Pages & Passages: 19 Book Reviews from My Winter Reading On Water Wings

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Hell Bent (Ninth House Series Book 2 of 3)

(Leigh Bardugo – Adult Fantasy / Supernatural)

A dark academia fantasy sequel set inside Yale’s secret societies, where magical bargains and brutal consequences collide as Alex Stern dives deeper into the underworld to save someone she loves. Second in series. Goodreads Choice Award Winner for Best Fantasy of 2023.

My Review (Kindle Edition).

Sequel to ‘Ninth House’. I enjoyed the first book, but didn’t love the ending so put this one off for a long time. Glad a finally gave it a go. I actually enjoyed it more than the first book. A very smart, detailed, well-written Fantasy. This is a very much an escapism story. Let go of your beliefs and just take the ride. Secret societies are fasninating to begin with, now add some magical/fantasy into it and we up the ante! It was well paced with interesting characters that didn’t leave gaping holes. I will look out for the 3rd book when it is released. 

If you liked this, try:
→ Night Circus (Erin Morgensterm) — Two young magicians, Celia and Marco, compete in a fierce duel at a magical circus, but fall in love, endangering everyone involved in Le Cirque des Rêves.
→ Society of Lies (Lauren Ling Brown) Suspenseful thriller exploring a sister’s death, secret societies, and dark academia at an elite college.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fever in the Heartland

(Timothy Egan – Non-Fiction, 20th Century American History/True Crime)

A Pulitzer winner’s account of how D.C. Stephenson led the KKK’s 1920s Heartland takeover until Madge Oberholtzer’s deathbed testimony exposed his cruelties and destroyed the organization.

My Review (Audible Edition).

A well written view of how the Ku Klux Klan didn’t rise on the fringes of American life in the 1920s, but at its very center—through respectability, fear, and political convenience. It shows how how extremism gains power not by shouting, but by sounding normal and being tolerated by institutions that know better. The book lands hard today, as its patterns of scapegoating, media manipulation, and moral cowardice feel disturbingly familiar. It’s a reminder that democracy usually erodes quietly, and that forgetting history is one of the fastest ways to repeat it.

If you liked this, try:
→ Nomadland (Jessica Bruder) — A compelling investigation into America’s nomadic workforce of older adults living in RVs, traveling between seasonal jobs to survive economic hardship. Inspired the Academy Award-winning film starring Frances McDormand.
→ The Nickle Boys (Colson Whitehead) This Pulitzer Prize-winning story follows two boys in a 1960s Florida reform school, where behind claims of rehabilitation lies a brutal reality of systematic abuse and corruption.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Unhoneymooners

(Chistina Lauren – Contemporary American Literature/Humor)

After the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, the Bride’s twin sister and the groom’s brother end up on their honeymoon together despite being sworn enemies. 

My Review (Paperback Edition).

A fast-paced enemies to lovers rom-com.  The fake-dating setup is a bit ridiculous but in a fun way. Olive and Ethan’s chemistry and entertaining banter carry the story with a few laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled in. It’s light, charming, and perfect for a “beach read”—though some plot turns are predictable, the fun adorkable factor more than makes up for it.

If you liked this, try:
→ Paradise Problem (Chistina Lauren) — A struggling artist and a Stanford professor discover their college marriage-of-convenience never ended. Now they must fake marital bliss for his wealthy family’s inheritance.
→ The Wedding People (Alison Espach) This Pulitzer Prize-winning story follows two boys in a 1960s Florida reform school, where behind claims of rehabilitation lies a brutal reality of systematic abuse and corruption.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Everything is Tuberculosis

(John Green – Non-fiction – History/Science/Health)

Through Henry’s story at Lakka Hospital, John Green explores how tuberculosis, a curable disease, remains the world’s deadliest infection due to healthcare inequities.

My Review (Audible Edition).

John Green could make a book about a mothballs fascinating with his research and wit. Green dismantles the comforting myth that history is safely behind us, showing how tuberculosis has shaped everything from fashion and literature to geography, race, statehood, and even world events like the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. What makes it feel relatable is his nerdy, humane attention.

If you liked this, try:
→ The Anthropocene Reviewed (John Green) — A collection of personal essays exploring the human condition and the impact of humans on the planet, with a focus on the Anthropocene era (which is essentially the modern era…you’re welcome). Fascinating listen!
→ The Comfort Crisis (Michael Easter) An investigative journey exploring how modern comfort may harm our health, featuring research and experiences that show how embracing discomfort can enhance physical and mental well-being.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How Bad Things Can Get

(Darcy Coats- Mystery Thriller/Horror)

A woman trying to escape the trauma of surviving a childhood cult is lured to an exclusive influencer festival on a remote island, where guests begin disappearing and the games turn deadly. As the island’s dark history collides with her own, she must confront her past to survive a brutal fight for her life.

My Review (Paperback Edition).

This was my second Darcy Coates book, ‘The House Next Door” being the first. That book leaned more heavily into the paranormal, this one proved just how wide her horror range really is (Recommend if you are into that genre). This book trades ghosts for dread rooted in human fear, bad decisions, and the slow realization that everything is spiraling out of control. The tension is relentless and the pacing sharp. I blew through this book and found it a very entertaining read. Even the ending wrapped it all up nicely, rare in these types of books. This one hooked me, I’ll definitely read more of her books in the future.

If you liked this, try:
→ The Hunger Games Series (Suzanne Collins) — Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers for the deadly Hunger Games to save her sister, forcing her to make choices between survival, humanity, and love in dystopian Panem.
→ The Last One (Will Dean) During a luxury cruise vacation, Caz wakes to find her new love Pete missing and discovers she’s completely alone on the massive Atlantica ship sailing into mid-Atlantic waters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What’s Next – A Backstage Pass to the West Wing 

(Melissa Fitzgerald & Mary McCormack – Non-Fiction/Pop-Culture/Politics)

A behind-the-scenes reunion of The West Wing cast and crew for an intimate look at how the beloved series was made—and why it still matters. The book blends on-set stories, untold anecdotes, and reflections on its cultural legacy while celebrating the friendships forged, the service inspired, and the show’s enduring vision of principled, empathetic leadership.

My Review (Audible Edition).

This was quite the change in tone after listening to ‘Fever in the Heartland’. This book covers the behind-the-scenes action and the real world service of those on the fictional show ‘The West Wing’. It moves through a thoughtful, nostalgic look of how the show and casting came to be. It was fun to read how the characters and stories were built and shot. It highlights a few key very memorable episodes and scenes, which I often ended up rewatching after reading the backgrounds on them. They definitely hit a little differently. My only gripe was that it was a bit long and not being intimately familiar with some of the actors, it would have been nice if they remind us the role of the actor they were talking about a bit more often so I didn’t have to look them up.

If you liked this, try:
→ The Residence (Kate Andersen Brower) — Non-Fiction. A behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the White House staff who quietly serve America’s first families, from the Kennedys to the Obamas. Through their stories, it reveals the traditions, secrets, and human moments hidden behind one of the world’s most famous addresses.
→ The Presidents Club: Inside the World’s Most Exclusive Fraternity (Nancy Gibbs & Michael Duffy) This book is about the relationships between US presidents from Hoover to Obama, focusing on their interactions while in and out of power.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Endurance Artist 

(Jared Beasley – Non-Fiction/Extreme Sports/Running)

An all-access pass to the world’s most brutal ultramarathons—and the mastermind behind them, Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell. From the secretive, soul-crushing Barkley Marathons to the sleep-depriving grind of Big’s Backyard Ultra, these races redefine human limits and our obsession with winning. Jared Beasley pulls back the curtain on a reclusive “hillbilly genius” who challenges not just runners, but the very idea of success and failure itself.

My Review (Kindle Edition).

As a longtime fan of the Barkley Marathons—long before the rest of the world caught on—I loved diving deeper into the madness behind it all. Beasley captures the grit, absurdity, and strange poetry of ultrarunning culture as the writer witnesses the Barkleys, Big’s Backyard Ultra and Laz’s own attempt to walk across the US at 70, and yes… Laz is absolutely certifiable in the most compelling way. It’s a wild, fascinating portrait of obsession and endurance that any Barkley devotee or runner will devour.

If you liked this, try:
→ Born to Run (Christopher McDougall) — Non-Fiction. Fascinating journey exploring the secrets of an ancient running tribe and the growing ultra-running movement.
→ Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike (Phil Knight) Phil Knight shares how he turned a $50 loan into Nike, a $30 billion global brand, overcoming fierce competition and setbacks while building revolutionary partnerships and a transformative sports culture.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

The House in the Pines 

(Anna Reyes – Mystery/Thriller)

Maya, armed only with hazy memories of what she witnessed long ago, investigates her friend’s mysterious death from seven years ago after seeing another woman die similarly in front of the same enigmatic man, Frank.

My Review (Paperback Edition).

This was a solid 4 stars most of the way! The dual past and present timelines kept the story moving and steadily build tension as memory and reality blurred together. The pacing is strong throughout, with just enough unease to keep you turning pages. It was a bit of a struggle following the main character. But You understand her circumstances and naivety. Unfortunately, the ending doesn’t quite land—it feels rushed and less impactful than the buildup promised. A solid psychological thriller, but not a standout.

If you liked this, try:
→ The God of the Woods (Liz Moore) — After a boy vanishes in the woods, his sister later disappears in the same wilderness. The Van Laar family’s dark secrets resurface as questions arise about both mysterious disappearances.
→ Twenty Years Later (Charlie Donlea) A TV reporter investigates a decades-old murder case, uncovering dark secrets and twisted connections to her own past.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just for the Summer 

(Abby Jimenez – Contemporary humorous Women’s Fiction…is this a genre? Or did I just make it up)

A traveling nurse and a man with an unusual dating curse agree to a summer fling to break their curses, but family complications lead to unexpected real feelings.

My Review (Audible/Kindle Edition).

Chose this as a Valentine’s Day read. I expected a simple Rom-Com fake romance leads real storyline. It ended up with way more depth than a typical romcom trope. What I got was so much better. Jimenez portrays more realistic life messiness built around well-researched trauma responses & recovery—and it shows. “Home isn’t a place, it’s a person,” and this story beautifully explores that idea while reminding us that the normal love stories sold to us are generally unrealistic. Great pacing, rich characters (you even root for all the side characters!) and solid storytelling. This book was such a pleasant surprise of a random pick.

If you liked this, try:
→ Happy Place (Emily Henry) – A former couple pretends to still be together during their final friend group vacation in Maine, while secretly struggling with their lingering feelings for each other.
→ Love, Theoretically (Ali Hazelwood) – Elsie Hannaway, a struggling theoretical physicist who moonlights as a fake girlfriend, lands an interview for her dream job only to discover her biggest academic rival is on the hiring committee. As rivalry turns into romance, she learns to stop people-pleasing and finally put herself first.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Coworker 

(Freida McFadden – Thriller/Mystery)

Two women, one terrible crime, and a twisted game of cat and mouse that leaves Natalie wondering: who’s the real victim?

My Review (Paperback Edition).

This one was a struggle for me. While I didn’t outright predict the twist, I also wasn’t surprised by the outcome, which took some of the punch out of the finale. It was close to a DNF more than once as the story dragged repetitively through the first half so slowly with unlikeable characters all around, but I gutted it out—and I’ll give it a very generous three stars because the ending wasn’t terrible. That said, the sheer volume of turtle references felt over-the-top and honestly a bit exhausting at times which did not help at all.

If you liked this, try:
→ Good Girl, Bad Girl (Michael Robotham) – a clever psychological thriller about a dangerous young woman with the ability to know when someone is lying—and the criminal psychologist who must outwit her to survive.
→ The Silent Patient (Alex Michaelides) – a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The New Couple in 5B 

(Lisa Unger– Thriller/Mystery)

A couple inherits a luxury apartment in New York’s historic Windermere building, only to discover dark secrets, mysterious surveillance, and deadly incidents threatening their safety.

My Review (Audible Edition).

I may be getting more generous in my later years. This was a tough start. Narrator was decent. The characters were a bit of a struggle to want to follow. BUT. The premise is right up my alley—an unexpected inheritance tied to a glamorous Manhattan apartment building with a dark, potentially paranormal past—and the atmosphere breeds unease. While there was a slow start, I enjoyed the creeping paranoia, questionable circumstances in the building and the way the tension built layer by layer, always making you question who to trust. Worth a listen. While the ending didn’t quite land with the same punch as the buildup, it was still a good twist. A quick binge-able read.

If you liked this, try:
→ The Hunting Party (Lucy Foley) – A group of friends gather for a New Year’s celebration in a remote Scottish Highlands estate, but when a blizzard traps them inside, tensions rise and one of them is found dead, leaving the others to uncover the killer among them.
→ Big Little Lies (Liane Moriarity) – Three women’s lives intersect at their children’s school: forceful Madeline, beautiful Celeste with dark secrets, and mysterious young Jane. A death occurs, revealing dangerous lies beneath suburban perfection.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Note 

(Alafair Burke – Thriller/Mystery)

A harmless prank goes wrong, and a woman finds herself at the center of a police investigation, questioning her friends’ loyalty.

My Review (Audible Edition).

Slow start, standard whodunit. A quietly tense, character-driven thriller that leans more into nuance than shock value. Burke carefully explores how a single, careless decision can ripple outward, straining friendships and exposing unspoken resentments. The suspense builds gradually, with shifting perspectives that keep you questioning motives without ever feeling overdone. While it doesn’t rely on big twists, the steady unraveling makes worth the read if you like the genre.

If you liked this, try:
→ Watching You (Lisa Jewell) – A newly married 27-year-old develops an obsessive crush on her attractive neighbor, a school headteacher twice her age, unaware someone else is watching her every move.
→ Thirteen Reasons Why (Jay Asher) – YA Novel with a serious emotional punch. After classmate Hannah Baker dies by suicide, Clay Jensen receives a set of cassette tapes in which she explains the thirteen people and events she believes contributed to her decision. As he listens, long-buried secrets emerge, forcing him and his classmates to confront the lasting impact of bullying, rumors, and silence.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

American Elsewhere 

(Robert Jackson Bennett – Science Fiction / Horror)

A woman inherits a home in a peculiar town, where she uncovers unsettling secrets about its residents and her own past.

My Review (Kindle Edition).

The premise is what drew me to read this book—it sounded right up my alley: a mysterious desert town with unsettling secrets. It’s marketed more as horror, but it reads closer to sci-fi with just a light creep factor. Normally I’d go with the flow because the underlying idea is interesting and I like a good semi-based-in-reality SciFi novel and the ending did eventually come together solidly.

But… BUT…The ambitious world-building comes with long stretches of descriptions and theoretical explanations that bog the story down. I almost DNF’d it a few times. The plot sprawls—sometimes with purpose, sometimes not—and never quite “gets there” until the very very end. And at 660 pages, it starts to feel pretty tedious.

If you liked this, try:
→ We Used to Live Here: (Marcus Kliewer) – A couple buys a house and lets a family of former residents visit, leading to mysterious disappearances and supernatural events. Soon to be a Netflix movie.
→ An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (Hank Green) – A young woman becomes an overnight celebrity, but realizes she’s part of something much bigger and stranger than she could have ever imagined.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Running With Sherman

(Christopher McDougall – Non-fiction, Memoir)

An endurance runner rescues an abused miniature donkey named Sherman and trains him for an unlikely burro race in the mountains of Colorado. Along the way, the story explores the healing power of animals, community, and the joy of pushing beyond what seems possible.

My Review (Audible Edition).

This is one of those rare books most people won’t pick up because it sounds ridiculous. Bring a Donkey back from near death to run a “race with burros” endurance event over a mountain in Colorado… and that is such a shame. This is the type of story that leaves you grinning through the whole story and now I’m convinced I need a few donkeys and goats in my life.

Christopher McDougall writes with incredible wit and humanity, telling a stories that highlights various humans and animals alike overcoming self-doubt and trauma in the most entertaining way. The fact that the author narrates the audiobook himself makes it even better—I found myself smiling and laughing out loud sitting alone in the dark on a long overnight sailing passage. Pure five-star feel-good storytelling. 🫏✨

If you liked this, try:
→ My Life On The Run: (Bart Yasso) – A memoir in which Bart Yasso shares stories from decades of running adventures around the world, from marathons and ultramarathons to remarkable people and unforgettable races. Blending humor, travel, and perseverance, it celebrates how running can transform lives and connect people across cultures.
→ A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (Bill Bryson) – Bill Bryson hikes the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail with his out-of-shape friend Stephen Katz, encountering colorful characters and making a plea for wilderness conservation. Hilarious.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Wilds – Detective Elin Warner, #3

(Sarah Pearse – Mystery / Thriller)

Detective Elin Warner investigates the mysterious disappearance of Kier Templer in a Portuguese national park, where a disturbing map and uncooperative strangers complicate the search.

My Review (Kindle Edition).

Rounded up on this one. 3 star start, 4 star finish. It ended up being an atmospheric mystery much like the first two in the series. This one had a very choppy start and wandered a bit in the middle, but just past halfway it really locks in with some solid twists that keep you engaged. Ultimately, the setting and late-game twists made it worth the read.  the big take away…Detective Elin Warner really needs to rethink her vacation choices.

If you liked this, try:
→ We Are All Guilty Here: (Karen Slaughter) – In a small town, Officer Emmy Clifton searches for two missing teenage girls, uncovering dark secrets that could lead to murder.m lives and connect people across cultures.
→ Foe (Iain Reid) – A stranger arrives at Junior and Henrietta’s door with alarming news, causing Junior to question everything about his life.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Winterdance – The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

(Gary Paulsen – Non-fiction / adventure / endurance racing)

Winterdance is a humorous and gripping memoir about Gary Paulsen’s wildly unprepared attempt to race the legendary Iditarod sled dog race across Alaska. Battling blizzards, moose, exhaustion, and plenty of self-inflicted mishaps, he discovers the extraordinary bond between musher and dogs—and the resilience needed to survive the wilderness.

My Review (Audible Edition).

Man against nature, no. Man in nature, no. Man as a part of his natural surroundings. Very much so. This book is an experience full of adventure, chaos, and heart. I can’t believe this guy is still alive.

Gary Paulsen narrating his own story makes it even better; you can hear the grit, humor, and sheer disbelief at himself as he stumbles his way into the Iditarod back in 1983. Literally. He is a great story teller!

It’s wildly funny one minute and deeply humbling the next, capturing the bond between human and dog in a way that feels raw and real. The storytelling is unpolished. It feels like you are sitting around a campfire hearing these stories firsthand over a fire after a long day hiking.

An unforgettable listen that somehow makes you want to both run a sled dog team… and absolutely never harness a single dog to attempt it. I was fortunate enough to ride with a sled dog team in Alaska, it was such an amazing experience. Highly recommend, the book and the experience.

If you liked this, try:
→ Into the Wild: (John Krakauer) – n 1992, Christopher McCandless abandoned his privileged life, gave away his savings, and ventured into Alaskan wilderness, where his body was found four months later, revealing a tragic quest for meaning.
→ The Last Attempt: The true story of freediving champion Audrey Mestre and the mystery of her death (Carlos Serra) – Recounts the tragic final world-record freedive of Audrey Mestre and the controversy surrounding her death in 2002. Through a firsthand investigation, Carlos Serra explores what went wrong beneath the surface and the lingering questions that divided the freediving community

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The September House

(Carissa Orlando- Horror / Paranormal)

A determined woman refuses to leave her haunted Victorian house despite annual bloody hauntings each September. When her husband vanishes, her daughter’s search for him intensifies supernatural occurrences.

My Review (Audible Edition).

A fairly unique premise with tons of potential—this isn’t your typical haunted house story where the occupants know it’s haunted and choose to live there anyway dealing with all that entails, and that’s what makes it so compelling at first. The atmosphere is eerie and at times darkly funny, with an underlying commentary on denial, grief, and what we choose to live with.

That said, the story can feel repetitive, and the non-linear timelines off all those involved with the haunting makes it a little disjointed. Some sections drag while others rush, which throws off the overall flow. It does build toward a good ending, but getting there was a little harder than it need to be.

Still, a creative and memorable take on the haunted house trope.

If you liked this, try:
→ How to Sell a Haunted House: (Grady Hendrix) – After her parents’ death, Louise must return home to sell their house, dealing with her resentful brother and her mother’s creepy puppet collection. But the house has sinister plans of its own.
→ I Found a Circus Tent in the Woods Behind My House (Ben Farthing) – A man discovers a mysterious circus tent hidden in the woods, only to realize it harbors something far more sinister than an abandoned attraction. As reality begins to unravel, he must confront terrifying supernatural forces in a fast-paced blend of cosmic horror, psychological suspense, and survival.