Happy Tuesday, mis internet amigxs,

A nationwide book ban has been proposed by the House of Representatives targeting LGBTQ+ books. Action items can be found on Instagram and Tik Tok. Further news and action items coming this week.

The world is feeling HEAVY right now, so I wanted to bask in a moment of Latine bookish joy with you and tell you about upcoming March 3rd Latine releases, before that, I wanted to begin with a GIVEAWAY.

Our March book club selection, Now I Surrender by Alvaro Enrigue, releases TODAY and I've got ONE MORE HARDCOVER COPY UP FOR GRABS EXCLUSIVELY FOR ANYONE WHO LIKES AND COMMENTS ON THIS POST (US address only). If you're a Librito or Lector member, you have another chance at another copy here. I'll email the winner on Wednesday and you'll have 24 hours to get me your mailing address to claim your book!

Also, reminder that our non-fiction sidequest read March through April is Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here by Jonathan Blitzer (audiobook). Several people who have the paperback have mentioned that the font is VERY small, so if you have vision issues or don't like to read small font, please keep that in mind.

This is a busy week of releases so let's get on with the show...

TRANSLATED LITERARY FICTION & MARCH BOOK CLUB PICK

Now I Surrender by Alvaro Enrigue and translated by Natasha Wimmer (Audiobook)

Diorama by Carol Bensimon and translated by Zoe Perry and Julia Sanches (Audiobook)

YOUNG ADULT FICTION

Estela, Undrowning by Rene Pena-Govea (audiobook)

If We Never End by Laura Taylor Namey (audiobook)

BILINGUAL PICTURE BOOK

Gooool! A Bilingual Book Of Soccer by Mike Alfaro and illustrated by Gerardo Guillen:

NONFICTION

Red Stones: A graphic account of the Salvadoran Civil War by Ernesto Saade:

El Paso: Five Families and One Hundred Years of Blood, Migration, Race, and Memory by Jazmine Ulloa (Audiobook)

AUDIOBOOK RELEASE FOR GRAPHIC NOVEL

How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares (audiobook)

xoxo,

Carmen

As I was perusing the Women's History Month 20% sale on bookshop.org (as one does on a book buying ban), I saw that included is Good People by Patmeena Sabit, our April Leans Literary book club pick! If you want to pick up a personal copy, now would be a great time to do so, saving 20% with code WHM26.

Good People is the story of an Afghani immigrant family...told entirely from the outside. Because everyone has an opinion on how immigrants should live their lives.

You can pick it up from my bookshop . You may also see our May and June book club picks.

Hey guys,

Our March book will be The Correspondent by Virginia Evans! Thanks to all who votes. Some really good picks this month, so I'll definitely recycle them for other months.

As a reminder, the meeting will be at 8pm ET on March 28th. Link to come!

Happy March everyone!! time to announce the DYSTOPIAN and thriller book we will be reading in March!

Dystopian: DAGGERMOUTH

Thriller: THE MAD WIFE

I am genuinely so excited for both of these reads. Please join my discord so we can hold discussions! I think we will particularly like discussing the newest Internet sensation, Daggermouth.

I will be listening to the Mad Wife on audio!

Hi Disco Dancers!

I’m doing the official cover reveal for my book THIS IS HOW THE WORLD ENDS on Wednesday on social media, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek ahead of time (please don’t share it until then). Preorders will also be launching on Wednesday.

My queer dystopian novella is coming!

Here’s the blurb:

Run the race. Or die.

Britain is at war, isolated by a digital blockade. 

Dissidents run a deadly race for the public’s entertainment, while the flood-ravaged country falls apart. The Cartwright family tries to soldier on, refusing to give in to fear. But when catastrophe looms, Emma Cartwright flees – only to find that life beyond the border is anything but safe. 

The fight for survival has begun. 

This is how the world ends.

And here’s the cover! Designed by the incredible Drew Huff:

I love it so much!

Love,

Disco

My friend, did you hear the good news?! 🎉 Bindery members will now receive ARCs (advanced reader copies) as part of your membership perks instead of finished copies!

What does this mean? You will no longer have to wait until a few months before publication to read a Cozy Quill title, you’ll be reading early!

And our very first ARC under this new magic? ✨ Twigs Traveling Tomes by Gryffin Murphy ✨ So much to celebrate today!

Here’s how it works:

🌱 $5 Shire Sprouts receive an e-ARC (Open to our international, of course. We see you and your teacups across the sea!).

🥐 $12 Second Breakfast Club members will also receive a physical ARC (US only). Plus, you'll have your name printed in the acknowledgements section of our books, which is so special.

Truly, this publishing program exists because of you. Your support makes books like Twigs Traveling Tomes possible. After you’ve had a chance to read, we would be so grateful if you left early (honest) reviews on retailer or review sites and shared the title with your fellow romantasy-loving friends. Word-of-mouth helps more than you know!

You are not just members. You are part of this team. We couldn’t do this without you.

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading, consider this your gentle nudge.

UPGRADE BY TOMORROW TO SNAG YOUR ARC! xx, Meg

You shouldn't buy books from Amazon. You know it, I know it, your local indie bookstore DEFINITELY KNOWS IT, and honestly, the ghost of every independent bookseller who ever lived knows it too. So why do you still buy from the zon? Because it's cheap.

Yes, I know that capitalism is guttering out its last dying breaths as 5 people hoard most of the wealth while the economy fizzles so far they no longer actually even post the unemployment rate publicly anymore. So why am I telling you to spend more money? Please let me try to convince you with this numbered list because I'm a NUMBERS GIRLIE (see, this is why you should listen to me — how many other bisexuals are good at math? I contain multitudes AND a spreadsheet. 'Tis the tism m'lord.) If you're already convinced, feel free to scroll past this part. If you're not, I will be employing the ancient necromantic art of capitalism critique to raise your righteous fury from the dead.

Amazon is not always the cheapest! Yes, I know they've attempted to convince you otherwise. But they are operating on the grocery store model — get you in the door with "deals" on items you already know the price of, like milk and bread, while price gouging you on the things you don't, like a jar of pepperoncinis or your sense of self worth. If you consistently price check them like I do, you'll find that especially on smaller items, they've rolled that shipping cost right into the price. Free shipping my slowly rounding ass.

Diapers.com. If you haven't heard me rant about this, buckle up. Diapers.com had a great subscription price on diapers and wipes. Amazon rolls in with a program called "Amazon Mom," undercuts their price into the ground, and erodes the company's entire customer base. Amazon buys Diapers.com. Amazon shuts them down. Amazon IMMEDIATELY jacks the prices back up and shutters the Amazon Mom program. Everyone now pays more for the exact same service. This is not a bug. This is the business model. And they are doing it to books — selling them at a loss to put every brick and mortar bookstore out of business. And when we can only buy books from them? Those prices are going WAY UP. We are officially in the Ninth circle of Hell.

Writers are poor. There are a handful making a good living at this, but most are creating their art on the side while crying quietly into their $5.10 royalty checks. And Amazon exploits them like they exploit their workers and suppliers — a proud tradition of harm, democratized. They have a history of allowing customers to return read books and making the author pay the refund. They auto-enroll books into Kindle Select so authors have to go in and manually opt out every 90 days, lest their books remain Amazon-exclusive indefinitely like some kind of publishing purgatory. They're pushing to make Amazon Exclusive titles unavailable in libraries. They roll out new AI features and don't bother letting authors opt out. Cool cool cool, no notes, everything is fine, the house is not on fire, ignore the smell.

So where should you buy instead?

From the author If you're reading indie or smaller authors, many sell directly from their own websites — sometimes cheaper, sometimes signed, sometimes in "scratch and dent" copies for the chaotic good readers among us. Why are they cheaper direct? Because Amazon charges them more than other outlets. I know. I KNOW.

Bookshop.org If you can't find an author site, your second best online option is this one. A portion of the sale goes directly to an independent bookstore of your choosing. Support your local store, or support a black woman owned store like Sistah Sci-fi! They have ebooks too, so check here first!

Libro.fm is where I have my audiobook subscription. My library card gets me Libby, but they don't always have what I want, so this is my backup. Also shares profits with an indie bookstore of your choice. It's lawful good (get it, like awful good? "Yes... Some rigor...mortis", said Gideon, who thought that puns were automatically funny.)

Pango Books is the eBay of books — individual sellers listing new, gently used, and collectible copies, with the profit going directly to other humans trying to survive late stage capitalism. They now have make-an-offer functionality like Mercari. Prices are often cheaper than other secondhand platforms because lots of people just want shelf space back. (It's me, hi, I'm the problem it's me)

Your Local Library Besties, I know you want to hoard the books like a little dragon. So do I. But I often don't even know if I'll like something before I buy it — and my library is always the first place I check. I can almost guarantee yours has ebooks and audiobooks available online without you ever having to put pants on. Though for your mental health, you should probably try to leave the house occasionally. WITH PANTS. as I sit in a dark room typing a blog on my computer to a group of people who are sitting in a dark room scrolling on their phones.

The thrift store Last but not least: if a book has been popular, there's a copy at Goodwill for $1.50. (It used to be $1 but even the thrift store experiences inflation. Yaaaaay late stage capitalism!) My kids love those terrible Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and while I have opinions, I don't actually care — as long as they're READING, I'm not complaining. The thrift store always has copies. And while I know the proceeds don't go to the author, sometimes you just don't have the cash for new books. (I have a whole other post about how to get books for free, you can read that here.)

I know there is an entire other conversation to be had about KU and the indie authors who make their money there. I have thoughts... you won't like them. I don't like them. Those are for another day. But feel free to berate me in the comment section today. Your attention feeds the poor. Like, literally. I donate all proceeds from this hobby of mine to marginalized communities.

If there is any exception for "there is no ethical consumption under capitalism," I'm going to say it's books and food, because both, in my opinion, are necessary to live, body and soul.

If you liked this and want more of whatever THIS is — unhinged book analysis, barely contained rage at the state of the world, and occasional Tamsyn Muir references that I will never apologize for — consider subscribing for $5/month. Every cent goes to people who actually need it, because I have a day job and a cause, not a brand deal. This is my middle finger to Big 5 publishing, dressed up as a book blog. Come hold it up with me.

Hello my darlings! I've started Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter and I'm hooked already. My question for today is, would you rather have us host the Book Club chat and read-react on Instagram, or on Discord?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Here's the graphic for our schedule - remember you can start anytime and read at our own pace, this is just a suggestion! Wherever we end up with our chat, I'll try to impose some safeguards against spoilers. :)

Some reflecitons on my reading stats this month:

• This month was by far the most books I've read in a month in a long time. It was so fun just loooooving reading. It brought me so much joy.

• Although most books I read this month were just okay, I still had a great time, which is all that matters.

Favorite non-fiction book: "Original Sins" by Eve L. Ewing

Synopsis: Why don’t our schools work? Eve L. Ewing tackles this question from a new angle: What if they’re actually doing what they were built to do? She argues that instead of being the great equalizer, America’s classrooms were designed to do the opposite: to maintain the nation’s inequalities. It’s a task at which they excel.

Review: I'm so mad at myself because I've had an arc of this book for over a year now and it took me this long to read it. This book desperately made me want to become a teacher again and I think it's absolutely required reading for all educators. The bibiliography of this book alone is enough to recommend it--so impressive! And I got chills reading the last chapter.

Favorite fiction book: "A Mouth Full of Salt" by Reem Gaafar

Synopsis: "A Mouth Full of Salt" uncovers a country on the brink of seismic change as its women decide for themselves which traditions are fit for purpose – and which prophecies it’s time to rewrite

Review: While the pace of the beginning of this book was a little slow, I was wholly captivated by it. Such a powerful mix of mystery, tension, and folklore. It’s an important look at Sudanese history and the racism/classism present in its past that still dictates its future. And the ending? It hit me in the chest; absolute perfection.

What I’ve added to my TBR (to-be-read)

• "Japan's Infamous Unit 731" by Hal Gold: This is a piece of history I knew nothing about, so naturally now I need to know everything.

• "Shorelines" by Alycia Pirmohamed: A memoir that explores migration, memory, and home.

• "Our Cut of Salt" by Deena Helm: A Palestinian horror from a debut author that explores the idea of home.

• "Exiles" by Mason Coile: I've been coming to realize that I really like short sci-fi books, so I had to add this one to my list.
  
  

🎬Books to Screen in 2026: The Adaptations We’re Already Emotional About

2026 is about to wreck our TBRs and our tear ducts. From devastating romance to witchy family curses to dystopian arena trauma, some of our favorite and most unhinged reads are officially heading to the big screen.

Here’s your ultimate guide to the upcoming book-to-movie adaptations you need on your radar.

💔Reminders of Him

In Theaters: March 13, 2026
Based on Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

If you’ve read Reminders of Him, you already know this one is going to hurt.

Kenna Rowan returns home after five years in prison, desperate to reconnect with the daughter she hasn’t seen since she was a baby. But forgiveness doesn’t come easily in a town that hasn’t forgotten. The only person who offers her even a sliver of grace is Ledger Ward and their connection could cost them everything.

Expect:

• Emotional courtroom-level tension

• Small-town judgment

• Slow-burn romance

• Ugly crying in the parking lot after the movie

CoHo fans, prepare yourselves. This one is going to be heavy, healing, and probably wildly successful.

👠Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns

In Theaters: May 1, 2026
Based on Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns by Lauren Weisberger

Andy Sachs is back and apparently karma is too.

Nearly a decade after escaping Runway magazine, Andy is thriving. She’s co-running a chic bridal magazine, engaged to media royalty, and living her best glossy life. But on the morning of her wedding, secrets resurface and so does the shadow of Miranda Priestly.

This sequel brings:

• High fashion drama

• Wedding-day suspense

• Female rivalry turned alliance

• The devil in couture again

If you loved The Devil Wears Prada, this comeback is going to be dripping in designer tension.

🐙Remarkably Bright Creatures

Streaming on Netflix: May 8, 2026
Based on Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Yes, the octopus book is coming to Netflix. And yes, we are absolutely watching it.

Tova Sullivan works nights at the Sowell Bay Aquarium while quietly carrying decades of grief over her son’s mysterious disappearance. Enter Marcellus a highly intelligent, deeply observant giant Pacific octopus who might know more than he lets on.

This adaptation promises:

• Found family vibes

• Coastal mystery energy

• Grief and healing

• An unexpectedly lovable, grumpy octopus

If Netflix gets this right, it could be the feel-everything comfort drama of the year.

✨The Book of Magic Practical Magic #2

In Theaters: September 18, 2026
Based on The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman

The Owens women are back and the family curse is on borrowed time.

When Aunt Jet hears the deathwatch beetle and knows she has seven days left to live, the Owens family must come together to finally break the three-hundred-year-old curse that has doomed them in love.

We’re getting:

• Multi-generational witchy chaos

• Family secrets

• Atmospheric European settings

• Love vs. destiny stakes

If you adore cozy magic with emotional depth, this one is about to cast a spell on theaters.

🔥Sunrise on the Reaping

In Theaters: November 20, 2026
Based on Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

We are going back to Panem and this time, it’s Haymitch’s story.

Set during the fiftieth Hunger Games the brutal Quarter Quell that doubled the tributes, this prequel follows a young Haymitch Abernathy as he’s ripped from District 12 and thrown into an arena designed for failure.

Translation:

• Twice the tributes

• Twice the trauma

• Capitol cruelty dialed up

• Emotional devastation guaranteed

If you thought you were done crying over District 12 think again.

🖤Verity

In Theaters: October 2, 2026
Based on Verity by Colleen Hoover

And yes CoHo is taking over 2026.

Lowen Ashleigh is hired to finish bestselling author Verity Crawford’s series after a mysterious accident leaves Verity incapacitated. But while sorting through notes, Lowen discovers a hidden autobiography filled with horrifying confessions.

This one will deliver:

• Psychological suspense

• Moral gray choices

• A love triangle that feels wrong

• That ending everyone argues about
  

If done well, this could be one of the most talked-about thrillers of the year.

🎥2026 Is the Year of Emotional Damage

Romance. Fashion. Witches. Octopuses. Dystopian arenas. Unhinged manuscripts.

Whether you’re a CoHo devotee, a Hunger Games loyalist, or just here for designer drama, 2026 is absolutely stacked with adaptations that are going to dominate book clubs and group chats alike.

So tell me which one are you watching opening weekend? 🍿📚

Run. Request. Read. Review!

I am so, so excited for folks to start reading What Feeds Below, by Tatiana Schlote Bonne, the very first book from this imprint!

This is a YA Horror Fantasy that is unputdownable!

Let me know if you requested down below!

Request here

Wow, so I probably should have checked the page count of The Ascended because it's over 700 pages long! The past couple of weeks have been a bit nightmare-ish because both babies got sick with a cold and then my husband and I caught said cold. I lost my voice on Saturday and I'm just now starting to recover but taking care of sick kiddos when you're also sick? iykyk

I digress. To be fully transparent, I don't think I've ever finished reading a book that's over 400 pages long in a single month. Books that are around 350 pages? No problem. With that being said, I'm going to extend our Book Club pick from February (which is The Ascended) into the month of March. That'll give me enough time to finish it and gather my thoughts to discuss with you all! I'm currently 50% of the way through, which (shocker) is equivalent to around 350 pages anyways. I'll have to keep that in mind for our future Book Club picks!

I came from a family of readers, and I’m excited to be raising a new one.

Over dinner last night, my mom was talking to my beginner reader about the books she could request from her school librarian. “You could ask for a Junie B. Jones book.”

Without skipping a beat, my daughter responded, “No, I would ask for a Harry Potter book.”

I hope this comes as no surprise, but I’m anti-JKR and her band of TERFs. I had no intention to introduce my daughter to Harry Potter, though I dreamed of doing so back in the day (I’m a good Millennial, after all).

I’m also anti-censorship and believe strongly in letting my kid read what they choose.

So what is a parent to do? I’ll tell you what I will do.

I won’t be telling my daughter she can’t read Harry Potter (or any other book).

I will approach with curiosity her desire to read these books. I’ll share why I chose to stop reading them, talking through the harm that has been caused in an age-appropriate way. If she still wants to read them, we’ll get them from the library and read and discuss together.

To me, this is far more useful to raising a kind, critically-thinking child than any book ban.