Convenience Store Woman is about a.. well.. woman who works at a convince store in Japan. She's middle aged, single, and doesn't fall into the stereotypical life that those around her expect her to lead. In a way, she lives a hermit lifestyle that only consists of work and forced interactions with old friends. She likes the routine of work, as it helps her feel fulfilled. Her family shun her in a sense, for being different, which led to a very interesting look at the expectations that are put upon different women in different cultures. Her family - mother especially - view life as a failure if she doesn't marry or have children. This was also a heavy theme in the authors next book Earthlings. After a new guy begins working at the store, Keiko starts to wonder whether she ought to force herself into a life of normality. 

I adored the first half of this novel, it was quirky and I grew very fond of the wacky protagonist. She reminded me heavily of Eleanor Oliphant from Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine (one of my favourite books), however, the last few chapters of this book infuriated me in a way that I haven't experienced in a while. It wasn't confusing, it was just.. not well done. I hated the choices the characters made, as it made them all seem rather flippant and it backtracked the entire characteristics of Keiko. I wanted this book to be more 'slice of lifey', without the drastic life changes for the main character. (spoiler: especially when it didn't lead anywhere)

As I read Convenience Store Woman I couldn't help but notice how similarly the writing was to the works of Sylvia Plath. I feel like if you enjoyed this novel, you'd very likely enjoy Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom - a quirky short story written by Plath that was recently published for the first time. Both books were small, but mighty strange in the best way possible. I may not of enjoyed the second half of Convenience Store Woman, but I devoured the first in a single sitting and that was enough for me to immediately request the authors next translated book Earthlings which has just been released in English. 

All in all, this book did disappoint me but if it's been on your TBR I would recommend picking it up. It's definitely an experience, and as it's so short you won't waste a lot of your time if it turns out to not be your cup of tea. If you hate the ending as much as me, we can discuss it! 

1. I prefer paperback books over hardcovers. They're easier to read and though they wear quicker, they look more loved on your shelves. I remember being a child and always reaching for my paperback copy of Matilda over the hardbound collection of Roald Dahl.
2.  I'm 24 years old but have the personality of a woman who enjoys reading in bed surrounded by her cats, ideally with a peppermint tea. Or a G&T, a girl has to have choices.
3. I have a phobia of grass. Read more about that HERE.
4. Coffee is life. Give it to me in an IV and call me a Gilmore.
5. Talking of TV shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my favourite and has been since I was around 6 years old. Not only do I think it was beyond it's years when first released, but it's also aged incredibly well. The characters stand alone as well as in a group setting and Buffy is still the female heroine we need in this modern day world. I can't wait to introduce my future children to this empowering world.
6. I've been bullet journaling for over a year now and love it. I went in expecting it to help with my mental health, but it also brings me joy, which was a lovely bonus. 
7. I've tried therapy twice, and it didn't work for me either time. You can also read more about this HERE. (Shamelessly plugging my own posts? Yes, yes I am.)
8. When stressed I bake or meal prep until the fridge is full. I find the kitchen very therapeutic, which I think relates to when I was younger and me and my mum would have so many lovely nights together spent in the kitchen.
9. My favourite kind of movie is a late 90's/2000's slasher flick. Halloween H20, New Nightmare, Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, No Vacancy, The Strangers, House Of Wax, etc. They all make me nostalgic for my childhood. 
10. I'm a Taco Bell fiend. 
11. Clothes used to be a huge passion for me. I had a overstuffed closet, dressed like I liked in Manhattan, and made a pretty good sum selling vintage/cosplay pieces on Ebay. But when I moved, my closet stayed behind and so did the charity shops. I miss it a heck of a lot. 
12. My worst habit is nail biting, especially when I read. 
13. Fibromyalgia has been a constant in my life since I was in my early teens. It's a chronic pain condition that really limits my day-to-day life. As I'm getting older some symptoms are lessening while others are getting worse. At this point of my life, I really don't know where I'll be in 5 years and that's absolutely terrifying. 
14. I'm a Gleek and will go down on many ships saying that the cover was better than the original. Sue me! (heh.... heh.... Glee pun.)
15. I've donated my hair twice and urge you to do the same! Read about that HERE.

Buying a planner can be challenging, especially nowadays when you're unable to see them in person. Will the pages be thick enough? Does it offer you various ways of organization? Is it pretty? Since my early teens I've been on the hunt for a planner that will mesh well with my needs and desires. Up until last year, I'd never found something that ticked all the boxes. I'd tried the cheapest in a store, up to some that were priced over $30. But there was always something lacking (Or they were sold independently, so the P&P made them out of my budget). Then, during one magical day spent in Marshall's, I stumbled upon the 18-month-planner by FRINGE. And yes, all the yes. 

I recently purchased their 2021 edition which goes from 08/20 - 12/21. Yes, you'll have a month or two wasted but for it's attributes, worth it! (I just cut out August, and am going to use the scrap paper for shopping lists and such.) Let's take a empty planner tour. 

The cover is a sturdy but flexible cardboard, while the pages are thick and matte. I'm really impressed with the quality of the pages as not even sharpies bleed through, which was always a problem with past planners I bought. I want to be able to use a variety of pens without worrying about bleed through or the dreaded paper tear when I inevitably doodle on each page. (We all do that, right?) Each month is tabbed on the side, with a thicker grey paper announcing them. At the start of the journal is a pocket, so you can keep any papers or, if you're me, things I need to do each months. (birthday cards I need to send, bill's to pay, etc.)

At the start of each month you have a monthly goals page, which includes categories for 'goals', 'to-do', 'birthdays', and 'anniversaries'. (Personally, I don't have that many anniversaries to remember so I change that to "books I want to read"'). There's also a box at the bottom for 'additional notes'. Great variety! With that, you have a monthly boxed overview which is really perfect for school stuff or blog scheduling. As with any journal, each day of the month has it's own little box which I use to write reminders and to-do lists. 

There's also your usual contacts page, holiday dates page, and an overview calendar. At the end of each month you have a few 'notes' pages, which I use for trackers or blogger tasks I want to complete throughout the month. 

So how to know if this journal is the right one for you? I'd say that the Fringe 18 month journal is perfect if you're a creator of daily to-do lists and want an overview of each month to see where you're at. This is a hefty book, that offers you a variety of ways to track your progress/dates/lists. Whether you need something for school, blogging, or even as a reading journal.. it's great. The quality is sublime for the price range, and as a bonus, it has a beautiful design. It's available to buy on Amazon, which is a huge bonus. 

Do you have a favorite planner brand? Let me know!

I think all readers are more likely to pick up a thriller during the Fall months. There's something so comforting about reading some creepy fiction as you sit by the glow of a Jack-o'-lantern with rain hammering at the window. So, here's a list of all the thrillers that have been sitting on my TBR forever, that I hope to read in the Fall of 2020.

An Unwanted Guest

by Shari Lapena

Goodreads Synopsis: It's winter in the Catskills and Mitchell's Inn, nestled deep in the woods, is the perfect setting for a relaxing--maybe even romantic--weekend away. It boasts spacious old rooms with huge woodburning fireplaces, a well-stocked wine cellar, and opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or just curling up with a good murder mystery. So when the weather takes a turn for the worse, and a blizzard cuts off the electricity--and all contact with the outside world--the guests settle in and try to make the best of it. Soon, though, one of the guests turns up dead--it looks like an accident. But when a second guest dies, they start to panic.

I own a few Shari Lapena books, but I've only read The Couple Next Door (ironically the only book I don't own, yay). That's partly down to the so-so reviews I've seen others give her novels. She seems to be a bit of a Ruth Ware - people either like and stick with her, or just feel meh and give up. Despite this novel having the most lackluster reviews, the premise speaks to me more than some of the other domestic thrillers. 

The Dry

by Jane Harper

Goodreads Synopsis: In the grip of the worst drought in a century, the farming community of Kiewarra is facing life and death choices daily when three members of a local family are found brutally slain. Federal Police investigator Aaron Falk reluctantly returns to his hometown for the funeral of his childhood friend, loath to face the townsfolk who turned their backs on him twenty years earlier. But as questions mount, Falk is forced to probe deeper into the deaths of the Hadler family. Because Falk and Luke Hadler shared a secret. A secret Falk thought was long buried. A secret Luke's death now threatens to bring to the surface in this small Australian town, as old wounds bleed into new ones.

When I bought this at a library book sale, I didn't know that it was a detective driven thriller. That's entirely the reason that it's sad on my shelves for so long. I'm not a huge fan of thrillers when the main character is a federal worker. They tend to read too dry (he.. he.. he) for my enjoyment, however, I'm really interested in the Australian backdrop of this book so I'm gonna give it a mighty try. I'm hoping for Wolf Creek vibes.

The Good Girl

by Mary Kubica

Goodreads Synopsis: One night, Mia Dennett enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn't show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. At first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life.

Mary Kubia is another popular thriller author that I haven't yet read! This is the only book by her on my shelves, so I'm hoping it's a good choice for my first. Have you read anything by her? Do you recommend something else? Let me know! 

In The Woods

by Tara French

Goodreads Synopsis: As dusk approaches a small Dublin suburb in the summer of 1984, mothers begin to call their children home. But on this warm evening, three children do not return from the dark and silent woods. When the police arrive, they find only one of the children. He is gripping a tree trunk in terror, wearing blood-filled sneakers and unable to recall a single detail of the previous hours.

I know, I know. I just said that I don't like detective driven stories and yet here I am putting another one on this list. But I mean, that synopsis is so intriguing! How can I not want to read it? I also own The Witch Elm by Tara French, but seen as that one is mighty larger than this, I think I'll go with the smaller of the two first! 

The Perfect Stranger

by Megan Miranda

Goodreads Synopsis: Confronted by a restraining order and the threat of a lawsuit, failed journalist Leah Stevens needs to get out of Boston when she runs into an old friend, Emmy Grey, who has just left a troubled relationship. Emmy proposes they move to rural Pennsylvania, where Leah can get a teaching position and both women can start again. But their new start is threatened when a woman with an eerie resemblance to Leah is assaulted by the lake, and Emmy disappears days later.

Megan Miranda has the prettiest thriller covers. Look how beautiful! Was that the sole reason of me picking up this book? .......yes. But her other book The Last House Guest was picked as a Reese Witherspoon book club pick so I immediately put this author on my radar. I'm hoping this will be the first domino in a month of me marathoning her books.

The Shining Girls 

by Lauren Beukes 

Goodreads Synopsis: In Depression-era Chicago, Harper Curtis finds a key to a house that opens on to other times. But it comes at a cost. He has to kill the shining girls: bright young women, burning with potential. Curtis stalks them through their lives across different eras until, in 1989, one of his victims, Kirby Mazrachi, survives and starts hunting him back. 

This is my most anticipated read as the mix of thriller and sci-fi really intrigues me. Who doesn't love a protagonist that starts to fight back? I'm hoping it'll give me the feel of slasher movies like Ready Or Not, You're Next, and P2. 

What's a backlist thriller that you're hoping to pick up soon? 

• Shock/denial
• Bargaining 
• Anger
• Depression
• Acceptance