The Changeover by Margaret Mahy

A clammy hand pressed Laura down onto her knees beside Jacko’s bed. It was the hand of terror, nothing less.’

It was a warning. Laura felt it when she looked in the mirror that morning. There had been others: the day her father left home, the day she met Sorensen – the boy with the strange silver eyes.

But nothing had prepared Laura for the horror of today. And now her little brother, Jacko, was fighting for his life after being sucked dry of his youth by the sinister Carmody Braque.

Laura knows there is only one way to save Jacko; she must join Sorensen and use his supernatural powers to change over if there is to be any hope for her little brother.

An unforgettable, supernatural romance.

My Thoughts

This was quite a good read. Very young adult romance. I always wanted to read more about the characters.

The Hunger games by Suzanne Collins

The first novel in the worldwide bestselling series by Suzanne Collins!

Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun. . . .

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My Thoughts

I love the idea that this was built on. I see several plot holes in the story…but it is not a terrible read. I enjoyed the story. The characters are sympathetic and overall the story was a good read.

During delicate negotiations with an aggressive race called the Sindareen, Deanna Troi mysteriously falls ill and dies, and Commander Riker sets out on a journey across time to bring her back to life.

My Thoughts

the problem with trying to do book reviews is I have always been a voracious reader. And while I have met books I didn’t care for those too can make reviews. this book felt like I was revisiting old friends as it was several years after watching the show discovered it. If you enjoyed sttng I recommend this book. the characters were on point. and it feels like it fills in Deanna and rikers story.

Discover the Brilliant Verse of The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson’s poetry is a profound exploration of life, nature, love, death, and the human spirit. The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson gathers the entirety of her remarkable work, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the mind of one of America’s greatest and most enigmatic poets.



A Poet of Depth and Mystery

Dickinson’s unique voice and innovative style broke the conventions of her time, blending vivid imagery, stark honesty, and contemplative introspection. Her poems, often brief yet deeply evocative, delve into universal themes with an unparalleled emotional intensity. From her musings on immortality to her observations of the natural world, Dickinson’s poetry resonates with timeless beauty and insight.



Key Themes in Dickinson’s Poetry:



Nature: The beauty, mystery, and symbolism of the natural world.

Life and Death: Profound reflections on mortality, grief, and the afterlife.

Love and Loss: The complexities of human relationships and emotional longing.

Faith and Doubt: An exploration of spirituality and existential questions.

Individuality: A celebration of self-expression and the inner life.



A Timeless Legacy

The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson offers a comprehensive collection of her extraordinary work, showcasing the genius of a poet who continues to inspire readers with her bold imagination and profound truths. This collection is a treasure for poetry lovers and anyone seeking to connect with the beauty of the written word.

My Thoughts

My introduction to poetry was this book, followed by Edgar Allen Poe. Her poetry is still one of my favorites.

Deryni Rising by Katherine Kurtz

The classic novel that introduced the Deryni and launched Katherine Kurtz’s career.

In the land of Gwynedd, the Haldanes have long ruled and have long kept a dangerous secret: there are those of their blood who possess the magical powers of the Deryni. To be Deryni in a land ruled by the all-powerful Church is to be branded an outcast.

But now, young Prince Kelson is about to assume the throne after the mysterious death of his father. He must be told of his magical heritage. For his legacy is being challenged by a woman who does not hesitate to lay full claim to her Deryni powers. And to face her in magical combat, Kelson must learn a lifetime’s worth of magic in a few short days.

If he loses, he dies as his father did. And if he wins, he is King—but all the world will know that he is also Deryni…

My Thoughts

This was the first high fantasy book I had ever gotten my hands on and it created a long time love for the genre. the characters are richly written and the world building is amazing. I honestly could visualize the story.

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K Hamilton

Meet Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, in the first novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series that “blends the genres of romance, horror and adventure with stunning panache”(Diana Gabaldon).

Laurell K. Hamilton’s bestselling series has captured readers’ wildest imaginations and addicted them to a seductive world where supernatural hungers collide with the desires of the human heart, starring a heroine like no other…

Anita Blake is small, dark, and dangerous. Her turf is the city of St. Louis. Her job: re-animating the dead and killing the undead who take things too far. But when the city’s most powerful vampire asks her to solve a series of vicious slayings, Anita must confront her greatest fear—her undeniable attraction to master vampire Jean-Claude, one of the creatures she is sworn to destroy…

“What The Da Vinci Code did for the religious thriller, the Anita Blake series has done for the vampire novel.”—USA Today

My Thoughts

This one got me hooked on Anita quick and fast. She is a bit of a bad ass. This introduced me to the subgenre of reverse harem and it was a good read. it has a definite place on my physical bookshelf.

The Witch who trades with Death

From the author of Citadel and popular TikTokker C.M. Alongi comes a bewitching new romantic fantasy where a young witch seeks her freedom by forging a deal with Death.

A young witch forced to play concubine for her imperial captor, finally breaks free to find a life of her own, but even those with the power to call Death cannot outrun their past…

All witches must serve the cruel and immortal Emperor Yamueto. But after four years of terror and abuse, Khana not only kills one of his favorite courtiers with her magic, but also discovers the secret of his power and immortality: he’s been making deals with Death. And now, so is she.

Armed with magic that she doesn’t fully understand, Khana flees the empire and stumbles into a small mountain town filled with fierce warriors that ostracize her for being a witch, despite using her abilities to heal their sick and injured. There, her magic and courage are put to the test as she is forced to stop running and fight back against the emperor that wants her dead.

But every deal she makes with Death takes another piece of her soul. And there’s only so much Khana can give before she turns into the very monster she’s trying to destroy..

My Thoughts

the characters are richly written and the world building is amazing. the trigger warnings are very accurate – and well thought about. A very enjoyable read. I have yet to read anything from the author I have not enjoyed.

Revenge Body by Rachel Wiley

Revenge Body is Rachel Wiley’s third collection of poetry, full of the sharp wit and bold honesty we know and love from Rachel. Wiley invites her readers to join her on a journey filled with righteous anger, Black identity, magic, mental health, navigating maternal relationships, and the love and loss that comes from a breakup.

My Thoughts

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I love Poetry. This one touches my soul. The poet speaks from the heart about topics that hit close to home. They can be found reciting some of their poetry on Button poetry’s YouTube.

The Lost Boys by Orson Scott Card

Affecting, genuine, poignant, uplifting: a limpid, beautifully orchestrated” thriller about a family’s struggle with evil from a New York Times–bestseller (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).
For Step Fletcher, his pregnant wife DeAnne, and their three children, the move to tiny Steuben, North Carolina, offers new hope and a new beginning. But from the first, life for eight-year-old Stevie is an unending parade of misery and disaster.
Cruelly ostracized at his school, Stevie retreats further and further into himself—and into a strange computer game and a group of imaginary friends.
But there is something eerie about his loyal, invisible new playmates: each shares the name of a child who has recently vanished from the sleepy Southern town. And terror grows for Step and DeAnne as the truth slowly unfolds. For their son has found something savagely evil . . . and it’s coming for Stevie next.
“For Stephen King fans and those who like their suspense mixed with the supernatural.” —Library Journal
“Absorbing . . . the pull of family drama with an overlayer of rising supsense.” —Publishers Weekly

My Thoughts

First let me say I am not a big fan of Orson Scott Card… His books are more science than fiction and that genre has never been my go to. That being said I found this in the library when I was in middle school. I have always been one that devoured all books whether they were my favorite to read or not.

This is a sweet ghost story. Not his usual. Plot twists and well written story makes this one well worth the read.