Hey everyone! As previously discussed, I will be hosting a readalong for The Witchlands Series by Susan Dennard, where we will be reading a book from the series each month from now until May. Discussions for the books for those that want to chat as they are reading will be posted on the Discord - please be sure to use spoiler tags and label the spoiler with the chapter it is from since the channels will be for each book. Looking forward to chatting with you all about this series!

Hi nerds,

Since opening Sunny’s, I've occasionally had people come into the shop solely to comment negatively on our offerings. These aren’t customers looking to browse or buy books. They’re individuals who have no interest in reading, supporting the store, or engaging in good faith.

I’d love to brush these moments off completely, but they can be a little jarring. Sunny’s exists in southern Arizona, where politics are complicated and open carry is common, so we stay aware of our surroundings and these hostile interactions.

Sunny's exists to sell books, build community, and create a welcoming space for people who are often told, explicitly or implicitly, that they don’t belong. I truly believe it’s possible to encounter something that isn’t for you and simply keep it moving. In fact, I do it every single day in this town lol.

Last week, someone yelled at one of our booksellers that he “hates little bookstores like this that sell gay witch stuff.” Not our favorite moment, but also… kind of a perfect summary?

When we shared the incident on social media, a follower messaged us to say that this was actually a pretty great point of differentiation and that they’d happily buy a shirt with that tagline on it. And honestly? They’re right. We do sell queer books! We do sell magical books!

So, out of something upsetting, a silly new sticker was born. Tap in my gay witches!!! Vote on which one you'd move like to see come to life.

Love ya! Onward!

CJ

Happy Tuesday, Mis Internet amigxs!

Welcome to all the newbies to Bien Leidos newsletter and book club. I LOVE that we have so many like-minded chismosxs here with us now. If you're not already in Discord and interested in joining the chat for Orange Wine, get over there! The chisme is already piping hot and we'll be keeping the discussion going all month!

Although you can find me in the usual spots, Tik Tok and Instagram, in 2026, I'll be focusing on my YOUTUBE. In fact, I started a challenge to post one video there every single day in January. Today is day 6 and I'm happy to report that my 6th video just posted. All my YouTube content will be unique to what I post everywhere else, so I hope you'll follow me there, as well, for more expanded content. In fact, I posted 2 videos over the weekend that have over 50 Latine book recommendations for the Bien Leidos Latine Book Bingo Challenge. You can check out Part 1 and Part 2 that goes over the first half and then the second half of the bingo card, respectively. The rest of the months holds more vlogs, book reviews, anticipated 2026 Latine releases, Latine book recommendations and...more? Let me know if you have any suggestions of your favorite types of YouTube content in the comments. I'd love to experiment more!

A reminder for Lectores and Libritos members: I'm using the name you used to subscribe to Bindery when I read them out on Youtube, so if you'd like me to acknowledge a different name, please make sure to update your Bindery username name!

Speaking of new content, I'll be doing my FIRST interview for the podcast next week and it's...MIA SOSA! The podcast won't premier until next month, so let's keep this chisme between us for now!

And now...on to this week's releases!

It looks like publishing is easing into 2026, because we only have a paperback release, but let's celebrate it all the same because it's a book I read a few years back and absolutely adored!

First in the Family: A Story of Survival, Recovery, and the American Dream by Jessica Hoppe (Audiobook) This is an incredible memoir of recovery, particularly how BIPOC people are erased from the structures of recovery creating untenable spaces for us. Jessica is a lyrical and powerful writer who gives us a brutally honest reflection on her personal recovery efforts as well as breaking generational cycles.

As I was going through today's releases, I realized that there was an audiobook release for a 2025 book I recommended you pick up: Banned Together: Our Fight For Reader's Rights edited by Ashly Hope Perez (audiobook). This is a fantastic essay collection for young readers about book banning in the US and is critical for kids to read about stories disappearing from bookshelves.

Finally, I'm filming the first episode of the year of the Libby podcast this afternoon. If you haven't caught my appearances, you can find them everywhere you find your favorite podcasts. Here's a link to the final recording of 2025.

That's all for now! I'll see you next week...

xoxo,

Carmen

January Spotlights for book clubs:

This year, we have an ongoing Storygraph challenges for both of our book clubs and we will spotlighting certain books to help those of you who hate, well, picking!😂 For January, I have chosen what to spotlight and going forward, all our paid members can help us choose our spotlights

Cottagecore Gaming Club:

For January, the focus is to play a free game because well we're post holidays and I'd like to always be mindful of this from everyone's side! As a result, we're playing Palia! As a reminder, we are a text based club and chat primarily through discord about our game of the month

Ifrits & Ink: SWANA Book Club Spotlight:

Here is the link to our storygraph Challenge!

January: Fantasy, Horror & Poetry

• Fantasy: The Book of Heartbreak by Ova Ceren

• Horror: A Guide to the Dark

• Poetry: Forest of Noise by Mosab Abu Toha

Cottagecore & Co Spotlights:

Here is the link to this specific storygraph challenge

Here are our Cottagecore & Co spotlights friends! As we have 6 prompts on storygraph, we are focusing on three sub-genres and one of them ticks three boxes in one go

Here are the picks:

• Mushroomcore: Mexican Gothic by SIlvia Moreno-Garcia

• Cottagecore, Witchycore and Cozy: The Cottage around the Corner by D.L. Soria

• Botanical Horror: Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles

I hope you guys decide to join us and read some of the picks or play Palia with us! Dont forget to join discord where the discussions tend to occur with our community

Don't forget to subscribe or upgrade for $5/£3.5 (its the cost of a cup of coffee or if you live in a city in this crazy economy, less than that) OR $12/£8-9 to get access to exclusive perks & help us build become a bindery imprint

Thank you Posh Pangolin Publishers
for the eARC.

Here are my initial thoughts and review.

Cover — while I can see the Leshy in the background but the snake in the heart, I guess I missed the significance of it on the cover front and center?

Story — I enjoyed the writing and I feel as if not a novella, the world building and relationships between characters would be even more immersive. A good sign.
I requested this arc after a recommendation, bc I don’t mind “dark” romances but I wonder if there was any where consent is apart of the story.
Consent is very much an important part of the story which I appreciate. I requested this with an open mind.

I like the relationship dynamics throughout. Despite some of the nicknames felt repetitive.

I am not the biggest fan of this novella, but I am really interested in reading “Fated Rebirth”. I am curious on how the parallel world will be.

Overall, I think this is someone who reads more of similar stories. I didn’t mind it but ultimately wasn’t my cup of tea but I think Reno is a wonderful author!

I don't know what to put here, this is a purely utilitarian post so i can build my shelf!

A true crime deep dive into art, loyalty, and the dangerously thin line between friendship and complicity.*

Core Question:

At what point does being a good friend turn into being an accomplice?

📖Overview for Hosts: The Rembrandt Heist isn’t just about a stolen masterpiece it’s about power, psychology, and moral compromise. Anthony M. Amore combines art history, criminal profiling, and emotional nuance to explore the infamous 1975 theft of Portrait of Elsbeth van Rijn and the complex bond between master thief Myles Connor and his friend Al Dotoli.

This book works especially well for clubs that enjoy:

True crime beyond serial killers

Ethical dilemmas and gray morality

Criminals who are charismatic, brilliant, and unsettling

Real-life stories that read like cinematic thrillers

💬Discussion Guide: Opening Icebreaker

If you could steal any artwork, hypothetically, of course, what would it be and why?

Do you think art should ever be treated as currency or leverage?

Big Picture Questions

1. Criminal or Strategist? Do you view Myles Connor primarily as a criminal, a con artist, or a strategist exploiting a flawed system?

2. Moral Gray Areas: Amore avoids painting Connor as purely villain or antihero. Did this make the story more compelling or more uncomfortable?

3. Art as Power: How does the book change your understanding of art as something more than beauty.something tied to money, power, and influence?

Friendship & Loyalty

4. Connor and Dotoli’s Bond: What defines their friendship? Shared history, loyalty, fear, admiration or manipulation?

5. Complicity Line: At what point does Al Dotoli cross from loyal friend to accomplice? Did he ever truly have a choice?

6. Personal Reflection: Would you protect a friend if it meant risking your own freedom? Where is your line?

Ethics & Consequences

7. Justice vs. Sympathy: Did you ever find yourself rooting for Connor? Should we be wary of that instinct?

8. Systemic Failure: Does the book suggest that institutions, museums, law enforcement, the art world enable crimes like this?

9. True Crime Responsibility: Do books like this risk glamorizing criminals or does Amore strike the right balance?

Closing Question: If this story were fictional, would Connor feel believable or only possible because it’s true?

🍽️ Themed Menu: An Elegant Heist

🧀Starter: Museum Night Charcuterie Board**

Theme: Sophistication with a hint of danger

Include:

* Aged cheeses brie, gouda, sharp cheddar

* Dark chocolate squares

* Fig jam or honey

* Crackers or sliced baguette

📝Tip: Label items with gallery-style name cards.

🍷Signature Drink: The Masterpiece Red Wine Spritzer

Ingredients

Red wine merlot or cabernet

Sparkling water

Orange peel twist

Optional splash of pomegranate juice

How to Make: Fill a glass with ice, pour ¾ wine, top with sparkling water, garnish with orange peel.

🍝Main: Italian-Inspired Heist Pasta A nod to European art history! Simple Creamy Garlic Pasta

Ingredients

Pasta of choice

Olive oil

Garlic minced

Heavy cream

Parmesan

Black pepper

Sauté garlic in olive oil, add cream, simmer, toss with pasta, finish with parmesan.

🍰Dessert: Stolen Art Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients

Dark chocolate

Heavy cream

Cocoa powder

Heat cream, pour over chocolate, chill, roll into balls, coat in cocoa powder.

🖤 Rich, indulgent, and slightly dangerous.

🎨Themed Activities

🔍 1. The Ethical Line Exercise: Read scenarios aloud! You know your friend stole something priceless. Do you stay silent?

Have members vote:

Friend

Accomplice

Whistleblower

Discuss why.

🖼️2. Art Crime Spotlight Each member brings a real art theft or forgery story 2–3 minutes max.

Vote on:

Most audacious

Most bizarre

Most morally confusing

🎭 3. Cast the Heist: If The Rembrandt Heist were a movie:

Who plays Myles Connor?

Who plays Al Dotoli?

Who directs?

🎁Themed Door Prizes

🖌️ Budget-Friendly

Art-themed bookmarks

Mini notebooks labeled Criminal Mastermind Notes

Museum-style postcards

🕵️Mid-Tier

True crime or art history books

Wine glasses etched with Stolen, Not Bought

Puzzle featuring a famous painting

🎨Grand Prize

Museum gift card

High-quality art print

Coffee table book on art crime or famous heists

🖤 Final Thought for the Group: The Rembrandt Heist lingers because it refuses easy answers. It asks us to confront how charisma, loyalty, and intelligence can blur right and wrong and whether we’d recognize the moment we crossed that line ourselves.

Was Myles Connor exploiting the system or simply understanding it better than anyone else? And when does loyalty stop being love and start being liability?

Perfect for a book club that likes its true crime thought-provoking, stylish, and morally messy.🎨🕵️‍♂️

Tap the link to download your book club kit! https://tinyurl.com/dk8amvjj

Don't forget to come back and tell us all about your book club meeting!

At what point does being a good friend turn into being an accomplice?

This true crime favorite dives far beyond a stolen masterpiece, unpacking power, psychology, and moral gray areas surrounding the infamous 1975 theft of Portrait of Elsbeth van Rijn. At the center: master thief Myles Connor and the complicated friendship that forces readers to question loyalty, complicity, and choice.

✨ Perfect for book clubs that love:
▫️ True crime beyond murder
▫️ Charismatic, unsettling criminals
▫️ Ethical dilemmas & gray morality
▫️ Real stories that feel like a heist movie

🗣️ Inside the full guide:
✔️ Thought-provoking discussion questions
✔️ A fully themed “Elegant Heist” menu
✔️ Interactive activities exploring loyalty vs. complicity
✔️ Creative door prize ideas for every budget

This is just a preview 👀
👉 Join The First Editions for the complete Book Club Kit, recipes, activities, and printable guides.

Because some stories don’t just ask what happenednthey ask what would you have done? 🎨🕵️‍♂️

We are excited to announce that Matthew Harffy's 'The Wolf of Wessex' won the vote for the Booksworn Bookclub pick for January. This is an awesome standalone Ed and I read quite a few years ago (I wasn't even an adult!). We are so excited for this reread.

Matthew Harffy has very kindly said he is happy to answer some questions just for this club! Please comment your questions down below. Like questions in the comments if you would love to see them asked, and we will pass the most popular ones onto Matthew.

Truth & Courage,

Will & Ed

We’re diving into a true crime story where the moral gray areas are as thick as the oil paint on a Rembrandt. 🎨🕵️‍♂️

Book Club Review: The Rembrandt Heist by Anthony M. Amore

Our bookish family loves true crime with layers, moral gray areas and big personalities. The Rembrandt Heist is a fascinating pick. Anthony M. Amore doesn’t just recount an audacious art theft; he unpacks the psychology behind it. 

At the center is Myles Connor, a man who steals not for wealth but for leverage. The 1975 theft of Portrait of Elsbeth van Rijn from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts is bold, but what makes this book compulsively readable is the why behind the crime. Connor is reckless, brilliant, and charismatic, and the author resists the urge to simplify him into a stereotype.

The emotional heart of the book, though, lies in the friendship between Connor and Al Dotoli. This adds an unexpected tenderness, raising questions about loyalty and obligation. It’s the perfect contrast to the criminal genius elements and makes for a fantastic discussion!

Amore’s background in art crime shines through, and you’ll walk away better informed about how art, power, and crime intersect. This story truly reads like a heist movie!🍿

⚡️Perfect for discussion if your group enjoys:

▫️True crime beyond murder.

▫️Complex friendships tested by extreme choices.

▫️Real-life stories that feel stranger than fiction.

💥Check out our link in bio for full guides and themed menus on Bindery!

❓️Was Myles Connor a criminal using art as a bargaining chip or a strategist who understood the system better than those chasing him? And at what point does loyalty become complicity?👇

In the description box of all of my YouTube videos, I have a link to give book recommendations.

I figured what better way to start our 2026 reading challenges than to get some reading recommendations from those in the community.

All (nearly) 300 recommendations can be found here!

Comment below if you find your next read here, or use that first link to give your own recommendation!

It time for another book club pick! How did everyone like Root Rot?

HAPPY FIRST SUNDAY OF 2026, MIS INTERNET AMIGXS!

I have missed you and apologize for no newsletters in December. I had a busy month with holidays, hospitals and planning so many new things here for 2026. I hope you've had a chance to catch me on social media, particularly the newest place I'm focusing on in 2026, YOUTUBE. I'm challenging myself to post one video there every single day in January and on this fourth day of the year, I'm happy to report that, so far, I'm succeeding. I'm also giving myself the grace to fail, brush myself off and continue as well.

My last 2 videos have been recommendations for the Bien Leidos Latine Book Bingo Challenge I posted about yesterday. The videos contain 50 Latine recommendations and I'll probably focus on making more videos after this posting challenge is over.

You may recall one of your perks as paying subscribers is to have your name read either at the beginning of the video, for Lectores members, or at the end credits, for Libritos members. I'm using the name you used to subscribe to Bindery, so if you'd like me to acknowledge a different name, please make sure to update your Bindery username name!

Speaking of new content, I'll be doing my FIRST interview for the podcast next week and it's...MIA SOSA! If you have a question for her, please drop it in the comments! The podcast won't premier until February, so let's keep this between us!

Reminder that we're reading Orange Wine by Esperanza Hope Snyder this month! I hope you'll consider joining the chat on Discord...and keep this chisme between us, but I think we'll be chatting with Esperanza in early February, so keep your eyes peeled!!!

I know last year I posted month recommendations, but I'm back to weekly posts, at least for now. There's a lot going on this January and it helps me to break up the posts into little pieces. If you have a preference, either way, then please let me know in the comments.

It looks like publishing is easing into 2026, because we only have a paperback release, but let's celebrate it all the same because it's a book I read a few years back and absolutely adored!

First in the Family: A Story of Survival, Recovery, and the American Dream by Jessica Hoppe (Audiobook) This is an incredible memoir of recovery, particularly how BIPOC people are erased from the structures of recovery creating untenable spaces for us. Jessica is a lyrical and powerful writer who gives us a brutally honest reflection on her personal recovery efforts as well as breaking generational cycles.

I'm very much looking forward to sharing with you the MANY more 2026 Latine releases to come! I'll see you next week.

xoxo,

Carmen