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ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • Jul 15

[Happy Disability Pride Month! To celebrate, I've gathered some stories I adore written by and/or featuring disabled authors and characters:\ \

Disability Pride Month Book Recs!

10 books

2

ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • Jul 1

Hello friends!\ \ I'm so excited to share my interview with Sara, the owner of Judging By The Cover. Located in San Dimas, California, Judging By The Cover is a cozy and welcoming woman- and Latina-owned independent bookstore that champions inclusivity and community. The bookstore celebrated its first anniversary on June 6th.\ \ Q: What inspired you to open Judging By The Cover?\ \ A: The catalyst was hearing that San Dimas Cake Co. might be closing.\ \ I remember thinking it would be a shame to lose a small business, and it got me wondering what would happen to the space. I've always loved books, so I started looking into what it would take to open a bookstore. At first it was really just curiosity. I wasn't actively planning to open one, I was just exploring an idea that I couldn't get out of my head.\ \ The more research I did, the more excited I became. Not just about books, but about what an independent bookstore could mean for a community.\ \ I've worked behind a chair for years (I was and still am a full-time hairstylist, doing about 40 hours a week behind the chair), and one thing I've learned is that people are looking for connection. Some of the most meaningful conversations have happened when a service was technically over, but nobody was quite ready to leave because the conversation was too good.\ \ I realized a bookstore could create those same opportunities for connection. People come in for books, but they stay for book clubs, author events, story times, workshops, and most importantly, conversations with other readers.\ \ So while my love of books is what got me interested in opening a bookstore, creating a space where people could gather, connect, and feel welcome is what made me decide to actually do it.\ \ Q: What has been one of your favorite and one of the most unexpected moments as a new bookstore owner?\ \ A: One of my favorite things has been watching customers become friends with one another. We've had people meet at book club, exchange numbers, start attending events together, and build relationships outside of the store. That's incredibly gratifying because it means the bookstore is doing exactly what I hoped it would do.\ \ The most unexpected thing has been how quickly people made us part of their lives. We have customers who stop in every week, bring visiting friends and family, or tell us, "I was driving by and just wanted to see what was new." I knew people liked books. I didn't realize how many people were looking for a place that felt like a home away from home.\ \ Q: What books have your customers been most excited about?\ \ A: It depends on who you ask! Our customers have pretty wide-ranging tastes, which keeps things fun.\ \ Our romantasy readers are a force of nature, so authors like Callie Hart, Sophia St. Germain, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Rachel Gillig are always generating excitement. On the romance side, Abby Jimenez, Ali Hazelwood, Carley Fortune, Melissa Marr, and Lana Ferguson are always being recommended from one reader to the next. Our thriller readers are always looking for the next book that's going to keep them up way too late.\ \ One thing that makes me especially happy is seeing customers get excited about local authors. During our first year, about 10% of the books we sold were written by local authors, which is something I'm incredibly proud of. Watching readers discover authors from their own community has been an incredibly rewarding part of owning the bookstore.\ \ Q: What are some of your go-to book recommendations?\ \ A: This is the question every bookseller dreads because the answer is always, "it depends."\ \ My favorite recommendation isn't a specific book, it's the process of figuring out what someone is looking for. Two people can ask for a thriller and want two completely different experiences.\ \ That said, I find myself recommending What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall quite a bit. I loved Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and have been putting it into a lot of readers' hands lately. And if someone wants a romance recommendation, you can expect me to recommend anything by Ali Hazelwood, Alexis Daria, or The Best Worst Thing by Lauren Okie.\ \ Honestly, though, if you ask me this question next week, you'll probably get a different answer. That's part of the fun.\ \ Q: What are your hopes for the future of Judging By The Cover?\ \ A: I hope we continue growing into an even bigger part of the community.\ \ Of course I'd love to bring in more authors, expand our events, support more local writers and artists, and continue introducing people to books they might not have found otherwise.\ \ But more than anything, I hope we remain a place people feel comfortable walking into.\ \ Whether you're an avid reader who finishes a hundred books a year or someone who hasn't picked up a book since high school, I want Judging By The Cover to feel like a space where you belong.\ \ If people continue to think of us as part of their routine and part of their community, I'll consider that a success.\ \ Q: What advice would you give to anyone looking to expand their bookish community?\ \ A: I'd encourage people to take a chance on attending something by themselves.\ \ That might be a book club, an author event, a writing group, or even just spending a little extra time chatting with someone at their local bookstore (hint, hint) or library.\ \ I know that can feel intimidating, but some of my favorite bookstore stories started with someone saying, "I almost didn't come tonight."\ \ As a lifelong Pride & Prejudice fan (and therefore, naturally, a Bridget Jones's Diary fan), I joke that one of my talents is making introductions. Not necessarily in the matchmaking sense, but in the "you should meet this person, and here's a thoughtful detail about them" sense. Some of the best friendships I've watched form at the bookstore started because two people realized they loved the same genre, author, or book.\ \ Books are a wonderful conversation starter. You don't have to become best friends overnight. Sometimes community starts with a single introduction and grows from there.\ \ Q: You've said that Judging By The Cover is not only a bookstore but also "a place to belong." How have you approached crafting a warm and welcoming storytelling space?\ \ A: Honestly, I think a lot of it comes down to the people.\ \ I have an incredible team, and they're genuinely warm, welcoming people. We like talking about books, we like getting to know our customers, and we care about helping people find stories they'll love. I think customers can tell the difference between someone who's being friendly because it's their job and someone who's being friendly because they genuinely enjoy connecting with people.\ \ At the same time, we've been intentional about creating a space that doesn't feel intimidating. We greet people when they come in, but we don't hover. We offer recommendations, but we don't make people feel judged for what they read. Whether your favorite book is a literary classic or a gargoyle romance, you're welcome here.\ \ I've always believed there's no right way to be a reader. Some people read a hundred books a year. Some people listen exclusively to audiobooks. Some people are just getting back into reading after years away. All of them belong here. Books bring people through the door, but it's the people inside the store who make it feel like a place to belong.\ \ Q: How do you approach curating your bookstore's selection?\ \ A: I pay attention to what customers are requesting, what people are talking about in book club, what my booksellers are recommending, what local authors are writing, and what conversations are happening in the broader book world.\ \ Of course we carry new releases and popular titles, but I also think a bookstore should create opportunities for discovery. There's something really rewarding about watching someone discover a book they never would have picked up on their own.\ \ A bookstore owner's job isn't to convince people to read what she likes. If that were the case, this store would be primarily made up of psychological thrillers, rom-coms, and the most depressing nonfiction you've ever seen. My goal is to create a collection that reflects our community, introduces readers to new voices, and gives people plenty of opportunities to discover their next favorite book.\ \ Q: Would you share more about connecting your community through your bookstore's events?\ \ A: The events have become a huge part of what makes Judging By The Cover feel like Judging By The Cover.\ \ When people think of bookstores, they often think about shelves full of books. I spend a surprising amount of time thinking about what happens beyond the shelves.\ \ That's why we host book clubs, story times, author events, workshops, book swaps, walking clubs, local author markets, and what sometimes feels like an infinite number of other events. The goal isn't just to connect people with books, it's to create opportunities for people to connect with each other.\ \ What I've learned is that books are often the starting point. Someone comes to a book club because they liked the book, but they come back because they enjoyed the conversation. Someone attends an author event and leaves with a new favorite writer, or a new friend.\ \ The best indicator that an event was successful is when it technically ended twenty minutes ago and people are still standing around talking because nobody is quite ready to leave yet. That's usually when I know we've done something right.\ \ Thank you so much to Sara for joining me in chatting about Judging By The Cover! 🫶\ \ Join for free or login

Finding Books & Belonging in this Cozy Indie Bookstore: An interview with the owner of Judging By The Cover

3 books

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ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • Jun 26

[To continue the Pride Month celebration all year long, I wanted to share some of the amazing queer books on my TBR! Some have already released, and others are available for preorder. 🫶\ \* Pitches from the publishers.\ \

Books on My Pride Month TBR! 🌈

16 books

2

ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • Jun 22

[With a little over a week left in June, I wanted to share some more of my favorite LGBTQIA+ reads to continue the celebration:\ \

Must-Reads for Pride Month (pt. 2)! 🌈

17 books

3

ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • Jun 12

[On June 13th, Libro.fm is celebrating Audiobook Month with a global audiobook walk! Audiobooks are my favorite way to consume stories, and I am so excited to celebrate them on the 13th with a stroll. 🥳\ \ Last week, I asked my Bindery community for their audiobook recommendations, and I wanted to share them and some of my favorites with you all in case you need some recs for the walk (or just want to add to your audiobook TBR!):\ \ My Bindery community recommends:\ \

Audiobook Recommendations for Libro.fm's Audiobook Walk on June 13th!

12 books

5

ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • Jun 11

[Happy Pride Month! To celebrate, I wanted to share some stories I love written by and/or featuring queer authors and characters:\ \

Must-Reads for Pride Month (pt. 1)! 🌈

14 books

5

ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • Jun 6

Poll:\ \ Which is your favorite romance trope?\ \ \ \ Happy Friday, friends! One of my most anticipated reads of the year, These Kindred Hearts, releases on June 30, and I wanted to put it on your radar, too. \ \ These Kindred Hearts: 17 Tales of Love and Magic features stories by Alexene Farol Follmuth (Olivie Blake), Angela Montoya, Brent Lambert, Chelsea Padilla, Cheryl Isaacs, Jamar J. Perry, Jennifer Helen, Jill Tew, Kalynn Bayron, Kwame Mbalia, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Nia Davenport, Nikki T. Grant, Shari B. Pennant, Sophie Li, Vanessa Montalban, and Zoraida Córdova. \ \ I'm truly obsessed with the incredible lineup! I'm already a huge fan of some of the amazing authors' work, but I haven't read quite a few, so I'm very excited to discover new favorites. Anthologies are one of the best ways to find your new favorite author (and escape a reading slump!).\ \ I cannot wait to dive into these swoony and spellbinding stories! 🫶\ \ Thank you to Sweet July and Zando Books for the free review copy!\ \ Join for free or login

Fantasy Friday: These Kindred Hearts edited by Shari B. Pennant!

1 book

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ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • Jun 4

June is Audiobook Appreciation Month, and to celebrate, Libro.fm is hosting a global audiobook walk on June 13! Listening to an audiobook is my favorite way to read, and I want to know...what's your favorite audiobook? \ \ My goal is to make a list of favorites from the Bindery community to share before the walk! I would be so grateful if you took a second to comment below with your favorite audiobook (bonus points if it's a rec for Pride Month!). 🥰 \ \ Wherever you are, I hope you also join me for the Audiobook Walk on the 13th! 🥳\ \ Happy Audiobook Appreciation Month, and Happy Pride Month! \ \ P.S. Please let me know if you'd like me to include your name and/or social handle with your recommendation. 🫶

I want to know YOUR favorite audiobook! 🎧

6

8

ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • May 31

[With a day left in AANHPI Heritage Month, I wanted to share some more of my favorite AANHPI reads to continue the celebration all year long! 🫶🏼\ \

More AANHPI Heritage Month Book Recs!

8 books

4

ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • May 27

Poll:\ \ Second-chance or academic rivals-to-lovers romance?\ \ \ \ As Pride Month approaches, I wanted to share one of my all-time favorite YA romances that’s perfect for Pride Month: And They Were Roommates by Page Powars. I finished ATWR in 2025, and it remains one of the funniest, most delightful, and most welcoming stories I’ve read. 🥰\ \ The paperback of ATWR just released on May 26, and Page’s next YA romcom, But I Hate Him, releases in August. It’s the perfect time to pick up ATWR for your Pride Month TBR (and preorder But I Hate Him!). 🥳\ \ Thank you to Fierce Reads and Ro Romanello PR for sending me free copies of And They Were Roommates and But I Hate Him!

Pride Month Must-Read: And They Were Roommates!

2 books

3

ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • May 20

[With a little over a week left in May, I wanted to share some of the incredible AANHPI stories on my TBR to continue celebrating AANHPI voices all year long!\ *Pitches from the publishers.\ \

AANHPI Books on My TBR!

22 books

4

ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • May 10

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day!

To celebrate, here are some stories I love that explore the complexities and power of motherhood. 🫶🏼

#mothersday #bookishcommunity #fantasybooks #historicalfiction #epictastemaker

10 books

4

ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • May 1

Poll:\ \ Would you rather travel back in time or explore the future?\ \ If you want to experience the past, I highly recommend reading A. Rae Dunlap's The Resurrectionist—a haunting, gothic debut set in 1828 in Scotland. With chilling anatomical descriptions, a hilarious cast, and a touching queer love story, it is absolutely mesmerizing.\ \ If you want to explore the future, I highly recommend reading Veronica Roth's Seek the Traitor’s Son—a sweeping dystopian fantasy set on a futuristic Earth. Blending romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian, it is an irresistible genre-straddling story. \ \ The audiobooks of both are incredible! Seek the Traitor's Son features a spectacular full-cast narration, and Tom Kiteley's performance in The Resurrectionist could not have been more captivating. \ \ Seek the Traitor's Son releases on May 12, and while you wait, The Resurrectionist is available now!

Would you rather travel back in time or explore the future? 🕰️

2 books

4

ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • Apr 26

[As flowers bloom and baby birds hatch, welcome spring (and continue the Earth Month celebration) with these brilliant books that highlight the power and beauty of nature! S0me are darker, and some are cozier, but all of them are captivating stories that will sweep you away. 🫶🏼\ \

Books to Welcome Spring! 🌷🪺

18 books

2

ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • Apr 16

Books & Bakes (episode 22)! 🍎

Welcome to episode twenty-two of Books & Bakes, where I bake special treats that fit perfectly with special books! 🫶🏼

The book that inspired this episode’s treat is The Tear Collector by R.M. Romero. The audiobook I listened to is Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine. ✨

Apple Tea Muffin/Bundt Cake Recipe:

1/4 cup softened coconut oil

1/4 cup softened butter

1 apple of choice chopped (I used Fuji)

3 tbsp honey

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 cup chopped pecans

3 eggs

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp coconut flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 tbsp Caramel Cabin tea from Chapters Tea & Co. (or black tea of choice — bonus points if it has notes of apple, caramel, or spice)

1/2 cup hot water

1/2 cup milk

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and set ingredients out to allow them to warm to room temperature. 2. Steep the hot water, milk, and tea for 10-20 minutes in a bowl or cup. 3. Cream the butter and honey together until they are light and creamy. 4. Add the eggs and mix until combined. 5. Whisk together salt, flour, baking powder, and spices in a separate bowl. 6. Mix in the tea mixture and dry ingredients into the wet ingredients at a low speed until incorporated. 7. Fold in chopped apple and pecans. 8. Pour the batter into a greased tin(s). If you’re making muffins, spoon batter into lined muffin tins. 9. Bake the cake/muffins until a toothpick comes out clean (around 25 to 35 minutes for a Bundt and 18 to 25 for muffins). 10. Allow the cakes to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. 11. Enjoy!

Follow for more! 🫶🏼

Thank you to @ballantinebooks for the free copy of Junie, @littlebrownyoungreaders for the free copy of The Tear Collector, and @drinkchapters for the free Caramel Cabin tea blend! 🫖

#fantasybooks #bookishcommunity #baking #middlegradebooks

2 books

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ofpagesandprint\ \ Dahlia\ \ • Apr 16

Author Interviews for the Trans Rights Readathon!

For this year’s Trans Rights Readathon newsletter, I interviewed @petralordauthor, @aidenschmaiden, @km_enright, and @danaiwrites and am thrilled to share our interviews with you all here. 🫶🏼

Thank you to Petra, Aiden, K.M., and Danai for chatting with me, and thank you to the @transrightsreadathon team for having me! ✨

#transrightsreadathon #authorinterview #fantasybooks #yabooks #bookishcommunity

9 books

3

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