Say You’ll Remember Me, by Abby Jimenez

Abby Jimenez is a familiar name in these parts: the writer of some of the most emotionally compelling romance books I've read in the last five or so years. I still get jitters thinking of the confession scene from Yours Truly, and I related so very painfully to the protagonist of Part of Your World. … Continue reading Say You’ll Remember Me, by Abby Jimenez →

Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, by Tony Kushner

As a born-and-raised Catholic, angels were a symbol that I latched onto. They were always depicted so beautifully, with billowing robes, soft faces, and powerful wings that proved their divine power. They were guardians, messengers, warriors: the ultimate symbol of comfort and beauty within the religion I was raised in. In fact, although I am … Continue reading Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, by Tony Kushner →

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, by Grady Hendrix

You know, the world can make you really, really, REALLY angry sometimes. And one of the best ways to gratify said anger is to pick a book about repressed young women giving the people who wronged and infantilized them their comeuppance through witchcraft. Yes, here we are, another book about women using magic to even … Continue reading Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, by Grady Hendrix →

The Wishing Game, by Meg Shaffer

It's a lofty temptation indeed when a whimsical book summary about an overworked adult's childhood dreams coming true comes with literary award nominations. Although, even if The Wishing Game did not come with any accolades, it would have intrigued me enough to open it, because I am also an overworked adult who yearns for childhood … Continue reading The Wishing Game, by Meg Shaffer →

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells, by Rachel Greenlaw

You would think after Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic was such a disappointment that I would not read any other book compared to it. While I probably will not put such high expectations on another Alice Hoffman book, I certainly would read another book about a family filled with magical women in a small town dealing … Continue reading The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells, by Rachel Greenlaw →

Lovelight Farms, by B.K. Borison

I've set a pretty high standard for romantic comedy novels lately, especially with my introduction to Abby Jimenez. I've simply found that this genre of books has to have a very specific set of tropes or characteristics in order to really sparkle, especially when it comes to the male protagonist. Might that be a bit … Continue reading Lovelight Farms, by B.K. Borison →

James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl

If there was a trifecta of books that my classmates and I read in elementary school, it was Roald Dahl's Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and James and the Giant Peach. I suspect it was in part because we all had seen the movie versions of these stories and were familiar with them before … Continue reading James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl →

Carrie, by Stephen King

Carrie is, and probably will remain, my favorite Stephen King book. I’ve read it so many times that there is a deep crease in my copy’s spine. I can picture so many scenes with spine-tingling clarity, thanks to King’s masterful writing. Which is ironic since Carrie was his first published novel. I’m glad that Mr. … Continue reading Carrie, by Stephen King →

The Writing Retreat, by Julia Bartz

When trying to find something to read, I thought maybe I would need something frothy and fantastical. Given everything going on in the world right now, it seemed like the best solution. It worked during the pandemic, so I thought it would work now too. But nothing seemed interesting. Then, I was going back and … Continue reading The Writing Retreat, by Julia Bartz →

The Witch Haven, by Sasha Peyton Smith

You all know by now of my love (okay, perhaps obsession at this point) with witch books, but The Witch Haven presented a new historical angle to this obsession. The book takes place in 1911 New York City, with a summary that promised mystery, underground societies, and magical sisterhood. So of course I was going … Continue reading The Witch Haven, by Sasha Peyton Smith →