The Making of a Witch

The Making of a Witch by Judy Molland is a richly detailed historical fiction novel set in seventeenth-century England, following a young healer navigating suspicion, gender bias, and dangerous accusations of witchcraft. This review explores the novel’s authentic portrayal of herbal medicine and social hierarchies, while noting some challenges with character depth and predictability. A compelling choice for readers interested in witch trials, historical medicine, and coming-of-age stories, this book offers both atmosphere and insight into a turbulent period.

April Top Books

April brought some of the best reads of my year so far—and, unexpectedly, my first DNF of 2026. Have you come across a book this year that you just couldn’t finish? Historical fiction has long been one of my favorite genres, in large part because it blends learning with storytelling, and that was certainly true … Continue reading April Top Books →

This Week: April 16th

This week’s prompt is centered on family history fiction — a genre that can be deeply moving because it so often explores buried secrets, generational relationships, and the parts of family stories that still echo in the present. These books can be beautiful and meaningful, but they can also feel especially personal, so please feel free to skip this prompt if needed.

Salt Air Promises

Readers who enjoy coastal small-town settings, found-family dynamics, and character-driven romance may find much to appreciate here. Salt Air Promises balances warmth and tension while centering a heroine whose decisions—and growth—are easy to invest in.

7 Famous Bookstores and Libraries Every Book Lover Should See

Discover 7 famous bookstores and libraries every book lover should see, from Powell’s City of Books and The Strand to the Bodleian Library and Trinity College Library.

This Week: April 19th

In honor of National Library Week and Independent Bookstore Day, this week’s theme spotlights books set in bookshops and celebrates the spaces—public, independent, and fictional—that connect readers to stories.

Jungle of Ashes

Jungle of Ashes by Brynn Barineau is a compelling work of historical fiction that brings to life the rise and fall of Fordlandia, Henry Ford’s ill‑fated rubber plantation in the Brazilian Amazon. Blending meticulously researched history with a character‑driven narrative, the novel explores ambition, cultural collision, and forbidden romance against the lush and unforgiving backdrop of the rainforest.

Western Novels by Era: 4 Books That Show How the Genre Has Evolved

Discover 4 essential western novels by era, from early frontier fiction to modern westerns. Start with one standout book from each stage of the genre.

This Week: April 12th

News and Updates We’ve officially reached the midpoint of the month, which always feels like a good moment to check in. How are you doing with April’s reading prompts—have you found a favorite yet, or is there one you’re quietly sidestepping? I love historical fiction, but found myself enthralled with western fiction a few years … Continue reading This Week: April 12th →

Bufalino: Revelations of a Mafia Family, The Teamsters, and the Final Resting Place of Jimmy Hoffa

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. The mob as we imagine it—shaped by Hollywood giants like The Godfather and The Sopranos—often obscures its earliest roots in the labor unions of America’s coal towns. With major figures such as Jimmy Hoffa and Carlo Gambino … Continue reading Bufalino: Revelations of a Mafia Family, The Teamsters, and the Final Resting Place of Jimmy Hoffa →