Welcome to Margin Notes
A blog and newsletter from Ibrah Reads.
Below you’ll find all articles in chronological order.
If you prefer to browse by category or tag, please click on the icons to the right or in any post and it will filter the posts displayed below.
Book Review: Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead by Mai Nguyen
I’ll cut right to it; this book will not be for everyone. It parks itself in grief and does not leave. I grew quite attached to the main character and thought the author did an incredible job finding the balance between letting her be enveloped by loss and pushing her forward with life.
Book Review: One of Us Is Guilty by Steve Cavanagh (Eddie Flynn #10)
If you haven’t gotten into the Eddie Flynn series by Steve Cavanagh, you might be missing out. Eddie is a criminal defense attorney who uses his con artist background to his advantage in the courtroom. There are already nine primary books in the series and the 10th, One of Us Is Guilty, comes out in March 2027.
Book Review: Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson
Sadeqa Johnson has done it again with Keeper of Lost Children. I don’t typically gravitate towards historical fiction, but with this author I will always say yes. Her research is DEEP and I am always blown away at how many books she reads to prepare for writing her own. The way she finds lesser-known women who had a big impact on history and brings their story to life is a gift.
Book Review: Before You Were Anne by Emiko Jean (Chelsey Calhoun #2)
Emiko Jean has become such a reliable author for me and Before You Were Anne was no exception. It’s the sequel to The Return of Ellie Black and the second in the detective Chelsey Calhoun series. As she unfolds the case we get to see the story from three perspectives, giving voice to the main women in the novel.
Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi
Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi is an excellent choice for readers who love character-driven novels that center estranged sibling relationships. The plot is the supporting character in this one and the main story is told through the relationship between sisters Jayne and June.