Tag: #bestbooks

Nowhere Burning

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Catriona Ward

Full disclosure, Catriona Ward’s writing is a favourite of mine; she could rewrite the ingredients of a cereal box, and I’d love it. So I was fully expecting to love this new novel of hers, and I did. Although it isn’t my favourite novel of hers, it was still a good, creepy, suspenseful, mystery, thriller, and horror novel.

The novel unfolds through multiple perspectives and timelines, with the estate of Nowhere serving as the central, unifying “character” of sorts.

Leif Winham, a renowned actor, retreats from a life of glamour to his secluded estate, Nowhere. He leads an isolated and enigmatic existence, prompting neighbors to view him as an eccentric recluse while remaining intrigued by both his lifestyle and the estate itself.

Tom, a documentarian, is driven to investigate Nowhere and the mythology that surrounds both the estate and its founder.

Riley, a young girl, experiences significant trauma after being orphaned and placed in the care of a cruel, abusive guardian referred to as ‘cousin.’ Both Riley and her younger brother suffer under this individual, ultimately compelling Riley to make the difficult decision to escape with her brother. The only refuge she can imagine is Nowhere, a place described to her by a girl named Noon, who visits her at night. Noon explains that Nowhere is a place ‘in the mountains under the stars where everyone gets love and respect,’ and provides Riley with written directions to this sanctuary for children like her can find a home.

I found each of these three perspectives equally enthralling, and when Ward expertly weaves the storyline together, the novel becomes an impressive, intricate piece of storytelling. 

I really enjoyed this novel, as I knew I would. It is deeply suspenseful, and I found the characters well-developed and interesting. I wanted to know their motivations, their backstories, and eventually how their lives unfold.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for the book

Nowhere Burning will be available February 24th.

You Did Nothing Wrong

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by CG Drews

Elodie leaves her life as a single mother in Australia to join Bren in the United States. Bren appears to be the ideal husband: he is handsome, a reliable provider, and willing to help raise her autistic son, Jude. Elodie is also pregnant, which makes her feel she finally has the foundation to start anew with her family. However, she remains uncertain about the old family home where Bren has relocated them. The house is in a constant state of renovation, and Jude dislikes it, claiming he can hear the walls talking. As Jude’s behavior deteriorates, Elodie fears her seemingly perfect life may unravel, particularly if Bren discovers her secret—a secret that could jeopardize her happiness or even her safety. Yet, Bren harbors secrets as well. The central question becomes: whose secrets pose the greater threat?

Just a heads up—the ending is completely wild and unpredictable.

Well, this was a creepy book. I found some parts predictable, and I was more than frustrated with some of the choices Elodie makes, but CG Drews seems to masterfully write a psychological thriller that will make me read more of her works. 

I also listened to this novel, and truth be told, I found the audio version even creepier. In fact, Saskia Maaleveld’s voice absolutely sent shivers down my spine. I had to listen to it in the bright sunlight of a walk and not in the dark of my bedroom at night. which is a testament to how well Saskia Maarleveld conveys character and atmosphere. 

If you like psychological horror, then this is the book for you. 

Trigger warnings: abuse, child abuse, physical abuse, violence, eating disorders, blood, psychological abuse, and gore.

Thank you to Netgalley and S. Martin’s press for the copy.

You Did Nothing Wrong will be out March 17th.

Lady Tremaine

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by Rachel Hochhauser

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the copy.

I both listened to and read this novel.

Lady Tremaine is more than just a twist on the Cinderella story. It’s a feminist retelling of a tale many of us grew up with, where a beautiful girl loses her parents and is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. In this version, Hochhauser focuses on Lady Tremaine, whose full name is Ethedreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramlay. The story opens with Lady Tremaine hunting with her peregrine falcon. After her second husband’s death, she tries to keep up the appearance of wealth so her two daughters and stepdaughter have a chance to marry well and secure their futures in a society that limits women’s options. Ethel, as she’s called in the novel, understands the risks her daughters face as unmarried women. The book then goes back to her youth, when she met her first love, Henry, who introduced her to falconry and became her closest friend. As the daughter of a successful brewer, Ethel’s family has some standing, but they aren’t considered true equals by the upper class. Henry isn’t the eldest son in his family, so their marriage doesn’t cause much attention.

When Henry dies suddenly, Ethel’s father-in-law tries to marry off her two young daughters, who are only seven and eight, to avoid paying for their care. To protect them from becoming child brides, Ethel looks for a second husband and meets Lord Bramley, who is Elin’s (Cinderella’s) father. Like in the original fairytale, this marriage is short-lived, and Ethel is left widowed and without money. She stays at the estate but struggles to maintain it. With her daughters and two loyal servants, Ethel works hard to keep things going, while Elin stays in her room, preparing for marriage and living a sheltered life.

As per the fairytale, the court soon holds a ball so that the prince can meet a young marriageable woman. The ball presents the perfect opportunity for Ethel to prepare her daughters for a union that will secure all of their futures…however, the prince and his family aren’t all they appear to be. Will Ethel find a way to secure her daughters’ safety and future, or will she inadvertently expose them to the exploitation that exists within families of political power and wealth?

I really enjoyed this novel. A fairytale, voiced by a middle-aged woman, telling of her experiences, the wisdom gleaned from them, and the ferocity with which she makes the decisions she does to provide a better life for her daughters. She is a courageous character who becomes heroic rather than villainous.

I loved reading and listening to this novel. Written in first-person point of view, the narrator, Bessie Carter, is wonderful at embodying Ethel’s character and at varying the voices of secondary characters. 

I would definitely introduce this novel into my High School Classroom as an independent choice for a novel study or small group study. 

You can buy Lady Tremaine the beginning of March.

Thank you to Negalley and St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the copies.

The Safekeep

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by Yael Van Der Wouden

The Safekeep is a novel that explores themes of pain, loss, isolation, identity, and love. Set in the aftermath of World War II, the protagonist, Isabel, leads a life marked by routine and emotional detachment. Although she maintains a relationship with her two brothers—Hendrick, to whom she is close, and Louis, whom she finds irritating—her social circle is limited. Isabel continues to live in her childhood home following her mother’s death, with few connections beyond her aunt, uncle Karel, and Johan, a persistent suitor whom she entertains out of obligation. Her days are consumed by managing the household, particularly through meticulous inventory of its possessions. She fixates on counting the spoons daily to ensure nothing is missing. The house serves as her sanctuary and sole companion, yet it ultimately belongs to her eldest brother, Louis.

Isabel seems cold and rigid. When Louis brings his mistress, Rose, to live at the house for a month while he is away, Isabel is incensed, recoiling from any attempt at friendship from Rose, and especially affronted when Louis says Rose can sleep in their dead mother’s room.

Isabel’s life can be divided into two parts: before Rose and after. Rose becomes the catalyst for various revelations about Isabel’s history, relationships, and sexuality. The novel’s first third focuses on Isabel’s character and her daily routines, illustrating her lonely existence and posing the question of whether it is by choice. The second third explores Rose through her journal entries, as read by Isabel, while the last third examines the consequences of decisions made and the insights gained about oneself and others.

The novel is skillfully crafted. Its sensual scenes are neither gratuitous nor exploitative, and the unfolding love story is both poignant and ultimately hopeful.

I Medusa

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by Ayana Gray

“ He is wealthy and popular…he will not be punished. Meanwhile, the girls here are prey.” (I Medusa).

I Medusa turned out to be an unexpected surprise. The novel unfolds over a year. Medusa, or Meddy, is 17 and preparing with her sisters for a spring feast. Unlike her sisters—Euryale and Stheno, both goddesses—Meddy is mortal. Her parents, gods of the Sea Court but not Olympians, still resent their lesser status. Meddy feels powerless compared to her family but possesses intellect, courage, and a strong sense of justice. She is sensitive to injustices in the court, including discrimination and mistreatment of women and children. These qualities attract Athena, who invites Medusa to be her acolyte in Athens, where, as myth suggests, chaos soon follows.

Ayana Grey does an incredible job in humanising Medusa as a 17-year-old girl. From her infatuation with Posidon and her inability to recognise the fact that he is grooming her for his own sexual conquest (she is constantly making excuses for his behaviour, attempting to convince herself that he sees her as special and that his love for her is different from the “love” he has for his wife, Amphitrite, or his mistresses). In fact, we, the readers, can’t help but yell at her in her naivety… However, her way of thinking seems very age-appropriate.

Medusa is characterized as a young woman we can’t help but love, even though her choices frustrate us. Gray reminds us of her age and that her choices stem from her parents’ poor upbringing—for example, she has no idea what sex is and is confused by her body’s response to seeing Poseidon with a sea nymph during her spring feast. She is often ruled by her heart rather than her mind. Her pursuit of justice turns violent, first with her fists, then with the power her curse gives her.

*spoiler warning*

I was so brokenhearted at the end, even though it was no surprise. Meddy goes to sleep with hope and optimism in her heart. Dreaming of her future where she can use her curse in a way to benefit others, just to meet her demise before the sun rises. We get to know Meddy intimately; she is characterised as an empathetic, sweet young woman, even after she is cursed. She is a victim of those in power, not a monstrous villain as most myths portray her.

Ayana Grey uses her narrative to discuss the nature of rape culture and the issue of men in power getting away with exploiting young women … two issues that we are facing today. It would make an amazing book club pick or novel for study, as it offers a plethora of points of discussion.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the copy

Hamnet

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by Maggie O’Farrell

I love Shakespeare and loved teaching his works. When I taught Hamlet, I also explored Shakespeare’s life and the play’s historical background with my students.

Because of this, my review is personal and shaped by my love for Shakespeare and his famous play.

The novel begins as we meet Hamnet, the son of William and Agnes. He is desperately looking for an adult to help his twin sister, Judith, who has suddenly become very ill. We see the story through Hamnet’s eyes—his worry for Judith, his confusion when he can’t find help, and the pain he feels from his grandfather’s abuse.

I loved this book. The main character is Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes. (Shakespeare’s real wife was named Anne, but that detail doesn’t matter here.) Agnes has become one of my favorite female characters in literature. We first meet her as a young girl, witnessing her mother’s traumatic death during childbirth. Her mother was gentle, mystical, and almost otherworldly. Later, we learn about Agnes’s abuse by her stepmother, who always knew that Agnes’s mother was her husband’s true love. Like her mother, Agnes is a healer, a bee whisperer, and sensitive to the spirit world. Because of this, both her stepmother and the townspeople see her as odd and unmarriageable.

But when a young man arrives to tutor her brothers and takes a particular interest in her, she cannot help but recognize that beneath him, his hidden mind and a soul that is unlike any she’s known.

Spoiler alert!

We find out that poor little Judith has the plague, and Agnes uses every bit of learning she has gleaned over the years to cure her child. In the meantime, William, who is off with his players entertaining audiences with his plays, is sent. The attention is focused on Judith; all the while, we should be concerned about young Hamnet. Young Hamlet is the sweetest son/brother, selfless, smart, and incredibly brave. We, the readers, are indeed heartbroken over his death. 

The novel then explores the grief of Agnes and William. Agnes’s deep heartbreak stands out, especially since we have followed her life so closely throughout the story.

I am bewitched by O’Farrell’s writing. Its lyrical style is enchanting and impactful. She brilliantly varies timelines and various character points of view to keep the reader mesmerized with the story and empathetic towards her characters. 

I would definitely use this novel as a mentor text and as a literary study for my students.

Wild Reverence

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Rebecca Ross

Wild Reverence is a slow-burning Romantacy story. For most of the book, we are schooled in a world of Gods, Goddesses, and Mortals. We have the Immortals of the Under Realm and the Immortals of the Skyward Realm, and poor Matilda’s parentage includes both… which leaves a young girl struggling with a sense of identity and belonging. When tragedy occurs in her Under Realm home, she is forced to leave and find solace in Skyward, but will she be accepted? 

In the meantime, Matilda has met the boy of her dreams, Vincent, the only problem is she can only meet him in his dreams, oh, and he’s a mortal. For a chunk of this novel, Matilda’s and Vincent’s story is secondary; they “grow up,” each finding their place in the world (or, in Matilda’s case, her worlds), and each coming face to face with their newfound powers and the discovery of their weaknesses. Each faces betrayals and moments of weakness, but in these moments, each learns who they truly are and what potential they have to save the ones they love, unless, of course, it is contrary to what the fates allow.

So I’m not a huge fan of Romantacy, and I’ve never read anything by Rebecca Ross. I picked up Divine Rivals once and carried it around the bookstore, but didn’t end up buying it, and I am beginning to rue that day. Not that you need to read the Divine Rival books to fully enjoy Wild Reverence. I really admire Ross’s writing. It is really quite beautiful. Her prose is vivid, and the plot unravels like a movie in my imagination. 

A perfect Christmas read AND a perfect gift for those in your life who are fans of Romantacy. 

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the copy.

The Devil in Oxford

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

Jess Armstrong

The Devil in Oxford is the third novel in the Ruby Vaughn Mystery series. Full disclosure, I have not read the first two. The novel can be read as a stand alone, however as I read, I couldn’t help but feel as though I would have enjoyed it more if I knew some of the backstory that was referenced such as how did she and her love interest Ruen meet, her history with the solicitor, how did she come about living with Mr. Owen (my favourite character by the way.
Ruby Vaughn is a “disgraced heiress” who has a penchant for attracting both the supernatural and mystery. Armstrong, through her characterization of Ruby, both indirectly and directly, successfully portrays her as a strong-willed, intelligent, and precocious woman who wonderfully does not “know her place”. Ruby lives with an eccentric, charming old man, their housekeeper, Mrs Penrose, and, of course, a cat. Mr Owen owns a rare book shop where he and Ruby work… a rare book shop, my dream location (and my dream job, if I’m being honest), so this fact may have contributed to my affection for the book.
The novel starts with Ruby playing tennis with her good friend Leona, during which she notices Leona acting peculiar. When called out, Leona skirts the issue. Ruby then returns home to find that Mr Owen has procured tickets to an intriguing exhibition of “curious” oddities and artefacts. Where, of course, a bloody crime ensues, Ruby’s love interest arrives, and Lenore may or may not be a suspect. Poor Ruby has a lot to navigate in this novel: her personal life, solving a crime, and discovering the true character of the people most important to her… thank goodness she has her cat, Fialla, as support.

I really liked this novel. I liked Ruby; she was spunky, stubborn, and confident when it came to solving mysteries, but not so confident in her personal life… like most of us. I loved Mr Owen and his grandfatherly nature. I especially loved the setting; as soon as you mention a rare book store in an academic setting, I’m hooked. I did, however, miss not being “present” to witness the spark that set fire to the slow burn that is the central romance.  So I’m definitely going to seek out and read the first two. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the Copy

If Pets Wrote Poems

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written by Susan Johnston Taylor and illustrated by Sandie Sonke

Ok, I absolutely loved this book. Poetry isn’t a genre I normally gravitate towards, even though I admire poets greatly…I could never write a great poem; however, Susan Johnston Taylor has approached poetry in such a unique and entertaining way that I couldn’t help but be charmed.

This book will, without a doubt, ignite curiosity about various authors through the perspective of their pets.

This children’s poetry book features poems written by pets. For example, Flush, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s cocker spaniel, writes “To Elizabeth, My Person” in the style of Browning’s “To Flush, My Dog.” Naturally, students will want to find Browning’s poem to read more about Flush.

In another poem , apparently, Jack Kerouac owned a Persian Cat named Tyke. Tyke writes a poem called “One Mouse,” modelled after Kerouac’s “One Flower.” Did I look up “One Flower”? Yes, I did. 

And then there is my favourite, a poem written by Edgar Allan Poe’s Cat named Catterina, named “The Raven” written in the style of, yes, you guessed it, “The Raven”. Love, love, loved it. 

In my opinion, this book would be a wonderful addition to any classroom, from the earliest grades up to grade twelve. Featuring poems about the pets of their poets, it offers a unique and engaging way to inspire a love for poetry.

This book will be published in March 2026 —put it in your cart now for a wonderful surprise in the spring.

Thank you to Gnome Road Publishing and Netgalley for the copy.

Aurora’s Journey

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By Kayla Williams

Aurora’s Journey is a wonderful children’s book that beautifully presents the themes of coming of age, family, courage, and the importance of cultural wisdom. 

Aurora is an Inuk child whose family leaves her to care for her grandmother while they go on a hunting trip. After nights of snowstorms and long after her family was due to return, Aurora bravely decides to go and find them.

On her journey, Aurora relies on the lessons of her father and the songs of her grandmother to help overcome her fear and ultimately survive her hostile environment. Aurora encounters deep cold, bears, hunger, and intense snowstorms on her quest. When Aurora tells her father of her adventure, he proudly tells her, “You trusted the land. That is the greatest strength of all”. 

This book, with its powerful themes and engaging narrative, is a perfect fit for any classroom. It beautifully illustrates resilience through respect for the land and the strength of cultural wisdom, making it an incredible addition to any curriculum.

Thank you to Kegedonce Press and Netgalley for the copy.

The Mad Wife

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by Megan Church

This novel drew me in and had my attention until I finished reading the final page. Written in first person, we are immersed in the life of Lulu, a housewife living in the 1950s. Lulu was once an aspiring photojournalist, filled with dreams and ambitions of her own. But upon meeting the love of her life,  she puts aside these ambitions for dreams of a new kind. To become a wife to Henry and a mother to
Lulu’s attempt to be the perfect housewife is manifested in her obsession with making the perfect moulded jelly salad. In fact, she becomes known as the neighbourhood queen of moulded food. 
When I first began reading this novel, I inferred that Lulu may be suffering from postpartum depression compounded by the fact that she is again pregnant. Her emotional fragility, compounded by the resurfacing memory and guilt associated with the death of her father and the needs of her disabled brother, Lulu does not seem to be managing.
When a new family moves into the neighbourhood, Lulu becomes obsessed with knowing who they are, especially the wife, Bitsy. Lulu believes Bitsy’s emotionless behaviour is a result of being lobotomised, a practice often conducted in the 50’s to treat “housewife fatigue” and “female hysteria”. 
Lulu’s behaviour soon becomes so erratic that her husband feels like there is no other alternative but to place her in an asylum where she is continuously medicated and prescribed electroshock therapy. Is Lulu truly mad? She is definitely an unreliable narrator, but if you look closely at her words, you can see that they often hold an element of truth. We also learn of a particularly truamatizing event in Lulu’s life that most likely contributed to her break. 
Meagan Church artfully crafts this novel to follow Lulu’s descent into melancholy and paranoia. We experience her fatigue, the weight of unrealistic expectations, her guilt, heartbreak and ultimately her ‘madness’. The novel also serves as a powerful critique of society’s dismissiveness towards female health even today. ‘All you need to do is lose weight. ‘It’s hormonal. Here are some tranquillisers. Let’s shock the sadness and melancholy out of you. ‘Or maybe we should sever the neural tracts in your brain, that should make you docile and happy.’ It’s a stark reminder of the struggles women have faced and continue to face in the realm of mental health.
I was quite captivated by this novel. It is rich with symbolism, character development and theme. And it definitely is a wonderful example of an unreliable narrator.
Thank you to Source books and Netgalley for the copy.

What Stalks the Deep

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by T. Kingfisher

I’m beginning to really love the Sworn Soldier Series. I find our intrepid hero Alex Easton brave, highly intelligent, and wonderfully funny. They also have the most fascinating backstory, of which I would love to read more about (T Kingfisher, please write a novel about Alex’s childhood up until they become a soldier!).

Poor Alex seems to find themselves consistently thrown into a situation that includes creepy creatures and/or the supernatural. These situations do NOT help in overcoming the PTSD that comes with fighting a land war. 

This time, Alex travels to the United States because their friend Dr Denton (whom we met in the first book of the series) needs their help finding his cousin. Denton’s cousin has unfortunately gone missing in the depths of a mine, of all places. Upon their investigation, they encounter gruesome, inexplicable goings on that ultimately have all those involved questioning their involvement. 

I really liked this novel (as I always do with Kingfisher), albeit it’s not my favourite in the series. I found it very brief and would love to have more time with the characters. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for the copy

Poetry is Not a Luxury

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So, I like poetry, but I don’t gravitate to it. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t really exposed to a lot of it growing up, not even in High School. The closest I came to appreciating poetry was through song lyrics, which, of course, are poems in and of themselves. Actually, it was my High School students who helped make me appreciate contemporary poems. Most of my students LOVED poetry, and then I felt like I was short-changing them because I didn’t have a lot of “go-to” poetry books for them to read. I wish I had this anthology. Poetry is Not a Luxury possesses a plethora of poetry from poets, both alive and dead, of various cultures. Handily enough, the anthology is organised around seasons, starting with Summer, Autumn, Winter and then Spring.

I thought I’d share my favourite from each season: Summer: Summer Idea by Kate Baer

Autumn: Passage by Victoria Chang

Winter: (I have 2) Watching My Friend Pretend Her Heart Is Not Breaking by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer and Perfect Song by Heather Christie

Spring: (2 here as well) I need a Poem by Kyla Jameison and Miracles by Brenda Shaugnessy

This anthology is a perfect addition to any junior or senior high classroom. Naturally, some poems will be more suitable for specific grades. 

A beautiful anthology with thematically relevant themes that make poetry accessible to those of us who aren’t inclined to read verse. 

If you are interested in the anthology, you can find some of the poems @PoetryIsNotaLuxury on Instagram.

Thank you to Atria Press and Netgalley for the Copy.