Book Review - Wake the Wild Creatures by Nova Ren Suma

 

Wake the Wild Creatures by Nova Ren Suma is about a young woman who lived with her mother off the grid her entire life and was forced to return to civilization. Until three years ago, Talia lived in the ruins of Neves, a once-beautiful and grand hotel that had been abandoned, with her mother, Pola, and a community of like-minded women in the Catskills Mountains area. Each woman had her own reason for coming to Neves. Some came to escape men; others were hiding from the law, but they all found safety, comfort, and connection when they arrived.

Neves is cloaked in a mysterious, magical mist that keeps intruders and anyone who isn’t welcome away. As their numbers grew, so did their complications. Someone had betrayed the community and called the police on Pola. The uniformed men descended on their sacred community and arrested her, calling her a murderer and a fugitive, which caused Talia to be taken away and left their community in shambles.

Talia is now sixteen and eager to return to her community. She currently lives with her mother’s sister, Rachele, and her family. Talia doesn’t like how the world revolves around ideals the women of Neves stood against. Talia is desperate to return to her home, but she is awaiting a signal from her mother. As Talia waits, she questions everything she knew about her past and is desperate to know whether she can ever return to the life she left behind.

I thought the book was an okay read. I think it was nicely written and easy to follow along at times but can be confusing when it would switch between past and present. The book is told from Talia’s perspective and alternates between the past and present. It was interesting to read about Talia’s past and how she was coping in the present. However, I felt the ending left me with more questions, such as what happened to the mother, why they waited so long to give her a signal, what would happen to Talia, her mother, and the others, and why the place is magical.

At times, the book was hard to read because I didn’t care for Talia. I felt like she was an unlikeable person and very self-centered. I also wondered what the point of the book was, because the ending felt very unresolved for me. Sometimes the book would focus heavily on her past, and I would be very interested in seeing what role it played in the present, but sometimes nothing came of it. The book was very boring at times, with almost no twists or turns, and even though it is billed as a mysterious thriller, it is not. I think it’s an okay read, but I wouldn’t read it again or be in a hurry to read another book by the author.

Book Review - Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne

 

 

Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne is a collection of stories about Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends. The book follows the honey-loving bear and his adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood. Each chapter features a new adventure that Pooh and his friends embark on together.

I remember watching the TV show as a kid and loving it, and I still clearly remember some of the episodes. At times, scenes from the show played in my head while I was reading certain chapters. I was surprised by how some of the characters came across on the page. I always liked Rabbit and Eeyore, but reading about them changed my perception a bit. I hate to say it, but Eeyore can be a bit of a drama queen, though I still love him. The illustrations were charming and added a fun, nostalgic touch to the story.

The only drawback of this newer edition is its soft, fuzzy cover. While I love how it feels, it definitely needs a protective cover. The fuzz comes off easily, traps dirt, and gets dirty quickly. Overall, though, it’s a classic that readers familiar with the characters will enjoy revisiting.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author.

 

February 2026 Empties!

 

This year, I’m trying to be more intentional about posting regularly and using up the products I already own. So far, I think I’ve been doing pretty well, and I’ve managed to finish several items. Most of them were K-beauty products, and a few are things I would definitely repurchase.

I finished two products from the brand Banobagi: the Rejuvenating Vital Serum and the Rejuvenating Vital Cream. Interestingly, I didn’t purchase them at the same time, and I didn’t even realize they were from the same brand while I was using them. Both products were great quality and very affordable. The serum and moisturizer were unscented, lightweight, and surprisingly moisturizing. The Vital Cream, in particular, felt very luxe and left my skin feeling incredibly soft.

The Araceli eyeliner lasted forever until I accidentally left the cap off. It was very dark and applied smoothly along my lash line. It ended up being one of my favorite finds of the year.

The Gillian Instant Renew Amazon Clay Mask with Tsubaki Oil was gifted to me by a friend who toured a skincare factory and received samples to try. She gave one to me since she had two. I wasn’t familiar with the brand, but I was excited to test it out. The clay mask worked well and wasn’t overly drying. It left my skin feeling soft and smooth after use. I would get this again.

Have you tried anything new this month that you’ve been loving?

Book Review - The Perfect Home by Daniel Kenitz

 

The Perfect Home by Daniel Kenitz follows a picture-perfect couple who struggle with infertility and a husband desperate to have the family he’s always wanted. Dawn Decker and her husband, Wyatt, are the hosts of a popular Tennessee-based home renovation reality show, The Perfect Home. The two are complete opposites—Dawn is the salt to Wyatt’s sweet, media-friendly, sunshine persona.

Dawn isn’t interested in their celebrity lifestyle and would prefer a quieter, more private existence. Wyatt, on the other hand, thrives on fame and wishes they were more than just D-list celebrities. The couple is eager to start a family, but they face infertility challenges due to Wyatt’s low sperm count. Desperate, Wyatt secretly orders an experimental fertility drug. When Dawn becomes pregnant, they should be celebrating—but instead, Dawn finds herself living in fear. Wyatt’s cheerful demeanor begins to unravel, revealing a darker, more controlling, moody, and even cruel side.

When Dawn discovers that Wyatt is plotting a tragedy involving their infant twins to boost their fame, she decides to escape and go on the run. Wyatt, using his celebrity image, appears on national television to plead for her return, portraying her as an unstable woman suffering from postpartum psychosis. His charm is so convincing that even Dawn’s closest friends begin to doubt her. If Dawn wants to protect her children, she must outsmart Wyatt and beat him at his own game.

The novel was an okay read. It's told from alternating perspectives—Dawn’s and Wyatt’s—which added some depth. There were a few unexpected twists and turns, but for the most part, the plot was predictable. I didn’t care much for most of the characters. Dawn’s actions sometimes felt over-the-top. While I understood her desire to protect her children, she didn’t even attempt to gather proof before going on the run. As a result, everyone turned on her, and yet, things still conveniently worked out in her favor.

The book also felt repetitive at times. I grew tired of reading constant praise about Wyatt’s handsomeness while Dawn was repeatedly described as a plain, unattractive woman. The plot felt unrealistic and contrived, and overall, the story didn’t fully land for me.

Book Review - The Gay Icon’s Guide to Life by Michael Joosten

 

The Gay Icon’s Guide to Life by Michael Joosten is a witty, illustrated collection of life lessons, sass, and inspiration drawn from legendary LGBTQ+ icons, offering readers fabulous advice for navigating the world with pride and confidence. The book features over 70 quotes from a variety of iconic figures.

It’s more of a coffee table book than one meant to be read cover to cover. Each page pairs a quote with an illustration of the person who said it, making it a great resource for anyone in need of a little inspiration or an emotional pick-me-up. It was a quick read—I finished it in under an hour—and found it both fun and uplifting. Some of the quotes really resonated with me, and it’s the kind of book I’ll keep nearby for the days when nothing seems to be going right.