For the past few years (since the pandemic began, really) my reading has not been the same. I used to average 60-80 books read per year even with a busy schedule but then other things took my time. For one, my supervision/teaching load increased and other factors included returning to formal music-learning and composing, language lessons and well, my reading focus has not been the best. There’s also the issue of my eyesight (I really need to get my eyes checked again). That said, this year has been a marked improvement over previous years and I’ve spent many happy hours reading and feeling that quiet deep focus of sinking into a book healing my soul.
And with that I’ll take you through to tonight’s edition of Notes from the Bibliotheca
Books I have completed reading
- The Fires of Heaven (WOT #5) — Robert Jordan (reread). Honestly, I could not stop reading this. It’s such a thick book but it’s one of my favourite WOT books in terms of the way it sets up events, the way you see Rand and Mat grow into their roles but more importantly the developed interiority of the female characters. I finished this one in less than a fortnight.
- The Night Country— Melissa Albert. I have a special place in my heart for portal fantasies which is why I’m writing a big fat epic mythic portal fantasy series but gosh. What Albert does in The Night Country is so ingenious (and creepy) my jaw just dropped to the ground. Such beautiful, luminous and haunting writing. I devoured this one and can’t wait to read more set in this world.
- The Fellowship of the Ring— JRR Tolkien (semi-annual reread). If you know you know, those of us who return to these books like returning to an old friend from time to time.
Books I am currently reading
- Five Star Billionaire —Tash Aw
- Infomocracy — Malka Older
- System Collapse — Martha Wells
- Lord of Chaos (WOT #6) — Robert Jordan (reread)
- The Lathe of Heaven — Ursula K LeGuin (reread)
- Ancillary Justice — Ann Leckie (reread)
Books I recently purchased
None during this period because I’ve been too busy plus was slammed with multiple bills (household repairs, car insurance, car repairs, etc. 🫠 )
Published in Petaling, Selangor, Malaysia (18 NOVEMBER 2025)