Elegant “ClayReads Book Awards” featured image with gold serif lettering on a dark theater backdrop, framed by curtains and subtle confetti, with stacks of books, a small gold trophy statue, reading glasses on an open book, and a Roman helmet beside an hourglass and quill.

2025 in Review: The ClayReads Book Awards

2025 in Review: The ClayReads Book Awards I read 72 books in 2025. That is 3 books short of my 2024 total, but[…]

Armored SecUnit “Murderbot” with a glowing red visor stands guard on a rugged alien world during a dangerous planetary survey.

All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries, #1) by Martha Wells

All Systems Red Review: I Finally Caved and Read Murderbot My mother has been begging me to read The Murderbot Diaries for years.[…]

Metal tub of bobbing apples on a lantern-lit garden path; a jack-o’-lantern glows as masked children approach a stone house at night.

Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie

Hallowe’en Party Review: A Poirot Mystery with “WHOAH” Moments It was October and I wanted to find a spooky Halloween mystery read to[…]

Foggy forest trail at dusk with footprints to a lit cabin; an abandoned minivan, compass, crumpled map, and nightshade berries evoke Freida McFadden’s One by One.

One by One by Freida McFadden

A Never-Ending Hike: A Disappointing One by One Review This is my third Freida McFadden book review, and I am left feeling disappointed.[…]

Vintage gramophone and ten little soldier figurines beside a stormy window overlooking Soldier Island — moody scene inspired by Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None Book Review: The Original Blueprint for Terror I have been a big Agatha Christie fan since I was[…]

Illustrated open book with scenes of mystery, sci-fi, and growth emerging from its pages, symbolizing September reading wrap-up.

September Reads Wrap Up

September Reads Wrap Up September was a huge reading month for me, with ten books finished! I bounced between classic thrillers, sci-fi horror,[…]

A muscular man with a stoic expression is escorted by two police officers out of a neon-lit diner at night, evoking a tense and gritty atmosphere.

The Killing Floor by Lee Child

The Killing Floor by Lee Child I was first introduced to Jack Reacher by Tom Cruise in the movie Jack Reacher. I can[…]

Injured pregnant woman sitting in a crashed car during a snowstorm, clutching her belly with visible distress and fear.

The Crash by Freida McFadden

The Crash by Freida McFadden A friend has recommended Freida McFadden’s books a few times, and my wife enjoyed Never Lie, so, when[…]

Fantasy book illustration of Harry Dresden from Summer Knight by Jim Butcher, standing between the Summer Queen and Winter Queen, symbolizing the conflict between the Faerie Courts in the Dresden Files series.

Summer Knight by Jim Butcher

Throwback Thursday: Summer Knight by Jim Butcher It is another entry in Throwback Thursday. I reviewed Grave Peril last time, and now I’ve[…]

Atmospheric painting of a moonlit feast at a luxury countryside manor with bonfire, inspired by The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley As a Lucy Foley fan, with The Paris Apartment holding my top spot (though my family overwhelmingly[…]