This was such a devastating, horrible, beautiful ode to asexuality, all-consuming love, and the kind of grief that doesn’t leave you. Relayed in stunning, poetic prose, Don’t Let the Forest In is an absolute delight of a horror that will wreck you, heal you, and still leave you with questions long after you’ve finished it.
This was my 161st read of the year… and I think it just became my favorite. It’s not a “fun” read—in fact, much of it reminds me of the current state of the world, the dangerous direction we’re heading in, and the devastatingly sad effects of hate, but the concept of songlight, humanity’s resilience, and the potential for peace is so beautiful.
Tee Harlowe’s Potions and Prejudice was adorable. Imagine Pride and Prejudice but with potions, magic, cottagecore vibes, and a tiny anxious dragon named Edgar—yeah, it’s as cute as it sounds.
I finished A Forbidden Alchemy weeks ago and I still think about it almost every single day. It’s not just the best book I’ve read this year—it might be one of my favorite books ever. Stacey McEwan owns me now, and I’m not even mad about it.
Illusion of Stars wrecked me in the best way. I went in expecting a fantasy with some romance (which it totally delivers), but I didn’t expect it to hit so hard emotionally. The way Sarah Marie Page writes about self-worth, grief, and uncertainty? Just… wow. It’s raw and real in a way that sneaks up on you.
Elie Wiesel’s Night is not just a book—it is a testimony, a warning, and an unflinching look into the depths of human cruelty. It is the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you finish it, not because of elaborate prose or dramatic storytelling, but because every word feels like a wound that refuses to heal. This is a book that demands to be read.
Under the Light of the Italian Moon by Jennifer Anton is an absolutely mesmerizing journey through time and emotion that deserves every bit of its 5 stars. Based on true events that occurred in Northern Italy between the wars, this is a masterfully crafted historical novel filled with love, sacrifice, and the enduring human spirit.
