Can't-Wait Wednesday: All the Beastly Things by Eilish Quin, There Used to Be People Here by Kennedy Cole, & The Wolves of War by John Gwynne

       

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released!

All the Beastly Things by Eilish Quin

Publication: November 17th, 2026

Atria Books

Hardcover. 320 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"In a post-apocalyptic matriarchy that has erased men, a young novitiate faces a crisis of faith when her best friend begins receiving mysterious visions of an archangel—and must choose between the faith that shaped her and the forbidden longings that could destroy it.  

The year is 2171, and the Earth is not what it once was. After climate collapse, plague, fascism, artificial intelligence, and nuclear fallout reduced civilization to ash, nature has reclaimed the Earth. Small monastic communities have emerged from the carnage—self-sufficient, female-only religious utopias governed by a strict codex and surrounded by walls to keep the wilds at bay. The new world is harmonious, and blissfully free from structures of oppression such as hierarchy, capitalism, and time.  

Seventeen-year-old Igraine has never known life beyond the cloistered walls of the Field or seen a human male. Brilliant and devout, she spends her days in the gardens and scriptorium beside her closest companion, Ophelia. Their studies will culminate in twin posts at the Lunar Abbey—a gothic cathedral on the Moon reserved for the most venerated Sisters.  

Their futures fracture when Ophelia begins receiving visions of a mysterious, alluring, and damningly masculine archangel. As the girls contend with cryptic fragments of revelation and devastating rumors about the Order’s darker origins, their bond becomes precarious and Igraine must confront her unraveling faith in a system that demands her complete surrender."

I don't know much about this one, but I've been seeing it slowly start to pop up in various book spaces and I'm getting more and more curious about it.

There Used to Be People Here by Kennedy Cole

Publication: November 3rd, 2026

Berkley

Hardcover. 368 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"In 1970s Mississippi, a Black detective and his temporary partner are assigned to a case that shifts from murder to paranormal conspiracy with life-altering repercussions.  

Wenton, Mississippi: A man enters the bathroom of a local gay bar and doesn't come back out. Instead he's found cold, on the floor, and facing the wall. And no one seems to know how this happened.  

Samuel Barkley is Wenton's only Black detective. Assigned to the case, Samuel's one goal is to keep his head down with eyes on moving up in the police ranks. But it's not easy with Harvey, a new, temporary partner who Samuel can't seem to like...or hate. Nor with the cold, questioning eyes and fake smiles from those in town. Persistent. Judging. Wrong. Samuel is reaching his breaking point.  

As his investigation leads him to a curious plane crash cover-up, Samuel's placid existence is turned on its head. Because what crashed in Wenton isn't a plane. There are others here. They like it here. And if Samuel can't stop them, they will find a way to stay.  

With shades of The X-Files and S. A. Cosby, There Used to Be People Here deftly explores race, queerness, and existing as other in a society that demonizes everything different.”

When I first saw "detective" in this blurb I almost just skipped it and moved on because I'm not a big fan of detective/police/crime stories, but fortunately I kept reading and realized this is much more than that, and I'm so curious to check it out now!

The Wolves of War by John Gwynne

Publication: November 3rd, 2026

Orbit

Hardcover. 496 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"King of heroic fantasy and New York Times bestselling author John Gwynne returns with a blockbuster epic fantasy inspired by Slavic mythology and packed with ancient magic, heroic sacrifice, and thrilling adventure.  

'Gwynne is a rare breed of writer whose gift lies not in his panoply of talents, but in his authenticity. The Wolves of War is a beautiful book.'– Pierce Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author  

'A tour de force by one of fantasy's greatest writers.' – Jay Kristoff, New York Times bestseller author  

THE WOLVES OF WAR ARE BARING THEIR FANGS   

The Clans once lived freely, honouring their gods and traditions. Then the northern invaders unleashed a tide of blood and fire. Now the Clans are a conquered people.   

Ivan cares not for wars or kings. His only concern is the safety of his family, especially his daughter Halia, whom he would protect with his life. Halia has been trapped in her own body since birth, yet at night she has dreams of running with wolves and speaking with fae creatures of the forest. Many believe her cursed, but Halia's awakening powers may be the only way she and her family can survive the coming storm.   

For the wolves of war are stalking the horizon. Two princes have become mortal enemies, and an iron-toothed witch haunts the shadows. As mighty nations clash, Halia must master her strange magic to protect those she loves. To do so, she must accept a terrifying truth.   

Sometimes, the only way through the darkness is to embrace it.”

This is probably one of fantasy's most anticipated fall releases, and I can't wait to get started on my ARC of this one! 

Mini-Review: This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno

    

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno
Publication Date: October 12th, 2021
FSG Adult
272 pages. Paperback.

About This Thing Between Us:

"'A surreal excursion into heartache and horror narrated by a man undone by grief . . . Along with allusions to Rod Serling and The Exorcist, there are shades of H. P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, zombie literature and, at least once, A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy . . . You don't want to read this book right before bed.' ―Sarah Lyall, The New York Times Book Review

'This intense cosmic horror with a touch of Mexican American folklore is incredibly creepy and moving.' ―Margaret Kingsbury, BuzzFeed

It was Vera’s idea to buy the Itza. The “world’s most advanced smart speaker!” didn’t interest Thiago, but Vera thought it would be a bit of fun for them amidst all the strange occurrences happening in the condo. It made things worse. The cold spots and scratching in the walls were weird enough, but peculiar packages started showing up at the house―who ordered industrial lye? Then there was the eerie music at odd hours, Thiago waking up to Itza projecting light shows in an empty room.

It was funny and strange right up until Vera was killed, and Thiago’s world became unbearable. Pundits and politicians all looking to turn his wife’s death into a symbol for their own agendas. A barrage of texts from her well-meaning friends about letting go and moving on. Waking to the sound of Itza talking softly to someone in the living room . . .

The only thing left to do was get far away from Chicago. Away from everything and everyone. A secluded cabin in Colorado seemed like the perfect place to hole up with his crushing grief. But soon Thiago realizes there is no escape―not from his guilt, not from his simmering rage, and not from the evil hunting him, feeding on his grief, determined to make its way into this world.

A bold, original horror novel about grief, loneliness and the oppressive intimacy of technology, This Thing Between Us marks the arrival of a spectacular new talent."

In This Thing Between Us, we follow Thiago after his wife's sudden and traumatic death as he now inhabits a world that feels empty with the one person who mattered most to him no longer in it. He struggles with his grief in many different forms, from anger to guilt to many other emotions that I'm sure anyone who's suffered a loss can probably relate to. He eventually moves from his and his wife's home in Chicago to a secluded area in Colorado, but it is here that he ends up having to face his grief and more horrors of the universe. 

What I liked: I really liked this book's exploration of grief and trauma. This was obviously a very big part of the overall story and theming, and Gus Moreno tackled it excellently. Thiago pain felt horribly raw, and it very much permeated the entire story and made for the type of story that's not "scary monster" scary, but rather an eerie, cosmic horror, grief-tinged scary that really sits with you deep in your bones. Moreno has deftly executed a thoughtful, compelling story that I had a very hard time stepping away from. I felt so drawn to Thiago and seeing where each day would take him, and eventually what the strange things he was noticing happening meant and why they were happening. 

What I didn't like: The ending got a little bit odd--not necessarily in a way that was hard to follow, but moreso just in a sense that it didn't quite fit the overall atmosphere and vibe that I felt the first half to three-quarters of the book had been developing. It just felt very thoughtful and carefully plotted and written, and then suddenly it felt a bit... chaotic? I may have just not loved the direction it took, but it still had some strong parts within the ending that I think worked well and still left the story feeling very meaningful. Also, if the "Itza" part of the blurb is what's making you want to read this book, then just know it's nearly a present role int he story as you might think (it has a large role, but it's not a role that's consistently active throughout the story). The only thing that I didn't like at all and I don't have as much of a silver lining for is that there is a dog death, and it's all pretty quick and sudden and I didn't care for it. Then there's some stuff after the dog event with a "dog" (sorta like what I described in my review for The Nudge) that I also didn't love. So dog lovers, do be aware of this going in. 

Overall, I absolutely recommend this as a more slow-paced horror that spends plenty of time exploring our protagonist's mental state and pondering grief, purpose, and more thoughtful ideas. If you're looking for gory, in-your-face horror, then this might not be quite what you're looking for, but I'd still encourage you to give it a try!

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Review: The Nudge by Joseph Fink

   

The Nudge by Joseph Fink
Publication Date: September 1st, 2026
Podium Publishing
144 pages. Hardcover.

About The Nudge:

"A new horror novella from the creator of Welcome to Night Vale and Alice Isn’t Dead featuring original illustrations from Night Vale series artist Jessica Hayworth.

On the open road, evil doesn’t chase you. It waits . . .

Late one night, a wounded man checks into a remote roadside hotel. He’s running from something he can’t explain or escape. And over the course of a night, he’ll tell the hotel’s proprietor how his life fell apart.

It started with his wife. Subtle changes. Smiles that didn’t belong to her. Then violence―sudden, intimate, almost casual. Therapy offered hope. Recovery seemed possible. Until it wasn’t. He believes a hidden influence has attached itself to him, one that never forces, never commands. It whispers. It suggests. Nudges people toward their worst impulses.

Now the man wanders the country as a fugitive, hoping to break free from the evil that’s wormed its way into him. But as our narrator’s story unfolds, he begins to question whether he’s fled far enough . . . 

Tense, atmospheric, and chilling, The Nudge is a slow-burn tale of suspense that will linger like a whisper in the dark, long after the story is over."

The Nudge is a short little horror novella that I sat down and read in one sitting--something that I very, very rarely do, which I think is very indicative of how much it captured my attention. I had not read (or listened) to anything by Joseph Fink prior to this and stumbled upon it one day, requested it from my library, and then, as has been noted, immediately devoured it. And although I'm talking about how quick it was to read, it's not exactly a fast-paced story, either, but feels like a bit of a slow burn that moves quickly because you can't put it down, if that makes any sense. Regardless, because it is so short,  I want to do my best to avoid giving away too much about the story, so I'll try to lay out my thoughts in the most spoiler-free way that I can. 

Our story starts when a man shows up to a tucked away motel while on the run from something--and no one, not even this man, really seems to know exactly what it is, though of course he has some idea. As the man checks in and is led to his room by the hotel owner, he begins to slowly share his story about he has ended up at this particular hotel. 

The entire novella is formatted as a conversation between our protagonist and the hotel owner, so there's a nice mix of storytelling from our protagonist with some added in conversation and commentary from both men as they navigate the hotel (a seemingly more arduous and complex task than one might anticipate, but we'll get to that) towards the man's room. I really loved this narrative style and found it entirely engaging, as I already love listening to people talk and tell stories about themselves and their experiences, so I found myself pretty hooked on this conversation between thee two. I found that it created a delightful amount of suspense and tension, as something about hearing the terrifying and unnerving experiences straight from the person themself added some element of rawness and true fear to the experience. It was easy to put yourself in his shoes, and that is what really made this feel so intense at times. There's also a required level of patience as we wait for him to let the entire story unfold while at the same time moving through the hotel, which of course added to the suspense of it all.

It also doesn't hurt that what this man shares was deeply unsettling, and imagining something similar happening in my own life is truly a horrifying thought, as this story's horror really plays with tweaking the norm and turning the things we most love in our lives and that we find most comforting into the things that are now causing us the most terror. Fink does an excellent job of somehow conveying this through the conversation between the two men, while also interspersing some occasional humor and wit that acted as a perfect balance.

And while our protagonist tells his story, we're also somewhat experiencing a secondary story around the hotel itself, as it certainly is far from normal. It's quite a journey that the hotel owner leads our storyteller on to make it to his room, with confusing hallways and many peculiar bits about the hotel that make it far from normal. We also get to learn a bit about the hotel's own history, which adds a greater slanting sense to this story and managers to make everything feel just slightly off and crooked (as if our protagonist's story didn't do that enough on its own). 

I won't say too much more about the story itself because I don't want to give away anything, but I wanted to make sure to share my general thoughts about The Nudge because of how much fun I had with it. If you're looking for a quick little horror that you can easily add to your TBR and that has a really nice bite to it, then this is one you should absolutely pick up. It's not the most terrifying thing I've ever read, but I think it lands firmly as one I would recommend for anyone who enjoys when their horror is just a little bit weird, but still enjoyably scary and definitely captivating.

And last but not least--there are illustrations! I love when books have any illustrations of any kind, and I was delighted by the occasionally images interspersed throughout this story, as I felt they were exceptionally fitting and added so much more depth, dread, and connection to the story in their own unique manner. 

**A quick content warning note: there is technically a dog death in this one that I really hoped wouldn't be the case, but it's also the type of thing where it isn't technically the dog... but still, just keep that in mind. It's brief and only a very small bit of the story to where I still made it through okay, but I find it important to share so people who are sensitive to those things (such as myself) are forewarned. 

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Can't-Wait Wednesday: An Edge Sharp Enough by Jesse Q. Sutanto & A Glacier's Guide to Dying by Michelle Porter

      

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released!

An Edge Sharp Enough by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Publication: November 17th, 2026

Harper Voyager

Hardcover. 368 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"In a brilliant departure from the novels that made Jesse Q. Sutanto a USA Today bestselling author—including Dial A for Aunties—comes the first book in a debut dark fantasy duology, following an assassin, a scholar, a con man, and a guard in a race to rediscover powerful lost magic and save their world...  

Mara has no memory of life before her assassin training behind the fortress-like walls of Tchu-Morrokhai, which has been her world since she was five. Practicing discipline and strategy, sacrifice and solitude, she has dedicated herself to resisting the Divine Empress’s plans of eradicating the all-but-forgotten magic. She longs for a world once again filled with magic—and freedom and love. And she’ll do whatever it takes to find those things.  

In the faraway city of Velingard, Livya is the privileged daughter of the revered scientist whose invention of an indestructible new metal was the catalyst for a great revolution. Yet Livya’s bored of suitors and balls, more interested in philosophical debates. But when an invite to a secret salon leads to a kidnapping attempt, Livya is suddenly on the run—with the unlikely aid of charming con man Kaian, a once dear childhood friend inexplicably turned frosty stranger.  

Captain Fonde has served Velingard faithfully in the twenty years since the revolution, and all has been peaceful... until now, when he’s informed that their “indestructible” metal is inexplicably starting to crumble. Ships, bridges, buildings, statues—their entire post-revolution world is literally about to come apart. Could it be that the metal—and therefore the revolution—was flawed all along? Or is there something darker—evil, ancient, inhuman—at play?  

With stunning world-building, Jesse Q. Sutanto weaves an epic tale of characters whose lives irrevocably intertwine—and unravel—as paths collide across continents, racing toward an explosive twist that will forever change all of their fates..."

I've never read any of Jesse Q. Sutanto's books, but I'm always up for a dark fantasy, so I'm excited to check this one out!

A Glacier's Guide to Dying by Michelle Porter

Publication: November 3rd, 2026

Algonquin Books

Hardcover. 272 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"A young Métis man searching for his missing father finds himself arguing with a dying glacier in this compelling and hopeful novel about the burdens and blessings of inheritance, from the award-winning author of A Grandmother Begins the Story.  

Robbie has spent most of life wondering about his real father, Mike, who long since left their family due to his struggles with visions and mistrust of the modern world. Robbie can't forget how much he felt connected to him from his few visits, and not just because they share two differently colored eyes. But now, as he rescues his mother from encroaching wildfires, he's determined to also find his father. Robbie takes off to find answers, and when his uncle confesses that he last dropped Mike off at a glacier, he and his uncle head climb up the mountain of ice to see if Mike might still be there, and whether he's still alive.  

On the slopes of a huge glacier, Robbie, starts hearing the ancient voice of the glacier itself giving him guidance. Has he accessed a deep connection to the land, or is he succumbing to the same illness that had wreaked havoc on his father's life?  

Michelle Porter brings her profoundly moving sensibility and disarmingly funny voice to a powerful contemporary story of identity and belonging, loss and healing, within families and with the immortal land itself.”

Something about this one just really catches my eye, so I'm very curious to give it a read.

Review: Quaint Folk by Bitter Karella

  

Quaint Folk by Bitter Karella
Publication Date: October 6th, 2026
Run For It
352 pages. Hardcover.

About Quaint Folk:

"'Quaint Folk is a sharply satirical queer folk horror novel that peels back the idyllic veneer of a seemingly perfect island town to reveal the rot beneath, from Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author Bitter Karella.

"The folk horror I always wanted: queer, funny, bloody, and outrageous in the best way." ―Laura Cranehill, author of Wife Shaped Bodies

From the outside, it looks like Jessica has the perfect life. She's a stay-at-home mom, married to a man with a respectable job, raising a son they adore. Her family is as wholesome as all-American pie. But deep down, Jessica knows there's something wrong with her; she knows she can't escape her past.

When her husband’s job has them move abroad, Jessica thinks this is her chance for a fresh start. On the remote island of Hasenhurst, the modern world can’t get in. The people there grow their own herbs, make their own jam, and mind their own business. They believe in folk tales and the power of dreams. They tell visitors, we’re a quaint, quiet people.The right sort of family would do well here.

Jessica is determined to be the right kind of person for a family―and a life―like this. But as she tries to befriend the townsfolk and learn their ways, she soon realizes that beneath the town’s cozy idyll, something sickly-sweet and rotten lays buried ..."

I really loved Karella's Moonflow when I read it last year, so I was extremely pleased when Quaint Folk was announced and I was fortunate enough to receive a copy. This is just as delightfully weird as I would expect from the author of Moonflow (and I did notice a quick nod towards the King's Breakfast in this one...), and the satire is bitingly evident throughout.

Let's set the scene a bit here first: Jessica, her husband (Greg), and their child (Sandy) are off to the island of Hasenhurst--a remote British island--for the summer, as Greg's job at Ungo.com is sending him there for some manner of task or another (something in the tech field, perhaps? Jessica isn't entirely sure, and frankly neither am I, but it hardly matters). Hasenhurst appears to be a very cute, off the grid island that lacks Wi-Fi and almost appears to be like it's pulled right out of a children's storybook a la Beatrix Potter (or, in this case, Hollyoak). When the family arrives in Hasenhurst, the entire village is preparing for the upcoming Tigglestide festival, which feels mildly reminiscent of Christmas in the sense that there is a large cultural figure, known as Round Robin, who comes around and essentially ensures everyone has been acting right and embodies the town culture of being the "right sort of person." I feel like you can probably get an idea of where things might get a little... weird... in this story.

The premise of this might sound generally familiar: a family ends up in a perfect, quaint little village that seems perfect and delightful and lovely, but they realize that that is not quite the case. Quaint Folk does this a little differently, though, and that's where this book feels like it is set apart from others. 

We largely follow Jessica and Sandy's perspectives, neither of whom are overly endearing, but both are very human in their own ways and have something very understandable about them that draws the reader in to their stories. They definitely are way some of the satire feels strongest in this book (among many other areas), and everything I'm saying about them seems to be considered in relation to that idea. Jessica initially appears relatable, but soon there were some cracks that started to show and made me question more things about her and her relationship with Sandy. Sandy, meanwhile, is trying to explore their identity and cement their place in the world while also struggling with parents--not abnormal for a teenager, of course. Jessica seems understanding on the surface and supportive of Sandy's they/them pronouns, but it quickly becomes clear that there's something lacking in that support. At the same time, we learn more and more about Jessica's past that adds even more depth to this entire story. No one is straightforward here, and I think that's what made their relationship and dynamic so intriguing to explore. I like that Karella's characters really have a lot of layers to them, much as we as real humans have many layers that make it hard to always know exactly what's underneath. 

None of the characters ever felt truly grounded in reality, and I think that really lent itself to an overall dreamlike state that really permeated the atmosphere of this book. All of the characters here seemed to have very strong, distinct personalities, which almost gave everyone a larger than life feel. I think it's largely the characters' actions that make this book feel slightly odd, but the setting of Hasenhurst--which is its own sort of character--is largely what makes this village community feel as though it exists in a world of its own (which, in many ways, it does). It is certainly not somewhere that I think I'd like to visit.

There is a constant sense of things being not quite right in this book, but I wouldn't say that it's an overly pervasive or horrifyingly haunting manner  that you might find in other similar books. It was just... an underlying tension. You could almost miss sit if you weren't paying attention, but it was definitely present. It was readily apparently that just underneath what people were saying wasn't quite as positive or idyllic as it seemed, even if those people sincerely believed it was. And it's not necessarily that everyone is inherently sinister, but it's rather what's normal for them, which I think makes it even more unsettling. I constantly felt like I wasn't sure entirely what I was reading or what to expect, and it was honestly a bit of a mixed bag on how I felt. At times, I wasn't sure if I really was enjoying any of the characters or anything enough to keep reading, but something about the writing and where Karella would leave hints really intrigued me enough to keep exploring. It's a little folktale-y, which very much fits the vibe.

There are quite a few ideas surrounding identity, gender, gender roles, escapism, community, and tradition that are explored throughout the book, and of course a close look at what might make someone the "right sort of person." Hasenhurst appears to offer this idyllic escape from the modern world, complete with a strong sense of community and tradition, but that idyllic image also comes with expectations about how people should behave and what roles they should occupy, and that's often where things start to get dicey. This is especially interesting when considering Sandy's exploration of their identity and Jessica's own complicated history. It felt as though there was a large tension throughout the story about finding what you want and where you belong, and where changing or suppressing yourself comes into play to find that place where you belong.

I also think there's something interesting here about escapism and how we often romanticize places like Hasenshurst--a place that feels simpler and pleasant. Quaint Folk really pulls back that curtain to see what's really in that idea of tradition and "quaintness" and just how restrictive those things often end up being...

I'll be honest that I'm still left wondering a bit about the ending and what exactly to take away from this book. I think I quite liked the ending, although I would have been fine with a few different routes it could have taken as well. In some ways, I think being left slightly puzzled feels rather appropriate for a book that kept me wondering the entire time, anyway. If you're up for an interesting time, then be sure to check out Quaint Folk!

*I received a copy of Quaint Folk courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating or enjoyment.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Month in Review: September 2026

 

Happy October to those who celebrate! I've certainly grown into a huge October fan over the years because I am a big fan of the spooky season, of course, and I know many of my fellow readers/bloggers are as well. But this post is about September, so let's backtrack a little and first note that September truly, truly flew by for me, and I'm not sure I like that, haha. Did it fly by for anyone else?

In personal news, September really had a lot going on! I've still been preparing for an upcoming performance in a local student showcase which has been quite up and down for me, haha, but it's been a fun process nonetheless. Work has been pretty busy, but not too bad just yet (October/November should be busier), and I've started another community college course for some reason--I guess I just can't stay away! This time it's a character rigging course in Maya, which I'm not sure is going to be my favorite, but it's great knowledge to have nonetheless. Not too much else going on to share, so let's move on to the books (and really, the reason we're all here). 

In reading news, I've been really getting back on track still with my reading! September derailed slightly, but I still read some fantastic books and I am so ready for October reads (and I already have some TBR ideas going, so maybe I'll share a highly, highly tentative TBR post for October, but we'll see how it goes, haha). I didn't get quite as many reviews up as I meant to, but I also realized a lot of my ARCs are for October books, so as long as I can stay on top of those, October should have considerably more reviews! For September, What Feeds Below and The Sixth Nik were probably my top two reads of the month.

How was your September and what books have you been reading? Any reading-related goals?  Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!

   

# books read: 12

What Feeds Below by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I really loved this body horror-heavy tale and cannot recommend it enough for anyone who enjoys exploring dark places full of horrifying creatures--safely within a book, of course!

Out of Body: Stories by Chris Vanjonack

Source: NetGalley/Publisher | Format: eARC
Thoughts: These stories were hit or miss, but many more hits than misses and overall I quite enjoyed this collection! My review is also up for this one already. 

The Sixth Nik by Daniel Kraus

Source: Publisher | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! It was delightfully unique and I really enjoyed the different ideas Kraus explored throughout. My review is already up, and the link can be found below!

If We Cannot Go at the Speed of Light by Kim Cho-yeop

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was a really intriguing collection of stories that has surprisingly not stuck in my head as much as I'd have expected it to, but I'd still very much recommend it to any sci-fi fans who prefer a slightly more literary style. 

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: I truly thought I was going to love this, but I am so disappointed to say that I really did not. I really wanted more whale time and whale focus, but instead I got a lot of family trauma that just wasn't really working for me. 

The Franchise by Thomas Elrod

Source: Library | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: This is one of those where I really liked the concept and ideas explored, but the story itself and the characters were a bit lacking and didn't really grab me. 

The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I've read a few Simon Winchester books in the past, but I somehow managed to never pick this one up until recently, and I'm glad I did because it was just as interesting as everyone always seems to say! 

The Chinese Lady by Bo Wang

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: My review is already up for this one as well! I was a little mixed on my feelings on this one, but overall I enjoyed the story and appreciated the author's attempts at doing something different with the narrative style. 

Ember and the Ice Dragons by Heather Fawcett

Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: This was my first middle grade read from Heather Fawcett and I really enjoyed it! It was a really cute concept and I of course loved the Antarctica setting. I would love to read a sequel for this one!

The Islands of Elsewhere by Heather Fawcett

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: And after my first middle grade form Heather Fawcett, I moved on to another because it popped up on Libby and I thought, why not! This was also really fun, and although I think the pacing and plotting was a little off, I'd still recommend it. 

Accidental Demons by Clare Edge

Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: This was such a cute and clever middle grade story about a girl who belongs to a family line of witches that can easily summon demons, something that becomes considerably more of an issue when she is diagnosed with diabetes and finds that checking her blood essentially acts as a blood summoning... and she's accidentally summoning a lot of demons. I thought this was one of the most clever ways to incorporate an exploration of chronic illness in a way that really drives the plot and also tells some incredible lessons. Highly recommended for young readers!

A Dog in Georgia by Lauren Grodstein

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: For this being a book about a woman traveling to the country of Georgia to look for a stray dog, there was a considerable lack of searching for the stray dog. This isn't something I'd typically read, but it showed up on Libby and I thought I'd give it a read--and I'm not sure it entirely worked out for me, haha.

The Dungeon Book by Gareth Hanrahan

The Sixth Nik by Daniel Kraus

The Chinese Lady by Bo Wang

Out of Body: Stories by Chris Vanjonack

What Feeds Below by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne

 Posts:

Month in Review: August 2026

Anticipated October 2026 Releases

Blog Memes:

Can't-Wait Wednesday:

9/2: Solace House by Will Maclean & Quaint Folk by Bitter Karella

9/9: Public Access Afterworld by Jane Schoenbrun & Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova

9/16: Off the Reservation by Stephen Graham Jones & What Feeds Below by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne

9/23: Night of a Thousand Hells by Intan Paramaditha & Passengers by Alexander Maksik

9/30: Find Me Where it Ends by Cassandra Khaw & The Names of the New World by Kawai Strong Washburn

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Find Me Where it Ends by Cassandra Khaw & The Names of the New World by Kawai Strong Washburn

     

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released!

Find Me Where It Ends by Cassandra Khaw

Publication: October 6th, 2026

Tor Books

Hardcover. 144 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"A woman wakes up to find the black hound of Death at her front door in this hauntingly beautiful tale from USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Khaw.  

Antigone is no stranger to death. 

 For the women of her family, death always comes in the form of a black dog.  

When Antigone’s own black dog arrives, she isn’t afraid. She invites it inside, where it soon becomes a daily source of companionship and comfort. It also forces her to reflect on the life she’s led―the parts of herself she’s hollowed out for the sake of others, and the bone-deep exhaustion that’s hounded her every step.  

Her Death’s arrival must be a sign, permission to finally let go. To rest. Because while mortality is inevitable, living is a choice.  

But a good death comes at a price."

It's been hard for me to connect with many of Cassandra Khaw's, but I'm always drawn to the premises of her stories (and also these awesome covers!) this one is no different! I really hope I love this one, because I am really excited to check it out!

The Names of the New World by Kawai Strong Washburn

Publication: October 6th, 2026

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Hardcover. 448 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"The highly anticipated second novel from the award-winning author Kawai Strong Washburn: an extraordinary saga of resilience and ambition in the face of a chaotic world.  

A ferocious superstorm strikes Minneapolis, leveling large swaths of the city in a matter of minutes. In the storm’s wake, three people forge an unlikely bond that will shape their lives for the next twenty five years: Naomi, a disillusioned lawyer by day and amateur MMA fighter by night, searching for the meaning she’s lost after migrating from Hawai‘i; Amaré, an up-by-the-bootstraps investment banker with grand designs for all the money he’s about to make; and Raheem, a diesel mechanic nearly paralyzed by the storm and struggling to save his business.  

When Naomi realizes that energy companies are responsible for the climate-induced superstorm―and the many more to come, potentially dooming her island homeland―she initiates a bitter legal battle, one that culminates in her ascension to a political office in D.C. with the power to prevent future tragedies. Yet her rise puts at risk a burgeoning romance with Amaré, whose own ambitions test Naomi’s ethical limits, while Raheem’s fate as a blue-collar business owner becomes dependent on the couple’s growing power.  

Following his acclaimed debut, Sharks in the Time of Saviors, Kawai Strong Washburn again turns his remarkable gift of mythic sight to the oceans and landscapes we so often overlook in the name of progress. Spanning two decades and ranging from the American Midwest to the nation’s halls of power to islands across the Pacific, The Names of the New World is a startling, energetic, and optimistic vision of how to live in this era of overwhelming change.

"'An epic account of the fight for human dignity and an intimate, unforgettable story of love, ambition, and resilience.'―Adam Johnson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Wayfinder ”

I love an epic sci-fi, especially when it's about big things affecting the world, so I am really excited to check this one out!