When it comes to stories about witches, I have a very specific idea in my head. I not only expect for them to be powerful, but also to have the ability to overcome a serious obstacle with their magic. If they're lacking in either of those, an interesting story can at least compensate for that. … Continue reading A Witch in Time, by Constance Sayers
Tag: fiction
Lessons in Magic and Disaster, by Charlie Jane Anders
While pursuing my MFA at Butler University, I had the privilege of meeting Charlie Jane Anders, whose work crossed journalism, fantasy, and science fiction. I remember talking to her at a Visiting Writers event, where she asked me what my MFA thesis was going to be, and when I told her the plot in detail, … Continue reading Lessons in Magic and Disaster, by Charlie Jane Anders
A Mother Always Knows, by Sarah Strohmeyer
A few years ago, I said my true crime fix was stalkers, but I think I've added another one to the list: cults. Jonestown, the Ant Hill Kids, the Work, anything that involves a sociopathic narcissist roping innocent victims into their twisted orbit, under the guide of improving their lives. Everyone says that they are … Continue reading A Mother Always Knows, by Sarah Strohmeyer
Just for the Summer, by Abby Jimenez
Need I even try to introduce Abby Jimenez anymore? For better or worse, this BookTok-famous author (the only one that I've actually liked so far) has slid right into my list of reliable writers. Although I did not enjoy Say You'll Remember Me at all, I was still willing to give her next books a … Continue reading Just for the Summer, by Abby Jimenez
Pen Pal, by J.T. Geissinger
The next time someone suggests a book that has any sort of popularity on TikTok, I should just not bother. Or at least do my own damn research on a book before deciding to consume it. I first heard of Pen Pal in a TBR video from a YouTuber that I typically get horror movie … Continue reading Pen Pal, by J.T. Geissinger
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
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
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 Library Key 