Fiction, Historical

At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen

I love any book set in Europe during World War II, it is by far one of my favorite time periods to read about. I requested the audiobook from the library to listen to while driving to and from work and I wound up enjoying it so much, I bought the actual book as well.… Continue reading At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen

Fantasy, Fiction, New Adult

City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte

City of Dark Magic #1 City of Dark Magic is a testament to how well Ben knows me. One fall day, a few years ago, we were partaking in one of our favorite Saturday afternoon activities of perusing the shelves of the local independent bookstore (where I now work) when he called me over to… Continue reading City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte

Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grades, Retelling

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Iโ€™ll readily admit that Ellaโ€™s dark green dress on the front cover of the first paperback edition was what first caught my attention. But given my established record as a lover of fairy tale adaptations, it should come as no surprise that this is the book that started my obsession! Synopsis How can a fairy's… Continue reading Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess While an undergrad at Pitt, I was book browsing before seeing a movie with a friend, I saw Clockwork Angel sitting on the shelf at the Waterfront Barnes & Noble. Not knowing anything about the vast popularity of the Mortal Instruments series, I picked it up as I was… Continue reading Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare

Fiction, Thriller

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Millennium #1 I began readingย The Girl with the Dragon Tattooย after the movie was announced (though before watching it) after one of my friends recommended it. Based on my knowledge of the friend who offered the recommendation, it was nothing as I expected. Synopsis Itโ€™s about the disappearance forty years ago of Harriet Vanger, a young… Continue reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Fiction, Historical, Retelling, Young Adult

Scarlet trilogy by A. C. Gaughen

Scarlet, Lady Thief, Lion Heart Iโ€™d been debating picking this book up for a while and decided to just go ahead and order it. I flew threw it โ€“ I definitely should have started it sooner! It has now led to me re-watching all the Robin Hood adaptations I love โ€“ starting with the BBC… Continue reading Scarlet trilogy by A. C. Gaughen

Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I finally realized why I read so many books about young women during World War II. My grandmother grew up in Nรผrnberg during this time and she has never spoken about her childhood. From what my father has told me about her experiences, I wouldnโ€™t talk about it either. I read so many books because… Continue reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Fantasy, Fiction, New Adult, Novella

Hear Me by Viv Daniels

This book is known to my family as "the reason Sarah owns a dreaded Kindle." New Adult author Viv Daniels (aka my second favorite author in the whole wide world Diana Peterfreund), originally released this book eBook only. Two years later, I found that I could order a paperback (pictured above), but of course I… Continue reading Hear Me by Viv Daniels

Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone #1 / Grishaverse #1 I just realized I'm reviewing the Leigh Bardugo books I've read in the opposite order in which I read them! It you have any interest in reading any of the books in her Grisha-verse, I recommend starting with this one and reading them in the order they were… Continue reading Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Book Club, Classics, Fiction, Mystery

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Hercule Poirot #10 Just likeย A Study in Scarlet,ย Murder on the Orient Express was one of the Modern Readers' Magical Mystery Tour books from last summer. Every since I sawย The Mousetrap, one of Agatha Christie's plays, and watched theย Doctor Whoย episode that includes Agatha as part of the storyline, I've wanted to read one of her famed… Continue reading Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie