About

Hi, friend. Alexandra here.

I am a 30-something Londoner (transplanted from Romania many moons ago, driven by a love of Jane Austen and The Clash ) with a penchant for reading. I couldn’t tell you when my love of books started any more than I could tell you when I first smiled or laughed or formed a coherent thought. I simply can’t remember a time when books were not my refuge and my best friends. Or rather, I should say stories – not just books – because one of the first things I remember fondly as a young child is listening to a Red Riding Hood vinyl on my dad’s record player. Or spending summer nights with my cousins, crowded around my grandmother’s feet, as she’d sit on her little chair by the chimney and make up stories about naughty grandchildren who were up to no good but much beloved by their weary grandmother, much to our delight.

Throughout the years, books and I have had our ups and downs, as most best friends do. Occasionally, lost in the swirl of new loves, new cities, new friends, my books were temporarily neglected. But much like old friends seeing each other after a while apart and falling into laughter as if no time had passed, there’s nothing like opening an old book or cracking a new spine to bring me back to my love of stories and reading.

Most readers will tell you that the best thing about discovering an amazing book that leaves you wanting more is having someone to talk to about it. And that’s partly why this blog was born – from a need to create a space and a community to share my love of books with the world (and maybe relieve my husband of the burden of listening to my Donna Tartt obsession again). I hope it will also serve as a book journal of sorts, as I have this dreadful habit of not remembering a lot of the books I read. For once, I’d like to be able to answer the classic “What are your favourite books?” with more than a blank stare.

While I mostly read literary fiction with a focus on women authors and translated fiction, this space is for everyone. I want to learn and discover new books and authors as much as I want to share my own thoughts, so please do reach out with your own recommendations.

Lastly, you may occasionally come across non-literary content, namely my dog (who, alongside books and my nieces, occupies most of my phone storage), music or visual art I love, random thoughts I have at 3 a.m. on a Wednesday, or general notes from my life.

Welcome.