This is a book review for A Handful of Spells by Kimberley A. Shaw. I grew up in the height of the Harry Potter era. And while She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has made the series complicated for many of us, the story of discovering you’re special and whisked away to a magical school? That theme shaped an entire generation. So when I saw a magical academy story centered on a hard-of-hearing girl, I didn’t hesitate.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the creative process — the struggles, the late-night-rewriting, the panicked but excited “this character just changed everything” moments (seriously, this was Alexis in The Heritage Series) Right now, I’m deep in writing and editing. It’s exciting, frustrating, and emotional. And I’ve realized I want to share more of that journey, not just the polished end result.

Happy New Year! Somehow it’s already 2026—and somehow, February is almost here. I’m not entirely sure where 2025 went, but it feels like it passed in a blink. For the past several years, I’ve written a year-end wrap-up followed by a list of goals for the new year. When I sat down to do that again, I realized something: many of my goals haven’t changed much at all.

There’s something magical about stepping away from the noise of everyday life and sinking into stories — both the ones we read and the ones we write. I recently went on a book retreat with a group of friends and it was everything a I could dream of: reading, crafting, bookstore adventures, chatting, and even a little writing time for me as I dove back into editing my story.

It always surprises me when I can hear. Really hear. A couple of months ago, I got new hearing aids — and yes, they’re purple! 💜 But let me back up a bit. About a year ago, I lost one of my hearing aids. I searched everywhere for nearly six months. I deep-cleaned the house, retraced my steps, checked under the seats in my car, even looked in places I’d already cleared three times over.

CHAMP. That’s It. But really, what I feel about this book can’t be summed up in one word. It took me completely by surprise—in the best way. “Our first thoughts about a situation are seldom what we actually believe. They are what we have been conditioned to think, or sometimes they truly are random spits of consciousness. But our second thoughts, ah, that is where we are.

ALT: a woman says okay see now in front of a kitchen