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A woman wearing a black shirt holds books

Leah von Essen

Leah Rachel von Essen is a book reviewer, writer, and editor based on the South Side of Chicago. She is a frequent contributor to Book Riot, Booklist, and the Chicago Review of Books. You can find her talking travel, chronic illness, sci fi/fantasy, and books in translation on Instagram.

  • @reading_while
  • Leah von Essen
  • @whilereadingandwalking
A grid-like collage of book covers tipped at an angle

The Best Books About Time Travel, From Classics to Modern Favorites

By Leah von Essen
A collage of book covers

The Best Climate-Focused Speculative Fiction

By Leah von Essen
A collage of eight book covers set in a grid with the covers tilted to the left

The 10 Best Historical Fantasy Books

By Leah von Essen
A collage of colorful book covers

10 Excellent Middle-Grade Books That Adults Will Love, Too

By Leah von Essen
A grid-style image showcasing book covers, including Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey, Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark, Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, Empty Wardrobes by Maria Judite de Carvalho, and The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio. The covers are arranged diagonally, featuring distinct designs and themes that highlight the diverse selection.

11 Short Books to Help You Jumpstart Your Reading Resolutions

By Leah von Essen
A collage of book covers

Eleven Short Story Collections That Will Get You Back Into Reading

By Leah von Essen

10 Must-Read Fantasy Novels for AANHPI Heritage Month

By Leah von Essen
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