The Crimson Dagger has arrived and your complete Steelborn Reader Kits are officially ready for The First Editions! ⚔️📚

We’ve been busy behind the scenes turning Taylor J. LaRue’s Steelborn into a full reading experience, and now it’s time for you to grab your kits and get reading, discussing, predicting, debating, snacking, and maybe becoming just a little too emotionally attached to Reya and Caelan.

Never run. Never bow. Never die.

But definitely download your kits. 😉

🗡️ FOUR FULL STEELBORN READER KITS ARE READY

Whether you're reading with your entire book club, a buddy, or completely on your own, we've created a kit to make your reading experience even better.

📚 THE FULL BOOK CLUB KIT

Planning an in-person or virtual book club meeting?

Your complete Steelborn Book Club Kit includes everything you need to turn your discussion into a full fantasy reading experience:

🧭 Complete discussion guide
🍷 Themed food & recipes
🗡️ Themed activities
🗝️ Crimson Dagger Heist
🎁 Themed door-prize ideas
🏆 Printable awards
📝 Voting & rating pages
💻 Virtual meeting resources
📋 Host checklist
📸 Bookish social-media ideas
…and plenty more!

👉 Tap the link to download your full Steelborn Book Club Kit. Book Club Kit & Individual Book Club Member Reader Guide

📖 THE FULL INDIVIDUAL READER GUIDE

Want something to use while you're reading?

Your Individual Reader Guide is designed to help you slow down and get even more immersed in the story.

Track:

❤️ Reya & Caelan
🔥 Romance & chemistry
🗡️ Tropes
🔮 Predictions & theories
🕵️ Secrets & lies
✨ Magic & world-building
😱 Emotional reactions
📚 Favorite moments
⭐ Final ratings

👉 Tap the link to download your full Individual Reader Guide. Book Club Kit & Individual Book Club Member Reader Guide

🗡️ THE FULL BUDDY READER KIT

Reading Steelborn with your favorite bookish buddy?

This kit is built specifically for two readers, whether you're meeting face-to-face or reading from opposite sides of the country.

You'll get:

🗓️ Reading checkpoints
🧭 Spoiler-safe discussions
❤️ Romance conversations
🔮 Prediction challenges
🗡️ Two-person activities
🍷 Themed food & drinks
🗝️ Buddy Heist activity
🎁 Prize ideas
🏆 Final awards
💻 Virtual buddy-read resources
…and more!

👉 Tap the link to download your full Steelborn Buddy Reader Kit. Buddy Reader Kit 

🔮 THE FULL SOLO READER KIT

Prefer to experience Steelborn on your own?

We've got you.

Your Full Solo Reader Kit is designed to turn your reading time into an immersive personal adventure with:

🗡️ Character dossiers
🔥 Trope tracking
❤️ Romance tracking
🔮 Prediction vaults
🕵️ Secret & lie tracking
✨ Magic & world-building pages
😱 Emotional reaction trackers
🎨 Creative activities
🍷 Themed recipes
🏆 Final awards
📸 Bookish photo challenges
📚 Reading reflections
…and more!

👉 Tap the link to download your full Steelborn Solo Reader Kit. Solo Reader Kit 

📚 And Don't Miss Our Steelborn Deep Dive!

Finished Steelborn?

Then you definitely need to read our Page Ladies Book Club Deep Dive Book Review.

Our six-member book club takes a closer look at the characters, romance, fantasy elements, world-building, tropes, twists, and the moments that gave us plenty to talk about.

We've already finished the book, so this is where we can really get into the story and our thoughts without holding back.

👉 Tap to read our full Steelborn Deep Dive Book Club Review.

⚠️ Finished reading first if you want to avoid spoilers!

⚔️ Your Steelborn Reading Adventure Starts Now

So, First Editions, grab your copy of Steelborn, download your favorite or all four Reader Kits, and get ready to enter Rhiterra.

Read it.

Annotate it.

Track the tropes.

Make your predictions.

Argue with fictional characters.

Fall for the immortal warrior.

Make something delicious.

And then come back and tell us everything.

Because around here, we don't just read the book.

We make the book club experience part of the story. 🖤📚

💬 FIRST EDITIONS QUESTION

Which Steelborn Reader Kit are you using first: the Full Book Club Kit, Individual Reader Guide, Buddy Reader Kit, or Solo Reader Kit?

#Steelborn #TaylorJLaRue #ThePageLadiesBookClub #TheFirstEditions #BookClubKit #RomantasyBooks #FantasyRomance #BookishCommunity

Never run. Never bow. Never die.

Six Page Ladies. One fantasy romance. An immortal warrior. A notorious thief. A deadly curse. A whole lot of magic. And enough enemies-to-lovers tension to keep our book club talking long after we turned the final page.

We went into Steelborn by Taylor J. LaRue ready for fantasy, romance, danger, and adventure and this book gave us all of that with a side of deadly heists, complicated characters, buried secrets, and one extremely inconvenient attraction. ⚔️🔥

After reading and discussing Steelborn as a book club, we had a LOT of thoughts.

So let's get into our deep dive.

📚 Our Honest Take on Steelborn

At the center of Steelborn is Reya Connery, the Crimson Dagger, a notorious thief who has built her reputation around three simple rules:

Never run. Never bow. Never die.

Reya knows how to survive. She's clever, cocky, dangerous, fiercely independent, and very good at keeping her secrets buried.

But when a heist goes wrong just as she's about to pay off a dangerous debt to a ruthless crime lord, survival suddenly requires a new plan and probably a lot more coin.

Enter Caelan Halcyon, an immortal warrior whose magic has made him a valuable target and whose curse is slowly inching toward his heart.

He needs a cure.

Reya might be the only person capable of finding it.

There's just one tiny problem:

They absolutely cannot stand each other.

Naturally, this is where things get fun.

Their reluctant partnership takes them far beyond the original mission, toward the edge of the known world and into a conflict much bigger than either of them expected.

What begins as a desperate attempt to survive becomes a fight involving magic, power, secrets, revenge, attraction, and the fate of the magic-born.

And yes, our book club had plenty to say about all of it.

🗡️ Reya Connery: The Crimson Dagger

Let's start with Reya because this woman knows how to make an entrance.

She's not waiting around for someone to save her.

She's the one with the dagger.

Reya has survived by relying on her instincts, her skills, her rules, and her ability to stay several steps ahead of everyone around her. Her reputation as the Crimson Dagger isn't something she was simply handed; she earned it.

But underneath that confidence is a character carrying secrets, anger, pain, and a lifetime of learning not to trust anyone.

One of the things we found interesting about Reya was the tension between the woman she's convinced herself she has to be and the person she might actually want to become.

Her rules have protected her.

But they may also be keeping her trapped.

And that became one of the bigger topics we discussed as a group.

⚔️ Caelan Halcyon: The Cursed Immortal Warrior

Then there's Caelan.

An immortal warrior.

A powerful magic user.

A man who is running out of time.

And apparently, someone who was designed in a laboratory specifically to make a fantasy-romance reader forget all their responsibilities.

Okay, that last part may be our opinion. 😂

Caelan's curse is slowly moving toward his heart, and finding the legendary cure isn't just a matter of convenience, it's a race against death.

Unfortunately, the person who may be able to help him is Reya Connery.

The notorious thief.

The woman he doesn't trust.

The woman he absolutely does not want to need.

The woman he is increasingly attracted to.

Oh, Caelan. You poor, doomed man.

🔥 The Romance: Enemies, Reluctant Allies & WAY Too Much Chemistry

If you're here for enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance, Steelborn knows exactly what it's doing.

Reya and Caelan come from completely different worlds.

She's a thief who trusts survival instincts over honor.

He's an immortal warrior who values honor and duty.

She bends the rules.

He follows them.

She doesn't trust easily.

He has every reason to distrust her.

So naturally…

They have to work together.

Their forced partnership gives the romance plenty of friction, banter, suspicion, and attraction.

And we loved that their relationship doesn't happen in a vacuum. Their feelings develop while they're dealing with danger, secrets, curses, enemies, and increasingly enormous stakes.

There's always something threatening to blow everything up.

Which, let's be honest, is exactly what we want from our fantasy-romance couples.

🔥 The Steelborn Trope Check

For our trope-loving readers, here's where Steelborn really shines.

🗡️ Our trope radar picked up:

🔥 Enemies to lovers
⚔️ Reluctant allies
🖤 Morally gray characters
🗡️ Notorious thief heroine
⚔️ Immortal warrior hero
💀 Cursed hero
✨ Magic and supernatural powers
💰 Heists and criminal underworld
🔥 Forced partnership
❤️ Romantic tension
🌎 Epic fantasy journey
🔮 Hidden secrets
🩸 Deadly enemies
💥 High-stakes fantasy adventure
👑 Fate-of-the-world stakes

Basically?

If your TBR is powered by tropes, Steelborn brought snacks.

🌎 From One Botched Heist to the Fate of the Magic-Born

One thing we appreciated about Steelborn was the way the story expands.

It doesn't remain a simple “thief helps cursed warrior find a cure” adventure.

The farther Reya and Caelan travel, the larger the stakes become.

Their journey takes them toward the edge of the known world, where secrets begin coming to light and Reya has to confront more than just external enemies.

She also has to confront the rage she's spent years trying to bury.

And suddenly, their personal survival isn't the only thing at stake.

The fate of the magic-born is hanging in the balance.

That escalation gave us plenty to discuss because the story keeps shifting from personal stakes to much bigger consequences.

🧭 What We Actually Discussed at The Page Ladies Book Club

This is where our book club members really got into it.

After reading Steelborn, we didn't just stop at “Did you like it?”

We talked about the characters, the romance, the choices they made, the rules they lived by, and what happens when those rules stop working.

Here are some of the questions and topics that actually came up during our book club discussion:

🗡️ 1. Do Reya's rules protect her or hold her back?

Reya's rules have helped her survive, but we talked about whether they're actually keeping her safe or preventing her from moving beyond the life she's created for herself.

⚔️ 2. Could Reya and Caelan ever really understand each other?

These two approach practically everything differently.

We discussed whether their opposing values ultimately make them stronger together or create problems that could never truly be overcome.

🖤 3. How much should we forgive a morally gray character?

Reya makes questionable choices, but we also understand why she's made them.

That led us into a bigger discussion about whether understanding a character's motivations changes how much we forgive their actions.

🔮 4. Would you trust someone you don't like if your life depended on them?

Caelan desperately needs Reya, even though trusting her goes against practically everything he believes.

We debated whether survival would make us put our trust in someone we fundamentally didn't trust.

💥 5. When do personal choices become bigger than the people making them?

Reya and Caelan begin with very personal goals.

But their choices eventually affect something much larger than either of them.

We talked about how their individual journeys connect to the larger threat facing the magic-born.

❤️ 6. Are Reya and Caelan's differences what make their chemistry work?

Obviously, we had to talk about the romance.

😂

Their opposing personalities create so much of their tension, and we discussed whether that friction made their attraction more compelling.

🗡️ 7. Who would you actually trust in the world of Steelborn?

This one was fun because this world is full of secrets, competing motivations, and characters who don't always tell the whole truth.

Let's just say…

Trust was not handed out freely at our book club table.

⭐ Our Final Page Ladies Verdict

Steelborn gave us the kind of fantasy-romance reading experience that works especially well for a book club because there's something to talk about beyond the romance.

We had Reya's character arc.

Caelan's curse.

Their enemies-to-lovers tension.

The question of trust.

The moral gray areas.

The magic.

The secrets.

The escalating stakes.

And, of course, the jawline.

😂

Taylor J. LaRue creates a story that blends fantasy romance, adventure, magic, danger, thieves, immortal warriors, curses, and high-stakes worldbuilding while giving readers two characters with plenty of friction to keep things interesting.

For readers who love enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance, morally gray characters, cursed heroes, strong heroines, forced proximity, magical worlds, deadly quests, and slow-burning romantic tension, Steelborn is definitely one to add to your TBR.

And for book clubs?

Bring your opinions.

Because Reya and Caelan are the kind of characters who give everyone something to say.

📚 Want to Dive Deeper Into Steelborn?

We've already read it.

We've discussed it.

We've debated it.

We've brought Reya, Caelan, the magic, the romance, and all the questionable decisions to The Page Ladies Book Club table.

Now we're giving you the tools to create your own Steelborn discussion.

Whether you're reading with a full book club, tackling the book with a buddy, or enjoying it on your own, we've created resources to help you dig deeper into the characters, relationships, themes, magic, and major discussion points.

✨ Tap the link to download your FREE mini versions: https://canva.link/d78e9klzqjxl7na 

📖 Mini Book Club Kit & Individual Book Club Member Reading Guide
👯 Buddy Reader Kit
📚 Solo Reading Kit

Want the complete experience?

Join The First Editions to unlock the full Steelborn book club kits and take your discussion even deeper.

Because sometimes finishing a book isn't the end of the experience.

It's where the best conversations begin. 📚💬

💙 Thank You!

A huge thank-you to The Novl and Taylor J. LaRue for sharing Steelborn with us.

We loved getting the opportunity to read, discuss, debate, and obsess over this story together!

🗡️ Now We Want to Hear From You!

If you were Reya, would you break your own rules to save Caelan or would you stick to the Crimson Dagger's code no matter what?

And, more importantly…

Which Steelborn trope would get you to immediately add this book to your TBR? 👀📚

#Steelborn #TaylorJLaRue #FantasyRomance #Romantasy #FantasyBooks #BookClub #BookClubDiscussion #BookReview #FantasyRomanceBooks #EnemiesToLovers #RomantasyBooks #BookRecommendations #BookClubKit #ThePageLadiesBookClub

Hey all, I'm back from my li'l vacation so let's get this week's update! Let me know the books you plan on reading this week in the comments and I'll share with you what I'm workin' on!

READING

REVIEW

SUNBURN by CHLOE MICHELLE HOWARTH (literary fiction)

Progress: Finished

Holy shit! I mean, holy f'n shit! I'd heard this was a wild one and I God was it ever. This was yearning on nuclear, world-ending levels and the religious imagery and exploration of Catholic guilt and young love was all just so beautifully done. I was literally holding my breath for the final sentence. This is the type of bonkers I want from any story with heavy romance from now on.

FIRE & BLOOD by GEORGE RR MARTIN (fantasy)

Progress: 350/706

I didn't even mean to pick this up I was just spot-checking things vs. the show and ended up starting from the beginning because I'm a goblin. Anyway, the King is dead, long live the King (Viserys I)! As a history reader the way this is written appeals to me, and The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu takes a similar approach to the narrative history style, if you're into that kinda thing. I'm gonna set this aside so I can start the book club reads but I'll come back to it right after.

PREVIEW/AUGUST BOOK CLUB PICKS

Little bit of a late start but this week will be all about the Fiction/History Sickos Book Club picks, The Odyssey by Homer (any translation) and Black Flag, Blue Waters by Eric Jay Dolin. I didn't get nearly as much reading done as I anticipated last week but we're gonna get stuck in.

EVERYTHING ELSE

• Publishing News: ICYMI we announced our second acquisition earlier this month, Grave of Petals by Ofelia J. Vazquez!

• Game of the Week: I'm up to level 52 in Assassin's Creed Odyssey with plenty of game left. This'll go great with The Odyssey read (there's so many pig farms in the game).

• Show of the Week: I'm just about all the way done with my House of the Dragon re-watch so S3 will be started this week.

• Movie of the Week: idk but I did see Spiderman in the theater last week so that was a good time.

• I'll be going to England in September, huzzah! This is part of an event for Infinite Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver, which is a sequel to the excellent Artificial Wisdom. September 11th, at the London, Penguin Random House HQ, I'll be co-hosting an event with my honorary sisters Kris & Mads. It's an exclusive event with only 150 spots, and you can apply to secure a spot here.

• Our Monthly Wrap Call in Discord will be Tuesday, 8pm EST!

Hi frens,

We've partnered with Bookshop.org to giveaway some copies of Resonant! Be sure to enter here before August 28th for your chance to win.

Yes, you read that right!

you can now order a copy of What Feeds Below with these gorgeous sprayed edges by Ink and Edge books! You might need another copy, I dunnnnnnnno!!

https://inkandedgebooks.com/products/what-feeds-below-preorder?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleATmtZpwZG9mAmZkaWQWUMNR9x0Zx7nVUYxzKp_uJ3cbO9RykWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp1_G5-GOPrd-N-cGCbZgo86DFI3sRdORv0PQbwkv1vgEO3FIr14Jz084rpYN_aem_Z8fgM-8ByyqQJasDPgI6VA

Happy Monday, mis internet amigxs!

Our September book club selection is for the chismosas!!

There was a tiny bit of a difference with our fiction picks in the results here on Bindery and Discord, so I defaulted to Discord results, which leaned towards a book that just released on paperback!

Here's a recap of where we are and what we're reading next, for those who have been thinking about joining us for book club discussions on Discord and need a little push.

AUGUST - CURRENTLY READING

FICTION: The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

NONFICTION SIDEQUEST: We are finishing up Cuba: An American History for Ada Ferrer

SEPTEMBER - Latinx Heritage Month begins September 15th

FICTION: The Grand Paloma Resort by Clevis Natera

NONFICTION SIDEQUEST: First month of reading The Latinx Guide To Liberation by Vanessa Pezzo

OCTOBER - Latinx Heritage Month ends October 15th

FICTION: You Should Have Been Nicer To My Mom by Vincent Tirado

NONFICTION: Second month of reading The Latinx Guide To Liberation by Vanessa Pezzo

November/December book club polls will be up later this week, as we begin looking at closing out 2026 reading--be prepared for something a little bit different as we close out the year.

Hope your week is off to a great start!

xoxo,

Carmen

This week my guest is Alicia Thompson, the author of five adult romance novels including With Love, From Cold World and Never Been Shipped. We talked about balancing magical realism with grounded characterization in her new book In Every Possible Way. Plus: Alicia’s amazing newsletter about music, our hatred of the “reverse” trope, and how she writes men worth falling for.

Listen on:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Castbox

• Libsyn

Follow Alicia on Instagram @aliciabooks and on Substack at aliciabooks.substack.com. Purchase Alicia's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REAbooks

Rep the podcast with Rebel Ever After MERCH! Browse our new store here: https://rebeleverafter.creator-spring.com/

Don't forget to rate and review on your favorite podcast app, too!

Theme music created by Dalton Deschain.

Media mentioned this episode:

• Hype & Type marketing newsletter: bethearchetype.substack.com

• Ulysses by James Joyce

• Groundhog Day (1993)

• Chernobyl (2019, HBO)

• The Cranberries

• Tom Petty

• Kelly Clarkson

Ella's Upcoming events:

8/12: Celebrating Sea of Charms with Sarah Beth Durst at Northport Books in Northport, Long Island. Tickets here.

8/26: Rebel Ever After Bindery virtual launch party with special guests Adib Khorram, Laura Piper Lee, and Erin Baldwin. Join for free on Bindery to attend.

9/3: Launching Love Me Like a Rock Song with Shelly Jay Shore at the Ripped Bodice BK. Tickets here.

9/30: Launching Happily Ever Afterlife with Emma R. Alban at the Ripped Bodice BK. Tickets here.

This past week was busy busy for me so there wasn't a lot happening on the reading front, but let's get into it. Books marked with a * were gifted to me.

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston* - This was a reread for me, as it was my Spicy Book Club's pick this month. I know this book was divisive when it came out, and I'm glad to say I'm still firmly on the I LOVE IT side. The descriptions of the food and countryside are just so glorious. I am also a fan of how instead of alternating POVs each chapter, it switches once halfway through the book. I think that helps keep the miscommunication from being too frustrating.

Together We See by Ari Tison* - I have never read a book starring the Bribri people of Costa Rica, and this YA mystery made me feel like I was right on the territory with them. It went on a little long with no progress on the mystery for me, though I don't know if that's just a function of it being YA or not. I really liked watching siblings Ulá and Kabék work through their complicated relationships with their father, each other, and their ancestors.

I also had one DNF this week: What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. It wasn't bad, just repetitive. I was listening to the audiobook, which is just audio of the interviews, and it started feeling like I was listening to the same podcast over and over again. I made it 27% in before DNFing.

Hello Cozy Family!!

What have you been reading recently?

Here's a quick recap of what I've read and brief thoughts on them:

1. Once Upon A Crime by Brynn Kelly - 5 stars! (audiobook)

I had no expectations going into this audiobook. It had been in my Audible library for a long while after a random impulse add a couple of years ago. But wow!! I LOVED this book so much!! I did not want to stop listening to it and I did not want it to end! It was so much fun!

1. Elsie Silver

I read Flawless, the first in the Chestnut Springs series, a few years back and remembering thinking it was just okay so never carried on. But recently I was heading into a reading slump and thought just why not, so I picked the next one up (Heartless). Suffice to say I have now finished the Chestnut Springs series and have gone back to read the Gold Rush Ranch series (currently reading the first one now - Off To The Races).

Flawless - 4 stars (2024)

Heartless - 5 stars!!

Powerless - 3.5 stars

Reckless - 4.5 stars

Hopeless - 4.5 stars

Heartless was definitely my favourite, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I also loved Reckless and Hopeless. Without rereading Flawless, I would take that 4 stars with a pinch of salt. I remember not liking it that much and was surprised when I saw I rated it 4 stars honestly. I think my rating may have partly been a subconscious peer pressure at the time as so many people loved it. I plan to reread it soon and see if it really is a 4 star or not. Despite Powerless being 3.5 stars, I do think I enjoyed it more than Flawless from what memory serves. So stay tuned for that update when I manage to reread it.

1. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid - 5 stars!! (audiobook)

I don't have enough words, the right words, or even any words currently to fully express my love for this book. I am planning to write out a full review, which I think will end up more an essay of love. So stay tuned for that in the near future. In the meantime, just know this book is everything to me.

1. The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem - 3 stars

2. The Jasad Crown - DNF

This is a duology that I need to take a bit of time to try and understand my full thoughts and work out why it didn't work for me. Because it should have been something I loved. So many people rave about this duology and I can understand why but it unfortunately wasn't for me.

I'm currently reading:

1. The Martian by Andy Weir (audiobook)

2. Off To The Races by Elsie Silver

3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

4. The Odyssey - Emily Wilson translation (audiobook and physical book immersion reading)

And very soon I will be starting Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson, which is our book club pick for August.

Until next time,

Charlotte xx

In One Sentence: The book club will be pivoting to focus on banned books, both reading them and working against book banning.

In Several Paragraphs: In a little over a week, I'll celebrate the 1-year anniversary of posting silly videos of my face on the internet. Believe it or not, the very first video I ever posted was just a shout into the void encouraging people to start a book club (and lauding the always-excellent Glorious Exploits).

In the 12 months since then, my collective channels have racked up ~36K followers and tens of millions of views, which is chump change on the internet, but has manifestly changed my life for the better, and I'm truly grateful for everyone who made it possible.

Unfortunately, in the mad scramble of an internet newbie to say yes to opportunities, I've handled some things better than others, and a constant source of personal shame for me has been how poorly I've handled this book club.

Part of the problem is being spread a little too thin, but I think a greater issue has been loving the idea of having a book club, but never really knowing what to do with it. Book clubs seem to work best when they organize around some point of commonality, either in the members or in the genre read. Well, we're on the internet, and I don't want to exclude anyone from the group on the basis of identity. My reading habits are also too haphazard to easily focus on a single genre — in the last week alone, I've read literary fiction, self-improvement, and two (!!) Warhammer 40K books. I don't know how to neatly package that other than say "hey, it's me."

Not to mention, I share my book content on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, where the vast majority of my audience is. I'd be shocked if any of you found me through any other source. So what's special about the community on Bindery?

BUT! After some reflection, I've realized there is one area of my reading that can 1) include everyone, 2) serve as a framework for a common reading list, and 3) involve collaboration and discussion that doesn't easily happen on the short form video channels.

I'm talking, of course, about my near-fanatical opposition to book banning, wherever it happens to exist. I've made several videos on the subject in the last year, and for years before I posted a single picture, made a habit of reading at least a few banned books every year.

So, in the coming weeks I'm going to pivot what little I have here towards banned books. There will be more to come on what that looks like, and I'm targeting an official launch of 9/1 (in time for back to school, anyone?) but if you want to join along with an August read, I just picked up Last Night at the Telegraph Club, a much-lauded book I'd never heard of until it showed up on the "Most Banned Books of 2025" lists a few months ago.

More to come as I update the copy on this website, restructure the Discord, and otherwise get organized...

Hi friends,

I hope you had a lovely Disability Pride Month and start to August! I was able to track down 20 books ft disabled main characters that released in July!

books by own voices or otherwise disabled authors

Extracurricular by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Genre: romance

Representation: PTSD, panic attacks

Lord of the Wood by E.M. Anderson

Genre: fantasy horror

Representation: autism, chronic fatigue, chronic pain

Burn Her They Said by Cherish Wright

Genre: fantasy romance

Representation: autoimmune disorder

Wild Goose Chase by Sarah Adler

Genre: romance

Representation: neurodivergence

Double Standard by Mallory Thomas

Genre: romance

Representation: ehlers danlos syndrome

Breakup for Two by E.M. Wilson

Genre: romance

Representation: endometriosis

The Body's Betrayal by Violet Roseberry

Genre: poetry

Representation: chronic illness

Yes, Chef by Grace Reilly

Genre: romance

Representation: ADHD

Darker Shore: Letters from Ketterdam by Leigh Bardugo

Genre: YA fantasy

Representation: PTSD, cane user, chronic pain

Heartstopper: Volume 6 by Alice Oseman

Genre: YA romance, graphic novel

Representation: OCD, eating disorder, depression

books by non-disabled authors*

*or authors of unknown ability

Alex, by Proxy by Karen Myna Cantor

Genre: YA contemporary

Representation: PTSD, dysautonomia, munchausen by proxy

Whole Together by Nomi J. Avery

Genre: romantic suspense

Representation: PTSD, amputee

Wrangled by the Star by Nikki Jewell

Genre: romance

Representation: anxiety

Scream for Me by Ayla Valentine

Genre: dark romance

Representation: PTSD

Checking Out Santa by L.E. Wagensveld

Genre: romance

Representation: migraines

Tethered Love by Ann Einerson

Genre: romance

Representation: type 1 diabetes

The Winged Game by Sophie Kim

Genre: fantasy romance

Representation: PTSD, panic attacks

The Demon Star by Jesse Aragon

Genre: science fiction

Representation: addiction, alcoholism

The Final Score by Lana Ferguson

Genre: romance

Representation: anxiety, panic attacks

The Case of Elmwood Ranch by Deanna Grey

Genre: paranormal romance, mystery

Representation: anxiety, panic attacks

So how do I manage to create bookstagram content while working full-time and raising two kids? The truth is, reading is the easy part.

I can read anywhere. I read in bed after everyone is asleep. I read during my kid's activities. I read in the school pickup line. If I'm lucky enough to be passenger princess, you bet I have my Kindle open. Filming though? That's a whole different story.

I cannot have anyone around. First, because I'm usually talking about monster fucking, and my kids definitely do not need to overhear half the things coming out of my mouth. Second, because I'm ridiculously self-conscious. If my husband is in the next room, I refuse to even whisper on camera. I need everyone to get the fuck out of my house.

So how do I make it work?

1. I batch film.

   I'll usually knock out at least five videos in one sitting. Each one takes about 5-6 minutes to film, so all I really need is 30 minutes of uninterrupted alone time. If my husband heads to the gym, the kids get 30 minutes of tablet time upstairs, and I get to spend that half hour talking about minotaur cum.

2. Edit with headphones.

   The longest part of the process is honestly editing. It can take anywhere from 20-30 minutes to edit one 2 minute video for my social media reviews. That's 2-3 hours of editing for one batch of videos. My secret? I use my headphones and lay in bed and edit instead of scrolling on my phone. Sometimes I get tired and fall asleep my scene cut. But I'll pick up where I left off the next night and end up with a week's worth, or more, of content ready to go.

3. Consistency is Key

   Ever notice I wear the same thing in every video? Yea well I do. A black hoodie. This way when I make videos in batches, I don't have to do outfit changes. I also have to think very little during video prep. Hoodie on. Tripod up. Hit Record. It's one less thing to worry about.

   This probably won't work for everyone, but it's what I've found works best for me and my schedule. Sometimes I'll finish filming, sit down to edit, and realize the whole thing feels rushed. You can tell I was racing against the clock because I only had a tiny window to film. When that happens, I scrap the entire video, delete it, and start over the next day. It sucks, but I'd rather post something I'm proud of than something that feels forced.

   There are definitely days when it's stressful and overwhelming trying to balance a full-time job, two kids, and content creation. But I genuinely love reading, and I love sharing the books I read with other people. Being able to connect with other readers, recommend books I can't stop thinking about, and completely geek out over minotaur cum brings me so much joy. For me, all the late nights and tired mornings are absolutely worth it.

Hello Collaborators,

I'm so humbled to have you here, but before I get started, I just wanted to say: Thank you.

Thank you for believing in my words, my vision, and my content enough that you are choosing to monetarily support me. I don't take that for granted, and I appreciate you being here; sincerely.

As a token of appreciation, I'd love to send you a small goody bag of miscellaneous stickers/items - be it from Pride 2026, or from my Coming Home collection. If you would like it, please feel free to e-mail me or DM me on social media with your name and mailing address, and I will get it shipped out to you ASAP.

As far as monthly zooms go and what to expect as a Collaborator, we can do monthly zoom hangout sessions if you'd like to discuss books, what we're currently reading, etc. Super low-stakes, an hour or so a month, just to connect and chat all things books related.

As far as exclusive content, I'd love to share what I'm currently reading and/or what's on my TBR stack. I will also be sharing monthly LGBTQIA+ releases that have been sent to me and I'm excited for. These will be weekly newsletters in addition to the Trans Joy Thursday newsletters, and other newsletters I send out (Like the Trans History Month Volumes for the month of August.)

If you have something in particular in mind you'd love to see from me, please hit the poll below and let me know!

Again, I'm so thankful that you're here, and I truly looking forward to collaborating with you in the future, and seeing what the future holds for us and Not A Phase Books.

With all my appreciation,

Sawyer Cole

Greetings from sunny Laguna Beach!

My guy and I have been at a stunning resort for the past few days celebrating his mother's 80th birthday, so not much reading (or writing...or filming) has been happening. But I did want to let you know about a few things, so here goes...

First, the October look-ahead is for sure coming next week for paid subscribers, so be sure and watch your Bindery alerts. Like last month, the blog post will be password protected until September 1, and paid subs will get the secret password so you can get those library holds in a few weeks earlier than usual. If you haven't upgraded, now's the time to do it if you want that list extra early.

ICYMI, I decided to make the Let's Go to the Library series public. I'd been thinking long and hard about it, and it just felt right. This month's reading adventure is a fun one, so be sure to stay tuned to Youtube for that content!

I finished Habits of the Sea this week and meh. It was super atmospheric and the prose was lovely, but it's essentially a romance with magical realism. And y'all know how I feel about romance. 3.25⭐️s

I'm still chipping away at A Time of Witches, the latest from Madeline Martin, but I got super distracted by The Witches of Cambridge, the new Alice Hoffman. They are night and day in terms of prose, and once I started the new Hoffman I couldn't put it down. I love her work SO much!!!!

Lastly, I'm almost done with my audiobook copy of Henry Tudor Must Die, and I must say that it's absolutely terrific. It's funny, sharp, and downright vengeful. I'm very eager to see how it ends, especially now that the author's announced she is writing a follow-up focused on Marie and Elizabeth!

I've got SO much planned over the next few weeks, so stay tuned!

ICYMI

• Watch the first episode of Let's Go to the Library featuring one of the best Black-authored books I've ever read!

• Check out my review of The Intrigue, the new Silvia Moreno-Garcia perfect for film noir fans.

• Looking for a creepy sibling story? Look no further than A Box Full of Darkness!

• Love true crime? If so, add The Secret Lives of Murderer's Wives to your end-of-summer reading list.

Hear it Here First:

Again, next week is all about October new releases, so stay tuned for that.

I'll be recording a ton of content next week and not sure which I'll have edited first, so stay tuned.

And if you haven't followed me on Facebook yet, you absolutely should. I'll be hosting a special giveaway there this week!

Until next week, happy reading!

xoxo

c

Hello Pals!

I know I missed week one of Trans History Month, but I wanted to ensure I brought you a few books for the remainder of the month that have truly not only brought me joy, but also enlightened me, encouraged me, validated me and my existence, and gave me so much knowledge my brain exploded a few times. Each week for the remainder of the month of August, I will spend it covering one book I think you should add to your personal libraries and why they are important and needed, especially in today's current political climate.

This week's book will be none other than Trans History: A Graphic Novel: From Ancient Times To The Present Day by Alex L. Combs & Andrew Eakett:

Trans History is a nonfiction, graphic novel, and was published by Candlewick, an imprint of Penguin Random House, on May 13, 2025. It is stated to be for ages 12+, or grades 7+. When it published, I immediately went to purchase a copy, because what do you mean trans* people have been around since the very beginning?! Talk about validation!

This book acts as basically an introductory to trans* history from ancient times all the way to present day. I know I probably lost some of you at "ancient times", but it is so readable and digestible! It truly does not feel like a history book, but like you're immersed in full-color graphic novel that just so happens to be nonfiction AND about history. You can absolutely tell that it was deeply researched, and so much care and thought went into this book. It features so many voices, and so many facts, but broken into small, bite-sized chunks of information so you don't feel overwhelmed by reading a normal nonfiction book.

It discusses what the word trans* even means, and then also, what does it even mean to BE trans*. Two very important segments of conversation we are currently having as a society even today.

Trans History also takes a deep dive into several, several people of trans* history past - some good, some bad, but always rich in description, their trans*ness, and how they impacted the trans* community at large and created ripples in our history and what we know today.

There is also an extensive Source Notes section at the end of the book, which I found to be highly useful, as well. In addition to speaking about people, doctors, medicine, et cetera, this book also provides alarming statistics about trans* people - one that I notated that was extremely disheartening to me - in 2021, it was found that trans* people are 4x more likely to experience violence than their cisgender counterparts. FOUR TIMES. In 2021. It's now 5 years later, and, given the current administration, I just shudder at the thought of these updated statistics, ya know?

Sitting at 384 pages, this book may appear daunting to you, especially being nonfiction and a mixture of history and present day facts, but I promise you, it's so worth the time to read it.

I hope I have inspired you all to request it at your local library or purchase it, or both. This book is such a stellar read, and seeing as how book banning is running rampant right now, it's also vital that this book is also added to your personal library to preserve the data and information that it holds.

My wish for all of you through these weekly newsletters this month is that you walk away with new books to read. Let this be a great starting point. I will catch you all on Discord, and will be back Thursday for Trans Joy Thursday.

Until we meet again friends.

With all my trans joy,

Sawyer Cole

Alright, I admit. The last post was melodramatic. I was going Through It.

We do need help to get some supplies for pop up shops in the new year though, so if you could please order from us on Bookshop.org or through Libro.fm that would be amazing! I also accept donations via Venmo/Zelle.

Supplies needed:

• Table runner with our logo

• Stickers

• Bookmarks

• Stock (though this will come much later!)

Right now for the top three items, our cart is $302 for one table runner, 200 stickers, and 200 bookmarks. If you donate, you get a sticker and bookmark for free!

Thank you all so much for your help so far. My dream is not dead. This bookstore WILL happen!

Till next time!

-Ryn

I lovelies! We have some catching up to do! I am planning to do some housekeeping this weekend so the browse experience on Youtube can be more meaningful and intentional.

I am so beyond grateful to have reached 5,000 subscribers! This is amazing! In July, I started a Youtube challenge, started and lead by Sierra. Through this challenge of posting nearing everyday, I am slowly finding what works for me and what's a waste of precious time.

I have been able to discover what I love to talk about and create and I appreciate that you guys are coming along for the journey with me.

I haven't officially celebrated this milestone yet, but we will soon! So many changes up ahead!

Expect a new video every Wednesday AM! Speaking of... have you seen my latest video? A.I. in the bookish space has became a hot topic and warrants more and more discussions. What are your thoughts on this ?

Make sure you like (and hype), comment, and subscribe! See you on Youtube!

https://youtu.be/ZX74LKDpGqE?si=c1F68o9XF0R-GvfD