The Lantern Games (#16)
At Lady Elowen’s autumn lantern gathering, Lady Bergamot is drawn into a pairing with Yates Everett — and into a confrontation she has long avoided. Beneath flickering lights and half-truths, two hearts wrestle with the weight of what cannot be said.
Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman
Read my review of Brooke Shields’ thoughtful memoir on aging, motherhood, and female identity. A powerful take on what it means to grow older in a youth-obsessed world.
What Remains Unnamed (#15)
In this tender epistle set in early September 1912, Lady Bergamot reflects on her lifeless marriage and the quiet, haunting presence of Yates Everett. Through a visit from Lady Ameline and memories that won't fade, she confronts what remains unnamed — and undeniable.
One Italian Summer
Read my 4-star review of One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle—an emotional, transportive story of grief, identity, and the magic of second chances in Positano, Italy.
The V.F.D. Years
I was in fourth grade when I found A Series of Unfortunate Events. I talked about them on AIM with my best friend, devoured each new hardcover, and felt like someone finally trusted me with something strange and brilliant.
The Fire Between Us (#14)
"Not all music is meant to be danced to," I told him.
"Some is meant only to be endured."
We did not touch. But the heat between us said everything. And I wonder — how long can one pretend not to burn?
Greenlights
Discover my review of Matthew McConaughey’s bestselling memoir Greenlights, packed with wild adventures, life lessons, and his signature Southern charm.
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.”
