It's Tuesday, which means new sci-fi dropped and I have Opinions. I'm mainly using Storygraph and publisher sites to find them, so if you're an indie author and you've got something coming out let me know.

Ruiner by Lara Messersmith-Glavin (AK Press, one of my FAV indie presses) - Nonbinary MC, storytelling as literal combat magic, political fantasy about exploitation and environmental destruction. The world runs on stories and story tellers battle each other by spinning tales out of light, and a story lost in combat is lost forever, sometimes taking part of the teller with it. Which is both a beautiful metaphor for what it costs marginalized people to keep fighting AND an extremely cool magic system. This is an indie press debut and exactly the kind of thing the algorithm will not show you, which is why I'm here. Speaking of algorithms...

Love Is An Algorithm by Laura Brooke Robson (HarperCollins) - Gateway drug into sci-fi again (see last week's post.) I regret nothing. As usual I'm stretching the definition of sci-fi, this is sort of contemporary romance, but it's a satire of AI and tech startup culture and dating apps and it has a musician with writer's block (relatable - not the musician part, I am deeply and unapologetically terrible at music) and an app developer with anxiety whose creation starts telling people how to run their entire lives. I was in college during the creation of Facebook and the current dating scene is essentially another planet to me, but I'm still interested in this book concept.

Ruins by Lily Brooks-Dalton (Hachette) - I find it ironically funny that two books have Ruin in the name this week - if that doesn't tell you about the state of the world!!! If you watched The Midnight Sky on Netflix and then found out it was based on a book and the book was better (it always is), this is that author's new one. A post-climate-catastrophe archaeologist (what a mouthful) with a shitty marriage becomes obsessed (compensating much?) with proving a lost civilization existed that nobody else believes in, and then she undertakes an expedition that will either vindicate her completely or destroy what's left of her life. This is kind of speculative lit fic. Jeff VanderMeer called it "stunning and highly recommended" which means it's probably going to rearrange your internal organs. Though TBH I don't put much stake in author notes nowadays.

Event Horizon by Balsam Karam, translated by Saskia Vogel (The Feminist Press at CUNY) - Kurdish-Swedish author, feminist indie press, translated into English. A seventeen year old girl from the Outskirts (a stateless borderlands where women and children have been stripped of rights and legal status...sound familiar?) throws Molotov cocktails at a government building in protest, gets imprisoned as the instigator, is tortured, and given a final choice: public execution or being launched into a black hole as part of an experiment. She chooses the black hole. I would too. It's $16.95 from a feminist indie press. Buy it and eat a pb&j for lunch instead of takeout. Feed your soul, bestie.

Star Wars: Legacy of Vader — The Reign of Kylo Ren Vol. 2 by Charles Soule (Marvel Comics, which is now a Disney imprint) - Collecting issues 7-12 of the ongoing Marvel series, if you are in to this sort of thing (a super long term commitment where you have no idea where to start and will probably regret your life choices once you're too far in to stop.) On Goodreads I saw a reviewer describe Vol. 1 as "a gas station sandwich at 2am that somehow tastes better when you consider what else is available" which is TBH the most honest Star Wars book review I have ever read and I respect it enormously. If you are a Star Wars comics person, this is for you. I haven't read any of these so please feel free to come for my in my ignorance.

🔎The Watching You Book Club Kit Is Here!

If your book club loves dark psychological thrillers, twisty serial killer mysteries, and intense discussions, then you’re going to want this one ready for your next meeting.

Our complete book club kit for Watching You by Helen Sarah Fields is officially ready and it’s packed with everything you need to turn your next book club night into a suspense-filled experience. 📚

Set against the shadowy streets of Edinburgh, Watching You delivers chilling tension, shocking twists, and plenty of clues to debate. And now you can dive even deeper into the story with a themed book club night designed to spark conversation, theories, and maybe even a little friendly competition.

📖 What’s Inside the Book Club Kit?

The kit includes everything you need to host a memorable discussion:

🔎 Book Club Discussion Guide

Thought-provoking questions about the characters, twists, themes, and shocking moments that will get everyone sharing their theories.

🍽️ Themed Menu with Recipes

Delicious food and drinks inspired by the dark atmosphere of the story including a few treats that perfectly match the thriller vibe.

🎲 Interactive Book Club Activities

Fun mystery-themed games like Catch the Killer and Profile the Suspect so your group can step into the role of investigator for the night.

🎁 Themed Door Prize Ideas

Creative prizes to surprise your guests and keep the thriller energy going.

Whether your group loves solving mysteries, debating plot twists, or just enjoying a great suspenseful read together, this kit will make your book club night even more fun.

📚 Come join us in The First Editions to access our book club kits and much more!

Happy Tuesday, mis internet amigxs,

It's Trans Day of Visibility and I wanted to remind you that while Trans people are more visible than ever, but they are also increasingly targeted. Visibility alone is not the solution when our trans brothers and sisters are so violently targeted. They deserve to be safe, secure, protected, supported, valued and loved. While this list isn't exhaustive, here are some of the ways to support the trans community today:

Support mutual aid for your local trans community

Fight against misinformation both online and in person and learn more about the trans community

Donate to Transgender Law Center

Donate to Trans Lifeline

Read books by Trans authors

Contact your electeds about HR 7661. 5 Calls makes it so easy.

However you choose to honor the trans community today, please do so loudly an unapologetically. We need to support them now more than ever.

And now on to this week's Latinx releases...(as a reminder, if you subscribe at Libritos or Lectores level, you could have had this list earlier. Please consider subscribing at a paid tier to Bien Leidos to support the work I do every week).

TRANSLATED ECOLOGICAL FICTION

Only A Little While Here by Maria Ospina (Audiobook)

POETRY

the light of your body by ire'ne lara silva

xoxo,

Carmen

PS--There is a pretty big March 31st release by a Latina author missing from this list because if you don't want to claim your Latinidad, I'm not here to force an identity on your. Please keep that in mind before commenting on this missing release and any others moving forward.

Last Call!

Today is the last day to upgrade to a paid membership to receive What Feeds Below Benefits!

So with the insane success of my Piss Flaps video 👀 I have seen some pretty amazing subscriber growth. SO I wanted to start planning and working on the book I want to read/review for this milestone.

ICYMI I said when I hit 50,000 I plan to read (and watch) and review the Fifty Shades series so that’s set.

But for 40,000… I'm not sure. So far, I know that the obvious tie is the number 4 or 40, etc. I also looked into traditional anniversary gifts by year and for year 40, the gift is rubies? Rubies are red - you get it. That's all I have so far but I’m brainstorming and I’d love your help.

Only members of the Bookworm and Weirdo tier will get the voting privileges on the poll below for the titles I've been rolling around but everyone can drop a title in the comment for consideration.

And thank you endlessly again for your support. I love you, you don’t have to say it back.

(I reserve the right to change my mind, go another direction and/or change the plan completely 😝)

Ok buds, so here's what I'm thinking and why I'm thinking it:

• Fourth Wing - a little different than the stuff I usually cover BUT it has the number 4 in it. Kind of an obvious connection but still, could be an adventure?

• West of Wicked - this is the latest from Nikki St. Crowe who is known for her Peter Pan/Lost Boy series that I covered extensively on my channel... this book though is a Wizard of Oz reimagining so ruby... ruby slippers, you get it.

As said above, vote vote vote but also, if you have another title to toss into the ring, please leave it in the comments! I appreciate you so much. <3

The votes are in and we are reading The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett in April! Part fantasy and part mystery, I think this is going to be a really fun book to read together 👀 Don’t forget to check the Discord for this month’s giveaway winner!

And if you’re behind on reading These Burning Stars (like I am), I’ll be leaving that forum up this month to give any stragglers a chance to post their thoughts if they’d like!

These are the books we discussed on the podcast in March!
Have you read any of these?

SICKOS! What book cheeks you’re spreading this week? I've got a stack of books and a buncha media that I plan on working through, plus a look back at what I got done last week.

READING

REVIEW

A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS by GEORGE RR MARTIN (fantasy)

Progress: Finished

Our March Fiction Sickos Book Club pick did not disappoint! This is a rare case where I enjoyed watching the show first as it helped my brain movies for the first short story that S1 was based on. I also think the show made solid choices with what it altered or expanded upon (looking at you, Lyonel Baratheon, you minx). Will probably fall somewhere around 3.75-4 stars with the first short story being the strongest.

HOW TO HOLD SOMEONE IN YOUR HEART by MIZUKU TSUJIMURA (contemporary fantasy/magical realism)

#2 in “The Lost Souls Series”

Progress: Finished

A bit underwhelming after Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon and I'll stick to the opinion that it might not have been necessary. Still had some high points but there were a couple chapters that either didn't live up to the potential of their premise or were somewhat uninteresting.

THE EYES OF GAZA: A DIARY OF RESILIENCE by PLESTIA ALAQAD (nonfiction memoir)

Progress: Finished

Phew! I'll talk more about this one soon because it's a harrowing read. The “Diary” in the subtitle isn't a metaphor or a stylistic label, it’s literal. It's a quick but powerful book taking real entries that's devoid of any flowery language and full of thought-provoking, raw sentiments.

GAMES WITHOUT RULES: THE OFTEN INTERRUPTED HISTORY OF AFGHANISTAN by TAMIM ANSARY (narrative historical nonfiction)

Progress: 101/350

Didn't make much of a dent in this but am now transitioning into the 20th century after Abdu'Rahman "set the parameters of a struggle in Afghanistan" between forward and backward-looking elements, which had "profound consequences not just for Afghanistan itself but for attempts by foreign powers to intervene in the affairs of the country over the next century".

PREVIEW

THE RED WINTER by CAMERON SULLIVAN (historical fantasy)

Next up on the fiction side is the Fiction Sickos April selection. I've already detailed what it's about so let's keep it movin'.

For nonfiction, I'm not entirely sure as I need to finish Games Without Rules by I may rock something like We Are Not Numbers or One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This if there's time.

WATCHING

REVIEW

SUCCESSION - HBO MAX

Progress: S4E3
Watching these goblin ah money junkies consistently step on their own junk has been a delight, I'm churning through it, and the episode I left off on was a biggie and so well done. Will finish the re-watch this week fo' sho.

FRIEREN - CRUNCHYROLL

Progress: S1E12
Slowly working through this and only watched two more episodes but I'm still just as invested.

PEAKY BLINDERS - NETFLIX

Progress: S2E5

Another one I had to sideline a bit because Succession and other stuff but will continue working through it when the mood strikes. And no, I will not be getting a flat cap.

GAME OF THRONES - HBO

Progress: S1E9

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms got me back in a Westeros mood, and today I'll be setting up the Red Wedding After Party forum in the Discord for those of us that are going to be re-watching and/or re-reading GOT/ASOIAF.

GAMING
Still working on the free solo difficulty climb on Cairn, and night time gaming has been Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. I just got through the opening missions and have landed in Ledecestrescire. If it hooks me from here, I'll see it through. If not, I'm thinking about trying Cyberpunk 2077 (which was also included in PS Plus).

A COMPLEMENT OF SCOUNDRELS UPDATE
We have final approval on the blurbs from John Gwynne and Nicholas Eames for the front/back covers (huge!). Another reminder that if you’re a Mega Sicko or above, go to your account settings and verify the name to be included in the “Thank You” page. I'll also stress again that pre-orders are massively important at this stage and you'd be really cool if you marked it as "Want to Read" on Goodreads.

OTHER RANDOM STUFF
Still rocking 3x days a week at the climbing gym and am posting some sends from today on IG/TikTok stories. I sent six "V3" problems today which is a personal best and am looking to project a V4 later this week. This is my happy place where I don't think about anything except scaling fake rocks. Oh, and I was successful in convincing my wife I needed new climbing shoes, HUZZAH!

Hello All,

Find the details for April’s book clubs below!

If you’re new, the bookclub chats happen in Discord (channels will be up for book clubs and the Toni Morrison readalong tmw!)

Of note: Our April bookclub pick for women in horror is Silk and Sinew (nominated for a Stoker this year!) and is edited by Boozhoo Books’ Spring author: Kristy Park Kulski

Our April Good Day to Read Indigenous selection is Old School Indian!

This is your last chance to populate our Cozy Quill/Traveling Tomes Newsletter with all your creative inspirations!

Our March theme is: A GENTLE THAW🍃. The Spring season is upon us and with it comes a thawing and an awakening. I wanted to feel that in the newsletter this month, so feel free to fill it with any examples of light entering, growth happening, and all the good things blooming.

Feel free to share: 

• A small sign of growth or change in your life (big or tiny) that made you smile this month.

• A cozy ritual, hobby, or creative moment that helps you feel lighter as winter thaws.

• A book rec, piece of writing, or project that has a theme of blooming or becoming.

• A photo of something emerging, blooming, or just quietly beautiful around you.

• A recipe that suits the spring.

I'll be accepting your creative offerings through tomorrow at midnight!

All the info you need is in the form below, but please don't hesitate to comment below with any questions. xx, Meg

Ready to submit?
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE GOOGLE FORM

Hello Bindery Babes!! I am so excited for Pride this year -- Sapph-Lit and grotto in NYC have some incredible events planned and I just can't wait for it to be warm and read at the beach, the pool, on the porch and in my yard.

Summer to me is always when I read the most books -- there's so much sapphic romance and contemporary lit fic to get to! -- and for this upcoming Pride month Sapph-Lit has a fiction pick slotted for June.

Here are all of the books that are on my radar -- What is standing out to you? Is there a title that's not here you think we should vote on? Let me know in the comments!

As always, thank you so much for your support Bindery Babes!! xx Nina

• Girl's Girl by Sonia Feldman

• Nymph by Sofia Montrone

• Almost Life by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

• I Love You Don't Die by Jade Song

• Sweetbitter Song by Rosie Hewlett

• Best Woman by Rose Dommu

• Girls Girls Girls by Shoshana von Blanckensee

• Fat Swim by Emma Copley Eisenberg

• Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth

• Perfume and Pain by Emma Dorn

Hey y'all,

I decided to switch things up for April so this month we'll be reading a collection of sci-fi short stories. One of them inspired the movie Arrival!

This month, we'll be reading Story of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang. I can't wait to hear your thoughts!

XoXo,

Rae

I finally finished reading The Ascended! Let's open up the discussion here (spoiler-free!) and dive into the book club questions:

1. The book introduces a unique world and set of rules—what were your first impressions of the setting, and how quickly did you feel immersed in it?

2. Which character did you find most compelling early on, and what drew you to them?

3. Themes of power and transformation seem important—how do you interpret the idea of “ascension” based on the opening portions of the book?

4. How does the narrative voice (including perspective and tone) influence your alignment with certain ideas or characters? Do you sense any intentional bias or unreliability?

5. In what ways does the book engage with questions of identity and self-determination? After finishing the story, did those themes evolve in the way you expected?

🔎The Watching You Book Club Kit Is Here!

If your book club loves dark psychological thrillers, twisty serial killer mysteries, and intense discussions, then you’re going to want this one ready for your next meeting.

Set against the shadowy streets of Edinburgh, Watching You delivers chilling tension, shocking twists, and plenty of clues to debate. And now you can dive even deeper into the story with a themed book club night designed to spark conversation, theories, and maybe even a little friendly competition.

Whether your group loves solving mysteries, debating plot twists, or just enjoying a great suspenseful read together, this kit will make your book club night even more fun.

📚 Ready to Host Your Thriller-Themed Book Club?

The Watching You Book Club Kit is now available.

👉 Tap the link to access the full book club kit and start planning your suspense-filled book club night!

https://tinyurl.com/4vhetdan 

And fair warning once the theories start flying, you might discover that everyone in your book club thinks they could be a detective. 🕵️‍♀️

Happy reading and happy sleuthing.

Our book club just finished Watching You by Helen Sarah Fields, and let’s just say the conversation got intense. This dark serial killer thriller set in Edinburgh had us all reacting very differently but we all agreed on one thing: it’s a seriously gripping ride.

👀 🖤 The Thriller Lover: I was hooked immediately. The creepy stalking vibes and the feeling that the killer was always one step ahead made this impossible to put down.

🕵️ The Detective Brain: DS Lively and forensic profiler Connie Woolwine were my favorite part. Their investigation felt tense and realistic, and I loved watching them slowly connect the dots.

💔 The Emotional Reader: Beth Waterfall’s storyline hit the hardest for me. A grieving mother already traumatized by a stalker suddenly becoming a potential target again? That emotional layer made the story even more intense.

📚 The Speed Reader: The pacing kept me turning pages. Every time a new body appeared, I thought I had the killer figured out and then the story twisted again.

😱 The Suspense Junkie: This book is dark. Like, truly chilling. If you love psychological thrillers and serial killer mysteries, you’ll probably devour it.

🧠 The Plot Twist Hunter: I really liked how the author slowly revealed clues. It kept our whole book club guessing until the end and we definitely had theories flying everywhere.

Overall, Watching You sparked a lot of debate in our group about the killer, the motives, and which characters we trusted. If your book club loves twisty crime thrillers with chilling suspense, this one will definitely get people talking.

✨️Thank you HarperCollins and Helen Sarah Fields for sharing Watching You with us!

❓️When you read a thriller, do you want to figure out the killer early or do you prefer to be completely shocked at the end?

What a week, y'all! Baseball is back, so I've been a bit distracted around here. If you follow me on Instagram then you know we've been ALL about the Dodgers the past few days. Opening weekend did not disappoint, but it did cut into my reading and writing time. Not much new content, but a few books worth noting.

This week I binged Rebecca Serle's latest, Once and Again. I won't lie, I enjoyed it. But that's no surprise given how much I've enjoyed all her other work. Her writing is somewhere between Emily Henry and Taylor Jenkins Reid, with a splash of Alice Hoffman. I love how she weaves magical realism into all of her books, but I'm a bit partial to magic. 😜 This felt a little familiar, meaning I recognized some of the same themes and plot points, so it didn't feel as fresh. Regardless, the idea of a little silver ticket that allows you to turn back time was pretty appealing. Triggers: infertility and infidelity. 3.75⭐️

I finally finished Before We Were Yours, the March BBFL book club pick. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as mind blowing as I'd been lead to believe it would be. Sure, the story of Rill and the rest of the Foss children was super moving, but the contemporary storyline felt like a distraction, particularly when the romance subplot took off. I didn't care at ALL about Avery's lovelife. I did enjoy the setting and the writing though! I will definitely read more of Windgate's work. 4⭐️

I've officially started In the Great Quiet, Laura Vogt's debut novel, and, y'all, I'm so swept up in this historical adventure that I don't want to put it down. I was lucky enough to get access to the audiobook, so I'm switching back and forth between the print and audio just to keep the story going. Some people have a gift; Laura is one of those people! Don't forget, I'm giving away a physical copy (link below), but you can get a free ebook copy through the end of the month if you're an Amazon Prime sub!

Lastly, I wrapped up The Secret Lives of Murderer's Wives this morning and really enjoyed it. I think it's the perfect summer read, ideal for vacation or lounging around on a hot day. There's strong female friendship and plenty of mystery, and the 1960s Los Angeles setting was the icing on the cake for me. A satisfying ending + sweltering summer setting + a string of murders = ideal summer reading! 4.25⭐️

This Week in SBB:

• New Historical Fantasy Bookmail

• New Giveaway: In the Great Quiet Promo Box

• Five Year Bookstaversary

Hear it Here First:

I've got some fun things planned for next week's April newsletter, so be sure to subscribe asap!

It's official, Go as a River is the BBFL's April book selection. Join the club and read along if that one's still on your TBR!

xoxo

C