Happy Sunday, mis internet amigxs,

It's Latinx Heritage Month Eve Eve and I'm getting so excited (and nervous) for the start of Latinx Heritage Month on Tuesday. You'll be receiving your usual newsletter from me on Tuesday. I'll be honest, much of my content won't change during Heritage Month itself, because here at Bien Leidos, everyday is Latinx Heritage Month.

But that doesn't mean there won't be exciting surprises, starting with...BIEN LEIDOS MERCH IS LIVE EARLY JUST FOR YOU!

While we're only launching t-shirts right now, I made sure to get them in a wide array of styles AND colors, including sweatshirts and hoodies for all style tastes.

My goal isn't just to release merch, but to raise as much as I can for the Immigration Legal Resource Center, who is doing tremendous work with provided resources for immigrants all over the US during this time of crisis. 10% of proceeds of every shirt sold will go to the ILRC.

This initial merch launch is limited and ends on September 30th, so place your shirt order SOON!

I also wanted to remind you that September 14th is designated as Support Latino Business Day! This is a community-driven initiative to support Latino businesses every September 14th to celebrate and support Latino businesses. Although it seems like they have abandoned their socials and website, I feel like it's more important than ever to shout about your favorite local Latine-owned businesses.

I'll be posting on socials tomorrow, but I wanted to share my ShopMY collection featuring some of my favorite Latiness businesses (including our Bien Leidos t-shirt at the beginning). This link is shareable, so please feel free to share far and wide.

While my ShopMy links are commission-based, none of these links provide me any commission. I just want so share the love of Latine businesses I love. I'll be adding to this collection throughout the year, so be sure to save it and check back as I build a little database of my favorites for you to shop and support Latinx businesses.

Happy Latinx Heritage Month week, mis amores,

Carmen

Hello my friends, and a very happy (first full day of NFL season) Sunday to you all!

This week we'll be highlighting and celebrating Latinx Heritage Month (It begins September 15 and goes through October 15.) Let's get into it, shall we? There's so many people, creators, authors and businesses I want to highlight and celebrate:

Let's get into it, shall we? We'll kick it off with important dates to know throughout the month long celebration:

• Sep. 14: Support Latinx Business Day

• Sep. 15: Independence Day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua

• Sep. 16: Independence Day for Mexico

• Sep. 18: Independence Day for Chile

• Sep. 21: Independence Day for Belize

• Oct. 12: Dia de la Raza (Indigenous Peoples' Day)

I wanted to shout out a few Latinx Businesses to support tomorrow (Sep. 14) for Support Latinx Business Day. This is by no means an exhaustive list - just a few I have spoken with, are friends with and/or have purchased directly from:

1. Kevin A. Creates (Website Here)

2. Midnight Koala Creates (Website Here)

3. The Bookish B (Website Here)

These Latinx businesses are not only Latinx, but are also either LGBTQIA+ or are LGBTQIA+ affirming, which is important to me, as well.

And while I also know there are so many Latinx content creators, I will always stand ten does down to support my friend, @Carmen. She has been championing the Latinx community in all ways - books, businesses, creators, clothing brands - the list goes on. If you aren't already following her, do yourself a favor and go now. She also just launched a Bien Leidos Book Club clothing line, too! I, of course, smashed the pre-order button on a hoodie. 10% of sales also go to the National Immigration Law Center, in case you needed yet another reason to support her and her work. I also am a paid subscriber on her Bien Leidos Bindery - now is the time to uplift, support, and if able, put your money where your mouth is.

Speaking of Carmen, she shared a reel on social media earlier this week or last week about how "allies" (I loathe that word) post performative book stacks about their "TBRs" but never actually read them. So today, I'm only discussing and recommending Latinx books/authors I have read to hold myself, and you as a reader, accountable. Are we all doing our due diligence? Let's tap into the authors and books, alright?

• We'll start with one of my auto-buys, one of my favorite authors that just honestly never misses. I've read everything she's written but one book: Elizabeth Acevedo. (The only book I haven't read is Family Lore, I own it, but haven't read it yet.)

• Another auto-buy for me? Aiden Thomas. Cemetery Boys will always be close to my heart, and I am currently reading Cemetery Boys: Espiritu. I have yet to read the Sunbearer Trials duology, but I also own those, as well.

• Benjamin Alire Saenz: Aristotle and Dante duology.. While I have read the first one, I haven't read the second one, but I own it. I also have the e-pub of his posthumously published book, When The World Was Happy.

• Adam Silvera. I waited and waited and waited for the Deathcast series to be completed so I could immerse myself into that story.

• Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez: Conversion Therapy Dropout. Please. Read this book.

• David Archuleta: Devout. If you can do audio, I recommend it on audio. Such a tender story.

• Sonido Reyes: To Our Untamed Core is a book I'm currently reading (This is also our Quarter 4 book club pick.)

These are just the authors/books that come to my mind off the top of my head without really thinking too much into it. But to stick with books I've read/currently reading, we'll stop there. I would highly encourage you all to support Latinx content creators already doing the work, but also to spend time researching some books to read on your own accord. I've give you a small variety of fiction and nonfiction above. Amplify these authors, books, content creators you read and follow. Share their work and stories. Buy them a treat, if able. Become part of their paid subscribers list. Support them in all ways.

As we wrap up today, please know that each week I spend time highlighting month events. I would encourage you to also research how you can learn about each week's topic more thoroughly.

I hope you all have an amazing week, my friends. Collaborators - I'll see you on Tuesday for an exclusive newsletter. If not, I will see everyone for Trans Joy Thursday, and also on Discord.

Be well, my friends.

With all my trans joy,

Sawyer Cole

Morning book buddies,

I'm headed out the door to go to IRL book club for the first time in a few months (took some time off after my dad passed), and I must say that I'm excited to see my bookish friends (even if I DNF'd the book 😜).

There's been A LOT happening in the SBB space this week, including some reading! Let's get into it.

First, I finished my re-read of The Story Keeper and definitely enjoyed it more the second go-round. As I said last week, I think I sped through it last time and missed some key points/Easter eggs. It was a solid 4⭐️ and perfect for anyone who enjoys mysteries/domestic suspense. I did really enjoy the story-within-the-story both times I read the book; it was a clever way to structure the book and heighten the suspense. Beware: it does have an intimate partner violence storyline which may be triggering for some.

I also finished Tenderness, the new Rowan Beaird. It was strange. Not bad strange. Just strange. The book is all about a wedding weekend following the brother of the bride and the best friend/former lover of the bride; the bride in question has just escaped the famous 70s cult Synanon, so everyone is on edge to say the least. I wanted more from the book, specifically I wanted to spend more time in the head of/story of the bride. It was a solid weird girl lit fic. 3⭐️s

I've since moved on to one of my most anticipated reads of the Fall, Stations by Louise Kennedy. I LOVE it so far! It's definitely more of a character-driven literary fiction, with very little happening outside of the heads/hearts of the characters. But, boy, is it tender and absolutely everything I want from a Louise Kennedy love story.

The Hacienda is EVERYTHING I wanted it to be and SO much more. I'm immersively reading this book with the BBFL, and it's delivering on the spook and the Latine culture. I cannot wait to see where this book is going and am eager to dive back in after book club.

I've also started MY LAST NETGALLEY read. That's right. It's going to be my last NetGalley read for a while. And luckily, it just so happens to be by one of my favorite authors. Jenny Bayliss' brand new holiday fiction, The Little Shop of Merry and Bright, is off to a great start, with a fun, modern twist on the ghost of Christmas present story (aka Dickens). I love her work and have a feeling this will be a winner.

As I said, I am phasing out NetGalley so that I can focus more on slowing down and savoring books. I will continue to read new releases, but I also want to incorporate more backlist books. I am eager to share more about the reasons behind this move in an upcoming Youtube video, so stay tuned!

ICYMI

• 80+ newly published holiday books perfect for your Christmas reading list

• paid subscribers now have access to the November historical fiction look ahead

• spend the weekend with me getting stuff done: Weekend Productivity Vlog

• the battle of the 5⭐️ books: aka the August Reading Wrapup

• I shared a Sunday 5 things for the first time in ages last weekend

• Ariel Lawhon backlist unboxing: aka the best bookmail EVER

• a fun pub-day celebration for The Pirate Queen

Hear It Here First

I'm planning another fun giveaway this week over on Facebook, so be sure you're following me there!

Stay tuned for some fun Booktube videos including my 2026 Q2 Wrapup and my 10-Before-the-End!

I went to the library yesterday to pick up books for Episode 3 of Let's Go to the Library, and I am SO EXCITED to start this book/vlog. Watch past episodes here.

Ok friends, gotta run!

Happy reading 😘

xoxo

c