Sometimes, fiction presents us with a framework for viewing current events that’s even more affecting than the daily news, couched in the form of an incredible story. I’ve read some very timely novels in the last few weeks, which is especially impressive considering they were likely completed and in final form 6-12 months prior to publication, if not longer.

First reviews of the year are in and while 2026 itself is already questionable, the books have been top tier.

My top 10 of the year (in no particular order). For now… Don’t worry, I won’t be taking any off. But with three weeks left in the year, I may end up making some additions before the calendar rolls over.

My cat is now obsessed with Oscar Issac, which is only tangentially related to books, but I thought you should know. Also, I read some stuff…

Big dragons, big memoirs, and a manga rundown, this week in reviews.

Serial killers, big questions about gender, cheating death, and why you can’t look away from that beheading. All in this week’s reviews.

Cults, carnage, and creativity, today on the blog. Shiri gets back into it after a few days in NYC with The Penguin Book of Cults, Shusterman’s MindWorks: An Uncanny Compendium, and Christina Henry’s The Place Where They Buried Your Heart.

Two horrors and a sweet romance, this week in reviews…

This May foray has lots to eat and some really random, enjoyable reads. Plus some special help for my “Sure, Why Not?” plant parent habit.

Medusa is gloriously in fashion. Harley romances and gets romanced. And no one knows what Dazai is doing (as usual) but (as usual) Akutagawa is pissed about it.

Angels and dragons and demons and skeletons and hockey, oh my!

Catch-up time! Ghosts and Arcana and familiars, oh my!