Notes from the Shelf

Book subscriptions sound like a reader's dream, but is Book of the Month actually worth the money? In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I'm breaking down the cost, book selection, perks, and potential drawbacks of the subscription. Whether you're already a member, thinking about signing up, or wondering if you'd be better off picking books yourself, let's talk about whether Book of the Month...

(00:00:00) S1 Ep. 28- Project 2025 Explained: Breaking Down Every Objective (00:03:00) USAID (00:05:16) Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) (00:05:40) Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) (00:06:06) National Institutes of Heath (NIH) (00:07:26) White House (00:13:01) Dept. of State (00:17:06) Dept. of the Interior (00:23:03) US Agency for Global Media (ASAGM) (00:24:32) Dept. of Defen...

Looking to bring a little more magic and intention into your life? From witchy reads perfect for spooky season to books about creativity, intuition, manifestation, and mindful living, these recommendations might just inspire your next chapter. Grab a cozy drink, settle in, and discover books that remind you to trust your instincts, embrace your creativity, and make a little room for everyday magic...

If you’re looking for moody gothic reads to add to your autumn TBR, look no further! In this episode of Notes from the Shelf, I share seven books that give Dark Academia gothic vibes, perfect for reading on a gloomy rainy day. Books mentioned: The Secret History by Donna Tartt Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio Babel by R.F. Kuang The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake A Study in...

If you’re looking for horror reads to add to your autumn TBR, look no further! In this episode of Notes from the Shelf, I share seven books that will make you question the strange noises in the middle of the night, perfect for kicking off spooky season. Books mentioned: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Dracula by Bram Stoker The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Something Wicked This Way Come...

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I share how I did with my summer TBR bingo challenge. I did not get a bingo, but I did read seven books off my physical TBR, so that’s still a win! Join in on my fall 2026 bingo challenge by printing off your bingo card here: https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2026/09/22/fall-2026-tbr-bingo-reading-challenge/ and let me know when you get a bingo! Also drop your...

If you’re looking for cozy reads to add to your autumn TBR, look no further! In this episode of Notes from the Shelf, I share seven books that feel like a crisp autumn day, perfect for reading on a rainy day with a warm drink. Books mentioned: The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia The Ex Hex by...

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf, I break down the things that surprised me the most when I read Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez. There are so many good references in this book, and it covers many different areas of life where there isn’t enough data on how things impact women, so it’s a great read, although it will probably make you...

I’ve heard so much about the Dungeon Crawler Carl series that I’ve finally started reading them, and I’m loving it so far. I’ve just finished Book 3 which is The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook, and I think each book just keeps getting better. I do worry about how the end will be since there are only supposed to be two more books, and it seems like the most recent book ended on Level 11, so I doubt C...

These are the books from the hundreds that I’ve read that I think have the greatest chance to become a future classic. Books mentioned: James by Percival Everett The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller Exit West by Mohsin Hamid The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr. The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff The Correspondent by Virginia Evans Daisy Jones & the Six...

If you saw my July wrap-up, you saw I only read one book in July. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but a reading slump hit me hard. I’m recovering in August, so here is my Reading Slump Survival Guide if you, too, find yourself in a slump. From the Shelf Archive: https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2026/01/09/20-anticipated-fiction-books-for-2026/ https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2026/06/09/24-anticipated...

If you’ve always wanted to get into Romantasy, but not sure where to start, this is the episode for you! In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I recommend 8 books to dip your toes into romantasy. From the Shelf Archive: https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2025/03/16/series-review-letters-of-enchantment/ https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2025/02/23/book-review-emily-wildes-encyclopedia-of-faeries/ Add th...

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I talk about the AI book burning going on right under our noses, and I give some banned book recs to build your own personal library to preserve knowledge. From the Shelf Archive: https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2024/11/10/post-election-book-recs/ https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2025/02/07/summary-on-tyranny/ Articles Discussed: https://fortune.com/2026/07/31/...

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I read the glowing 5-star reviews of books I’ve DNF’d. Will they convince me to try reading them again, or will they firmly be placed in my DNF list. Let me know if I should give any of these another try. Books mentioned: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro Magicians Impossible by Brad Abraham We Unleash the Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia The Pho...

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I go over the differences and similarities between the book and the movie for People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry. From the Shelf Archive: https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2024/10/17/review-people-we-meet-on-vacation/ Add this to Your Shelf: https://bookshop.org/a/112979/9781984806758 Support the Shelf:  https://buymeacoffee.com/notesfromtheshelf Affili...

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I go over the many books I’ve read for research on the episodes of my other podcast, The Paranoid Perspective. These include true crimes, paranormal activities, and other mysteries. Check out The Paranoid Perspective podcast:  https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-paranoid-perspective--6466070 From the Shelf Archive: https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2025/04/18...

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I review the 6 books I’ve read so far that were published in 2026. From the Archive: The Black Dahlia podcast episode:  https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-ep-13-who-killed-the-black-dahlia--71323545 Add these to Your Shelf: https://bookshop.org/lists/book-recommendations-notes-from-the-shelf Support the Shelf: https://buymeacoffee.com/notesfromtheshelf

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I read one star reviews for the books my top books I read in 2025. Some of these reviews I can agree with, and some are just harsh. Support the Shelf: https://buymeacoffee.com/notesfromtheshelf https://bookshop.org/lists/book-recommendations-notes-from-the-shelf

In this episode, I go over the 10 books I read for my Spring TBR Bingo Challenge, and I actually got a bingo this time! Join in on the Summer TBR Bingo and let me know how you do! From the Shelf Archive: Get your free Summer TBR Bingo Card printable here:  https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2026/06/19/summer-2026-tbr-bingo-challenge/ Audrey Wilson interview:  https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2026/02/20/au...

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I list 14 books to add to your TBR list this summer. Support the Shelf: https://buymeacoffee.com/notesfromtheshelf https://bookshop.org/lists/book-recommendations-notes-from-the-shelf

Have you been curious about dark academia, but not sure where to start? This episode is for you. In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I recommend 11 books to serve as your Dark Academia starter pack. These stories are filled with complicated characters, secrets, murder, privilege, elite schools, and they question whether intelligence actually makes someone a better person. From the Shelf Arch...

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I share 14 books under 300 pages that packed a punch for me. Some are fiction, some are nonfiction, some are cozy, some are horrifying, and a few completely changed the way I think about the world. From the Shelf Archive: On Tyranny summary Monk & Robot series review Discontent book review The Sun was Electric Light book review What Moves the Dead book...

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I confess to the books I just could not get through. Are any of these worth a second try? Let me know! From the Shelf Archive: https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2025/01/17/five-books-ive-dnfd-and-why/ Support the Shelf: https://buymeacoffee.com/notesfromtheshelf https://bookshop.org/lists/book-recommendations-notes-from-the-shelf

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I go over books and series I think aren’t talked about enough. Have you read any of these books? What are books you think are underrated? Books/Series Discussed in this Episode: Jack West Jr. series by Matthew Reilly Ghosts of the Tsunami by Richard Lloyd Parry The Anomaly by Michael Rutger All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai Beasts of Extraordinary Circum...

In this episode of Notes from the Shelf , I review the Emily Wilde trilogy by Heather Fawcett, a cozy fantasy series centered around faerie expert Emily Wilde and her academic rival Wendell Bambleby during their misadventures into the faerie realm. From the Shelf Archive: https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2025/02/23/book-review-emily-wildes-encyclopedia-of-faeries/ https://notesfromtheshelf.com/2025/0...