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The Greatest Journeys Are Sometimes Found on the Page
Why novels may be the greatest journeys of all — carrying us across centuries, continents, and imagined worlds from the comfort of home. Continue reading
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‘Taipei Story’ by R.F. Kuang
College student Lily Cheng travels to Taiwan with the goal of improving her Chinese. Like many language students, she imagines that immersion will quickly solve the problems that textbooks cannot. Instead, she discovers just how exhausting it is to live every day in a language she does not fully understand. Continue reading
American Literature, authors, book review, Book Reviews, book-blog, books, booktok, contemporary, fantasy literature, female author, feminism, fiction, japanese mythology, literary analysis, literary essays, literary fiction, literature, new releases, publishing, reading, The Tearoom, travel literature, world history, writing -
The Most Important Email I Ever Sent to an Author
Sometimes the most important opportunities begin with an email you never expect anyone to answer. Continue reading
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‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ by Shelby van Pelt
A review of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt — a tale of loss, found family, and the surprising bond between an aging octopus and a lonely widow. Continue reading
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‘Meet Cute Magic’ by Morgan Elizabeth
Romance novels are sometimes dismissed as light entertainment, but I have long believed that every genre is capable of telling meaningful stories. A good novel does more than entertain—it offers readers a chance to recognize themselves in its characters and to reflect on experiences they may never have in their own lives. Meet Cute Magic… Continue reading
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‘A Founding Mother’ by Laura Kamoie and Stephanie Dray
We have recently celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, making this an especially fitting time to revisit the people who shaped the earliest years of the American republic. Abigail Adams may not be the most famous figure of Revolutionary America, but I came away convinced that she—and the entire Adams family—were indispensable… Continue reading
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‘Whale Fall’ by Elizabeth O’Connor
Some stories are about ambition. Others are about the cost of ambition when it is pursued without compassion. Elizabeth O’Connor’s Whale Fall is both. At its heart, this is a story about the choices people make when they want something badly enough—and the regrets that follow. But it is also a powerful examination of how… Continue reading
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Capital Advice for Reading Classics
Reading classic literature can be a challenge, but well worth the time required. This post offers excellent advice. Continue reading
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A Linnet and a Sparrow
I have been working like a bird in the spring, gathering the bits and bobs necessary to create a cozy reading corner. Continue reading
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An Invite to the Tearoom
I hope that you visit Ensorcell Avenue. I’ll be posting more about it here. My heart is full – my imagination working at full speed – and I can’t wait to share this story with more people. Continue reading
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A Humbling Day at Art Class
When the actual class began, and it was time to follow along with what the instructor said, I found that my own mind—usually so full of enthusiasm to set brush to paper—couldn’t keep up. Continue reading
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3 Lessons We Learn Rereading Old Books
Why have I decided to reread old favorites in 2026? I believe it will satisfy an emotional need. Venturing back to The Secret Garden will make me reminisce about childhood. A trip to Hogwarts will remind me of my teenage years, when the Harry Potter books made everything around me vivid. Too often, a brand-new… Continue reading
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Mariella Hunt & the Tearoom 