“Whatcha reading?” I ask, pulling her out of her trance as I sit across from her on the bench.

She looks up at me with a cheeky smile, taking her ice cream cone. “Three guesses.”

“More gargoyle erotica?”

I wonder if the MC of my current read is reading this gem.

One of the most riveting books I‘ve read this year. Custodians of Wonder introduces people around the world preserving rare traditions that may disappear with them. Every story fascinated me. Both heartbreaking and hopeful, it‘s a powerful reminder of how much knowledge exists outside mass production. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This biography deepened my appreciation for Octavia Butler‘s work and intellect. Morris shows Butler not as a prophet, but as a brilliant reader of history and human behavior. Insightful, intimate, and compelling—this book sent several of Butler‘s novels straight to my TBR. A must-read for sci-fi and literary fans. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I thought I knew corporate corruption from Empire of Pain, but this one shocked me. No More Tears exposes how Johnson & Johnson knowingly caused harm for decades while maintaining a trusted public image. Enraging, meticulously reported, and essential reading about corporate power and misplaced trust. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was excited for this one, but it didn‘t work for me. The slow burn was overwhelmed by the unionizing subplot, which often felt more like advocacy than romance. I also struggled with Mira‘s repeated hangups about her identity. Some good moments, but the balance was off overall. ⭐️⭐️

Un libro claro, accesible y muy bien sustentado. El ABC del género es perfecto tanto para quienes se acercan por primera vez a estos temas como para quienes buscan más herramientas y argumentos para hablar de feminismo, género e identidades con mayor seguridad. (Disponible via Queer Liberation Library) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Millicent Quibb is like a Weird Barbie mad scientist, and this book is gloriously unhinged. Think A Series of Unfortunate Events, but more feminist and less grim. Zany adventures, delightfully silly villains, and three girls encouraged to be strange, curious, and brilliant. Kirkus said it best, “Fiercely feisty and unapologetically goofy.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fairy tales were already dark, but this retelling leans into a quieter, creepier horror. A Sorceress Comes to Call focuses on coercive control, abusive family dynamics, and the slow accumulation of dread. Inventive, unsettling, and darkly funny, with a refreshingly practical heroine. A standout among fairy-tale retellings.
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I picked this up because of my interest in Camino memoirs and a bit of ‘80s nostalgia. While I enjoyed the journey, it felt more curated than spontaneous—less about discovery and more about how McCarthy sees his son. Still, it‘s a thoughtful, reflective travelogue about parenthood and connection. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Bewitching is a Gothic within a Gothic within a Gothic—three timelines that interlock perfectly. Sinister, intricately plotted, and deeply unsettling, it blends witch folklore, dark academia, and mystery with real emotional weight. A beautifully constructed horror novel that reads effortlessly and stays with you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Growing up in Puerto Rico, I know how dangerous storms can be, and Island Storm had my heart in my throat. As the kids move farther from safety, the tension builds beautifully. Floca‘s text is masterful, but Sydney Smith‘s dark, textured art adds real urgency. A powerful, immersive picture book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A beautiful picture book biography that makes Augusta Baker‘s story accessible to readers of all ages. Centering her first as a storyteller is a smart, inviting choice, and the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. I‘m so glad books like this exist. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I liked Courtney and Thea, but the secrecy around Courtney‘s identity didn‘t work for me—it felt like a stretch and leaned too hard on miscommunication. Courtney also carries a lot of trauma, which felt overwhelming at times. The real standout was the book club community, which added warmth and charm to the story.
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I worried To the Moon and Back might be overshadowed as “the other lesbian-in-space book,” but it stands on its own. Steph is a messy, driven protagonist whose ambition comes at real cost. Ramage weaves family, Indigeneity, and belonging into a quietly heartbreaking, hopeful story. One of my most anticipated reads—and it delivered. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What say you? What Atwood and Shafak had to say: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSAJ4uGjHr4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

#Dedication

Starting this one because it was inspired by an Icelandic road trip.

Había leído a Safo en inglés, pero nunca en español. Encontré este libro en la Queer Liberation Library y lo leí de una sentada. Aun en fragmentos, su maestría es innegable: versos sobre el amor y el deseo que trascienden tiempo y cultura. Leerla en mi propio idioma fue un regalo. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Get Over It, April Evans is about growing into yourself, healing old wounds, and learning to trust your instincts. April and Daphne‘s journeys—emotional, creative, and sexual—unfold beautifully against the familiar Clover Lake backdrop. Tender, messy, and very steamy, this was exactly the book I needed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Next up is this Sapphic retelling of While You Were Sleeping

Sharks + women scientists? I‘m in. This had strong moments—Farallon scenes, shark mystery, marine biology—but it got bogged down by too many subplots and a romance that felt obligatory. Loved the ocean parts but wish it had stayed more focused. Sometimes less is more.

A friend sent us the best postcard!

Only 2 LGBTQ+ titles in this display, tagged book & The Dogs of Venice.

Books-A-Million giving the people what they want.

I will be taking home this stunning edition of a beloved book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#TBRTemptation spotted at Bat City Comics. I actually had it in my hands because it was so cute.

Gertrude Stein as quoted in tagged book.

This one‘s for @kspenmoll who enjoyed the robin pic i posted earlier… though now I want to read the tagged book!

Another book I read earlier this week had jasmine with a hint of bergamot. The most I can do is clean, earthy, or floral.

Poem from tagged book. Photo by me.

In the lanai, listening to birdsong and reading in this book.

Some thoughtful points about vulnerability, but this felt more like a personal memoir—and possibly political image management—than the radical manifesto the title promises. Commendable actions are shared, but the tenderness often feels curated. I wanted more depth and less self-justification. ⭐️⭐️

He didn‘t prep. She kept them alive. I read this for Maralyn, not Maurice. Despite the acclaim, it felt like a dry retelling of someone else‘s notes. I wanted visceral, emotional storytelling and instead got something distant. Maralyn‘s quiet strength stays with me, even if the book doesn‘t. ⭐️⭐️

Back to Clover Lake.

This book blindsided me. Kristen and Josh‘s relationship is tender and complicated, but the climax comes out of nowhere and absolutely crushed me—I‘m still angry about it months later. Jimenez isn‘t afraid to let grief and loss reshape everything, and even though I struggled with the ending, this is the book that made me a fan. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved the house-swap setup, especially Clover‘s journey—religious upbringing, queer awakening, grief, and finding found family in SF. Bee‘s small-town storyline was charming too. The book is imperfect but cozy, heartfelt, and deeply satisfying

Time travel + cold cases = catnip for me. Loved seeing Elly Griffiths try something new. The world-building was strong, the present-day storylines more engaging than the historical ones, and while the romance felt unnecessary, I‘m still hooked and can‘t wait for the next book in the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A devastating, beautifully written memoir. Yiyun Li writes with restraint and precision, living in thought rather than emotion as she reflects on loss, memory, and being. As a neurodivergent reader, I found that approach deeply moving. A quiet, powerful book I‘ll carry with me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Slow to start, but worth the patience. Queer pain in a patriarchal village makes for heavy reading, but the mystery pulls you in. Loved the ace representation. A quiet, layered story that rewards you for staying with it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #GenreBending

I didn‘t expect to love this as much as I did. Keke Palmer blends memoir with self-help in a way that‘s honest, funny, and surprisingly introspective. Even without knowing much about her life, I found myself nodding along. She reminds us we‘re all figuring it out—and that‘s okay. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#CurrentRead I love a house swap! #SapphicRomance #ChristmasRomance #HolidayRomance #HouseSwap

Such a cute YA rivals-to-lovers romance! I loved the Horizon Theater setting and all the side characters—it brought back fond memories of my own movie theater days. Rochelle and Amira had great chemistry, and even though Rochelle had some oblivious moments and I didn‘t love the prank subplot, this was a fun, feel-good read with a lot of heart and community love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #CoverLove

Loved the rivals-to-lovers energy and the takedown of small-town sexism. But the romance often felt sidelined, and one major decision made me blink in confusion. Plenty of spice, though—and if you like women navigating power and passion in high-stakes careers, it‘s worth a read.

Gonzales balances privilege, queerness, and emotional depth beautifully. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book broke my heart. A quiet, devastating story about love, custody, and the long-term harm caused by anti-LGBTQIA+ laws in the 1980s. Beautifully written, restrained, and emotionally rich, A Family Matter explores how family secrets and injustice echo across decades. Short, powerful, and unforgettable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magical pencils that unlock memory? I was all in. Loved the family legacy, the historical Shanghai storyline, and the bond between Monica and her grandmother. But the romance subplot lost me—too quick a reconciliation after a betrayal that left a bad taste. Still, a creative debut that mixes historical fiction, speculative magic, and family drama in an original way. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I admire Amanda Jones deeply, and I‘m grateful she told her story. That said, this memoir felt repetitive and weighed down by unprocessed anger. The message matters, and her courage is undeniable, but stronger editing could have made this a more focused and impactful read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️