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  • The Energy of 11: Books to Manifest and Create with Intention

    Celebrate 11/11 with 11 magical books on creativity, intuition, and manifestation. From The Artist’s Way to The Magical Writing Grimoire, discover inspiring reads to awaken your inner muse and align with the energy of the day.

  • The South Wind Alexandria Warwick book cover

    Book Review: The South Wind by Alexandria Warwick

    In The South Wind by Alexandria Warwick, Princess Sarai faces a deadly curse, a dangerous betrothal, and a reluctant alliance with her ex-lover, the god Notus. This review explores the novel’s mythological themes, emotional depth, and how it compares to earlier books in The Four Winds series.

  • October 2025 Reading Wrap-Up

    October 2025 Reading Wrap-Up

    In my October 2025 reading wrap-up, I cover three of books across fantasy, horror, and literary fiction.

  • BOTM Book of the Month November 2025 selections

    BOTM November 2025 Selections

    It’s that time again! Dive into November 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!

  • Heather Ogden author of The Betrayal: The Lies We Fear

    Author Interview: Heather Ogden

    Author Heather Ogden chats about her debut novel The Betrayal: The Lies We Fear, how her love for storytelling began, and what readers can expect from the rest of the series.

  • book cover The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Canas Cañas

    Book Review: The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Cañas

    A dark, gripping, and psychological horror, The Possession of Alba Díaz follows Alba’s chilling journey toward freedom, where trust is fleeting and survival comes at a haunting cost.

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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!