
Musings from a Loft
Celebrating a literary lifestyle dedicated *mostly to the fantasy + sci-fi genres, with the occasional review from the mortal realm.
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Book Review: Did ‘Thistlefoot’ Live up to all the Baba Yaga Folktales we Already Know?
In all honesty, I’m still trying to decide if I liked this book. Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott is a modern dark fairytale steeped in myth and magical realism.
Book Recs: Winter Reads our Bookish Community Loves
Last week I asked the community to share some of their favorite winter reads they seem to reach for each year. Here’s what you answered…
2022 Bookish Gift Guides: The Urge to Splurge
Whether you’re looking for yourself or someone close to you, sometimes you just have the urge to splurge during the holidays.
Book Review: Did The Atlas Paradox Suffer from Second Book Syndrome?
Along with a massive part of Booktok, I read The Atlas Six last summer and absolutely loved it. Olivie Blake’s self published version was a huge hit on Booktok, and became a staple in Dark Academia and Urban Fantasy rec lists. So The Atlas Paradox has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2022.
7 of My Favorite Fall Reads
Cold, crispy days, warm drinks, and spending time curled up in a cozy chair make me want to read all the dark academia and fantasy novels I can get my hands on.
Complimentary Bookish Tech Backgrounds for November 2022
Picking this month’s quotes and designing the free digital wallpapers got me so excited for sequels! First off we’ve got…
Complimentary Bookish Tech Backgrounds for October 2022
This month’s set of bookish digital wallpapers is here!
Meet Tom Ayling: on Living a Literary Life + the Rare Bookselling World
This week’s creator interview is with Tom Ayling, a rare and antiquarian bookseller based in the UK, working for Jonkers Rare Books. And don’t tell his friends, but he’s also a prolific storyteller on Booktok.
11 of My Favorite Banned Books You Should Absolutely Read Once
Banned books week happened recently, and every year, I’m always shocked at seeing some of my favorite books on the banned books list.
15+ Fantasy Books I'm Embarrassed I Haven't Read Yet
Think of this as a priority fantasy book TBR list. It’s not exhaustive, as there are so many more to be added, but these are the books sitting patiently on my shelves, waiting.
Babel: A historical fantasy? Or an allegory on the darkness of colonialism?
After reading Babel, R.F. Kuang is officially on my list of autobuy authors. With a magic system steeped in historical believability, Kuang has achieved, in my opinion, one of the most profound…
Book Review: The ‘All of Us Villains’ Duology Delivers
What would you do if you were chosen to be your family’s Champion in a fight to the death with your friends? This fantasy duology is technically YA, but wow, is it brutal.
Complimentary Bookish Tech Backgrounds for September 2022
Are y’all sick of me saying ‘Fantasy Fall’ yet? I feel like I’ve been sprinkling it everywhere, but there’s something about it turning September, and the cozy vibes take over.
Meet Taythelostbard: the Electrician Turned Voice Actor Bringing our Book Boyfriends to Life
Tay Knox has a voice that makes the women (and men) of Booktok swoon. So much so, he’s already got three audiobook narrations in the works. I sat down with Tay and chatted about his life story…
7 Independent Bookstores You Must Visit on a Trip to San Francisco
Browsing SF’s independent bookstores is one of my favorite things to do. Having called SF home for the past 10.5 years, I’ve definitely developed a list of special spots to revisit over and over again.
Meet Claire, the Cosplayer Artist with a Creative Soul of Pure Gold
Like a number of 90s kids, trained actor and talented cosplayer Claire Koleske, known online as Shakespeareandme, credits Wishbone for her desire to read at a young age.
15 Standard Edition Books with Beautiful Foiling + Artwork
Sometimes seeing everyone’s shelves full of pretty books on Booktok and Bookstagram can make book collecting seem out of reach or super expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.
Complimentary Bookish Tech Backgrounds for August 2022
It’s the last month of summer, and people seem to be deep in their RomCom era, but I am always ready for Fantasy Fall. How could I not include Throne of Glass wallpapers for the 10 year anniversary this month?!
Windermere Wands: Meet the Wandmaker Bringing Joy to People with His Magical Creations
What happens when a talented woodworker who’s also a fan of the Wizarding World decides to start making custom wands? A real-life Ollivander, at your service.
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