking.
I still remember when I went to TCF to meet with a defendant and having to speak to him entirely in Samoan. Explaining sexual charges and the mens rea in different crimes. (First of all, how was I supposed to explain mens rea in Samoan?) I was struggggling to explain everything in plain terms.
I had printed out his charges and the AG’s plea offer, double-spaced, and in between the lines I wrote Samoan translations in red ink. It was messy, awkward, but I was able to explain everything to him. It just took a while. I distinctly remember him turning to me at the end and saying, “Out te malamalama. O lae lelei lou fa’asamoa. Pau a le mea e papagu.” I laughed out loud. It honestly kept me laughing throughout the entire week whenever I thought of it.
Anyways, I am working on improving my Samoan, hence this book.
‘O Fāiā Fa’atūmua o Sāmoa Mai Tala o le Vavau
‘Aumua Mata’itusi Simanu
Books Galore
When I say I want a library in my house, it’s not just any library I envision – it’s a grand collection housing every book I’ve ever delved into. From cherished favorites to regrettable reads. I’ve already started on my collection. I was able to bring 1 container of some of my fav books with me to Samoa but I had to leave a lot behind. I haven’t found a bookstore in Samoa yettttt.
I’ve been asked how I got into reading and who knows. From my earliest memories as a child, I remember reading all the time. I would eagerly wait for my dad to come home with new books for me to read. I would get in trouble as a child because I refused to go to sleep and would continue to try reading in the dark. (Wtf? Lol. Need to talk to my therapist about that….) I think my love for reading has just always been there.
Reading serves as an unparalleled escape that I haven’t been able to find in anything else or anywhere else. Within the pages of books, I traverse lives I’ll never lead and explore emotions that elude me in reality. I’ve learned countless lessons that are unattainable in the tangible world.
“If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.“
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Dine's Ethos 