Book Reviews

Goblin by Josh Malerman (2021) A horror novel told in six novellas. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars Plot: The story contains six short stories, as well as a prologue and epilogue, that all center on the town of Goblin. Each contains a mysterious, dark, and spooky tale, offering a glimpse into Goblin’s history and its residents. Analysis: These stories reminded me a bit of The Twilight Zone or even short Lovecraft tales. They each feature characters plagued by darkness, anxiety, or

The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H.G. Parry (2019) An under the radar literary adventure that deserves more attention. Laura’s Rating: 4/5 Stars Plot: Since he was little, Charley Sutherland could bring characters out of books and into reality. His brother Rob has always wanted a normal life, wishing to distance himself from Charley and his unique gift. But when it appears there is a serious literary threat emerging, Rob is reluctantly sucked into an adventure with his br

Red Rising by Pierce Brown (2014) A dystopian novel with rigid social classes defined by 14 colors. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars Plot: In a world where Golds rule, Darrow is born a lowly Red, the lowest social class in the Society. Laborer Reds compete amongst each other in mining contests, meant to distract them from the oppressive upper classes. When his life is turned upside down, Darrow undergoes a transformation to try to infiltrate the Golds from within and take them down.

The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser (2021) A story about starting over and finding your way when things don’t go as planned. Laura’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Plot: It’s serendipitous timing when Thea’s husband admits to an ongoing affair as she receives word that she’s inherited her uncle’s country house. At least Thea has somewhere to go and something to keep her mind off of her failed marriage. But rather than an ending, this just might be a second chance. Analysis:

A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab (2015) A story of magic, travel, and adventure between worlds. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars Plot: As ambassador for Red London, Kell travels through worlds into multiple Londons to relay messages. The different versions of the city have varying levels of magic and different rulers that communicate through magicians. But the system of cities and power dynamics is precarious and could be in danger. Analysis: I really enjoyed the premise of m

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas (2022) A gothic suspense story set after the Mexican War of Independence. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars Plot : When Beatriz’s father is taken after the overthrow of the Mexican government, she latches onto a proposal from a handsome, wealthy man. His countryside estate provides security at first, but soon Beatriz feels a sense of unease and feels like she is being watched when no one is around. Can young priest Padre Andrés help her drive out the dar

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (1847) The only novel by Emily Brontë published a year before her death. Laura’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Plot: Young Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff are in love but destined for heartbreak and tragedy in the Yorkshire Moors. Analysis: I read this in preparation to see the recent movie. I genuinely thought I would hate this and surprisingly, I didn’t. I didn’t love it either, but I could actually follow the plot and remained interested (which I

The Association by Bentley Little (2001) A couple finds out that dealing with HOAs can be a nightmare. Laura’s Rating: 2.5/5 Stars Plot : Barry and Maureen leave the hustle and bustle of California to find tranquility in a gated community in Colorado. At first, the gates and the tidy neighborhood seem like a dream, but things aren’t as peaceful as they seem. The homeowners association has control over everything and their authority seems to know no bounds. Analysis : This bo

All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers (2022) The debut novel from the host of the Crime Junkie podcast . Laura’s Rating: 2.5/5 Stars Plot: Margot Davies was six when her friend and neighbor January Jacobs went missing and was discovered in a ditch hours later. Twenty years later, Margot is a journalist in the big city but returns to care for her ailing uncle. When another young girl goes missing, Margot feels like history is repeating itself and it’s her mission to save th

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (2022) Laura’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Plot : Millie is hired by Nina Winchester to clean, cook, and help out with her daughter. Nina is demanding and her moods are erratic, only alleviated by the presence of her husband Andrew. Millie imagines how it would be to have Nina’s perfect life…and her perfect husband. Analysis : Millie and Nina are both decently layered characters and their interactions will keep a reader on their toes. This book isn’

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James (2012) A historical fiction tale with a supernatural twist. Laura’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Plot : Set in 1920s England, the story follows Allistair Gellis, a ghost hunter, and his assistant Sarah Piper as they investigate a potential haunting. The haunting is thought to be done by Maddy Clare, a maid who died by suicide and whose ghost is now wreaking havoc on a small town. Analysis : I once again enjoyed the post WWI setting that

I Found You by Lisa Jewell (2017) Three stories converging into one. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars Plot : Single mom Alice finds a man sitting on the beach by her house with no memory of how he got there or who he is. Young newlywed Lily’s husband doesn’t return home from work and she realizes she doesn’t know all that much about him. Decades earlier, a family drama unfurls at the same beach. Analysis : At about halfway through, not that much had happened. The characters were ok

Trust by Hernan Diaz (2022) Four versions of a couple’s rise to power. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars Plot : Benjamin Rask and his wife Helen are New York legends. Benjamin is a Wall Street tycoon and Helen’s aristocratic roots give her social clout. How exactly did they accumulate their wealth and influence? Well it depends on who you ask. Analysis : Okay, so the various perspectives and different documents are a great idea and work as an effective concept. However, most of the

A Short Stay in Hell by Stephen L. Peck (2012) “ Anticipation is a gift. Perhaps there is none greater. Anticipation is born of hope. Indeed, it is hope’s finest expression. ” Laura’s Rating: 4/5 Stars Plot : After devout Morman Soren Johansson dies, he wakes up in an afterlife that is nothing like what he expected. He finds himself in a seemingly endless library and is tasked with finding the book containing his life story. Analysis : It turns out Hell is nothing like what

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (2012) “He made her feel like more than the sum of her parts.” Sigh . Laura’s Rating: 4/5 Stars Plot : Awkward Eleanor has nowhere to sit on the bus. Until Park, the semi-outsider, reluctantly scoots over and shares his seat. What follows is a story of first time love among two misfits. Analysis : The adolescent yearning is absolute perfection. The love story is so simple, but so effective. Author Rainbow Rowell perfectly captures the awkward

Murder in Old Bombay by Dev March (2020) A historical mystery set in British India and based on a true story. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars Plot : Captain Jim Agnihotri is recovering in a military hospital in British India. After reading Sherlock Holmes to pass the time, he becomes intrigued by a case of two women falling to their deaths under mysterious circumstances. Analysis : This book isn’t bad, but it’s not great either. I was bored shortly after the initial setup and it f

What Moves The Dead by T. Kingfisher (2022) A retelling of Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher . Laura’s Rating: 1/5 Stars Plot : Alex Easton visits a childhood friend, Madeline Usher, after receiving a letter that she is dying. At the House of Usher, Alex discovers a grotesque overgrowth of fungus, mold, and decay among the crumbling Usher estate. Analysis :I didn’t enjoy this book. The mushroom/fungus focused horror didn’t really do much for me and reminded me of Mexican

My Year in Books 2025- Best and Worst My goal was to read 60 books this year and I (just) made it! I did set my goal before I knew I’d be starting a masters program this year, so I feel pretty good about getting as much reading done as I did. Here are my top 5 and bottom 5 books that I read this year: Best Books of 2025: The Silent Companions (4.5/5 Stars) The Life We Bury (4.5 Stars) An American Marriage (4 Stars) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (4 Stars) All the

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter (2024) Two mystery writers are thrown into a mystery of their own where the stakes are life and death. Laura’s Rating: 4/5 Stars Plot : Cozy mystery author Maggie Chase and cool guy crime writer Ethan Wyatt are both invited to spend Christmas with a mysterious fan at a huge estate in England. Two problems: Maggie hates Wyatt, who can’t even bother to remember her name… and their host goes missing shortly after their arrival.

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon (2014) A generational tale of witchcraft and mystery. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars Plot : Sara Harrison Shea was found dead in 1908, just months after the death of her young daughter. In present day, Ruthie and her family live in Sara’s old farmhouse. When Ruthie’s mom goes missing, she finds old journals from Sara that just might help her figure out what happened back then and what is happening now. Analysis : This book is closer to what I

The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson (2009) A story of one man’s life spanning decades and countries. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars Plot : On his 100th birthday, Allan Karlsson decides to escape his nursing home and go on an adventure. Along the way he encounters criminals, an elephant, and an interesting cast of friends. Flashbacks also show insight into Allan’s colorful life, which turns out to be closely entwined with some major hi

The Other Woman by Sandie Jones (2018) A suspenseful domestic drama about a potential nightmare of a mother-in-law. Laura’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Plot : Emily is infatuated with her boyfriend Adam, but not as much with his mother, Pammie. Is Pammie just an over-attentive mother or is she purposely trying to get rid of the woman taking up her son’s attention? Opinion : For the most part, I enjoyed the characters in the book. I felt for Emily, although at times it seemed like

West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman (2023) A meta murder mystery where the reader feels like a character in the story. Laura’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Plot : Detective Adam McAnnis is invited to the exclusive West Heart country club for a weekend of revelry. The story has all the makings of a great mystery: a remote hunting club, a suspicious cast of characters, and a morally gray detective. Be ready for the author to take you on a journey to uncover the truth. Analysis : The narrat

World War Z by Max Brooks (2006) The inspiration for the 2013 movie of the same name. Laura’s Rating: 4/5 Stars Plot : A fictional account of a zombie apocalypse, told through interviews featuring various perspectives across the world. Analysis : Listen to the audiobook!! I think the regular text might read a bit choppy, but the different voice actors portraying the perspectives from across the globe help relay the story as intended as a collected oral history. Rather than a

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware (2016) A thriller set in a chilling remote cabin. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars Plot : Nora is invited to her ex-best friend Clare’s bachelorette party at a secluded cabin. Reluctantly convinced by their mutual friend Nina to go to the party, Nora is greeted by Clare’s new friends and by secrets from her past. Analysis: The pacing of this book was all over the place. I was definitely intrigued by the setup and I was dying to know what happened,

Weyward by Emilia Hart (2023) A 2023 Goodreads Choice winner about three women connected across centuries. Laura’s Rating: 2/5 Stars Plot : Told in three timelines, the story follows three women: Altha, a woman accused of witchcraft in the 1600s; Violet, a young woman during WWII; and Kate, a modern woman fleeing an abusive relationship. Each of the women has a connection to nature and to one another. Analysis: The pace is pretty slow and the story wasn’t incredibly engaging

The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler (1985) A journey of self discovery for a man who loves routine and efficiency. Laura’s Rating:...

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (2023) A nostalgic story of life and love told by a mother to her three daughters. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars...

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (2019) A YA murder mystery involving a teenager that went missing 5 years earlier....

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune (2025) A summer romance perfect for a trip to the lake or the beach. Laura’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars...

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer (2024) An off-the-wall horror that goes from creeping dread to insanity. Laura’s Rating: 4/5 Stars...

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell (2017) A gothic thriller with a supernatural twist. Laura’s Rating: 4.5/5 Stars Plot : When Elsie...

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt (1994) “The tourists would leave Savannah in a few hours, enchanted by the...

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix (2020) A story of female friendship when faced with a threat in the...

The Shadows We Hide by Allen Eskens (2018) The sequel to The Life We Bury featuring Joe Talbert uncovering another mystery, this time...

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (1995) A dystopian philosophical novel originally published in French. Laura’s Rating:...

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) A tale of missing children decades apart, connected through one summer camp. Laura’s Rating:...

If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (2017) A dark academia style novel about friends caught up in a Shakespearean tragedy. Laura’s Rating:...

Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín (2009) The story of a young Irish immigrant’s journey to and time in America. Laura’s Rating: 2/5 Stars Plot :...

All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda (2016) A unique thriller told mostly in reverse. Laura’s Rating: 2.5/5 Stars Plot: Nicolette left...

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (2025) The third installment in the Fourth Wing series. **Potential light spoilers for the first two books....

The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski (2014) A whimsical tale of magic, fate, and sisterhood. Laura’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Plot :...

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (2018) An examination of a relationship impacted by a wrongful conviction. Laura’s Rating: 4/5...

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (2010) An exploration of the human experience shrouded in mystery. Laura’s Rating: 2/5 Stars Plot :...

The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene (2024) A thriller that acknowledges and critiques society’s obsession with true crime....

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (2014) A historical fiction that weaves together different stories during WWII. Laura’s...

Ghost 19 by Simone St. James (2022) A short mystery with a potentially supernatural twist. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars Plot : Seeking some...

Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu (1872) Thought we were done with vampires after Nosferatu ? Wrong! This is one of the original vampire...

The Hooligans of Kandahar by Joseph Kassabian (2022) An irreverent account of a soldier’s time in Afghanistan. Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars...

The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke (2021) A story of witchcraft, disappearances, and family secrets spanning decades. Laura’s Rating:...