Welcome to Notes from the Shelf
Thoughtful reviews. Curated reads. Literary love.
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BOTM July 2025 Selections
It’s that time again! Dive into this month’s Book of the Month selections add-ons with me—what’s new, what stands out, and what I might (or might not) be picking. Whether you’re trying to decide what to pick or just love hearing about the latest bookish buzz, this one’s for you!
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Book Review: Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven
What if your soulmate was also your killer? In Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven, two souls are bound across lifetimes by love, betrayal, and a curse that ends in murder—every time. This spoiler-filled review dives into reincarnation timelines, queer identity, and whether fate can ever truly be broken.
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Author Interview: Lina Chern
Lina Chern, author of the Play the Fool series (Play the Fool and Tricks of Fortune), on Journaling, Rejection, and the Joy of Writing
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Summer TBR Reading Challenge
Join this 10-prompt summer reading challenge to tackle your overflowing TBR with themed picks, book recommendations, and personal reading goals.
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Book Review: In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
In the Lives of Puppets is whimsical and weird, but also tender and quietly profound. It’s about love, identity, and what it means to be free, even when you’re made of wires and code. Plus, there’s a neurotic vacuum named Rambo. Come for the Pinocchio vibes, stay for the heartbreak and hope.
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Book Review: Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
In Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales, Heather Fawcett wraps up Emily’s journey with heart, humor, and high-stakes faerie politics. Familiar faces return, past events converge, and Emily’s once-scholarly detachment gives way to something far more personal. If you’ve loved the series so far, this finale delivers everything you’ve been hoping for.
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Hi, I’m Sara!
By day, I’m a packaging engineer; by night (and any spare moment in between), I’m a devoted book lover who always has a story close at hand. Whether I’m curled up at home or traveling with a book in my bag, reading is how I explore, unwind, and connect.
Notes from the Shelf is my space to share thoughtful reviews, curated recommendations, and literary commentary across genres—especially fantasy, romance, and nonfiction. But I’m a firm believer that every book has its reader, so you’ll find a wide variety here, from buzzworthy bestsellers to underrated gems.
This blog isn’t just about what I’m reading—it’s about building a community of curious, passionate readers. My goal is to inspire, challenge, and entertain through honest reviews and engaging bookish content that sparks discovery and conversation.
You can explore and purchase many of the books I feature through my Bookshop.org profile. I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you), and your support helps indie bookstores and keeps this blog thriving.
If you’d like to support my work as a reviewer and writer, you can also buy me a coffee. Every bit goes toward creating more content and reaching more readers.
Thanks for being here and happy reading!
Notes from the Shelf 