Welcome to Notes from the Shelf
Thoughtful reviews. Curated reads. Literary love.
Blog
-
2024 Book Survey
I found these yearly book survey questions from https://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2019-end-of-year-book-survey/ and thought it would be fun to answer for 2024! I took the questions I found most relevant for my reading style and answered them below. How many books did you read? I read 47 books this year, which was just shy of my 50 book…
-
2024 Reading Wrap Up
Above are my stats for 2024 in graphical form, which I’ll reference in the following paragraphs. In 2024 I read 47 books total, which was a little bit lower than my goal of 50, but I did read the first four books of the Stormlight Archive series, which all have massive page counts, so I’m…
-
BOTM January 2025 Selections
It’s that time again! Dive into January 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!
-
25 Anticipated Fiction Books for 2025
As we turn the page to 2025, the literary world is brimming with exciting new releases that promise to captivate readers. From debut authors making their mark to returning favorites continuing their beloved series or exploring fresh narratives, 2025’s fiction lineup is one for the books. Whether you’re a fan of heart-pounding thrillers, historical dramas,…
-
2024 Reading Challenge Round-Up
I have mixed feelings on book challenges. On the one hand, book challenges force me to expand my comfort zone by reading books that wouldn’t have been on my radar otherwise, but on the other hand, I feel like they distract from the books I would otherwise read throughout the year, especially new releases. Also…
-
Series Review: Winterville
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! The Winterville series by Carrie Elks is one of my favorite series, and it’s a perfect read for the winter season.…
Subscribe
Enter your email below to receive updates.
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 