Notes from the Shelf

Welcome to Notes from the Shelf

Thoughtful reviews. Curated reads. Literary love.

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  • Book Review: Dare to Know

    This post contains mild 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! Dare to Know by James Kennedy is a 304-page sci-fi novel set in the near future, a future where anyone…

  • Book Review: The Guest List

    This post contains mild 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 Guest List by Lucy Foley is a 319-page locked-room murder mystery that takes place on a small island off…

  • Book Review: The Violin Conspiracy

    This post contains mild 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 Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb is a 352-page mystery focusing on main character Ray McMillian. Ray has loved playing…

  • The Song of Achilles book cover Madeline Miller

    Book Review: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

    A lyrical retelling of the Iliad through the eyes of Patroclus, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller explores love, fate, and heroism in a story as tender as it is tragic. Read the full review of this modern Greek myth retelling.

  • Book Review: Happy Place

    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! Happy Place by Emily Henry is a 400-page romance novel set in Maine. Three couples go on their annual getaway to…

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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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