Category Archives: magical realism

The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee, Translated by Sandy Joosun Lee – a Book Review

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

I can safely say this is unlike any other book I’ve read. For being billed an adult novel, it certainly has a very middle-grade children’s book vibe. The story is very sweet but simple and exudes magic from every angle. … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, humor, magical realism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt by Chelsea Iverson – a Book Review

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

I have numerous other reads I finished before this one, but I just completed the audiobook and have a lot of thoughts I’m desperate to get out, so I’m skipping ahead a bit. Synopsis Harriet has always been considered odd. … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Fiction, magical realism, Uncategorized, Women's fiction | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Lucky Turtle by Bill Roorbach – a Book Review

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

Well, here you have it. This is my final catch-up review of 2024 and then I can turn over a new leaf and pledge to be more on top of things for 2025. I barely made it with this one … Continue reading →

Posted in Coming of Age, General fiction, Literary Fiction, magical realism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami (translated by Jay Rubin)- a Book Review

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

This is quite possibly the most difficult review I’ll write for 2024. Yes, please ignore the fact that I’m posting my last 3 reviews (3!!!) for 2024 finished books in 2025. Forgive me, I’m not really on my game, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, General fiction, Historical Fiction, magical realism, mystery, Seriously Weird Shit, Uncategorized, Urban fantasy | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox – a Book Review (Sort of)

Posted on November 12, 2024 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

It makes me tremendously sad to review this book at the moment. Here we have yet another incredible work of literature that celebrates those women throughout history who toiled and fought for the respect they should be given only to … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, General fiction, Historical Fiction, magical realism, Women's fiction | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Garden by Clare Beams – a Book Review

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

It’s 1948, and Irene Willard finds herself left at the doors of an old mansion-turned hospital. All women at this hospital, like her, have only ever experienced the heartbreak of lost pregnancy and are desperate to deliver to their husbands … Continue reading →

Posted in General fiction, Gothic, Historical Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, magical realism, Psychological thriller, Women's fiction | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Magic All Around by Jennifer Moorman – a Book Review

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

I initially found this book so intriguing because of the cover. Look at it, it’s utterly gorgeous and definitely exudes magic. However, I also initially had the fear that it might verge into the world of schmaltz, and I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, General fiction, magical realism, Romance, Uncategorized, Women's fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez – a Book Review

Posted on July 18, 2024 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

Julia Alvarez is widely considered an icon in the realm of literature, and when you get the pleasure of reading her prose, you completely understand why. Her words are effortless and timeless. Having just passed the age of 74, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, General fiction, Literary Fiction, magical realism, Uncategorized, Women's fiction | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years by Shubnum Khan – a Book Review

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

The world of publishing can be a fickle place. One minute vampires are trending to be replaced by witches or werewolves the next cycle. Things usually cycle back again, but it’s a bit like the tide going in and out. … Continue reading →

Posted in Gothic, Historical Fiction, magical realism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

An Inheritance of Magic by Benedict Jacka – a Book Review

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

This positively delightful cover is the first in a new series by Benedict Jacka, who is otherwise known for his Alex Verus series. I haven’t read it, but it’s quite popular with readers of urban fantasy. As a reader, I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, magical realism, Urban fantasy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments