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  • January 2025 Wrap-Up

    In my January 2025 reading wrap-up, I cover seven books, in a wide range of genres, from nonfiction and a poetry collection to horror and historical romance.

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    BOTM February 2025 Selections

    It’s that time again! Dive into February 2025’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!

  • Book Review: Gallant

    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! Gallant by V.E. Schwab is a 338-page YA horror novel. Olivia Prior grew up in Merilance School for girls as an…

  • Book Review: November Road

    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! November Road by Lou Berney is a 320-page historical fiction thriller. Set against the assassination of JFK, the novel centers around…

  • Book Review: We Used to Live Here

    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! We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer is a 312-page horror novel. Eve and Charlie are a young queer couple…

  • 5 of My Favorite Series

    There’s something magical about getting lost in a great book series. With each page, the characters become friends, the world feels like a second home, and the storylines weave into your imagination long after you’ve closed the book. When the next book comes out in the series, I’m excited like a kid on Christmas. Once…

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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!