Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 11

Sunday Confessions #315

 

Welcome back to another round of Sunday Confessions, where I spill the truth about my reading habits, bookish blunders, and everything in between. Whether I devoured five novels this week or abandoned one by page 30, this is the place where I come clean. Grab your coffee (or tea, no judgment here) and let’s talk about what really went down on my bookshelf this week.

Sunday Confessions #314~Weekly Menu #617 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo~Binge-Worthy Wednesday: What the River Knows by Isable Ibanez~Book Review: The Wish by Nicholas Sparks~Book Review: Off with Her Head by Elenor Herman

Weekly Menu #618 And The Book Of The Week~ARC Review: The Ever King by L.J. Andrews~Reading through the Star Wars Universe Part 19~ARC Review: Zomromcom by Olivia Dade~Book Review: Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper~Sunday Confessions #316





Note to self: start reading the summary before diving in. Lights Out definitely took me by surprise—steamy, bold, and a bit kinkier than I usually go for. That said, I was absolutely entertained. Navessa Allen knows how to build tension and keep the pages turning, and the characters had enough spark and sass to keep me hooked. Not my usual flavor, but I can’t deny it delivered on drama, heat, and a good time.

232/100 2025 Reading Challenge~105/217 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~18/20 2024 Goodreads Fantasy Nominees Reading Challenge

That’s it for this week’s confessions. Books I loved, books that blindsided me, and a few I’m still trying to make sense of. Whether you’re judging my DNF pile or nodding along in solidarity, thanks for joining me in the chaos. Same time next Sunday? I’ll bring the tea and probably another overly dramatic plot twist.

Book Review: Off with Her Head by Elenor Herman

 

Title: Off With Her Head

By: Eleanor Herman 

Genre: Non-Fiction

Pages: 384

Release Date: September 6th, 2022

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:New York Times  bestseller Eleanor Herman, author of  Sex with Kings  and  Sex with Presidents,  returns with another work of popular history, exploring the history of misogyny against women with power from Cleopatra to Kamala Harris.
Imagine Donald Trump as a woman, called Donna. Would Donna Trump have been viewed as blunt, honest, and refreshing? Would she have won the election? Imagine Hillary Clinton as a man. Howard Clinton says and does the exact same things as Hillary. Would Howard Clinton have been portrayed in a thousand Pinterest images as a witch, stirring a cauldron or riding a broomstick? Would he have been called a bitch on countless T-shirts? Would his thoughtful, circumspect answers to media questions have been seen as inauthenticity, secretiveness, and untrustworthiness? There is a particular kind of rage—let’s call it unadulterated bloodlust—usually reserved for women, especially women in power or vying for it. From the ancient world, through the European Renaissance, up to the most recent U.S. elections, the Misogynist’s Handbook, as Eleanor Herman calls it, has been wielded to put uppity women in their place. In a story that is shocking, eye-opening, and a powerful force for change, Eleanor Herman’s signature wit and humor explores the patterns that have been operating for more than three thousand years—and are still operating today—against powerful women across the globe, including Cleopatra, Anne Boleyn, Marie Antoinette, Catherine the Great, Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, and more.
Each chapter analyzes a tried-and-true misogynistic method to keep women down, Her Overweening Ambition, Why Doesn’t She Do Something About Her Hair?, The Dangers of Female Hormones, The Alarming Shrillness of Her Voice, The Mysterious Unlikability of Female Candidates, She’s a Bitch and Other Animals, She’s a Witch and Other Monsters, and Her Sexual Depravity. Herman ends the book by looking forward, examining ways to rip up the Misogynist’s Handbook once and for all.

 

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Review:Eleanor Herman delivers a searing, smart, and accessible look at the long, ugly history of how powerful women have been villainized, sexualized, and silenced. From Cleopatra to Kamala Harris, Off With Her Head threads together centuries of misogyny with biting wit and a modern lens that feels both timely and timeless. The writing is engaging and sharply researched, though occasionally it leaned more toward anecdotal than analytical. Still, this is a powerful read that reminds us how deeply the roots of female vilification go, and how urgent it is to keep challenging the narratives.

Book Review: The Wish by Nicholas Sparks

 

Title: The Wish

By: Nicholas Sparks

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 387

Release Date: September 28th, 2021

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:1996 was the year that changed everything for Maggie Dawes. Sent away at sixteen to live with an aunt she barely knew in Ocracoke, a remote village on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, she could think only of the friends and family she left behind . . . until she met Bryce Trickett, one of the few teenagers on the island. Handsome, genuine, and newly admitted to West Point, Bryce showed her how much there was to love about the wind-swept beach town—and introduced her to photography, a passion that would define the rest of her life.
By 2019, Maggie is a renowned travel photographer. She splits her time between running a successful gallery in New York and photographing remote locations around the world. But this year she is unexpectedly grounded over Christmas, struggling to come to terms with a sobering medical diagnosis. Increasingly dependent on a young assistant, she finds herself becoming close to him.
As they count down the last days of the season together, she begins to tell him the story of another Christmas, decades earlier—and the love that set her on a course she never could have imagined.

 

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Review:Nicholas Sparks and I have a complicated relationship. Every book feels like a familiar walk through heartbreak, hope, and a tear-stained final chapter. And yet I keep coming back for more. The Wish is classic Sparks in all the best ways: emotional, romantic, and deeply human. Maggie's story is one of first love, hard choices, and the bittersweet beauty of memory. It hooked me from the first page and didn't let go, even after I turned the last one. Yes, I’ve seen this formula before, but Sparks still manages to make it feel fresh, raw, and real. This one hit differently, and I’m not even mad about the tears.

Binge-Worthy Wednesday: What the River Knows by Isable Ibanez

 

Title: What the River Knows

By: Isabel Ibanez

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 404

Release Date: October 31st, 2023

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.
When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and an ancient golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.
With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.
The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in this lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.

 

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Review:I devoured What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez and loved every lush, romantic, and dangerous second of it. Set against the golden backdrop of 19th century Egypt, this book swept me away with its vivid worldbuilding, sharp witted heroine, and a mystery steeped in magic and betrayal. Inez is bold, clever, and stubborn in all the best ways, and the chemistry? Whew.

Book Review: The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

 

Title: The Fox Wife

By: Yangsze Choo

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 390

Release Date: February 13th, 2024

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:Some people think foxes are similar to ghosts because we go around collecting qi, but nothing could be further than the truth. We are living creatures, just like you, only usually better looking . . .
Manchuria, 1908.In the last years of the dying Qing Empire, a courtesan is found frozen in a doorway. Her death is clouded by rumors of foxes, which are believed to lure people by transforming themselves into beautiful women and handsome men. Bao, a detective with an uncanny ability to sniff out the truth, is hired to uncover the dead woman’s identity. Since childhood, Bao has been intrigued by the fox gods, yet they’ve remained tantalizingly out of reach—until, perhaps, now.
Meanwhile, a family who owns a famous Chinese medicine shop can cure ailments but can’t escape the curse that afflicts them—their eldest sons die before their twenty-fourth birthdays. When a disruptively winsome servant named Snow enters their household, the family’s luck seems to change—or does it?
Snow is a creature of many secrets, but most of all she’s a mother seeking vengeance for her lost child. Hunting a murderer, she will follow the trail from northern China to Japan, while Bao follows doggedly behind. Navigating the myths and misconceptions of fox spirits, both Snow and Bao will encounter old friends and new foes, even as more deaths occur.
New York Times bestselling author Yangsze Choo brilliantly explores a world of mortals and spirits, humans and beasts, and their dazzling intersection. Epic in scope and full of singular, unforgettable characters, The Fox Wife is a stunning novel about old loves and second chances, the depths of maternal love, and ancient folktales that may very well be true.

 

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Review:A hauntingly lyrical blend of historical fiction and folklore, The Fox Wife spins a mysterious tale of revenge, love, and transformation. Set in 1900s Manchuria, the narrative follows a shape-shifting fox spirit and a determined detective, their paths intertwining in unexpected, poignant ways. Choo’s writing is atmospheric and elegant, laced with myth and melancholy. While the pacing occasionally slows, the emotional undercurrents and rich cultural backdrop kept me hooked. A beautifully woven tale that lingers like a whispered legend.

Weekly Menu #617 And The Book Of The Week

 

What happens in the kitchen this week is staying delicious. We’re turning up the heat with a Las Vegas inspired menu that’s full of bold flavors, a little extravagance, and a whole lot of flair. From decadent buffets to street food style bites with a gourmet twist, this week is all about rolling the culinary dice and letting luck and seasoning lead the way.
To match the energy of this glittering city, I’m diving into The Dragon Wakes with Thunder by K.X. Song. I’m thrilled to have snagged a prerelease copy, and just a few chapters in, it’s already pulsing with power, mystery, and a storm of political intrigue. So far, it’s the perfect pairing to the high stakes drama of Vegas, where dragons sleep under neon lights and danger is always just one move away.

WEEKLY MENU

Monday

“High Roller” Filet Mignon Bites with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Kids - Chicken and Mashed Potatoes

or - Mozzarella Sticks and Mashed Potatoes

 

Tuesday

Fremont Street Tacos

Kids - Cheese Quesadillas

or - Cheese and Toast

 

Wednesday

Rat Pack Pasta Alfredo with Shrimp & Spinach

Kids - Mac and Cheese

or - Cheese and Crackers

 

Thursday

Neon Nights Thai Basil Stir-Fry

Kids - Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry

or - Cheese and Veggie Rice Bowl

 

Friday

Bacon Flatbread with Caramelized Onions & Blue Cheese

Kids - Flatbread Pizza

or - Garlic Knots and Cheese

 

Saturday

Loaded Baked Potato Bar with Vegas Strip Toppings

Kids - Cheesy Fries

 

Sunday

Leftovers Night

Sunday Confessions #314

 

It’s time for another round of Sunday Confessions, where I spill the bookish tea, unburden my literary soul, and maybe admit to a few questionable reading choices. Whether it's abandoning a hyped book halfway through, bingeing an entire series instead of doing laundry, or shamelessly judging covers at the bookstore, this is my safe space. So grab a cup of coffee (or wine, no judgment here) and settle in while I confess what really went down in my reading life this week.

Weekly Menu #616 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Maid for each other by Lynn Painter~Binge-Worthy Wednesday: A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher~ARC Review: Sky on Fire by E.K. Johnston~Book Review: The Life Imposible by Matt Haig

Weekly Menu #617 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo~Binge-Worthy Wednesday: What the River Knows by Isable Ibanez~Book Review: The Wish by Nicholas Sparks~Book Review: Off with Her Head by Elenor Herman~Sunday Confessions #315





Ward D by Freida McFadden delivers her signature fast-paced suspense, but this time with a plot that feels more chaotic than compelling. Set in a locked psychiatric ward, the story aims for high tension but leans too heavily on twists that feel implausible or overly dramatic. While the premise is intriguing and the atmosphere effectively unsettling, the characters lack depth and the pacing occasionally veers into confusion rather than suspense. It's a quick, entertaining read, but not one that lingers after the final page.

225/100 2025 Reading Challenge~104/217 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~18/20 2024 Goodreads Fantasy Nominees Reading Challenge

That’s it for this week’s confessions, messy book stacks, impulsive one click buys, and all. Whether you’re riding high on five star reads or stuck in a slump, remember every bookish moment counts. I’ll be back next Sunday with more truths from the reading trenches, but until then, may your coffee be strong, your bookmarks plentiful, and your plot twists satisfying. Happy reading, friends!

Book Review: The Life Imposible by Matt Haig

 

Title: The Life Impossible

By: Matt Haig

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 324

Release Date: August 29th, 2024 

Rating: ★★★★★

 
Summary from Goodreads:The remarkable next novel from Matt Haig, the author of #1 New York Times bestseller The Midnight Library, with more than nine million copies sold worldwide
“What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet…”
When retired math teacher Grace Winters is left a run-down house on a Mediterranean island by a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her. She arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan.
Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the island, Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life, and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past.
Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning.

 

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Review:Matt Haig does it again. The Life Impossible is a tender, philosophical journey that feels like a warm hug and a gentle nudge toward hope. With a whimsical yet grounded tone, it explores what it means to live fully. Even when life feels unbearable. I laughed, I teared up, and I found pieces of myself tucked between the pages. It's a book about second chances, invisible burdens, and the quiet magic of being human. Unforgettable and utterly beautiful.

ARC Review: Sky on Fire by E.K. Johnston

 

Title: Sky on Fire

By: E.K. Johnston

Genre: Sci-fi

Pages: 272

Release Date: July 22nd, 2025 

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:A fast-paced and thought-provoking queer sci-fi/fantasy novel from #1 New York Times bestseller E. K. Johnston.
Morgan Enni has things to do. A science prodigy in a university full of mage-scientists, she’s notable for having no magical ability, which only increases her ambition and drive to prove herself. Her research has the potential to devastate every aetherworker in the galaxy and shake the crumbled foundations of the Stavenger Empire. It's no wonder she can't find anyone who wants to listen to her, much less fund her expedition.
But Morgan is stubborn, and eventually her work catches the attention of a group of rebels, who hope it might turn the tide in their favour. When they try to recruit the young scientist, they get much more than they bargained for. Morgan Enni has secrets of her own.
Set in the world of Aetherbound, E. K. Johnston continues to entwine Arthurian myth and the history of North Atlantic fisheries in a clever, character-driven space fantasy.

 

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Review:

This sequel burns bright, balancing political drama, high stakes tension, and emotional growth with Johnston's signature poetic prose. While it took a few chapters to find its rhythm, once it hit its stride, I was hooked. The character arcs deepen beautifully, and the worldbuilding expands in meaningful ways, answering questions from book one while raising new, compelling stakes. It’s quieter than some sci-fi epics, but no less powerful. A thoughtful, grounded read that earns its fire.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Binge-Worthy Wednesday: A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

 

Title: A Sorceress Comes to Call

By: T. Kingfisher

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 321

Release Date: August 6th, 2024

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:A dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl, rife with secrets, murder, and forbidden magic
Cordelia knows her mother is unusual. Their house doesn’t have any doors between rooms, and her mother doesn't allow Cordelia to have a single friend—unless you count Falada, her mother's beautiful white horse. The only time Cordelia feels truly free is on her daily rides with him. But more than simple eccentricity sets her mother apart. Other mothers don’t force their daughters to be silent and motionless for hours, sometimes days, on end. Other mothers aren’t sorcerers.
After a suspicious death in their small town, Cordelia’s mother insists they leave in the middle of the night, riding away on Falada’s sturdy back, leaving behind all Cordelia has ever known. They arrive at the remote country manor of a wealthy older man, the Squire, and his unwed sister, Hester. Cordelia’s mother intends to lure the Squire into marriage, and Cordelia knows this can only be bad news for the bumbling gentleman and his kind, intelligent sister.
Hester sees the way Cordelia shrinks away from her mother, how the young girl sits eerily still at dinner every night. Hester knows that to save her brother from bewitchment and to rescue the terrified Cordelia, she will have to face down a wicked witch of the worst kind.

 

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Review:T. Kingfisher delivers a darkly magical, emotionally resonant gem with A Sorceress Comes to Call. This haunting retelling of The Goose Girl masterfully blends gothic horror, fairy tale atmosphere, and sly humor, all anchored by two unforgettable women. Cordelia, a girl stripped of agency by her sorceress mother, and Hester, a no nonsense spinster determined to stop the abuse. The writing is rich with creeping dread and quiet triumph, and the found-family dynamics bring warmth to the eerie setting. Kingfisher’s gift for blending horror and heart is on full display here, making this a captivating and deeply satisfying read.