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Advent of Mystery ’25, Day 1: The Austen Christmas Murders
The tree is lit. The presents are wrapped and distributed. The cookies are baked. The carols are blasting. And here at the Owlet’s nest, that means one thing: it’s Advent of Mystery time. For those not in the know, Advent of Mystery is a countdown to Christmas. Each day features my thoughts on a different
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A Cozy Austen Celebration: Re-reads and re-imaginings
December always feels like a month for traditions—holiday baking, cozy reading, and, this year, something extra special: celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. With presents piled under my tree and the scent of fresh-baked cookies still hanging in the air, I’m feeling especially inclined to honor the season with a few Austen rereads (and one intriguing
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Familiar Paths and Fresh Magic in Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore
It’s hard to believe it’s already December—yet here we are at the end of the year. Honestly? I’m always excited to dive headfirst into the holiday spirit. My tree is up, the lights are twinkling, and I’m prepping for a weekend of intense cookie-baking. But before we can plunge into the holiday festivities (yes, you
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Atahualpa at the Alhambra: What Civilizations Taught Me This Fall
As Thanksgiving approaches, I often start thinking in history. It’s the right time of year to ponder founding stories—of the US and of my own family’s place within it. As my family gathers around the table with a giant turkey, cranberry sauce, and chole, it’s hard not to reflect on the myriad steps that led
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Spindles, Secrets, and Sisterhood in Spellbound
It’s been a minute since I posted some good, old-fashioned book thoughts. But this week I found an absolutely perfect mid-fall read, and I knew I had to share. It’s a Sleeping Beauty retelling called Spellbound, and its contemplative take on a generally simple story was a refreshing break from my usual intrigues. I love
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Letters from the Reading Perch: Cozy Gifts for Bookish Souls
It’s gifting season here at the Owlet’s Nest, and honestly, dreaming up presents for my loved ones is one of my favorite parts of the year. (The only thing that keeps me from doing it even earlier is the lack of storage space in my city condo!) That said, my family is full of niche
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Letters from the Reading Perch: On the Art of Giving Books
Holiday season is almost upon us, and that means gifting season as well. (I just spent the day at a craft fair picking up presents, so my wallet is well aware of this fact.) With gifts on the brain, I’ve been thinking about one of my favorite — and trickiest — categories of presents: books.
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Murder Most Magical: Witchy Mysteries for Spooky Season
Just a few days left until the spookiest night of the year, and while October may be San Francisco’s warmest month, I’ve been doing my best to summon the spirit. The pumpkins are out, the Featherly Friends have migrated to the mantel, and I’ve stocked up on trick-or-treat candy. Of course, I need something spooky
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TCO Reviews: Menu of Happiness by Hisashi Kashiwai
Fall might be the season of warm sweaters and spiced beverages, but it’s also, rightfully, soup season. Between the cooling temperature and the harvest, there’s nothing better than gathering in community over a delicious meal. It’s with this feeling in mind that I cracked open Menu of Happiness, another delicious tour through Japanese food and
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Letters from the Reading Perch: Bookmarks, milestones, and other small magics
It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since I started The Cozy Owlet. This blog – and this community – have become such a mainstay in my life. This blog has given me rhythm and structure, even when life is a whirlwind. I appreciate that it forces me to slow down and reflect