“My childhood dream is to be a bookstore assistant.” — finalreader, 2025

That is what I said on two occasions: once during a book club meeting, and another during a gathering for volunteer librarians. I was thirty-two then. I am still thirty-two years old today.

“DO IT!” Layla said as she typed on her phone. I texted her about this little dream of mine after an embodied movement session on Saturday. Her reply gave me the courage I needed to submit my application for a part-time job at Kinokuniya. Weeks have passed since then. I have not heard back from them, and I probably will not, but the act of putting myself out there, however small, felt like something worth following through.

And if I cannot be a bookstore assistant, I will just make myself comfortable between the pages; reviewing books like it is my part-time destiny (as cliche as it sounds).

So here I am.

Welcome to my corner of the internet, where I try to write readable stories about my reading journey. This space is where I gather my thoughts, feelings, and reflections that emerge between chapters and after each ending. You will find honest reviews, not-so-quiet musings, and moments of healing. You may also find the more than occasional descent into emotional crisis over fictional men, questionable plot twists, and love stories, much to the amusement (and mild concern) of my very real, very patient husband.