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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…
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A new puzzle for old friends in Richard Osman’s The Impossible Fortune
Despite my personal preference for summer, fall is the best season for a cozy mystery reader. The air is crisp; dusk falls just as you get home — perfect for a cozy, dark reading session. And the releases flow fast and furious, both big-name blockbusters and pleasingly puzzly debuts. It’s the former I’ll focus on…
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Through Hell and Back: On Katabasis, Academia, and the Hope of Connection
Grad school is hell. So sayeth all my friends with a doctorate, and so sayeth Dr. R. F. Kuang in her latest book, Katabasis. Katabasis (lit. “journey to the underworld”) follows a final-year doctoral candidate as she treks to Hell to rescue her (questionable) doctoral advisor. To her irritation, she’s stuck with the department’s Golden…
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TCO Reviews: The Killer Question by Janice Hallett
The air is crisp, orange is back in season, cinnamon has started to permeate – mystery season is back. And what better way to celebrate than a new Janice Hallett? Long-time readers will know that Hallett is one of my favorite modern crime authors. She’s one of the only authors working in epistolaries today, and…
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Reading roundup: Odds and ends
Because I’ve had so much travel since my last roundup, I haven’t had as much time to share my literary wanderings. So I thought I’d do a Very Special Reading Roundup. Some 52 Book Club updates, some TCO reviews, some other fun reads to keep an eye on. 52 Book Club – progress updates We…