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Like trying to untangle a knot, Strange Pictures unravels in such a clever way that you're pulled forward just to see how it all connects. I was surprised by some of the interwoven themes, which I won't name for fear of spoilers, and how such a slight book could conjure so much impending dread.
Although the language at times felt choppy in the English translation, it somehow added to the discomfort in a way that felt intentional. The mystery throughout and the horror of what people are capable of grabs your attention, but the emotional center is what ultimately lands. Quietly and unexpectedly.
Give it a read!
Piranesi is a beautifully written novel with a premise as mysterious as it is captivating. While often categorized as fantasy, it feels more like speculative fiction, or perhaps “fantasy light”, with a literary depth and layered themes that surprised me. The story unfolds in layers, revealing a world rich in symbolism and meaning, and a protagonist who is both compelling and quietly profound. As the mysteries unravel, the book evokes a mix of emotions: wonder, sadness, hope, and a lingering bittersweetness. I can see how this novel might be polarizing, but for me, it was a surprising and deeply rewarding read.
I had no idea the mystery-fantasy subgenre even existed, but I'm sure glad I found it. The Tainted Cup delivers a smart and engaging mystery wrapped in inventive worldbuilding, sharp irreverence, and a cast of truly memorable characters. The central contagion used as a plot device is both graphic and imaginative - disturbing in all the right ways. If you're a fan of fantasy, mystery, or stories that lean into the weird without losing their grip on good storytelling, this one is absolutely worth a read.
2.5 Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries was... fine, I guess. Once again, I find myself realizing I probably wasn't the intended audience. It had a cozy feel and a few fun elements, but I was hoping for a more adventurous fantasy romp grounded in rich fairy folklore. Instead, I got a book that seemed to be reaching for Pride and Prejudice with faeries, aiming for that same wit and charm, but falling far short of that standard, weighed down by overly flowery language and a lack of narrative momentum.
It's not that the author lacks talent, she clearly has skill, but the book seems aimed at readers who aren't looking for much plot or substance, just an atmospheric tale to linger in. For some, that's exactly what they want. For me, it just didn't quite land.
I also think the primary protagonist is the worst.
Cabinet of Curiosities is a fun and fascinating collection of curious tales and tidbits, ranging from the mysterious to the comical, the eerie, and the downright bizarre. I'm already a big fan of the podcast on which the book is based, as well as Aaron Mahnke's other work on Lore, so this book was a natural fit for me. It's perfect to keep on hand when you're not sure what you want to read but still want something intriguing. Each entry is short, engaging, and easy to jump into—making it a great companion for curious minds and casual readers alike
4.5 Worth the read.
I first heard about The Buffalo Hunter Hunter in a random YouTube video about upcoming book releases. The presenter was clearly excited, and while I had never heard of the author before, the premise immediately piqued my interest.
What sets this book apart is how it weaves horror into a deeply human and historical narrative. It touches on themes of western expansion, the displacement and suffering of Indigenous peoples, and the lingering thirst for revenge that festers in the wake of violence. These elements aren't just background, they're integral to the atmosphere and the tension that build throughout the novel.
I've always appreciated horror when it's done well, when it serves not just to shock, but to expose. It's a genre that allows authors to explore the darker impulses that exist around us and within us. The author of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter does this with precision and depth.
It's always a thrill to discover a new writer whose voice resonates. This one delivered creeping dread, emotional weight, and thought-provoking themes in equal measure. I'll definitely be watching for what this author does next as well as exploring his back catalogue.
This one took me a good while to finish. Although I'm pretty sure I'm not the intended target audience, I ultimately found The Lost Bookshop to be rather charming. The book shines most when it leans into the love and mystery of books, and the unique hold they have on readers. There were enough twists and mostly compelling characters to keep me reading through to the end.
That said, I did struggle with the abundance of romantic tropes scattered throughout, and a few characters felt underdeveloped. Still, the core story was pleasant enough.
An inventive and enchanting bestiary, The illustrated version of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them beautifully expands the lore of the Wizarding World. The illustrations are stunning, whimsical, detailed, and full of charm, bringing each magical creature vividly to life. Whether you're a longtime fan or just diving into the world of Harry Potter, this edition makes for a delightful short read and a perfect gift. A must-have for any magical bookshelf.
I'm always cautious when an author decides to write a prequel to a beloved series, especially one as strong as The Hunger Games. In many ways, Sunshine on the Reaping felt a little too similar to the original trilogy. That said, where this book really shines is in its chilling portrayal of how easily everything—people, stories, events—can be twisted into propaganda when seen through the right lens.
The arena is, once again, brutal and inventive. The characters are clearly drawn and compelling. And while the book doesn't try to rewrite the original trilogy, it does lay down some foundational pieces that deepen and inform the world we already know.
Be warned: the last 150 pages are brutal.
If you're a fan of The Hunger Games and want more of its darker themes and deeper lore, you'll probably enjoy this book. And if you're someone who appreciates modern dystopian fiction with echoes of Orwell's 1984, this might be right up your alley.
Ever wondered what would happen if you tossed Deadpool, The Legend of Zelda, Dungeons & Dragons, The Running Man, and The Hunger Games into a blender, then added a dash of South Park for good measure? Then Dungeon Crawler Carl might just be your next wild read.
This book is a fast-paced, joke-a-minute dystopian hellscape that turned out to be way more entertaining than I expected. Fair warning: at times, it's definitely more crude and crass than my comfort zone, with some humor aimed squarely at the lowest common denominator. But if you're into video games, TTRPGs, or irreverent survival stories punctuated by multiple levels of the absurd, you'll probably have a blast with this one.
I'll never understand why some people rank Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as their least favorite in the series. Yes, it's the longest, but the way the Wizarding World expands is absolutely magical. As the midpoint of Harry's journey, this book marks a beautifully crafted transition from childhood wonder to the darker, more complex realities of growing up. I still love it—and it remains near the top of the series for me. So glad I did a reread.
Every mystery fan should read this book at least once in their life. To be fair, I might be a bit biased, it's what I consider Agatha Christie's best work. The characters are intriguing, the plot is masterfully constructed, and it's a classic whodunit in every sense.
I don't think most modern readers realize just how influential “And Then There Were None” has been. Countless books, movies, and TV shows have either drawn inspiration from it or outright attempted to replicate its brilliance.
It's a quick read, a fun read, and it keeps you guessing until the very end. Every time I revisit it, I'm reminded why it remains in my top 20 books of all time. I'm glad I had the chance to reread it, and I highly recommend that others do too
3.5 - I think. I'm honestly unsure how to rate James by Percival Everett. It might be brilliant—or it might be mundane and overrated. I genuinely don't know which. Everett is clearly far more intelligent than I'll ever be, and his lived experience is undoubtedly different from my own. Still, James left me wanting something more.
I was genuinely excited to read it. The premise—a retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, now James—seemed like it had the potential to be moving, thoughtful, and sharply satirical. But what I expected to be a powerful reimagining ended up feeling more like a sanitized version of Django Unchained: effective in certain ways, yes, but also strangely hollow. The story never fully committed to its emotional stakes, and instead leaned on stylized commentary that felt more performative than profound. Which, if you have read the book, is fairly ironic.
The book is undoubtedly intelligent and well-researched. At times it reads like a brilliant academic paper about the horrors of slavery, one that has been translated into a novel. There are strong moments that make readers reckon with both past atrocities and their echoes in today's world. But ultimately, what I found lacking was heart. The book is polished, yes—but distant. It felt less like a heartfelt homage or subversive critique of Twain's original, and more like a clever reframing that exists without much purpose.
I know comparisons can be unfair, but when placed alongside works like Toni Morrison's Beloved, Octavia Butler's Kindred, Solomon Northup's 12 Years a Slave, Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad, or even Esi Edugyan's Washington Black, James feels more academic than evocative. It may succeed in intellect and irony, but it never quite reaches the emotional or narrative resonance that other books accomplish.
This book, would be great as a book club pick.
100% worth your time!
Project Hail Mary is a story of impossible odds, brought to life by laugh-out-loud dialogue and an unexpected depth of heart. Andy Weir delivers a thoroughly engaging and entertaining narrative that knows exactly what it wants to be, and absolutely nails it!
The story unfolds with clever pacing and surprising mystery, which pulled me in from the very first chapter. What's most impressive is how the novel tackles complex scientific theories and ideas, presenting them in a way that's not just accessible but genuinely fascinating. It's smart, funny, and emotionally resonant.
I kind of wish Weir was my high school science teacher. I think I would have retained a lot more information.
Finished my first reread of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and had forgotten just how much this book not only sets up for the future books, but also manages to weave together multiple mysteries with satisfying conclusions—all while expanding the lore, history, and depth of the wizarding world. You really begin to see the personalities and traits of each character start to shine as they deal with the good and the bad in themselves, their circumstances, and the people around them, all wrapped up in a magical parcel.
One of the more profound things Rowling accomplishes with the series—especially evident here—is navigating the surprising, emotional, and at times difficult transition we all experience from childhood to adulthood, while never losing sight of the wonder that surrounds us, no matter our age.
While I can't yet rank the books in order of favorites, one thing I can say is that Rowling really begins to hit her stride in this third book. Not taking anything away from the first two, but there's an almost lived-in quality to Prisoner of Azkaban that brings a deeper sense of satisfaction while reading. I loved it when I first read it in 1999, and I love it even more now.
WE DO NOT PART may, in fact, be one of the best books I've read in over a decade. I say that not to be hyperbolic or overly effusive, but simply as a statement of fact, as I see it. Han Kang weaves a narrative of such depth and philosophical resonance that it's hard to believe it's contained in under 300 pages.
Her prose is efficient yet poetic—at times achingly beautiful, at others heartbreakingly devastating. This novel functions almost like an hourglass: the first half sets up the themes, core ideas, and an easy-to-follow flow. The closer you get to the center, the more you feel an increasing sense of dread or mystery, a lack of clarity about where the book is leading. Then, once past that moment, the narrowest point of the hourglass, the story shifts into something altogether unique.
You are no longer certain what is a thought and what is real, what is a memory, a dream, or a vision. As the final pages unfold, I found myself unsure of what I had just experienced. And yet, I wanted to reread the book, to plumb its depths and uncover what I had surely missed.
I'm not sure I can concisely articulate the full scope of what Han Kang intended to accomplish with this exceptional novel. From my perspective, though, it is a story about how the suffering of the past ripples far into the future, how the memories of what has been endured shape us, leave their mark on each subsequent generation, and never truly part from us.
This book is not without hope, but it is not a manufactured, surface-level hope presented in some trite, simplistic fashion. Rather, the hope here runs much deeper, feels truer, and, with a little cultivation, can be found, even if it feels elusive.
This book may be too much for some. At times, it feels bleak. But for those who do read it, I believe they will be richly rewarded. I believe they will be thinking about this story, and all its complexities, long after they have placed it back on the shelf.
3.5 stars. While some may find this book insufferable, I found it to be surprisingly clever in how it mirrors the complexity and tragedy of the Shakespearean plays it references.
M.L. Rio writes in a way that feels approachable at first, but upon closer inspection, reveals a deeper layer of complexity and bittersweet beauty that may go unnoticed by some.
The fact that she takes a seemingly pretentious group of characters and turns them into something compelling is no small feat. Her exploration of universal themes like friendship, found family, insular decay, and the complexities of shared experiences and unhealthy boundaries is both honest and uncomfortably relatable.
While this book may not be for everyone, those who connect with it will likely find themselves reflecting on its unexpected depth. It would make an excellent choice for a book club discussion, particularly for fans of The Bard.
Impossible Creatures achieves the remarkable feat of feeling both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly new. With unflinching sincerity, Katherine Rundell captures the reality of loss, sacrifice, hope, discovery, joy, and connection, weaving a story that lingers long after the final page. This is a tale that enriches the soul, leaving readers grateful for the journey. There's little doubt this book will earn its place as a timeless fantasy classic, cherished by children and adults alike.
I truly believe every believer in Christ should read this book. It is hope-filled, at times uncomfortable, and unashamedly purposeful. While similar in tone, structure, and content to his other books, Practicing the Way really gets to the heart of what it means not just to believe in Christ, but to follow Him and experience the true joy and peace that stem from that.
If my soul had an aesthetic, it would be a charming village in a misty, hilly area of Scotland - filled with candles, books, layered clothing, scotch, tea, baked goods, and wonderful company. Apparently, my soul's aesthetic is Hygge. Chapter three is the stand out of this book. The rest of the book is “cozy” and requires little of the reader except to dwell on how one can begin to carve out this concept in their everyday life. Best read on a drizzly day, with lit candles, a comfy place to read, and a warm beverage and treat.
This book is NOT for cynical snobs who think they know better than everyone else. Delightfully charming, at times heartbreaking, and consistently hopeful, “The Wishing Game is a love letter to every adult who, through stories, found wonder and escape when they were children. It is a story for people who love stories and serves as a gentle reminder that what we read has the unique power to stay with us throughout our lives.
