Book A Day Challenge Day #4 - For chilly nights

4. For chilly nights....Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Anything by Neil Gaiman is good, I love this one a lot though and it is probably the easiest one for me to lose myself in.

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Two Books on Hygge

The Book of Hygge - Louisa Thomsen Brits

I've been aware of the flurry of interest in this concept but was put off by the accompanying flood of 'buy this' marketing that went along with it. Out of curiosity I added this book to my library queue and found it an enjoyable read. The concept is interesting and I liked how it took the whole book to show just how difficult the concept it is to untangle. It's not prescriptive and it doesn't come with a shopping list but it does encourage the valuing of those little moments of peace, of community or of comfort as little shields hidden in everyday life. Brits also talks about the nature of the country and it's people from whom this concept grew and endures. It's not tips about how to hyggling more but sharing the value that can be found in it.

The Little Book of Hygge - Meik Wiking

In contrast to the above book on the same topic, this is more of a tips and shopping-list kind of book. That is not necessarily a bad thin…

Signal To Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Shifting between 1988 and 2009 'Signal to Noise' follows Meche and her friendships with Sebastian and Daniela. As teenagers living in Mexico City, they are friends bonded in their unpopularity but by 2009 they are estranged. Meche is called home after the death of her father and finds herself dealing with the consequences of the trio's falling out all the years ago. Back when they had music, longing and magic.

Meche is an interesting, prickly character, both as a teenager and an adult. She is the one who can't connect with others easily and finds her strength and magic through music. Sebastian is dealing with his own issues within his family, particularly his domineering brother. Daniela seeks diversion through her dreams of romance, much to Meche's disdain. The relationships in the book feel wonderfully messy, rough at the seams and real in an aching way. Meche has issues with her parents, school isn't what she wants to be doing and although certain of herself…

Room Empty by Sarah Mussi

This was a hard read but a worthwhile one. It should be noted as a trigger warning that the book contains anorexia, drug abuse, child abuse and suicide.
Room Empty is about Dani, a foster kid living at a rehab centre and being treated for anorexia. She meets Fletcher and, at his urging, they become recovery buddies. Dani isn't sure she wants to be rescued but Fletcher is determined to help her. They form a relationship outside of the bonds of 'buddies' and it has an intensity that both helps and hinders them.
It'd be wrong to say that I liked this book, it was too brutal for that I think. What it did do was make me care deeply about both of these characters. Dani was rather unlikable but this is largely because she judges everyone, including herself, very harshly. She finds comfort in the manifestation of her illness, her alien, her thinness, who loves her only when she follows the rules. Fletcher challenges her constantly, to open up, to solve her illness like it was …

Violet Clouds

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