Stop and Smell the Books

Stop and Smell the Books

Home
Notes
Book Reviews
Reading Lists
Books & Bites
Ceallaigh’s Notebook
Poetry
Flash Fiction
About

four star read

THE CLOCKTAUR WAR duology by T Kingfisher (2017-2018)
★ ★ ★ ★ .75 - A satisfying medieval steampunk fantasy series with a lovable cast of thieves, assassins, knights, scholars, & talking animal peoples…
 • 
Ceallaigh
THE AUTISTIC ALICE by Joanne Limburg (2017)
★ ★ ★ ★ .5 - a collection of poetry that combines the upside-down world of Alice with the experience of Autism, while exploring themes of grief…
 • 
Ceallaigh
A STUDY IN DROWNING by Ava Reid (2023)
★ ★ ★ ★ .25 - the atmosphere & vibes of this book were perfect for the cold & rainy spell we had in the middle of May this year. Reid’s descriptions …
 • 
Ceallaigh
THE LAST ONE by Fatima Daas (2020)
★ ★ ★ ★ .5 - I loved the mixed reflections on queer identity & spiritual faith, & the themes of classism, millennial queer culture, & finding yourself…
 • 
Ceallaigh
CROCODILE ON THE SANDBANK by Elizabeth Peters (1975)
★ ★ ★ .5 - a surprisingly fun & funny Victorian historical "supernatural" mystery romp through ancient Egypt (via a British-led archaeological site…
 • 
Ceallaigh
FLIRTING LESSONS by Jasmine Guillory (2025)
★ ★ ★ ★ - A very cute sapphic friends-to-lovers, opposites-attract romance with top-tier found-family & strong friendships themes.
 • 
Ceallaigh
SISTERS OF THE LOST NATION by Nick Medina (2023)
★ ★ ★ ★ .5 - While the writing style & some of the characterization choices didn’t work for me, I absolutely loved the overall effect of the story …
 • 
Ceallaigh
SELECTED POEMS by Zbigniew Herbert (1968)
★ ★ ★ ★ .5 - A favorite poet of mine in college & I'm thrilled to discover that his work resonates even more with me today. Themes of war, tyranny…
 • 
Ceallaigh
THE GOLDEN SPOON by Jessa Maxwell (2023)
★ ★ ★ ★ - Think 'The Great British Bake-off', except it’s set in America, & someone dies—my first & definitely not my last cozy contemporary mystery!
 • 
Ceallaigh
THE TYRANNY OF ALGORITHMS by Miguel Benasayag (2019)
★ ★ ★ ★ .5 - a challenging but informative & thought-provoking read!
 • 
Ceallaigh
DESCENDED FROM A TRAVEL-WORN SATCHEL by Chris La Tray (2021)
★ ★ ★ ★ .75 - “These haiku, these haibun ... this is my "real work." As much as I love to write all the things I write, if I could only do one thing for…
 • 
Ceallaigh
COMMON GOAL by Rachel Reid (2020)
★ ★ ★ ★ - not my favorite of the series—& I had high hopes because I have a thing for goalies…—though I did appreciate the demi-/bi-rep! This is a…
 • 
Ceallaigh
© 2025 Stop and Smell the Books
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture