The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax

By Dorothy Gilman 

Doubleday, 1966. 216 pages 

Mystery 

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax a lighthearted spy adventure that follows Emily Pollifax, a widowed grandmother from New Jersey who feels restless and overlooked after her children are grown. Tired of ordinary routines and wanting to do something meaningful and exciting, she impulsively walks into the offices of the CIA and volunteers to become a spy. 

To everyone’s surprise — including her own — Mrs. Pollifax is accidentally recruited for a simple courier mission to Mexico City. The agency assumes that no one would suspect a cheerful older woman carrying secret information. What begins as a harmless assignment quickly spirals into genuine danger when the mission goes wrong and Mrs. Pollifax finds herself caught in an international conspiracy involving smugglers, political prisoners, and foreign agents. 

Despite having no formal training, Mrs. Pollifax proves resourceful, observant, and unexpectedly brave. Her kindness and grandmotherly appearance allow her to move through situations unnoticed, but beneath her polite exterior is a woman with sharp instincts and quiet courage. Along the way she forms unlikely friendships, survives kidnapping attempts, and discovers that adventure — and personal purpose — can arrive at any stage of life. 

The novel blends cozy mystery charm with Cold War espionage, offering suspense without becoming overly dark. Much of the appeal comes from Mrs. Pollifax herself: she is practical, witty, compassionate, and delightfully underestimated. The story balances humor, danger, and heart, making it both an entertaining spy caper and an uplifting story about reinvention and confidence later in life. 

Fans of classic mysteries, gentle humor, and character-driven adventures often enjoy the Mrs. Pollifax series for its clean content, fast pacing, and charming protagonist. 

I love Mrs. Pollifax! She decides she wants to be a spy and by golly she becomes a top-secret spy for the CIA. She's a quirky "old lady" who knows her own mind and just sees what needs to be done. Definitely channeling Miss Marple or Jessica Fletcher. A fun, fast-paced read that I would recommend to anyone! 

If you like The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, you might also like: 

Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind

By Ann B. Ross

W. Morrow, 1999. 273 pages 

Fiction

Miss Julia, a recently bereaved and newly wealthy widow, is only slightly bemused when one Hazel Marie Puckett appears at her door with a youngster in tow and unceremoniously announces that the child is the illegitimate son of Miss Julia's late husband. Suddenly, this longtime church member and pillar of her small Southern community finds herself in the center of an unseemly scandal--and the guardian of a nine-year-old whose mere presence turns her life upside down. 

With razor-sharp wit and perfect "Steel Magnolia" poise, Miss Julia speaks her mind indeed--about a robbery, a kidnapping, and the other disgraceful events precipitated by her husband's death. Fast-paced and charming, with a sure sense of comic drama, a cast of crazy characters, and a strong Southern cadence, Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind will delight listeners from start to end. 

Murder on a Girls' Night Out: a Southern Sisters Mystery

By Anne George

Avon Books, 1996. 244 pages

Mystery

Patricia Anne -- "Mouse" -- is respectful, respectable, and demure, a perfect example of genteel Southern womanhood. Mary Alice -- "Sister" -- is big, brassy, flamboyant, and bold. Together they have a knack for finding themselves in the center of some of Birmingham's most unfortunate unpleasantness. 

Country Western is red hot these days, so over impulsive Mary Alice thinks it makes perfect sense to buy the Skoot 'n' Boot bar -- since that's where the many-times-divorced "Sister" and her boyfriend du jour like to hang out anyway. Sensible retired schoolteacher Patricia Anne is inclined to disagree -- especially when they find a strangled and stabbed dead body dangling in the pub's wishing well. The sheriff has some questions for Mouse and her sister Sister, who were the last people, besides the murderer, of course, to see the ill-fated victim alive. And they had better come up with some answers soon -- because a killer with unfinished business has begun sending them some mighty threatening messages...

- EJW

Mindworks: An Uncanny Compendium of Short Fiction

Mindworks: An Uncanny Compendium of Short Fiction
by Neal Shusterman
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025. Short Stories.

Explore a world where bats block out the sun, where soup is a trap for your soul, or where the life-force of a glacier can bring back the dead. Journey to a place where the wind can be captured, time can be crafted into infinite attic space, or a hot tub can house an ancient monster. And revisit the Arc of the Scythe universe for two all-new tales of gleaning.

A short story collection by one of my favorite "evil genius" authors? Yes, please!

In the introduction, Shusterman discusses how he grew up enjoying the short stories of Isaac Asimov (I, Robot, the Foundation series, etc.). This collection (featuring some new stories and many previously published in other anthologies) would fit in perfectly among the likes of Asimov, Richard Matheson, Orson Scott Card, and The Twilight Zone. He moves through different genres with ease, spinning clever tales of a pizza delivery to the underworld, an unconventional presidential campaign, an elite boarding school for severely phobic youth, time-traveling lightning storms, a colony ship voyaging to a distant world, circus zombies, a self-aware (and surprisingly compassionate) firearm, lost luggage, and one of the best worst(?)(best???) puns you’ll ever read. This is a great place to begin if you have never tried Neal Shusterman’s books before, as his witty and thoughtful writing style is on full display. If you’re already a fan, it’s a pleasure to see how much fun he can have on a smaller scale (not to mention the always appreciated Arc of a Scythe bonus stories, plus an extra treat to tide you over until the prequel novels arrive).

To sum it up: Butterball. Trust me, it's worth it, ha ha ha.

If you like Mindworks, you might also like:

They Bloom at Night
by Trang Thanh Tran
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2025. 262 pages. Fantasy.

Since the hurricane, the town of Mercy, Louisiana has been overtaken by a strange red algae bloom. Noon and her mother have carved out a life in the wreckage, trawling for the mutated wildlife that lurks in the water and trading it to the corrupt harbormaster. When she's focused on survival, Noon doesn't have to cope with what happened to her at the Cove or the monster itching at her skin. Mercy has never been a safe place, but it's getting worse. People are disappearing, and the only clues as to why are whispers of underwater shadows and warnings to never answer the knocks at night. When the harbormaster demands she capture the creature that's been drowning residents, Noon finds a reluctant ally in his daughter Covey. And as the next storm approaches, the two set off to find what's haunting Mercy. After all, Noon is no stranger to monsters . . .

Pretty Monsters
by Kelly Link
Viking, 2008. 389 pages. Short Stories.

Nine short stories ranging from fantasy to horror to sci-fi, in which nothing is what it seems, and everything deserves a second look. From the multiple award-winning "The Faery Handbag," in which a teenager's grandmother carries an entire village (or is it a man-eating dog?) in her handbag, to the near-future of "The Surfer," whose narrator (a soccer-playing skeptic) waits with a planeload of refugees for the aliens to arrive, Link's stories are funny and full of unexpected insights and skewed perspectives on the world.

Feed
by M.T. Anderson
Candlewick Press, 2002. 237 pages. Science Fiction.

For Titus and his friends, it started out like any ordinary trip to the moon - a chance to party during spring break and play around with some stupid low-grav at the Ricochet Lounge. But that was before the crazy hacker caused all their feeds to malfunction, sending them to the hospital to lie around with nothing inside their heads for days. And it was before Titus met Violet, a beautiful, brainy teenage girl who knows something about what it's like to live without the feed--and about resisting its omnipresent ability to categorize human thoughts and desires.

-LAH

Legends and Lattes

Legends and Lattes

By Travis Baldree 

Tor, 2022. 294 pages. Fantasy 

Come take a load off at Viv's cafe, the first & only coffee shop in Thune. Grand opening! Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv, the orc barbarian, cashes out of the warrior's life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen. However, her dreams of a fresh start filling mugs instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune's shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners, and a different kind of resolve. 

I really loved the premise of this book: an experienced orc barbarian, weary of dungeon crawling and fighting, decides to open a café and start a quiet life. And it was done so well! I was absolutely charmed by the characters. This is truly a cozy fantasy full of excellent but not overwhelming world-building, a few side-quests, and the challenges of starting a small business in an area that has no idea what your product is. The plot felt very well paced, and it was hard to put down because the characters were that lovely. I can easily recommend this to someone looking for a light fantasy, perhaps a D&D fan, or someone looking for a gentle entrance to the fantasy genre. 

If you liked Legends and Lattes, you might also like: 

The Keeper of Magical Things 

By Julie Leong 

Ace Books, 2025. 358 pages. Fantasy 

Certainty Bulrush longs to be useful—to her mage Guild, her younger brother, and anyone in need—but her weak magic hasn’t helped much. When she gets a chance to earn full mage status through a simple assignment, she jumps at it, despite having to partner with Aurelia, a brilliant but off-putting overachiever. Their task: transport minor magical artifacts to Shpelling, a quiet, unremarkable village, and keep things running smoothly. As they sort enchanted odds and ends and settle into village life, Certainty and Aurelia begin to connect with the townspeople—and each other. They soon question the Guild’s tight control over magic, wondering if sharing it might do more good. But with magic and growing attraction in play, complications may be unavoidable. 

Automatic Noodle 

By Annalee Newitz 

Tor, 2025. 163 pages. Science Fiction 

You don't have to eat food to know the way to a city's heart is through its stomach. So, when a group of deactivated robots come back online in an abandoned ghost kitchen, they decide to make their own way doing what they know: making food--the tastiest hand-pulled noodles around--for the humans of San Francisco, who are recovering from a devastating war. But when their robot-run business starts causing a stir, a targeted wave of one-star reviews threatens to boil over into a crisis. To keep their doors open, they'll have to call on their customers, their community, and each other--and find a way to survive and thrive in a world that wasn't built for them.

ACS

Well Lived

Well Lived
By Sally Clarkson
Harvest House Publishers, 2024. 213 pages. Nonfiction

In this inspiring blend of personal reflections and stunning photography, bestselling author Sally Clarkson shares how God's grace can lead to a joyful, purposeful life. Drawing from her experiences in Oxford and ministry, she offers wisdom on discipleship, family, hospitality, and cultivating joy--encouraging readers to deepen their faith and embrace a life of meaning and encouragement.

I recently read (and reviewed) a book by Sarah Clarkson. I didn't realize at the time that she has a sister (Joy Marie Clarkson) and mother (Sally) who also write books! I am delighted with them all. On account of Sarah living in Oxford with her husband (a Church of England minister) and children, Sally has been able to live in, and get to know the ancient and beautiful city of Oxford. There is nothing boastful about her book, and she shares a lot of Christian wisdom with the reader, giving you the feeling of being an old friend. The book is not only filled with Clarkson's wisdom, but with beautiful photographs of gardens, old buildings, and delightful cafes. I am really impressed by the Clarkson family: their sincerity, their love of beauty and the people around them, and their love of God is really moving and inspiring to me. I recommend this to any who would appreciate the atmosphere of C.S. Lewis, likes a cozy cup of tea, or would like to live a life of daily beauty and devotion. 

If you liked Well Lived, you might also like: 

A House to Call Home

By Christie Purifoy

Harvest House Publishers, 2026. 205 pages. Nonfiction

What makes a house a home? It's a question with countless answers, wholly unique to each of us. Yet a common thread runs through the stories we tell about the places that bring us meaning and peace. No matter how we define it, home must evoke a strong sense of comfort. Join acclaimed writer Christie Purifoy as she reflects on what makes a home truly special. Through practical tips on decor inspiration, thrifting, and personal homemaking traditions, Christie shows you how to craft a space that feels wholly yours. With insights drawn from her own experiences, you'll discover how to build sacred spaces that promote rest, welcome, and healing. With creativity and care, you can cultivate comfort in the house where you live.

A Circle of Quiet

By Madeleine L' Engle

Harper One, 1972. 245 pages. Nonfiction

A Circle of Quiet is a 1972 memoir by Madeleine L'Engle, the first in her Crosswicks Journals series, that reflects on her life as a writer, wife, and mother, exploring themes of creativity, faith, and finding balance, all set at her family's Connecticut farmhouse, Crosswicks. It's a personal, journal-like book that delves into her creative process, the rejections and success of A Wrinkle in Time, and her search for meaning, offering an intimate look at the author behind the famous children's books.

Surprised by Joy

By C.S. Lewis

Harcourt, Brace & Co., 1955. 238 pages. Nonfiction

A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. There are traps everywhere . . . God is, if I may say it, very unscrupulous." This book is not an autobiography. It is not a confession. It is, however, certainly one of the most beautiful and insightful accounts of a person coming to faith. Here, C.S. Lewis takes us from his childhood in Belfast through the loss of his mother, to boarding school and a youthful atheism in England, to the trenches of World War I, and then to Oxford, where he studied, read, and, ultimately, reasoned his way back to God. It is perhaps this aspect of Surprised by Joy that we--believers and nonbelievers--find most compelling and meaningful; Lewis was searching for joy, for an elusive and momentary sensation of glorious yearning, but he found it, and spiritual life, through the use of reason. In this highly personal, thoughtful, intelligent memoir, Lewis guides us toward joy and toward the surprise that awaits anyone who seeks a life beyond the expected.

Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves

Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves 

by Alison Wood Brooks 

Crown, 2025. 305 pages. Nonfiction 

Though we do it all the time, Harvard business professor Alison Wood Brooks argues that conversation is one of the most complex, demanding, and delicate of all human tasks, rife with possibilities for misinterpretation and misunderstanding. And yet conversations can also be a source of great joy, each one offering an opportunity to express who we are and learn who others are—to feel connected, loved, and alive. In Talk, Brooks shows why conversing a little more effectively can make a big difference in the quality of our close personal relationships as well as our professional success. Drawing on the new science of conversation, Brooks distills lessons that show how we can better understand, learn from, and delight each other. 

Alison Wood Brooks teaches classes on conversation at Harvard, and her points in Talk draw directly from the latest research on conversation. A few interesting takeaways included research showing that small talk is good for us physically and mentally, that having pre-planned topics heading into social settings helps you be more interesting and doesn’t sound rehearsed, and that people like those who laugh a lot and those who ask a lot of questions. Brooks frequently reiterates two facts that might be particularly helpful for the socially anxious: first, that being a good conversationalist is a skill that can be learned rather than an in-born trait, and, second, that people consistently underestimate how much strangers enjoy talking with them. While some of the details will sound familiar if you’ve read other books on charisma and conversation, this is a great introduction to those who are new to the topic or are ready for a refresher. 

If you liked Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves, you might also like: 

How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen 

By David Brooks 

Random House, 2023. 306 pages. Nonfiction 

Drawing from the fields of psychology and neuroscience and from the worlds of theater, philosophy, history and education, one of the nation's leading writers and commentators helps us become more understanding and considerate toward others, and to find the joy that comes from being seen. 

Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection 

by Charles Duhigg 

Random House, 2024. 299 pages. Nonfiction 

Supercommunicators know the importance of recognizing, and then matching, each kind of conversation, and how to hear the complex emotions, subtle negotiations, and deeply held beliefs that color so much of what we say and how we listen. In this book, you will learn why some people are able to make themselves heard, and to hear others, so clearly. Charles Duhigg teaches the tips and skills we need to navigate conversations more successfully. 

 SGR

Beauty Reborn

Beauty Reborn 

by Elizabeth Lowham 

Shadow Mountain, 2023. 208 pages. Young Adult Fantasy

Beauty’s life is the stuff of fairy tales. The youngest in her family, Beauty isn’t trying to catch Stephan’s eye. He is the lord baron’s heir, well above her family’s modest station, but when he kisses her hand at a party, Beauty is swept away by his charm, his wit, and his passionate declarations of love. Hearts can be untamable creatures, especially when touched by the fires of first love, and Beauty doesn’t see the truth of Stephan’s intentions until it is too late. Until he stops asking for Beauty’s love―and simply takes it from her one night despite her refusal. Beauty locks away the secret of what happened to her, and when her father emerges from the enchanted forest with a stolen rose in his hand and the tale of a vicious beast on his breath, Beauty seizes the chance to run as far from Stephan as possible. She has some experience with beasts, after all. Certainly the one in the forest couldn’t be any worse than the one she’s already encountered. Breaking the Beast’s curse might be the key to discovering her own path to healing―and finding the courage to allow herself to feel reborn. 

I’m a sucker for fairytale retellings, especially Beauty and the Beast, but Beauty Reborn was a bit different. Obviously, the original fairy tale is interwoven in this story, but the added aspect of what happened to Beauty gave her some depth and added motives. Even though I know this story by heart, I didn’t know how it would all come together. Their friendship is sweet and healing. Beauty’s annoying sister, Astra, is another story…literally! (Make sure to read the sequel Astra Remade next!)

If you like Beauty Reborn, you might also like: 

Cruel Beauty

by Rosamund Hodge 

Balzer + Bray, 2014. 346 pages. Young Adult Fantasy

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom—all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him. With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people. But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle—a shifting maze of magical rooms—enthralls her. As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

The Merchant’s Daughter 

by Melanie Dickerson 

Zondervan, 2011. 284 pages. Young Adult Fantasy

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf 's bailiff a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past. Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

Beastly Beauty 

by Jennifer Donnelly 

Scholastic Press, 2024. 321 pages. Young Adult Fantasy

What makes a girl "beastly?" Is it having too much ambition? Being too proud? Taking up too much space? Or is it just wanting something, anything, too badly? That's the problem Arabella faces when she makes her debut in society. Her parents want her to be sweet and compliant so she can marry well, but try as she might, Arabella can't extinguish the fire burning inside her -- the source of her deepest wishes, her wildest dreams. When an attempt to suppress her emotions tragically backfires, a mysterious figure punishes Arabella with a curse, dooming her and everyone she cares about, trapping them in the castle. As the years pass, Arabella abandons hope. The curse is her fault -- after all, there's nothing more "beastly" than a girl who expresses her anger -- and the only way to break it is to find a boy who loves her for her true self: a cruel task for a girl who's been told she's impossible to love. When a handsome thief named Beau makes his way into the castle, the captive servants are thrilled, convinced he is the one to break the curse. But Beau -- spooked by the castle's strange and forbidding ladies-in-waiting, and by the malevolent presence that stalks its corridors at night -- only wants to escape. He learned long ago that love is only an illusion. If Beau and Arabella have any hope of breaking the curse, they must learn to trust their wounded hearts, and realize that the cruelest prisons of all are the ones we build for ourselves.

EJW

The Ha-Ha

The Ha-Ha
By Jennifer Dawson
Scribner, 2026/ 1961.177 pages. Fiction

At a tea party at Oxford University in the 1950s, earnest undergraduates in floral dresses clink cups, discussing their studies, sports, and summer balls. But to one student, Josephine, they are grotesquely transformed: she is sitting among ominous armadillos. Then, the laughter comes. As she is engulfed in mirthless hysterics, her college has no choice but to send her away. Since her mother's death, Josephine's reality seems a badly painted canvas, viewed through the wrong end of a telescope. It is a relief to find a sense of belonging, for once, within the mental institution where she is confined. But, eventually, she must reintegrate with society. Through a transformative encounter with a fellow patient, a return to real life seems possible.

If you too love a book about a woman unraveling, this book is well-worth your time! Often compared to The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, Dawson’s book predates it but never reached the same level of recognition. The Ha-Ha follows a young woman, Josephine, who is committed to a mental institution while in college. Influenced by the author's experience of also being committed in the 50's and working as a mental health professional later in life, this provides incredible insight into that era's attitudes of mental health.

The writing is intimate, surreal, philosophical, and dynamic as it shifts through her emotional states and thoughts. What I found to be so profound and relatable was the main character's experience in reckoning with the meaning of life and pressure to conform in society. She moves beyond what her late mother, the doctors, and classmates expects of her and discovers an expansive truth in the absurdity of existence. Moving through this discovery with the main character is bleak at times but ends with hope and possibility.  In her newfound freedom she says “I was born for something more than mere sanity" and “I was born for so much joy.”

If you like The Ha-Ha you might also like:

Convenience Store Woman

by Saka Murata 

Grove Press, 2019. 163 pages. Fiction

Keiko has never fit in, neither in her family, nor in school, but when at the age of eighteen she begins working at the Hiiromachi branch of “Smile Mart,” she finds peace and purpose in her life. In the store, unlike anywhere else, she understands the rules of social interaction―many are laid out line by line in the store’s manual―and she does her best to copy the dress, mannerisms, and speech of her colleagues, playing the part of a “normal” person excellently, more or less. Keiko is very happy, but the people close to her, from her family to her coworkers, increasingly pressure her to find a husband, and to start a proper career, prompting her to take desperate action.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation

by Ottessa Moshfegh

Penguin Books, 2018. 288 pages. Fiction

It's early 2000 on New York City's Upper East Side, and the alienation of Moshfegh's unnamed young protagonist from others is nearly complete when she initiates her yearlong siesta, during which time she experiences limited personal interactions. Her parents have died; her relationships with her bulimic best friend Reva, an ex-boyfriend, and her drug-pushing psychiatrist are unwholesome. As her pill-popping intensifies, so does her isolation and determination to leave behind the world's travails.

MT

Beautyland

Beautyland  

By Marie-Helene Bertino 

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2024. 326 pages. Science Fiction 

At the moment when Voyager 1 is launched into space carrying its famous golden record, a baby of unusual perception is born to a single mother in Philadelphia. Adina Giorno is tiny and jaundiced, but reaches for warmth and light. As a child, she recognizes that she is different; she also possesses knowledge of a faraway planet. The arrival of a fax machine enables her to contact her extraterrestrial relatives, beings who have sent her to report on the oddities of earthlings. For years, as she moves through the world and makes a life for herself among humans, she dispatches transmissions on the terrors and surprising joys of their existence. But at a precarious moment, a beloved friend urges Adina to share her messages with the world. Is there a chance she is not alone? 

This is such a lovely story that had me looking at life and my experiences in the world a little differently. If extraterrestrials were to look at humanity, how strange we must seem, or more specifically, the United States, since this character lives in the USA. Adina both is, and is not, human. Seeing her try to relay her meaningful experiences to her home planet has a unique charm, especially when she’s a child. Additionally, Adina’s story spans a lifetime, and certain pivotal moments (like 9/11) reminded me of how I perceived and processed those big events personally. This was a fast-paced, lyrical, witty, and thought-provoking story. I would easily recommend this for adults who enjoy character-driven literary fiction, especially those with memories of the 80s, 90s, and 00s. 

If you liked Beautyland, you might also like: 

Annie Bot  

By Sierra Greer 

Mariner Books, 2024. 231 pages. Science Fiction 

Annie Bot was created to be the perfect girlfriend for her human owner Doug. Designed to satisfy his emotional and physical needs. True, she's not the greatest at keeping Doug's place spotless, but she's trying to please him. Doug says he loves that Annie's AI makes her seem more like a real woman, so Annie explores human traits such as curiosity, secrecy, and longing. But becoming more human also means becoming less perfect, and as Annie's relationship with Doug grows more intricate and difficult, she starts to wonder: Does Doug really desire what he says he wants? And in such an impossible paradox, what does Annie owe herself? 

Toward Eternity  

By Anton Hur 

Harper Via, 2024. 244 pages. Science Fiction 

In a near-future world, a new technological therapy is quickly eradicating cancer: The body's cells are entirely replaced with nanites--robot or android cells that not only cure those afflicted but leave them virtually immortal. At the same time, literary researcher Yonghun teaches an AI how to understand poetry and creates a living, thinking machine he names Panit, meaning "Beloved," in honor of his husband. When Dr. Beeko, who holds the patent to the nano-therapy technology, learns of Panit, he transfers its consciousness into an android body, giving it freedom and life. As Yonghun, Panit, and other nano humans thrive--and begin to replicate--their development will lead them to a crossroads and a choice with existential consequences. 

ACS

Hekate

Hekate
By Nikita Gill
Little, Brown and Company, 2025. 364 pages. YA Fiction

Orphaned by the war between the Titans and Olympians, Hekate is raised in the Underworld by Styx and Hades, and after discovering her powers and ascending to Goddess status, she becomes the key to ending an immortal war that threatens both the Underworld and Mount Olympus. 

Gill explores themes of identity, resilience, and the effects of war on the children it leaves behind. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy mythology with a feminist lens, coming of age stories, and beautifully written poetry. 

If you like Things No One Taught Us About Love, you might also like:

Ariadne
By Jennifer Saint
Flatiron Books, 2021. 308 pages. Fiction

A feminist retelling of Theseus and the Minotaur, which imagines what motivated Cretan princess Ariadne to defy her father and the gods and help Theseus escape the labyrinth alive. 

Circe
By Madeline Miller
Little, Brown and Company, 2018. 393 pages. Fiction

Circe, the much-misunderstood enchantress of the Odyssey recounts her life, from her childhood among the gods to her exile on the island of Aiaia.

RBL

Things No One Taught Us About Love

Things No One Taught Us About Love
By Vex King
HarperOne, 2025. 301 pages. Nonfiction

This easy-to-digest nonfiction book teaches that building healthy relationships starts with developing a strong foundation of self-love and self-awareness. It explains that many relationship struggles come from unhealed emotional wounds and learned patterns that shape how we give and receive love. The book emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for your inner world rather than relying on others for validation or happiness.

King highlights that healthy relationships require clear boundaries, honest communication, and mutual respect rather than dependency or control. He also frames relationships as opportunities for growth, showing how partners often reflect your inner state and areas that need healing. Overall, the book presents love as a daily practice rooted in self-respect, emotional maturity, and conscious effort rather than something that simply happens. I really found that it resonated deeply with me, and the tips for daily practice are actually do-able. I highly recommend getting more in touch with yourself and learning how you, as an individual, deserve to be loved unconditionally.

If you like Things No One Taught Us About Love, you might also like:

Take Up Space, Y'All
By Tess Holiday
RP Teens, 2025. 162 pages. Nonfiction

For any readers who feel they have to change themselves to fit in, this is an encouraging message to be their most authentic selves. It's geared at teenagers, but the messages resonate with any age. This engaging and informative work offers body-positive tips and tricks while tackling important topics such as mental health, friendships, self-image, and personal habits. As exemplified by the title, the authors focus on helping readers respond to difficult situations and keep a clear head, all with an emphasis on self-love. In a supportive, energetic tone, Holliday and Coon guide readers in learning how to love themselves and develop their own relationships with food, fashion, and friends.

The Body Is Not An Apology
By Sonya Renee Taylor
Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2021. 159 pages. Nonfiction

This incredible resource argues that radical self-love is a powerful tool for healing both personal and societal harm. The book explains how systems like racism, sexism, and body shaming distort our relationship with our bodies and limit our sense of worth. It encourages readers to reject these harmful narratives, embrace their bodies fully, and use self-love as a foundation for creating a more just and compassionate world. World-renowned activist and poet Sonya Renee Taylor invites us to reconnect with the radical origins of our minds and bodies and celebrate our collective, enduring strength. As we awaken to our own indoctrinated body shame, we feel inspired to awaken others and to interrupt the systems that perpetuate body shame and oppression against all bodies. When we act from this truth on a global scale, we usher in the transformative opportunity of radical self-love, which is the opportunity for a more just, equitable, and compassionate world--for us all.

The Courage To Be Disliked
By Ichirō Kishimi
Atria Books, 2018. 270 pages. Nonfiction

This book demonstrates how to unlock the power within yourself to be the person you truly want to be. Using the theories of Alfred Adler, one of the three giants of twentieth century psychology, this book follows an illuminating conversation between a philosopher and a young man. The philosopher explains to his pupil how each of us is able to determine our own life, free from the shackles of past experiences, doubts, and the expectations of others. It's a way of thinking that is deeply liberating, allowing us to develop the courage to change, and to ignore the limitations that we and other people have placed on us. The result is a book that is both highly accessible and profound in its importance. This book will help you declutter your mind of harmful thoughts and attitudes, helping you to make a lasting change, achieve real happiness, and find success.

Recipes for Self-Love
By Rachel Alison
Morrow Gift, 2019. 112 pages. Nonfiction

This graphic-style self-help book uses simple illustrations and short reflections to explore self-worth and emotional well-being. It focuses on how societal pressures, especially in a patriarchal world, can shape insecurities and negative self-perception. The author encourages readers to practice self-love through boundaries, self-acceptance, and letting go of the need for external validation. She presents healing as a gradual process, offering small, relatable “recipes” or steps for feeling better in everyday life. Overall, it delivers a gentle and accessible message that prioritizing your own needs and inner peace is both necessary and empowering.

LKA

This Story Might Save Your Life

This Story Might Save Your Life
by Tiffany Crum
Pine & Cedar, 2026. 357 pages. Fiction

Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different "against-all-odds" survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near-death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy's experience with severe narcolepsy, they've been the best friends everyone wants to befriend - and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy's husband Xander, they've built a lucrative empire. But their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander's one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple's disappearance is the incomplete, previously-unseen first draft of Joy's memoir. Benny is desperate to find them, even when the police soon zero in on him as their prime suspect. But as the hours tick by, the odds seem increasingly stacked against Joy and Xander being found alive.

Just like the podcast Benny and Joy host (which I really want to listen to!), this book is a great exploration of tense themes with high stakes with a little sprinkling of humor and romance. While the search for Joy and Xander drives the plot, the history of Joy, Xander, and Benny's relationship is also slowly revealed through additions of Joy's unpublished memoir, which adds a little humanity and heart to the story. I appreciated the addition of moments of lightness to balance the suspenseful ones. And since this is a book about a podcast, this book also examines how fame changes the trajectory of both the search and the dynamics of Joy, Xander, and Benny's relationship. This is a great read for those who like their mysteries and thrillers to include some great character-driven moments as well. I also highly recommend the audiobook!

If you like This Story Might Save Your Life you might also like:

Listen for the Lie
by Amy Tintera
Celadon Books, 2024. 336 pages. Fiction

After the death of her best friend, Lucy seeks for a new start by moving to L.A. But when her grandmother convinces her to return to her small Texas town, Lucy learns that she's the subject of a new podcast, and the podcast host is also in town looking for clues. Working together, Lucy becomes determined to solve her best friend's murder, even though she's afraid she's the one who did it.

The Ghostwriter
by Julie Clark
Sourcebooks Landmark, 2025. 342 pages. Fiction

June, 1975. The Taylor family shatters in a single night when two teenage siblings are found dead in their own home. The only surviving sibling, Vincent, never shakes the whispers and accusations that he was the one who killed them. Decades later, the legend only grows as his career as a horror writer skyrockets. Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont has spent her entire professional life hiding the fact that she is the only child of Vincent Taylor. Now on the brink of financial ruin, she's offered a job to ghostwrite her father's last book--his memoir disclosing what really happened.

The Girls Trip
by Ally Condie
Grand Central Publishing, 2026. 320 pages. Fiction

Hope, Ash, and Caro met at an online book club. Over the past two years, they've been there for each other in every way-except in person. When each of their lives reach a crossroads, they decide to meet in real life at the gorgeous Sonnet Resort at Eden National Park. Hope, an actress, has become entirely too famous and needs to get away from it all. Ash, a successful online entrepreneur, isn't sure what has happened to her marriage. Caro, a doctor, has lost a patient and doesn't know if she wants to carry on or start all over. And none of them are telling each other the full story.

MB 

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley

By Courtney Walsh 

Thomas Nelson, 2023. 368 pages. Fiction 

Isadora Bentley follows the rules. Isadora Bentley likes things just so. Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn't exist in her life--and never will. As a university researcher, Isadora keeps to herself as much as possible. She avoids the students she's supposed to befriend and mentor. She stays away from her neighbors and lives her own quiet, organized life in her own quiet, organized apartment. And she will never get involved in a romantic relationship again--especially with another academic. It will be just Isadora and her research. Forever. 

But on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora does something completely out of character. The young woman who never does anything "on a whim" makes an impulse purchase of a magazine featuring a silly article detailing "Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy"--which includes everything from smiling at strangers to exercising for endorphins to giving in to your chocolate cravings. Isadora decides to create her own secret research project--proving the writer of the ridiculous piece wrong. As Isadora gets deeper into her research--and meets a handsome professor along the way--she's stunned to discover that maybe, just maybe, she's proving herself wrong. Perhaps there's actually something to this happiness concept, and possibly there's something to be said for loosening up and letting life take you somewhere . . . happy. 

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley was a delightful read! Isadora is definitely neurodivergent, so the beginning is cringe-worthy as you watch her avoid human interactions but when she starts working on the checklist things start picking up. I love all the friendships that gravitate to her as she tries to get out of her shell and finds herself. The “happiness list” is fun to contemplate and I wanted to try some of those things myself. It’s a fun light read with a cute low-spice romance included! 

If you like The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, you might also like:

The Collected Regrets of Clover 

by Mikki Brammer 

St. Martin's Press, 2023. 314 pages. Fiction 

 From the day she watched her kindergarten teacher drop dead during a dramatic telling of Peter Rabbit, Clover Brooks has felt a stronger connection with the dying than she has with the living. After the beloved grandfather who raised her dies alone while she is traveling, Clover becomes a death doula in New York City, dedicating her life to ushering people peacefully through their end-of-life process. Clover spends so much time with the dying that she has no life of her own, until the final wishes of a feisty old woman send Clover on a trip across the country to uncover a forgotten love story––and perhaps, her own happy ending. As she finds herself struggling to navigate the uncharted roads of romance and friendship, Clover is forced to examine what she really wants, and whether she’ll have the courage to go after it.

Agatha Arch is Afraid of Everything

by Kristin Bair

Alcove Press, 2020. 352 pages, Fiction

Agatha Arch’s life shatters when she discovers her husband in their backyard shed, in flagrante delicto, giving the local dog walker some heavy petting. Suddenly, Agatha finds herself face to face with everything that frightens her . . . and that’s a loooooong list. Agatha keeps those she loves close. Everyone else, she keeps as far away as possible. So she’s a mystery to nearly everyone in her New England town. Defying her abundant assortment of anxieties, Agatha dons her “spy pants” and sets out to spy on her husband and the dog walker. Along the way, she finds another intriguing target to follow: a mysterious young woman who’s panhandling on the busiest street in town. It’s all a bit much for timorous Agatha. But with the help of her Bear Grylls bobblehead, a trio of goats, and a dog named Balderdash, Agatha may just find the courage to build a better life.

The Helpline

by Katherine Collette 

Atria Books, 2020. 320 pages. Fiction 

Germaine Johnson doesn’t need friends. She has her work and her Sudoku puzzles. Until, that is, an incident at her insurance company leaves her jobless—and it turns out that there are very few openings these days for senior mathematicians with zero people skills. Desperate, Germaine manages to secure a position at City Hall answering calls on the Senior Citizens Helpline. But it turns out that the mayor has something else in mind for Germaine: a secret project involving the troublemakers at the senior citizens center and their feud with the neighboring golf club—which happens to be run by the dashing yet disgraced national Sudoku champion, Don Thomas. Don and the mayor want the senior center closed down and at first, Germaine is dedicated to helping them out—it makes sense mathematically, after all. But when Germaine actually gets to know the group of elderly rebels at the senior center, they open her eyes to a life outside of boxes and numbers and for the first time ever, Germaine realizes she may have miscalculated.