Genre:
Contemporary Fiction characters aren’t off on some major journey to distant lands or battling monsters to survive. They are just trying to get through the day (present-day—not the past) and the challenges that go along with it: work issues, relationship problems, financial struggles and so on.
I expected Nomad to be a quiet story about grief and life in the Arizona desert. I didn’t expect it to hit quite so close to home. Cynthia A. Johnstone’s debut surprised me with its beautiful writing, complicated characters, and one very persistent stray dog. Here’s why this one stayed with me.
Everyone seemed to love Remarkably Bright Creatures. It was a bestseller, a book club pick, and eventually a Netflix adaptation. So when I finally picked it up, I expected to understand exactly why readers had fallen for it.
Instead, I finished with a slightly more complicated reaction.
I liked it. I appreciated it. I even found myself thinking about its themes long after I finished reading.
But I didn’t quite love it the way I expected to.
In my latest review, I’m talking about what worked for me, what didn’t, and why sometimes the most interesting reading experiences happen when your opinion doesn’t quite match the hype.
Destination Funeral blends grief, friendship, romance, and a time loop into one emotional, funny, beachy summer read worth getting hyped for.
How to Read a Book review: a moving story about found family, forgiveness, books, and the unexpected relationships that change us.
Five strangers wait for a train—and one won’t make it home. This thought-provoking thriller explores judgment, forgiveness, and the hidden stories we all carry.
Review of The Library of Flowers, a multi-generational story blending perfume, magical realism, and family legacy. Explore themes of family legacy, duty, and craftsmanship.
An in-depth review of The Secret History, exploring dark academia themes, unlikable characters, and moral ambiguity. Is it a good book—even if you don’t enjoy it?
Sally Hepworth’s Mad Mabel blends humor, heart, and mystery in a dual-timeline story about a woman with a dark past and a neighborhood full of secrets. Read my full review for insights into its characters, themes, and unforgettable charm.
A thoughtful review of I Thought You Said This Would Work by Ann Garvin, exploring the cover design, character development, and themes of friendship, healing, and second chances.
A spoiler-free Oyster review analyzing its striking cover design, satirical publishing themes, family drama, and slow pacing. Is this quiet literary novel worth the hype? Honest thoughts inside.