Metaphorical Magic

“With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?” –Oscar Wilde

While Rae is basking in moon joy—in the glow of four good humans being shuttled to la lune—I’ve been savoring my own portable magic, compliments of Rachel Hochhauser. The debut novelist transported me back into the most popular fairy tale of all: Cinderella. It’s been years since I’ve even thought about the childhood rags-to-riches narrative, the symbolic primer for achieving happily- ever-after. When my book-savvy niece told me she was hearing a whole lotta chatter about Lady Tremaine, I downloaded the feminist retelling as if Drizella was shouting “Faster!” at me, not her oppressed stepsister.

I loved Hochhauser’s spin on the classic. She transforms the cold, calculating evil stepmother into a talented, forward-thinking matriarch who has all her daughters’ (including Cinderella’s) welfare in mind. Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine loses both her first and second husbands early on in each of her marriages. In financial ruin, she works tirelessly to secure a better future for her children. The Royal Ball remains a pivotal point in the story. After that, we get hit with a princely twist.

Now I see why C.S. Lewis said, “Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” While Lady Tremaine isn’t your traditional fairy tale, characterized by magical elements, there was a metaphorical magic in these pages. Etheldreda possesses more than one superpower. Her relentless focus on survival and social mobility in an unforgiving aristocratic world is beyond impressive. It’s inspiring. Glennon Doyle believes this is “destined to be one of the biggest books of the year.” I think she’s right. Way to ditch the evil archetype in favor of a capable, confident woman who doesn’t need saving by a man, RH. It’s a must love.

P.S. For all you Bridgerton fans, you’ll be happy to hear Bessie Carter’s voice on the other end of this one.

Posted by Tracy

May We Always Choose Each Other

“Ultimately, we will always choose earth; we will always choose each other.” —Christina Koch, after coming out of the blackout and becoming the first woman to orbit the moon.

Anyone else following every moment of the Artemis II mission and weeping for the joy of it all? I haven’t cried this much over space travel in…well…ever. Maybe it’s part residual glow of just having reunited with my longtime friends, Rocky and Rylan Grace, in theaters (wept my way through that as well). Maybe it’s seeing the best of humanity on full display, coming at a time we needed it most. Maybe it’s Moon Joy. Maybe it’s that four good people, on their way to making history, invited us along for the ride so we too can revel in the wonder of it all. Amaze. Amaze. Amaze.

Speaking of Project Hail Mary, our hearts still pump chocolate for Weir’s lovable heroes, proving Tray’s theory that the best way to rate books is by how very much we miss the friends we made in them. By that measure, Tayari Jones’s latest, Kin, ranks near the tippity top.

It’s been weeks since I read the last page and I’m still homesick for Annie and Vernice—or as those of us close to Vernice call her, Niecy. Two friends, growing up motherless in Jim Crow’s South, become each other’s chosen family. The trajectory of their very different lives feels fated, often heartbreakingly so, yet through it all, the thread of found kinship binds them to each other. I savored every word of this book. I laughed out loud, I cried real tears. And most of all, I didn’t want it to end. There’s a reason the LA Times dubbed Tayari Jones “the bard of the modern South whose skill at weaving stories is matched only by her compassion for her characters.”

I’ve been rooting for Tayari since the night I met her, on the cusp of her huge success surrounding An American Marriage, and bonded over Boden, BLT’s and the delicious contentment of staying in. She exudes warmth and light. An American Marriage reminded me why I read; Kin reminded me why I love it so.

Posted by Rachel

A Love Letter to Libraries

“That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.”—Jhumpa Lahiri.

Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Wished you could live inside the fantasy world you imagine so vividly while reading about it? What book would you choose? Would you travel to England to spend time in the regal world of Jane Austen or would you be drawn into the amazing adventures found in Narnia? There are so many astonishing places, but so little time. I’m glad I wandered into Kate Quinn’s new book The Astral Library—a fantasy adventure that acknowledges her childhood love of fantasy stories and serves as a “love letter to books and libraries, blending whimsical elements with a more serious, topical theme about the threats libraries face.”

Quinn overtly and covertly reminds readers that libraries are sanctuaries. When Alix Watson is having a terrible day (in a pretty bad overall life), she seeks refuge in one of her favorite places: the Boston Public Library. As she hurries inside to find a place where no one will see the tears she’s holding back, she happens upon a hidden library within the library where books are portals to other worlds. There she meets a stern guardian. Together they work to protect The Astral Library from an unknown enemy that pursues them through different literary worlds. Alix is a feisty, flawed character that has always found comfort and love within the pages of her favorite books. As a book lover myself, it’s impossible not to cheer for her.

The Astral Library is a complete 180 from previous books authored by Kate Quinn who is considered “a master of historical fiction” by many. As one who seldom seeks out the fantasy genre, I hesitated a moment before picking up this one. But Kate has never let me down, so I decided to give it a go. I was not disappointed. The rating on Goodreads is a little low, in my opinion. Fitting, I know, but I’d give The Astral Library more stars—at least 4, for the amazing classics Quinn inspired Alix to explore.

Posted by Sharee

An Ordinary-Not-So-Ordinary Story

“The best stories always end up being about the people rather than the event.” —Stephen King

Although I’m not a big horror girl, I am a fan of Annie Wilkes’ brainchild. He knows plenty about the best stories. I couldn’t agree more with The King of Horror on character-driven narratives. Take Theo of Golden, for example—the self-published, word-of-mouth phenom is remarkable largely because Theo is remarkable. Theo is the sun around which the story’s solar system revolves. The same holds true for Ariel Lawhon’s latest historical novel, The Frozen River. Martha Ballard is the polestar, the guiding light through Lawhon’s captivating pages.

Martha Ballard is a real-life protagonist. Born in Oxford, Maine, in 1735, Martha became a lighthouse for future midwives and healers. Despite not having any formal medical training, she delivered 800 babies that we know of and never lost a mother. Not one. Midwifery in the 18th century was a tough row to hoe, but Martha was a cool-headed pioneer. Her survival rate shines, even amid today’s rates. Because Martha was a faithful journal writer, Harvard historian and Pulitzer Prize winner Laurel Thatcher Ulrich was able to “transform what most considered ‘trivia’ into a groundbreaking micro-history” surrounding this ordinary-not-so-ordinary woman. No doubt Martha was the inspiration for Ulrich’s famous statement: “Well-behaved women seldom make history.”

Lawhon, a meticulous researcher and emotionally compelling writer, made sure we all feel doubly blessed and doubly fortunate by offering readers a “gripping blend of 18th century historical detail, intense murder mystery, and [a] compelling true-life story.” Bringing forgotten, sometimes misunderstood, women to light is her specialty. Who doesn’t want to learn about a quiet, strong, unsung heroine? Martha Ballard is an inspiration. If you’re still wondering whether this book is for you, consider this: “Atmospheric, unique and elegantly written, The Frozen River will satisfy mystery lovers and historical fiction enthusiasts alike.”

Posted by Tracy

Time for a Ghost Story?

Book club got me again! When my reading group picked Remain by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan, my first thought was I haven’t read a Nicholas Spark’s book in over 30 years, and M. Night is a little too spooky for me. Another book not really in my wheelhouse. What am I doing in this book club?  Several supernatural pages later, and I have to admit, I liked this book more than I ever imagined I would. A solid four stars for sure. 

Tate Donovan is a New York architect who’s struggled with depression since the death of his beloved sister. On her deathbed, Sylvia informs Tate that she can see spirits that are still tethered to our world. (A gift Sylvia maintains their family is blessed with.) Tate doesn’t think much of otherworldly connections—he’s just trying to find a way to keep his head above water. 

When Tate decides to head to Cape Cod to build his best friend’s dream house and give himself a fresh start in the game of life, he takes up residence in an old bed and breakfast that hasn’t had visitors for a very long time. Queue the spooky music. In the Cape, he meets Wren, the only person he’s noticed staying at the house. He’s drawn to her. Tate soon realizes that Wren may not be what she appears to be. The clock is ticking as he tries to uncover the gruesome truth that has Wren trapped. The twists and turns that follow will keep you spellbound, which is M. Night’s true talent. 

Ryan Steck, a well-established reviewer of mysteries and thrillers, had this to say about Remain: “Think The Notebook meets The Sixth Sense, Remain is an atmospheric, emotional ghost story that blends romance and the supernatural with mixed but memorable results.” If Steck’s review doesn’t pique your interest, then maybe knowing M. Night is currently working on the movie Remain with Jake Gyllenhaal as Tate Donovan will.   

Posted by Sharee

A Million Tiny Sparks

“Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”—Plato

Some books should come with a warning label. You know the ones that tear you apart and stitch you back up? (Think Transcendent Kingdom or The Snow Child.) While others should come as a total surprise—the kind that develop a reputation for exceeding all expectations. Think about the last time pages unexpectedly gripped you. I have yet to recover from The Silent Patient’s massive twist. Years later, Project Hail Mary still grabs my heart. (Long before Ryan Gosling got involved.) O Hamnet, O Hamnet, wherefore art thou? Let’s be honest, the wheels on Doig’s bus make the world go round and round. It’s hard for me to explain the way books like All the Glimmering Stars or The Nightingale, doused in deep raw emotion, give more essence to my tiny but personal universe. Books like Theo of Golden are a million tiny sparks. They’re All the Light We Cannot See. I do not exaggerate when I say Allen Levi just molded my soul some.

If Rae gets her wish and a required reading list for life materializes, Theo of Golden should be on it, no question. Here are the bones of this blessed book: an enigmatic elderly Portuguese man shows up in a small Georgian town named Golden. Theo is private but pleasant. When he visits the local coffee shop, he’s enchanted by the framed pencil portraits that line the shop’s walls. All 92 of them. His inspiration to purchase the renderings and gift them to their rightful owners leads to sincere, meaningful exchanges where the transformative power of kindness is on full display. Theo embodies Levi’s belief that, “The best portion of a good person’s life is the little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.” To witness it is to feel wonder. Theo shakes the world in the most gentle way. By time you close the cover, you’ll want to be like Theo. You’ll want to do the same.

There’s much more to the story than I’ve described. Things I didn’t anticipate. I just can’t stop basking in pages fraught with real wisdom. Wisdom about sadness. About friendship. About how to treat people who are vastly different than you. About what marks success. About beauty and stillness. About the pure unadulterated magic of kindness. About how to live life. I shudder to think of a world void of books that give soul to my universe and wings to my mind. And, more importantly, clarity to my heart.

Posted by Tracy

Cozy Comeuppance & Just Desserts

“After a long day, there's nothing better than some cozy slippers.” –Carly Pearce

“Cozy crime novels offer the perfect escape, blending suspense with comfort, where villains always get their comeuppance and the only thing to fear is running out of snacks.”

Last weekend, Rachel and I were among some folks who like to get away. Why you ask? We were in a Nashville state of mind. Mouth-watering tacos, late-night convos, and gripping books were consumed. It shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows us that we spent time in Ann Patchett’s Parnassus Books. The Green Hill’s bookstore was quiet and quaint. It had the literary luminary’s fingerprints all over it. (Hints of Nemo’s presence lingered too.) It’s safe to say, that Parnassus Books felt like a cozy haven. And while I’m not here to debate with the Grammy-winning country singer, comfy slippers can’t compete with a cozy read in a clean, well-lighted place.

I know because I just finished a cozy crime novel that I absolutely loved. (Yes, that is a real subgenre of mystery fiction.) The year is 1910. Haley’s Comet is set to make an up-close and personal appearance in our cosmic backyard, including the small tidal island off the Cornish coastline named World’s End. Lord Conrad Stockingham-Welt, the pompous Viscount of Tithe Hall, believes it is the end of times. And for him it is. He’s found murdered in his sealed study. I can’t wait for you to meet the most unlikely amateur detective duo in second footman, the unlucky but loveable Stephen Pike, and the brilliant, brash, science-minded Great-Aunt Decima. (She cracks me up. And while she does drop F-bombs, they’re merely emphatic, I promise.) This page turner supplied twists and turns and laughs out loud. I’m with the reviewer who gushed, “I was immediately charmed by the unexpected crime-solving duo at its core, and I’ll happily follow foul-mouthed Miss Decima and steadfast Stephen Pike through many more mysteries; their dynamic is utterly delightful.”

P.S. This one is definitely worth a listen—theatre-trained Joe Jameson did a fantastic job of bringing Montgomery’s memorable characters to life. He’s one of my new favorite narrators.

Posted by Tracy

Just The Tip of a Literary Mystery

“To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.”—W. Somerset Maugham

For me, reflection always blows in with the new year. What worked, what hurt—I’ll deliberate a bit about it all. No need to waste time baggin’ on 2025, but I wouldn’t want to relive it. The good news is it was a great reading year. If you can believe it, we may have an even more promising year ahead. Tayari Jones, Jane Harper, Elizabeth Strout, Ann Patchett, Maggie O’Farrell, and Marie Bendict all have new releases in 2026. Sounds like literary bliss to me.

Here I am letting yesterday and tomorrow use up too much of my post. Patti Callahan Henry is calling me back to the present. I’m so glad the best-selling author took her own advice to “find the stories and subjects that startle you, change you, and challenge you.” If not, we wouldn’t have The Story She Left Behind. Callahan Henry set out to write a book about Beatrix Potter—she was enticed by the fact that Bea developed her own secret language, so her mother couldn’t snoop and read her private diary. This sent CH down a rabbit hole. (Wink, wink.) She then discovered a child prodigy, Barbara Newhall Follett, who published novels at ages 12 and 14. She too developed a new language and vocabulary. (You’ve gotta love these female creatives!) That was just the tip of the mystery. After an argument with her husband, Follett (age 25) walked out of her apartment with 30 dollars in her pocket and vanished, never to be seen again. A literary mystery was born—one that wouldn’t let go of CH when she heard it.

You’ll be captivated by the way Callahan Henry treats this real-life literary mystery. The novel’s setting pulled me back into a few otherworldly study abroad days spent in the splendor of the Lake District. It made me crave a visit to “the loveliest spot man has found.”  

P.S. If you need more incentive to run grab a copy of The Story She Left Behind, take it from one of Rachel’s imaginary besties, Louise Penny, who gushed—“Brilliant, riveting, so beautifully written, impossible to put down."

Posted by Tracy