fiction
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‘The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies’ by Kate Westbury
Kate Westbury’s The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies is a historical mystery set at Oxford during the Great War. When a librarian’s death reveals hidden secrets, student Ginevra Bishop and war veteran Sidney Braithwaite must uncover the truth while navigating betrayal, friendship, and unexpected connections. Continue reading
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‘Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore’ by Emily Krempholtz
‘Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore’ by Emily Krempholtz is a cozy fantasy romance about an aspiring bard, an honorable thief, and a magical adventure. It explores accountability, family, and the courage to pursue one’s own story. Continue reading
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‘This Is Not About Us’ by Allegra Goodman
A literary family saga about grief, forgiveness, and the relationships that shape us, This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman is a compassionate novel that reminds us reconciliation is always a choice. Continue reading
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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 -
‘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 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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Guest Blog Post: Writing the “Fae” Way by Victoria Rocus
The earliest mention of faeries in English literature is often attributed to the historian Gervase of Tilbury, who described these magical creatures in his 13th century writings. The concept of faeries, however, were part of the oral story-telling tradition of many cultures for hundreds of years before Gervase was born. Continue reading
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A Place of Light
This is another excerpt from my journal that I would like to share. It needs editing, but I liked it, and hope you will too! There’s a lot of light in this place. It’s a haven of pure air and high spirits. It makes me feel like there’s no darkness left in my reality; by… Continue reading
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David Copperfield: Escapism and Books
Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield is, in many respects, autobiographical. Readers see the protagonist in bleak situations, many of which take root in things the author himself experienced–child abuse, poverty, instances when it was difficult to count one’s blessings. As a reader and writer, the following paragraph stood out to me. It describes Copperfield as a… Continue reading
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Book Review: Char by Kristina Wojtaszek
I accepted a review copy of Char, having been told beforehand that it was a good read. I think I expected it to be a good read anyway, because I love stories about faeries. The book did not disappoint me; I was excited to read this book and see what I’d find. It was an… Continue reading
Mariella Hunt & the Tearoom 