Welcome back to After the Walk, where Link and I return from our Sunday morning stroll, and I attempt to organize my thoughts about everything I've been reading.

This week took me through horror, fantasy, romance, thrillers, and one very chaotic dungeon.

It Came From Neverland

Peter Pan was one of my favorite movies growing up, which is exactly why this book worked so well for me.

Cynthia Pelayo takes a story most of us know by heart and asks a deeply unsettling question: What if we got it wrong?

What if Peter Pan isn't the hero? What if he's the monster?

This isn't simply a fairy tale retelling. It's historical horror wrapped around childhood nostalgia and slowly transformed into something terrifying.

What impressed me most was how effectively Pelayo weaponizes familiarity. Before Peter Pan even appears on the page, you're already afraid of him. Every mention of Neverland feels wrong in a way that's difficult to articulate but impossible to ignore.

The result feels less like fantasy and more like a childhood nightmare you've somehow forgotten until now.

Headlights

I picked this up because of the cover, but I kept reading because I physically could not put it down.

Headlights begins as a dark, atmospheric serial killer thriller. A broken detective. A frozen landscape. A disturbing murder investigation.

Then the book mutates.

Every time I thought I understood what kind of story I was reading, CJ Leede pulled the rug out from under me. What starts as crime horror gradually becomes stranger, darker, and far more unsettling than I ever expected.

The body horror is intense. The imagery is unforgettable. There are scenes I genuinely wish I could remove from my memory.

And yet somehow there is also an oddly beautiful emotional core underneath all of it. I still don't know exactly how to describe this book. I only know I'm not going to stop thinking about it anytime soon.

Obstetrix

Some premises immediately grab your attention.

An OB-GYN who survives a highly publicized abortion trial is kidnapped by a religious compound and forced to provide medical care to the women living there.

I mean...how do you not pick that up?

The tension here is excellent. Once Liz arrives at the compound, the story becomes incredibly difficult to put down. The pacing moves quickly, the danger feels immediate, and the constant uncertainty kept me turning pages.

What ultimately held this back for me was emotional depth.

The situations Liz experiences are traumatic enough that I wanted a deeper exploration of her psychological state. The story raises fascinating questions about reproductive healthcare, bodily autonomy, and religious extremism, but often stops just short of fully exploring them.

Still, as a fast-paced thriller, it absolutely succeeds.

The Great Outdoors

This was exactly the palate cleanser I needed.

After being dumped for being "too high maintenance," Sadie signs up for a twelve-day wilderness trek to prove she can survive outside her comfort zone.

As someone who enjoys indoor plumbing and a cozy pillow, I found this deeply relatable.

What I appreciated most was that the story never asks Sadie to become someone else. Her growth comes from learning that she doesn't need complete control over every aspect of her life.

The romance between Sadie and Thorn develops naturally, the mountain setting is gorgeous, and the entire book feels like summer.

Did it make me want to go hiking? Absolutely not.

Did it make me want more books like this? Absolutely.

Good at Being Alive

This was the biggest surprise of the week. I expected fake dating and a travel romance. And while I definetly got those things, what I didn't expect was such a thoughtful exploration of grief.

One of the things this book does particularly well is acknowledge that grief isn't always straightforward. Sometimes the people we lose were complicated. Sometimes our relationships with them were messy. Sometimes love and resentment exist side by side.

Theo and Bex are fantastic together, but what stayed with me most was the emotional honesty underneath the romance.

This ended up being much deeper than its premise initially suggests.

The Shrouded Queen

This is one of the easiest almost-five-star books I've read recently.

The Egyptian-inspired mythology, political intrigue, hidden identities, divine powers, and shifting loyalties all worked incredibly well for me.

And then there was Samira. I LOVED her.

Every chapter from her perspective pulled me further into the story. Her growth, her secrets, and the impossible position she finds herself in made her one of my favorite fantasy protagonists I've encountered this year.

Unfortunately, the other POV had the exact opposite effect. I found Amunet frustrating, selfish, and nearly impossible to root for. Every time the narrative shifted away from Samira, I found myself impatiently waiting to return to the storyline I actually cared about.

It's a testament to how strong the rest of the novel is that I still enjoyed it so much despite that disconnect. Because make no mistake: I will absolutely be reading the sequel.

The Butcher's Masquerade

At this point, Dungeon Crawler Carl has become something much bigger than a survival story.

Early in the series, Carl was trying to survive the dungeon. Now the dungeon is trying to survive Carl.

The Butcher's Masquerade feels like a turning point. The politics become more complicated. The moral questions become murkier. The consequences become more personal.

What struck me most was how much this series continues to ask readers to think about power.

Who has it? Who deserves it? Also, I am increasingly concerned about future emotional damage.

Nasty Little Secrets

This was one of those books that reminded me why I love mysteries.

A missing sister. A decades-old murder conviction. A family that has never fully recovered from either.

The dual timelines worked beautifully here, gradually revealing information without ever feeling repetitive. Every answer created new questions, and every revelation added another layer to the mystery.

I guessed one of the twists early, but I absolutely did not guess the other.

For a debut novel, this is incredibly confident work, and I'm already looking forward to seeing what Gabbie Hanks writes next.

Final Thoughts

The books that resonated most with me this week were all asking variations of the same question: Who are we when the life we expected disappears?

• A woman confronting the horrors of her childhood.

• A detective uncovering truths he was never meant to find.

• A hiker discovering she doesn't need to control everything.

• A grieving woman learning how to move forward.

• A maid becoming something far greater than anyone expected.

• A crawler becoming a revolutionary.

Different genres. Different worlds. Same question.

📚 Full ratings, reviews, and reading updates can always be found here on Bindery and over on Goodreads.

I have found the 3rd book that I want to publish.

We still have to go out with an offer, they still have to accept it. It's a whole thing- and I've been here before and they don't always accept, but as of right now, I WOULD LOVE TO PUBLISH THIS BOOK.

It's very different from the books that I am publishing so far and it wasn't the book that I was looking for, but it is a book that found me and I don't think that I'm going to be able to let it go.

If I read horror, will I like it?

I think if you only read books that are found in the horror section, probably not.

But if you dip your toes in other genres, you're going to love it. People are going to love it.

Here are the Audible tags I could see for the book: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Horror, Mystery, Paranormal.

I think the book would sit most comfortably in fantasy or mystery, but romance fans, especially fans of Mimi Matthews, will be drawn to this, too!

It's a little bit Jane Austen style comedy of manners, a bit mystery, a bit paranormal fantasy, and A LOT of fun. It's very clever.

What's it about?

It's 1875. We've got a Chinese matchmaker who matches people by reading astrology. We've got a vendor and his fortune telling parakeet. We've got some local gangsters. We've got a shaman.

Our matchmaker has been asked to do the impossible- find a suitable match for A WHITE WOMAN!

It gets a bit complicated because the woman is supposed to be married off to her father's legitimate wife's brother who has.......something SERIOUSLY wrong with him?

This book is the perfect fall read. Perfect for spooky season. It's a little spooky. It's a little mystery. It's a little cozy with a little gore. Perfect to curl up with some hot cocoa on a rainy day.

I also really like that, similar to What Feeds Below, we have some chapter openers that are notes and letters and think this could be really cool for design.

I think that while not entirely genre specific, the book falls under the mission of stories that haunt and heal.

I would love to know what you all think? Are you ready for something a little different?

I'm gonna add some potential vibes below.

When I opened this email:

I SCREAMED.

I CRIED.

I THREW UP.

It's FANCY. It's PRESTIGIOUS! And it is so WELL DESERVED.

This doesn't go public until tomorrow (9am PST, if you would like to repost!), so shhhh!

What Feeds Below has received a KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW!

Best friends Petra and Jade live in an orphanage on the outskirts of a rundown city that’s grown up around the Void, a mysterious chasm that’s miles deep and wide.

Desperate to escape their grinding poverty, the 17-year-old girls work together as divers, guiding wealthy, thrill-seeking tourists on excursions into the complete darkness of the Void, with its carnivorous plants and vicious, cunning predators. The divers risk losing limbs—and their lives—and few ever reach the Void’s Sixth Layer, where lies the ancient city of Obscuris, which sank into the earth long ago, taking a mysterious power source and advanced technologies with it. A successful dive to Obscuris would secure the girls’ financial futures, but dark-haired, timid Petra is too afraid to try, despite Jade’s pushing. Only when green-eyed Jade, who’s pale-skinned with auburn hair, goes missing during a botched dive does Petra screw up her courage. Together with fellow diver Flint, who has dark-brown skin and a prosthetic leg and to whom she was once close, Petra heads back into the Void for what she promises herself will be her very last dive—all the way to the Sixth Layer. But what she finds in the deep is peril, pain, and something genuinely shocking. This gory novel moves at a fast pace, and its strengths include its lush and innovative worldbuilding, gruesome body horror, and unflinching commitment to the bleakness of its narrative.

A nail-biting tale set in a beautifully rendered world of darkness and danger. (Horror. 14-18)

WOW!

I'm going to talk more about what this means for What Feeds Below tomorrow to the entire community and I don't want to be too repetitive I just wanted to thank everyone so much because this book would NOT be possible without paid subscribers, so thank you so much for supporting this community!

This quote is obviously long, but what we are using for promo is already up on Amazon and Kobo! Check it out! <3 <3

The Sunday Prescription

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

Symptoms: Dealing With a Reading Slump

I have seen a bunch of videos recently that start something like this: "Here are 5 books that are GUARANTEED to get you out of a reading slump!" I know I have also talked to a few content creators recently who are also in reading slumps, and I know a few of you all in Discord have mentioned being in a bit of a slump yourself. And of course, being overly analytical, I've been giving it some thought.

I think the term reading slump gets thrown around quite a bit to describe a bunch of different things, so first allow me to kind of describe to you how I see the reading slump landscape.

• First is a simple "book hangover." This is where you read a book that is so good, or so bad, that it can be tough to find something to make you happy after. Whether it's not meeting expectations after a five star read, or that one star book just crushed your reading spirit, I find these are relatively short lived, and easily solved by rereading a favorite, switching mediums, and picking something short and fun.

• Next is a true reading slump. This happens when you're just not feeling reading, and it lasts for a longer period of time. To me this is more on the order of a week or more. Nothing you are reaching for is striking your fancy, you can't get into anything, you're DNFing or NRNing everything, and you're just not feeling reading generally speaking. We'll talk about this more in depth in a minute.

• Then there's what I would consider something more serious - you're an avid reader, but you're not even interested in engaging. Going to the library or bookstore is a chore, you're not into watching book content, and you have a general malaise about reading overall. This is usually something more serious, like depression (which can cause anhedonia, or a lack of interest in your favorite things), or going through major life events or stressors, or some kind of mental health issue.

Obviously, if you are in the throes of option 3, then just don't even worry about reading. Take care of yourself, and whatever you need to do in your life. Option two is usually the one people ask about, and the one that people are referring to when they recommend you a certified slump buster. But if you find yourself in a slump as described above, give it some thought before blindly throwing books at it, and try some other stuff out. Some of my favorite things to do in this situation:

• Read a graphic novel, a comic, novellas, or something super light and easy.

• Reread a favorite, and remind yourself why you love reading.

• Switch mediums - go to an audiobook if you've been doing physical and vice versa.

• Switch genres. Going hard in on fantasy - go pick up a mystery or a lit fic.

• Try a certified slump buster, but don't count on it working all the time.

Now last but not least, sometimes you may notice that your slump is because you don't have the time to read, and you're feeling bad about that. or you are being pulled to other hobbies, and that's making you feel bad about reading. As someone with a ton of hobbies, remember that they should be fun. In the summer and fall, I want to be outside more or building in my shop, so I read a bit less physical and do more audio (unless I'm on vacation). If you're feeling other hobbies, back off reading for a bit - the books will always be there for you! And if your goals are stressing you out, remember your goals are made up numbers that you can change at any time!

Let us all know down in the comments if you have any thoughts or tips on reading slumps!

The Rx: What I'm Reading and Doing

There's lots exciting going on right now! In terms of my reading plans this week:

• Reading Stoner by John Williams with the Dark Travelers. Our paid members get together and pick a book for me/us to read each month, and this is what we're doing in June!

• Middlemarch by George Eliot - I'm back on this one. It's a slow read but really good, just needs it's own time!

• Going to be listening to Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove

• Not sure what my next e-book will be!

I'm also looking for a good Nintendo Switch game, so if you have recommendations let me know! I also recently hit 25K on Instagram, and as I mentioned before am close to some cool milestones on other platforms including here on bindery, so thank you all so much for all of your support. I have some cool giveaway plans coming up!

Now the big news, you all as my Bindery members are getting an early announcement here! I am going to be starting a Fable bookclub in July. Very importantly, our current book club will not change at all, and is still my main focus! However, I recognize not everyone wants to get into the level of detail of our Discord book club, and I also want to start exploring some more diverse books outside of the SFF realm. So, I'm excited to announce Dr. Bob's Literary Apothecary on Fable! Each month, I'll be picking a diverse book to read. What do I mean by diverse? A few things:

• Diverse authors from all different backgrounds.

• Diverse genres - branching out from Sci Fi and Fantasy.

• Diverse books - finding those hidden gems/less discussed books, not the stuff that's all over social media.

Our first book in July will be Our Sister's Keeper by Jasmine Holmes! If you've been looking to try horror, I think this is a great entry point! If you are interested, head on over to the link above and join the Fable book club, and more to come this week!

Like 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! This week I want to welcome our new members: Sarah, Trav, Chelsea, and Lily!

Thank you as always for being here, and I hope you all have a great week of reading!

Movie: Shelby Oaks

Where to watch: Hulu

Plot: A woman's search for her long-lost sister becomes an obsession when she realizes a demon from their childhood may have been real, not imaginary.

Run Time: 1 hr and 31 minutes

Pre-Watch Thoughts: I love a found-footage/Mockumentray so I hope I love this one. I know I loved Lake Mungo!

Spoiler Free Commentary While Watching:

I got my candle lit, my red moodlights on, and my trusty Mochi by my side. So without further ado, let's do this.

Glitchy video is never a good sign...

The tension in the opening scene is fantastic

Love the missing Paranormal Investigators. Makes me think of Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie.

Also getting Lake Mungo vibes as well which I am all here for.

Their videos are CREEPY

OMG SIR SPOOKS. I've watched that youtube channel lol

Oooh abandoned amusement park. Yes please

I love footage where you have to look closely and see something creepy in the background.

Gotta love when the childhood demon catches up to you.

WTF JUST HAPPENED

That took a CRAZY TURN

Makes me never want to open my door again.

OH whats he got there...

Some Hell House LLC vibes as well

OMG NOPE. The scene with the person on the porch was scary

The jumpscare dun JUMPED ME GOOD

EXCUSE ME.... That was not just there in the window

Digging deep with some research. Time to connect some dots

Dang husbands need to listen...

OMG no thank you... go away dog.

I would not be exploring a haunted, abandoned prison alone... no thank you

BEHIND YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

RUNNNNN DON'T JUST SIT THERE

I always wonder when people go this deep in investigation how they expect to survive.

Now we getting blair witchy on this mo

I don't know if I trust you Norma

OH F NO

EXCUSE ME

Sure follow the creepy lady into the basement

NOPE

What in the...

but is baby demon?

alllllllrighty then....

REVIEW

3.5

Shelby Oaks is a very tense horror movie at its core. The use of found footage and a documentary really helped make this movie feel real and grounded. Watching the horrors unfold as Mia looks for her missing sister held me captive the entire time. The direction of the film was not what I was expecting by the end, but overall I still enjoyed it.

Watch Alikes: The Blair Witch, Hell House LLC, Lake Mungo

Read Alikes: Rosemary's Baby, Episode Thirteen, Going To The Six

Themes: Found Footage, Demons, Urban Exploration, Missing Person

In the poll below, help me chose next weeks movie!

The reading guides for Worse than a Lie by Ben Crump are now available in the member library!

Whether you're reading solo, with a buddy, or as part of a book club, there's a deep-dive resource designed to help you get even more from this powerful legal thriller.

📖 Solo Deep-Dive Reader Kit
https://canva.link/g2c6zbv0wk6swuv

👥 Deep Dive Buddy Reader Kit
https://canva.link/q1lqnllg0okn52r

📚 Book Club Kit & Individual Book Club Member Reader Guide
https://canva.link/jy02pc814l7bx8b

Inside you'll find discussion questions, reading prompts, reflection activities, character analysis, theme trackers, and more to help you explore the novel's themes of justice, truth, power, and accountability.

Grab your kit, start reading, and get ready for some thought-provoking conversations!

Have you started Worse than a Lie yet? Let us know your first impressions in the comments! 📖✨

#TheFirstEditions #BookClub #WorseThanALie #BenCrump #BookDiscussion #ReaderCommunity #BookClubKit #ReadersOfInstagram

A Gripping Legal Thriller About Justice, Truth, and Power

What happens when the people sworn to protect the public become the very people who threaten it?

Worse than a Lie by Ben Crump is a powerful legal thriller that blends suspense, social commentary, and courtroom drama into a story that feels both timely and deeply personal. At its heart is a fight for justice that forces readers to confront difficult questions about race, power, corruption, and the stories society chooses to believe.

About the Book

On the historic night of November 4, 2008, as America celebrates the election of its first Black president, Hollis Montrose's life is shattered. A former Black police officer from suburban Chicago, Hollis is shot ten times during a traffic stop gone horribly wrong.

Against all odds, Hollis survives. But survival is only the beginning of his nightmare.

As law enforcement officials rush to shape the narrative, Hollis finds himself not only recovering from devastating injuries but also facing wrongful criminal charges and an unreasonable bail. Determined to uncover the truth is attorney Beau Lee Cooper, a lawyer whose lifelong passion for justice pushes him into one of the most dangerous cases of his career.

As Beau Lee and his team dig deeper, they discover that the truth may be far more complicated and far more dangerous than anyone imagined.

Discussion Themes

The Power of Narrative

One of the book's most compelling themes is how quickly public narratives are formed and accepted. Throughout the story, readers are asked to consider who controls the story, whose voices are amplified, and what happens when the truth conflicts with an official version of events.

Justice Versus the Legal System

The novel explores an important distinction between what is legal and what is just. Beau Lee's pursuit of justice highlights the challenges that can arise when institutions prioritize self-preservation over accountability.

Race, Identity, and Perception

Hollis's background as a former police officer creates fascinating layers within the story. The book invites discussion about race, authority, and how identity shapes the way people are treated by systems that are supposed to serve everyone equally.

Courage in the Face of Power

Whether it's Hollis fighting to reclaim his life or Beau Lee risking his career to uncover the truth, the novel examines the personal cost of standing up against powerful institutions.

Book Club Discussion Questions

1. How did your opinion of Hollis change throughout the novel?

2. What role does public perception play in shaping the outcome of the case?

3. Did you find the portrayal of law enforcement balanced and believable? Why or why not?

4. Which character's journey resonated with you most?

5. How does the setting of the 2008 presidential election impact the story's themes?

6. What does the title Worse than a Lie mean to you after finishing the book?

7. Were there moments where you questioned who was telling the truth?

8. How does the novel explore the difference between justice and revenge?

9. What conversations do you think the author hopes readers will have after finishing the book?

10. Would you recommend this book to your book club? Why or why not?

For Your Reading Journal

As you read, consider keeping track of:

• Moments where official accounts conflict with personal testimony.

• Examples of courage shown by different characters.

• Scenes that made you question your assumptions.

• Quotes that highlight the themes of truth, justice, and accountability.

• How your perspective on the case evolves from beginning to end.

Download Your Reader Resources

Ready to dive deeper into Worse than a Lie?

📚 Free Members: Download your FREE Mini Starter Reader Kit, featuring discussion questions, reflection prompts, and reading notes to enhance your experience.

https://canva.link/fxibmdoln58ve0l 

✨ The First Editions Members: Unlock the complete collection of premium reader resources, including the Deep Dive Book Club Kit, Solo Reader Guide, Buddy Read Companion, extended discussion questions, themed activities, and exclusive bonus content.

Visit the member library to download your resources and take your reading experience even further.

Join the Conversation

This thought-provoking legal thriller raises important questions about truth, justice, and the systems we trust. We can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Do you think the truth always wins or does the story people choose to believe matter more?

Pride Month is the perfect time to highlight these incredible books featuring LGBTQ+ characters and authors, but they're worth reading all year long. 🌈📚

This stack includes:

✨ Awakening of the Starborne by Louve-Ch
✨ The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
✨ In Her Spotlight by Amy Spalding
✨ The Crack at the Heart of Everything by Fiona Fenn
✨ This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
✨ International Relations by Zac Hammett
✨ The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones by Lex Croucher
✨ Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
✨ Aunt Tigress by Emily Yu-Xuan Qin
✨ Hollow by M.L. Burns

This stack includes everything from cozy fantasy and romantasy to sci-fi, contemporary romance, and dark fantasy, all featuring LGBTQ+ representation, queer authors, or both.

And if you're curious, the four I rave about the most from this stack are The House in the Cerulean Sea, This Is How You Lose the Time War, Hollow, and Awakening of the Starborne.

• 🏡 Cozy found family (The House in the Cerulean Sea)

• ⏳ Beautifully written sapphic sci-fi (This Is How You Lose the Time War)

• 🖤 Dark, emotional romance (Hollow)

• ✨ Epic traumantasy (Awakening of the Starborne)

I can’t wait to read the rest of these books.

Have you read any of these, or are any on your TBR? I'd love to hear your favorites and get even more queer book recommendations! 🌈💜

If you're reading this, that means you have this benefit! If you haven't already, please email info@deathbytbrbooks.com for eBooks of any or all of the following titles.

Hiding Lies
Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night: A Halloween Horror Anthology
Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night: Another Halloween Horror Anthology
Small Town Slasher (Woods Bay #1)

Thank you so much for supporting me as an author and Death by TBR Books! <3

Hello Friends, and Happy (late) Trans Joy Thursday*, but in reality, I know it's Friday. My sincerest apologies.

Yesterday was my wife's birthday, so we (Trans Joy Thursday style) celebrated by loading up OUR zoo, and taking them to THE zoo. It was a mildly, sunny, warm day, but we all stayed hydrated and had a blast. Our middle sweet boy loves animals - insects, reptiles, even dinosaurs - he loves them all, so he was living his best life. Photo of him taking in the critters for tax:

We had pizza, my wife opened presents, we played a (never-ending) round of Uno (I came in dead last, my 9 year-old made sure I was aware of that) and truly enjoyed celebrating Alisha on her special day.

On Wednesday, I also started my "staycation" for a week - I don't clock back in until Wednesday, June 17th at 3pm. This week will be filled with softball games for my daughter, my second Pride event at The Attic in Green Bay, WI TOMORROW from 9a-2p (I'll post the information below) and then some summer school starting for my daughter, as well. (Plus our weekly library trip.) All in all, a very busy staycation. Here's the details for the Write In Color event tomorrow at The Attic:

Authors, bookish vendors, giveaways and a special drink menu! Say less. I truly hope I get to see you all there! I'm unbelievably so excited for this event.

Also! Don't forget that Tuesday, June 16th, we'll have our inaugural Beyond The Rainbow chat with Dr. Kaila Story, author of The Rainbow Ain't Never Been Enuf: On The Myth of LGBTQ+ Solidarity from 12-1pm CST/1-2pm EST. I'll send out the link Sunday in our newsletter as a reminder. Join the Discord where we're discussing questions you'd like me to ask, details of the book you'd like me to talk about or anything that stood out to you regarding this book:

As we're crossing into the midway mark of Pride Month, I just wanted to remind you that we should be celebrating, protecting, and uplifting not only the LGBTQIA+ community, but other marginalized communities all year long. Advocacy is so important right now. If you'd like trans or queer book recs, please scroll through my Instagram feed, or other LGBTQIA+ bookish folx you follow to spark ideas.

Trans Joy, for me, also means living out loud, and proud, and that has taken me damn near 20 years to accomplish. I just wanted you to know, that if you're reading this, and can't come out, are questioning, or in a not safe environment to celebrate, I see you and I support you, and I get it. I was once where you are. It does get better. Keep your head up. Live for tomorrow until tomorrow becomes today. I'm celebrating you for you until you can do so safely. Pride is year 'round.

I truly hope your week is ending with lots of love, peace, clarity and JOY.

Until Sunday, friends,

With all my trans joy,

Sawyer Cole

Welcome to my BINDERY!!! Wow, that's kind of crazy to say, I'm not going to lie.

If you're here, WOW! It's crazy that anyone would want to click an extra button to listen to me ramble on about books or literally anything else, but I'm very glad you're here. I want to use this site to continue highlighting my favorite reads--especially westerns, but I also enjoy reading outside of the genre as well. Some of my most frequented genres are horror, historical romance, regular old historical fiction and I also dip my toes into the fantasy pool every once in a while.

Aside from reading for fun, I also read for work as a literary agent in training. I'd love to start sharing some insights into the agenting process, if y'all are interested in hearing about it! It's been a really eye-opening process and has definitely given me new insight on the publishing industry.

Anyway, all this to say I'm so glad you're here (if you are) and I can't wait to start sharing with you!

<3 ellen

The feeling when the characters on page say something, but your toes curl and heart goes giddy up ❤️🤌✨

I love romance quotes 😭👀

Tell me a quote from a book which you wished someone would say to you? 🥰

On June 13th, Libro.fm is celebrating Audiobook Month with a global audiobook walk! Audiobooks are my favorite way to consume stories, and I am so excited to celebrate them on the 13th with a stroll. 🥳

Last week, I asked my Bindery community for their audiobook recommendations, and I wanted to share them and some of my favorites with you all in case you need some recs for the walk (or just want to add to your audiobook TBR!):

My Bindery community recommends:

• @Sawyer loves Billy Porter’s Unprotected (narrated by the author)

• @Readingwithlori loves Legendary by Stephanie Garber (narrated by Rebecca Soler) and The Survivor Wants to Die at the End by Adam Silvera (narrated by Frankie J. Alvarez, Kyla Garcia, and Anthony Rey Perez)

• Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (narrated by Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West)

• Taste by Stanley Tucci (narrated by the author)

I recommend:

• Legendary Frybread Drive-In edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith (narrated by Katie Anvil Rich, DeLanna Studi, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Darrell Dennis, Elva Guerra, Erin Tripp, and Jordan Waunch) - A welcoming, sweeping collection of interconnected stories with Native pride, food, and love.

• Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous by Autumn K. England (narrated by Dani Martineck) - A queer, heartwarming, and cozy fantasy filled with farmer's market trips and delicious treats.

• The Children by Melissa Albert (narrated by Rebecca Lowman, Saskia Maarleveld, Kristen Sieh, Leslie Aleman, and Iggy Costello) - A twisty and haunting novel perfect for readers who love dark fairytales that feel like fever dreams.

• Shim Jung Takes the Dive by Julia Riew (narrated by the author) - A hopeful, whimsical, and enchanting middle-grade fantasy with Korean folklore.

• A Potion, A Powder, a Little Bit of Magic by Philip C. Stead (narrated by Daniel Henning) - A quirky, creative, and magical middle-grade tale.

• Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin - A poignant, thoughtful, and charged yet peaceful literary fiction novel.

• The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett (narrated by Allie Shae) - An addictive and adventurous treasure-hunt romance perfect for summertime.

What are you listening to this Saturday? 🎧🫶

Happy Friday! While I have you, I’ll throw in a friendly reminder that the July, August, and September selections for the Read Herring Book Club are live! We will be reading:

• July: The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith (1955)

• August: To Catch a Thief by David Dodge (1952)

• September: The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett (1930)

Like and save the Instagram post here. Once we get to 1,000 followers, I am running a special giveaway. 😊

Psst, this was also a Cluesletter week! ICYMI, here’s a link.

This week’s reads:

• The Heirs by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (finished): A YA mystery in the vein of Knives Out! Really enjoyed the pacing, twists, and characterization in this one. Sometimes the seventeen-year-olds came off wiser (and more weathered) than their years but I found the mystery to be solid and the story overall very engaging.

• Murder at the Spirit Lounge by Jess Kidd (currently reading): Almost finished with this one. I love Jess Kidd’s writing (as expected) and thoroughly admire Nora Breen. I have several theories for whodunnit—and why—so I am eagerly awaiting the big reveal.

• Breakout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon (currently reading): It’s apparently the summer of YA for me—this one follows a group of six rich teens as they spend spring break at a luxury resort, with disastrous consequences. I can’t wait to see what those consequences are.

This week’s book mail:

• The Clock House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji: An abandoned house with a haunting past, and a team of paranormal investigators trapped inside—only brilliant detective Shimada Kiyoshi can save them.

• She Walks at Night by Seishi Yokomizo: Scruffy sleuth Kosuke Kindaichi is called to the home of the aristocratic Furugami family, where in the midst of the Musashino countryside and enclosed on all sides by a long earthen wall, a gruesome scandal is brewing.

Thank you, Pushkin Press for these gifted books!

Yours mysteriously,

Manon

Friends,

I'm sorry, I've been mostly absent recently. I've been covering for a colleague in my day job, and likely will be for sometime and I also am going through a major life event which I'm not quite ready to discuss publicly yet, but I'm doing what I can when I can, so I hope you'll remain patient with me. These next few months might be a little spotty.

If you missed my earlier announcement, I am on the hunt for our third book.

I have gotten some great pitches and submissions (and we've only just started looking).

I think a lot of that speaks to our reputation, both the reputation of Bindery, and specifically Boozhoo Books. We are publishing SOME BANGERS.

I picked up a story last night that is giving me a very similar feeling to the feeling I got when I read both What Feeds Below and Cracks: WOW. Wholly unique. I already told our acquisitions director that I THINK I MIGHT HAVE FOUND THE ONE.

The story was pitched as a horror and I don't think that's the right category and I don't think that really matters. I think this is what I want my imprint to be known for: Unique stories, told from voices that don't always get the chance to be heard. Unputtdownable stories. Consumable stories. Stories that come to life off the page.

I can't say much more than that on this public page. I will be sharing some plot points and more about the story to my paid members this weekend, so if you have been thinking about upgrading, not only do you get arcs of all our books and support this incredible imprint and mission- YOU GET THE SECRETS EARLY. Upgrade to $5 and hop in our exclusive paid members discord channel.

(I've also got a super secret What Feeds Below paid update coming this Sunday and the cover for Cracks is going to be available to paid members SOON!)

Thanks so much for supporting this imprint, y'all! It's because of you that these stories are coming to life.

Hold my beer! Scenes from my Cleveland book launch of American Triage!

Sickos! Yesterday, digital copies of A Complement of Scoundrels by S.V. Lockwood were delivered to Sicko+ subscribers and physical copies began shipping to Mega Sicko/Sicko Society members. If you got that email, you were among the members who joined before the 3/10/26 cutoff to receive those early copies. HUZZAH!

I found this gem in a pile of manuscripts last year and since then the whole team has been working on it daily, so this is a huge moment for everyone involved. And as I've said many times and will continue to say, this book and the Kist Reads publishing imprint only exists because this community exists and I'm forever grateful to every single one of you.

We're so happy to get this to you 3 months before its official release in September, which also means you have a very important role to play regarding its success!

Why We Chose It...

A Complement of Scoundrels is a high-stakes, female-led fantasy heist packed with elaborate schemes, betrayals, and sharp banter between its plucky crew. At its center is Myria Cadessa, a cunning thief determined to reclaim what was stolen from her. The world crackles with magic, flavored with touches of steampunk and Ancient Roman influence. The writing is remarkably polished, there's a constant sense of momentum and tension, and the whole thing is just so damn clever. Here's the back cover blurb for more on it:

There are many ways to bring down the man who betrayed you—and Myria Cadessa has thought of them all.

Cracking the Elysius Vault should’ve made Myria the richest thief in all Carintheum. Instead, it shattered her crew and left her rotting in jail while her double-crossing master walked away with everything that should’ve been hers.

But now she’s out, and it’s time to settle the score. Reunite her crew? A pleasure. Steal back everything her erstwhile leader took? And then some. She’ll just need to trick the king of all tricksters, with the law on her heels, and a troublesome new ally whose loyalties seem as conflicted as his feelings for Myria. It’s the most audacious heist she’s ever attempted, but she failed her crew once. This time, she’ll make it right—at any cost.

A Complement of Scoundrels is a bold, raucous journey through the underbelly of an empire where the devil’s rules reign, and morality, loyalty, and friendship are values few can afford. But where there’s a wit, there’s a way—and Myria has plenty of that.

As we prepared the book for publication, we also reached out to established fantasy authors for their thoughts.

John Gwynne said:

“I loved this. Starting with a heist and morphing into a revenge story; it's a terrific debut. Well-drawn, sympathetic characters lead the way, with an ensemble of rogues and a gallery of side characters, a beautifully constructed world and a villain to loathe. This is a book I would highly recommend. A lot of fun with an emotional punch.”

Nicholas Eames added:

"A stunningly imaginative debut. Lockwood’s prose is smart, sharp, and relentlessly charming. The city of Carintheum, from its vibrant streets to the seedy warrens of the grayside, is as colourful and compelling as the characters who inhabit it. I was hooked from the very first page, and I seriously doubt I’ll read a better book this year."

Those reactions from respected/beloved authors confirmed what I already knew; we have a certified banger on our hands. And now it's in your hands! I hope this slaps for you the same way it did for me and that you get caught up in all the impossible situations Myria and the crew keep finding themselves in. Most of all, I hope you have a great time.

A Few Ways You Can Help...

1. Read it and talk about it!

One of the biggest things you can do is simply share your experience. Post reading updates, share favorite characters, memorable quotes, best schemes, a twist that caught you off guard, or moments that made you laugh. If you post anything on socials feel free to tag me, S.V. Lockwood, and Bindery so we can celebrate alongside you.

2. Add it to your Goodreads/StoryGraph shelves

This is an underrated signal that readers are interested in a book before release. They help recommendation algorithms surface the book to new readers, give retailers and booksellers another data point that people are paying attention, and provide publishers (us) with an early indication of audience interest (I get a report on these numbers every month, they're important!). In short, it only takes a few seconds but it's one of the easiest ways to support a forthcoming release.

3. Leave an honest review

Once you've finished the book, consider leaving a rating or review on Goodreads, StoryGraph, Amazon or wherever you track your reading. And I mean it when I say "honest". I know not every book is for everyone and the goal here is to help readers decide whether this is a book they'll love. Thoughtful reviews help books find the right audience and they're one of the most valuable things you can do for an author.

4. Join the conversation

I've set up a buddy read forum in our Discord where we can share reactions, first impressions, theories, updates, etc.. I'd love to chat about this one with you and witness how you experience it for the first time.

5. Recommend it to a friend

If you're reading the book and think of someone who would love it, tell them about it! Word of mouth remains one of the most powerful forces in publishing and every recommendation helps the book reach readers who might otherwise never discover it.

What's Next?

We're continuing to build momentum toward publication day and there are even more exciting developments happening behind the scenes, including the development of the audiobook (we sold the audiobook rights to Tantor Media, one of the leading audiobook publishers in fantasy and science fiction!). We've nailed down the perfect narrator for it in Gabrielle Baker, and I can't f'n wait to hear the final product.

Thank you again for helping make all this possible and I can't wait to hear what you think.

"I have spent my entire life fighting to be seen, and I am not sure if I can continue much longer without anything to show for it."

GENRE: Historical Romantic Fantasy
RATING: 4.5/5
FORMAT: eBook & physical ARC
Tropes: Women in STEM, Bickering co-workers, falling in lover over letters, inspired by the 1900s Chicago

Overall Impression: Overall, I think this debut did an amazing job of blending all the different elements of the book, while keeping it light-hearted and a fun read. We somehow get to enjoy a journey of getting to know Josie & Reid, while understanding their standing in the world and how who they are as BIPOC individuals shaped them.

Review:
Letters from the Last Apothecary is for the people who enjoy epistolary novels, like Divine Rivals combined with the element of Academics that we see in Emily Wilde's books! I knew when I first heard of these two comp title, I'd need to read Letters from the Last Apothecary because I'm a HUGE fan of letters, footnotes and academics in Fiction books 🤭

And I wasn't wrong to be excited for it! I FLEW through this book. It's a Historical Romantic Fantasy with a little bit of Mystery and discussion of the different difficulties both of our MCs face as two BIPOC individuals. We also get to see how Josie faces being a women in the STEM field throughout the book and the barriers she faces overall. I think that is one of my favourite aspect to Letters from the Last Apothecary: the way we dive into a lot of social construct that are inspired by the 1900s Chicago setting and at the same time, we get to know both Reid and Josie through their POVs.

Bita manages to deliver all the different elements without overwhelming us as readers and we get to know both Reid and Josie, understand each of their own dreams and wants while also learning about the barriers they faced in society individually and painting a picture of the world they are in.

And, in terms of their Romance, I enjoyed their dynamic and thought it was a well done Slow-burn with them knowing each other through letters AND meeting in the apothecary, which then becomes a place that brings them together and keeps them there.

While I really enjoyed this book, the main reason it didn't get a full 5 star was because I did want to see a bit of development from the dynamic that Josie and Reid shared as co-workers to realising who they each were. I felt we got to spend more time with Josie on this than Reid and that impacted the flow of the Romance aspect for me.

I am so excited to read more by Bita and just adding here that I have seen Letters from the Last Apothecary described as cozy and I wouldn't call it cozy to me personally but more Charming (as Bita describes it) or Light Academia. This book is definitely slower paced but not cozy as it's got a lot of adventures and focuses on a lot of things that you wouldn't expect in a Cozy Fantasy book (it is definitely light-hearted with a few heavy topics).

I was provided a free advance reader copy and I’m sharing my honest thoughts.

Happy Friday! Ready for another round of faves? Be sure to share your faves in my Discord server as well.

My favorite book I read this week was One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller. Grace is a newly out trans girl in her senior year of high school. She had been on track to be recruited as a kicker for college football, but stopped playing to begin her transition. However, after her school's team has a rough start, the captains and coach ask her to return to the team, and she does.

My favorite kind of YA novel is the kind with big, messy feelings, and this book delivers. Friend feelings, romantic feelings, football feelings, family feelings.

I liked that Grace encountered people who were supportive, antagonistic, and even indifferent about her transition. Some parts were tough to read - there is quite a bit of verbal and physical transphobia. However, it felt very real to me. This book isn't set in a perfect world, it's set in a world where people have complex and even nonsensical feelings.

If you like football, you can tell that Zeller knows her stuff when it comes to the nuts and bolts of the game. If you don't, it's fine and you'll still know what's happening (this is me, lol).

I feel like this book went kind of under the radar when it should have been big on YA/queer bookstagram. I hope you'll pick it up!

My non-bookish fave this week is that it's pool season! Last year, my spouse installed a stock tank pool in our backyard and it's possibly the best money we've ever spent. It's looking like we're on track for a very hot summer, and I plan to be in the pool for as much of it as possible.