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To celebrate, I've gathered some stories I adore written by and/or featuring disabled authors and characters:\\ \\ - _Inheritance of Scars_ by Crystal Seitz - A twisty, atmospheric YA contemporary fantasy brimming with Norse mythology and enemies-to-lovers romance.\\ \\ - _One for All_ by Lillie Lainoff - An empowering, sweeping YA retelling of _The Three Musketeers_ with sisterhood and swordfights. \\ \\ - _The Maid and the Crocodile_ by Jordan Ifueko - A spellbinding, tender YA cozy fantasy perfect for fans of _Howl's Moving Castle_. \\ \\ - _The Whispering Dark_ by Kelly Andrew - A haunting, gripping YA dark academia novel with mystery, horror, and romance.\\ \\ - _This Vicious Grace_ by Emily Thiede - A charming, laugh-out-loud funny YA fantasy with a bodyguard romance, found family, and magic. \\ \\ - _Behooved_ by M. Stevenson - An adventurous, enchanting cozy fantasy perfect for fans of _My Lady Jane._\\ \\ - _Tarnished_ by Erica Rose Eberhart - A lush, cinematic fantasy with magic, sapphic romance, and an action-packed plot.\\ \\ - _Unseelie_ by Ivelisse Housman - An immersive, twisty YA fantasy with found family, faerie lore, and twin bonds.\\ \\ - _To a Darker Shore_ by Leanne Schwartz - A captivating, beautifully monstrous YA fantasy with a friends-to-lovers romance, perfect for fans of _Hadestown_.\\ \\ - _The Princess Knight_ by Cait Jacobs - A heartfelt, addictive medieval cozy fantasy brimming with adventure, romance, mythical beasts, and magic. \\ \\ \\ What are you reading this Disability Pride Month? 🫶\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/XU59rbdjMcI0yzfSsUSL/) [Disability Pride Month Book Recs!](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/XU59rbdjMcI0yzfSsUSL/) * * * 10 books 2 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • Jul 1](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [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](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/W5zkSV9c6DS9KEwUI1xe/) [Finding Books & Belonging in this Cozy Indie Bookstore: An interview with the owner of Judging By The Cover](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/W5zkSV9c6DS9KEwUI1xe/) * * * 3 books 4 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • Jun 26](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [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.\\ \\ - _Mirrorwoven_ by Bori Cser - A lush YA fantasy debut novel full of masquerade ball scheming and sapphic love-triangle angst.\\ \\ - _Lethal Kiss_ by Taylor Grothe - _Jennifer's Body_ meets _Ninth House_ in Taylor Grothe's adult sapphic horror/romance debut that's as grotesque and blood-soaked as it is beautiful.\\ \\ - _Right Beside You_ by Tucker Shaw - In this fresh, speculative blend of queer romance and coming-of-age, Eddie meets Theo in present-day New York and Francis in a New York of the past...torn between eras and his heart, he must make a decision that will change his life forever.\\ \\ - _I Can't Even Think Straight_ by Dean Atta - Big decisions and messy relationships. It's all part of life for Kai. A must-read queer coming of age story for fans of Sarah Crossan and _Sex Education_, written in verse.\\ \\ - _All-Nighter_ by Cecilia Vinesse - _Booksmart_ meets _Today, Tonight, Tomorrow_ in this page-turning romp about two archnemeses—the valedictorian and the class slacker—who band together for a whirlwind night after discovering that they need each other to achieve their very different sunrise goals.\\ \\ - _Out of Step, Into You_ by Ciera Burch - A sapphic contemporary romance following childhood friends turned cross-country team rivals who are forced to work together to win the state championship—for fans of _She Gets the Girl_.\\ \\ - _Homeward for a Spell_ by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos - In this cozy queer romantic fantasy, two members in a motley crew of adventurers must confront monsters, hostile landscapes—and their growing attraction for each other.\\ \\ - _Lost Girls of Hollow Lake_ by Rebekah Faubion - After a group of teens visit a dangerous island where three are left behind, the surviving girls realize they must return to confront the sinister force hunting them. This dark YA thriller is perfect for fans of _Yellowjackets_.\\ \\ - _The Secret World of Briar Rose_ by Cindy Pham - A lush and immersive queer “Sleeping Beauty” retelling about escapism, grief, and dreaming of a better world.\\ \\ - _Amelia, If Only_ by Becky Albertalli - A sapphic YA romance about friendship, unexpected love, and self-discovery.\\ \\ - _When You're Brave Enough_ by Rebecca Bendheim - A heartfelt, gorgeously written debut middle grade novel about best friends, first crushes, and coming out—perfect for fans of Kyle Lukoff and Jake Maia Arlow.\\ \\ - _The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy_ by Erin Edwards - Mr. Darcy got his happily ever after in _Pride and Prejudice,_ and now it’s his sister’s turn in this swoony queer romance, perfect for fans of _Bridgerton_.\\ \\ - _The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches_ by Katie Ortiz _\-_ In this spellbinding Southern Gothic novel, three women weave together old Southern folklore and magic to fight sexism and educational discrimination in post-Civil War Alabama, perfect for fans of Hester Fox and Louisa Morgan.\\ \\ - _A Prince Among Pirates_ by Katie Abdou - A charming nobleman accidentally joins a pirate ship and falls for its debonair captain in this swashbuckling queer debut that’s perfect for fans of F.T. Lukens and _Our Flag Means Death_.\\ \\ - _Strange Beasts_ by Susan J. Morris - In this fresh-yet-familiar gothic tale―part historical fantasy, part puzzle-box mystery―the worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes collide in a thrilling exploration of feminine power.\\ \\ - _Of Monsters and Mainframes_ by Barbara Truelove - The queer love child of pulp horror and ​classic ​sci-fi, _Of Monsters and ​Mainframes_ ​is a dazzling, heartfelt odyssey that probes what it means to be one of society’s monsters—and explores the many types of friendship that make us human.\\ \\ \\ Happy Pride Month!\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/2hptbj6vK2Mzc6Q5XVXV/) [Books on My Pride Month TBR! 🌈](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/2hptbj6vK2Mzc6Q5XVXV/) * * * 16 books 2 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • Jun 22](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [With a little over a week left in June, I wanted to share some more of my favorite LGBTQIA+ reads to continue the celebration:\\ \\ - _Aunt Tigress_ by Emily Yu-Xuan Qin - A creative, compelling, and strange (complimentary) urban fantasy with Chinese and First Nation mythology.\\ \\ - _The Manor of Dreams_ by Christina Li - A twisty, haunting gothic thriller with sapphic love, family drama, and a haunted garden.\\ \\ - _Roar of the Lambs_ by Jamison Shea - A dark, mysterious, and propulsive YA speculative thriller, perfect for fans of Andrew Joseph White.\\ \\ - _The Phoenix Keeper_ by S.A. MacLean - A cozy, sweet, and whimsical fantasy set in a magical zoo.\\ \\ - _The Devourer_ by Alison Ames - An addictive and cinematic YA fantasy with monsters and seaswept adventure.\\ \\ - _A Bánh Mì for Two_ by Trinity Nguyen - A sweet and tender YA contemporary romance set in Vietnam with mouth-watering food descriptions.\\ \\ - _The Girls I've Been_ by Tess Sharpe - A twisty, gripping YA thriller following the daughter of a con artist, perfect for fans of Lana Del Rey's "Doin' Time."\\ \\ - _Nobody in Particular_ by Sophie Gonzales - A witty and romantic YA contemporary romance set at an all-girls boarding school.\\ \\ - _Every Exquisite Thing_ by Laura Steven - A sharp, riveting YA retelling of _The Picture of Dorian Grey._\\ \\ - _Vesuvius_ by Cass Biehn - A captivating, immersive YA historical fantasy set in ancient Pompeii, perfect for fans of _The Song of Achilles_ and _They Both Die at the End_.\\ \\ - _The Incandescent_ by Emily Tesh - An atmospheric, spellbinding, and action-packed dark academia fantasy.\\ \\ - _Everything She Does Is Magic_ by Bridget Morrissey - A delightful, bewitching YA contemporary fantasy with magic and spooky joy, perfect to celebrate Summerween.\\ \\ - _This Is How You Lose the Time War_ by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone - A compelling, captivating, and propulsive epistolary SFF novel.\\ \\ - _Immortal Game_ by Allison Saft - An enrapturing, atmospheric YA contemporary fantasy with Irish folklore, chess, and romance.\\ \\ - _Maybe Tomorrow I'll Know_ by Alex Ritany - A gripping, heartfelt, and poignant YA speculative romance.\\ \\ - _Nemesis Mine_ by Amy Archer - A hilarious, charming, and magical cozy fantasy, perfect for fans of _Red, White & Royal Blue_ and _Legends & Lattes_.\\ \\ - _If All the Stars Go Dark_ by S.G. Prince - A cinematic, adventurous YA sci-fi novel with found family.\\ \\ \\ Happy Pride Month, and let me know what you're reading this month! 🫶\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/DwITJCHxOnvG3Fzm5sze/) [Must-Reads for Pride Month (pt. 2)! 🌈](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/DwITJCHxOnvG3Fzm5sze/) * * * 17 books 3 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • Jun 12](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [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:\\ \\ - @Sawyer loves Billy Porter’s _Unprotected_ (narrated by the author)\\ \\ - @Readingwithlori loves _Legendary_ by Stephanie Garber (narrated by Rebecca Soler) and _The Survivor Wants to Die at the End_ by Adam Silvera (narrated by Frankie J. Alvarez, Kyla Garcia, and Anthony Rey Perez)\\ \\ - Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (narrated by Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West)\\ \\ - _Taste_ by Stanley Tucci (narrated by the author)\\ \\ \\ I recommend:\\ \\ - _Legendary Frybread Drive-In_ edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith (narrated by Katie Anvil Rich, DeLanna Studi, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Darrell Dennis, Elva Guerra, Erin Tripp, and Jordan Waunch) - A welcoming, sweeping collection of interconnected stories with Native pride, food, and love.\\ \\ - _Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous_ by Autumn K. England (narrated by Dani Martineck) - A queer, heartwarming, and cozy fantasy filled with farmer's market trips and delicious treats.\\ \\ - _The Children_ by Melissa Albert (narrated by Rebecca Lowman, Saskia Maarleveld, Kristen Sieh, Leslie Aleman, and Iggy Costello) - A twisty and haunting novel perfect for readers who love dark fairytales that feel like fever dreams.\\ \\ - _Shim Jung Takes the Dive_ by Julia Riew (narrated by the author) - A hopeful, whimsical, and enchanting middle-grade fantasy with Korean folklore.\\ \\ - _A Potion, A Powder, a Little Bit of Magic_ by Philip C. Stead (narrated by Daniel Henning) - A quirky, creative, and magical middle-grade tale.\\ \\ - _Celestial Lights_ by Cecile Pin - A poignant, thoughtful, and charged yet peaceful literary fiction novel.\\ \\ - _The Summer of Lost Things_ by Jenn Bennett (narrated by Allie Shae) - An addictive and adventurous treasure-hunt romance perfect for summertime.\\ \\ \\ What are you listening to this Saturday? 🎧🫶\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/DHiBpNox8WVaLUbND1Xt/) [Audiobook Recommendations for Libro.fm's Audiobook Walk on June 13th!](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/DHiBpNox8WVaLUbND1Xt/) * * * 12 books 5 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • Jun 11](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [Happy Pride Month! To celebrate, I wanted to share some stories I love written by and/or featuring queer authors and characters:\\ \\ - _No Body No Crime_ by Tess Sharpe - An exhilarating thriller with cinematic adventure and a delightful sapphic romance.\\ \\ - _The Bone Spindle_ by Leslie Vedder - An action-packed and heartfelt YA retelling of “Sleeping Beauty,” perfect for fans of Indiana Jones.\\ \\ - _A Million to One_ by Adiba Jaigirdar - A simultaneously heartwarming and heart-wrenching YA historical novel set on the Titanic with a riveting heist and sapphic love.\\ \\ - _Anderson in Bloom_ by Jennifer Dugan - A fun, sexy second-chance sapphic romance with a hilarious cast and vivid small-town setting.\\ \\ - _The Incandescent_ by Emily Tesh - An atmospheric, enchanting dark academia fantasy with an addictive sapphic romance and captivating magic system.\\ \\ - _Hell’s Heart_ by Alexis Hall - A creative, strange (complimentary), and fever dream-esque sci-fi retelling of _Moby-Dick_.\\ \\ - _The Resurrectionist_ by A. Rae Dunlap - A gripping, gothic historical fiction novel with murder and a dark academia atmosphere set in Scotland, 1828.\\ \\ - _To the Bone_ by Alena Bruzas - A heartbreaking and unsettling YA historical fiction novel with a tender sapphic romance and powerful portrayal of Colonial America.\\ \\ - _An Arcane Study of Stars_ by Sydney J. Shields - A sweeping, irresistible dark academia fantasy set in a queer-normative world.\\ \\ - _No Better Than Beasts_ by Z.R. Ellor - A vicious, darkly mesmerizing retelling of "The Nutcracker."\\ \\ - _Lies We Sing to the Sea_ by Sarah Underwood - An achingly beautiful and wildly entertaining fantasy infused with Greek mythology, love, and tragedy.\\ \\ - _This Ravenous Fate_ by Hayley Dennings - A sumptuous yet gritty YA historical fantasy set in Jazz Age Harlem with vampires, sapphic romance, and female rage.\\ \\ - _The Marble Queen_ by Anna Kopp; illustrated by Gabrielle Kari - A swoony, stunning YA fantasy graphic novel with gorgeous illustrations and sapphic romance.\\ \\ - _Girl, Goddess, Queen_ by Bea Fitzgerald - An empowering, romantic, and fierce YA retelling of Hades and Persephone.\\ \\ \\ What are you reading this Pride Month? 🫶\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/zLPynZGKuwgnS4QVVgIa/) [Must-Reads for Pride Month (pt. 1)! 🌈](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/zLPynZGKuwgnS4QVVgIa/) * * * 14 books 5 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • Jun 6](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [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](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/5W03XDo9fCfBJLhrN9kY/) [Fantasy Friday: These Kindred Hearts edited by Shari B. Pennant!](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/5W03XDo9fCfBJLhrN9kY/) * * * 1 book 3 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • Jun 4](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [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. 🫶](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/o1nIvljUXKkNmH3OPstC/) [I want to know YOUR favorite audiobook! 🎧](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/o1nIvljUXKkNmH3OPstC/) * * * 6 [8](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/o1nIvljUXKkNmH3OPstC/#comments) [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • May 31](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [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! 🫶🏼\\ \\ - The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia by Leia Ham - A captivating, witty, and magical middle-grade fantasy with stunning illustrations that explores family, friendship, and the weight of expectations. (Leia will join me for an Instagram live on June 12th to discuss and celebrate TMMoSX! We hope you join us. 🥳)\\ \\ - The Ex-Boyfriend's Favorite Recipe Funeral Committee by Saki Kawashiro (translated by Yuka Maeno) - A hopeful, entertaining, and cozy novel of food, love, and the power of friendship inspired by the author’s own breakup story.\\ \\ - Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei - An emotional, sea-swept SFF novel of sisterhood and salvation set in Earth’s future after an ecological disaster.\\ \\ - Prodigal Tiger by Samantha Chong - A cinematic, sweeping YA contemporary fantasy with ghosts, Malaysian folklore, and friends-to-lovers romance.\\ \\ - Shim Jung Takes the Dive by Julia Riew - A whimsical, heartfelt middle-grade fantasy with Korean folklore and captivating adventure set in an underwater kingdom.\\ \\ - Midnight, at the War by Devi S. Laskar - An emotional, thought-provoking novel following a journalist set soon after 9/11.\\ \\ - Dinner with an Astronaut by Leroy Chiao with Victoria Bruce - An entertaining and informative memoir of Leroy Chiao, one of the first Asian American astronauts, filled with witty anecdotes and thoughtful insight into space exploration.\\ \\ - Morbid Curiosities by S. Hati - An addictive, creative, and emotional YA thriller set in San Francisco with a haunting STEM dark academia atmosphere.\\ \\ \\ Happy AANHPI Heritage Month!\\ \\ Thank you to HTP Books, Fierce Reads, Mariner Books, Epic Reads, Macmillan Audio, Crown Publishing, and Scholastic Press for the free review copies!](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/pka30MEgAc2qB6MR1vPl/) [More AANHPI Heritage Month Book Recs!](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/pka30MEgAc2qB6MR1vPl/) * * * 8 books 4 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • May 27](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [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!](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/Gnpy92vXs1bYQCHB5kEy/) [Pride Month Must-Read: And They Were Roommates!](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/Gnpy92vXs1bYQCHB5kEy/) * * * 2 books 3 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • May 20](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [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.\\ \\ - _Strange Familiars_ by Keshe Chow - Two scholars of magical veterinary science must put aside their lust and loathing to save the world in the first installment of this whimsical, romantic, dark academia duology. ( _Strange Familiars_ is also the July pick for Musings of the Nine Book Club! Keshe will join the club to comment insight about _Strange Familiars_ and chat with the club as we read. We hope you join us!)\\ \\ - _For No Mortal Creature_ by Keshe Chow - In this romantic, gothic fantasy inspired by _Wuthering Heights_, a teen girl with the power to move between life and death must journey into the afterlife. But to survive, she’ll need the help of her two sworn enemies—both dangerously captivating, both hiding secrets that could destroy her.\\ \\ - _Unfinished Business_ by Clare Osongo - In this funny, warmly chaotic tale of love, a floundering office worker discovers her mother's ghost is trapped in the company Slack server, and must free her by resolving her own troubled love life.\\ \\ - _The Fast Track_ by Angelica Cheng - An ambitious racer who dreams of becoming the first female F1 champion finds her plans going off track when she catches feelings for her biggest competition in this dishy, delicious contemporary romance for fans of love, Lynn Painter, and Lewis Hamilton.\\ \\ - _The Revenant of Surolifia_ by Florence Chien - In the vein of The Traitor Baru Cormorant and The Unbroken, The Revenant of Surolifia is a gripping political fantasy of empire, identity, and impossible choices, where rebellion blazes in the streets, loyalty is a double-edged sword, and the price of peace may be too steep to pay.\\ \\ - _The Game of Oaths_ by S.C. Bandreddi - In this heart-pounding, richly imagined fantasy set in the Belle Époque, a trapeze artist fights to win a deadly tournament amid the glamour and illusions of a magical circus. But survival isn’t her only goal—she wants revenge.\\ \\ - _Witch Daughter_ by Tanaz Bhathena - In her adult debut, award-winning author Tanaz Bhathena expertly weaves a tale of love and loss in ancient Persia with her take on the timeless tragedy of Tahmineh, a temptress, a witch, a victim, or, perhaps, a woman trying her hardest to protect her loved ones.\\ \\ - _Burn the Sea_ by Mona Tewari - A fierce Indian queen must defend her country against both the colonizing monsters attacking from the sea and the cowardly manipulations of a neighboring king…who happens to be her husband.\\ \\ - _The Secret World of Briar Rose_ by Cindy Pham - A lush and immersive queer “Sleeping Beauty” retelling about escapism, grief, and dreaming of a better world.\\ \\ - _A Kiss of Crimson Ash_ by Anuja Varghese - Inspired by medieval India’s most epic love stories, this debut Romantasy blends rich storytelling, lush worldbuilding, and spice of every variety. Perfect for fans of Nisha J. Tuli and Tasha Suri.\\ \\ - _The Book of Fallen Leaves_ by A.S. Tamaki - _Shogun_ meets _Game of Thrones_ in this epic fantasy debut of ambition, vengeance, and sacrifice.\\ \\ - _Coldwire_ by Chloe Gong - The start of a daring new dystopian series where humanity has moved to virtual reality to flee their deteriorating world, following two young soldiers who must depend on unlikely allies in their fight for survival.\\ \\ - _The God and the Gumiho_ by Sophie Kim - In this sly and dazzling contemporary fantasy, the most notorious nine-tailed fox in Korea pairs up with a trickster god–turned–detective to track down a wrathful demon . . . before it can destroy the mortal world.\\ \\ - _Blood Over Bright Haven_ by M.L. Wang - The first woman ever admitted to a prestigious order of mages unravels a secret conspiracy that could change the practice of magic forever, in this standalone dark fantasy from the author of _The Sword of Kaigen_.\\ \\ - _Double Happiness_ by Heather Eng - Caught between a relentless tech job, her adoring fiancé, and an unexpected new flame, Mei must learn what it means to choose herself.\\ \\ - _Brighter Than Nine_ (sequel to _Darker By Four_) by June C.L. Tan - The Shadowhunter Chronicles meets the Chinese underworld, drawing inspiration from diaspora folklore, in this epic, sweeping contemporary fantasy duology.\\ \\ - _Checking You Out_ by Jennifer Chen - _XO, Kitty_ meets _Dash & Lily_ in this rom com about two teens falling in love via letters left in their favorite library books—even if in real life they think they have nothing in common.\\ \\ - _Roar_ by Varsha Bajaj - The gripping story of a boy whose eye-opening trip to a tiger sanctuary ignites his desire to join those who are roaring to protect the animals.\\ \\ - _Babel_ by R.F. Kuang - A historical fantasy epic that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British Empire.\\ \\ - _Fishbone Cinderella_ by Elizabeth Lim - A mother and daughter must break their family’s curse through trials of war and immigration, love, loss, and redemption in this riveting multi-generational saga with a shimmer of magic.\\ \\ - _The Killing Spell_ by Shay Kauwe - In this spellbinding fantasy debut set in a future where language magic reigns, a young Hawaiian woman must solve a murder to clear her name.\\ \\ - _Japanese Gothic_ by Kylie Lee Baker - In this lyrical, wildly inventive horror novel interwoven with Japanese mythology, two people living centuries apart discover a door between their worlds.\\ \\ \\ Happy AANHPI Heritage Month!](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/w8ybreAz4RMi6uF1KFu5/) [AANHPI Books on My TBR!](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/w8ybreAz4RMi6uF1KFu5/) * * * 22 books 4 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • May 10](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [Happy Mother’s Day!](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/xRobtO9jT3Gr4bzgrvna/) 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](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [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!](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/KizEJoDugsWeDwNju7S1/) [Would you rather travel back in time or explore the future? 🕰️](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/KizEJoDugsWeDwNju7S1/) * * * 2 books 4 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • Apr 26](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [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. 🫶🏼\\ \\ - _Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe_ by C.B. Lee - _Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe_ is a spellbinding, cozy YA fantasy with sapphic love, magic, and a powerful exploration of doing one’s part to take care of the planet in the face of climate change.\\ \\ - _Is It Spring?_ by Kevin Henkes - _Is It Spring?_ is a calming, peaceful, and captivating children’s book that emphasizes the importance of patience, hope, and nature.\\ \\ - _Metamorphosis: Climate Fiction for a Better Future_ edited by Grist - _Metamorphosis_ is a thoughtful, immersive short story anthology filled with hopeful, creative stories that present an alternative future of “sustainability, inclusivity, and justice.”\\ \\ - _The Tear Collector_ by R.M. Romero - Set after the end of the world, _The Tear Collector_ is a middle-grade cli-fi tale of monsters, love, memories, and hope.\\ \\ - _Wild Dark Shore_ by Charlotte McConaghy - Eerie, rainy, romantic, mysterious, and atmospheric, _Wild Dark Shore_ is a gripping cli-fi psychological thriller with powerful descriptions of the nature, weather, and animals of Shearwater (a tiny island near Antarctica).\\ \\ - _Heiress of Nowhere_ by Stacey Lee - _Heiress of Nowhere_ is an immersive, sea-swept YA historical mystery with lush descriptions of the nature of Orcas Island.\\ \\ - _Burn the Kingdom Down_ by Addie Thorley - Capturing the real-life magic and joy of gardening, _Burn the Kingdom Down_ features a captivating plant magic system (as well as swoon-worthy romance and addictive adventure).\\ \\ - _When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy_ by Beronda L. Montgomery - Brimming with botany, Black history, and anecdotes from Montgomery’s life, _When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy_ is an eye-opening and entertaining non-fiction read.\\ \\ - _Saltcrop_ by Yume Kitasei - Set in Earth’s sea-consumed future, _Saltcrop_ is a sweeping, vivid story of sisterhood, sailing, and Earth’s environmental salvation.\\ \\ - _The Island of Last Things_ by Emma Sloley - Propulsive and vivid, _The Island of Last Things_ is a creative dystopian novel following two zookeepers at Earth’s last zoo.\\ \\ - _Doctors by Nature: How Ants, Apes, and Other Animals Heal Themselves_ by Jaap de Roode - _Doctors by Nature: How Ants, Apes, and Other Animals Heal Themselves_ is an enlightening, fascinating, and fun read that blends medicine, evolution, agriculture, and animals.\\ \\ - _Brewed with Love_ by Shelly Page - Witches, sapphic love, and a delightful mystery meet in _Brewed with Love,_ a cozy YA fantasy with a magic system inspired by the properties of redwood trees.\\ \\ - _The Honey Witch_ by Sydney J. Shields - Cozy, romantic, and witchy, _The Honey Witch_ is a spellbinding fantasy with a bee-filled magic system.\\ \\ - _Weyward_ by Emilia Hart - _Weyward_ is a powerful, irresistible novel following three women across five centuries that centers on the power of women, nature, and magic.\\ \\ - _The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt_ by Chelsea Iversen - Haunting, magical, and immersive, _The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt_ is a twisty historical fantasy with a wonderfully eerie plant magic system perfect for fans of _The Secret Garden_.\\ \\ - _Homegrown Magic_ by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos - Cozy, sapphic, and atmospheric, _Homegrown Magic_ is a welcoming and sweeping fantasy with garden magic and found family.\\ \\ - _Wildblood_ by Lauren Blackwood - With monsters, mythology, and a harrowing adventure through a Jamaican jungle, _Wildblood_ is a gripping YA novel.\\ \\ - _Wild Is the Witch_ by Rachel Griffin - Set in the Pacific Northwest, _Wild Is the Witch_ is an enchanting adventure with lush descriptions of Washington’s mountains, banter, only-one-tent, and the cutest owl.\\ \\ \\ Happy reading, and let me know which books you're reading this season! 🫶🏼\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/4KXnExXDnhjyHdOM41Jn/) [Books to Welcome Spring! 🌷🪺](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/4KXnExXDnhjyHdOM41Jn/) * * * 18 books 2 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • Apr 16](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [Books & Bakes (episode 22)! 🍎](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/Dul86dvG03OnKE3Ol6JN/) 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 3 [ofpagesandprint\\ \\ Dahlia\\ \\ • Apr 16](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/) [Author Interviews for the Trans Rights Readathon!](https://ofpagesandprint.binderybooks.com/item/3RISiV15wzZxIgZODe06/) 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 ### Your Request ### Your Info ### Confirmation "Get a Rec” is a new beta feature that enables you to get personalized recommendations directly from Dahlia. 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