Reading continues to be a struggle for me this year. At least when it comes to the reading pace and quantity. I guess I am just not able to make the time. And maybe not much catches my attention enough to carve out time. Nevertheless I have read and I have been reading longer books this month and I guess that can count for something. Let’s have a book talk.
Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony | ★★★★☆
Book Blurb: In 1970s Dublin, all forms of contraception are strictly forbidden, but an intrepid group of women will risk everything to change that in this “heartbreaking, powerful, and ultimately uplifting” novel inspired by a little-known true story.
First Sentence: I have pee on my fingers.
What I thought: This was really great to read and very educational. I loved the characters – very different women all with their unique story, struggles and motivation for wanting contraception. I also enjoyed the different social groups they belonged too. And most all the friendship. This was a really good book.
Curious count:
Characters: Maura – doctors wife who used to work, Bernie – butchers wife with three kids, Saoirse – modern women struggling with life
Setting: Train between Dublin and Belfast, Dublin, Belfast
Medium: eBook through Kindle unlimited
Original Language and Title: English
Publications: no translation found
Recommend to: Everyone slightly interested in women, empowerment and good stories.
Author’s Origin: born in Dublin, Ireland | unknown
Read Around the World: Logged for Ireland in my Read Around the World Challenge
Additional note: Laura Anthony is a pseudonym – real name is Janelle Harris.
Wicca Creed Trilogy by Marah Woolfe | ★★★✶☆
Book Blurb: People believe that magic doesn’t exist, and it is only this belief that allows them to sleep soundly. Ever since her family was murdered over twelve years ago, twenty-two-year-old Wicca Valea Patel has been living among humans, far from her homeland of Ardeal. She wants nothing more than to return and find out what happened on the night her life was brutally torn apart. But it is only when another Wicca is murdered that her grandfather sends for her, for Valea possesses…
First Sentence book 1: Niemand wusste, wer die längst verblichene Inschrift in die dunklen Holzbalken der abgenutzten The des Merlin gebrannt hatte. | No one knew who had burned the long-faded inscription into the dark wooden beams of the worn-out Merlin’s Tavern.
First Sentence book 2: Der Mann hatte das Gesicht im Haar seiner Frau vergraben. | The man had buried his face in his wife’s hair.
First Sentence book 3: Du musst dich nur erinnern. | You just have to remember.
What I thought: This started very interesting and the world building was promising. I like the different groups of magicians and their power. However I would have liked to get a deeper look how that power works and why. I felt like this was just a background picture to set up the love story. The second book was a bit boring and at the same time it was a page turner. I was annoyed with the continuous narration of why certain things were a motivator. Like the characters telling themselves their motivation. It was unnecessary and took away from real character building and the entire flow.
The third book was even more annoying. I just felt like the entire end fight was lame and someone who has discovered magic recently and no trains whatsoever will fight this fight was just stupid. I can’t overlook that and I didnt care about the love story in the end. I am glad I read it as the author is somewhat of a hype in Germany but with most Romantasy it’s easy to read and entertaining but also at times not well executed.
Curious count: 2 | 0 | 1
Characters: Valea – Wicca, heiress, – Nikolai – Strigoi, Celia, Kayla, Ivan – Strigoi, Magnus – Corbii, Celeste – witch queen, Radu – Wicca High Priest, Eliayah, Aria, Lucian – witches, Neven Patel – sorcerer
Setting: Muntenia – land of humans, Ardeal – land of magic
Medium: eBook through Kindle unlimited
Original Language and Title: German
Publications: no translations found
Recommend to: Everyone reading German fantasy.
Author’s Origin: born in Magdeburg, Germany | November 11, 1971
Additional note: author pseudonym
Book Stats for May 2026
How is your reading life going? Anything lining up for summer vacation? What is the longest book you read this year? Any fun titles?
