These books prominently feature LGBTQ+ characters or themes.
I needed a little help getting into the Halloween spirit, and The Bewitching seemed like the perfect solution. Witches, dark academia, gothic atmosphere, three timelines, and a mysterious disappearance? Yes, please. Here’s what I thought of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s latest spooky read.
I don’t consider myself a horror reader.
Which makes it particularly funny that I requested a book about blood witches, body horror, magical science, and a creepy mansion in the Appalachian Mountains.
But *The Forest Bleeds* caught my attention on NetGalley with two words: “arcane bioengineering.” Add a blood witch and a gorgeous cover, and apparently that was enough to make me click Request.
I’m glad I did.
Rachel Kitch blends science and magic into a creepy, atmospheric story with complicated characters, dark academia vibes, and enough hopefulness to balance out the horror. I even gobbled it up in two days.
Sometimes following the thing that makes you curious leads you somewhere you didn’t expect to enjoy.
Read my review of *The Forest Bleeds* to find out why this non-horror reader is already feeling ready for spooky season.
Despite being nearly 500 pages, *Bodies of Magic* became the book I reached for every chance I got.
If dark academia, magical medicine, layered mysteries, and unlikely friendships sound like your kind of story, this review might help you decide whether Freya Marske’s newest fantasy deserves a place on your TBR.
Read the full review →
I almost didn’t read *Atmosphere*.
I actually started a completely different book, DNF’d it, and picked up Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest on a whim.
Then I sobbed. Repeatedly.
What I expected to be a story about astronauts, NASA, and an ’80s space program turned into one of the most unexpectedly emotional reading experiences I’ve had in a long time.
So, was the hype finally right?
I’ve shared my full review, including what worked, what surprised me, and why this book made me want to pay much closer attention to the life I’m actually living.
Stories that feature individuals who are LGBTQ+ from a range of genres and authors from classic to romance, fantasy to science fiction. Representation matters!
The shortest book I’ve wanted to read twice.
Some books are entertaining.
Some books linger.
*This Is How You Lose the Time War* somehow manages both in under 200 pages. My newest review explores why this poetic time travel romance challenged me, surprised me, and left me wanting to start again from page one.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a difficult book can also be deeply rewarding, this one’s for you.
👉 Read the full review.
Highly-rated Rom-Com books, each written by a different author, and featuring a wide scope of characters and tropes. From sweet to laugh out loud, these slap!
My review of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab, a haunting dark fantasy exploring immortality, freedom, love, and identity.
A thoughtful review of Ignore All Previous Instructions—a queer, AI-driven sci-fi exploring identity, storytelling, and the cost of control.
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.