Books, Boots and Bakeries

There’s a unique magic in rereading a book you love—finding comfort in familiar words while still uncovering something new. For me, Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta is that book. It’s not my first journey through Lumatere, and it won’t be my last. It’s a story I return to when I need solace, a reminder of resilience and hope, and yes, a good cry.

This time, it was my husband who nudged me to pick it up again. It’s that strange, timeless period between Christmas and New Year’s, and I’d already hit my Goodreads goal of 350 books for the year. But despite the milestone, I found myself in a reading rut. He handed me the book, and I knew immediately it was exactly what I needed.

Finnikin of the Rock makes my heart hurt in such a good way. Melina Marchetta’s writing is unflinching, her characters as flawed and real as any I’ve encountered. Finnikin, Evanjalin, and the exiles of Lumatere are more than just names—they’re people who stay with me long after I close the book. When I was married, I had books that I made into my wedding bouquet, and Finnikin was one book that I included, it speaks to my soul.

While the other books in the Lumatere Chronicles might hold the top spot in my heart, there’s something about Finnikin of the Rock that speaks to me on a deeper level. It always breaks me at the 20% mark, (and every other point!) every single time. I know it’s coming, but the emotional weight never diminishes.

For anyone who hasn’t yet read it, or for those who’ve forgotten its brilliance, Finnikin of the Rock is more than just a story—it’s an experience. It’s a reminder that no matter how far we wander, or how broken we feel, there’s always the possibility of finding our way home. If you’re searching for a book to ground you, to make you feel deeply, and to stay with you long after the final page, this is it.