Birthday Musings | 24 Lessons I've Learned from Book Characters

✼ Tomorrow I turn twenty-four ✼

That's right, dear readers - I am one step closer to becoming one of those brilliant wallflower heroines in historical romance novels! Jokes aside [although Victorian era fashion is to die for!], I've actually been looking forward to turning twenty-four.

This past year has been a journey and one that has shaped me into my 'adult' self. This adult self still avidly watches cartoons and binges cat videos...but she also has some pretty great new qualities and skills.

One of the biggest factors to have shaped me in life is literature.

Books have been my constant companions, mentors and havens throughout my life. And I've noticed more and more that I'll reference books [moments, or quotes] when dealing with life's trials. I've found so much wisdom between the pages of books and some of these nuggets of wisdom have become cornerstones of life for me.

Today I'll be sharing twenty-four lessons literature has taught me.

Books through their characters have given me so many incredible life lessons and I thought I'd share some of those with you lovelies today. Some are deep...some are the complete opposite! But all are true gems. I hope you enjoy reading through them!

So without further ado...let's get into it!

Myths & Legends | The Harp of Kings Review + Author Interview

Myths and legends are like ink wells.



Writers dip their mental quills into these ink wells, drawing from them inspiration to construct their own timeless tales. There is a sense of the ancient - of mystery, wild magic and hidden depths to explore. And one author who does this so brilliantly is the incredible Juliet Marillier.

Juliet Marillier is a treasured storyteller.

Throughout my life my love of whimsical, wild magic stories has continued to thrive. I remember reading Juliet Marillier’s novel Wildwood Dancing for the first time and being swept away by what can only be described as storytelling magic. Her stories speak to me as if from a forgotten past - they feel like glimpses into old and mystical worlds. They hold a classic charm that failed to fade over time - instead, becoming all the more poignant and treasured.

Today's post is about her latest novel The Harp of Kings.

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The Harp of Kings is an absolute gem of a novel and I'm truly excited today to not only be giving my review of it but to also be sharing with you all my interview with Juliet Marillier! Both the review and the interview can be found below.

A massive thank you to Juliet Marillier and the team over at Pan Macmillan Australia for helping organise this incredible interview opportunity + sending me a review copy of this incredible book to read and review.

So without further ado...let's get into it!

♡ Brief Life Update ♡

Hey lovelies!

Just wanted to let you all know that reviews, interviews (both author + my new, upcoming bookstagrammers series!) and more will be up by September!

I'm so sorry for the short absence. I've had a number of losses in my family over the last few months and have had to take the time to be with the ones I love - taking the time to remember, rest and heal.

Thank you all for being absolutely incredible and I can't wait to share the projects I have lined up. Keep an eye out for my interview with author Juliet Marillier which will be featured here on September 6th! I can't wait to share my chat with her and my thoughts on her brand new novel The Harp of Kings.

All the hugs,

Booknut 101

Igniting The Imagination | We Hunt The Flame (Review)

There are books that are well-written.

A well-written book is like a cake. A certain 'recipe' can be followed, certain measures can be taken. There is a process that can be perfected in order to 'bake' a book and have a satisfactory novel as an end result.

And then there are books that are masterpieces.

We Hunt The Flame is such a book. It wasn't made using a go-to 'recipe'. It forges its own path and has a distinct flair and originality that makes it a truly memorable gem of a read. My full thoughts on the book are below.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this incredible book to read and review.

So without further ado...let's get into it!

Love On The Ranch | The Trouble with Cowboy Weddings (ARC Review)

Country romance stories are a balm to the soul.

They remind me of movie days snuggled up on the couch or cradling a cup of tea as you gaze out of a window at the view beyond. It's a type of...warmth. They somehow embody this warm, cosy feeling - connecting with the emotions, trials and wants that us readers feel as deeply as country romance characters do. They make us long for simpler times and simple comforts of the heart.

The Trouble with Cowboy Weddings is one such novel.

A big thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this title. My thoughts on this TBR tale of love, loss and redemption are below.

So without further ado...let's get into it!

Love, Murder & Rogues...Oh My! | Project Duchess (ARC Review)

Historical romance novels are my kryptonite.

There is something about the historical fiction genre that is utterly captivating. I adore the witty banter, longing glances and Hallmark movie-esque moments (shout out to Regency gazebos and strolls through picturesque gardens!). Romantic connections develop under the pressure of social conventions, familial expectations, and future prospects...and become stronger for it. It's a world of contrasts - composedness and spontaneity, rules and rule-breaking, cool regard and fiery passion.

Project Duchess is an ode to your inner romantic.

Following its characters as they find love, despite the ghosts of their past, is an absolute delight. Sabrina Jeffries is an incredible wordsmith and does a brilliant job of bringing these characters to life.

A big thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this title. My thoughts on this TBR literary gem are below.

So without further ado...let's get into it!

A Magical, Slow-Burn Romance | Howl's Moving Castle (Review)

A heart's a heavy burden...

Many novels incorporate elements of romance. Some, with a heavy hand - passionate, fiery connections that burn bright and hot. Others, with a subtler touch - the occasional glance, stolen moments, leading to a love that burns steady and true.

I myself have always been more partial to slow-burn romances. Romances that allow the characters involved to get to know one another on a deeper level than the physical. A romance for me shouldn't overshadow the plot or act as a substitute for it. And a perfect example of this is Howl's Moving Castle.

Howl's Moving Castle is a modern classic.

I fell in love many years ago with the Studio Ghibli adaption of Howl's Moving Castle. It was colourful, fun and entertaining. From the beautiful soundtrack to the perfectly cast voice actors, it was an utter success and an immediate favourite. However, it wasn't until recently that I found the time to pick up the original tale in book form and give it a go.

A wizard's breakfast! (Original HD post can be found on my bookstagram)

From the very first page I was captivated by Diana Wynne Jones' special brand of storytelling magic. I can't wait to share my thoughts on this epic novel and its unforgettable adventure with you all (see below).

So without further ado...let's get into it!

'Tis Written In the Stars | Star Crossed (Review)

Why don't we rewrite the stars?

All The Greatest Showman lyrics aside (I just couldn't resist!), I've always found astrology to be an intriguing pseudoscience. It seemingly bridges the gap between the terrestrial and the celestial, bringing with it various forms of divination from horoscopes to tarot readings. It's almost as if astrology provides a way for us mere mortals to peek beyond the mundane and to take a glimpse at the tapestry of life woven by Fate.

Is love written in the stars...or in the Alexandria Park Star?

Minnie Darke's Star Crossed utilises astrology as a device to bring together two souls for a fresh and fun romance. Its protagonist - Justine - works for the Alexandria Park Star. She makes a small alteration to the magazine's astrology column, in the hopes of securing the attention - and affection! - of her old friend Nick. Star Crossed follows the comical consequences of Justine's meddling and asks the question: are some people really destined to be together?

A big thank you to Penguin Books Australia for sending me a copy of Star Crossed to review! Below are my thoughts on the novel + more information on the book for those of you interested in reading Star Crossed for yourselves.

So without further ado...let's get into it!

Re-Imagining The Elements | The Dysasters (Review)

P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast have returned with a stormy read!

When I was getting back into reviewing post-hiatus, I took a little while to pick the books I wanted to review. After having read a bunch of books with seemingly tired or recycled concepts (for leisure), I was ready to pick something up that was unique. Something that was going to hold my attention and get me immersed from the get-go.

The Dysasters was my first pick.

When I read the blurb for The Dysasters, my inner Avatar the Last Airbender fangirl jumped for joy! The use of natural elements - water, earth, fire and air - in fiction is usually sporadic or secondary to the plot itself. But The Dysasters held the potential to reimagine the elements and produce a story that would be both inventive and captivating.

A big thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me this copy to review! The full review is down below - but if you'd like a quick summary of my thoughts, feel free to check out my Instagram post on The Dysasters for a mini review.

So without further ado...let's get into it!