Notes from the Shelf

This post contains affiliate links to Bookshop.org. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Your support helps sustain independent bookstores and keeps this blog going.

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen– Magic & Belonging
Genre: Contemporary Fiction- Magical Realism
Pages: 304
Rating:  ★★★★★
Buy: Bookshop.org

This post contains spoilers.

Book Summary

Between what is real and what can’t be explained, stories take flight in the most unexpected ways.

On Mallow Island, The Dellawisp stands in quiet charm—a horseshoe-shaped building of cobblestone, named for the elusive turquoise birds that flit among its balconies and shadows. Within its walls, magic hums softly, binding together those who live there.

When 19-year-old Zoey arrives to settle her late mother’s apartment, she steps into a world of eccentric neighbors: Charlotte, a solitary young woman with secrets; estranged sisters Lizbeth and Lucy, carrying old wounds; and Mac, a chef whose loneliness lingers like unfinished recipes. And then, of course, there are the ghosts.

But when one resident’s sudden death stirs up the past, Zoey and her companions are drawn into mysteries that circle back to the island’s famed author and the hidden stories of the sisters’ family. Piece by piece, they uncover that every life—no matter how haunted—still longs for connection, closure, and the chance to be rewritten.

My Thoughts

The cover is gorgeous, which is why I picked it up originally, but I’m so glad I read this book. Other Birds is a novel that leans heavily into the “found family” theme, which is a trope I’m not always drawn to. But in this story, Sarah Addison Allen makes it shine. The setting of The Dellawisp, with its quirky residents, whispering ghosts, and enchanting atmosphere, feels like the perfect stage for strangers to grow into something more than neighbors.

What stood out most to me was how deeply flawed yet relatable each character was. From Zoey’s yearning for belonging, to Mac’s quiet loneliness, to the sisters’ complicated estrangement, everyone carried their own burdens. Instead of glossing over those imperfections, the novel embraces them, and in doing so, makes each character feel more human and more lovable.

As the story unfolds, secrets slowly unravel, and by the end, every thread is tied together with warmth and a touch of magic. Nothing is left hanging, and the resolution feels both satisfying and hopeful.

Final Thoughts

With Other Birds, Sarah Addison Allen reminds us that even the most ordinary lives hold extraordinary stories, and that sometimes family isn’t about blood but about the people who choose to stay. Other Birds captures that truth beautifully, with heart, humor, and just a touch of mystery.

If you enjoy novels that balance whimsy with depth, and you’re drawn to character-driven stories full of secrets, second chances, and a bit of magic, Other Birds is one to add to your list.

If you want to check out Other Birds, consider purchasing it through Bookshop.org. Supporting this link helps sustain independent bookstores and keeps this blog thriving.

Read Other Magical Realism Reviews:
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
When Women were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

Love what you’re reading here? Support the blog and fuel my next cozy reading session by buying me a coffee.