Book Talk – September 2025

September was an ok reading moth I guess. I am still finding it hard to focus on reading and letting myself into the story. My mind keeps telling me about three thousand other things while I read. But I among to read five books and the ratings are pretty high.

The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick | ★★★★☆

Book Blurb: Welcome to the Poppy Fields, where there’s hope for even the most battered hearts to heal.
Here, in a remote stretch of the California desert, lies an experimental and controversial treatment center that allows those suffering from the heartache of loss to sleep through their pain…and keep on sleeping. After patients awaken from this prolonged state of slumber, they will finally be healed. But only if they’re willing to accept the potential shadowy side effects.
First Sentence: There is a place, hidden among the sweeping sandy swaths of southern desert, where all you can see is red.
What I thought: When I saw a new book out by the author if The Measure ( a favorite in 2022) I knew immediately I am going to read it. While it was different and maybe not as engaging it still had me turn pages. This is a slower book. At 80% I was wondering if something is going to happen. There are no big reveals. No typical big thing happening at 30% of the book and then dip before the hero saves them all. This is more like real life. A meandering story. We meet the characters on the way. They get introduced to us just with hints of information. They are all connected and if you read carefully you can maybe guess the entire picture. This is quiet book with the core topic of grief. How much grief can a person survive and what are we willing to sacrifice in order get rid of grief. Also it questions if that is the best way to handle grief. I found it very interesting concept. Somewhat a medical sci-fi book combined with a road trip that grows new friendships. I think this book will continue to move me as time passes. And I may bump up the rating to 5 if it meets my criteria (it keeps coming back to me over and over). Also… this book had a multitude of words I am not familiar with which helps me in my goal #74.
Elevate count: 8
Characters: Ava – children’s book illustrator from Topeka, Emmy – her sister, Ray – fire fighter, Johnny – his brother, Sasha – occupational therapist from Boston, Sky – high school graduate, Ellis Johnson – founder of the Poppy Fields
Setting: Kansas Airport, The Canary, deserts of California where the Poppy Fields are located
Medium: eBook through Kindle library
Original Language and Title: English
Publications: not yet translated
Recommend to: Everyone who loves a complex thought experiment and was hooked reading The Measure.
Author’s Origin: born in Rye, NY, U.S.A. | August 15th, 1990 (?)

People we meet on vacation by Emily Henry | ★★★★☆

Book Blurb: Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart—she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown—but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together.
Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven’t spoken since.
First Sentence: On vacation, you can be anyone you want.
What I thought: It was great entertainment and I obviously loved it giving it 4 stars. But I can’t remember what happened that they stopped talking. So I guess while it served at the moment is a book that will fade away rather quickly. But I remember I loved the dynamic of these two friends.
Elevate count: audiobook, not counted
Characters: Poppy, Alex
Setting: multiple locations
Medium: audiobook through library
Original Language and Title: English
Publications: German title “Kein Sommer ohne dich”
Recommend to: Everyone loving a friends to lover easy reading story.
Author’s Origin: born in U.S. | 17.05.1991

Beach Read by Emily Henry | ★★★★☆

Book Blurb: Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.
They’re polar opposites.
In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block.
First Sentence: I have a fatal flaw.
What I thought: This was another good listen that kept me entertained. I may like slightly more than the other one but it could also be, that this one is fresher in my mind.
Elevate count: audiobook, not counted
Characters: January – romance author, Gus – fiction author, Pete – coffee shop owner
Setting: small town by the coast, two neighboring cottages
Medium: audiobook through library
Original Language and Title: English
Publications: German title “Verliebt in deine schönsten Seiten”
Recommend to: Everyone loving romance. You can’t really do much wrong here.
Author’s Origin: born in U.S. | 17.05.1991

Herbstküsse in der kleinen Teestube by Katie Spring | ★★★☆☆

Book Blurb: Eine Star-Fotografin mit Burnout. Ein Männermodel mit Zukunftsangst. Beide verbindet eine Vergangenheit, in der sie sich hassen. Doch als sie sich auf Spiekeroog plötzlich gegenüberstehen, verbindet sie nicht nur ihr altes Leben. Können sie ihre Schatten überwinden und gemeinsam einen neuen Weg gehen?
First Sentence: 28.10. – 11:00, Abflug Curacao – gelöscht | October 28 – 11:00 a.m., departure from Curacao – canceled
What I thought: This was a quick fun read I squeezed in to battle my ongoing reading slump. It gave me a good time, it was cozy and unexciting. Exactly right time right read.
Elevate count: German, not relevant
Characters: Freddy – star photographer,
Setting: Island of Spiekeroog
Medium: eBook through Kindle unlimited, library | audiobook through library | paperback | hardcover
Original Language and Title: German
Publications: none
Recommend to: Everyone loving a cozy escape.
Author’s Origin: born in Germany | unknown

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley | ★★✶☆☆

Book Blurb: A civil servant is offered a lucrative job in a mysterious new government ministry gathering ‘expats’ from across history to test whether time-travel is feasible. 
Her role is to work as a ‘bridge’: living with, supporting and monitoring expat ‘1847’ – Commander Graham Gore, a former Victorian polar explorer. Gore, an adventurer by trade, soon adjusts to this bizarre new world of washing machines, feminism and Spotify; and during a long, sultry summer the pair move from awkwardness to friendship to something more.
But as the true shape of the project that brought them together begins to emerge, Gore and the bridge are forced to confront their past choices and imagined futures. Can love triumph over the histories that have shaped them? And how do you defy that history when it is living in your house?
First Sentence: Perhaps he’ll die this time.
What I thought: When I started reading and within the first few pages we learn that one of the main character is a lost soul of an arctic experience I had high hopes. When I read the last pages my thoughts were: Thank goodness this nonsense is over. It was disappointing and I don’t get the hype. I love a time travel story but this being framed as time travel is stupid. Just because you place some characters from the past in the present add some evil future villains as well doesn’t make it a time travel story in my opinion. But that wasn’t my biggest issue. I hated the writing. Personally I don’t enjoy British novels mainly for the writing. This one was horrible in my opinion. Very clumsy. Also there were jokes in there (I assume they were jokes) I didn’t get. I even once told the husband I just read a paragraph and I know there is an important hint in here but I can’t grab it. I just didn’t understand what was being said. My main issue though – and this might be polarizing – is the way the author used her discriminating experiences in this novel. I am all for making people aware and pointing out those everyday racism moments. Unfortunately using it here seemed more like complaining and also didn’t do anything for the story. The FMC was mostly stupid and whiny and I very much disliked her. The MMC was okayish but they didn’t have any chemistry. The only nice character died. Overall disappointing and a runner up for most disappointing book of the year.
Elevate count: 1
Characters: no name FMC, Graham Gore – arctic explorer, Arthur, Maggi, Adela Gore – Ministry Secretary, Quintin – handler of FMC
Setting: London, today
Medium: eBook
Original Language and Title: English
Publications: German title “Das Ministerium der Zeit”
Recommend to: Not sure I would if I am perfectly honest. I would suggest you read The Quantum Curators series. (review & review) More fun, more adventure, more thrilling, more educational.
Author’s Origin: born in Walthamstow, U.K. | 1988
Heard of/Recommended by: The internet including Melissa, Engie

Book Stats for September

Books I couldn’t finish

Keeping track of the books that weren’t right for me. This month it was:

• Hello Sleep: The Science and Art of Overcoming Insomnia Without Medications by Jade Wu – stopped the audiobook at 35% because it was more of a workbook to go through in 4 years. Didnt make sense if not doing that. Could (have been) helpful a few years back. May consult at later point. Helps to reset your circadian rhythm.

New books on the shelves

Always buying books even though I am trying to reduce my TBR pile. Here is this month purchases. Please hold me accountable and ask if I read them or just piled them up.

• The Purple Land by W. H. (William Henry) Hudson – a kindle freebie
• Bluebell’s Christmas Magic by Marie Laval – a kindle freebie
• Of Mice and Man by John Steinbeck – a kindle freebie
• Autumn Tales From Cozy Vales by multiple authors – a kindle freebie

What is the last horrible book you finished? What is your favorite Emily Henry novel? Are you already looking forward reading Christmas books? Any surprise reads you picked up lately?