The Whimsy Bookworm: A Book Blog from India

  Hello Loves!  January is over and while so many people were complaining how long it was, I like January and the air of freshness and hope it brings with it.  I try to read happy and good books in January, fully believing that what I read in January will shape the rest of my reading year.  Well, January was largely a good reading month.  I read 18 books.  Out of which 6 were read for Japanuary. I have talked about all of those book in yesterday's post, so you can go on over that post and read my detailed thoughts about those books. I read a fair number of kidlit, which I love.  And some contemporary fiction.  I read mostly physical books and a some books on my iPad.  I read three graphic novels.  Lots of translations.  I bought ten books this month.  A solid reading month.  Let's talk more about each book I read this month.  BOOKS OF JANUARY 2024:  1. Animals in the House by Ruskin Bond: My first book of the y...

Hello Loves!  This year I decided to actively participate in Japanuary, a reading challenge/theme where people read some Japanese books in January.  I knew I didn't want to ONLY read Japanese books all month long, that kind of commitment I only make for Indian Books in August. But I wanted to read a handful books from Japan. And I did just that. I honestly thought I'd read like one book but to my surprise I read 6 books and now let's talk about them.   1. The Premonition by Banana Yoshimoto, translation by Asa Yoneda: I read Kitchen by the same author last year, after hearing nothing but great things about it for ages. I didn't quite love as much as so many other people seem to. I liked it enough but I didn't love it.  So I picked this one up with some trepidation.  This novella is a story of young woman of nineteen, who uncovers a big secret related to her family and herself.  OK not a real Spoiler Alert but she finds out she was adopted into her fam...

January was a mix of colours and themes in my planners and journals.  I used a lot of stickers from my stash, I am trying to be better about actually using and not hoarding my supplies.  Here are some planner pages and some pages from my gratitude journal, before the ink.  Mushrooms and teacups and a vintage vibe in this week’s spread.  A sharply dressed woman to inspire me to be productive.  Flowers, butterflies and girls with flowers.  Pinks and reds.  Week One might be my favourite thing ever.   

Today has been a sleepy and cozy Sunday. Making the most of these gentle days before Spring arrives with its heat.  I read a little.  Wrote a little something. Slept.  Ate out.  Spoke to my Parents. Got some gossip.   A cute notebook from Diary of a Flower Girl.  She is so precious, I don't even want to use her.  Blurry.  Nothing like being lost in a good book.  My book cart. I am thinking of moving some books around and lining up my 24 Books for 2024 here.  That ways I stare at it the whole time and make sure I read them.  Gloriously sunshine-y days.  The view out my window today.  Books, Laptop and Writing on my Mind.  All good things. 

 Hello Loves!  January is almost over, doesn't she always feel unduly long? I don't mind. I like January. I like how she is an importunity to set goals and get inspired and have hope.  I like her.  And this January has been good.  Very Good.  Here are some of most favourite things/feelings and moments from January 2024.  (I am hoping I keep up with sharing my Monthly Favourites all through 2024.)  JANUARY FAVOURITES:   1. Planners and Journals: As always, I loved setting-up and moving into my new Planners and Journals. It brought me so much joy and I have absolutely loved my new set-ups.  My Daily Life Planner.  My Blog Planner.  My Gratitude Journal.  Daily Journal.  Book/Reading Journal.  I have loved them all.  It's like the highlight of January for me, to set up a plethora of new journals.  Here is my Reading Journal.  A thing of joy.  2. Book Buying: January made me add 10 new books to ...

Embroidered Things and Things made with hands and love.  Reading an old book. I am still trying to include my older books into my reading, and also the few second hand books I own.  Currently Reading The River Sutra by Gita Mehta.   Avocado Toast and Sandwich for an easy dinner.  Positive reinforcement from a bookmark, always a good thing.  A highlighter I like.  And my book wrapped in a book jacket. The jacket is from Handivity Designs.   Tea ☕ on a cold day.  So so so grateful for the weather being good here finally. More 🙏 please. 

Hello Loves!  Bought some books in the very beginning of the month.  This haul is a little different, because I bought two books I have already read and loved. I very rarely buy physical copies of books I have read on my Kindle but every once in a while, I read something that I love so much that I need to add the book to my shelves.  I read Days at the Morisaki Bookshop and The Covenant of Water last year and fell in love, and I needed to have these books on my shelf...you know take up some physical space.  Similarly my sister read God of Fury back in December and wanted a physical copy.  So this haul is mostly acquiring some very loved books that we will re-read and re-love and be besotted with.  So let's see what I've added to my shelves...  This book is such a warm and cozy read. Very Japanese in so many ways and just a perfect read for anyone who loves books and is going through the motions of living and breaking up and coming into themselves....

24.1.24 Had a perfectly ordinary and fun and peaceful day.  Thought I'd document some of it on the blog.  Currently Reading and absolutely lovinggggg this book.  The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar is about a tempestuous mother and son relationship, and family secrets and so much more. I am 65% in and I am hooked and so invested in this story. Highly recommend.  Planner Time and Journaling Time is my favourite.  My planner tote of the moment.  My Daisy Tote that hold my current read, a pouch full of my annotation supplies and iPad.  Fresh strawberries🍓  Flowers, on brooches.   This one is from Vastriyan.  The nights are cold and I need to find something spooky to read and watch.