Lucie is somewhat of a witch. She inherited powers from her mother, but these powers have mostly atrophied. However, she teaches her daughters how to mobilize this gift, and they take to it with a little more enthusiasm and pizzazz. Meanwhile, Lucie’s marriage is falling apart. Her husband is outright disdainful of her, even bringing … Continue reading Review: The Witch, by Marie NDiaye, trans. Jordan Stump (Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor)
Review: The Penguin Book of the International Short Story
The Penguin Book of the International Short Story is a dream tome for anyone who loves short stories, or translated fiction, or both! This anthology contains over 30 “international” stories (in this sense, international means non-US), translated to English from Persian, Swedish, Spanish, Polish, Korean, Chinese; the list goes on. Rabid Alameddine and John Freeman … Continue reading Review: The Penguin Book of the International Short Story
Review: Wolf Worm, by T. Kingfisher (Tor Nightfire)
It’s only early April and this is the second T. Kingfisher book I’ve read this year. It’s always a good time to be a T. Kingfisher fan. Wolf Worm is especially gruesome, and if you have a fear of bugs and creepy crawly things, you should absolutely give this one a miss. Sonia Wilson is … Continue reading Review: Wolf Worm, by T. Kingfisher (Tor Nightfire)
Review: The Only One Who Knows, by Lisa M. Matlin (Ballentine)
Lisa M. Matlin’s previous novel, The Stranger Upstairs, is one of my favorite books of the last few years. I can’t even remember all the details of the plot (which is more the fault of my poor memory than any flaw in Matlin’s writing); I just remember Matlin’s incredibly entertaining writing style, and the many … Continue reading Review: The Only One Who Knows, by Lisa M. Matlin (Ballentine)
Review: Nowhere Burning, by Catriona Ward (Tor Nightfire)
I am a Catriona Ward loyalist; I will read anything she writes without question or spoilers. All of her work is amazing, but I think Nowhere Burning is the best thing she has written to date. In my opinion, it is best to experience this novel with absolutely no knowledge of the plot. Nowhere Burning … Continue reading Review: Nowhere Burning, by Catriona Ward (Tor Nightfire)
Review: Turn Off the Light, by Jacquie Walters (Little, Brown and Company)
I adored Jacquie Walters’ previous evil mom novel, Dearest, so I was very excited to read this. Turn Off the Light is a genius, dual timeline novel. In the present day, we have Claire and her daughter Julia visiting her dying father in her childhood home. There are especially painful memories tied to the house … Continue reading Review: Turn Off the Light, by Jacquie Walters (Little, Brown and Company)
My Week in Reading, February 27th, 2026
I am lucky enough to be reading an advance copy of Solace House, the new novel from Will Maclean (co-writer of Broken Veil, one of my favorite podcasts). It’s about a group of British students who spend their summer break clearing out some old, abandoned properties. I’m about halfway through, and it is incredibly tense. … Continue reading My Week in Reading, February 27th, 2026
My Week in Reading, February 2nd, 2026
It has been a heck of a strong week! I spent most of the week consumed by Catriona Ward’s new novel, Nowhere Burning. I am a Catriona Ward loyalist, and shun all spoilers for her books. I trust Ward, and she has fucking nailed it once again. Nowhere Burning is her best book since Sundial. … Continue reading My Week in Reading, February 2nd, 2026
My Week in Reading, January 23, 2026
A recap of my week of reading, featuring brief reviews of what I’ve read.
My Week in Reading, January 16, 2026
I hope you’ve been able to find some peace this week. The Shadower, by Maria and Peter Hoey (published on March 24, 2026) Lindsey Chung Dates a White Boy!!!, by Asia Miller (published on May 5, 2026) I love graphic novels. I cannot draw, so I’m constantly in awe of the artistic talents of others. … Continue reading My Week in Reading, January 16, 2026
California Reading 