Sara Reads Things

  Title:  Lost Stars By:  Claudia Gray Genre:  Sci-Fi Pages:  551 Release Date:  September 4th, 2015 Rating: ★★★★★   Summary from Goodreads: The reign of the Galactic Empire has reached the Outer Rim planet of Jelucan, where aristocratic Thane Kyrell and rural villager Ciena Ree bond over their love of flying. Enrolling at the Imperial Academy together to become fighter pilots for the glorious Empire is nothing less than a dream come true for the both of them. But Thane sours on the dream when he sees firsthand the horrific tactics the Empire uses to maintain its ironclad rule. Bitter and disillusioned, Thane joins the fledgling Rebellion—putting Ciena in an unbearable position to choose between her loyalty to the Empire and her love for the man she's known since childhood. Now on opposite sides of the war, will these friends turned foes find a way to be together, or will duty tear them—and the galaxy—apart.   Add on Goodreads   Review: As so...

  Title:  The Hong Kong Widow By:  Kristen Loesch Genre:  Historical Pages:  368 Release Date:  October 7th, 2025 Rating: ★★★★☆   Summary from Goodreads: Hong Kong, 1953: In a remote mansion, witnesses insist a massacre took place. The police see nothing but pristine rooms and declare it a collective hallucination. Until decades later, when one witness returns…from the Edgar®-nominated author of  The Last Russian Doll . In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges, in one of Hong Kong’s most notorious haunted houses—she has every reason to refuse.  Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Me...

  Title:  Servant of Earth By:  Sarah Hawley Genre:  Fantasy Pages:  451 Release Date: November 12th, 2024   Rating: ★★★★★   Summary from Goodreads: In the underground Fae realm, only the strongest and most ruthless have power—but a young human woman forced into a life of servitude is about to change everything. Kenna Heron is best known in her village for being a little wild—some say “half feral”—but she’ll need every ounce of that ferocity to survive captivity in the cruel Fae court. Trapped as a servant in the faeries’ underground kingdom of Mistei, Kenna must help her new mistress undertake six deadly trials, one for each branch of magic: Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and Blood. If she succeeds, her mistress will gain immortality and become the heir to Earth House. If she doesn’t, the punishment is death—for both mistress and servant. With no ally but a sentient dagger of mysterious origins, Kenna must face monsters, magic, and grueling physi...

  Title:  The Last Love Song By:  Lucinda Riley Genre:  Historical Fiction Pages:  400 Release Date:  October 23rd, 2025 Rating: ★★★★☆   Summary from Goodreads: The Last Love Song   is a compelling story of love and devastating loss set on the rural west coast of Ireland and in glamourous 1960s London, from the internationally bestselling author of The Seven Sisters series, Lucinda Riley. Sorcha O'Donovan dreams of an exciting life beyond the West Cork coastline where she has grown up. When she encounters the town's strikingly handsome outcast, struggling musician Con Daly, her days will never be the same. When Con strikes gold with rock band The Fishermen in London, he and Sorcha look set for a rosy future. But their lives change beyond recognition as the dark side of fame rears its head. Death threats follow Con around, and devastating secrets from the past threaten to destroy everything he has worked for. Twenty years later, and The Fishermen a...

  After a week of Polish comfort food, I decided it was time to trade potatoes and dill for sunshine and spice. This week, we’re heading to the tiny island nation of Mauritius , where French, Indian, Chinese, and Creole influences collide in one delicious fusion. Mauritian food is vibrant, aromatic, and full of surprises. From fluffy dholl puri to mustardy fish vindaye and coconut sweet desserts. It’s an island adventure without leaving the kitchen, and I can’t wait to dive in. WEEKLY MENU Monday Creole Curry Comfort Mauritian Chicken Curry with basmati rice Kids - Chicken and Rice   Tuesday Chinese-Mauritian Stir-Fry Mine Frite Kids - Beef Ramen   Wednesday Island BBQ Chicken Skewers and Rice Kids - Chicken and Chips   Thursday Home Comforts Bol Renversé Kids - Cheese Quesadilla   Friday Creole Lentil Stew Kids - Chicken Soup   Saturday Mauritian Beef Roti Kids - Cheese Sandwiches   Sunday Leftovers Night