Just read through these two adorable little picture books I'm gifting my nephew for his third birthday (along with an amigurumi version of my snake Casper), and I'm obsessed. Dreamy illustrations and quirky little stories about woodland creatures marching to the beat of their own (literal or figurative) drum.

I was inspired by @BookmarkTavern 's post to make a #TransRightsReadathon tbr. The readathon goes from March 21-31 this year.

The great granddaghter of a Lutheran preacher discover a crumbling old journal recounting the confessions of a Blackfeet man called "Good Stab" recounting how he was turned into a "catman" (vampire) and all the lives he's taken since. But is he really looking for absolution-- or revenge? Incredible work of fiction as always from SGJ. Historical fiction meets horror. I'll include trigger warnings under a spoiler in the comments.

Rom-com meets cozy murder mystery in this novel about actors with complicated feelings for each other and the roles they once played across from each other in a cult TV show. Now they've reunited for a podcast and a reunion special, but instead of talking up the show they've decided to find out what really happened to the beloved makeup artist who died on set. A fun read though there were so many characters I sometimes had trouble keeping track.

This beautiful novella features harp and flute music recorded by El-Mohtar and her sister--especially appropriate since this is a story about sisters and sisterhood! Eleanor and Isabelle live alongside the river Lyss, their singing an integral part of keeping the magic of the trees alive. But Eleanor's love for one of the fae from nearby Arcadia complicates her determination to never leave her sister. Loved the concept of magic as "grammar."

#WeekendReads

Book mail! I haven't loved the alternate covers for the last two Owlcrate adult fantasy book boxes. Excited for the books themselves but kinda bummed that the original covers are prettier in my opinion 😓

Surprisingly all my favorite reads of the year so far are romances! Even my top 2 pick for February (Deep End by Ali Hazelwood) is romance. But I have been enjoying the escapism of romance lately. Well see if the trend continues into March but with Katabasis and The Buffalo Hunter Hunter on my tbr for the month, I kind of doubt it. @CSeydel

What are you reading this weekend? #WeekendReads

My first five star read of the year! I usually like my romance books a little less messy but when one of the main characters is the somewhat dysfunctional daughter of two rockstars, things are going to be a bit disastrous. I loved Ramona and Dylan's second-chance romance. Another great book from Ashley Herring Blake. I'm already anxiously anticipating the next book following Ramona's tattoo artist friend April.

Using the nice weather as an excuse to finish my book outside

Screaming, crying 😄😵😭

The daughter of an actress heading to a small town to escape a recent scandal and a cute mechanic hit it off and have a fling in this fun, spicy romance. But when the chance for something more between them comes up, will Jessica be able to take it or will she leave Vinnie waiting in the dust?

This is a wonderfully absurdist short story about human nature and relationships set in an apartment building where a growing pile of junk is wreaking havoc. Fredrik Backman really knows how to write a great story.

This was a hard read to get through. A story about queer / trans people being violently targeted by a bigoted pastor and his followers in small town Appalachia felt a little too much like reality right now, even though the story is set in the past. That said, it's well written and a good story. I particularly liked that Les and Stevie didn't tamp down their anger / desire for vengeance at the end.

Working my way through these three very different books this weekend. Two ebooks and one audio. #WeekendReads

What are you reading this weekend? #WeekendReads

Where are my knitting / crocheting readers at? I'm really tempted to makes the banned book cowl I included on this list and also the adorable little bookworms. And maybe the book clutch. Gah so many great options! Not like I already have about 5 different projects going either 😅

https://bookriot.com/bookish-crochet-and-knitting-patterns/

I ended up enjoying this cozy Korean fantasy novel but it was a bit more cliche than I had hoped in some ways. A young girl goes to a magical market to change her life but none of the possible futures she sees seem to turn out as well as she'd hoped. Not only that, but a thief if plaguing the marker. Along with her magical cat companion Issha, Serrin will have to decide what exactly it is she's looking in life.

A little naptime reading

I usually go through a few slumps a year ranging from a week to a month. I'm still able to read it just takes me longer because I'm unable to focus as much or am less invested.

I find shorter bites like graphic novels and short story collections can be helpful. Something about finishing a story all in one go is satisfying. Fanfiction is another go-to, though I usually don't think of that as reading in the same way 😅

@BookmarkTavern

#WeekendReads

Valentines weekend seems like a good time to pick up a new romance book by one of my favorite authors ❤️

This was a phenomenal graphic novel by the creator of Witchy about a planet where the children of recent refugees sometimes develop powers. After the stress of deferring college, Oberon's dreams start coming to life--literally, the things he dreams manifest in the real world. One frequent player in his dreams? His high school crush. I occasionally had trouble following the dream illustrations, but the artwork was so gorgeous it made up for it.

The mythology of Wales, England, and Scotland come to life in this fantasy novel about Jenny Greenteeth who finds herself going on an unlikely quest when a witch is drowned in her lake. Along with Temperence and a goblin named Brackus, she'll have to fight off a posessed pastor and protect the heart of Britain's magic. It's a charming and heartfelt story. A bit slow in the middle but great fun overall.

Some fun #WeekendReads

So excited about these romance books coming out this year by some of my favorite authors. What romance books are you looking forward to this year?

bookriot.com/2025-romance-books-by-your-favorite-authors/

Some super exciting book mail!

A super spicy little novella from Adriana Hererra following a sexy stowaway and the grumpy run runner captain and the cheeky nephew of a mob boss who realizes they just can't get enough of her--or each other. I love when stories choose polyamory instead of a love triangle.

Maybe my favorite Ali Hazelwood book yet--and possibly also the spiciest. A competitive diver recovering from an injury and an Olympic swimmer realize they're into the same kinks and decide to have some fun. But are either of them ready to admit their feelings extend far beyond the bedroom. Still lots of STEM, but I loved the competitive sports angle in this one as well. If you like Ali Hazelwood's other books you're gonna love this one.

This was a cute, cozy locked-room murder mystery set on a spaceship where everyone's memories are kept in digital books so people can be placed into new bodies over the course of the long space journey. When the ship's detective awakens in a strange body with her memory book erased and a murder to solve, she has to figure out who's killing people by erasing them--permanently.

Two very different #WeekendReads 😂 I just started a new translation of The Odyssey (the first by a woman, I believe) and snagged an advanced audiobook of Ali Hazelwood's new romance.

Well this will definitely be my entertainment on my flight home tonight! I'm flying out of Reagan (where the collision happened a few nights ago) so the flight anxiety is going to be terrible. An audiobook and some crocheting is likely all I'll be able to focus on. So excited that this was one of Libro.fm's February alcs.

5am flight fuel

I can't believe it's been 8 years! Happy Litsyversary @sebrittainclark and @Laughterhp ! 🎉🎊

A little coffee shop time this afternoon

It took me longer to get into the 3rd book in the Loyal League series than any of the others. Janeta's perspective was hard to read, as a mixed race Cuban woman initially spying for the Confederecy who didn't understand the horrific system she was helping to perpetuate while also falling victim to. That said, her journey was handled with thoughtfulness and honesty that I think is important to show, and I was eventually fully swept up in the story.

A recently escaped counter-intelligence operative for the Union and a botanist helping him hide right under the noses of the Sons of the Confederacy fall for each other despite the danger in the second book of Alyssa Cole's Loyal League series. This was my favorite of the series. I loved Marlie and Ewan so much.

I really enjoyed Six of Crows but was less a fan of Ninth House so I'd been undecided on picking this one up before getting it on my #AuldLangSpine list from @Laughterhp . It took me a moment to get into it but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The setting of the Spanish Inquisition was great for a historical fantasy book, and I really loved the character of Santangel. @monalyisha

I've been so caught up by Alyssa Cole's Civil War historical romance series. I love the care toward historical accuracy, especially about a time as painful as the Civil War in the US, and I love the many different aspects / perspectives of that time that she gives us. In the first book, a spy for the Loyal League with an eidetic memory and a Pinkerton detective fall for each other despite all the risks and obstacles standing in their way.

Getting into the last of Alyssa Cole's Loyal League romances and finally starting one of my #AuldLangSpine picks from @Laughterhp @monalyisha

#WeekendReads

#WeekendReads

What are your most anticipated releases of 2025? I have so many.

https://bookriot.com/most-anticipated-books-of-2025/

My first read of 2025 by one of my favorite authors of 2024! Elizabeth Lavenza's story is centered in this Frankenstein retelling full of dark machinations and obsessive relationships. As a Frankenstein lover, I adored it and fully endorse this retelling.

Madness was my last novel of 2024. It took me a few months of on and off reading to get through it because of its sheer density and the difficulty of its subject matter. The history of mental illness and asylums is horrifying to begin with, and when segregation and racism are added into the mix, that horror is only compounded. It was an edifying read, though, and I'm glad to have read it for the greater context and understanding I have now.

That'll do it. I read and reviewed 4 cute little picture books yesterday on Netgalley, leaving my total books in 2024 at a nice even 140. I try to focus more on the quality and joy of my reading than a number total, and 2024 was a great year for me. I had 15 5 star reads and 101 4 star reads. Not too shabby! I'm hoping 2025 brings me just as many great books!

I was really torn between advancing James or Sorcery and Small Magics in my bracket, but I knew it was a bit of a moot point in the end since The Stars Too Fondly has long since been my favorite book of the year. Doing a book bracket is always such a fun way to track yearly reading. Thanks for putting this one together @CSeydel #BookBracket2024

Anyone else trying to finish a few last books before the New Year? I'm determined to get through the tagged book, which I've been working on for several months. It's a hard read, both in subject matter and density. (I had to take a break after reading about forcibly electroshock and lobotomies today.) Still, it's the kind of information that is important to have a record of, and I'm grateful for Hylton's work to preserve it. #WeekendReads

#WeekendReads

This was fine, it just wasn't geat--and it should've been. A guy who finds out he's a prince a la Princess Diaries gets etiquette lessons from a gay prince from a controlling family, and the two fall for each other. I wish this was as good as the premise, but the execution was somewhat lacking.