I didn’t plan on taking time off. What actually happened is that I got an email at work saying I had maxed out my vacation accrual, and if I didn’t use some of it, I’d stop earning more. Which means: I hadn’t taken enough of a...
* The word “gothic” anywhere in the blurb * A skull on the cover, the spine, the chapter headers, or the sprayed edges * Bully romance — if he makes you cry and that’s supposed to be hot, I’m out * “Enemies to lovers” but it’s actually emotional abuse to soulmates * A...
I don’t know who needs to hear this (yes, I do. It’s publishers), but not every book cover needs a skull. They’re everywhere. You open a new romantasy or fantasy hardcover and there it is. Skulls on the dust jacket. Skulls embossed on the naked cover. Skull...
It’s only April, but I’ve already found a few books that I know are going to stay with me. Ones that made me cry, gasp, or sit frozen on the couch processing the ending. You know the feeling. These are my 2025 standouts so far — the ones I’...
We need to talk about something that drives me absolutely crazy: audiobook snobbery. You know exactly what I'm talking about. The eye-rolling. The "that's not real reading" comments. The people who act like you're somehow cheating at reading because you listened to...
March 20, 2025 • 3 minute read Last night, I found myself awake at 2 AM, wireless earbuds in, listening to Zodiac Academy: Sorrow and Starlight while coloring on my iPad in bed. My alarm was set for 6:30, and yet there I was, completely unable to hit pause, muttering...
