Skylar C. R. Wolf's Blog

Hello kind readers,

if August was something I could put into words it would fill the entirety of a Scrabble board.

The Sea So Blue and The Water So DeepThe Colosseum in Pula

To the beginning of this month, I’ve been on vacation with my family to Croatia. We’ve spend most of the time in Pula and Medulin. Two beautiful cities with a direct connection to the Adriatic Sea (which is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea).

I’ve accidentally gotten sun burnt (although I had sun blocker on but possibly forgot to renew that after the swim). But swam a bit in the sea, found mostly “sea glass” and some hermit crabs. And some other stuff.

It was sometimes a bit difficult or well, I was fatigued at the end of the vacation and yet it was great.

There was such a cutiepatotie cat in Rovinj!!!

I’ve also spend time with friends. Be it a cocktail evening with my two best friends, eating dinner with another wonderful person (we also played board games) or just meeting a bunch of colleagues (some of them also became friends of mine) for BBQ and just catching up.

The Pages Add Up (and yet it feels so little)

One of the few things I’ve been struggling with is getting back into the flow of reading and writing, even when I was on vacation. Most of the time, I bounce between learning to some degree and possibly just trying to stay afloat with a bit of relaxation.

However, there is something happening in the background. I read a couple of books, be it as audiobooks (and with that getting a couple of books down on my Netgalley shelves. In German and English).

And writing wise — I try to really keep it low key until I make a dent into something again. Be it in the projects you’re aware of or in the ones, you have to get to know yet.

Because melodies might help a bit

A bunch of love songs. Honestly, you can some it up as a lot of love songs in different genres. Or deep diving into Florence and The Machine, Noah Kahan, Hozier and Paris Paloma discographies. Otherwise, French songs have joined the daily playlists, too.

However, this is as far as I can summarise August because I’ve spend more time on my feet than standing still. And I did enjoy that. But I am also happy to be home again.

I hope to see y’all around for September.

With love,

Skylar

Dear kind reader,

This blog entry might come a bit late as I am still trying to collect everything I did – and put it on my mental pin board. There are threads around the pin needles, some even overlap each other. And this month I do have a few pictures I can share. So, grab a seat and a beverage of your choosing. (And maybe a snack.)

An Adventure of Making Memories

As I have written a few months back — I have spend most of my time in Frankfurt, finishing up the last theoretical part of my training. And that successfully in multiple ways.

To one part, my little group of friends and acquaintances explored this city or its surroundings to some degree. Not as exhaustive as we did that when we were in our school block for the first time but still to a good part after all.

Castles Ruins with a View and A Short Gallery HopOn our merry way of exploring an old castle ruin

One of my favourite spots is this castle ruin which is not too far away from the city. It has a beautiful mix and match of being taken care of (as in – the staff is trying to keep it alive as far as they can) and having nature still take its turn on the old remains.

That’s only a section of the view you had

If you feel adventurous enough (which I did not but it was entertaining watching my friends get up the tower), you could climb quite far up and get an even better view of your surroundings than what I am showing you.

And if that is not enough – Among the staff is a very friendly Golden Retriever (which I did not take a picture of, I am sorry. I forgot to ask the owner.)

Other than that – As the trip was quite spontaneous… as actually all the trips were – Well, we kinda “crashed” a wedding. And I say this very lightly because it was mostly just a photo location for the guests and the couple and we tried to be as quiet as we could and stay away from their spots when we could. However, all in all, it was a lot of fun.

“Ruhe am See” by V. Senzel (transl.: “Quietness at the lake”)

The same day — before we went to the castle, I’d spend some time at the close shopping mall and luckily stumbled upon a small gallery exhibition. “Ruhe am See” was my favourite piece.

Stepping back in time – a theatrical piece of history Freilufttheater (open air theatre)

The last weekend before my vacation for this month came to an end, I’ve spend it at my parents’ place and we went to see a very wonderful play performed on this open air stage. This picture is from before the story started. My mother and I went to a flea market prior to this event and found some wonderful bits and bops for our own collections (I finally got a wooden sewing basket for my stuff).

Returning To Your Old Life

After being away from home for a while now, it feels weird trying to return back into routine. In all honesty, I don’t even think I am able (nor do I want to) to return into the daily life I had before. There have been a few changes already. I am taking more time to meet friends, try to make some time for my passions and I want to “breathe” a bit more in between. As in, I actively attempt to just be. To just relax when I need it most. (Especially when I am learning because the written exams come closer and closer. November is going to be an interesting month. (January will be for the oral exams but that still got a bit of time))

To be very transparent — I like the changes a lot. It feels more like living again and not just wander from appointment and duty to the next one. And I think it will get my creativity flowing again.

When your ghosts don’t really talk to you anymore

As I mentioned — I might be slowly finding my footing in the creative space again. However, writing wise, it is still very little. After studying for tests, I noticed that writing wise, I am on a low. Earlier in my school block, I was having a blast and did write quite some chunks here and there. But right now, it is very … well. Maybe my brain just wants a bit of a break from all of that and that’s also why my characters remain rather silent. It is for me to rest and get freshly revitalised back into business. But that will be little by little. I am pretty optimistic that I will return back to my laptop and the stories soon. Just not now.

Letting The Tides of Melodies and Pages Play With My FingertipsPages torn, pages bent and pages read

In July, I’ve read three books. Which is for my tendencies a rather small amount, however, it is better than crashing into a reading slump. Somehow, taking things slowly, bit by bit, describes anything in this month. And maybe that’s okay? Maybe not rushing things is something I need. Maybe more than usually.

I’ve read Wendy Heiss’ novella “At the end there was you” and it was a beautiful story in a snack sized package. So if you need something just to chomp on, it is perfect.

In a shorter time span, I finished a Netgalley ARC. It was “When The Tides Held The Moon” by Venessa Vida Kelly. And I think I want to pick it back up again some other time and give it another try because when I read it, it was good but I was not in the exact mood to really give it the attention it deserved.

Therefore I devoured “Verborgene Fabelwesen der Meere” (transl.: Hidden Mythical Creatures of the Seas) by Florian Schäfer & Elif Siebenpfeiffer. It is a wonderful combination of a (short-ish) adventure of Konstantin and his crew, who explore different parts of the world and meet various mythical creatures, AND introducing the reader to different species and myths.

Oh, Sweet Melodies

Generally, it is either somewhat romantic themed songs or folk pop (or both) which grasp me this month. I have been returning to Noah Kahan, Hozier and others. (Also Florence & The Machine and the magic they create!)

All in all, this month is rather slow paced when it comes to creativity, reading, anything I usually approach with this ferocious passion. But I hope that at some point, I will find my spot in those things again. Just one word or page at a time.

I hope you’re having a nice rest of the week/the month. And I’ll see you around August.

With love,

Skylar

Hello kind readers,

it’s been a hot minute, hasn’t it? Life’s been filled with several things. Small adventures into the city, gatherings of extracurricular projects and a short trip home. But to all those things in a bit. How have you been? Is your seat cosy? I hope your drink is to your liking and that it calms your heart a little – because life’s not in a complete standstill.

Life Between Lessons and Breaths

As said – Life is still being life but it is a little less work heavy as I’m still at school, pushing myself from lesson to lesson and only escaping by small little trips to the city’s centre or a short gathering at the mall a few stops away from here.
Coming week, there are only a few last evening events, small gatherings of authors, staff from publishing houses and a bunch of future booksellers and media sales managers. It’s lovely because you get to exchange information of the book market branch and a lot of awesome stuff.
Otherwise, I’ve been home for one weekend and despite the trouble of time management, it was just wonderful to be home for a short bit, to meet a few friends, drink a coffee or two. Or simply talk for a bit longer, catching up as far as it goes. The time was short but precious.
And else, I’ve something planned for the end of this month. But until then, I’ve still got to wait a few weeks.

Ink Stained Fingers and Written Paper

In all honesty, I did not expect to write the following words for this month. TWaTST is not entirely done but the rough draft ist standing. However, I’m not going to continue working on it for now as whatever I want to add, change – I need a bit of distance from the first book. But! I got the first 1k words into the second book (AEMaTRP). At least, the first draft. How far I’ll work on it, I cannot say right now. It might be that I will take an entire break for a couple of weeks or so before I return into TWaTST’s world and continue on one of the projects which also linger on my laptop.
For now, I can say that I am writing. Just not what on. However, whatever it is, it is going to be good.

A Reader’s Diary and A Music Lover’s Letter

Most of my time, if I listened to music, it was very instrumental heavy. I tuned in more to that because it helps with writing, to set a scene or to just get deeper into the emotions I want to portray in a scene. Or for reading.
There were a few not-instrumental songs. Such as „don’t be afraid“ by sophiemarie.b, which is a bit of a general go to piece. Another is Josie Edwards‘ „good girls“. It is slightly haunting but very beautiful. A third one, because third time’s the charm: „Good At Writing Love Songs“ by John Michael Howell. That song is a bit on a bittersweet side. But it really sets the scene.

Reading wise, I’ve no idea if I’m doing good or actually struggling a lot and just too blind to really see it. Currently, I’m reading „Lichterloh“ by Sarah M. Kempen, a coal punk inspired novel by a German writer.
Otherwise, over the time, I finally finished my e-ARC of „Of Monsters and Mainframes“ by Barbara Truelove which is a bit of a weird (in positive sense) way to combine fantasy and scifi and it works incredibly well! Heavily enjoyed it.
At the end of last month, I finished Modern Divination by Isa Agajanian and I’m looking very forward to Quiet Spells next year because I love Theodore and Aurelia a heck lot!

But anyways – I know the cup is not entirely drained and we gladly can sit here for a bit longer. I’ll gladly listen.

With kind regards,

Skylar

Hello kind reader,

It is lovely to see you again.

While I am writing, my breakfast is almost ready to be eaten. I am only waiting on the last pieces to be fried.

Anyway: Welcome to my kitchen, by the way. Take a seat. And let’s catch up while I prep some tea for us.

Life and All Things Living

I don’t know how to put the bits of April into words and even less do I know how to put May and all of its way of becoming into something which will make sense.

Maybe let’s start with one simple truth: In a few days, I will be back at school, starting my final school block for this bookseller training period of my life. I will meet a few old faces I have met in my previous one, some I would even consider friends and I will meet a bunch of new people. Am I excited? Perhaps. A bit. Mostly, from this point right now, I worry more of how I will get there. Because the train is booked but how the heck did the tram and bus line connect to that spot again? I am aware that I will need to look this up again before I border the train and check up on the spots again once I am remotely close to the main station in that city.

Another truth I am giving: I… won’t give too many updates on the bookshop here anymore and even on social media, I try to keep it at a minimum. For simply, 1) a lot of things are changing and happening at the same time and it is a lot to process and 2) as much as I love my day job, I spend already too much time at work and I want to keep my mental state a bit out of it. As yes, I have come to realise that I was over-worked and my current vacation does a LOT of wonders to my mental health but also a bit physically. Because I can finally take time for stuff I have left at the back burner of my mind. Be it my wardrobe’s art, be it drawing in general, writing, reading. Gosh, I get to slowly enjoy books again. (And gaming. A big thanks to my dear friend for entrusting me with TLOZ – Echoes of Wisdom. It is phenomenal.)

Soft Fingers on The Typewriter

As we’ve been talking earlier,

writing. My creativity is thriving again. And making stops at cafés, even though it might not be the best decision for my wallet, has done a lot to get TWaTST going again. I’ve also picked up a smaller project which I wanted to hand in to one of the writing challenges by story.one last year but have never finished so far. It is also going bit by bit as well.

I am very café-hopping this month. At the end of April, I rediscovered my love for local cafés and coffeeshops. And that I tend to be a bit more productive outside my home bubble sometimes.

Instagram Story from May, 7th 2025 as an example when I went to one of the cafés here and just drank my coffee and wrote

But let me rephrase it like this: The words are falling down onto the paper, ink drop by ink drop.

Pages, After Pages – Read

After March, reading has become much better. Mostly, I stick to shorter versions like novellas, poem collections while trying to get further in the Godkiller trilogy. I’m at the cusps of finishing Faithbreaker by the way.

What I have read over April now and to the start of May (but only highlights because the total so far are 7 books)

Brief einer Unbekannten by Stefan Zweig (Letter from an Unknown Woman):A short but very emotionally gripping story of a woman who writes to Author R. about their past and gosh, I will hold my friend to it for recommending it to me but damn, my heart hurt reading this one. A beautiful, BEAUTIFUL book.Reread of This Is How You Lose The Time War:Still wrecks me to this dayI added even more notes than my first time aroundWished someone would write me such grabbing love lettersReread Crush by Richard Sikenstill adoring this poetry collection, like a lotFavourite piece of it will always by “Your Name is Jeff – 24”Graveyard Shift by M. L. Rio A short novella with such a fascinating, weird, wonderful story I still fail to describeSunbringer by Hannah KanerI seriously loved how The Fallen Gods Trilogy continues. It is super impactful. And some scenes really wrecked my heart!Songs Which My Soul Likes To Sing & A Film-Filled Adventure

This past month and even this one now has me diving deeper into music again, most of them are more joyful tunes though.

Such as a cover version of “Those Eyes” by Iris Dean. It simply invites me to daydream a bit. To relax. And just feel joyful.

Another one with similar vibes is “Sweet Heat Lightning” by Gregory Alan Isakov. I guess I have been returning to such cosier songs because that’s what I have been seeking a lot lately – calm, cosiness and comfort.

Otherwise, there are some upbeat, confidence inducing songs too, like “Too Much” by Dove Cameron, “Gorgeous” by Olivia Knox and “Love Like Mine” by Stela Cole.

Any kind of rock is usually something I listen only occasionally around this time or if none of the previous mentioned songs hit the spot. One of the occasional artists would be Loveless, especially “meet me at our spot”

After figuring out what to see at one of our local cinemas, my friend from work and I went to watch “Death of A Unicorn”, which has been described a bit as a mixture of Jurassic Park meets Unicorns. But not the pony kind of version we would usually depict them as. It is more “why does no one learn from history?”, “Holy hell, what a monstrous act!” And “Well, they had it coming.”

It was fantastic! Also an incredible assortment of cast. Best thing, really. (I hope we get to do this kind of again.)

Well, I guess the plates are empty, the glasses are only half full now. Maybe it is time to wrap things up.

I am happy to have seen you here and maybe, depending if time allows me, we will see each other in June.

With love,

Skylar

„Whatever I am, let it be enough“

V. E. Schwab, A Gathering Of Shadows (Shades of Magic 2)

Hello kind reader,
I hope this place keeps you warm against the cold winds which still howl at the late hours. Have you ordered your drink? Good, keep that beverage close because there is a bit of catching up to do.

The Current Is Only A Fleeting Thing (I hope)

Kind reader, this question has been circling on my mind multiple times as I must be honest with you – Not everything is swell at work. Yet I want to refrain from opening up as it could backfire. For anyone. Just in short – I had brighter, much more fun days. However, the months may feel stretchy to the end of my training and yet it is just a couple of skipping stones away.

On a different, more gentle note – My friends (flat mates) and I try to enjoy the bits in between even when fatigue is consuming our minds and bodies a bit too much. There were late evenings of us opening up to a deeper touch, there were afternoons of us just sitting in the kitchen and just get all the stuff out of our system which likes to ruin our days. Sometimes you just have to rant and sometimes you just have to get it all out. Let’s say – Life’s been a over baked biscuit on all our sides.

The before, the start, the very first time I set my paint brushes to work

And while I try not to just live at work, I find smaller or bigger projects to work on – aside of writing. I’ve found my little passion for painting again. And even though I could’ve just gotten new canvases, my creativity got the better of me. For quite some time, I wanted to give my wardrobe a different look and inspiration struck at the very core of me. These white walls shall be covered in forget-me-nots. And a fox at a later point when I have the paints there.
With quite some days between each step (from sanding down, whitening the wood for a clear start, adding the greenery and later the blossoms, etc.), it somehow soothes my soul which has been through it. Because for once, you don’t need to really think. Because no one demands something from you. It’s just so freeing to do something for yourself again.

A later current state, the first petals blooming (I’ve already added the greenery to the right side as well)

While this project will last me a bit longer, I kind of gotten a bit ahead of myself and somehow found a newer kind of fuel for my want to revamp my room bits by bits, making it more fitting to me (with the limitations my rental contract lets me, of course). I’ve a list by my bed of things I know I want and will add, change or simply do. However, more than anything – I am aware that it will take time and honestly, that’s good enough for me. But aside of me becoming a bit of a home makeover enthusiast–
I spend some time with a friends from work. Even if it was only to fetch dinner and talk or a tiny bit of grocery. It was much needed. For one, I could just have this deeper conversation with one of them and for the other, it was just nice to not be only talking about work. Best thing is when you get to be a bit silly as well. You get to know a person a bit better outside our daily work setting and that’s plenty.

What Happens At The Writing Corner?

To put it simple – My dystopian work is a bit on a break because Kayden and Maverick were very aware that I’m in no state to tell their tale in a way which benefitted their story. Hence, they are a bit on vacation while I’ve somehow started to edit chapters of TWaTST. Simply because sea breeze and travelling to isles I don’t know is something which helps to escape the way I’ve been feeling. It gives me a bit of hope again. Which is plenty for me right now. Right now, it feels like I’m growing a bit as a writer and it helps with writing on that first book for the trilogy. Adding more to the descriptions (in a good way), filling in the blanks I have left while jumping to a new scene, small yet important steps to make the narrative more understandable to the viewer’s eyes. Kind reader, I’m terribly aware that you are not living inside my head and that you cannot read my mind. And yet – I’m not immune to plot holes or gentle story blanks.
So yeah, to speak the truth – When I left TWaTST in peace, I’ve stopped roughly at the word count of 20-22k. Now, I’m getting closer to 25k and that by simply revamping chapters. (I’m at chapter 3 of 17 finished ones. Planned so far were 18.) The book is finally growing into its shoes and I’m just happy how it proceeds so far. But this is not the only thing.

I’ve magically managed to put a little third book out. Called „songs stuck between my rip cage“ . I call it „little“ as it is the first time I really put poetry down in a book format. However, small stories are weaved in between to keep it all tightly together. If this makes sense. It got quite personal, to be honest. More personal than I got to be with TWWCAU (which pulled a lot on my heartstrings with Xian and Dallas). A good example is „the quiet theme for myself“ which you can read here.
In case, you are interested, you can get it at Thalia or other German book shops. Anyway, I’m not only a writer but also a reader. And if I haven’t told you enough that March was rough (and April seems to continue doing so), here is …

A Much Needed Reading Update

March has been disastrous as a reading month on my side. For someone, who usually gets through multiple pieces a month, the last and only piece I’ve finished was Godkiller by Hannah Kaner because as I have spend more time, mentally and physically at my day job than elsewhere. Which happened to be also a month I could not be there for myself in the ways I needed it.
April has so far been roughhousing as well but I’m learning bit by bit to be there for me again, to pause from working at the bookshop. And it’s minuscule tasks but significant. Like doing laundry, working slowly but steady on my wardrobe. Reading. Gosh, just this Easter weekend, while I’m writing here, I’ve spend most of my day reading and having Pianza’s piano playlists running in the background. But I also allowed me something. It is called „sleeping in“. On my days off, I like to turn off my alarm clock and just sleep. Most often, it is only until roughly until 9:30 am but this Sunday, it’s been even until 10:30ish am. Much needed rest.

Anyway, I’ve finished my second time reading This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone (I was in desperate need for something of comfort) and currently finishing The Graveyard Shift by M. L. Rio. Otherwise, bite size for bite size, Sunbringer (Godkiller Nr°2) by Hannah Kaner is etching closer to the half read mark. The further I read, the more exited I get for Faithbreaker. Which brings me closer to getting dents into my reading goals of 2025.

I won’t be mad if I cannot finish the entire list but I’m still trying to get as much done as possible because some of the titles, I’ve been dodging for a bit. (At least to finish them.)

While April is not over yet, I’m already contemplating what to take with me when I’m off to my last school block. This time around, I’ve told myself to really narrow it down and pack rather light in general. (I’ve seriously overpacked last year.) Maybe two to three titles maximum. But which? Only time will tell.

Will there be other monthly wrap ups then?

For the time, I’m away (I’ll return in July), I cannot really say IF I get to update you. Maybe I’m throwing May and June together into one post. That’s something my schedule, free time and cramming sessions have to decide.

However, I hope that until then, you’ll be okay, kind reader. And that we get to see each other again.

With love,

Skylar

Hello kind reader! It has been… a month. But yeah.

Come, take a seat in this little corner. The waiter will get our orders in a bit. Is it okay if we simply catch up in the mean time? March has been… rough and I thought I’d just tell you about it:

From The Bookshop’s Counter

If there is one thing, which I will always dislike about working in any kind of retail jobs, it is „Taking Stock“. This month was the D-Day or better said, D-Week of us doing that. Taking in account what is actually there, checking if any counting mistakes have been made, if some of our wares have been forgotten to be scanned or booked. And also a lot of sorting documentaries, checking if all lists have been checked and printed and put into the designated folders. And a lot of background stuff. Although it’s been a week now since we took stock, I still feel how much it took from my energy and I am only recharging slowly. Whilst helping organising an event further in the year. Most of it is luckily just e-mail correspondence and sorting the books which have arrived. It’s pretty cool but also starring at a PC for a long time is hurting my eyes a lot. And I’ve encountered quite some smaller headaches due to that. Buuuut kind reader, I’ll try to take good care of myself.

A Quieter Typewriter’s Sigh

Well, because of the things going on in my day job, writing (and even reading) has been rather on the „Let’s put it aside for later“-side of things. Hence Kayden and Maverick have to wait a bit for me to just be able to sink back down into their little monster infested and somewhat (post-)apocalyptic world. But the same goes to reading– Although, that’s getting better again. I am not back on a daily reading streak yet but I’m definitely reading bit by bit again.

Music, Books and Other Sweet Things

While reading and writing has been more on a halt, I did consume more music. Such as Epic The Musical – A „Go To“ and „Will Always Return To“ kind of piece of art which is one of my absolute favourite things which has been made over the years I’ve now watched the sagas published. Whatever Jorge is going to work on next, I definitely stay tuned.
Another go to song recently is God Needs The Devil by Jonah Kagen. I’ve been listening to it on repeat, especially on my way to work.
A smaller third thing in the music and musical sphere is the band VOILÀ’s discography, especially War and Lie With Me. (Also that I kind of discovered Sleep Token, too – But I’m still getting to know their music slowly but surely.)

While I don’t read as heavily as usual, I’m biting my way through Godkiller by Hannah Kaner. And biting only in the sense because I am fighting myself for a bit of free time. So that I’m not just going to work, coming back home and crash to bed. It’s simply not a life I want to lead and I’m trying to get a bit of new routines in or work simply new small ideas. Well, small can be a broad term. Because redesigning your wardrobe does not contain small for sure. I’ve doodled forget-me-nots on the wood but I need to scrub the old paint off before I can paint on it. (3h of doodling those small flowers only to be wiped away because I did not know or kind of forgot that you need to get a rough base – shoutout to my bestie for telling me before I have doodled on the entire wardrobe and before I put my painting skills to work )

Well, let’s appreciate the pencil doodle as long as it lasts. Before I’ve to sand it down.

On another note, this weekend, I’ve been to my first flea market of this year. Kind reader, let me tell you, I do love those places even though they can get super crowded. But sometimes you just find the sweetest little things there. For instance, today I grabbed two little card games I plan on playing with my friends or maybe around my second (and with that final) school block (which starts in May). After the visit to the flea market, my family and I went to one of our favourite Greek restaurants. They have a sweet little free library at the front and I picked up one of Fouqué’s works. It’s about knight and ghost stories. So… Totally my thing!
Anyway, I honestly wonder what other things I might pick up once more flea markets happen. In case they’re in close area or easier to access with the public travel methods. But that is something for me to figure out later this year.

Huh? Oh, it seems like the waiter is bringing our drinks. I hope it is to your liking. I am going to enjoy my cup of peppermint tea.

Anyway, how’s March treated you? has it been kind to your soul?

With love,

Skylar

Hello kind reader,

please make sure that your seat is comfortable and you got your cup filled something gentle like tea. Because if I thought 2024 was a ride, this month’s putting us – in all kind of sense – through it, too. Anyway, let’s begin:

The Messy Road of a Life Being Lived

If I had to describe how most of February has felt to me, I’d say it is a bit of a wobbly walk through a garden which had been freshly rained on. The ground is muddy and eating your shoes while the petrichor is alluding you to a tiny bit of hope. But I am clenching onto this small thing, this hope, with both hands because it is just the beginning of the year. It is not the end of the world. (I hope.)
Other than that, my hope for the coming parts of this year is: Breathing. For my chest to feel at least not as tight as it currently does.
Nonetheless, my best friend and I found us inside a small theatre to watch Swan Lake as a ballet performance. It was the first time for me to watch ballet in person and it was great. I seriously enjoyed it.
It’s one of my smaller joys for now. Otherwise, the three of us still find time together and just let go. As in of stress, as in we just listen to music of a playlist we share which gets jumbled with different songs from time to time, depending on what we listen to a lot over time. And in March, I look forward to us finding time to just go out and have a meal as the little chaotic group we are (which is in company with two of our other wonderful people we somewhat adopted into our little circle. c: )

Constant Clicking of Typewriters and Ink Stuck Between My Nail

Fear Is A Wretched Thing is at the cusp of reaching the 30k word count. However, I have not touched it in a tiny bit, although that was less of a choice and more caused by the stress gnawing on my brain from my day job.
Nonetheless, I am extremely proud for having still managed a bit. In this case, it is the narrative style which I have changed. To the beginning of writing this WIP, it was a first person narration. But I switched to a third person to get depth but also some distance at the same time. For the next draft of this story, I’m very aware that I will add more introspective parts, more flash backs perchance and a bit more of bone to the backstory of my main characters. Sometimes it feels like I miss a bit but the state of the first draft is not even near to be properly edited. Which is fine! That’s a first draft is for – to tell yourself this utter mess of a story and to later form it into a graspable narrative. And I just look forward to continue working on this. Whenever my mind and characters will let me.

What I’ve Read Under January’s and February’s Roof:

If I have to be honest, I’m a bit afraid that I hit a reading slump. It’s always the beginning of the year, where I excel in my reading amount and somewhat speed while to the later parts, I significantly drop down in that. But this is a bit of a constant fear that my passion for reading slows down. And maybe it is also the reason why I’m a bit at fault for putting stress on my own shoulders. Having a slight fear of running out of time is not one of my greatest characteristics, I suppose. Anyway – this gets a bit too deep. Let’s just take a look at what’s been on this and last month’s reading menu:

January

-The Shepherd King’s Duology (One Dark Window & Two Twisted Crowns) by Rachel Gillig

-The Tea Dragon Society (vol. 1) by K. O’Neil

-The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters (e-ARC via Netgalley)

-Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald

-Veil vol. 1 & 2 by Kotteri (e-ARC via Netgalley)

-The Library of Shadows by Rachel Moore

-The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

February

-A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft

-Cruel Is The Light by Sophie Clark

-Thunder and Daisy by Mercedes Paradiso

-Dominate Me by Eve Healy

Anyways, I’m still trying to figure out what I want to start March with because my bookish cart is still filled with interesting books, which I want to get around this year but also finish after having put them off for a bit. Maybe it is time to bring back my TBR jar. It definitely would be happy to help. What do you think?

Well, I guess our cups did get empty over this lovely conversation. And the place here seems to be closing soon. At least for today. How about we find each other here again next month?
Whatever it will be like, I hope it’s going to be gentle.

With love,

Skylar

Happy New Year, dear kind reader,

I hope the holidays have treated you kindly. As I try to get into 2025 with more hope, there were moments I had to take a stance and look at 2024 in its somewhat complicated shape. Let’s say – It was a year filled with more lessons and things to possibly heal from. And therefore I hope 2025 offers more friendlier waters and a bit less of rough seas.

The Life of a Bookseller

If I try to find words for all the things which went on at the end of the year, I’d say „It’s a LOT“ would somewhat not really feel like it hits the nail but it kind of still does. There were a lot of changes and… Well, it is more like I didn’t have a say in it and somehow simply ended up being in a different section of the bookshop. And the way it is with things being somewhat new to you: You have to get used to the stuff. And while I love my colleagues and the people around me – I am not fond of changes. Actually, I might straight out hate them. At least if those are heavy changes because they make you feel like control has been robbed of your hands.
I somewhat got used to this newness now. That we’re finally coming into a calmer season because my body hurts and my mind is still not fully mended yet after redoing so many bookshelves over and over again at work.
On a kinder and more hopeful note – I redid most of my private book shelves! Well, a bit was because my own characters frustrated me while writing but also because … maybe my soul needed that? A bit of a shoutout to my best friend for helping me with it, be it by spending time with me or even dusting off some of my shelves and handing me the books when my knees didn’t want to move for a bit.

The Never-Stopping Typewriter

On a more positive side: Fear Is A Wretched Thing is building up nicely despite the previously mentioned issues. I’ve recently revealed the working title and for now, it just feels fitting to this story. As we’re at the point of a bit over 20k words, I thought, I would reveal another snippet of the first draft. Again – It may not stay the same but enjoy it nonetheless:

An excerpt of Chapter 10, for a small softer part, for a small little breath in between

For once, I am not going to censor the names of the two main characters. These two will receive a deeper introduction at some point but let me tell you, Maverick (he/him) and Kayden (they/them) have grown on me since I started this tale – a bit like a fungus or, I don’t know, roots of a tree. And they tend to grow on me even more. But with that comes also the chaos which they toss me in. For once, I would not say that they live inside my attic but more like that they’re residing on the porch, throwing pine cones at that little window hole when they demand attention. And listen, if I can tell you one thing, it is that they strike their goal, which is my face, most often than not. So, if I thought a certain musician in my adventure-ish fantasy trilogy would find a way to nag me, these two are just on par with them. Perhaps, it is time for me to slowly expend from the attic and rebuild the mental home of my characters into something bigger.

From The Reader’s Nook With A Hopeful List Of Things To Read

A new year comes with different opportunities and for that, well, it is not really a resolution I’ve set for myself. My reading approach for this year is more like finishing books I’ve started but soft dnf’ed (as in put aside because my mood switched for something else but I do want to continue/finish reading). Along to this, I have a set “hopeful TBR”. Those are titles I feel that they could fit my overall mood and will keep me intrigued. That are:

The Dark & Drowning Tide by Allison Saft : Something sapphic, something adventurous, something from Allison Saft’s typewriter because I love the way she creates magic in stories.
Where The Dark Stands Still by A. B. Poranek : If there is one thing, it is that I am never opposed to stories inspired by folklore and that I am never going to deny an offer to get lost in a fictional forest.
Graveyard Shift by M. L. Rio : I was and still am kind of obsessed with If We Were Villains and this new release by Rio just has me on the edge of my seat. Well, it is also a novella which could be nice if my mood wants to explore something short.
A Study In Drowning by Ava Reid : This year is the second instalment coming out and to prepare myself for that, I think it is time for me to finally venture into Ava Reid’s writing. (I am just also super curious.)
The Spellsho p by Sarah Beth Durst : After friends/colleagues at work told me of the cosiness in this story, I have set my mind on reading The Spellshop this year. It might be also a nice way to take a bit of pressure off my shoulder after cramming.
In These Hallowed Halls : I generally want to pick up more short story anthologies and this has been on my list for a little while now. Possibly also in regards of Rio’s new release, it is something short-ish and could motivate me to read in case I get closer to a bit of a reading slump.
One Dark Window (and maybe Two Twisted Crowns) by Rachel Gilling: There were so many people talking very positively over this duology and honestly, a girl with a demon inside her mind sounds something I’ve not encountered yet and honestly, finishing a short series would be a delightful thing to do this year.
So far, I am getting closer to the end of the first book (I’m at roughly the 50% mark) and watching these characters do what they do just has me blanket pulled over my feet and gripping my cup as I roam more and more over the pages, wanting to know more, experience so much more of this adventure. Luckily book 2 has only arrived a bit ago so that I can head straight into it once book 1 is done.

Titles I’d Like To Finish Throughout 2025

Forever’s Gonna Start TonightThe Starless SeaAll About LoveThe Sunshine CourtPaxWords UnwrittenDracula?

What I Have Read So Far

The Tea Dragon Society, K. O’Neil: This is wholesomeness dressed in a beautifully crafted graphic novel. It was a beautiful way to kick off the year and (patiently waiting for the parcel to arrive) hope to finish of the trilogy as soon as it is possible.
Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald: Honestly, I’ve never really read a retelling of how Hades and Persephone met but in my opinion, this is an incredible one. Kore, who becomes Persephone, is such a strong character and leaves quite an impression on you as a reader but also on Hades. The novel does incredibly well in showing not only the good-ish sides of godhood but also its unspeakable ugly sides.
The Haunting Between Us (e-ARC via Netgalley) by insert name: I seriously enjoyed this YA Horror. The way the characters just felt so alive, so vivid before my eyes and just how you can find yourself in the queerness of them is beautiful. It’s given me the right amount of goosebumps and chills.

Other Media Influencing The Flow Of Time

The Tearsmith (Film): To the end of 2024, I watched this film together with my mum and honestly, I’ve liked it. Well, so much that I got myself the book the film is based on. Now, I only have to wait for the mood to set so that I can devour it. The perfect music would be ready for it (it’s the film’s OST which is stunning).

Work It (Film): Another film, we watched was a different dance film, starring Sabrina Carpenter even. And it was fantastic! It makes me want to dance again.

EPIC (the musical by Jorge Rivera-Herrans): I am still not ready to accept that it done. That all the sagas are out and about to be listened to and the tale having found its end. EPIC is a highlight of last year to me and it will continue to be a delightful thing for me in the future. So, look forward to me trying to bring this one back up on my Spotify Wrap at the end of the year (again).

Music wise, I’ve Zara Larsson’s „Wow“ on loop. It’s got a really wonderful beat to freestyle to it. Otherwise, a couple of instrumental pieces like as the previously mentioned OST of The Tearsmith. A lot of VOILÀ’s and Chrissy Constanza’s tracks are ruling my go to playlist. Got a bit obsessed with Lola Young’s „Messy“, too. All in all, it is a wild mix as I’m still trying to figure out in what direction this month’s vibe goes.

Anyways, as it’s getting later and later to write, I think I’ll end this month’s little letter to you here. I hope your bed is warm, your cups filled with your favourite drink and we’ll be talking in February again (or a bit over on Instagram, who knows.)

Until then: Stay kind.

With love,

Skylar

Dear kind reader,
we’re treading to the end of a year and I don’t know how to feel about. Before I delve into this and other things, please make sure you’re cosy. I hope you’re enjoying your beverage of choice because it’s… frankly a lot which is coming together into this final month of 2024.

Life In Consuming Times

In the passing of this year, my feeling for time has slipped more and more my fingers. It’s like slime, sticky but also not graspable to me and as time passes, it’s become much more of a loose thing. Until a couple days into December, I was still convinced that it was still Autumn and my calendar has been playing tricks on me. My days have been very concise into a few parts – Waking up, breakfast, off to work, get back home and prep food for work, shower, sleep. This has been the very essence of all my months since roughly August. I barely noticed Summer leaving me behind if it was not for the drop of temperatures. But it was mid September when this happened. Afterwards it’s been only Autumn and until I’ve put a book down, my goodbye to one of my favourite seasons, I was not even aware we had Winter. If I could, I’d still be in denial. Somewhere among these threads of time, I must’ve lost pieces of my heart and more fragments of my mind. While my body is moving, everything else is simply lost on me. Honestly, I don’t think I have been this severely tired and hungry for a change to something kinder in a long time. Maybe it has to do with the situation at work because:
The bookshop is buzzing with life, people buying last minute gifts for the holidays. It is filled with noise, lights, smell and this entirety is somewhat overriding my nerves. But it is only for a bit longer and I’ll enjoy my few days off. And I hopefully get to rest and hopefully rearrange one of my bookshelves in that time. The latter part is nothing I actively plan but is somewhat a wish. (I won’t be mad at myself if I don’t do that.)
Despite drowning in responsibilities at times, I’ve better things to talk about:

From The Typewriter

The clock has never stopped ticking away as my fingers press the keys of a… well, far modernised typewriter. Alias my laptop. The real typewriter is still sitting in the attic of my parents‘ place, waiting for me to pick it up.
As you might know or as I tried to let things trickle through between parts, I’m working on another project aside TWaTST. More than the first 10k (roughly 13k by now) words have been typed away in the blink of an eye (roughly 2 months) and somehow it feels not real that so much has been transcribed from my brain into a document. Anyway, I told myself that whenever I get to hit the first ten thousand words, I would share a snippet. Of course, the identity of my characters and much of the context will remain a mystery. For now! I want to slowly reveal bits and bobs as I go. But for now, please enjoy this bit:

A snippet from very far at the start of the adventure. I’ve it somewhat watermarked because it is a WIP and I don’t know if things change.

The working title is “Fear Is A Wretched Thing” and it is coming along pretty nicely so far and – the main characters really push me through things, even when I don’t want to. They embody so many emotions, thoughts and – everything feels very graspable to me, although I know that everything is just a fictional story in a made up world with characters which are somewhat only a paw in a game but also more. It feels like there could be said so much more about the people who only exist in the shadows of the spotlight. I seriously could imagine writing fanfictions or a side story of a few minor characters simply to give them more depth at some point. I can’t say much about it from the current point, just that the story is far from being done. Yet.

The Adventurous Path of A Reader

Although most of my time is spend at my work space, I still keep a book in my rucksack. I have a tendency to be too early for my shift and that spare time, I mostly write or read. (It depends if I carry my laptop or a novel with me.) For now, I am trying to finish a few of the books I have started or think of the once I managed to read to the end. However, I don’t know how far I get with them.

The Underwood Tapes by Amanda DeWitt (e-ARC of Netgalley)

I could gush of this little adventure between Grace and Jake who communicate through tapes in a time bending way while finding pieces and hints of a secret which the town, Hermitage, tries so hard to hide.

It is a beautiful book of friendship which surpasses time, taking healing steps in grief and possibly finding a bit hope in this new and possibly still complicated new chapter of life. In case you ask – Yes, I preordered my copy in hopes to finally annotate it.

Don’t Let The Forest In – C. G. Drews

Maybe I have spoken about it before when I was arc-reading this book. Now, I am rereading and adding my annotations to the pages. And those are plenty!
I just love this tale of boys who have a rotten core where a heart should be, a forest which tries to put an end to you and a truth which hides in the darkest part of your soul.

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

This novel was a perfect way to say my goodbyes to this Autumn as it finally left my porch to greet Winter (even though we were already into December). It still hurts a bit to think that this year is over in a few days. But it is also such a relief to leave some things behind. A fresh start into 2025. Just like for Isobel when she met with Rook, a total different kind of client for a portrait.

Music Keeps Me Occupied In This Craze

Ma Mieulleure Ennemie by Stromae and Pomme

I promise, after finishing Arcane, this song has been one of the many from the entire OST which keeps coming back into my playlist whenever I’m on a go. As it should. It wrenches hearts at the right spots and mends them at the same way. I’ve loved Stromae’s music when I was younger and it is beautiful to just come back to that. I take this as a launching pad to dive into the discography of both artists.

The Yawning Grave by Lord Huron

I have a tendency to return to the songs of this artist whenever I write. Honestly, not one of my WIPs does not feature at least one of his songs in my writing playlists. The Yawning Grave really gives me the vibes which I try to get down in the first Part of the story I’m writing on. So yeah, it’s on repeat a lot.

To The Ends of The World by Lord Huron

Another song by this artist and another song which is pretty much the main theme of the current horror-ish WIP.

Kom Lunkom by Kiiora

In between I like to simply drown the world out in instrumentals which teleport you into a different dream, a different mindset, simply anywhere but here. And this one really makes my internal adventurer happy.

Parting Words and Hopes For The Next Time

The next time we see each other again is in the new year. I hope, dear kind reader, that you’re spending the holidays in a way which feels comfortable to you. And that a good cup of tea or hot chocolate keeps you company.

Merry Christmas and a happy, good start into the new year. See you in 2025.

With Love,

Skylar

Hello kind reader,

I am very late and I am terribly sorry about it. Just so you know, I made sure that the door of the café is shut tight. The wind and rain stay out of here.

An Autumny Walk For The Change Of Pace

I have a few minutes to spare before I continue my journey through this small town. May your beverage provide you with enough warmth as we proceed with this month’s blog:

An Honest Update On The Life Front of Things

Christmas Season is fully spreading in the bookshop and the days are getting more hectic as I am writing this. Honestly, I don’t know if I can make it in time to update in December because the stress, which is immensely pressing in now, is no comparison to the actual storm which is yet to come.

Due to that, I feel like a criminal, trying to pry out a bit of reassurance that I am actually good in what I am doing and not just faking it. However, it is only moments like these when I doubt my own abilities, my own lived and learned experience of being in this occupation for a bit now. But under stress, most of my emotions are just raw, bleeding and sore wounds, not really knowing how to close up or become subtle.

Other than work — I visited my parents before parting with November’s sibling, October. It was a quite short stay but a nice way to see each other before I will visit them by the end of the year again. At some point, it is weird for me to not visit them at least once a month, the way I did when I was still crammed between desk and bed for university. However, it is also a bit nicer and a little bit quieter because seeing them became a bit more significant as I get to see them less. I don’t know, a smart soul once said that things and people get more important to us the less we see them. It is not a statement which I fully agree with but I also won’t totally disagree. In my opinion, everything has its own significance and some things are only enjoyable the less you’re subjected to it while of others, it is less of a drainage to your social battery.

Anyway, this got a bit lengthy but yes, in short — life is still quite a lot but it is manageable. At least, I hope it is. Because at this point, I don’t know entirely if it is still true.

News From The Writer’s Front

To the end of October, I typed some bits and pieces on TWaTST. However, I could not show up to these characters because when I try to listen to them, they just assure me — There is too much anger lingering in my bones. And it is okay to let them exist in a bit of stillness as I entangle myself in a different project which helps me vent in one way and also manoeuvre my anger into a good, productive direction. This secret project is wild, it has teeth and it will bite any hand which comes close to it. And honestly, I understand that. And this is in too many directions. However, I have to tap into myself more now, understand that anger is okay but to let take control over me is not.

It’s somewhat funny. For once I am not going to speak in lengths what it is about, who the characters are and what this story is. Not until I can certainly verify that my little creature is turning into a living thing and nothing to add to phantoms I might accidentally abandon until my mood swings back to it. For now it is mine and mostly mine alone.

So yeah. I hope to get back to TWaTST too and to post about those chaotic beans again once I finally round up the first draft. But until the path leads me there, it is still quite a bit of time.

Anticipated and Ravished Reads

My mind is in a whirl of what it wants, what it needs and that entirely sends my reading mood in a bit of a spiral. It doesn’t mean that I did not get to eat up a few stories but most of them are books I have started or I am not entirely through.

Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic

I had finished King’s Men in October and went right away to Sunshine Court. For me, it is difficult to part of this world. It scratched its way into my soul and I know that it will stay there.

Forever’s Gonna Start Tonight by Clara Blais

My hopes are to finish it Blais‘ book at the beginning of this coming year. The story is beautiful, holding you close as pieces of your broken soul gets mended and I’m optimistic that I will find myself curled up on my bed again to the end of the month. It just calls for chilly and cosy evenings.

The Resurrectionist by E. B. Hudspeth

It is rare that I finish a book in one sitting but this fictional biography had me enthralled in its somewhat macabre but mostly fascinating way. Dr. Spencer Black is a person who I cannot describe. However, he is a very interesting character as you watch how his passion gets slowly but surely the better of him.

Love Immortal by Kit Vincent (e-book ARC via Netgalley)

I know that I will rework my current review at some point to write it more coherently. However, it is such a fantastic book for someone like me who is not only a bit obsessed with literature but also has a fascination for the supernatural. Jonathan and Dacian are super interesting characters who just keep you on your toes. I seriously want a physical copy to not only mark up all the books Dacian quotes but also for the beautiful quotes you find here and there. (I started to reread it)

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Although I had taken quite the break of it, I continue reading about Jonathan and the count. Might be a bit influenced by the book above, might also be because I am a bit on a vampiric roll as I’m typing this.

Odd Spirits by S. T. Gibson (audiobook arc)

Joe Hempel has a very pleasant voice and listening to this narrator presenting such ab incredible book, made the entire thing a delightful piece for in between.

This is also my first time reading something by Gibson and I enjoyed it a lot. I can see myself reading a bit more of her writing.

Masters of Death – Olivie Blake

As a creature who enjoys longing, I found myself back with Fox and Brandt and how there is pain of a former love, pining for a hopeful (even possibly doomed?) new attempt at this and the air filled with “What if?”

Longing is something which is not entirely unfamiliar to me and so far, the agony peaking out between the almost comedic situations just makes my heart ache at least as much as the main characters.

When Mimi Went Missing by Suja Sukumar (audiobook arc from Netgalley)

I have trouble finding specific songs which titles I have forgotten and cannot seem to click at in the right second before my mood flips over again for something else. Therefore I am more than happy to be sinking into this little audiobook, especially on my way to work or back. It is mysterious in the tight corners and it’s been a bit since I’ve placed my hands on a mystery/thriller.

Cinematic and other Media Influence

Second Season of ARCANE

I don’t play League. But I do enjoy this series so freaking much because the people working on this got storytelling and presenting character arcs and changes down in an incredible beautiful way. My heart was wretched when I saw how some characters turned out to become a marionette in a bitter game while others became more and more likeable. It was a wonderful experience and I look forward to what the creators bring to the table next.

Oh? I suppose the cups are empty and the people are leaving slowly. Hopefully, I get to see you again next month. Stay safe and see you soon.

With love,

Skylar