Witchcraft For Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

Neva Craven was only fifteen when she made a mistake—but the punishment would last a lifetime. In the 1970s, her strict parents sent her away to the Home for Unwed Mothers, a cold, controlled place where no one used their real names. There, under the watchful eyes of Miss Wellwood and her staff, Neva—now called Fern—followed strict schedules, took lessons, and counted down the days until she would give birth, hand over her baby to a "deserving" family, and pretend none of it ever happened.

But then, something extraordinary happened.

Amid the bleakness, Fern and her friends—Rose, Zinnia, and Holly—found solace in an unexpected visitor: the bookmobile. And in that bookmobile was Miss Parcae, a librarian with secrets of her own. When she hands Fern a peculiar book, How to Be a Groovy Witch, it seems like nothing more than a distraction. But when the spells work, the girls realize witchcraft might be the answer to their problems. At first, it’s a game. Then, it’s survival.

But magic always comes with a price. And Miss Parcae isn’t as kind as she first seemed. If they want true freedom, they must pledge eternal loyalty and complete obedience. The question is—how far are they willing to go?

Hendrix delivers another masterpiece! The haunting atmosphere, the raw emotions, the growing sense of unease—it all builds to a thrilling, unforgettable climax. The chaos, the desperation, and the eerie allure of power kept me hooked until the very last page. A must-read. 5 ⭐

The Gift by Sebastian Fitzek

Milan Berg is a petty criminal with a secret—he’s illiterate. Though he has a brilliant photographic memory and strong mental arithmetic skills, the inability to read or write haunts him, making survival a constant struggle. That is until he meets Andra, who offers him a job and an unexpected sense of purpose.

One fateful day, while waiting at a traffic light, Milan spots something unsettling. A terrified girl in the back seat of a car presses a note against the window. Though he can’t read what it says, he knows she’s in danger. With Andra’s help, he begins an investigation that leads them to an abandoned villa, uncovering more questions than answers. Then, the unthinkable happens—a call from the kidnapper, demanding a ransom. Why would a stranger target him for blackmail? 

A single clue—a photo with a hidden code—reveals the girl’s name: Zoe. But what truly chills Milan is recognizing the code. It’s one he and his childhood girlfriend invented in secret. How could this girl possibly know it? As past and present collide, Milan finds himself drawn into a dark mystery that forces him to confront the most traumatic night of his life—the night his mother died.

This novel is a masterclass in psychological suspense, blending mystery, trauma, and the power of the written word in a gripping narrative. The translation captures the intensity of the original, making every twist and revelation hit just as hard. The ending is unforgettable. If you love thrillers that challenge your mind and emotions, this one is a must-read.

Reading progress

TBR untuk bulan ni. 

Tapi malam waktu nak tidur je aku boleh baca dengan aman. 

Masalahnya, time tulah mata nak bercinta dengan tidur.

Aku rasa bulan ni macam tak produktif tapi aku fikir positif. 

Membaca adalah minat aku.

Walau pun dapat baca seperenggan, tetap hobi aku adalah membaca. 

I can do this! 😁