Review: The Idaho Murders - James Patterson and Vicky Ward - July 2025 There are some books you pick up out of curiosity, and then there are books you pick up because you simply have to. For me, The Idaho Murders was firmly the latter. True crime has been a long-time love of mine, and James Patterson has been on my shelves for years, so when I heard these two forces had come together to tackle the Moscow, Idaho case, I knew I'd be settling in with this one sooner rather than later. I followed this case closely as it unfolded in the news, piecing together fragments here and there the way we all did. But nothing quite prepared me for how much more there was to learn. James Patterson and Vicky Ward have done something genuinely remarkable here, drawing on over 300 exclusive interviews to build a picture of what happened on that terrible night of 13th November 2022, when four young lives were taken far too soon. What struck me most, curled up with this book over several evenings, was...

    Review: Librarian Tales - William Ottens - September 2020 Some books arrive in your life at exactly the right moment. Librarian Tales by William Ottens was a birthday present, and it was the perfect one for a self-proclaimed bookworm and bibliophile like me. This book was written for librarians, by a librarian. It's part memoir, part behind-the-desk confessional, and it doesn't shy away from any side of the job. There's the fun, the ugly, and the endless parade of weird and wacky things we see and get asked. If you've ever worked a library desk, you'll be nodding along, laughing, and occasionally wincing in recognition. And if you haven't, it's a wonderful peek behind the curtain at what librarians really get up to (spoiler: it's a lot more than stamping books). It spoke to me because books and readers' advisory are my true passion. I was that librarian. I had the Dewey Decimal system memorised. I remembered what each customer read so I could h...

Review: America's Most Gothic - Haunted History Stranger Than Fiction - Leanna Renee Hieber and Andrea Janes - September 2025 I'm absolutely delighted to share my thoughts on America's Most Gothic: Haunted History Stranger than Fiction by Leanne Renee Hieber and Andrea Janes. This atmospheric gem arrived as a physical ARC from Kensington Publishing, and honestly, it couldn't have found a better home on my nightstand. One of my reading goals for 2026 is tackling at least twelve non-fiction books ,one per month and I'm thrilled to report I'm right on track. This beauty marks my second non-fiction read of the year, and what a wonderfully eerie way to continue this journey. As a writer for Gothic Bite Magazine US, I've spent countless hours researching historical crimes, peculiar criminals, poison rings, and architecturally strange buildings. The weird, the wacky, the downright spine-tingling , demons, hauntings, unexplained phenomena , all of it fascinates me...

Book Spotlight : Forget The Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness - Deb Miller - July 2025 Sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones that shatter our preconceived notions about how life "should" unfold. Deb Miller's debut memoir, Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness , does exactly that—and it's absolutely magnificent. From the moment I saw that enchanting cover with its whimsical butterfly and magical sparkle trail, I knew this wasn't going to be your typical self-help memoir. Miller has crafted something truly special here: part personal growth guide, part motivational memoir, and—as she puts it—all heart. What struck me most was Deb Miller's brilliant use of Disney princesses as metaphors for her own journey. As someone who grew up believing in the Prince Charming narrative (didn't we all?), I found myself nodding along as she traced the evolution from passive Snow White to independent Moana. It's a framework that's both accessible...

Review: Blood In The Water - Silver Donald Cameron - May 2021 In "Blood in the Water," Silver Donald Cameron masterfully chronicles a shocking murder that rocked the small Cape Breton community of Petit de Grat in June 2013. The book delves into the circumstances that led three respected fishermen—Craig and James Landry and their skipper Dwayne Samson—to commit the cold-blooded killing of Phillip Boudreau, a notorious local troublemaker whose body was never recovered after they shot at him and deliberately rammed his boat. Silver Donald Cameron's investigative prowess shines as he untangles the complex web of community dynamics that culminated in this tragic event. The author presents Phillip Boudreau as someone who was simultaneously feared and oddly appreciated, a man who "would steal the beads off Christ's moccasins ,then give the booty away to someone in need." For two decades, Phillip Boudreau had been a disruptive force, repeatedly vandalizing fishin...

Review: Y2K - Colette Shade -  January 2025 Reading Y2K by Colette Shade felt like stepping into a time machine and revisiting the chaotic, colorful, and sometimes cringeworthy era of my youth. This essay collection is a brilliantly provocative and entertaining deep dive into the turn-of-the-millennium years, capturing both the cultural highs and the unsettling lows of a generation-defining period. From the gaudy excesses of the bling era to the shadow of global political turmoil, Shade paints a vivid picture of the early 2000s—one that resonated deeply with my own memories. For anyone who grew up in this time, Y2K is like flipping through a personal scrapbook. I could practically see my childhood and teen years reflected in its pages, from the Leonardo DiCaprio and Heath Ledger posters adorning my bedroom walls to the iconic pink lips-shaped phone that sat on my nightstand. My gold blow-up plastic backpack was the height of fashion, just as my sister's blue plastic chair was a sta...

Review: Dinner For Vampires - Bethany Joy Lenz - October 2024 Bethany Joy Lenz, known to millions as Haley James Scott on One Tree Hill , offers readers a raw, heartfelt, and darkly humorous glimpse into her tumultuous journey in Dinner for Vampires . This memoir is more than just a celebrity tell-all—it’s a story of resilience, self-discovery, and faith in the aftermath of manipulation and betrayal. The memoir begins with Lenz’s rise to fame, juxtaposed against her desperate yearning for a sense of belonging. An only child with an independent streak, she found solace in a Bible study group of Hollywood creatives. But what started as a supportive community soon spiraled into a cult-like nightmare known as The Big House Family. Under the control of a manipulative minister and his authoritarian covenant, Lenz was coerced into relocating to a remote compound in the Pacific Northwest, surrendering her freedom, finances, and ultimately, her identity. Through candid storytelling and a sha...

Review: Karma is a Cat - Farrin Jacobs - January 2025 As a devoted cat lover and a fan of Taylor Swift, I was thrilled to dive into "Karma Is a Cat," the first book dedicated to the true stories of Swift's beloved feline companions. With its charming narrative and vibrant illustrations, Farrin Jacobs has crafted a delightful homage to these three furry muses: Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift. This enchanting book is sure to charm not only Swifties but any animal lover with a soft spot for incredible stories of love and companionship. From the outset, Jacobs captures the whimsical connection between Taylor and her three cats, presenting them as integral parts of her life rather than mere pets. The narrative gracefully intertwines their backstories—from their heartwarming adoptions to their unique personalities—allowing readers to appreciate how each cat enriches Taylor's existence. Jacobs shines when detailing how these cats have influenced Tayl...