Catch and Release
We chased lightnin’ bugs barefoot with jars in our hands. Not to keep them, just to hold the magic long enough to remember. That hour between dusk and dark still feels magical.
The Hour for Etiquette (#13)
"I wake each day knowing he will never be mine, and yet every breath I take is shaped by the thought of him."
The note was passed hand to hand like fiction. No one guessed the truth. Except him. And he looked at me, like it was not a secret, but a vow.
Cher: The Memoir, Part 1
Read my five-star review of Cher: The Memoir, Part 1. From her childhood to superstardom, Cher tells her story with humor, grit, and undeniable flair.
When No One Needs Me
When no one needs me, I remember there is still a woman here. One who hums, notices, creates. And in the silence, she has something to say.
The Bluebirds Moved In
A mossy little birdhouse hung on the porch for years, mostly for show. Then, one spring morning, a pair of bluebirds arrived. This Curio Cabinet post is a soft reflection on what happens when something unexpected decides to belong.
Berry Picking Before the Storm
We picked over 32 quarts of black raspberries in one week, racing the rain from a hurricane on the way. It was hot, it was tedious, and my little brother mostly just snacked, but we got it done.
Elegy for a Waltz (#12)
In the heat of a summer evening, Lady Bergamot asks her husband to dance. When he refuses, another man watches. What follows is not a love story, but the ache of almost.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing
Matthew Perry’s Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is a deeply personal memoir exploring his struggles with addiction, fame, and resilience. With unflinching honesty and signature wit, Perry delivers a powerful story. Read our review to see why this emotional and eye-opening memoir is a must-read.
Five Years With You
No cake. No big party. Just French fries, rain, and joy in the shape of him. Five years ago, he changed everything.
On the Subject of Honeybees
Honeybees do not ask your permission. They arrive when the thyme is blooming, map the morning by sunlight, and carry sweetness not for themselves but for the hive. This Curio Cabinet essay is a quiet observation of their rhythm and the things we learn when we stand still beside them.
The Ultimate Maasverse Reading Order
Not sure how to read Sarah J. Maas's books? Here's my ultimate guide to the Maasverse—ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City—with emotional insights, reading paths, and the order I'd follow again.
A Season of Appearances (#11)
“Because the truth was, I had never been sure if he was ever mine to long for. Only that I had once stood close enough to the fire to feel its heat.”
Onyx Storm (The Empyrean #3)
Rebecca Yarros’ Onyx Storm continues The Empyrean series with intense battles, deepening alliances, and fiery romance. With expanded world-building, political intrigue, and high emotional stakes, this installment keeps readers hooked. Read our review to see why fans of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame won’t want to miss it!
When It Rains, I Slow
I’ve always lived under a metal roof. Rainy days don’t rush me anymore. They bring me home to myself.
Bartholomew Badger Finds a New Path
Bartholomew Badger likes knowing where things are, and how to get back to them. But one spring morning, the path doesn’t lead home, and he begins to learn the quiet joy of not knowing. A Widdershins Wood tale about direction, discovery, and adaptability.
The Court Was Mine
I ran miles to make the team. Played through injury after injury. Barely came off the court. And I loved it — every serve, every win, every ache. Volleyball was mine.
Confessions in the Conservatory (#10)
Late July, 1912. In the tranquil solitude of the conservatory, Lady Bergamot and Yates Everett find themselves on the precipice of something unspoken. Yates admits a longing neither of them can act on, forcing Lady Bergamot to confront emotions she’s tried to suppress. The weight of his confession hangs in the air, leaving her with an ache that refuses to be ignored. Will they be able to keep their desires at bay, or is everything about to change?
Babel
R.F. Kuang’s Babel is a thought-provoking blend of historical fiction, dark academia, and linguistic magic. Set in an alternate 19th-century Oxford, this novel explores empire, translation, and resistance through Robin Swift’s journey. Read our review to see why this ambitious book is a modern speculative fiction standout!
Where the Light Often Misses
I have learned not to measure my words by how many read them. Still, I write. Still, I remain.
Horace Groundhog Learns to Give Something Back
Horace Groundhog has never been known for asking—or thanking. But when a young hare named Tansy brings him soup and never asks why, he begins to grow something he didn’t expect: the urge to give something back.
