#bookblog — Public Fediverse posts

#booksky 💙📚 #bookstodon TCL's #6Degrees of Separation for September 5, 2026. Find out how I went from "The Heiress of Northanger Abbey" to "Dreamland" by Nancy Bilyeau @Tudorscribe, on my #bookblog now! Thanks to Kate W for my favorite monthly #bookmeme, with my own twist on this month's theme!

http://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/09/05/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-september-5-2026/

Killer Looks by Steven Fisher

A past obsession turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse between a serial killer and his hero.
The post Killer Looks by Steven Fisher appeared first on Independent Book Review.
https://independentbookreview.com/2026/09/04/killer-looks-by-steven-fisher/

#bookreview #AtmospherePress #bookblog #KillerLooks #mysterythriller

Greenhorn by Alex Krieger

A lively memoir of life as a new American and how the feeling of being new lasts longer than most might expect
The post Greenhorn by Alex Krieger appeared first on Independent Book Review.
https://independentbookreview.com/2026/09/03/greenhorn-by-alex-krieger/

#bookreview #AtmospherePress #bookblog #Greenhorn #immigrantmemoir

Greenhorn by Alex Krieger

A lively memoir of life as a new American and how the feeling of being new lasts longer than most might expect
The post Greenhorn by Alex Krieger appeared first on Independent Book Review.
https://independentbookreview.com/2026/09/03/greenhorn-by-alex-krieger/

#bookreview #AtmospherePress #bookblog #Greenhorn #immigrantmemoir

Greenhorn by Alex Krieger

A lively memoir of life as a new American and how the feeling of being new lasts longer than most might expect
The post Greenhorn by Alex Krieger appeared first on Independent Book Review.
https://independentbookreview.com/2026/09/03/greenhorn-by-alex-krieger/

#bookreview #AtmospherePress #bookblog #Greenhorn #immigrantmemoir

Greenhorn by Alex Krieger

A lively memoir of life as a new American and how the feeling of being new lasts longer than most might expect
The post Greenhorn by Alex Krieger appeared first on Independent Book Review.
https://independentbookreview.com/2026/09/03/greenhorn-by-alex-krieger/

#bookreview #AtmospherePress #bookblog #Greenhorn #immigrantmemoir

Grace Notes by John Cheyenne Wilbur

A seminarian discovers there’s a lot more to life than purpose in ministry in this novel of personal growth and inner strength.
The post Grace Notes by John Cheyenne Wilbur appeared first on Independent Book Review.
https://independentbookreview.com/2026/09/03/grace-notes-by-john-cheyenne-wilbur/

#bookreview #AtmospherePress #bookblog #books #GraceNotes

Why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Deserves a True Sequel.

https://dimmajoblog.com/2026/07/09/why-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-deserves-a-true-sequel/

Why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Deserves a True Sequel.

https://dimmajoblog.com/2026/07/09/why-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-deserves-a-true-sequel/

Why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Deserves a True Sequel.

https://dimmajoblog.com/2026/07/09/why-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-deserves-a-true-sequel/

Why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Deserves a True Sequel.

https://dimmajoblog.com/2026/07/09/why-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-deserves-a-true-sequel/

Why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Deserves a True Sequel.

https://dimmajoblog.com/2026/07/09/why-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-deserves-a-true-sequel/

Bright Dead Things (Bitter Legacies 1) by Hailey Turner | Book Review

If the forest stares back at you, you’re already prey.

Bran Gallagher grew up with three rules passed down through his coven: beware forest paths that lead to dangerous mounds, always keep iron close, and never speak of magic.

Cillian Dunne grew up with his mother’s love, his father’s absence, and secret warnings to never trust a witch.

In Pelham’s forest, where bright lights haunt the trees and hunt the lost, there are traditions kept for survival and others out of habit, none of which should be broken.

Bran and Cillian unknowingly broke tradition and ruined each other in the aftermath of a kiss years ago. Reunited in the wake of a family tragedy, they cross paths with something old, something terrifying—something that wants them dead. When Bran’s younger sister is stolen away by a nightmare into the Otherworld, they can only follow and try to keep each other alive in a strange and haunting land.

Trapped in a dangerous Fae Court, Bran learns being a witch comes with a death sentence. To save him, Cillian must fight against those who seek power from a past he has no memory of, and the only person he can trust is the witch who broke his heart.

But it might be too late.

For the Fae have never been kind, and they have always hungered, and this time, what they hunger for is revenge.

How was it?

One of the weird things about me, is that when I pick up one of my trusted authors’ books, I sometimes don’t want to know anything about it before diving in. That’s been my approach with Hailey Turner after Soulbound. At most tell me there are witches, Fae, and a new fantasy world to explore, and I’m in.

Unfortunately, I accidentally read the blurb before starting Bright Dead Things. I say unfortunately because the blurb reveals an event that doesn’t happen immediately enough, and for the entire first quarter of the book, I found myself waiting for that moment instead of fully experiencing the story as it unfolded. It’s not the book’s fault, but it definitely changed my reading experience a little.

I still got pulled into the story. I sat down to read a few chapters and suddenly found myself around 20% into the book without really noticing, which is a good sign since I’m a slow reader.

The biggest strength of Bright Dead Things is its atmosphere. The forests is eerie, the Otherworld feels dangerous, and there’s this constant sense that something is lurking in the edges, just beyond sight. Turner is very good at worldbuilding and creating an atmosphere, here it’s a creeping feeling that something is wrong long before the characters fully realize it themselves.

This book is very fantasy forward, the romance between Bran and Cillian is almost an after thought, yes there’s some longing but it’s a genuine slow burn. I’m happy with that here because the story and world surrounding it is more interesting to me than a second-chance romance. The world, the mysteries, and the hints of larger dangers kept me engaged while the relationship developed at its own pace.

The one thing I wasn’t entirely sold on was the magic system. It feels a bit loose compared to fantasy worlds with clearly defined magical rules. The casting itself, mostly Bran’s and his witchmarks, often sounded complicated and time-consuming. I feel like Bran could get shot before witchmarking himself a shield, and maybe that’s the point he’s not supposed to duck and hide so he could raise a shield, lol.

There’s a slow build, with clues and unsettling details scattered throughout the first half, before everything starts accelerating. The first quarter of the novel is largely spent setting up the events described in the blurb, which is why I’m annoyed I read it! It’s really around the halfway point that the pace picks up significantly, bringing more action, revelations, and a clearer picture of the larger threat lurking behind everything.

I enjoy that gradual crescendo because I’ve come to trust Turner, I know she’s building toward something worthwhile. But I worry about how a brand-new reader would feel about it. If you’re unfamiliar with her talent, the slower first half might require a bit more patience, but if you(re familiar, enjoy the ride.

I am invested in seeing where this series goes next, despite not being quite as attached to Bran and Cillian as I usually am after the first book of a Hailey Turner series. I like them. They’re good characters, I care about what happens to them. I’d be annoyed if they get hurt or killed but it wouldn’t ruined my day at this point. I haven’t formed a deeper emotional attachment yet.

However, the mysteries introduced here, the larger mythology taking shape, and the unanswered questions left hanging have me eager to return to this world.

Overall, Bright Dead Things is a strong opening to a new fantasy series. It’s atmospheric, creepy, full of intriguing folklore, and steadily builds toward something much bigger. If you’re willing to embrace a slower start and enjoy stories where the mysteries unfold piece by piece, there’s a lot here to enjoy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Everything She Ever Wanted by Ann Rule

Hello beautiful people! Welcome to a new review! For this review, I get into an Ann Rule true crime book that focuses on the life and crimes of Patricia Taylor, who reigned terror on those around her in the 1970’s. While this wasn’t my favourite Ann Rule book I’ve read so far, it was still an interesting case and well written overall.

People of focus in the book:

Pat Taylor Allanson– Easily the most fascinating and frustrating part of this story. Watching her behaviour escalate over time is honestly disturbing, especially because so many people around her either ignored it, enabled it, or excused it. The deep dive into her life, family, and relationships adds a lot to understanding how everything spiralled the way it did.

Tom Allanson – Pat’s current husband at the time of the crime and an interesting character throughout the story. Ultimately allows his marriage to Pat to push him to do things people could never imagine. Is arrested for the crimes and continues to have a horrifically toxic relationship with Pat for many years.

Walter and Carolyn Allanson – Tom’s parents and not huge fans of Pat. Are murdered in the basement of their home one night, which leads to an exposure of Pat for years to come.

Clifford and Maggie Radcliff – Pat’s parents, who are aggravating people to read about. Defend their daughters’ insanely poor behaviour for years, financially support her, and excuse pretty much everything she does, showing us how this woman ended up this way.

My Review

As mentioned above, Everything She Ever Wanted isn’t a favourite of the Ann Rule books I have read, but it is still an enjoyable, interesting read overall. I did rate the book a 6.5/10, not because of how it was written, but more so the pace and the fact that there are a few unanswered and confusing bits to the book. I appreciated that Ann didn’t play sides or excuse poor behaviour from anyone who was in Pat’s life. She does have sympathy for some things that maybe I don’t, but I can appreciate her ability to be open to presenting all perspectives. I also enjoyed getting to dive into a case I had never heard of before, and it is a bit older, but it is a bit of a slower read and a touch repetitive.

In this true crime story, Ann Rule explores the disturbing case surrounding Pat Allanson and the manipulation, control, and violence that followed her throughout her life. Pat became under the scope of the law when the parents of her husband, Tom, were murdered in their home. Tom, not being Pat’s first marriage and her having a reputation of being a bit of a scammer raise eyebrows of those around her, including her successful in-laws. Obsessed with living a life exactly as she envisions, Pat makes many choices to push herself to the top, crushing the ones who love her under her foot all the while. With no care but to be seen as this amazing, successful, attractive woman, Pat’s crimes come to light in a desperation to be something she’s not. As the book unfolds, it examines not only the crimes themselves, but also the family dynamics, relationships, and warning signs that surrounded Pat for years. Through extensive background and investigation, the story paints a picture of how dangerous behaviour can grow unchecked when the people around someone continually look away.

Overall, this was a really interesting true crime story, especially because it’s an older case I had never heard of before. One thing I always appreciate about Ann Rule’s books is how deeply she dives into the people involved, and this one definitely does that. You don’t just get the crime itself; you get the history, the family dynamics, the relationships, and the environment surrounding everything that happened.

And honestly, that was both one of the strongest and weakest parts of the book for me. The deep dive into Pat’s life was fascinating. Seeing how her parents and the people around her played such a huge role, while also seemingly doing nothing to stop her behaviour, was genuinely disturbing. It becomes this ongoing pattern throughout the book where people excuse things, ignore red flags, or enable behaviour that clearly should’ve alarmed them.

But at the same time, it makes for a pretty exhausting reading experience. Not because the book is bad, but because you spend hundreds of pages watching people fail to intervene in increasingly concerning situations. It’s frustrating in a very realistic way, which I think was probably the point.

The biggest issue for me was the pacing. The book felt very repetitive at times. I understand that a lot of the repeated details and background information were relevant to building the case and understanding the people involved, but it often felt like we were circling the same points over and over again. It slowed things down quite a bit and made parts drag more than necessary. I also felt like certain elements never fully clicked into place for me, particularly regarding Tom and the events at his parents’ house. There’s a lot discussed, but I still finished the book feeling uncertain about exactly what happened there.

That being said, the story itself is undeniably compelling. Even when the pacing lagged, I still wanted to keep reading because the case is just so bizarre and unsettling.

Overall, this definitely isn’t my favourite Ann Rule book, but I’d still recommend it to true crime readers because the story itself is incredibly interesting. Just be prepared for a slower, more detailed read that focuses heavily on the people and psychology behind the case rather than nonstop momentum.

I’m excited to have re-released my 2010 book, Paddling with a Naturalist. If you’re interested in the natural world I think you’ll enjoy it. Have a look.
https://hodnettcanoeguides.ca/paddling_with_a_naturalist.php

#WhatToRead #BookBlog #Readers #BrettHodnett #WritersOfMastodon #Science #Author #Writer #Writers #Books #Livres #Bookstodon #BookCover #Evolution #EPUB #Ebook #FreeBook #FreeBooks #GiveAway #FediHUMAN #Nature #Wilderness #Outdoors #Summer #Canoe #Canoeing #Paddling #AlgonquinPark #Travelogue #Ontario #forest #trees #Naturalist #Outside #Outdoors #Wildflowers #Wildflower #Flora #Fauna #SilentSunday

Empty Calories and Male Curiosity by Ted McLoof

A resonant collection of stories that channels the longings and discontents of the slow drift toward adulthood in suburban New Jersey
The post Empty Calories and Male Curiosity by Ted McLoof appeared first on Independent Book Review.
https://independentbookreview.com/2026/05/08/empty-calories-and-male-curiosity-by-ted-mcloof/

#bookreview #bookblog #Cosmorama #EmptyCaloriesandMaleCuriosity #indieauthor

Discover Dayna Styles: Complete Paranormal Why Choose Romance Trilogy

https://lettyreads.com/2026/04/17/discover-dayna-styles-complete-paranormal-why-choose-romance-trilogy/

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Hello beautiful people! Welcome to a new review! For this review, I get into Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, a highly beloved and talked-about science fiction novel. Now, personally, I am not much of a science fiction gal, so I really wasn’t sure what I was going to think. I ended up really enjoying the book (science and math stuff aside) and found the world and the characters to have really shone through, making it such an enjoyable read.

Main Characters:

Ryland Grace: Such an unexpectedly great main character. He’s smart (obviously), but not in an intimidating way. He questions things, messes up, figures it out, and brings a lot of personality to what could’ve been a super technical story. He made this book so much more approachable and, honestly, really fun to follow.

Rocky: I won’t say too much because it’s better to experience it, but one of the best parts of the book. The dynamic here is something I did not expect, and it adds so much heart, humour, and depth to the story.

Eva Stratt: The scientist who creates the mission that Grace goes on often butts heads with Grace on their ideas, but in a respectful, professional way.

My Review

As mentioned, I went into Project Hail Mary not really knowing what I was getting into or if I would like it. I did not expect to love this as much as I did. Sci-fi isn’t usually my go-to, and anything involving heavy math, science, or engineering? Also not my thing. So I went into this a little hesitant, but this book makes it so accessible. I didn’t really understand those aspects of the book, but I also didn’t feel like I needed to to really grasp what was going on in the story. You can feel the characters’ emotions, and that often showed me more than the science and math did. I rated Project Hail Mary a 9/10 rating, and would totally recommend it to people like me who don’t usually check out science fiction, or aren’t usually drawn to those types of stories.

In Project Hail Mary, we follow Ryland Grace when he wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he realizes he’s on a mission to save Earth from a catastrophic threat that could wipe out all life. As he pieces together what’s happening, the story jumps between past and present, showing how the mission came to be, and how Grace ended up being humanity’s last hope. Along the way, unexpected connections form, and the scope of the mission becomes even bigger than initially imagined. We, the readers, are spun a gorgeous world in space through the eyes of someone who never expected to be up there.

So yes, due to the plot of the book and Grace’s role in it, the book includes a lot of science, math and engineering. Yes, there’s complex problem-solving. But I never felt like I needed to fully understand every detail to stay engaged. The way it’s written keeps things clear enough that you can follow along without getting lost, which made a huge difference for me and how I was pulled into the book. What really pulled me in was how the story unfolded. The connections that are made throughout, especially the ones you don’t see coming, are so well done. It takes things in directions I never would’ve expected, and it just works.

And Grace as a character? Loved him. He carries the story in such a natural way, and you actually enjoy being in his head as everything unravels. He makes the high-stakes, end-of-the-world mission feel personal and grounded.

I will say, it’s a little unsettling how some of the issues in this book don’t feel that far off from real life. Like, it’s sci-fi, but also, not entirely? That added an extra layer of tension for me.

The space aspect was also just really cool. It’s such an out-of-reach concept for most of us, and I loved getting to fully dive into that world and go along for the ride. It felt immersive without being overwhelming.

And the ending? So good. It wrapped things up in a way that felt satisfying and meaningful, which isn’t always easy with a story this big.

I’m also really curious to see how the movie adaptation turns out, whether it sticks close to the book or switches things up a bit.

Overall, this completely surprised me in the best way. Super engaging, surprisingly emotional, and just a really fun (and slightly terrifying) ride through space.

I hope you enjoyed this review! Thank you for checking it out! Feel free to subscribe to the page to be one of the first to know when I release a new review!

𝘕𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺, 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 𝘎𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘮, 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘥.

Here are @carefulchatting 's picks for five of the best #JohnGrisham titles.
🔗 Link in comments #bookblog #bookstodon

#RandomBookClub #bookblogger #bookblog #reading

Here's a tip for all you #book lovers/ #bookies out there: When you're showing books on social media, don't do what I did in my example picture – don't cram loads of book covers into one image.

1/🧵

🎉 ARC REVIEW! Witch King by Martha Wells! Thank you Tor Books and NetGalley for the ARC! 🎉

I have read and loved Martha Wells' Murderbot series and I was so excited to jump into her new fantasy with The Witch King!

Check out my full review at
https://inthelibrarybooks.wordpress.com/2023/05/18/arc-review-the-witch-king-by-martha-wells/

#bookreview #torbooks #netgalley #arc #advancereaderscopy #ebook #amreading #amreadingfantasy #marthawells #witchking #newrelease #comingsoon #books #booklove #booklover #bookblog #bookblogger #bookstodon