Jane and Dan at the End of the World is our winner for May!

As I'm only just now getting this out, we will be pushing back our meeting a week, so it will be Wednesday, June 3rd at 8pm. I apologize for not getting this out sooner, busy week!

Good news! I have been sent yet another copy of The Devils by Joe Abercrombie. This time it's the new paperback edition. Seeing as I already own two other copies, I'd love to find this one a new home with a second giveaway of this tremendous book from one of my favorite authors.

To enter the giveaway, be a "Kist Reads" Follower, Sicko, Mega Sicko or Sicko Society tier in the US or Canada and leave a comment on this post (it can be an emoji or whatever you like, it's just so we can expedite the winner selection & shipping). And yes, I cover the shipping costs. Terms & conditions* at the bottom. Here she is:

Since I'll be at BookNet Fest this Friday & Saturday, this is gonna run a little longer than usual. I'll randomly draw the winner by 5/21 and reach out via email if you've won. Good luck!

Holy work sometimes requires unholy deeds.

Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Holy City, where he is certain a commendation and grand holy assignment awaits him. But his new flock is made up of unrepentant murderers, practitioners of ghastly magic, and outright monsters. The mission he is tasked with will require bloody measures from them all in order to achieve its righteous ends.

Elves lurk at our borders and hunger for our flesh, while greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions and comfort. With a hellish journey before him, it's a good thing Brother Diaz has the devils on his side.

*No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the United States and Canada, 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited by law.

How to enter:
Open to all “Kist Reads” Bindery members – any tier (including free “Follower” members). Comment to enter (limit 1 entry per person).

Prize Value: $19.99

Timing: Runs 5/12/26 - 5/18/26

Winner Selection & Notification:
Winner will be selected at random and notified via email within 3 days of the giveaway’s end. The winner must respond within 3 days to claim their prize.

Canadian Requirement:
If the selected winner is a Canadian resident, they must correctly answer a time-limited skill-testing question to claim the prize.

Other Details:
By entering, you agree to these rules and all applicable federal, state/provincial, and local laws. No cash substitute. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, or misdirected entries or for delivery issues. Any applicable taxes, duties, or customs fees are the responsibility of the winner.

Sponsor:
Kist Reads, Sun City Center, FL
Kistreadsbooks@gmail.com

Let’s get into the real tea! 

What can you expect from your resident bookhoarder? Tons of Black content!

Black authors, Black stories, all BLACK EVERYTHING!

I’m so excited to use my platform to highlight Black authors because we all know how underrepresented they are in traditional publishing. My space will be to uplift, celebrate and cherish the stories these authors put so much of their time and heart into.

Let’s set expectations:

1. I’ll be posting about all genres and you’ll get a peek into my weekly life and what I’m reading.

2. I’ll be doing in-depth reviews and real time updates on my current TBR.

3. Exclusive content here of course!

4. Real thoughts, real feeling, real emotions on all the books taking up space in my brain. I want to be as unfiltered as possible and authentic as possible.

5. My discord will be a safe space.

I want to try to maximize this space as much as possible while being true to myself.

This is about setting the standard for the beauty that is Black authors & Black stories.

Join me over in Discord whenever you’re ready and let the fun begin!!!

Can’t wait to see what this platform has for me.

As of right now, I’m currently in the thick of Reel by Kennedy Ryan.. in anticipation of her release of Score. So far? The YEARNING KR writes is so unbeatable. Her MMCs are always so down bad and I just cannot get enough of them. I also enjoy Neevah. She creates such a bubbky feeling in me, even though she is going through SO MUCH. I can appreciate a strong FMC because I see that in myself. However her family? yeah.... NO. F them.

Im also reading an advanced copy of To Catch A Sinner by Lucy Wilson-Tagoe and I have some early thoughts, but I want to savor them for when I finish... sorry for teasing. It is a friends to lovers romantic susoense that is taking me THROUGH THERE already.

I started If I Ruled The World by Amy Dubois Bennet, however im not graavitating towards it at this moment, but its not a DNF yet.

I also started The Art of Scandal by Regina Black and... YEAH, her pen is vicious MY GOODNESS. I'll talk about that more seperatly though.

Anyways, I hope you love it here and are ready to celebrate all these Black books im going throw your way!

Dont forget to join my Discord to get the real feeling of community. I made this specifically for Bindery and want to enjoy it to the FULLEST extent.

- KISSES,

KiaTheBookHoarder

My friends, after listening to feedback from members of our community, I've decided that Harry Potter discussion and references will no longer be permitted in the Cozy Quill discord server.

I understand this series holds deep, personal touchstones for many, but I know this community and believe you'll process this choice with respect and care.

This decision is specifically due to J.K. Rowling’s ongoing and very vocal stance against the trans community. We want this server to feel safe and welcoming for our lgbtq+ members, and we are noting that the uptick in references lately to HP has been difficult for some to process.

To be clear, I am not interested in building exhaustive “problematic author” lists. That’s a muddy and often subjective line. But in situations where there is overwhelming and consistent concern from our fellow Quillers, we may choose to remove certain authors, works, or topics from this space over time.

We know not everyone will agree with this choice, and that’s okay. Our priority is creating a server that's rooted in kindness, care, and consideration for one another. This means that if you do see an HP reference in the server, I also ask that you kindly remind them of the rules (or bring it to myself/mod team) and do not shame them in any way for not knowing or misremembering.

This decision has been made and will not be up for debate with my mod team or myself. If you strongly disagree with this boundary or feel Cozy Quill is no longer the right fit for you, I ask that you quietly remove yourself from the server respectfully. Thank you all for helping make this space what it is. 💕

Meg

This week's new releases had me jumping from dystopian sci-fi wars and prophecy-fueled romance to cozy small-town charm, chaotic corporate horror, sharp historical fiction, and a mystery that felt like curling up with a detective board and red string.

Some absolutely consumed my life for a few days. A couple didn’t fully come together for me. And one reminded me that atmosphere alone can’t always save a story.

Let’s get into it 👇

⚔️ Seek the Traitor’s Son

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 4.5 stars, Spice: 1/5

This book completely hijacked my attention.

It’s dystopian sci-fi. It’s political fantasy. It’s prophecy-driven romance. It’s war, grief, loyalty, fate, and impossible choices all tangled together in a world that feels cinematic from page one.

And honestly? I think what surprised me most is how big this story feels.

The setup alone is incredible: Elegy and the ruthless Talusar general Rava Vidar are bound by a prophecy that says one of them will destroy the other… and somehow both are tied to the same man.

Immediately messy. Immediately my thing.

What really worked for me here is the tension between destiny and choice. Everyone in this story feels trapped by expectation: political roles, prophecy, family obligations, national survival. Even the romance feels heavy with consequence instead of existing purely for vibes.

And the pacing? Wildly addictive. This is one of those books where you say “one more chapter” and suddenly it’s 2 a.m.

The worldbuilding is layered without becoming overwhelming, and the relationships are messy in a way that feels believable rather than dramatic for the sake of drama. Elegy and her sister especially fascinated me because their relationship feels shaped as much by politics as love.

My one hesitation is the romance arc with Theren. There’s emotional groundwork missing in one specific area that kept me from fully emotionally buying in when things escalated between them. I wanted more confrontation, more accountability, more processing before the romance accelerated.

But outside of that? This was incredibly immersive.

Final thought: A sweeping dystopian sci-fi fantasy with prophecy, political warfare, grief, longing, and a heroine trying to survive the weight of everyone else’s expectations.

💋 Reality Bites

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 4 stars, Spice: 3/5

This one was just fun.

Sharp, messy, romantic chaos with characters that feel deeply human even when they’re making objectively terrible decisions.

The dialogue especially worked for me because it felt natural and quick without trying too hard to be witty. It’s the kind of romance where the chemistry carries you through even the frustrating moments.

Final thought: A charming, emotionally messy romance perfect for readers who like tension, banter, and characters figuring themselves out in real time.

⚓ Hart’s Landing

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 4 stars, Spice: 3/5

This felt like stepping into a small coastal town and immediately wanting to stay there forever.

There’s something very comforting about this book. The atmosphere, the relationships, the emotional warmth… it all feels intentionally cozy without losing emotional depth.

If you love character-driven stories where community matters just as much as romance, this one will probably work for you.

Final thought: A warm, heartfelt read with small-town charm and the kind of emotional comfort that sneaks up on you.

🔎 A Very Vexing Murder

Read or skip: MAYBE
Rating: 3.5 stars

This one had all the ingredients I normally love.

A layered mystery, quirky energy, strong atmosphere, suspicious characters everywhere… and honestly? I did have fun with it.

But I never fully connected emotionally in the way I wanted to. The mystery kept me reading, but the overall execution felt slightly distant for me personally.

That said, I can absolutely see this being someone else’s perfect rainy-day murder mystery.

Final thought: A cozy-ish mystery with clever moments and strong atmosphere, even if it never fully clicked emotionally for me.

🎬 The Franchise

Read or skip: SKIP
Rating: 2 stars

Oof.

This is one of those books where the premise sounds significantly more interesting than the actual reading experience.

There are ideas here about image, performance, identity, and the machinery behind public perception that could have been fascinating, but the execution felt strangely flat. I kept waiting for the emotional punch or sharper commentary to land, and it just… never really did.

And unfortunately when a character-driven story lacks emotional investment, it starts to feel very long very quickly.

Final thought: A strong concept that never fully develops the emotional or thematic depth needed to make it memorable.

🌊 Abyss

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 3.75 stars

This was such a fun little corporate horror surprise.

Imagine anxiety-fueled workplace satire mixed with AI horror, capitalism dread, and increasingly unhinged corporate nonsense.

The tone honestly worked best for me when it leaned into the absurdity because some moments genuinely made me laugh while also making me deeply uncomfortable. Which feels very appropriate for a story about productivity culture and technological dependence.

I do think the story could have benefited from being longer because the concept is strong enough to support deeper exploration, but I still had a good time with it.

Final thought: A fast, weird, darkly funny horror story about capitalism, convenience, and the terrifying logic of productivity culture.

🥂 The Foursome

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 4.25 stars

This one surprised me emotionally.

At first it feels like a story about friendship, privilege, and complicated relationships, but underneath that there’s a lot happening about aging, identity, resentment, nostalgia, and the versions of ourselves we carry into adulthood.

The character dynamics are where this really shines. Everyone feels layered, imperfect, and believable in ways that sometimes made me uncomfortable because the emotional tensions feel so recognizable.

This is definitely more character-driven than plot-driven, so if you need constant momentum this may not fully work for you, but I loved sitting inside these relationships and watching old dynamics unravel.

Final thought: A thoughtful, emotionally layered literary fiction novel about friendship, marriage, aging, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we used to be.

🌧️ The Anniversary

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 5 stars

Okay this is the one that emotionally wrecked me this week.

And somehow it’s also one of the smartest thrillers I’ve read in a while.

This was my first book by this author and now I completely understand why people keep screaming about their work because the plotting here is genuinely impressive. The kind of plotting where every tiny detail matters, every timeline thread connects, and suddenly you realize the author has been quietly building something devastating right in front of you the entire time.

The story follows Jules and Quinn, whose lives first intersect in high school before two tragedies on May 1st change everything forever. Years later, women begin disappearing. Survivors emerge after horrific attacks. And every single incident traces back to the same date.

The media calls him the May Day Killer.

What worked so beautifully for me though is that beneath the thriller structure, this is deeply a story about grief, loneliness, trauma, survival, and two damaged people trying to find something steady in a broken world.

Jules and Quinn absolutely carried this book for me. The characterization is phenomenal. They feel messy and real and heartbreakingly human in ways that made me ache for both of them constantly. I didn’t just want answers by the end…I wanted peace for them.

And the atmosphere? Incredible. The 90s nostalgia layered throughout the story adds this emotional texture that makes everything feel even more haunting somehow.

But truly, the standout here is the structure itself. This book demands your attention because the author is constantly laying details that seem insignificant until suddenly they’re not. There were multiple moments where I stopped and realized something from way earlier had quietly clicked into place.

That ending? Perfect.

Final thought: A beautifully constructed psychological thriller with emotional depth, layered timelines, unforgettable characters, and a twist that feels both shocking and completely earned.

⚖️ The Mediator

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 4 stars

This is the kind of legal thriller that grabs you immediately and refuses to let go.

Max Ringo used to be a powerhouse attorney before addiction shattered her career and nearly her life. Now she’s trying to rebuild as a mediator, hoping one high-stakes divorce case will prove she deserves a second chance. Instead, her teenage son is kidnapped, and suddenly every negotiation becomes life or death.

The pacing here is relentless in the best way. The story unfolds over just a few days, which gives everything this intense, claustrophobic urgency that kept me flying through chapters. Every conversation feels loaded, every decision matters, and the tension never really lets up.

What I loved most though is that the thriller elements never completely overshadow Max as a character. She’s messy, intelligent, deeply flawed, and constantly balancing survival mode with the fear of falling back into old patterns.

Final thought: A gritty, high-stakes legal thriller packed with tension, sharp dialogue, emotional weight, and a protagonist you can’t help rooting for.

💍 How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 4.75 stars

This book felt like pure serotonin.

At its core, this is a friends-to-lovers romance wrapped inside chaotic wedding season energy, but what makes it stand out is how warm and genuine it feels underneath all the humor.

Kim and Rob have the kind of chemistry that builds naturally through banter, comfort, shared history, and those tiny moments where feelings quietly shift before either of them fully realizes it. Nothing about the romance feels forced, which made the emotional payoff land so well for me.

And Rob’s matchmaker dates? Absolutely hilarious.

I also really loved how seamlessly Indonesian culture and family dynamics were woven throughout the story. Kim’s relationship with her Opa added so much heart, humor, and emotional grounding, and the focus on family made the whole book feel even richer.

There’s a softness to this story that I really appreciated. Yes, it’s funny and chaotic and romantic, but it also quietly explores expectations, vulnerability, and the complicated ways we imagine love is “supposed” to happen.

Final thought: A heartfelt, funny, deeply charming romance filled with wedding chaos, emotional warmth, lovable characters, and a romance that feels beautifully earned.

🧂 Make Me Better

Read or skip: MAYBE READ
Rating: 3 stars

This is one of those slow, unsettling horror novels where the atmosphere does a lot of the heavy lifting.

The story follows Celia as she arrives at an isolated island community searching for answers about her missing friend while also carrying her own grief and emotional unraveling. The deeper she gets into the cult-like Salt Festival and the strange rhythms of Kindred Cove, the clearer it becomes that something beneath the surface is deeply wrong.

And honestly? The opening hooked me immediately.

The atmosphere here is fantastic. Quiet, eerie, emotionally heavy horror that leans more into grief, manipulation, denial, and psychological unease than outright terror. The constant timeline and POV shifts create this disorienting feeling that actually works well with the increasingly sinister tone of the story.

But for me, the middle section dragged quite a bit.

I understand why the story slows down because it’s trying to immerse you in the community dynamics and Celia’s emotional state, but it started to feel repetitive in places. And while I usually enjoy ambiguity in horror, some of the more supernatural elements felt too underexplained by the end.

That said, I still think this will absolutely work for readers who love quiet literary horror and cult-centered stories with creeping dread instead of nonstop action.

Final thought: A slow-burn cult horror novel filled with grief, manipulation, eerie atmosphere, and psychological tension, even if the pacing and ambiguity won’t work for every reader.

And that’s this week’s reading stack 👀

Honestly, this might be one of the strongest release weeks I’ve had in a while because even the books that didn’t fully work for me still had something interesting going on.

But the standouts? The Anniversary, Seek the Traitor’s Son, and The Foursome completely took over my brain for entirely different reasons. One emotionally wrecked me, one reminded me why I love expansive dystopian fantasy, and one made me want to go down a history rabbit hole.

Exactly the kind of reading week I want.

If you pick any of these up, PLEASE come scream at me afterward because I have thoughts. Especially about that ending in The Anniversary.

❓Which of these is immediately going on your TBR?

And if you’ve already read any of them, tell me: Which new release has been your favorite lately? 👀

Hello, everyone!

Happy New Release Tuesday! Here are some titles we're excited about that you should definitely check out:

• Make Me Better by Sarah Gailey

• Migrant Heart by Reyna Grande

• Femme Feral by Sam Beckbessinger

• Abyss by Nicholas Binge

• We Dance Upon Demons by Vaishnavi Patel

• Electric Shamans at the Festival of the Sun by Mónica Ojeda, translated by Sarah Booker

Have you read any of these? If you haven't, consider ordering them from our Bookshop.org link!

Till next time!

-Ryn

Forty Love By Jane Costello

Pub Date: 10th of May

Is it ever too late for a comeback?
I think the older you get, the more that question can sometimes brew in your brain: "Is it too late to start over, or take a different path?"… well… this book will inspire you to think differently. This warm, funny and steamy romance is the perfect summer read!

Plot:
We get to follow Jules, who’s in her late 40’s. After her husband passed away, Jules

focused on being the best mother to her daughter. However, it’s time for her daughter to leave the nest, she is off to uni and on a trip through Europe, ultimately leaving Jules alone at home.

To fill her time and also quench the worry and anxiety in her chest, she joins an amateur tennis club. Through this club she bumps into her teenage crush Sam!

With both tennis and her growing feelings for Sam, Jules goes on a journey of the difficulties of moving on and the courage to go on a different path.

Thoughts:
I thought this book was very wholesome and it genuinely made me giggle! 🤭
I also found it refreshing to read about a female protagonist in her late 40’s and the raw reality of early menopause, and how your relationship with your body changes!

The writing is easy to follow and it feels like you really get to know the characters.

The romance was nice, but I would like to say the relationship between Jules and Sam is not the main focus of the plot.

Overall I had a really good time!
So grab your bevvy and sun hat and read this book! You don’t wanna miss it! ☀️☺️

Happy Tuesday, mis internet amigxs,

I'm getting ready for BookNet Fest in Orlando this weekend. I'll be on two panels that should be announced soon. Bien Leidos has a meet-up thread on Discord. If you're going, I'd love to see you!

Please note there's a poll included with this roundup...I'm very interested in your response and thoughts.

And now, here are today's releases...

NONFICITON

Migrant Heart: Reyna Grande (Audiobook)

ROMANCE

The Last Page by Katie Holt (Audiobook)

Burnout Summer Jenna Ramirez (Audiobook)

MIDDLE GRADE

Our Fair Share by Sarah Marie Jette

POETRY

Canícula / Dog Days by William Archila and Translated by Mario Zetino

WOMEN'S FICTION

Please Don't Go by E. Salvador (Audiobook)

TRANSLATED FICTION

Electric Shamans at the Festival of the Sun by Monica Ojeda

xo,

Carmen

Alright. Most of us have probably read Divergent. Maybe even the rest of the series. I stopped after Insurgent because like, mental illness was kicking my ass at the time, but I'm about to do a read with a Discord group I'm in and I'm pumped. Not to mention The Sixth Faction coming out later this year? Sign me up.

Tomorrow, May 12, is the release date for Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth. This. Book. If you read romantasy, you'll probably enjoy it. Let me speak now to those who do not typically read romantasy. A lot of you know that romance on main is not my vibe, certainly not if it's straight romance. But I was so entranced by the other aspects of this world that Veronica Roth created (the actual world, the cultures, the politics, everything) that the romance came second for me. It's dystopian, it's magical, and it's something I firmly believe you should add to your TBR. I rated it 5/5 stars. I had a great time with it and literally couldn't put it down (read almost the majority of it in 5.5 hours).

But I'm also on my Veronica Roth journey. See, I do this thing where I get really into an author's work and have to read all of their backlist before moving on. So. I've just read Carve the Mark, a YA book. Again, YA is not really my jam, but I ate. This. Up. Literally couldn't put it down! I already bought The Fates Divide so I could immediately finish the duology. I'm also working on To Clutch a Razor, which is the sequel to When Among Crows (another book of hers I adored). Chosen Ones and Poster Girl are also on deck.

All this to say: if you're looking for something with rich world building, I highly suggest you check her work out.

New release post coming tomorrow! Till next time!

-Ryn

I never knew this book was going to be this spicy when I picked it up! I BLUSHED! AND it's a cozy romantasy!

If you are a fan of Laurie Gilmore, Lana Ferguson and Why choose genre, I have the perfect recommendation for you.

Ta-dA!!

Olive, an omega, is new to the town as a the towns lighthouse keeper. She is a shy, timid girl. Little does she know an alpha is stalking her. And soon we come to know it's a pack of three Alpha's who want her as their omega. ;)

It's a fun, hot read! And available on KU!

Florals for Spring, how original 😂

Took a walk along central park lake today. And clicked these pictures. I know my selfie skills are WIP, but I felt like posting.

I am yet to watch Devil wears Prada 2. Should I?

Did I have books in my bags? Yes 🙂‍↕️
Which ones, you ask? I guess you'll have to wait and follow me if you don't already 😂

Hello nerds,

Apologies for sending this when the month is almost over, but I wanted to put you on to all of the fun events we will be having in store each month moving forward. Seeing events on social media is hit or miss, I'm glad I have this newsletter to reach you all directly. Here is what we have for the rest of May!

In Person Events

Thursday, May 14th at 6:00 PM

Join us at Sunny's for Yuma County Abolition's monthly book club. This month they are reading Let This Radicalize You. RSVP HERE.

• About the book: What fuels and sustains activism and organizing when it feels like our worlds are collapsing? Let This Radicalize You is a practical and imaginative resource for activists and organizers building power in an era of destabilization and catastrophe.

• About Yuma County Abolition: Yuma County Abolition is a grassroots, volunteer-run network dedicated to providing immediate support to our community while building long-term, self-sustaining resilience. We ground our work in solidarity, intersectionality, abolition, accountability, mutual aid, and autonomous direct action.

  Friday, May 15th at 6:00 PM
  

  

  
  

  Join us at Sunny's for an author event and poetry reading featuring Raquel Gutiérrrez. RSVP HERE.

• About the book: Southwest Reconstruction is Raquel Gutiérrez's debut poetry collection, a disquieting journey through the uncharted dreamspace of memory and loss, expulsion and shelter, family and recognition. Enacting an eclectic range of forms and echoes drawn from the relational complexities that occupy the difficult terrains of unceded land; these are critical improvisations of creation and closures of the imperceptible sense of displacement, and the interconnecting routes that map the vastness of desire to belong.

• About the author: Raquel Gutiérrez is a poet, essayist, critic, performer and the author of Brown Neon: Essays (Coffee House Press). Gutiérrez's work has been recently supported by the United States Artist Fellowship and the Foundation for Contemporary Arts Fellowship. Gutiérrez has lived on unceded lands of the Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui people since 2016.

  
  Thursday, May 21st at 6:00pm
  

  

  
  Join us at Sunny's for our monthly in-person event, Sunny's Salon. This months edition will be a book swap. RSVP HERE.

• About the event: We're hosting a simple book swap. Bring a book you loved (or one you're ready to pass on) and leave with something new to read. Enjoy bookish company, drinks, and discussion. The store will be 10% off for the entirety of the event.

  Online Events:

  Saturday, May 30th at 11:00 AM
  

  

  
  Join us at Sunny's us online for our monthly book club Zoom meeting. The May book is The Hill by Harriet Clark. RSVP HERE.

• About the book: After her mother is sentenced to life in a hilltop prison, Suzanna vows to return to the hill forever. An unexpectedly funny and deeply moving novel about the many ways we punish and return to each other.

• About Sunny's Book Club: Sunny’s Book Club is a monthly book club highlighting both new releases and backlist titles we love. A virtual discussion is hosted over Zoom on the last Saturday of the month. You can check out our selections each month and sign up here. You do not have to buy the book from Sunny's to participate, but we love when you do!
  

Thank you all for your support as always and hope to see you in person this month.

CJ

Love what we do? Become a paid subscriber for less than a cup of coffee a month. Your ongoing support helps us plan ahead, fund causes we care about, and create meaningful programming for our community.

As the weather gets warmer, I can't wait to be reading next to a pool. Here are some new releases that come out this week that would be great candidates, wherever you are reading!

Make Me Better by Sarah Gailey

Why it interests me: I'm always down for a new book from Sarah Gailey, especially the weird girl ones. This one seems culty? My preorder is in the mail!

We Dance Upon Demons by Vaishnavi Patel

Why it interests me: contemporary fantasy speaking to reproductive justice.

The Bone Door by Frances White

Why it interests me: It's supposed to be queer and fat positive. It's fantasy but leans horror, so I did decide to put it on hold at my library, though fantasy hasn't been appealing lately.

Coyoteland by Vanessa Hua

Why it interests me: Contemporary fiction exploring hypocrisy in upper class progressive culture.

Electric Shamans at the Festival of the Sun by Monica Ojeda

Why it interests me: Set in the near future at a pseudo-spiritual festival.

A Siege of Owls by Uchenna Awoke

Why it interests me: clifi with magical realism set in rural West Africa.

Non-fiction

• "Algeria is Beautiful Like America" by Olivia Burton

A memoir, graphic novel that explores the rich heritage and tumultuous modern history of Algeria and its connections to Europe and colonialism.

• "The Wretched of the Earth" by Frantz Fanon

A dense, but foundational text that I think everyone should read. It's an eternal touchstone for civil rights, anti-colonialism, psychiatric studies, and Black consciousness movements around the world.

• "Inside the Battle of Algiers" by Zoha Drif

This gripping insider's account chronicles how and why a young woman in 1950s Algiers joined the armed wing of Algeria's national liberation movement to combat her country's French occupiers.

Fiction

• "A Man with No Title" by Xavier Le Clerc

Mohand-Said Ait-Taleb is an enigma. Living in France but ravaged by memories of the war in Algeria, he has withdrawn into his own world, away from his wife and children. When his son Xavier discovers articles by Albert Camus describing the appalling conditions his father grew up in, he starts to piece together the story of his life.

• "This Strange Eventful History" by Claire Messud

Over seven decades, from 1940 to 2010, the pieds-noirs Cassars live in an itinerant state—separated in the chaos of World War II, running from a complicated colonial homeland, and, after Algerian independence, without a homeland at all. This Strange Eventful History, told with historical sweep, is above all a family story.

Other

• "The Disappearance of Mr. Nobody" by Ahmed Taibaoui

A man disappears without trace and the detective in search of him finds more than he expected.

• "2084 : The End of the World" by Boualem Sansal

Tells the story of a near future in which religious extremists have established an oppressive caliphate where autonomous thought is forbidden.

🗺️If you want to see more book recommendations from all the countries in the world, check out my Reading the World Spreadsheet.

And if you want to support this project, consider becoming a paid member of my Bindery!

Sickos! Monday's are for updates so let me know what book cheeks you're spreading this week (or what you finished last week) in the comments and let's get to what I've been up to..

READING

REVIEW

PARABLE OF THE SOWER - [Parable #1] by OCTAVIA E. BUTLER (dystopian speculative fiction)

Progress: Finished

I picked up Parable of the Talents last week while finishing this, so that should tell you how much I loved our Fiction Sickos pick for this month. This is a grimdark, dystopian fan's dream, and the Discord forum was full of people commenting on how it just continues to get more dark and bleak. It's unrelenting; at no point does anything feel safe. I gotta write up my full review (I may do it w/Talents included) but yeah, this was exactly what I'd hoped it would be and I'm jazzed for Talents (which I heard is, somehow, darker).

LONDON FALLING: A MYSTERIOUS DEATH IN A GILDED CITY & A FAMILY'S SEARCH FOR TRUTH by PATRICK RADDEN KEEFE (narrative historical nonfiction)

Progress: 168/331

PRK just has a knack for weaving together multiple angles of a story and making it all work and flow. While I think I prefer stakes and subject matter of Empire of Pain and Say Nothing at this point (I'm not sure I care yet why a narcissistic, pathological liar ate it in the Thames), it's still fun watching PRK lay out this web of deception and everything around it. I do feel like PRK is leaning into the mystery bit of it with the way he's slow dripping info that could've been revealed earlier. Either way it's still a very solid read at this point and the final half may change my mind on the stated issues.

CARTHAGE'S OTHER WARS: CARTHAGINIAN WARFARE OUTSIDE THE 'PUNIC WARS' AGAINST ROME by DEXTER HOYOS (academic historical nonfiction)

Progress: 93/192

The Punic Wars are an obsession of mine but how Carthage became a superpower in the Western Mediterranean leading up to that often gets breezed through. Just finished their near 40 years of jockeying and warfare in Sicily with the tyrant Dionysius I of Syracuse (what a scamp). Despite several dramatic swings, it amounted to not much changing in re: territory. Ultimately though Carthage achieved its main goal of maintaining the east/west divide in Sicily, preventing Dionysius from dominating it. The next section covers their conflict with the fratricidal, tyrant-slayer Timoleon of Corinth who, IIRC, hail mary ass pounds all of Sicily.

I shared a snippet with in the history/nonfic Discord channel yesterday as I thought this Nicomo Cosca-coded moment was humorous:

WE DO NOT PART by HAN KANG (historical fiction)

Progress: 43/256

Super early doors but I'm not surprised to already feel like I'm in a fever dream with a Kang book (see: The Vegetarian). This ties into the Jeju Massacre where the South Korean government, along with support from the U.S. military, violently suppressed an uprising. So I expect it to also feel somewhat like Human Acts (which was about the later Gwangju Uprising) too as we get further in while still having this eerie, poetic quality to it.

PREVIEW

I haven't given much thought to what's next other than Butler's Talents but I have sampled some of The Roman Empire in Crisis and may make that my next nonfiction read. I'm curious how Mike Duncan will be able to mold this same period into something for a general audience because there's so many challenges around writing a complete narrative around it. I trust 'em though.

PUBLISHING IMPRINT NEWS

Getting close to knowing more about a second potential book acquisition, should know how it's trending sometime this week.

UPDATE: As soon as I published this, I checked my email, and OUR SECOND BOOK IS A GO! Final terms are agreed upon but the contract is still being finalized so I have to keep all the details confidential, but still, HUZZAH! Can't wait to share everything about this one with y'all!

Also, have you pre-ordered A Complement of Scoundrels yet?! And if you missed it, yes, the audiobook is in development!

EVERYTHING ELSE

I put on Breaking Bad in the background as I started reading the Carthage book and now I'm already at S3E3. So, I guess we're doing a second re-watch. It's one of those shows, like Mad Men or Game of Thrones, that I can randomly put on and gobble through it. Game of Thrones is kind of on hold as I usually watch it at night (don't need the wee emperor seeing all the floppy dong and breasts flapping about every 5 minutes) and despite my Flyers predictably getting bounced by the Hurricanes, I'm still all in on hockey playoffs.

Hope all the moms out there had a wonderful Mother's Day! Me and the boys got a Switch 2 for my wife so she's now hooked on that, and I may sneak in some game time on it this week.

Got my ass kicked two sessions in a row at the climbing gym but my finger tendons are recovered and I'll hopefully be back to projecting more V4/V5 later this week.

FINAL REMINDER that I'll be at BookNet Fest in Orlando, May 15-16! Get your tickets and swing through!

We’re so excited to share that the Book Club Kit, Individual Book Club Member Reader Guides, Solo Deep-Dive Reader Kit, and Buddy Reader Kit are all NOW AVAILABLE 🌧️💙

Whether you’re:
📖 hosting your next book club meeting
📝 reading and reflecting on your own
🌊 diving deep into a solo emotional read
🤝 or sharing the experience with a reading partner

We’ve created something for every kind of reader moment.

Each kit is designed to help you go deeper into the story, connect with the characters, and make your reading experience more meaningful, immersive, and fun ✨

👉 Tap the links now to access your kits and start your next reading experience!

Book Club Kit https://canva.link/nno7qyvmkiovbba 

Individual Book Club Member Readers Guide https://canva.link/o5b54vzrkop1q2f 

Solo Deep-Dive Reader Kit https://canva.link/na2faiin1o98uwd 

Buddy Reader Kit https://canva.link/jdr3d6brt0kpk3b 

We can’t wait to see how you bring these stories to life 💬📚

#TheFirstEditions #BookClubKits #ReadingCommunity #BookLovers #ReadersOfInstagram

Book Club Deep Dive & Starter Reading Kits: The Rain Catcher by Buck Turner 

If you’ve ever wondered what healing actually looks like after loss the messy, nonlinear, quietly hopeful kind this book might just stay with you longer than you expect.

Our book club took a deep dive into The Rain Catcher by Buck Turner, and this one sparked one of our most thoughtful, emotionally layered discussions yet. It’s not a flashy, plot-twist-heavy read but it is the kind of story that invites you to slow down, sit with your feelings, and really reflect.

🌊 The Heart of the Story: Grief That Lingers

At its core, The Rain Catcher is about grief but not just the initial, all-consuming kind. It explores what happens after the casseroles stop coming and the world expects you to move on. Diane’s journey feels incredibly grounded as she balances motherhood, career uncertainty, and the lingering ache of losing her husband.

What really stood out to us was how the book portrays layered grief. Just as Diane begins to open herself up to the possibility of happiness again, she’s hit with another loss. That emotional backslide felt painfully realistic, and it led to a big discussion in our group: Does grief ever truly resolve, or does it just reshape itself over time?

🎨 Second Chances & Soft Love

Enter Nathan Garner the artist with a quiet presence and a lot of patience. This isn’t an instant-love situation, and honestly, that’s what made it work for most of us. Their connection builds slowly, rooted in shared understanding rather than dramatic declarations.

Some of us loved the tenderness of their relationship, while others wished for a bit more spark or tension. But overall, we agreed that the romance serves the story’s deeper message: love doesn’t erase grief, it learns to coexist with it.

🏡 Setting as a Character

The Kitty Hawk beach setting deserves its own spotlight. The coastal atmosphere adds this reflective, almost meditative tone to the story. The ocean becomes a subtle metaphor throughout, sometimes calm, sometimes overwhelming, always present.

For our more vibe-driven readers, this was a major win. For others, it occasionally slowed the pacing. Which brings us to…

🐢 Pacing: A Love-It-or-Leave-It Element

Let’s be honest this is a slow book. If you’re going in expecting high drama or constant momentum, you might struggle. But if you’re in the mood for something introspective and character-driven, the pacing actually enhances the emotional depth.

Our club was split here:

• Half of us appreciated the deliberate, reflective storytelling

• The other half wanted a bit more plot movement to stay fully engaged

So yes, your enjoyment may depend on your reading mood.

💬 Book Club Discussion Highlights

This book gave us a lot to talk about:

• How do you know when you’re ready to move on after loss?

• Can opening yourself up to love again ever feel like a betrayal?

• Did Diane’s choices feel empowering or avoidant at times?

• Was Nathan fully developed, or more of a symbolic presence in Diane’s healing?

⭐ Final Thoughts

The Rain Catcher is a quiet, emotional read that leans heavily into themes of grief, resilience, and second chances. It’s not trying to rush you to a happily-ever-after instead, it gently reminds you that healing is uneven, love can return in unexpected ways, and sometimes survival itself is a kind of triumph.

It won’t be for everyone but for the right reader, it hits deep.

✨️Thank you The Book Club Cookbook,  Page and Vine and Buck Turner for sharing The Rain Catcher with us!

💬Bookish question: Do you prefer stories where love helps heal grief or ones where the focus stays solely on personal growth without romance?

📖🌧️ WANT THE BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE?

If you loved this deep dive and want to take your reading experience even further, we’ve created FREE starter kits just for you:

✨ Tap the link to download:

• 📚 Free Book Club Kit (discussion guide + themed extras)

• 📝 Individual Book Club Member Reader Guide

• 🌧️ Solo Reader Deep-Dive Guide

• 🤝 Buddy Reader Kit for shared reading experiences

Whether you’re reading alone, with a friend, or hosting your own book club night, these kits are designed to help you go deeper into the story, the characters, and the emotions behind every page.

🔗https://canva.link/ctglsbmp7pdvqet 

💙 And if you’re craving the FULL immersive experience with exclusive in-depth kits, bonus content, and curated reading experiences…

👉 Come join us inside The First Editions, where we turn every book into a full experience, not just a read.

"Twenty-nine is nothing. Thirty is nothing. If I wanted to start again at fifty, I would. Time is just that - time. It dictates too much of our lives already for us to start letting it dictate what we can and can't accomplish."

GENRE: Comtep. Romance
RATING:4.75/5
FORMAT:eBook
Tropes:Enemies to lovers, Office Romance, Anxiety, Self-discovery

Review:
This one hit so close to home for me because of how Maddison is a type A personality with so many notebooks (honestly, highly relate to that) and it was such a sweet story, with character developments that I enjoyed

Quarter-Love Crisis is exactly what it is, a crisis right before Maddison hit the 30s, especially since she hasn't achieved any of her big things on her list yet and the moment it clicks in the book? It's all so worth it seeing it coming together. I think Jasmine Burke did such an amazing job of showing how sometimes, its the things we ask of ourselves that put so much pressure on us and drive us mad. This book truly captures that feeling of being in your 20s and feeling like you're truly running out of time due to anxiety, pressure and so many other things.

Watching Maddison let these notions go (especially as that's a journey I've done myself recently and still undergoing) and embrace living in the moment with the help of Aiden Edwards made the book a fun ride and I finished it in less than 24 hours (with a pause to sleep because I am too old to stay up at night now lol)

I think this was an amazing debut and I will say that, usually with single POVs, you get to focus on one character and don't really learn much about their love interest. I think Burke did a good balance in here by bringing Aiden's story without letting it out-shine Maddison's. And I loved getting to know her friends group too

I cant wait to read more by Jasmine Burke, I love Romance books set in the UK and this one was set in London plus the dynamic & writing won me over! It's a perfect book for those of us entering our 30s and realising that actually, we've just start our lives while enjoying Maddison & Aiden's relationship blossom and her friendship + family thrive!