Blagica Jankuloska

Darling Doors

Rarely do I encounter a book that leaves me yearning to dive back into its pages immediately upon finishing. Gareth Brown's “The Book of Doors” falls squarely into that exceptional category. As someone still navigating the realms of fantasy literature, time-travel narratives often prove hit or miss for me. However, from the moment I laid eyes on the title, I found myself inexorably drawn into Brown's enchanting world.

At the heart of the story lies Cassie, a character who resonated deeply with me, reflecting facets of my own journey. Witnessing her evolution and resilience throughout the narrative filled me with an immense sense of pride. Her dynamic relationship with Izzy, characterized by their stark differences yet undeniable synergy, added layers of depth to the story. Similarly, the subtle yet electrifying chemistry between Cassie and Drummond enriched the narrative without overshadowing its essence.

What truly sets “The Book of Doors” apart is its meticulous world-building, anchored by a sophisticated magic system revolving around mystical tomes. Brown's modern setting seamlessly integrates with the intricacies of this magical realm, captivating readers with its immersive detail. Each character possesses a distinct voice and personality, contributing to the narrative's richness and authenticity.

Throughout the book, I found myself enraptured by the relentless action and unexpected plot twists. Moments of clarity illuminated the storyline, while others left me reeling, necessitating moments of quiet reflection to absorb the magnitude of what I had just read. In my eyes, “The Book of Doors” stands as a masterpiece of the time-travel genre, showcasing Brown's remarkable storytelling prowess.

As a debut novel, “The Book of Doors” heralds the arrival of a formidable literary talent. I eagerly await Brown's future endeavors, eager to see where his boundless imagination leads. This book has left an indelible mark on me, its impact destined to linger in my thoughts for years to come.

Such Promise

I’ve been sitting with my thoughts for over an hour after finishing this book, and I’m still not sure how to feel. To say I wanted to love it is an understatement. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025. With its stunning cover and compelling premise, I was expecting a five-star experience. Sadly, it landed closer to a three.

For those who did love it, I’m honestly a little envious.

Now, here’s what worked for me. The book unfolds in alternating timelines—historical chapters woven between the present day. It’s a love story stretched across centuries, where Evelyn and Arden are destined to find each other again and again, only to die together before turning eighteen each time. In the modern timeline, Evelyn is racing against time to stay alive long enough to save her sister, who needs a bone marrow transplant to survive cancer.

The historical chapters were the most intriguing part for me. They added texture and context to the characters' bond, and I appreciated the ambition behind the structure. But the execution didn’t quite land. The constant back-and-forth felt choppy, and it disrupted the pacing just enough to keep me from getting fully immersed.

More than that, I struggled to feel the connection between Evelyn and Arden. I wanted to fall into an epic, time-crossed romance—but I never quite believed in their chemistry. The love story felt more told than felt, and I never reached that emotional payoff I was hoping for.

There’s a twist near the end that genuinely surprised me, and I appreciated that. I just wish the resolution had been given more space. The ending felt rushed, and with a few more pages, it could’ve hit harder.

In the end, the book had strong ideas and emotional stakes, but the execution fell short of the promise. I don’t regret reading it, but I do wish I had connected with it more deeply.

Unlike many readers, I came to the book “Mindhunter” because I wanted to watch the Netflix series. The book is filled with actual cases Douglas assisted with, so if you are a fan of true crime, you will enjoy it. I was intrigued by the novel techniques Douglas used to capture killers. His profiles were often spot-on, but he was also a pioneer of using the media to draw out criminals, and he also created some effective interrogation tactics. Some of the cases Douglas describes are familiar to fans. Once again, I recommend the book to any true crime fan for the wealth of law enforcement information. I loved reading about how Douglas and his team solved these terrible crimes. However, “Mindhunter” flags whenever Douglas inserts too much of his personality–primarily his ego–into it. He constantly boasts about how busy and successful he was, how he flouted FBI conventions to get things done, how he singlehandedly developed the profiling wing, how his profiles were never wrong, even things as unnecessary to the story as how successful he was with women and how attractive his wife was. I suppose it takes a great deal of confidence to create profiles of unsubs and pass them off to other law enforcement personnel, convinced of their accuracy. Douglas at one point also veers from his profiles and starts giving the reader his opinions on capital punishment and ways to fix the amount of violent crime in the US. He is of course entitled to his beliefs, and he has a lot of direct experience to base them on, but they do not always have a place in this book. Douglas never shows us any adversity. Except for one case (Green River killer), he never mentions a profile that did not work. He even depicts his relationship with his wife as more successful now than ever, even though she divorced him. And he talks up his TV appearances and the fact he advised Thomas Harris (“Tom”) when Harris was writing books like “Silence of the Lambs.” We get it: Douglas is awesome. But he never seems to realize that his ego and opinions take a backseat to the gruesome killers in this book and how the killers were ultimately caught in the end. I enjoyed this and may pick up book two in this series but I did not love it.

A Slower Burn

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose had all the right elements to be a gripping psychological thriller, but ultimately, it didn't quite deliver in the way I hoped. I was expecting something similar in terms of intensity to Home is Where the Bodies Are, which I enjoyed for its fast pace and unexpected twists. Unfortunately, The Perfect Marriage unfolds at a slower pace, and while there are some twists along the way, they don't hit with the same force or urgency.

The story centers around a seemingly perfect couple whose lives are upended by a shocking crime. The premise is strong, and the potential for suspense is evident. However, the pacing feels deliberate, which may not appeal to readers who prefer a faster-paced thriller. While I appreciate the author's attempt to develop the characters and their motivations, I found myself wishing for more momentum as the story progressed.

That said, The Perfect Marriage is still an engaging read with enough intrigue to keep me interested. The character development, especially of the central figures, is well-done, and I enjoyed the exploration of moral complexities. The ending, with its surprising twist, was a welcome change of pace. However, by that point, I had already started to anticipate a twist, which slightly diminished its impact.

In conclusion, while The Perfect Marriage has its strengths and will likely appeal to those who enjoy slower, character-driven thrillers, it didn't quite meet my expectations in terms of pacing and excitement. I'm giving it 3 stars—it was good, but not great. I wanted more of the heart-pounding suspense that I found in Home is Where the Bodies Are, but this book, while satisfying in some ways, didn't quite deliver on that front.

[b:Becoming 38746485 Becoming Michelle Obama https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528206996l/38746485.SY75.jpg 60334006]I picked this book up way behind the curve. However, I can not tell you how much I enjoyed it. In Becoming, First Lady Michelle Obama, not only gives us a detailed look into the night of the November 4th, 2008 Presidential election, but she steps back in time after the introduction and gives us layers of her personal life from childhood to puberty and from puberty to adulthood. We walk the blocks of Euclid Avenue on the Southside of Chicago. We meet her parents Marian and Fraser Robinson, and her elder brother Craig, as well as extended family members, like her Uncle “Southside,” who introduces Michelle to jazz and Motown artists such as, Stevie Wonder. We would return to Michelle's small house that was shared with her great Aunt who taught her piano. We would feel Michelle's angsts from her first piano recital to her big decision to fight to get into Princeton.Early on, we could tell that the young Michelle Robinson, who was filled with curious questions, would grow up to be an intelligent and independent woman. Without question, you could foresee her breaking White House traditions as First Lady, not disrespectfully, but in a way that awakened a new dawn and era. She gives women who are trying to live their dreams hope that dreams are possible. That you can fall in love have a job and be successful all with a smile on your face. Socially, it seems Michelle chose her friends and boyfriends as wisely as she chose her career. She never lowered her standards. Her every move seemed calculated and driven by a checklist until she met Barack Obama. Obama was a man who helped Michelle to relax her shoulders, have some ice cream, and breathe and appreciate the spontaneity of life. He also helped her to find her true passion in order to discover genuine happiness.In this book, Michelle lays out a plate of honesty that spills over human imperfections that we all contend with on the day-to-day basis. She didn't hide her flaws or pretend to be someone she is not. Thus, my favorite quote is: “Barack and I told our stories and shared our stories because too often people focus on stats. Stats do not tell us who people are.” It is therefore not surprising that Michelle and Barack Obama won the 2018 Most Admired People, despite not being in office anymore. People feel connected to public figures who are honest, compassionate, forgiving, and sincere.I hope this book shows much more many people you can become anything you want as long as you do it 100% for yourself. Five starts across the board.