American Society · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Book Theories · Books · Children's Fiction · Debut · Duology · Education · Favorite Books · First in a Series · graphic novels · Historical Fiction · history · identity · Literary Awards · Literature · Middle Grade Books · Middle Grade Fiction · Parents and Parenting · Reading · Sequel · Trilogy · Young Adult Fiction

Library Reads: Summer Reading Recommendations for Middle Grade & Teen Readers

It's been a while since I've written up a post about what I've been doing as a librarian. And, since Summer Vacation has started for some of the schools in the U.S., I decided to compile this post containing some recommendations for Middle/Junior and High School students. This list is NOT based on "Required School… Continue reading Library Reads: Summer Reading Recommendations for Middle Grade & Teen Readers

ARCs · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Book Review · Book Theories · Books · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · First in a Series · Folklore · Goodreads · Historical Fiction · LGBTQ · Literature · Middle Eastern Fantasy · mythology · Parents and Parenting · Predictions · Reading · religious beliefs · Review · speculative fiction

Why You Need to Read: “The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi”

Amina al-Sirafi, #1: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi By: Shannon Chakraborty Published: February 28, 2023 Genre: Historical Fantasy, Folklore Retelling, Adventure, Pirates I received an advanced copy of this book (Goodreads Giveaway & NetGalley) in exchanged for an honest review.             Yes! “That” Captain Amina al-Sirafi. The smuggler, the pirate. The blasphemer that men of letters accuse… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi”

Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Book Theories · Books · Comics · Coming-of-Age · Debut · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · Folklore · Gaming · graphic novels · history · humanity · Ideas · identity · Literature · mythology · Reading · Religion · religious beliefs · Science Fiction · Space Opera · speculative fiction · Time · Video Games · Writing · Young Adult Fiction

Speculative Fiction Narratives with Expansive Worlds & Histories: Part 1

This is a topic I've been thinking about for some time. I figured with life stressing me out to the point where I'm worried about getting burned out, I might as well get some of these thoughts about the speculative fiction genre out of my mind. One of the aspects about speculative fiction which lure… Continue reading Speculative Fiction Narratives with Expansive Worlds & Histories: Part 1

American Society · ARCs · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Book Review · Book Theories · Books · Fairy Tale Retellings · Fairy Tales · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · Folklore · Gender Roles · identity · Literature · magic realism · novella · Parents and Parenting · Reading · Review · speculative fiction

Why You Need to Read: “The Crane Husband”

The Crane Husband By: Kelly Barnhill Published: February 28, 2023 Genre: Folklore, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Fairy Tale Retelling *I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.             I dreamed of my mother standing in the endless fields beyond our yard, where no one was allowed to go, wings erupting from her… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Crane Husband”

Authors/Writers · Award Winner · Book Theories · Books · Christianity · Fantasy · identity · Literature · Reading · Religion · religious beliefs · Social Media · speculative fiction · Writing

In Defense of Brandon Sanderson and the Fantasy Literary Genre

For those of you who don’t know this about me, you should know for the context of this essay that I’m a former English Language Arts teacher and an Adjunct Professor in Writing Comprehension. Now, I work as a librarian and I continue to use my knowledge of the English language to write my essays,… Continue reading In Defense of Brandon Sanderson and the Fantasy Literary Genre

ARCs · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Book Review · Book Spoilers · Book Theories · Books · Education · Favorite Books · humanity · identity · Literature · Metaphysical Fiction · Predictions · Reading · Review · School · Sequel · speculative fiction

Why You Need to Read: “Assassin of Reality”

Metamorphosis, #4: Vita Nostra, Book 2: Assassin of Reality By: Marina and Sergey Dyachenko; Translated (English) by: Julia Meitov Hersey Published: March 14, 2023 Genre: Sequel, Metaphysical Fiction, Dark Academia *I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. **NOTE: There are some minor spoilers from Vita Nostra.             Yesterday, January 13, a student of the Institute… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Assassin of Reality”

Advice and Suggestions · American History · American Society · ARCs · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Book Theories · Books · Fairy Tale Retellings · Fairy Tales · Fantasy · Favorite Books · Folklore · history · Horror · Indie Books · LGBTQ · Literary Awards · Literature · Middle Grade Books · mythology · novella · Reading · Science Fiction · Sequel · Short Story · speculative fiction · Young Adult Fiction

Hello from Boskone!

Hello everyone! I apologize for another non-review post; but currently, I'm attending the Boskone 60 Convention in Boston! This is the first in-person Con I've been able to attend since before the pandemic. It's amazing when you recall how much fun these events are and why authors, writers, and fans attend them. So far, I… Continue reading Hello from Boskone!

ARCs · Audiobook · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Book Haul · Book Theories · Book to Media Adaptations · Books · Comics · Coming-of-Age · Debut · Fairy Tale Retellings · Fairy Tales · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · First in a Series · Folklore · Gender Roles · Goodreads · gothic · graphic novels · Grimdark · Horror · Indie Books · LGBTQ · Literary Awards · Literature · magic realism · Mark Lawrence · Metaphysical Fiction · Middle Eastern Fantasy · Middle Grade Books · Middle Grade Fiction · Paranormal · Parents and Parenting · Predictions · Reading · Science Fiction · Seanan McGuire · Sequel · speculative fiction · Trilogy · TV · Video Games · Wayward Children · Young Adult Fiction

Reading Check-In: February 4, 2023

This is the second full week I have been without my computer, which means I’m typing this week’s blog post through the mobile app. Yes, I’m able to use the app as easily as the website, but I know trying to write out or to copy-and-paste my review won’t be easy for me to do… Continue reading Reading Check-In: February 4, 2023

American History · Asian Influence · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Book Theories · Books · Coming-of-Age · Debut · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · First in a Series · Gender Roles · Historical Fiction · Horror · Literary Awards · Literature · Love · Metaphysical Fiction · Occult Fiction · Parents and Parenting · Reading · School · Science Fiction · speculative fiction · Trilogy · Young Adult Fiction

Book Stack: Dark Fantasy Academia

Note: I apologize in advance for the formatting and the layout of this post. My computer is getting repaired, so I’m writing this post on my smartphone (for the past week, I’ve been doing just about everything on my smartphone). So, instead of trying to type up an entire review here, here’s the first of… Continue reading Book Stack: Dark Fantasy Academia

Authors/Writers · Book Theories · Book to Media Adaptations · Books · Catholic Church · Christianity · Coming-of-Age · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · Freedom · His Dark Materials · humanity · identity · Literature · Love · Parents and Parenting · Reading · Religion · religious beliefs · Review · Science Fiction · Sequel · speculative fiction · The Golden Compass · Trilogy · TV · TV Show Review · TV Show Spoilers · Young Adult Fiction

TV Episode Review: “His Dark Materials”: “The Abyss”

            This episode begins with the explanation of what Dust is and why it has become “dangerous.” It’s a warning about what is to come now that Metatron has “answered” Lord Asriel’s call. An earthquake tears throughout all worlds.             Mrs. Coulter regains consciousness and learns that the bomb detonated. She finds Father Pavel and asks him… Continue reading TV Episode Review: “His Dark Materials”: “The Abyss”