by Juno Dawson Overall: The sequel to Her Majesty’s Royal Coven picks up right where the first book left off. If you haven’t read book one, for the love of Pete, please DON’T read the synopsis for this one, as it’s full of spoilers! I will try to be as spoiler-free as possible, but theContinue reading “The Shadow Cabinet”
Author Archives: Liz Helfrich
The Cherokee Rose
by Tiya Miles A rerelease of a previously published book following a substantial revision, The Cherokee Rose is a work of fiction written by a historian at the top of her field. Miles is a professor at Harvard University and the Radcliffe Institute for Advance Study, and if you haven’t read her fantastic works ofContinue reading “The Cherokee Rose”
We Keep the Dead Close
by Becky Cooper Overall: I picked up this book because I attended Harvard and was curious about this cold case. In 1969, Jane Britton, a graduate student in anthropology, was found murdered in her apartment in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Becky Cooper first heard the story as a kind of legend when she was an undergrad; herContinue reading “We Keep the Dead Close”
The Radcliffe Ladies Reading Club
by Julia Bryan Thomas Overall: I was attracted to this book as I went to Harvard, and I looked forward to getting to know more about my predecessors at Radcliffe College. Radcliffe was the women’s college adjacent to Harvard founded in the late 19th century; the two merged completely in 1999. The Radcliffe Ladies’ ReadingContinue reading “The Radcliffe Ladies Reading Club”
A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality
by Kate Khavari Having thoroughly enjoyed A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons, I eagerly picked up A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality, the second book of the Saffron Everleigh mystery series. Book two finds Saffron still working to establish a secure place for herself in the botany department at the University College ofContinue reading “A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality”
Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City: A Memoir
by Jane Wong Why read a memoir? If the person is well known, I often think the answer comes down to “how.” How did this person achieve success? But if the person writing the memoir isn’t a household name, I think the question in the best memoirs widens to “why.” Why do we make certainContinue reading “Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City: A Memoir”
All Good People Here
by Ashley Flowers Overall: All Good People here is a solid thriller written by the host of a very popular true crime podcast. I do enjoy the occasional foray into true crime, and I was curious about how the author’s experience podcasting might inform the story. Margot Davies a successful journalist, has returned to herContinue reading “All Good People Here”
White is for Witching
by Helen Oyeyemi Overall: White is for Witching is not for the faint of heart. Gothic, dark, and deeply unsettling, this book belongs right next to the works of Shirley Jackson. Miranda and Eliot are twins inhabiting a strange house inherited from their mother’s family which their father has converted into a bed and breakfast. Continue reading “White is for Witching”
The Killing Moon
by N.K. Jemisin Overall: I have enjoyed every book of Jemisin’s that I have read thus far, and The Killing Moon, book 1 of the Dreamblood Duology, did not disappoint. Inspired by the religious beliefs, customs, art, and architecture of ancient Egypt, The Killing Moon takes place in the neighboring countries of Gujaareh and KisuaContinue reading “The Killing Moon”
Dragonfall
by L. R. Lam Overall: If you’re looking for a fantasy book that is both highly entertaining and quite thought-provoking, look no further than Dragonfall. The first book of the new Dragon Scales series introduces the reader to Everen, a dragon prince suffering under the crushing weight of prophecy and his family’s expectations. The firstContinue reading “Dragonfall”
Liz Helfrich 