Review: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix felt a little different from his other books.  There is still the horror element and the great pop culture references.  There is even a little bit of humor.  However, you feel that there is a more important story to tell.  It is one that still happens today even if we don't hear about it.  Young, unwed, pregnant women and girls parceled off to a location to have their babies to avoid shaming their families.  Not surprisingly, there is often a religious element to it.  To the shame, that is.  The babies are most often put up for adoption.  Whether that is really what the young mother wants is up for debate and usually doesn't matter.  It is a reminder of how much ground we lost when Roe vs. Wade was overturned.  Ultimately, the book left me wanting to give all these girls a hug because compassion goes a lot further than shame.

View all my reviews

Review: Lessons in Magic and Disaster

Lessons in Magic and Disaster by Charlie Jane Anders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Lessons in Magic and Disaster by Charlie Jane Anders from Tor Books via NetGalley.  The book will be published around August 19, 2025.  You can preorder a copy now.

Lessons in Magic and Disaster by Charlie Jane Anders is a touching story of family and love in its many facets.  While the title tells you there will be magic involved, I found the part about literature to be really compelling.  I loved the quotes that opened the chapters and learning more about female writers in the 1700s. Could we get a copy of the dissertation as bonus content?  I would read that.  If you want a book that sort of hugs you like a warm blanket but also doesn't shy away from the darker side of life, you'll want to check this out.  

View all my reviews

Review: The Retreat

The Retreat by Gemma Fairclough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Retreat by Gemma Fairclough from Wild Hunt Books.  It is currently available for purchase from their website.

The Retreat by Gemma Fairclough is a novella from The Northern Weird Project.  The project features books about strange happenings in Northern England.  The Retreat appealed to me because it is told in a nontraditional way (through interviews and journal-type entries) but also involves a wellness retreat that might be a cult.  It was really engrossing.  I could have read even more.  And while this is fiction, it tracks with the stories you hear of so many wellness scams.  Maybe they don't have mysterious entities punishing the less devoted, but you never know!  If you are into books about cults, mysterious disappearances, and/or wellness, give this one a go.  

View all my reviews

Review: OtherLife

OtherLife by Jason Segel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OtherLife is the third book in the Last Reality series by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller.  You will definitely want to read the books in order.  I let a lot of time lapse between the last one and this one because I wasn't ready for the series to be over.  I didn't have any trouble remembering what was going on after a few pages in.  This book is considered YA, but it is just as appealing to an adult reader. If you like LitRPG and/or video games, this series is a great choice.  The world is so vibrant and the addition of virtual reality and alternate reality gaming makes you wonder what the future looks like for gamers.  Hopefully, there won't be sinister game companies.  Maybe I am being naive.  

View all my reviews

Review: Annie Bot

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook version of Annie Bot written by Sierra Greer and narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya simply because that was the version the library had available.  I think it would be great in any format.  The story is more than just some guy falling in love with his android.  There have been similar concept pieces, but Annie Bot is really about Annie and her journey of self discovery.  The guy could be anybody.  Or maybe he couldn't.  Because he is who he is, Annie has developed in a certain way.  Annie doesn't have the benefit of seeing red flags like other women.  I couldn't help but want to tell her to RUN.  Not everybody has that luxury, especially when you are considered property.  Lots to think about with this one.  Would also love to see a sequel.  

View all my reviews

Review: If You're Seeing This, It's Meant for You

If You're Seeing This, It's Meant for You by Leigh Stein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of If You're Seeing This, It's Meant for You by Leigh Stein from Ballantine Books via NetGalley. It will be out around August 26, 2025.

With a title like  If You're Seeing This, It's Meant for You, Leigh Stein has already got you hooked.  I mean, could it be any clearer that you need to read this?  I was also drawn into descriptions of a Gothic, potentially haunted mansion and tarot card readings.  Yes, please!  The mystery surrounds what happened to the very popular tarot card reader living in the hype house when she suddenly disappears.  A new member of the house is determined to find out.  The machine behind Internet celebrity is also quite fascinating to read about.  This might be fiction but that part seems based in a decent amount of reality.  And while I don't spend much time on social media, I probably would get sucked into a series of videos that offered up a mystery.  And if a random video popped up on my feed that was titled  If You're Seeing This, It's Meant for You, I just might watch it.  If you are reading this, you are meant to read this book.

View all my reviews

Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm a gamer, so it is no surprise that Dungeon Crawler Carl kept being recommended to me by the universe.  Dungeon Crawler Carl is the first book of the LitRPG series of the same name by Matt Dinniman.  Although I haven't read any others yet, you will want to start here and read them in order because I'm guessing they follow the progression of Carl's journey through the dungeon created when Earth was reclaimed.  If Carl wins, he can inherit the Earth.  Most likely though, he will die long before that happens because  it is designed for people to lose.  Carl is lucky though.  He entered the dungeon with his ex-girlfriend's cat, and she wants to WIN.  Yes, the cat is what drew me into reading this.  I do enjoy LitRPG, and this is one of the best I've read.  I couldn't put it down.  

Bonus points for Grand Champion, Breed Winner Regional, National Winner Princess Donut the Queen Anne Chonk.  Carl's name may be in the title, but she is the true star.

View all my reviews