A review of Kate Westbury’s The Oxford Society of Scandal and Lies, a 1950s Oxford historical mystery filled with espionage, secret societies, romance, and Agatha Christie-style intrigue. This atmospheric debut follows Gin and Sidney as MI5 pairs them to investigate a spy’s murder, uncovering danger, class tensions, and unexpected chemistry along the way.
Discover this week's Southern Gothic theme, where small-town settings, family secrets, moral ambiguity, and the weight of the past create unforgettable stories. Featured picks include Sean Dietrich's The Incredible Winston Browne, a moving Florida-set novel filled with hidden histories and memorable characters, and Marc Cameron's new release Backtrack, the latest Arliss Cutter thriller that blends family legacy, danger, and suspense across Alaska and Texas. Plus, an important announcement about the future of this newsletter and what's coming next.
In this review of Sex Positive by Brooklyn Rose, I share why this bold college romance earns 4 out of 5 stars. Blending witty banter with conversations about sexual health, consent, reproductive freedom, and self-advocacy, Sex Positive offers a timely coming-of-age story for older teen and adult readers who enjoy contemporary romance with strong social themes.
In this review of Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard, I share why this fast-paced nonfiction account of Abraham Lincoln’s final days earns 5 out of 5 stars. Blending presidential history, Civil War drama, John Wilkes Booth’s assassination plot, and the manhunt that followed, Killing Lincoln makes one of America’s most familiar historical events feel fresh and immediate. Readers who enjoy narrative nonfiction, American history, or books by Brian Kilmeade and David McCullough will find this gripping, accessible, and highly readable.
In this review of Abraham Verghese’s Abscond, I explore how this brief but powerful short story captures grief, family expectations, cultural tradition, and the quiet turning point between childhood and growing up.
This week’s reading challenge explores the timeless coming-of-age story and the journey of self-discovery that continues throughout life. Featuring a recommendation of Abraham Verghese’s Abscond and a spotlight on a captivating new release from Kelly Rimmer, this post celebrates unforgettable characters, family secrets, emotional growth, and the books that shape us. Discover your next great read, plus updates on upcoming changes to our reading community, reviews, and newsletter schedule.
In Pop!, Angel Luis Colón delivers a darkly funny summer thriller about Poppy, an overworked assistant juggling two frustrating jobs, two incompetent bosses, and a growing sense that she may be capable of far more than anyone expects. Part workplace satire, part crime drama, and part offbeat thriller, Pop! blends sharp humor, black-market danger, and over-the-top twists for readers who enjoy strange, fast-paced crime fiction with a biting edge.
Beat the summer heat with great books, from realistic LGBTQ+ fiction that celebrates authentic, deeply human stories to T.J. Klune's Under the Whispering Door, a moving novel about found family, love, and connection. I'm also highlighting The Sins of Summer Daughters, an atmospheric Southern thriller set in Georgia, plus revisiting why we return to our favorite authors again and again. Don't miss our new Favorite Author Digital Reading Tracker, now available in the Etsy shop to help you organize your TBR and track every book by the authors you love most.
In God’s Country, William Kent Krueger delivers a gripping, atmospheric mystery in the 21st Cork O’Connor novel. Set in the Boundary Waters, this suspenseful installment forces Cork to confront a terrifying vision of his own death while facing questions of family, courage, mortality, and moral choice. Perfect for fans of crime fiction, mystery, suspense, and richly drawn characters, God’s Country is a powerful 5-star read for longtime Cork O’Connor fans and new readers alike.
This week’s newsletter celebrates exciting new releases, including Kelsey Cox’s Pretty Dead Things and Isabella Valeri’s The Prodigal Daughter, while exploring our Summer Reading Challenge focus on realistic fiction and favorite authors. Discover book recommendations, reading inspiration, a curated summer playlist, and fun tools from our newly reopened Etsy shop—including printable trackers, reading journals, and Summer Reading Bingo—to make your reading life even more enjoyable this season.
