Book Review: The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

Pros: slow burn romance, low stakes, cozy atmosphere even when bad things happen, a wide variety of fantasy creatures, realistic magic system

Cons:

Kiela works at the Great Library of Alyssium, keeping to herself with her sentient plant assistant Caz. When the library burns down, she escapes with a few forbidden spellbooks she's hidden on a boat. Back at her childhood home on the island of Caltrey, her plan to lie low at her family's old cottage is undermined by her handsome neighbour who keeps coming by. She quickly learns that the island is suffering due to a lack of visiting sorcerers, and starts to learn how to use the spellbooks to bring the island back to prosperity. But spellcasting is dangerous, which is why only sanctioned sorcerers are allowed to practice the art.

Kiela's a fun protagonist who starts off very standoffish and introverted, and slowly grows a group of close friends. Her relationship with Larran is sweet and very slow paced. There is a side romance that shows up at the end that felt like it came out of nowhere, but the main romance is a lovely ride.

I liked that the magic system felt realistic. Seeing Kiela try various things to get the spells to work - changing ingredients, adjusting pronunciations, studying alternatives, was neat. So much of the book is pure fantasy, that having the magic feel more ceremonial and scholarly was great.

I was a little surprised by the sheer variety of magical creatures on this small island. Otherwise the world-building was fun. I liked the political underpinnings of the story and that they were used to enhance what was happening in the main plot.

The atmosphere of the book is so cozy. Even when bad things were happening, I knew everything would turn out ok so I didn't need to stress about things. Great care is taken to describe the sights, smells, and tastes of island life.

This is a wonderful comfort read.

Books Received in June 2026

As always, my thanks to the publishers who allow me to read advance copies of their works.

Twig's Traveling Tomes by Gryffin Murphy - I saw this book mentioned on bluesky and checked it out on Netgalley. I'm part way through and enjoying it a lot. It's primary setting is a bookstore that can be magically transported to various storefronts, which is such a great idea. Out September 8.

 

A plot is brewing between the adventure and romance aisles.

When visiting Twig’s Traveling Tomes, customers will get the exact book they need, even if it isn’t the one they want. As for the proprietor and renowned Book Witch, Louella Twig lives her life sequestered with her stories, just as she likes it.

When devilishly handsome rogue Everett Sharp stumbles in looking to remove some handcuffs—closely followed by Louella’s former tutor, whose prized grimoire has been stolen—her literary sanctuary is fully upended. Only Louella’s magic can locate the grimoire, and teaming up with Everett is her best chance at retrieving it . . . but how can she trust that the man behind the wolfish grin isn’t interested in stealing the book for himself?

With a host of friends old and new, Louella sets off on an adventure she never thought she’d take—and starts to realize that, just like her books, what matters most has always been what’s under the surface.

Book Review: Bound to be Beautiful by Bari Zaki

The book has 12 chapters plus an introduction, glossary, and resources. The first chapter goes over necessary tools and techniques for making the books included. Then the chapters cover a variety of binding options and book types, like accordion books, screw-post spines, and coptic-stitches. Some of the books use envelopes, and some of the 20 projects include things like covering pencils and butterfly clips with fancy paper.

There are 16 distinct bookbinding projects. Each project starts with a list of required materials and tools. Numbered step by step instructions are accompanied with letter labelled illustrations of most of the steps, so for example, step 2 is illustrated in image C. Bookbinding is complex, and Zaki does a good job of breaking down the steps. Having said that, it can be a little intimidating seeing everything required to put a hand made book together.

As an absolute beginner I felt lost sometimes going through the book. Some of the steps are a bit confusing. Sometimes it feels like there's a step missing, or I'm misunderstanding what's required. I had to read the instructions on what a paper sandwich was a few times to understand that this is to make a lined cover for softbound books. A short paragraph explaining what the paper sandwich was would have been helpful, not just the instructions on how to make one.

While the book has a lot of photos, I was surprised that the project chapters don't all start with an image of the finished binding/project in question. To see what you're making, you often have to skip to the end of that chapter, or even the end of the book.

The book is well made, but I feel like it's designed for people who have at least some experience with book binding already, enough that they're familiar with the terminology.

Cookbook Review: Healthy Living High-Protein Cookbook by Toby Amidor

The book has two parts. The first part has 3 chapters and talks about protein, why it's important, where you find it, and how to incorporate more of it in your diet. It was a lot more interesting than I expected to learn about how protein works and why most people need more in their diets. I also appreciated the recommendation to get protein from a variety of natural sources, not just powders or steak dinners. The author even gives meal plan suggestions with shopping lists. The second part is full of recipes split into 8 chapters: smoothies and shakes; high-protein breakfasts; salads, sandwiches, and wraps; plant-based mains, fish and seafood mains, poultry and meat mains, side dishes, and higher-protein snacks and sweets. The recipes have a good variety and while a lot of them require numerous ingredients, they're generally easy to acquire.

I've tried 3 of the recipes so far and have several more I'm interested in. The blueberry-lemon chia seed pudding was easy to make and delicious. It has a nice lemony tang that perfectly sets off the blueberries. The lentil stew was tasty. I've struggled to find lentil recipes I like, and this one turned out really good. The sheet pan spicy tofu and vegetables took some effort to prepare, but I loved the variety of vegetables, beans, and spices in one dish.

This is a great cookbook with recipes you'll want to incorporate in your weekly schedule.

Book Review: Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim

Pros: thought provoking, unique mechanic

Cons:

When people move between boarders there's a chance that their curiosity and uncertainty will create an instance of themselves, a version that stays behind while they move forwards, allowing them to, in essence, live both possible futures. When Soyoung and her mother moved from Korea to the United States, they left instances behind. Twenty years later, now going by Rose, she's invited to visit Korea for her grandfather's funeral where she meets her instance that stayed in Korea for the first time. She doesn't know that her grandfather has left her some possessions in his will. She doesn't know that her instance is considering his dying wish, for them to reintegrate.

The book is told from the alternating points of view of Rose and Soyoung, with Yj and Yujin also getting chapters later in the book. Chapter headings explain whose point of view you're inhabiting. The narratives are first person present, which gives the book a feeling of immediacy. It's strange to read though, and took a while to get used to.

I love how the author uses historical literature to give intancing a historical precident. It makes the idea feel weightier. The idea of instancing itself is a unique mechanic for examining how people act and how their own histories change them. It's especially interesting to see how the characters actions and desires change as they learn more about themselves as the book progresses. The book seems to propose that the conditions that lead to forming an instance upon crossing a border also leaves both parts less decisive moving forward. They end up in a state of stasis, unable to move forward with their lives. The book's premise poses a lot of thought provoking questions.

I wasn't really a fan of Rose or Soyoung, as they're not the nicest people. But I found them compelling characters to follow. At times I wanted to take one or both of them aside and tell them to think about the consequences of their actions before they did something drastic. I started out liking Yj and Yujin more, though my feelings toward them became complicated as their relationship became more complex

The book includes a lot of untranslated and unexplained Korean terms. They're mostly food items, but some cultural terms are used too. I felt a little left out as a result, as I couldn't fully understand the text, but I don't think it harms the book at all. And honestly, feeling a little left out gives me a window into how all of the protagonists in the book feel. That the other version of themselves had what they lack. Obviously there will be some readers who know all the Korean, so I suspect this was just a thematically lucky coincidence.

The more I think about the book the more layers I uncover. And there's a lot to think about. It's a challenging, brilliant first novel.

Books Received in May 2026

Many thanks as always to the publishers that allowed me to read advance copies of their books. These books were all sourced via Netgalley.

Treasures of the Vikings by Tom Horne - If you're interested in Vikings and want a nice overview, this is your book. There are numerous photographs of archaeological finds and the book covers the full range of Viking activities. Out now.

Treasures of the Vikings explores the material culture of the Viking Age, and the raiders and traders who plundered and purchased across Europe and Central Asia.

From battles in Estonia in the mid 8th-century and the apocalyptic Viking attack on the monastery at Lindisfarne on the remote northeast coast of Anglo-Saxon England in 793, until the demise of Scandinavian control of Shetland in 1472, Viking groups played a central role in history, as pirates, traders and mercenaries, leaving a trail of destruction, settlements and treasure from Newfoundland to the shores of the Black Sea.

In between, Vikings traded along the great rivers of Russia and Ukraine, conquered in Britain and France, settled in Iceland and Greenland, and enriched Scandinavia with loot.

Marvel at a Frankish Ulfberht high-carbon steel sword, prized by Viking warriors for its strength and lightness, and see the remarkable walrus ivory and whale tooth Lewis Chess Pieces, found on the eponymous Scottish isle in the 19th century.

Packed with photographs of fascinating objects and sites, Treasures of the Vikings is ideal for any enthusiast for all things Viking.

Healthy Living High-Protein Cookbook by Toby Amidor - This is a great cookbook if you're trying to get more protein into your diet. There's a nice mix of recipes using meat and vegetarian options. I've tried several of the recipes and they've been delicious. Out June 16. 

Support Your Strength. Balance Your Metabolism.

Feel stronger and support your health—one delicious meal at a time. The Healthy Living High-Protein Cookbook helps you meet your health goals with easy, satisfying meals powered by protein. Whether you’re strength training, navigating metabolic shifts, or preserving muscle as you age, this book delivers practical, science-backed solutions tailored to your needs.

These delicious, balanced recipes diversify your protein sources to naturally strengthen muscles and improve body composition—creating a foundation for long-term vitality without sacrificing flavor or time in the kitchen.

Invest in Your Strength—At Every Age 

4 Ready-to-Use Meal Plans: Take the guesswork out of your week with plans tailored to different life stages and activity levels.
Total Body Support: Higher-protein recipes designed to support lasting energy, lean muscle, and healthy weight management.
85+ Recipes from Breakfast to Dessert: Enjoy protein-packed bowls, easy dinners, snacks, and even guilt-free desserts.
Hassle-Free Cooking: One-pot and sheet-pan meals that deliver maximum nutrition with minimal cleanup.
Expert Meal Planning Tips: Learn professional strategies for grocery shopping and prep so you never have to wonder what’s for dinner.

From Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND—award-winning dietitian with over 20 years of experience. Toby proves that food for strength and metabolic health can also be food you truly enjoy.

Monumental by Simon Warrack - I'm currently reading this. I thought it was going to be more about the art of carving and the work of a stonemason but it's a standard biography. Having said that, Mr. Warrack has led a fascinating life, and he peppers his narrative with interesting asides inspired by his Renaissance history degree. Out Sept 8

Discover ancient stone wonders and the secrets of architectural preservation through the eyes and hands of one of the world’s greatest stonemasons.

Around the world and across time, the buildings of the gods and royalty have mostly been made of stone. For more than forty years, the eminent stonemason and conservator Simon Warrack has worked on many of the greatest of them. In Monumental, Warrack takes readers on a charming journey to some of the most extraordinary places where he has plied his trade, including the dazzling churches and palaces of Venice and the celebrated fountains of Rome, the vast temple of Angkor Wat in modern-day Cambodia, the glorious arches and cloisters of Canterbury Cathedral in England, and the ancient, elaborately carved Obelisk of Axum in modern-day Ethiopia.

Everywhere he goes, Warrack finds a communality through stone—a shared desire to conserve and maintain heritage that has spanned continents, cultures, religions, and millennia. He captures the joys and the challenges of working with various kinds of stone—marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, travertine. He describes stonecutters’ tools and techniques as they’ve been passed down through centuries, and the sheer wonder of working so intimately on monuments to human ingenuity and divine belief. And he approaches his work with the passionate belief that conservators must be guided by the spirit with which people built, carved, and cared for their monuments. Without this, form and beauty may endure, but their spirit is lost.

Monumental is a thrilling account of historic conservation at the level of chisel and stone, and a powerful argument for safeguarding our shared history.

History Book Review: Treasures of the Vikings by Tom Horne

The book has 7 chapters in addition to the introduction: Playing games: growing up a viking; Production and consumption; House and home; Clothing and adornment; Weapons and war; Trading and raiding; Faith and death. There's an index, a bibliography and picture credits at the end.

The book is heavily illustrated with each chapter having numerous pictures of relevant archaeological finds. It emphasizes the ubiquity of viking culture despite its geographic expansion. I loved the inclusion of so many items from daily life.

The chapters are fairly short, covering a decent amount of information in a superficial way. It's a nice introduction to the life of Vikings, but if you've researched the topic before you won't learn much new.

While the book has information about the objects depicted, and credits for the included photographs, I often wanted to know where the objects were currently housed and that's hard to figure out. Some of the photos are credited to institutions where they're presumably held, but others have Alamy or individual photographer credits, which is less helpful. I may be in the minority for wanting this information though.

It's a great primer on Viking life.