Note 09 - The Reader’s Corner

Some weeks weigh a little more than others, and that’s when I seek refuge in books. This week was one of them, and I’m grateful for the quiet escape that reading brings.

I still remember the moment I truly became a reader on my own. My parents had always read me bedtime stories, but Christmas 2006, I received the first two books of the series Le Journal d’Aurélie Laflamme (The Diary of Aurélie Laflamme), and devoured them both the same day. From there, I spent years discovering chick lit at my local library before gradually exploring literary fiction, memoirs, and more thoughtful reads. Books have been part of my day for most of my life, and I still love the feeling of immersing myself in a new story, of stepping into an entirely different world and living the lives of complex characters.

Whenever I walk into a bookshop or a library, I can feel my heart rate slow down. There’s something deeply grounding about the texture of paper beneath my fingertips, the scent of a freshly printed novel, or the nostalgia of an older book that’s filled with the memories of when I first read it.

Today’s post is a love letter to reading and books. I’ll share some of my all-time favourite reads, a few bookish spaces that have left a lasting impression on me, and some recommendations from this week.

What I Wore This Week

Sweater and Jeans - Totême / T-Shirt - Uniqlo / Boots - By Malene Birger

I work from home, so I don’t always dress up, but I wore this outfit on a day of meetings in town, layered with a trench coat. A simple white T-shirt, the twisted-seam jeans from Totême, and some heeled boots. I finished the outfit with a cashmere jumper tied around my neck for a little pop of colour. Comfortable, stylish, and a reminder that sometimes, the best outfits are the ones you don’t overthink.

Favourite Books

Exit Lane by Erika Veurink - A romance novel I discussed recently on my blog. I loved how this felt like a movie but in book form, and the ‘will they, won’t they’ dynamic between the protagonists.

They’re Going to Love You by Meg Howrey - This one follows a choreographer who returns home in New York after years away, confronting old family rifts and the pain of lost love. It’s beautifully written, full of art, dance, and complicated forgiveness. I remember loving it so much the first time I read it, and I’m planning to re-read it soon!

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton - My most recommended read. This memoir is a warm, funny, and painfully relatable tale about growing up, falling in (and out of) love, and realizing that friendships can be the greatest love stories of all. Dolly is the most amazing narrator and I make a point to read this every few years,

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors - Coco Mellors is an incredible writer who manages to capture people’s relationships so beautifully, both romantic and fraternal. This novel, specifically, is a dazzling and messy novel about a young British artist and an older man whose impulsive marriage changes both their lives and everyone around them.

The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen - A raw and poetic autobiographical series tracing Ditlevsen’s childhood, rise as a writer, and descent into addiction. I especially love the Youth part when she comes of age and falls in love for the first time, set in early-1900s Copenhagen, a city that feels worlds apart from the sleek, trendy version we know today.

The Glossy Years: Magazines, Museums, and Selective Memoirs by Nicholas Coleridge - A delightful, gossipy memoir from the longtime Condé Nast executive, packed with behind-the-scenes stories from his role at the V&A and in the fashion world. I remember being fascinated by his family stories and this line at the end of the book (which I still recite in my head once in a while): In the end, almost everything is about luck, and whether or not it finds you, and whether you find it. And having found it, whether you fix it with a glittering eye and hold on tight while the going is good (inspired by The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1797).

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller - Set over one summer day in Cape Cod, a woman faces an impossible choice between her husband and the man she’s loved since childhood. Atmospheric, emotional, and beautifully told.

The Trio by Johanna Hedman - Another one I re-read recently and discussed on the blog. Three young friends drift between Stockholm and other European cities, tangled in love, longing, and privilege. It’s quiet and introspective, perfect if you love moody, character-driven stories.

Wilful Disregard by Lena Andersson - A novel about a woman who falls into an obsessive love affair, told with striking emotional intelligence and dry wit. Once again, it’s set in Stockholm (clearly, I have a literary type).

Expectation by Anna Hope - A moving, deeply relatable novel about three friends in their thirties who find themselves caught between the lives they imagined and the realities they’re living. The first time I read it, I finished it on the Eurostar, tears streaming down my face by the last page. It’s that kind of book that quietly makes you reflect on your own life and who you are.

A Moth to a Flame by Stig Dagerman - A dark, lyrical Swedish classic about grief, guilt, and self-destruction in postwar Stockholm. Bleak but beautiful, the kind of novel you read slowly.

Delightful, Bookish Spaces

Daunt Books

My bookshelf at home

Oodi Library

Certain spaces simply feel good the moment you step into them. For me, those spaces always seem to contain books.

Daunt Books is probably my favourite of them all, especially the Marylebone branch. I love the creaking wooden mezzanines and the way the shelves are organized by region, even for fiction. There’s something so inspiring about finding novels grouped not by author or genre, but by the places they’re set in. Plus, I always discover new books I want to read when I walk in (AND their own imprint has excellent books).

At home, I also want my books to be part of my everyday surroundings. This is my desk space, and I love being able to glance up and see my books while I work, feeling constantly surrounded by stories and ideas. One day, I dream of having a built-in bookshelf in my living room (but for now this brings comfort and joy.

Finally, a place that’s left a lasting impression on me is the Oodi Library in Helsinki. A stunning mix of architecture, books, and community. As I walked through it, I could feel how much it belonged to the people who used it: a true third space, where anyone could read, create, meet neighbours, and simply be. Libraries like that remind me how essential they are, and how much I miss the one from my hometown.

This Week’s Edit

Bookety Book Books Instagram
I’m about to share one of my favourite secrets: where I discover most of the books I want to read! It’s an Instagram account run by an independent bookseller in New Zealand who creates incredible book-related content. The only downside? Some of the books featured aren’t published internationally yet, which can make them tricky to find. But that’s part of the adventure.

HAY Boulder Book End
A small but stylish joy in my bookshelf! This bookend always makes me smile. I love its organic shape, quirky design, and the fact that it’s both beautiful and practical.

Degrenne Paris Salam Teapot
When I finally buy a teapot, it will be this one from Degrenne Paris. It’s the most elegant design I’ve ever seen, and it actually keeps tea warm! I can picture myself reading for hours with endless cups of Earl Grey beside me. I first spotted it while staying at the Ett Hem hotel, and I can’t stop thinking about it ever since.

The Shameless Book Club
Even though this podcast is no longer active (it’s now mostly an Instagram presence), it’s absolutely worth diving into the archives. The hosts discuss books, literary scandals, and so much more with wit and warmth. I still miss listening to it regularly and reading the books alongside it.

Love, S.