Let’s be honest, if you ever need to know what’s truly happening in the OUABC office, just check what everyone is reading. Forget watercooler gossip or Monday morning catch-ups; this team’s real updates happen between the pages of their latest books. 

If someone arrives at the office already gasping dramatically, staring into the distance like they’re contemplating the universe, or muttering “just one more chapter” under their breath, it usually means their after-hours reading session got a little intense and they’re still emotionally processing whatever plot twist ambushed them the night before.

So today, we’re letting you in on all the stories currently holding the team and their sleep schedules captive. From witch trials to divine deathmatches to cozy shifter mysteries, the OUABC crew is reading across every genre under the sun. And trust us… the enthusiasm is real.

 

Logan: Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese

“This is a cross between The Crucible, The Scarlet Letter, and just a tale about Nathaniel Hawthorne in Salem, MA from the perspective of a woman with Synesthesia (though of course there's no word for this in the 1800s). It's REALLY good and intriguing and has inserts from different stories across time (including the Witch Trials in Salem). It's very well written and really takes the 'tortured MMC' trope to an extremely high level.”

About the Book

Logan is deep into this atmospheric reimagining of the woman who inspired the iconic Hester Prynne. The story follows Isobel Gamble, a talented Scottish seamstress whose arrival in Salem quickly becomes more of a struggle than a fresh start when her opium-addicted husband abandons her. 

Alone and forced to fend for herself, Isobel crosses paths with a young Nathaniel Hawthorne — a man haunted by ancestral guilt and drawn to her unusual gifts. As they grow closer, Isobel must navigate a country grappling with its ideas of freedom, identity, and who truly belongs. Interwoven with echoes of the Salem Witch Trials and glimpses of the early Underground Railroad, this story is a vibrant, lyrical exploration of creativity, desire, and the enduring power of so-called “unusual” women.

 

Sydney: Expert Witness by Ann Wolbert Burgess and Steven Matthew Constantine

“I'm trying to read a few nonfiction books for Nonfiction November and I'm so glad I picked this one up! This book offers a look into how expert witnesses work in the criminal justice system (both the history of them and present day), and Ann Burgess has been through so many high-profile cases that are fascinating to learn about.”

About the Book

Sydney’s nonfiction pick pulls back the curtain on the most high-profile criminal cases of the past three decades. Through Ann Burgess’ compassionate perspective, this book explores the role of expert witnesses—the specialists called in when cases need clarity, context, and truth spoken boldly. 

From the Menendez brothers to Larry Nassar and beyond, Ann Burgess shares first-hand accounts, interviews, and the emotional realities behind courtroom doors. The narrative traces the evolution of expert testimony from the women’s movement of the 1970s to the #MeToo era, highlighting how one informed voice can change the direction of justice. It’s gripping, insightful, and exactly the kind of nonfiction that lingers long after you’ve put it down.

Teri: The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen

“I absolutely LOVED the first book in the series, The Games Gods Play, so I was super excited to get back to the world of greek gods and titans and find out what's going to happen to Lyra. Abigail Owen's writing style is super intense and fast-paced and it's so easy to keep saying "one more chapter" until somehow you've read 10.”

About the Book

Teri has returned to a world where mortals, gods, and Titans collide, and Lyra is right in the middle of it. Now trapped in Tartarus, Lyra must endure a series of horrifying trials designed to break her. As she discovers the key to seven ancient locks imprisoning the Titans, she finds herself fighting for survival with stakes that go far beyond her own life. 

Meanwhile, Hades is ready to defy every rule of the gods to save her. With danger rising, secrets unraveling, and the potential end of the world looming, this fast-paced, high-intensity story is filled with the kind of drama that makes “just one more chapter” a dangerous promise.

Ryan: Fake It til You Mate It by Sarah Spade

“This is a cozy mystery book and I'm actually really enjoying it. The main character is an opossum shifter who "plays dead" anytime she is frightened.”

About the Book

Ryan is living the best cozy-mystery life with Honey Morgan, an opossum shifter whose tendency to “play dead” gets her into the most ridiculous situations, including waking up in the morgue. Realizing she needs a fresh start among her fellow supes, she lands in Moonburrow, where the local Alpha, Max Lobo, proves equal parts grumpy and protective, and is potentially her fated mate. 

Between reviving her grandmother’s magical bakery, navigating predator-filled social circles, and stumbling upon a suspicious death outside her shop, Honey has more than enough on her plate. With charm, humour, and a dash of danger, this read delivers all the cozy supernatural vibes you could want.

Nicole: Kill the Beast by Serra Swift

“I love it so far, I can hardly put it down! It reminds me of a perfect melding of The Cruel Prince and The Witcher!”

About the Book

Nicole is swept up in a fae-filled adventure where vengeance meets unlikely friendship. Lyssa Cadogan has spent thirteen years hunting the faerie monster that killed her brother, determined to fulfill her promise to destroy the Beast once and for all. 

When Alderic Casimir de Laurent appears with one of the Beast’s claws and a flair for melodrama, the two form a tenuous alliance. Together, they set out to gather the remaining materials needed to forge a sword capable of killing the creature. Along the way, secrets surface, trust is tested, and an unexpected bond begins to form. With danger, dark magic, and slow-blooming companionship, you won’t be able to look away.

Tristan: Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

“This is the last book in the Throne of Glass series and it is a wild ride! I was late to join the Maas craze. When I recently read ACOTAR and loved it, I made it my goal this year to read all of Crescent City & Throne of Glass! This is my final book and then I'll have read every novel in these three series!”

About the Book

Tristan has reached the grand finale of the Throne of Glass series, and as she says, it's a wild ride. Aelin Galathynius, once a slave and assassin, now faces her greatest challenge yet as she endures months of torment within an iron coffin. 

Across the world, her allies scramble to hold back destruction, forge new alliances, and cling to hope in the face of overwhelming danger. Terrasen’s fate hangs in the balance while Rowan races across the sea to find the queen he refuses to lose. With destinies converging, sacrifices looming, and the future of the entire world at stake, this conclusion is packed with emotion, intensity, and the kind of epic storytelling that makes Tristan’s reading goal feel absolutely worth it.

Until Next Time

And there you have it, a snapshot of the stories currently capturing our team’s hearts, minds, and weeknight reading hours. From historical reimaginings and courtroom revelations to fae quests, paranormal coziness, and epic finales, this list proves once again that our team reads as widely and passionately as our readers do. 

If any of these titles find their way onto your own TBR, just know you’re in excellent company. Until next time, happy reading, and may your next book keep you just as wonderfully busy.