Monique Snyman

A Doctor’s Fight for Survival in 1657 the Year of the Plague

Roberto Palumbo’s immersive and haunting journey into 1657 The Year of the Plague showcases the depths of human suffering and the resilience of mankind during one of Europe’s darkest chapters in history. Set in Genoa, this historical novel offers a staunch look at a city gripped by fear, despair, and…

Monique SnymanJanuary 24, 2025

Nonfiction Recommended

Facing the Storm of Trauma and Finding Strength in Healing

Author C D Kreger delivers a memoir as gut-wrenching as it is uplifting with Face the Storm, inviting readers into her world with fearless honesty, recounting a life shaped by childhood neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional turmoil. Yet this book is far more than a recounting of dark experiences. Face…

Monique SnymanJanuary 23, 2025

BooksToScreen Listicles Thrillers

7 Survival, Betrayal and High Stakes Thrills That Hit Harder Than “Squid Game”

If the nail-biting suspense and psychological twists of the addictive Netflix show Squid Game, had you hooked, you're not alone. The show has captivated viewers with its high-stakes drama, exploration of human nature, moral dilemmas, and creative kills, leaving fans craving more stories that dive deep into the darkness of…

Monique SnymanJanuary 15, 2025

Tomb of the Black Pharaoh by Christopher Michael

Fiction Recommended Thrillers

Descend into Depths of Knowledge and Madness in Lovecraftian Tale

Christopher Michael's Tomb of the Black Pharaoh is a gripping tale that blends cosmic horror, historical intrigue, and psychological suspense, centering on a protagonist whose curiosity propels him into the dangerous realm of forbidden knowledge. Beginning with the discovery of ancient relics in a dusty attic, his journey quickly spirals…

Monique SnymanDecember 18, 2024

Fiction Recommended

Literary Mystery Depicts Regret and Redemption in a World of Uncertainty

Can we ever make peace with our regrets? That is the question I asked myself while reading Tom Casey’s Unsettled States (Heresy Press), which begins with a raw portrait of familial fracture. Bradley’s visit to his mother, Eleanor, opens the door to a past steeped in warmth now shadowed by…

Monique SnymanDecember 17, 2024

BooksToScreen Listicles

Books That Challenge, Disturb, and Reveal the Unconventional Truths of Womanhood

Prepare for a cinematic shockwave as Nightbitch, starring Amy Adams, hits theaters tomorrow. Based on Rachel Yoder's genre-defying novel, this bold and unsettling film explores motherhood as a mythical transformation that’s both captivating and unnerving. A blend of horror, satire, and brutal honesty, Nightbitch tears through the polished facade…

Monique SnymanDecember 5, 2024

Fiction Listicles

Embrace the Complexities of Forgiveness With 7 Unforgettable Novels

What role does forgiveness play in shaping our lives and relationships? These seven novels invite readers to explore this intriguing question, delving into the intricate dynamics of forgiveness and its far-reaching implications. Each story offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of letting go, from the quest for personal redemption…

Monique SnymanNovember 12, 2024

Listicles

7 Books to Guide You Toward Healing, Strength, and Renewal on Your Spiritual Awakening

In moments of doubt, pain, and spiritual exploration, we often find ourselves longing for something deeper—a more profound connection to God, a clearer sense of purpose, or a transformative experience. Whether you’re facing personal challenges or yearning for renewed faith, the path to spiritual awakening calls for guidance, reflection, and…

Monique SnymanOctober 10, 2024

Recommended Thrillers

Plunge into Madness and Malice with Unmissable Supernatural Thriller

In Deena Undone, Debra K. Every introduces us to Deena Bartlett, a middle-aged woman haunted by her past and tormented by a present that seems to unravel her senses. What starts as a quiet, reflective moment with her ailing Aunt Agatha quickly descends into a nightmare that warps reality and…

Monique SnymanOctober 8, 2024

Listicles Romance

6 Books that Prove Love Transcends Everything … Even Death

The saying “love never dies” takes on a literal meaning when it comes to some paranormal romances. Lovers often find themselves separated by the veil between worlds, yet their bond remains unbroken. Ghosts linger, usually driven by an undying passion transcending their otherworldly existence. Vampires and other immortals navigate through…

Monique SnymanSeptember 13, 2024

Listicles Pop Culture

The Universal Obsession with Anti-Aging

Societal beauty standards are notorious for being out of reach for regular people. However, the push from luxury brands glorifying “unconventional beauty” standards — the ones model agencies prefer from prospective supermodels — reminded me of a quote from The Devil Wears Prada, when Miranda Priestly says in a deadpan…

Monique SnymanSeptember 9, 2024

Fiction Recommended Romance

Explore An Enigmatic Realm of Vampires and Werewolves

The storm’s fury outside mirrored the tumult within, as secrets and shadows intertwined beneath the ancient moonlit canopy. Kay Freeman’s Other Worlds: A Gothic Romantasy transports readers to the enchanting yet perilous town of Assisi, Italy, where the lines are blurred between reality and fantasy. This gothic romantasy has the…

Monique SnymanSeptember 4, 2024

Miscellany

Strange Demographic Is Affecting Millennial Priorities

The running joke on social media is that Millennials have skipped going through a midlife crisis and have gone straight to indulging in “Grandma Hobbies.” Bird watching, gardening, reading, knitting, crocheting, building puzzles, baking, playing cards, all of the things we generally ascribe to grandmothers, are now trending among a…

Monique SnymanAugust 19, 2024

Miscellany Pop Culture

How Swifties, Vampires, and Subversive Digital Marketing Are Connected

Throughout the years, Anne Rice’s popular character Lestat de Lioncourt from The Vampire Chronicles has been portrayed on-screen by some of the hottest actors of their time, including Tom Cruise, Stuart Townsend, and most recently Sam Reid. This has inadvertently cemented his legacy in pop culture as a multi-generational bad…

Monique SnymanAugust 7, 2024

Better Self Nonfiction Recommended

Transform Burnout into Fuel and Ignite Your Desired Path

Healing Burnout with Astrology and Tarot by Jackie Hope may sound extremely New Age to some folks, but I’ll advise you to remember this title when you’re desperate to find yourself again. Because sometimes burnout creeps up on you and sometimes the only solution is taking an unconventional approach. Burnout…

Monique SnymanAugust 2, 2024

Thrillers

C.J. Tudor’s Snowy Alaskan Thriller Breathes New Life Into Vampire Fiction

For someone who loves literature with a bit of bite, C.J. Tudor’s The Gathering (Ballantine Books) not only surprised me with its genre-bending ways, intricate storytelling, and characterization but also made me fall in love with vampire fiction again! Reinvigorating the vampire genre, steering away from the romanticized depictions that…

Monique SnymanMay 24, 2024