Hey, I’m Réka Tóth — reader of too many books at once, lover of paperbacks and strong tea, and the kind of person who writes entire essays in her head after finishing a good (or emotionally devastating) novel. Welcome to my corner of the internet, where literature meets psychology, humor meets heartbreak, and plot twists are just metaphors waiting to be unpacked.

My approach to books changed completely during those years. What used to be casual late-night reading turned into a full-blown academic obsession. Somewhere between Dostoevsky’s inner turmoil and Croatian war poetry, I realized that stories weren’t just entertainment — they were windows into the human psyche.

My thesis research focused on Ivan Turgenev’s late poetry, particularly the Senilia cycle. I argued (successfully, I might add) that this realist giant of Russian literature evolved into an impressionist by the end of his life — exchanging sharp social critique for fleeting emotional moments, subtle imagery, and a deeply introspective tone. That experience shaped how I read everything now: not just what a story says, but how and why it makes us feel the way it does.

On this blog, I share reviews, reading challenges, and plenty of overthinking. You won’t find star ratings here — just thoughtful takes, personal reflections, and the occasional “what was the author thinking?!” moment. I use psychology to dive into characters’ minds, and I love unpacking symbolism, narrative voice, and what our favorite stories say about us as readers.

My bookshelf is all over the place, but my heart belongs to the classics. I gravitate toward books that leave a mark — emotionally, intellectually, or existentially. Some all-time favorites:

• Babel by R.F. Kuang — for its brutal beauty and academic soul
• Crime and Punishment — because guilt is a character too
• Doctor Zhivago — poetic chaos and historical depth in one
• Senilia — a masterclass in quiet heartbreak

When I’m not buried in books or dissecting literary trauma, I’m working in marketing or spending time around trotting horses. (Yes, really. Ask me about it sometime.) I only use bookmarks (dog-earing feels like a crime), and while I love the weight of a real book in my hands, my Kindle is a trusty travel companion — because nothing ruins a trip faster than a bent Dostoevsky.

I started this blog because I think too much and feel too much, and books are how I make sense of both. If you’re a reader who wants more than surface-level plot summaries — someone who wants to understand why a story hits so hard or leaves you haunted for weeks — you’re in the right place.

I hope my words give you something to reflect on. A deeper insight. A book you wouldn’t have picked up otherwise. Or just the comforting knowledge that someone else also spirals after reading the last sentence of a good novel.

Welcome to my bookish brain. It’s a little chaotic, a little poetic — but always honest.