There’s something to be said for a good first impression, and this is true of books as well as people. The first few pages — and certainly the first chapter — have crucial work to accomplish: snagging the reader’s interest, introducing them to some characters, and generally giving them a…
2025 is racing towards its end, but before we cross into 2026, I want to take some time to reflect on the year behind me. While the final number will probably be more, at the time of writing this I have read a total of 55 books in 2025. There…
It’s December. Mariah Carey is haunting the radio stations; everyone and their mother is baking cookies, cakes, and pies; and people are criss-crossing the country (and the world) to be with the ones they love. It’s a good time to talk about holiday traditions. But let’s start with a brief…
As someone who is obsessed with all things bookish, I’ve accumulated many book-related items over the years. With the holiday season in full swing, I’ve put together a list of my favorite items that would be perfect gifts for yourself or a person in your life that loves books! Disclosure:…
Every year seems to go by quicker and quicker, and this year is no different. As the end races closer, I find myself looking back at the year, reflecting on the goals that I set for myself. The goals I create for myself each January change depending on my life…
As someone who loves buddy comedies to no end and is infatuated with adventure — my cat’s name is Indiana, if that tells you anything — I was utterly swept away with love for Terry Pratchett’s first Discworld novel, The Color of Magic. Its sequel, The Light Fantastic, had much…
Now that we’re in the thick of the holiday season, it’s a good time to think about gratitude. In fact, I think it’s always a good time to cultivate gratefulness, but since it’s the season for it — let’s talk about books that inspire gratitude. As readers, we can really…
I was introduced to Gothic literature as just a babe, in my seventh grade English class. I was immediately enamored by the visceral emotions that it can evoke, and the way that it entrapped my mind within the words. I remember the way that my heart raced while reading The…
I consider myself a highly functioning anti-social introvert. I could spend (and have spent) days in a row at home alone, not stepping outside those four walls once. I’ve gone days without talking to friends. I love to plan solo-trips to cabins in the woods, away from everything and everyone.…
On a busy travel day, it’s as Ferris Bueller says: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” But between jam-packed itineraries, bus stations, airport gates, bustling cities, long hikes, and more, it can be hard to find the…