Notes from the Shelf

Welcome to Notes from the Shelf

Thoughtful reviews. Curated reads. Literary love.

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  • Zodiac Sign Book Recommendations

    Looking for your next great read? Let the stars decide. These zodiac-based book picks match your sign’s vibe.

  • Book Review: The Dead Cat Tail Assassins

    An enjoyable, quick read with a twist, The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark grabs you from page one and never lets go.

  • Series Review: Letters of Enchantment

    The Letters of Enchantment series (Divine Rivals & Ruthless Vows) by Rebecca Ross is a YA fantasy series full of magic, love letters, and slow-burn romance.

  • Book Review: This is How You Lose the Time War

    Grappling with the idea of nature vs. machine, This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone is a sci-fi love story like no other.

  • Book Review: Unsheltered

    This post contains spoilers. This post also contains affiliate links. If you buy through Bookshop.org, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the blog and indie bookstores! Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver is a 464-page historical/literary fiction novel. The story follows two different time periods of families who live…

  • Book Review: When Women Were Dragons

    This post contains spoilers. This post also contains affiliate links. If you buy through Bookshop.org, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the blog and indie bookstores! When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill is a 367-page historical fiction/fantasy with magical realism sprinkled in. The book focuses on…

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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!

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