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Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jun 29 2025

In a world in which we’ve seen boycotts and outrage towards almost every major corporation, it’s always fascinated me that Barnes & Noble has been seemingly left untouched. Sure, the occasional online grumble will work its way through Threads or TikTok or Instagram or whatever, yet the only time I can remember an actual mobilization was against their in-house Starbucks-owned cafes.\ \ It’s shocked me the number of people I meet who have given up shopping at Amazon and Target, but still love B&N. Whenever I ask, they can never quite articulate why they give B&N a pass. It’s usually a combination of nostalgia or convenience or selection or exclusive offerings.\ \ And when it comes to “bad” corporations, Barnes & Noble really isn’t at the top of that list. They disclosed no lobbying in the 2024 election. Their CEO, James Daunt, isn’t a borderline-insane human being. Some, not me, might even argue that he’s had an overtly positive impact on the bookselling and publishing industry for decades.\ \ Yet, when we look at B&N’s actual policies and, more importantly, their impact, there’s nothing of substance. They have no public-facing statement on DEI or on book banning–they did join Penguin in opposition of Texas HB900 in 2023, but have been eerily quiet ever since–and while they claim to donate to “pre-K-12 schools and not-for-profit arts, literacy, humane and community service organizations”, they don’t appear to actively advocate for any cause.\ \ Nearly every interaction they have with any sort of cultural or political movement comes with capitalistic intent. Their website and socials boast about ‘Pride Month Reads’ and ‘Books to Read on Juneteenth’, a performance only brought out when it’s trendy or when it benefits their image. Yet, when it comes to actually supporting marginalized authors, they fail to show up.\ \ Take Danica Nava, a romance author and member of the Chickasaw Nation, for example. Her first book The Truth According to Ember was the first traditionally published romance by an Indigenous author. It received rave reviews from readers, was a USA Today bestseller, and a Goodreads Choice Nominee. In May, Nava posted on threads that her newest book Love is a War Song (7/22) had not recieved any retailer placements, meaning no big-box stores had placed a chain-wide order–this includes B&N.\ \ While she went on to confirm that a few B&N employees had reached out letting her know that they had ordered a few copies with their discretionary store budgets, there is no widespread guarantee that the book will be available or prominently promoted on release day.\ \ Nava wrote, “ Stores have and will continue to prioritize white romance, especially in (the cowboy) genre that has contributed to the erasure of my people and perpetuated harmful stereotypes for decades. My fun, hilarious romcom isn’t the right cowboy.”\ \ Pair this with the release of Oathbound (Legendborn 3) by Tracy Deonn, which was somehow still overshadowed by Onyx Storm in stores, despite being released almost 2 months later. Readers complained that stores were severely understocked, had no promotional materials or displays, and claimed that staff were almost completely uninformed about the highly-anticipated release.\ \ Additionally, just this week Publisher’s Weekly published an article about the challenges Indie Publishers have faced since Daunt took over the chain. They state that his decisions to remove “‘boring’ and ‘tedious’ books” from Barnes & Noble’s shelves disproportionately affected them vs. big 5 publishing houses. One publisher even commented that Amazon ordered 25x as many copies of a recent hardcover release than B&N’s NYC-based buyers.\ \ “Nearly every one of the dozen well-established independent publishing leaders interviewed by PW said that their business with B&N has dropped significantly since Daunt took over. Some indies said that the bookseller is no longer even their second-largest account”.\ \ And this lack of impact and support extends past authors and publishers and into the communities in which their stores operate. They’re a favorite amongst larger publishers for event stops, often beating out smaller local indies in the event request process, due to their market leverage. Yet, these events are riddled with inconsistencies in their planning, marketing, and overall experiences.\ \ Even their beloved Onyx Storm suffered from B&N’s lack of community-centricity. Many attendees of their January midnight releases complained publicly about the chain’s lack of planning, saying that they were left to wander around the store for 2 hours without food, drinks, or promised activities. B&N’s booksellers stated that corporate offices gave them no direction on these events and left them to plan and execute entirely on their own.\ \ More recently, S.A. Cosby visited B&N’s Cumberland, GA location on his King of Ashes tour. According to attendees, this event sold well over 100 tickets, but crammed attendees into a small space with only 12-13 chairs, provided no microphone to Cosby, and did not bring in a conversation partner. The latter point alone is a gross misstep in planning, especially from the perspective of an indie bookstore owner who is paying for the travel expenses for moderators and venue rentals for 4 debut author events happening at our store over the next 3 months. Details like this aren’t just nice-to-haves, they’re requirements for engaging and meaningful reader-author interactions.\ \ James Daunt has made it clear that he plans on running B&N with an emphasis on profitability and sales, which is not unlike any Fortune500 CEO, so why do readers keep turning to them with expectations beyond the transactional? Why does the industry consider them a third space or a champion for readers and authors?\ \ Are they just a study in staying quiet and flying under the radar? Or are we just unwilling to view their complacency as harm?\ \ So, sure, continue to kill time in their stores or even buy books from them if you want, but don’t expect more from them than you expect from Amazon, Walmart, or Target. Stop giving them opportunities you don’t give libraries, non-profits, and community-run bookstores, and, more importantly, start holding them accountable for the ones they do get.

Barnes and Noble is not a community organization. Stop treating them like one.

4 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Oct 31 2025

My thoughts on Romantasy vs. Fantasy Romance

Are Romantasy and Fantasy Romance different? Short answer, yes.

Having romance + fantasy does not always mean that books fit into the same genre. Callously ignoring the differences between two very different types of books is harmful to both authors and readers.

In this essay I will…

Also please ignore my dog who decided to throw himself a pity party about wanting to go outside halfway through this recording.

#romantasybooks #fantasyromancebooks #bookstagrammer #bookishthoughts #bookishthoughts

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Oct 24 2025

The slump is slumping

This is the first book that I’ve finished in months. Seriously. I have started and put down probably 12 or more since the end of August. I don’t know if it’s burnout or stress in my own life or just a general disillusionment, but I’ve entirely stopped tracking my reading. I’ve stopped being as active on here. I haven’t even bought books until we went to London.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love books and reading, but books are also my job. So, when that job becomes stressful or overwhelming, it sucks the joy out of the hobby side of it too. Then, when you add on the guilt, the overwhelming pressure to keep up with new releases, book club picks, the tendency to compare yourself to people you follow and interact with, and the constant “you have to read this one”, it just becomes too much.

So, I took a step back. I played video games (Clair Obscure, mostly). I watched movies. I limited my social media time. And then, I finished this very wonderful book, which will be getting a longer post from me closer to that date.

1 book

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Oct 1 2025

Bindery App is HERE!!!

We’re so excited to announce that the Bindery iOS app is now live in the Apple App Store.

This is v1 of the Bindery app and it will only get better from here. We ask that you rate us in the App Store to help us reach more readers and send any feedback via the App Store as well.

Android version coming soon! We’ll see you in the Bindery app.

#binderybooks #bookstagram #publishing #publishingnews #technews #appnews

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jul 22 2025

Virtual Event Tonight!

We’ve got a big virtual event coming your way on TUESDAY!!!!

To celebrate our very first quarterly romantasy box we’re going to be talking to the authors of the books we chose! (@lkclipstone sorry to miss you!)

Tune in with us online or come on by the shop. It’s going to be one to remember 🧜🏽‍♀️ 🌊

3 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jul 16 2025

MM Books On My Shelves!

MM books on my shelves, part 1 of… many?

Books Mentioned: - A Betrayal of Storms by Ben Anderson - The Forest Demands Its Due by Kosoko Jackson - Bored Gay Werewolf by Tony Santorella - Blackouts by Justin Torres - Even in Death by Randi Garner

#queerbook #queerbookrec #mmbookrecs #mmbooks #queerbookstagram

5 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jul 14 2025

Fawn’s Blood Review

Please, please, please go preorder Fawn’s Blood!! I could not love this book more. This book tackles so many topics, it was impossible to cram them all into a 1.5min video.

If you read one teen book this year, LET IT BE THIS ONE!

#bookrecommendations #bookreview #transbooks #queerbooks #queerbookstagram #readqueerallyear

1 book

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jul 11 2025

June Reading Wrap Up

Look! A reading wrap up from yours truly! Here are my rapid fire thoughts about all the books I read in June!

📚 Books Mentioned 📚

- The Floating World by Axie Oh - This Monster of Mine by Shalini Abeysekara - Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab - The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez - A Gentleman’s Gentleman by T.J. Alexander - The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley - Filthy Rich Fae Series by Geneva Lee

#readingwrapup #bookreviews #readingupdate #readerforlife #readingrecap #readingvlog

8 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jul 11 2025

When the Wolf Comes Home Review

Love when audio gets randomly removed from my video and there’s no way to fix it… anyway, here’s this review again.

This review is a bit unhinged because my soul is in pieces right now. I mean this is in the kindest way possible, but what the actual hell was that?? Nat! What have you done??

#bookreviewer #bookrecs #bookreview #horrorbooks #darkfantasybooks #horrorbookstagram #fantasybookstagram

1 book

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jul 11 2025

Bindery Fall 2025!!

@bindery_books GLOW/GROW UP!!

My favorite indie publisher is publishing 7 freaking books this fall!! Yes, 7!! That means 7 incredible communities of book lovers have grown to the point that they’re able to support the dreams of 7 different authors.

I’m just so happy and proud of everyone!

And, yes, I hope that one day to join the ranks of these publishers. You can help me with the dream by subscribing to my page for freeeeee ✨

7 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jul 3 2025

Tenderly I am Devoured

Happy publication day to @lkclipstone !! I was an early reader for Tenderly I am Devoured and I have been not-so-patiently waiting for this book to be available for everyone to read!

If you love soft, tender, bisexual girls who cry a lot, entrancing chthonic swan gods, and complicated childhood friendships this one is for you!!

Seriously, Lyndall, you know I’ve loved everything you’ve ever published, but this one is something special ✨🦢🎀

#fantasyromancebooks #romantasybooks #queerbooks #teenfiction #youngadultfiction #newreleasetuesday #bookunboxing

1 book

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jul 3 2025

Under-the-Radar Sapphic Books

There are so many incredible queer and sapphic books out there and I feel like the internet only scratches the surface. Here are 6 sapphic books on my shelf that I either haven’t ever seen or haven’t seen promoted in some time.

📚 Books Mentioned 📚

- White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi - Briefly a Delicious Life by Nell Stevens - Grey Dog by Elliott Gish - Song of the Huntress by Lucy Holland - My Name is Monster by Katie Hale - But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo

#bookrecommendations #sapphicbooks #queerbooks #queerbookstagram #queerbookrecs #fantasybookrecs #bookrecs📚

6 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jun 18 2025

My Vacation TBR

She’s taking 5 books, but the real question is, will she read any books?

Books on my vacation TBR:

- The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan - So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole - Behooved by M. Stevenson - This Will Be Fun by E.B. Asher - A Gentleman’s Gentleman by T.J. Alexander

#tbrlist #tobereadpile #toberead #vacationreads #beachread #tobereadlist

5 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jun 18 2025

What is Indie Next + My Current Reading Priorities

These are my current reading priorities. As a bookseller, I am always reading on a deadline and sometimes that deadline does not work out in my favor.

I love participating in the indie next program, which is a way for booksellers to highlight upcoming books they love through a nomination based system. Indie Next nominations are especially important for debut authors, as it can prove to publishers that investment in these authors and titles is “worth it”.

Participation in the program means I’m reading 2-3 months ahead of publication schedules and prioritizing this schedule makes it hard for me to work in backlist, book club, and personal reading into my schedule. I’m packing for a weekend trip to the beach and trying to balance these books with some of the TBR titles I was hoping to take with me as well.

I guess this is what happens when you make your passion your job, but it’s worth it for the ability to impact the industry for good.

4 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jun 18 2025

Books I'm Ashamed I Haven't Read Yet

Yes, I know I am wrong, I am trying to be better. Please be nice to me… or bully me into reading some of these.

📚 Books Mentioned 📚

- A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair - Model Home by Rivers Solomon - Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab - The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne@l - Evocation by S.T. Gibson - The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

#5starbooks #bookreel #bookstacks #toberead #tobereadpile #bookstagram #5starreads

6 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jun 12 2025

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

It’s been awhile since I posted a moody setup, but if ever there was a book that deserved one ifs this one. Bury Our Bones is my everything.

V.E. Schwab has been my favorite author since 2015 and vampires have been my favorite since 2006, so those two things coming together like this had basically changed my life. This book is flawless. I wanted nothing more and nothing less than what I got.

Also, all vampire stories should be sapphic from now on. Thank youuuu.

6 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jun 9 2025

Queer Historical Fiction Recs

I’m not typically a historical fiction reader, unless it’s queer historical fiction. Queer stories and queer people have always existed. These 5 books are some of my favorite reminders of that.

✨ A Tip for the Hangman by Allison Epstein ✨ The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave ✨ The Safekeep by Yael Van der Wouden ✨ Nicked by M.T. Anderson ✨ The Book of Goose by Yiyun Li

What are your favorite historical fiction books with queer characters?

#queerbooks #queerbookrecs #readqueerbooks #readqueerallyear #historicalfictionbooks

10 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jun 6 2025

Bindery Spring 2025 Launch Party

Obsessed with you all. Let’s get together again soon, okay?

Congrats again to @chasethemaren, @barbarartruelove, @sam_bansil, and @denisesrobbins. And thanks to @bindery_books for the invite and for hosting such a wonderful week of events!

#bookevent #indiepublishing #smallpress #bookishevents #booklaunchparty #binderybooks #booktoker #bookstagrammer

4 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • May 28 2025

Four Fantasy Books I've Loved Recently

2025 has been and will continue to be an incredible year for fantasy! I typically mix up my genres, but this year’s releases have been so good that I can’t leave the fantasy genre unless someone forces me to.

Here are 2 new releases, 1 quickly approaching release, and 1 fall release that I’ve absolutely adored.

#fantasybookstagram #fantasybookrecs #fantasybook #fantasybooklover #bookstacks

4 books