Independent Bookstore Day 2023

Independent Bookstore Day 2023 is nearly here (April 29th, 2023), and it’s time to show some love for our independent bookstores! As an avid reader and supporter of indie bookstores, I can’t stress enough the importance of this day. Independent bookstores play a crucial role in our communities, providing a haven for book lovers, a

#TBT: The Impact of Science Fiction and Fantasy Zines

Dear Reader, As a scifi and fantasy fan, I have always loved the world of zines. These small, independent magazines have been a staple of the genre for decades, providing a platform for new and established writers to showcase their work [1]. But beyond simply providing a place for writers to publish their stories, zines

5 Fantastic Free & Open Source Alternatives to Scrivener for Writers

Are you a writer looking for a powerful, yet free and open source alternative to Scrivener? As a writer, having the right tools to organize and write your work is essential. Scrivener is a popular software that many writers rely on for its organizational features, but it’s not the only option out there. In fact,

Magical Monday: 5 Books with Unique Magic Systems (Other than Sanderson!)

This Magical Monday, I want to talk about one of my favorite things in the genre: unique magic systems. As a fantasy reader, I’m always looking for something new and exciting in the way magic works in a world. So, I decided to compile a list of some of my favorite fantasy books with unique

Review: Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello

For more than twenty years, the Hermes Birkin bag has been the iconic symbol of fashion, luxury, and wealth. With a fabled waiting list of more than two years to purchase one, the average fashionista has a better chance of climbing Mount Everest in Prada pumps than of possessing this coveted carryall. Unless, of course,

Authors Looking Back: #ThrowbackThursday

With the recent news that Brent Weeks is coming out with another Night Angel book, I thought it would be fun to list some authors who are going back to their previously-completed series and re-opening it with a new addition in 2023! It can be hard to recapture the magic of the original. Readers of

Review: The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

Anna Fox lives alone, a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking wine (maybe too much), watching old movies, recalling happier times . . . and spying on her neighbors. Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, a mother and their

Magical Monday: 6 Literary Metamorphoses

Involuntary or forced magical transformations toe the line between horror, humor, and fantasy depending on the author’s slant. Here are 6 novels or short stories that explore the concept of forced metamorphosis from the perspective of the main character, spanning the genres of children’s fantasy, to horror, to classical literature. I bet you’ll find some

Humor Me this #TBT: 5 Books that Embrace Silliness

Sometimes, life can be excessively serious. Jobs, taxes (ugh), planning what to eat for dinner every. single. evening. Sometimes, you just need a break. And today being #ThrowBackThursday, there couldn’t be a better opportunity to skip down memory lane and revisit some of my favorite blast-from-the-past laughs. The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by

Next in (Fantasy) Fashion

As an avid (if erratic) sewer, and frequent enjoyer of competition reality television shows, I have been consuming all of Netflix’s Next In Fashion series, gleefully commenting to my empty apartment what I would have done, and which outfit I think was truly the winner. I deeply enjoyed the new, fun, diverse styles of the