Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Vol. 1, by Alvin Schwartz

No book title evokes more millennial Halloween nostalgia than Alvin Schwartz' Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. There's probably no use reviewing this book because we all know it so well. But these stories have staying power all these years later, thanks in part to the books' iconic macabre illustrations and the variety of … Continue reading Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Vol. 1, by Alvin Schwartz →

The Housemaid, by Frieda McFadden

Many domestic thrillers tell the same story: a picture-perfect suburban family (often wealthy, white, and Christian) is hiding a deadly secret that threatens their perfect image. But gosh darn it if that formula does not give so much space to play with everyday domestic anxieties and create powerful emotional responses. The Housemaid is almost as … Continue reading The Housemaid, by Frieda McFadden →

Winnie-the-Pooh, by A.A. Milne

I'm of the opinion that it is scientifically impossible to feel sad when consuming content related to Winnie-the-Pooh. Winnie-the-Pooh was a huge part of me and my sisters' upbringing, especially for my little sister. She had a Pooh Bear plushie with an attached honey pot that played a tinny version of the Winnie-the-Pooh theme when … Continue reading Winnie-the-Pooh, by A.A. Milne →

I’m Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy

TRIGGER WARNING: This book review contains mention of child abuse and eating disorders. You have been warned. My sisters and I bounced between the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon for most of our childhood TV time. We sometimes caught iCarly after school on Nickelodeon, and while I would certainly not call it a favorite of mine, … Continue reading I’m Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy →

Black Woods, Blue Sky, by Eowyn Ivey

Eowyn Ivey is one of those authors who, although you cannot quite remember the ins and outs of her stories, you never forget. I haven't read a book of hers since The Snow Child back in 2018, and it was quite an emotionally compelling read. So, of course, when Black Woods, Blue Sky crossed my … Continue reading Black Woods, Blue Sky, by Eowyn Ivey →

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 →

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 →