We're thrilled to introduce a new kind of theme in our Journal —one that combines style, substance, and a shared love of stories and reading. Ana, a devoted mum, influencer, and the inspiring voice behind her own Book Club, is joining us to bring thoughtful book reviews to our Journal. Her passion for reading, paired with her authentic approach to motherhood and life, makes her the perfect partner for this series.

Because let's be honest—what goes better with a beautiful bag than a good book? Whether you're reading in a café, at the park with your little one, or in a quiet moment just for yourself, Ana’s recommendations will meet you where you are. And since we know our Journal readers are smart, curious, and always looking for something meaningful, we think you’ll love this new addition as much as we do.

So pour a cup of coffee, grab your favorite tote, and let’s turn the page together.

What follows is Ana’s written piece…

Sometimes you come across a book that you simply cannot put down—you read it eagerly and thoroughly, all the way to the final page. And even though you feel a certain sadness when it’s over, you don’t yet realize that the best part is still to come: it will linger in your mind, returning to you again and again…

One such book is the novel Miza za štiri (Table for Four) by Lara Paukovič. I sensed it would be something special just a few pages in—it sparked curiosity, empathy, reflection, and even discomfort in me. With her fresh writing style, including the use of initials instead of full names, Lara creates the feeling that we are peeking over a fence, eavesdropping at the next table, reading someone else’s letters... and makes it clear this won’t be a typical summer read. She achieves all this in a very readable way, making it one of those books you’ll easily return to, even when (evening) tiredness kicks in—leaving you quietly pensive during and after the read.

In Table for Four, we meet a young woman, J., one year after the unexpected death of her mother, when she coincidentally comes into contact again with her mother’s longtime best friend S. and S.’s husband D. Despite the obvious hidden agendas of the older couple, the meetings continue, the relationships become increasingly entangled, and J.’s romantic relationship with B. begins to unravel.

Over six months of these meetings, the book takes us to various tables in well-known Ljubljana restaurants and clubs, along the picturesque streets of the old city center, into a wellness center… Yet, despite the unpredictable external events and deliberately overloaded descriptions of the lifestyle of the older, more financially secure couple, the novel also powerfully draws us into the intimate inner world of J.—into her childhood and adolescence, her complex relationship with her mother (and father), the generational divides, the parallel lives of us and our parents. Both the external and internal narratives intensify until everything breaks open and much is revealed—including the initials.

Although the novel doesn’t moralize, it doesn’t shy away from many timeless reflections: when to persist, when to leave, when to hide, when to leap, when the cost of reaching for a higher social class is worthwhile, when it’s too high, and ultimately, what so-called luxury (of honesty) really means to each of us.

The perfect bag to style with this book was Vera Bag in Stone. Available here.

Follow Ana on Instagram for more inspiring content on books, motherhood, and everyday lifestyle.