Fareya | Booktimistic

Book thoughts 💭 I picked up Detour by Jeff Rake and Rob Hart the week after the Artemis 2 excitement, because I wanted to hold on to that feeling and read a space/ sci-fi thriller, and this one fit the description. @randomhouse (partner) Set in the near future, the story revolves around six people, selected to embark on a future-changing two year mission to Titan, Saturn’s moon. The beginning is very character-oriented, but it gains traction after 100 or so pages and becomes impossible to put (or pin) down. There isn’t a lot of science per-se and I’d put this in the relatively easy-to-read category, something like a Blake Crouch book. Only a very small portion is set in space, but it still makes for a compelling read. However, I have complaints. Nothing is resolved/answered in this book, and I mean NOTHING. I understand it’s book 1 and mostly sets up for future books, but I’d have liked at least some answers. The ending is also a cliffhanger (of which I am not a fan lol) Honestly, with that exciting buildup, if we’d have received even some explanation, I’d have eagerly awaited the sequel, but that infuriating “TO BE CONTINUED...” made me so mad. Probably best to read this after book 2 comes out to save your frustration and also the blurb gives away too much, so go in blind for the best experience. Do you have any space adventure book rec for me? I have the new Veronica Roth on my radar! #bookreview #scifithriller #spaceadventure #bookstagram #booktimistic

The cutest bookmail by @aaknopf two books by Nora Ephron and a really fun tote 🩷 I already finished Someday This Will Be a Funny Story which is witty and hilarious. Quick, fun and entertaining, this cute little book is a collection of quotes from Nora Ephron’s books. It would make an excellent gift for anyone who loves her movies, and wants a quick recap of her witty and hilarious but comforting words. Obviously, I don’t agree with them all, but there are some that hit just right. Here are my personal favorites - “Be the heroine of your life, not the victim” “My experience is that ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’ is code for ‘I see what you mean, but if you think you’re going to trap me into engaging on this subject, you’re crazy.’ “I almost felt sorry for myself. But it was time for lunch.” The second book, I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections is still on my TBR, and is a collection of essays where the author takes a a cool, hard, hilarious look at the past, the present, and the future, bemoaning the vicissitudes of modern life, and recalling with her signature clarity and wisdom everything she hasn’t (yet) forgotten. Do you have a favorite Nora Ephron movie? I particularly love Julie and Julia, You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle. Any special plans for Mother’s Day? We might go to the beach again 🤣 #noraephron #noraephronquote #booktimistic #bookmail

Book thoughts 💭 My Dear You is an eclectic collection of ten short stories by Rachel Khong. Quirky, odd yet strangely charming these stories explore life and death, race, identity, loneliness and love in every form. Some stories I absolutely loved, others I liked, but there wasn’t a single one that I didn’t like (which is rare with my experience of short story collections!). Each story felt unique in its own way and I felt like the author did a fantastic job tackling tough topics in a playful way that somehow ended up being more impactful. Thank you so much @aaknopf for my ARC and matching cap 💙 Do you read short stories? I enjoy them from time to time and feel like they’re excellent slump busters.

A Silvia Moreno-Garcia ARC, color me excited 🤩 I’ve enjoyed every single book (that I’ve read) by her @randomhouse (partner) and honestly feel like she’s one of the most underrated authors of our time. Thank you so much @delreybooks for sending me the ARC of her upcoming book, The Intrigue, a slow-burn psychological noir set in 1940s Mexico. I can’t wait to read it 🖤 If you haven’t read any of her books and looking where to start, here’s a tiny guideline for all her books I’ve read 👇 If you’re in mood for a slow burn romance that’s also a quest to take back a Mayan God’s throne, pick up Gods of Jade and Shadow. It’s full of mythology, action, adventure and an amazing plot line. If you want to be creeped out by a mind boggling haunted house tale with fantastic twists, eerily vivid imagery, perpetual tension and a lingering sense of foreboding read Mexican Gothic. If you want something that’s different but also a classic, readThe Daughter of Doctor Moreau. It’s a reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau set in nineteenth century Mexico and is part science-fiction, part horror (but not the kind you’re thinking!) with mind-bending twists I never saw coming. If you’re looking for a book about witches, let me suggest The Bewitching. This was one of my favorite reads of 2025, and is spread across three timelines. It has a complicated and layered mystery mixed in with Mexican witchcraft folklore, the combination of which gave me literal chills. And finally, read Velvet was the Night for a historical noir set in 1970s Mexico, that’s unique as it is mysterious. What’s your favorite Silvia Moreno-Garcia book? Or if you haven’t read any yet (Why?!) which one would you pick first? #silviamorenogarcia #bookrecommendation #booktimistic #bookstagram #readthesebooks

I read these two back in February, and completely forgot to post about them despite having pretty good pictures at hand. Anyway, better late than never 🤣 Americanah was on my TBR for a while, and it lived up to my expectations. Adiche’s writing is absolutely elite, and I was completely immersed in the lives of the characters while reading. It’s one part literary fiction, one part romance, but mostly an excellent examination of race, class and immigration. I also kept meaning to pick up All About Love by Bell Hooks, and finally did! I liked the overall concept of redefining love as a verb, although some parts were not for me, as in I was not the right/target audience for it. But overall, a good read. Tell me something random, bookish or otherwise. #booktimistic #americanah #allaboutlove #bookstagram #booksoutside

Book thoughts 💭 Unbound by Peyton Corinne is a second chance college hockey romance, third in series, though I haven’t read the first two (I didn’t realize either of the above two facts before picking up since I didn’t read the blurb 🙈) If you decide to pick this up, it would be better to start with the first book, Unsteady. If I had to describe Unbound in three words it would be lyrical, emotional and full of angst. Here’s a favorite quote - “I watch the flames of the bonfire and wonder if there will be a day when I can show him everything. Or if we are, like so many beautiful poets and the subjects of their affection, doomed to burn out into ash and never get the things we want” The MMC Bennett is neurodivergent and I felt like the author really took her time developing his character that felt realistic. Paloma the FMC has her own traumas and again I thought the author took great care with her characterization as well. The story alternates between two timelines, three years apart and merges seamlessly at the end. I particularly loved how the author incorporated poetry in the book, however I did feel it was a tad bit too long with almost 500 pages! If you like new adult sports romances, you would love this. Personally, I feel like I’ve outgrown them but had I read this ten years back, I would have really liked it. And if you’ve already read this, you’d know why a picture of this book with food was a good idea 😉 Thank you so much @atriabooks for my ARC 🩷 What are you currently reading/watching? I am in the middle of three books and enjoying them all 😄 #bookthoughts #unboundpeytoncorinne #romancebookstragram #booktimistic #atriabooks

Book thoughts 💭 Aicha by Soraya Bouazzaoui is a standalone historical fantasy set during the Portuguese occupation of Ceuta. It’s inspired by the Moroccan myth of Aicha Kandicha and as someone who’s always looking for diverse mythological fantasy books, I couldn’t wait to read it. Also, just look at that stunning cover! 🤩 Thank you so much @orbitbooks_us for my ARC. I’d make this review easy by breaking down things that I liked, and those that didn’t work for me. What I liked- - Moroccan cultural representation - Story around a timeline and myth I was completely unfamiliar with - Easy to read short chapters - Aicha’s friendship with Naima (a witch) and her relationship with her older sister - Soft soulmate romance, even though I’d have loved some tension What didn’t work- - I wanted more around jinns and shawafas (witches) The plot line surrounding them had so much potential but it felt unexplored - As the story revolves around rebellion against occupation with un upcoming siege there wasn’t enough urgency and tension - Very little fantasy, it felt more like historical fiction with magical realism - I wanted the female rage to be shown not told about every other chapter - Abrupt ending that felt anti-climatic Overall, I thought this had an extremely intriguing premise but I wish the execution matched. I’d say give it a try if you’re looking to read a non-western mythological retelling but set your expectations straight by anticipating more of a historical fiction with themes of colonialism, revolution and resistance. Expect some light fantasy elements sewed in between, not a fast-paced epic fantasy, and I think you’d enjoy it more. #aicha #historicalfantasy #bookreviewpost #booktimistic #aichakandicha

The mood reader in my picking the most random book off of my shelf based on its cover and vibe @randomhouse (partner) I’ve never read a book set in Tibet and can’t wait to see what’s in store for me 💜 Are you a mood reader, tbr follower or a mix of both? The Last of Earth by Deepa Anappara is a historical fiction set in 1869 Tibet, following two outsiders—an Indian spy-surveyor named Balram and an English woman explorer named Katherine—as they navigate the forbidden kingdom on perilous journeys driven by personal ambition, duty, and the colonial enterprise. The book explores themes of colonialism, identity, and the human drive to leave a mark, contrasting the perspectives of the Indian man working for the British Empire and the English woman defying its restrictions. #thelastofearth #deepaanappara #historicalfiction #booktimistic

Weekend vibes 🌊✨ So glad I got my outdoor reading session ☺️📖 Did you spend the weekend indoors or outdoors? Any fun book recs? I finished the new Heather Fawcett book and it was fantastic 😻 #booktimistic #outdoorreading #beachreading #booksbythesea

Book thoughts 💭 I picked up Deathbringer Sonia Tagliareni mainly for the cover (just LOOK at it) and ended up really liking it. It’s a dark academia murder mystery that also encompasses necromancy and forbidden romance. The worldbuilding is solid and the magic system very interesting. The plot moves at a brisk pace and the murder mystery makes it all the more intriguing. What really took me by surprise was the meticulous yet tender exploration of grief and trauma, seamlessly blended in with war, politics and search for a murderer. The romance, an enemies-to-lovers forbidden one, sadly didn’t work for me because it felt like insta-love (despite being enemies-to-lovers!). However, I did appreciate where the two main characters stood at the end. Anyway, this is the first book in a trilogy, so much is to be explored but I really liked how the author wrapped everything up in this one (despite the cliffhanger-ish end and brutal turn of events), giving us answers and raising a bunch of new ones simultaneously. I will definitely be reading the next book. Thank you so much @atriabooks for my ARC 🖤 Do you read dark academia books? Any favorites? Any recs? #deathbringer #soniatagliareni #darkacademiabooks #necromancy #booktimistic Book review, book thoughts, dark academia book, dark academia murder mystery, book to read, upcoming book, romantasy, magic system, read this book, new books to look forward to, forbidden romance, fantasy Bookstagram

Criminally good books from @amazonpublishing #AmazonPublishingCreator 😄 I just love that bookmark so much haha 🤣 Any of these look appealing to you? I will most likely be starting with Read Between the Lies by Jesse Q. Sutanto, because this line “dark, delicious takedown of cancel culture and the publishing industry” has me convinced! More details on each title below 👇 Read Between the Lies by Jesse Q. Sutanto - In this claustrophobic psychological suspense, the line between victim and villain blurs with every chapter. Because in the end, everyone has their own version of the truth—but only one will make it onto the page. Blade by Wendy Walker - A chilling psychological thriller set in the cutthroat world of elite figure skating. Hooked by Caitlin Rother - A journalist and cop fight attraction as they join forces to expose a layered scheme of dark and dangerous secrets. Evil is Forever by Trilina Pucci - A special effects artist and a hotshot chef put their shared past to the test to survive a stalker, and their feelings for each other. #bookmail #bookstoreadnext #booktimistic #thrillsandchills

Book thoughts 💭 @randomhouse (partner) The one thing I know for certain about a Cara Bastone book is that it’ll make me cry but leave me smiling, and No Matter What as expected did both. It’s a second chance, marriage-in-trouble romance that follows Roz and Vin trying to navigate life while suffering through deep trauma after an accident. Art and its healing power is an important part of this story, so is the importance of unexpected friendships and human connection. Cara Bastone has a way with writing emotions that are difficult to pen down. She makes her characters feel and say things that end up making us readers both laugh and cry simultaneously. No Matter What is about choosing to start over despite the wreckage, despite the odds. I thought Roz and Vin’s journey to healing and finding each other back was tedious, tender and full of pain and vulnerability. I also strongly disagree with people stating this has the miscommunication trope and they should have simply “talked to each other”. It’s not the same when they’re both traumatized in their own separate ways. A patient, poetic, second chance love story that felt raw and real. I have a bunch of quotes saved, but these two are my favorite - “Life only gets more and more complicated. The good never unmixes with the bad. It only tangles more and more.” “You can’t delete a chapter and get the same ending. And I no longer want to try. I want all of it. Every tangle. I’ll draw right off the edge of the page. Him and me, we’re shooting for infinity.” #bookthoughts #carabastone #nomatterwhatbook #booktimistic #romancebookstagram