Hey everyone! Solenn here.

As the year draws to a close, I want to discuss some of my readings from the semester, for class and personal. As an English and Creative Writing major, this is what I do for the majority of my free time (or not!). Being in a UNESCO City of Lit also means that I fit right in with plenty of friends, peers, bookstores, and coffee shops to encourage my hobby. Let’s get into it!

August:

Black Sheep and Kissing Cousins

I read this textbook for my Advanced Creative Writing course on Object Biographies and Family and Oral Histories. This book discusses different family stories and how they impact descendants. It was a very interesting read, a solid 7/10.

I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book before it went to print to buy! It’s a sapphic romance set in ancient Greece. The start of the story was very intriguing, but it truly fell short for me after that. A solid 4/10.

September:

Also read this for my creative writing class, it was cool to learn more about some artifacts in the British Museum’s collection. A solid 8/10.

I had to read something by an Iowa faculty member! This is a fabulous memoir about surviving an abusive sapphic relationship and it’s painful but beautifully written. I’m inspired to improve my writing. 10/10.

October

The newest novel in the PJO universe. I love new additions to my childhood favorites. I sat outside Art Building West’s koi pond one sunny Sunday for like three hours reading this. 8/10 because Percabeth.

One of my textbooks for Cultural Misunderstandings: France vs. The USA. Super interesting to learn about a wide variety of Francophone culture such as romance, work, food, and social etiquette. 8/10.

The other textbook for the class above! Also discusses aspects of the French culture such as regional languages and cultures, school, etc. 8/10.

November

This is on the list of my top five reads of all time. It’s set in Saint-Malo, a seaside town in my beautiful region of Bretagne, France during WW2. The writing is phenomenal I took so many notes, and it’s dual POV. I cried reading this book and felt empty after reading it for like a week. READ IT. 100/10.

I don’t generally like Emily Henry or romance novels, but this one is friends to lovers, my favorite trope. It was also fairly realistic and not too cringey, quite enjoyable and a good pallet cleanser. 7/10.

I bought this book in Ireland this summer after reading an excerpt for class. Her writing style is a mature, better version of mine so I’m stoked to emulate it. I loved reading about how Ireland really is a healing place, and the writing is just beautiful. 11/10.

December

I got an ARC version of this book as well! I thought it would be cute considering it is a romance set in Ireland. I liked reading about the places I visited, but the writing was weak and very predictable. The book ended better than it started but this was honestly forgettable. 4/10.

That is my semester reading wrapped! I cannot wait to see what 2025 has in store.