Books and Mortar

Justice fractures, monsters return, and the cost of protection becomes unbearable in A Heart Full of Hatred.

As Valkyrie faces Gestalt and the consequences of her past choices, Winter edges closer to a power she was never meant to hold.

Family, fairness, and fury collide on the island of Insadoom.

And when the dust settles, Valkyrie pays the ultimate price for love.

This episode is about an older fantasy book I picked up because someone recommended it in real life, for a change. It follows Ged, a boy wizard whose hunger for power unleashes a shadow that chases him across islands and into his own worst instincts. There’s rivalry, dragons, creepy shadow-things, and one very patient mentor trying to teach balance to a kid who refuses to slow down. Mostly, it’s about stepping outside the algorithm, finding older stories that still feel sharp, and following a young wizard who has to learn that the thing hunting him might just be himself.

A story of faith, humour, and survival, of a mother’s love and a son’s becoming. Born a Crime isn’t just Trevor Noah’s story—it’s the story of South Africa itself.

Some mild language warnings go with this one. Domestic violence, substance abuse triggers

Reading this book feels like watching rain streak across your window – quiet, melancholic, and strangely comforting. It’s a gothic tale that weaves together themes of love, loss, memory, and haunting presences both real and imagined. At its heart is Sana, a lonely girl navigating grief, family secrets, and the eerie legacy of Akbar Manzil. Through her, we uncover Meena’s tragic love story, one that lingers like a ghost over the crumbling house. It’s a slow burn, beautifully written, and a haunting read that stays with you long after you’ve closed the pages.

“Book People” by Paige Nick is a sharp, satirical novel about an ordinary woman thrown into extraordinary chaos. Norma Jacobs becomes the accidental admin of a wildly popular online book club—just as a bestselling author starts to unravel after a bad review. As cancel culture, literary feuds, and digital drama explode, the lines between readers, writers, and reputations blur. Norma’s life—and the club—spiral hilariously out of control. A witty, thought-provoking read about the power (and danger) of words in the digital age. This is an independent podcast and all views and opinions expressed are my own