Welcome to Notes from the Shelf
Thoughtful reviews. Curated reads. Literary love.
Blog
-
Best Gothic Books to Read This Fall
Looking for moody books to read this fall? Discover dark academia, secret societies, gothic mysteries, magic, and atmospheric reads for your autumn TBR.
-
September 2026 Reading Wrap-Up
This month was crazy busy, so for my September 2026 reading wrap-up, I only finished one book, a thriller.
-
BOTM October 2026 Selections
It’s that time again! Dive into October’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!
-
Best Horror Books to Read This Fall
Looking for spooky books to read this fall? Add these gothic horror, supernatural, haunted house, vampire, and dark fantasy books to your October TBR.
-
Fall 2026 TBR Bingo Reading Challenge
Join my Fall 2026 TBR Reading Challenge with a fun and manageable TBR Bingo Card! Discover my book picks, get your free bingo card, and read along to complete your own autumn-inspired challenge.
-
Author Interview: Vanessa M. Knight
Meet author Vanessa M. Knight in this behind-the-scenes interview about writing, self-publishing, character-driven stories, research, and finding inspiration in Las Vegas.
Make your reading life intentional.
Subscribe to Notes from the Shelf and get my free Book Review Printable Template, designed to help you reflect, rate, and remember every book you love.
Join the community of thoughtful readers.
Hi, I’m Sara!
Welcome to Notes from the Shelf, my cozy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books! I’m a lifelong reader sharing honest reviews, curated recommendations, and bookish conversations across genres, with a special love for fantasy, romance, and nonfiction. From buzzy bestsellers to underrated gems, I believe there’s a book out there for every reader.
What started as a passion project has grown into something bigger, and I’ve taken the leap to pursue Notes from the Shelf full-time! Here, you’ll find book reviews, author interviews, reading challenges, and more designed to inspire your next read and spark a few conversations along the way.
Discover your next read: Browse Bookshop.org to explore books I’ve featured on the blog. Purchases through my affiliate links earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you while supporting independent bookstores.
Shop bookish goodies: Love all things books? Check out the shop for bookish items to celebrate your love of reading.
Listen along: Tune into the Notes from the Shelf podcast wherever you get your podcasts, with new episodes every Wednesday at 7 a.m. CT.
Watch & Talk Books: Prefer watching your bookish content? Head over to YouTube.
Explore my recommendations: Visit my Benable lists for book recommendations and other curated finds.
Support the blog: If you’d like to help me create more content, you can buy me a coffee. Every bit of support means so much!
I’m so glad you’re here. Grab your favorite drink, get comfortable, and let’s find your next favorite book! Happy reading!
