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About Me

Hi, I’m Taylor!

I’m from Seattle, but recently moved to Austin, TX. (Bring on the taco trucks & sunshine!)

I’ve been part of the Bookstagram community for 3+ years now (previously known as SilverFire Books), and I’ve loved every minute of it!

When I’m not working, you can usually find me curled up with a book and a cup of iced coffee. I’m also a big fan of dogs, chocolate, and ridiculous dance moves.

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Recent Posts

  • The Upstairs House by Julia Fine (Book Review)
  • No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood (Book Review)
  • The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles (Book Review)
  • Do No Harm by Christina McDonald (Book Review)
  • Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (Book Review)
😍 Sometimes I like to just stare at my books. O 😍 Sometimes I like to just stare at my books. Other people do this too, right?? 😅 What’s the next book you’re thinking about buying (or borrowing from the library)? I just got The Last Flight in the mail 🙌 . . . . . . #booksaremagic #bookpic #bookcart #shelfie #bookshelves #readerlife #hardcovers #paperbacks #bookishfeed #bookspines #avidreader #booktography #fortheloveofbooks #booksandplants #booksofinstagram #bookgram #bookish #bookobsessed #readinghabits #goodreads #readinggoals #houseplantsofinstagram #2021goals #backlistbooks #tbrlist #tbrpile
I am on a ROLL with strange books lately 😂🙌 I am on a ROLL with strange books lately 😂🙌 (Thanks @harperbooks for the gifted ARC!) First, a synopsis: After Megan gives birth to her new baby – unsure if she’s ready to be a mother – and brings the baby home, a strange door appears in her building. Curious, she opens the door, and comes face-to-face with the prolific children’s author, Margaret Wise Brown. This sets in motion a haunting of sorts, where a long-dead Margaret and her past lover Michael dance around each other, with Megan and her baby caught in the middle. Even as a woman without children, I was pulled in by Megan’s worries and fears. Her feelings were visceral, heightening the intensity of the story. Sure, it’s a little ‘out there’ in its execution, but its themes are grounded in reality. I wouldn’t call this a horror novel, per se. It’s more unsettling – especially for new mothers or mothers-to-be (I would assume). Other than that, I’d say the story is literary fiction, with some history mixed in. I was fascinated by the lives of Margaret Wise Brown and Michael Strange. A ton of research must have gone into this! I was kind of bothered by Megan’s apathy toward her husband, but you can’t deny it’s honest and raw. Overall, this was a well-written, unique, and emotional story. Rating: 4⭐️ (out today!) 💬 Have you read any unusual or unsettling books lately?
What the heck did I just read?! [book gifted by @r What the heck did I just read?! [book gifted by @riverheadbooks ] No One Is Talking About This is about our society’s reliance on social media and the digital world, and how it continues to morph and shape our culture and actions (and for the most part, not in a good way). But partway through the story, something happens that drags the main character out of her social media-addicted daze. This was one of the strangest books I’ve read in a long time, with a unique, experimental style: like fragmented thoughts bouncing around in someone’s head. It did feel a little jarring to me (especially at first). The prose is clever and thought-provoking, though I will admit some of it went over my head a bit. Maybe I’m not ‘online’ enough to understand a lot of the references? The passages I did understand were wry, bordering on genius, whereas others were almost trying to be weird or shocking just for the sake of it. The story is split into two parts – almost like two different books. Part 1 felt disjointed to me, but Part 2 made everything worth it: we finally have tangible characters to care about and a plot we can follow. Instead of the surreal fragments of Part 1, we have a cohesive and utterly emotional story. (I understand that the style in Part 1 is on purpose, it just didn’t draw me in like Part 2 did.) One thing to note: if you do read this, make sure to read the synopsis before you start. Otherwise, you’ll have ZERO idea what’s going on! 😂 While my thoughts on this book were conflicted, in the end it was worth reading, and Patricia Lockwood is clearly a very talented writer. Rating: 3.5⭐️ (out now!) 💬 Do you plan your TBR ahead of time, or are you a mood reader? I’m a big planner, but every once in a while I’ll pick up something on a whim 🙃
What are you reading this weekend? I hope you’r What are you reading this weekend? I hope you’re staying warm! We are so grateful to have power back. What a week - really made us realize how much we take basic necessities for granted. (For anyone in Austin: check out @365thingsaustin for helpful resources on where to find water, food, warming centers, etc.)
📖 What was the last historical fiction book you 📖 What was the last historical fiction book you read? [Thanks @atriabooks for the gifted book!] The Paris Library follows a young French woman named Odile, who works at The American Library in Paris alongside a lively cast of characters. When World War II breaks out and northern France is occupied by Nazis, Odile’s life - and the lives of her friends and family - change forever. This was an immersive historical fiction novel with interesting characters and fascinating settings. There’s romance, intrigue, action, and everything in between. We see Paris before and during the war, the juxtaposition of opulence and beauty versus fear and extremely limited resources. The story was packed with emotion and human connection, and I really enjoyed the back-and-forth narration where the puzzle pieces slowly clicked into place. I always love learning about history, and while I’ve read books on WWII before, this one still felt unique. Highly recommended, especially for historical fiction fans! Rating: 4.5⭐️ (out now!)
❄️ Texas winter storm + my latest thriller rea ❄️ Texas winter storm + my latest thriller read [book gifted by @gallerybooks ] We’re in the middle of a nasty winter storm here in Austin: no power for 3 days (which means no heat - it’s around 40-45 degrees in our apartment), freezing temperatures & snow/ice, grocery stores & restaurants closed, no hot water, and now no water at all for our building 😬 But I know there are people who have it worse than us, and there are still many things I am grateful for. One thing I can still do (while buried under 3 blankets and a duvet) is read! I just finished Do No Harm by Christina McDonald, and it definitely helped take my mind off the cold. This is the type of thriller you can’t help but get emotionally invested in. It treads a slippery slope of what’s considered moral, asking the question: how far would a mother go to save her son? Some parts were a little far-fetched, but I really enjoyed the large cast of characters and all the twists along the way. The tension just keeps building, and you’ll definitely be glued to the page! Overall, Do No Harm is an emotional, character-driven, action-packed thriller. Definitely recommended! Rating: 4.25⭐️ (out now!)
I hope you’re treating yourself today, whether y I hope you’re treating yourself today, whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or not! My husband and I had a nice brunch at home, and I got myself a few new books 📚😁 See any you’ve read or want to read?? (Also, the quote on the bottom of this mug - from The Phantom Tollbooth - is quite ironic. Any bookworm will tell you there is absolutely not plenty of time to read all the books they want 😆)
🤗 Happy Friday! What are your reading plans for 🤗 Happy Friday! What are your reading plans for the weekend?? [book gifted by @harperbooks ] I just finished Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason 👏 Essentially, it’s about a woman living with undiagnosed/misdiagnosed mental illness. The story unflinchingly takes on the topic of mental health and its stigmas - but without completely dismissing responsibility for one’s actions either. It has a very stream-of-consciousness writing style, and I loved the dry humor. The relationship between Martha and her sister Ingrid was probably my favorite part! Personally, I don’t know a ton about mental health, so I’m glad to have read this book for a better perspective on it. I could find myself getting frustrated at times by Martha’s actions, especially seeing how they affected those around her. But then I’d tell myself to take a step back and remember the source of many of those actions. Overall, this was an honest and illuminating story with well-rounded characters. Rating: 4⭐️ (out now!)
🚫CLOSED🚫 🎉 PUB DAY REVIEW + GIVEAWAY 🎉 🚫CLOSED🚫 🎉 PUB DAY REVIEW + GIVEAWAY 🎉 I ended up with an extra ARC of The Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott [gifted by @fsgoriginals ], so I’m giving away a copy! 🙌 The Rain Heron is an eco-thriller, steeped in myth and the exploration of humanity’s effect on the natural world. The story follows the search for a mythical creature called a rain heron (a shape-shifting bird with the ability to control the weather) in a remote part of a country that’s been overtaken by a coup. The setting was interesting & beautiful - somewhere I wish I could visit one day. The writing style is unique, but it’s easy to get used to and I didn’t find it distracting. The narration did feel a little detached at times, but I think that was purposeful. It was a moving story, filled with pain and sorrow but also connection, strength and hope. ENTER TO WIN AN ARC: -FOLLOW me (@reader.haven) -LIKE & SAVE this post -COMMENT below with a book you’ve enjoyed this year 📖 . BONUS entries: ⚡️TAG 2 friends (can be done up to 5 times) ⚡️SHARE this photo in your story & tag me . . Rules: 1. Open to U.S. residents only 2. Please don't follow to unfollow (I’m fun, I promise 😉) 3. Must be 18+ or have permission to provide shipping address 4. No promotional or giveaway accounts . . Ends Friday, February 12th at 11:59 PST. The winners will be announced shortly after. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Instagram. Good luck! 😊
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