Lidija, this is so interesting, thank you for your list of books to read + why you want to read them. Love it. Would love to know what your day looks like and how you structure it. Is book coaching your full time day job now? All the best from a frosty Sweden.
Oof this is a good question. I might write a 'day in the life' kind of post to answer this in more detail, but yes, book coaching takes a lot of my focused work time. Sadly, I'm struggling to dig into my new WIP because of that, and other demands of my time (primarily as a mother, and also as a published author).
I'm also not a very disciplined sort of person and tend to play things by the ear. So I only write posts on here when I feel inspired to (instead of being consistent with it, which I probably should but can't make myself). Same goes for social media. I seem to work in spurts of creativity and exhaustion.
Oh, I was thinking that you're probably very disciplined!
Well, spurts, yes! I have realised how incredibly precious my time + energy is and that the order of things should be 1. creation 2. business 3. social media. Some days it works, others I work with whatever I have.
My substack has also taken a lot of time - it has been great, but need to refocus that too and write solely in English. Trying to run two stacks doesn't work.
Heart The Lover came to my attention earlier today and went onto my TBR right away. If it reminds me of slanting Toward the Sea it will be in excellent company!
I recently enjoyed Matt Haig’s The Life Impossible on audiobook. Joanna Lumley’s narration is perfection.
I was also not a fan of The Midnight Library. I might not have enjoyed The Life Impossible but for having listened rather than read it. That was, for me, what made the book so enjoyable. Otherwise, I might have given up over wordiness while not getting to the point. But in audio format, those characteristics really inform the main character and her arc.
Adding many of these to my list. I can't wait for you to read Lovers & Friends. I kind of want to back and read Writers & Lovers because I know there are so many gems that I missed from not having that insight.
I really loved Writers & Lovers. I'm a little scared that Heart the Lover might burst my adoration bubble, but then again, I only see raving reviews, so I'm pretty sure that won't happen. Let me know what you think if you get to W&L at some point!
Three of the books you mentioned will be on my "top 10 reads of 2025" newsletter that I'll publish later this week. :) I'm currently reading "The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny," another Booker Shortlist pick, and I'm excited to read Miriam Toews' memoir, which has been sitting on my TBR shelf since August, as well as the forthcoming "Unstuck: A Writer's Guide" by Ramona Ausubel (one of my MFA teachers).
Now you've piqued my interest! I can't wait to see which three will be on your top of the year list.
I have a copy of The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny –– I'm daunted by the size. I need a longer vacation to take that on. I'll be curious to hear how you liked it.
This feels so intimidating. Writing to you and doing it so publicly too. But I suppose we're all showing up a little vulnerable on this page, so why not:)
I found this post of yours because when I find an author I love (you have entered this VIP corner of my heart where you'll be able to see Madeline Miller, Maggie O'Farrell, Richard Powers, Hanya Yanagihara, TJR, RF Kuang) I do a deep dive down the rabbit hole and I just want to devour everything you write and read.
I wanted to mention that I did read Heart The Lover a couple of weeks ago and I adored it to the core. It made me cry, it made me smile with sadness. Reading Slanting Towards The Sea just after was like opening up a wound that had only just started healing, there's no other way to describe it. I doubt I'll find a book to top yours in 2026, it was truly magical for me. Thank you and know that you have a gained a fan for life.
Lidija, this is so interesting, thank you for your list of books to read + why you want to read them. Love it. Would love to know what your day looks like and how you structure it. Is book coaching your full time day job now? All the best from a frosty Sweden.
Oof this is a good question. I might write a 'day in the life' kind of post to answer this in more detail, but yes, book coaching takes a lot of my focused work time. Sadly, I'm struggling to dig into my new WIP because of that, and other demands of my time (primarily as a mother, and also as a published author).
I'm also not a very disciplined sort of person and tend to play things by the ear. So I only write posts on here when I feel inspired to (instead of being consistent with it, which I probably should but can't make myself). Same goes for social media. I seem to work in spurts of creativity and exhaustion.
What about you?
Oh, I was thinking that you're probably very disciplined!
Well, spurts, yes! I have realised how incredibly precious my time + energy is and that the order of things should be 1. creation 2. business 3. social media. Some days it works, others I work with whatever I have.
My substack has also taken a lot of time - it has been great, but need to refocus that too and write solely in English. Trying to run two stacks doesn't work.
Thanks for replying Lidija!
Heart The Lover came to my attention earlier today and went onto my TBR right away. If it reminds me of slanting Toward the Sea it will be in excellent company!
I recently enjoyed Matt Haig’s The Life Impossible on audiobook. Joanna Lumley’s narration is perfection.
Oh Wendy. You know a way to a girl's heart. Thank you for saying that.
I was not a fan of Matt Haig's megahit The Midnight Library. I'll check out The Life Impossible -- how are you finding it?
I was also not a fan of The Midnight Library. I might not have enjoyed The Life Impossible but for having listened rather than read it. That was, for me, what made the book so enjoyable. Otherwise, I might have given up over wordiness while not getting to the point. But in audio format, those characteristics really inform the main character and her arc.
Adding many of these to my list. I can't wait for you to read Lovers & Friends. I kind of want to back and read Writers & Lovers because I know there are so many gems that I missed from not having that insight.
I really loved Writers & Lovers. I'm a little scared that Heart the Lover might burst my adoration bubble, but then again, I only see raving reviews, so I'm pretty sure that won't happen. Let me know what you think if you get to W&L at some point!
Perfect! I'm going to start it this week. I feel like you'll enjoy Heart the Lover. It definitely will have you in your feels!
Three of the books you mentioned will be on my "top 10 reads of 2025" newsletter that I'll publish later this week. :) I'm currently reading "The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny," another Booker Shortlist pick, and I'm excited to read Miriam Toews' memoir, which has been sitting on my TBR shelf since August, as well as the forthcoming "Unstuck: A Writer's Guide" by Ramona Ausubel (one of my MFA teachers).
Now you've piqued my interest! I can't wait to see which three will be on your top of the year list.
I have a copy of The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny –– I'm daunted by the size. I need a longer vacation to take that on. I'll be curious to hear how you liked it.
This feels so intimidating. Writing to you and doing it so publicly too. But I suppose we're all showing up a little vulnerable on this page, so why not:)
I found this post of yours because when I find an author I love (you have entered this VIP corner of my heart where you'll be able to see Madeline Miller, Maggie O'Farrell, Richard Powers, Hanya Yanagihara, TJR, RF Kuang) I do a deep dive down the rabbit hole and I just want to devour everything you write and read.
I wanted to mention that I did read Heart The Lover a couple of weeks ago and I adored it to the core. It made me cry, it made me smile with sadness. Reading Slanting Towards The Sea just after was like opening up a wound that had only just started healing, there's no other way to describe it. I doubt I'll find a book to top yours in 2026, it was truly magical for me. Thank you and know that you have a gained a fan for life.