What a week, y'all! To say that this past week kicked my butt is an understatement. Work was absolutely bananas, but I still found time to publish a fun new episode of Let's Go to the Library (after multiple attempts I might add) and finish two AH-MAZING books. Plus, I'm still riding high on the big boost Carly's (@thepastelbookshelf) collaboration gave to my Booktube channel: over 700 new subs there in just a week!

Before I jump into the books, I just want to share something that's weighing heavy on me this morning. Last night while at a work event I learned that someone I once worked with (and care about) was diagnosed with cancer. She's near my age with a husband and teenager, just getting started on a promising new career path (thus why we no longer work together), with the world at her fingertips. I'm devastated for her. It has me thinking alot about loss, life, death, and meaning. Live your life, my friends. Every single second of it. Fill it full of things and people and activities you care about, fiercely.

Ok, onto the books! I told you I finished two amazing books this week, and I wasn't lying. I posted a video earlier this week (linked below) predicting both to be 5⭐️ reads, and I wasn't wrong.

Meet Me in the Garden by Nina LaCour is a f'ing masterpiece, y'all. It's not only profoundly beautiful, but it's truly a looking glass right into the heart of Creole culture and The Great Migration. Race relations, colorism, queer vs straight, love vs loss: this book has EVERYTHING, plus so much more. It's written in a stream-of-consciousness style with very poetic prose. It might not be for everyone, but it was for me. (5⭐️s, eyes or audio, get your hands on this one)

The Witches of Cambridge may not be as historically compelling, but, man, did it pack a BIG punch. Full of dark vs light magic, female friendship and betrayal, and the oh-so-beautiful storytelling style Hoffman is known for, this one was absolute perfection. Any true Hoffman lover will absolutely fall hard for Ava, Lauren, Jamie, Lionel, and Jack. Though I wouldn't suggest starting with this book if you are new to Hoffman, I definitely think it a must-read if you've read and enjoyed any of her work before. (5⭐️s, better with your eyes)

I've now moved on to The Pirate Queen, my second most-anticipated read of September new releases, and, boy, it is DELIVERING! I've mostly been listening to this one while running errands and doing chores, but I do plan to pick up my ebook copy just to get a sense for the reading experience vs listening. Many people have shared they preferred reading rather than listening, mostly because of the structure. But I beg to differ. The audiobook is full of all the rich brogue and melodious Irish dialect, and it seems like that might be missing from the printed book. I'm thoroughly engrossed and emphatically optimistic about it! Will I finish by the end of the month? Maybe!

Lastly, I tried listening to The News from Dublin but quickly moved on to The Pirate Queen. Though I didn't listen to much, I got the sense it's more of a cerebral read, something that doesn't always work for me on audio. I will go back to it as part of my current NetGalley project (more on that later).

Sadly, I haven't yet picked up my copy of The Shadow of the Wind since reading the first few pages earlier this month. I promised myself I wouldn't skip another BBFL book club book (skipped June), but I am not sure I can squeeze it in before the end of the month. I still plan to read it, just maybe not right away. I do, however, have plans to start our September read, The Hacienda, right away!

Hoping this week will not be as crazy at work, but not holding my breath. I don't know if I'll get all my September new release content up before September 1, but you can bet on a brand new newsletter in your inbox that morning. If you're not signed up to my email list, be sure and sign up now (double opt-in required)!

ICYMI

• 5⭐️ Book Predictions (that actually came true)

• Let's Go to the Library Ep 2: Books about Teachers

• A complete list of books with Teachers as Main Characters

• A love letter to Lady Tremaine

• His & Hers Nonfiction, but make it about music

Hear it Here First

I'm headed to the library this week in search of my next Let's Go to the Library read. Next episodes prompt is A Book Set in the 1930s, and I plan to have some fun with this one, so stay tuned.

As I said, September new release alerts will be live on Youtube and IG/TT sometime this week, just not sure I can pull it off by Tuesday. First I have to record them. 😜

I have a few extra copies of HIGHLY sought after ARCs to give away this week. Watch Facebook and Instagram for an announcement!

Hoping to record and maybe edit a tell-all YT video about a big shift in my reading that I have been dying to share.

Currently recording a vlog detailing my weekend on lockdown, aka my phone is Brick'd.

Have an amazing week, y'all!

Happy reading ❤️

xoxo

c

Here's where you can submit your video ideas! Feel free to also spit ball/brainstorm in the comments or the dedicated channel on our Discord :)

Info:

✨ Based on my filming schedule there may be months where I feel I am unable to make whatever video wins and will try to do something very similar or choose the runner up idea. You can always nominate that video for a future month. Really hope that doesn't happen though!

🏹 Some ideas include: tier ranking (insert theme here), giving a list of recommendations based on a theme, reacting to a certain book, a reading challenge.

Submit ideas here!

Welcome to the first book club voting session!

Below is your nomination form. You can add multiple entries but just be responsible with that power please ;)

I will be tallying the vote in a few days (I'll give a last call reminder before I close it!)

Submit your books here!

Hello friends!

I know that the title of this newsletter is September Shenanigans, and it's only August 30th, but with there being two more days of August left, I wanted to begin bringing a little awareness to some very important causes for the month of September. Each Sunday of the week in September, I will highlight an awareness that is highlighted for the month of September. (This is not an exhaustive list, just some causes that are very near and dear to my heart.) My hope in doing this is to create awareness yes, but also highlight books, small businesses, statistics, etc., that fit within that particular week.

Before I get started, though, today is also a very important day, as it is National Grief Awareness Day. And as many of you are aware, I am in the thick of grief with the passing of my Memaw in June. So, I just wanted to highlight today for us grievers - I see you and every day feels like National Grief Awareness Day when you've lost someone. I found this graphic, and it just made me pause. I hope you are diligently taking care of yourself if you are also in the thick of grief, too:

I hope you are taking good are of yourselves if you can relate. Many warm and healing thoughts are sent your way.

Onward.

For the first week of September, I will be highlighting National Recovery Month. This cause is important to me, because the staggering statistics, which we'll get to in a few, are far greater within the LGBTQIA+ community than their heterosexual counterparts. And working in the mental health field myself, there's such a stigma attached to addiction, and even in recovery - one that I want to help dismantle:

National Recovery Month is broken into different themes for each week, which are as follows for 2026:

1. Week 1( Sep. 1-4) Recovery Happens Together

2. Week 2( Sep 7-11) Reducing Stigma Through Storytelling

3. Week 3(Sep 14-18) Healing And Wellbeing In Recovery

4. Week 4(Sep 21-25) Multiple Pathways To Recovery

5. Week 5(Sep 28-30) Youth And Family In Recovery For The Future

Within each week, there are toolkits to bring awareness to each theme, to be found here. That link will bring you directly to the Substance Abuse And Mental Health Service Administration website. An excellent resource for substance use, addiction, recovery and mental health struggles.

Statistically speaking, as far as the LGBTQIA+ community goes, let's break it down to see how we as the LGBTQIA+ population face discrimination through many factors - healthcare, family, school, etc. - and how these things directly affect us and our mental wellbeing:

• Approximately 11.7-12% of U.S. adults in recovery are LGB+

• Approximately 20-30% of LGBTQIA+ adults face substance abuse challenges (in direct comparison to 9% of the general population)

• Queer and trans youth are 54% higher than their heterosexual counterparts to using at least 1 substance recently

• LGB adults in recovery report fewer years in sobriety, decreased rates of employment, higher histories of arrests or opioid-related primary use.

• LGBTQIA+ are more than 2x more likely to use illicit drugs

• 20-25% of LGBTQIA+ population have moderate to severe dependency on alcohol (compared to 5-10% of general population)

• 41-42% of LGBTQIA+ population have used marijuana in the past year (compared to 19% of general population)

• 6.7% misuse opioids (compared to 3.6% of general population)

• LGBTQIA+ youth are approximately 190% (Yes that's 190) higher to struggle with substance abuse than their heterosexual peers

• 11% of LGBTQIA+ youth report daily or weekly substance use

Y'all... I could go on and on and on. The statistics speak for themselves. When we as a community, as individuals, are not met with love, compassion, grace, acceptance.. we struggle. And I have been one of those statistics. My 20s were... out of control. I came out and had no support system. Now can you imagine the intersectionalities of the LGBTQIA+ youth/adults? The statistics no doubt worsen.

How can we change this? By showing up for our community members - by meeting them where they are at. By extending grace and understanding. We can't solve every problem, but we can help those in our families, in our community - in the shelters that home the unhoused. We can show them we are there for them - both in small ways and big ways.

This month means so much to me because I come from a long line of alcoholism and addiction. I know we each have our own stories, but I hope you spend some time on the SAMHSA website after this newsletter. It's truly a great tool for education, receiving help, and promoting recovery!

With that being said, before we go for the day, I wanted to remind you that Thursday, September 3rd, we will be in conversation with Dr. Kiki Fehling from 6-7pm CST. (I will do my best to record it for playback.)

I will share the zoom information below, please remember not to share the link with anyone as it is just for you folx as subscribers. I hope to see y'all there, as I am so excited to speak with Dr. Kiki Fehling about her most recent release!

I hope to seek you all there! Here's the link information:

Sawyer Cole (They/Them) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Beyond The Rainbow w/ Dr. Kiki Fehling
Time: Sep 3, 2026 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87427355509?pwd=vHpopdnC1FwYIVUG2a7wK12srzEbkg.1

Meeting chat link
https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/87427355509

Meeting ID: 874 2735 5509
Passcode: 199263

One tap mobile
+19292056099,,87427355509#,,,,*199263# US (New York)
+13017158592,,87427355509#,,,,*199263# US (Washington DC)

Join by SIP
• 87427355509@zoomcrc.com

Join instructions
https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/87427355509/invitations?signature=D241nY9_JoIllZfzE6jT0nTDsW2YcGJuxhdD9KWOwK8

There's also an event reminder on the discord, should you need to set that, as well! Hope to see you all then!

With all my trans joy,

Sawyer Cole

The Sunday Prescription

One reading topic, one week of plans, and plenty of books administered weekly for chronic readers.

Symptoms: How long do you let an author cook?

Happy Sunday friends! Hope everyone is having a great week. Where I am, the weather is starting to cool down, and yesterday was a nice enough day that I was able to go outside and finish our August Dark Traveler pick a book, King Sorrow by Joe Hill. More to come on this book in particular, but this book got me thinking about how long I will let an author work with a promise of a great finish, versus what's my trigger for a DNF.

King Sorrow is a chonker of a book, clocking in at almost 900 pages, and is split into 5 books and an epilogue. For me, those first two books reminded me of stuff like The Tommyknockers - you could tell there's a great story in there, it's just hiding amongst all the periphery the author is spending time in. Another great example of this was The Fifth Season by NK Jemison - the first half of that book felt like a possible bridge to nowhere. And yet, with all three of these examples, there was something there. For King Sorrow, our characters were not likable, yet flawed and interesting. King Sorrow wasn't showing up much, but the seeds were being planted for something great. And then we hit book 3, and things just took off! The rest of it was flat out phenomenal, and insanely readable. I can see why people might drop out in those first two books, but for me I could see something was brewing.

Now, contrast this with books that I choose to DNF. For me, if I get 25-30% into a book, and have yet to find anything redeemable, or anything that I'm enjoying, I'm done then. In my experience, I can't recall a book were I didn't like anything for that first quarter and wound up being a positive experience for me. So I think for me, that is my trigger - can I find something redeemable? Something that feels interesting, or mysterious, or some element that I'm enjoying? If I can, than I let the author cook and see where it goes. If I can't, then I drop it.

So how about you - what's your trigger for DNFing a book versus continuing on? Or what's the last book you remember starting out slow for you, but then finishing with a bang?

The Rx: What I'm Reading and Doing

So lots of cool stuff is going on. As we head into fall, my day to day life is settling back into a normal routine, which is always a nice change. We have some great book club stuff going on:

• For September's main book club, we have Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman coming up. I have the discussion section all set up on Discord for anyone who wants to get the jump early!

• For September's Fable book club, we're going to be reading Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai. This sounds stunning!

• Our monthly reading challenge is to Read the Opposite. This can be a genre or author you don't normally read, a type of book you don't normally read - basically read something that is outside of your norm and pushes your reading boundaries a bit!

• Last but not least, if you have not yet and want to, don't forget to vote in our Q4 book club poll!

In terms of reading, I am finishing up the Jasad Heir today or tomorrow. I have been playing around with when I read our book club picks, and I think long term I will do them more at the start of the month. This one has been interesting so far, some ups and downs, but some interesting discussion in the Discord. After that, I have two ARCs to read, then I'll be jumping in to Between Two Fires and Dust Child, as well as our September Dark travelers pick a book, Road of Bones. For the September challenge, I'll be doing James by Percival Everett.

Hobby wise, I'll be leaning back into woodworking. I have a desk to finish, as well as some built ins in the house that I want done by November, and woodworking means leaning a bit more into audiobooks. With the weather cooling down, I'll be back on my mountain bike a bit more as well, and looking forward to spending time outside. I am considering grabbing the Lego Rivendell se t as well now that mines Tirith is behind me, and I'm working on a Lord of the Rings puzzle as well.

If you are not on our Discord server, you should consider hanging out! I do exclusive giveaways there, and I have some really exciting ones planned for the next few months! I don't really do giveaways on IG/TT because I like to reward you all in our community, so be on the look out for those. And speaking of Discord, Bindery, and content ideas, I am working on a new membership tier for 2027 that is going to include a quarterly book box! More to come, but if you have any thoughts or ideas, let me know.

Hope you all have a great week of reading and life, and I'll see you next week!

Want More In-Depth Access?

If you enjoy getting into the details with me about reading, then consider upgrading to The Dark Travelers tier! My Dark Travelers get an exclusive Discord role and channels, a weekly deep dive reading update video, early access to YouTube videos, and each month they get to pick a book for me to read. This can be a book they want to read with me, or something they want me to try for them. It's super fun and a great tight knit group that I really enjoy talking books with, and I'd love to have you part of it!