Book: The House in the Cerulean Sea

The House in the Cerulean Sea
TJ Klune
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Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He's tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.

Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

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This book was one of the suggestions in the (new) book club I’m in. I was a little bamboozled though!

When I first read the synopsis, I commented to the suggester (who was a friend outside of the club as well) that “I’m getting queer vibes from the synopsis” and she said “no! I promise you!” Queer or not, it would have been fine, but after being promised that it wasn’t, and that then it WAS, I was a little miffed. Nothing against Queer-ness, it’s more of the “that’s what I said but you said it wasn’t!!” type of annoyance. (Yes, I have to be proven right lol)

I’m surprised discussions in the book were mostly so… civilized. Is that… British? (Looks up on Google)… and alright, it felt very, very British to me.

I’ll say, I knew from the start something was up with Arthur and had some inkling about what exactly. The book has many many hints in the beginning and referring back and repeating small phrases and comments that just pushes you to reconsider “hm….. something is up.” There’s a lack of actual physical action/conflict and everything is being discussed so civilly, that it just gives off this very British vibe. In a way it’s very heartwarming and feel-good.

This is my first TJ Klune book, so is this his style of writing? I dunno. But I’m about to find out, coz I’m going to explore this author!

There really isn’t much to be sharing about

I should sort through my Japan photos and post, but the fire has passed and I don't feel like doing it anymore.

I spent the Christmas break maximizing the use of my Netflix account. Yeah, I paid throughout the year but only now that I'm binge-playing (notice I didn't use the word watching) stuff. Started off with the Rookie, but once it got serious (Season 3?) I've lost interest. I'll probably wait until end of February, after the Chinese New Year break, then I'll pause the Netflix payment. I don't seem to be watching much anything anyway.

With 2 days left I don't think I have enough time to finish 2 more books (to complete my reading challenge for this year) but I'm good. I set for 24 books, thinking of doing 2 books per month, but I'm already at 22 books, currently on my 23rd which I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish in time. But 20 books used to be my annual target anyway. So I'm happy about it.

I decided to order my own birthday cake this year. What with the stupid jokes (getting me an emoji smiley face cake was a big joke) and inviting others on a trip over my birthday weekend, I don't think i have the patience to be trifled with and decided to order my own cake. I ordered the cake for the 11th because it's a Sunday and also because on my birthday the 12th I have class, and will be home late, and can't pick up the cake beforehand to fridge it, etc. Etc. Etc. And if mom makes a dig about getting a cake not on my birthday I'll give her a comeback about inviting someone else on a trip over my birthday weekend.

Have I mentioned I now do my own laundry? It was really, really, and I mean reaaaaaaalllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyy vexing me when Dad would come by ANY RANDOM day of the week with clothes on a hanger that's inside out and ask me "is this yours?" And no matter how many times I say, "I wouldn't know, the T-shirt is inside out" and "I do not have the time to be sorting these hanger tshirts at this time of the day!" (he'd give me the clothes right before I leave home fo for work - and we have a clean clothes basket where the clean laundry is dumped in and we sort it out on Sunday, so WHY CAN'T THOSE TSHIRTS WAIT TILL SUNDAY TO BE SORTED OUT!?!?!?!?!?!) I got so fed up and ran out of patience one time and just yelled that i will do my own laundry from now on and honestly, I've been so much more happier and at ease since then. I probably have some form of OCD, I guess, unless it's something else. But laundry sorting had ALWAYS been on Sundays so why has my Dad started to bug me about tshirts every day!?

I also hate it when somebody sits at my seat at the dinner table. It's been my seat for the past 40 years or whatever so do not sit on my seat! Even when it's not a full family dinner - say someone is just one person sitting at the dinner table but on my seat? I get so miffed. It's not an issue when we have more than 4 people though. Don't worry, for the table seat thing I have never yelled but grumbled in my head only. I'm not so spoiled and entitled. But it has got me wondering why I'm so inflexible in these small things - hence wondering if it's OCD related. And if it's me being spoiled and entitled, I'll draw the line at spoiled. I was not spoiled. I'm protective of what's mine though, because it has been proven to me that if I do not fight for and protect myself then no one here (I mean the family) is going to.

At yoga yesterday, the master had us do headstands and he helped me to do mine, but then I had so much pain in my neck. He said it's because I started off correctly, using my shoulders for support, but then I probably relaxed my shoulders so the weight went straight to my neck. Heck. It hurts till today too. Do I need my Chinese doctor for her chiropractor or bone setting skills?

I plan to get a new pair of running shoes next year because I promised myself I wouldn't buy new ones this year, despite going on the trial run and really liking those shoes I trialed in (Puma, I think). Ran 2 half marathons and a 17km in 2025 and feeling pretty good about that - so I think I've earned new shoes in 2026. Time to check if there's any newer models since then.