Tag: Nonfiction

Reviews for nonfiction books.

ARC Review: The Witch’s Altar Book by Lindsey Squire, Rachel Patterson and Nicole Weiss

September 29, 2025

This book is broken down into three parts: Attraction, Protection, and Divination. Of which, each part is written by a different author. While each part was a different topic, they did have some common topics between them, like herbs, crystals, potions, sigils, and spells.  Part one was about attraction magic and was written by Nicole … More ARC Review: The Witch’s Altar Book by Lindsey Squire, Rachel Patterson and Nicole Weiss

Review: In the Mouth of the Wolf: A Murder, a Cover-Up, and the True Cost of Silencing the Press by Katherine Corcoran

September 16, 2025

“A society without truth is a scary place to live.” When the murder/assassination of Regina Martinez happened I was only twelve and wasn’t watching/keeping up with the news. So everything about this case and investigation was new to me and I found it to be fascinating, and scary.  Regina Martinez was a journalist in Veracruz … More Review: In the Mouth of the Wolf: A Murder, a Cover-Up, and the True Cost of Silencing the Press by Katherine Corcoran

Review: How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley

September 15, 2025

“The most telling symptom of fascist politics is division. It aims to separate a population into an “us” and a “them.” This was a very informative book about what fascism is, how it works, and examples throughout history. I learned a lot from this book, especially in understanding how the United States got to this … More Review: How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley

Review: The League of Lady Poisoners: Illustrated True Stories of Dangerous Women by Lisa Perrin

September 13, 2025

This was an interesting look at poison and the women who have used it to kill. This book includes a primer that goes over the basics of poison, then each chapter is organized by the women’s motives. Also the author is up front in stating that the majority of these women are white because she … More Review: The League of Lady Poisoners: Illustrated True Stories of Dangerous Women by Lisa Perrin

Review: Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History by Bill Schutt

September 8, 2025

As soon as I saw this book I knew it was one I wanted to read. This was a fascinating look at cannibalism in humans, animals, and insects. While this seems like a book that would discuss cannibal serial killers, it doesn’t and the author explains early on why he doesn’t cover that topic. I … More Review: Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History by Bill Schutt

Review: Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End by Alua Arthur

August 30, 2025

“You are seen. You are heard. Your life matters. Your death will too.” Alua Arthur is a death doula and helps provide end of life support to her clients. This book takes us on a journey of her life and career, while teaching us the importance of thinking about your own death and what you … More Review: Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End by Alua Arthur

ARC Review: Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror by Ashley Cullins

August 19, 2025

“What makes Scream so relatable is that the killer, though initially masked and anonymous, is not some monster. It is someone you know who is deeply betraying you in a very traumatic and violent way.” This book is a love letter to the Scream franchise and its impact on the horror genre. Ashley Cullins provides … More ARC Review: Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror by Ashley Cullins

Review: Black Coal and Red Bandanas: An Illustrated History of the West Virginia Mine Wars by Paul Buhle and Raymond Tyler

July 26, 2025

Title: Black Coal and Red Bandanas: An Illustrated History of the West Virginia Mine Wars Author: Paul Buhle and Raymond Tyler Illustrator: Summer McClinton Pages: 137 “There is never peace in West Virginia because there is never justice.”  Mother Jones This was a beautifully illustrated history of the West Virginia mine wars. I really loved … More Review: Black Coal and Red Bandanas: An Illustrated History of the West Virginia Mine Wars by Paul Buhle and Raymond Tyler

Review: Faithful Unto Death: Pet Cemeteries, Animal Graves, and Eternal Devotion by Paul Koudounaris

July 19, 2025

“The love the animals gave will never be forgotten.” This was a beautifully written book about the love people hold for their pets and how we deal with their deaths. Paul Koudounaris photographs and research into pet cemeteries really shows a whole new side of love and grief that most people don’t think about.  The … More Review: Faithful Unto Death: Pet Cemeteries, Animal Graves, and Eternal Devotion by Paul Koudounaris

Review: The Lady From the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick by Mallory O’Mera

July 12, 2025

“The beauty of Milicent’s life and work was, like that of many other women, purposefully hidden to rob her of her power and her influence.” This biography/memoir discussed the life and hidden legacy of the Creature from the Black Lagoon designer Milicent Patrick. Milicent created one of the most iconic movie monsters and the last … More Review: The Lady From the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick by Mallory O’Mera

Review: The Devil Is Here in These Hills: West Virginia’s Coal Miners and Their Battle for Freedom by James Green

June 20, 2025

“God does not walk in these hills…The devil is here in these hills, and the devil is greed.” General Charles D. Elliott As a West Virginian, I will admit I only recently learned about the mine wars.  About four years ago my work created an exhibit and presentation about it be mine wars and it … More Review: The Devil Is Here in These Hills: West Virginia’s Coal Miners and Their Battle for Freedom by James Green

ARC Review: Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder by Rachel McCarthy James

May 12, 2025

While this book has an interesting topic, it didn’t end up being exactly what I expected. When you think of axe murders, you think of people like Lizzie Borden (Ch. 9),  the Axeman of New Orleans, or maybe if you are a true crime buff, Elifasi Msomi  (The Axe Killer). Instead this book is a … More ARC Review: Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder by Rachel McCarthy James