ontheedgeofeverything

As I’ve mentioned a few times here on my blog already, I’ve gotten back into the wonderful habit of reading over the past couple of months. It’s been fucking wonderful; I will happily admit I went far too long without the wonderful presence of books in my life, and now that I’m back on the reading train, I can’t entirely believe I went so long without a ride.

My mom and dad were kind enough to get me a book for Christmas. Titled The Book of Witching by C.J. Cooke, I was quite literally hooked by the third page, and I am having a hard time putting it down.

Here is a synopsis of the book from harpercollins.ca:

“Four hundred years separate them. One book binds them. Glasgow 2024: Clem waits by her daughter’s hospital bed. Erin was found on an idyllic beach in Fynhallow Bay, Orkney with catastrophic burns and only one memory: her name is Nyx. But how did she get these burns? And how did her boyfriend end up burned alive? Orkney 1594: accused of witchcraft, Alison Balfour awaits trial. The punishment? To be burned alive. Separated by four hundred years but bound by the Book of Witching, two women stand imperilled. Can they unlock a centuries-old mystery? And will Fynhallow Bay give up its secrets before someone else dies?”

I can’t recall the last time I read a text with two separate narratives, but I’m really enjoying it so far. Cooke’s novel style follows Clem for a chapter, then Alison the next, then back to Clem and so on. Her writing is excellent and mysterious, and I cannot contain my excitement for what remains in this book seeing as I haven’t yet finished it.

This book is incredible, and I am so grateful I received it as a gift. Consider it your next read for 2025.

Photo by Olena Bohovyk on Unsplash