Hi!

I know just last month I switched our requests over to Bindery's Request a Rec feature...but it's still in Beta and I'm not a huge fan of how it functions yet so I am switching us back over to Google Forms. However, instead of sending out one form for two requests each month, I will have this one standing form that you can find HERE or in the #book-rec-requests channel over on Discord. You can fill this form out whenever you want, no deadlines, and expect a response within one week. You can fill it out as frequently (or infrequently) as you desire, though I can't guarantee I will be able to respond to more than two requests per month.

I should have gotten to everyone's requests from April by now, but if I haven't please either drop a comment here or reach out over on Discord and let me know so that I can get your recs to you ASAP!

Hi! Happy Friday to those who celebrate. (This is my long weekend to work, so I am typing this from my desk.)

With some recent answers in the poll (see previous post - it’s still live for voting), it appears as if y’all want a quarterly book club - to which I can make happen. I know we’re a month and a half into Q2, so I have chosen a small book in length but rich in history and importance:

Our inaugural Not A Phase Books Quarter 2 book club pick will be Merle Miller’s On Being Different: What It Means To Be A Homosexual; originally published in 1971 as an essay in The New York Times in defense of an article by Joseph Epstein condemning homosexuals written for Harper's Magazine.

In a time where being part of the LGBTQIA+ community is dangerous, I felt compelled to recall this book and how, in a period where The Stonewall Riots were happening on the cusp of The Civil Rights Movement, changes were happening, people were speaking out and speaking up, and fighting for our very rights that are being stripped away today that they fought so hard to receive.

I'd love for you to join me on Discord to discuss this book further. We will go in depth from the two articles that started it all, to what it means to be part of a growing queer community in 2026 and beyond.

I look forward to seeing you all over there.

With all my trans joy,

Sawyer Cole

I absolutely love reading Indian fantasy books, particularly when they’re written by Indian authors who portray our culture with the love and care it deserves.

Here are five of my favorite Indian fantasy books of all time and their synopses!

1) Burn the Sea by Mona Tewari

Abbakka Chowta never expected to be queen. The youngest of Ullal’s two rajkumaris, Abbakka has spent years in rigorous combat training to become her sister’s blade. But when the monstrous Porcugi attempt to lay claim to Ullal, Abbakka’s world―and fate―are upended.

The Porcugi―giant half-men, half-snakes who attack from the sea―haven’t been seen in Ullal since their failed invasion more than fifty years ago. But now, they’re back with vengeance and a choice: pay their tithes or suffer total devastation. Soon, Abbakka’s definitions of strength, subterfuge, and statecraft are put to the test. Will marriage to a neighboring king give her the resources she needs to protect her people . . . or will she watch her homeland be crushed beneath the waves of would-be colonizers?

A lush historical fantasy that reimagines the Portuguese attacks on South India in the 1500s and the fierce real-life queen’s story, Burn the Sea is an electrifying exaltation of female power and the value of freedom.

2) To Bargain with Mortals by R.A. Basu

In the colonized nation of Viryana, Poppy Sutherland lives between cultures. As the brown-skinned adopted daughter of the Viceroy, she is both rejected by white high society and alienated from the people of her native island. When she discovers her opportunistic fiancé’s plot to exile her, Poppy flees—straight into the clutches of the Jackal. 

Hasan Devar, the ruthless criminal known as the Jackal, has long been targeted for his family’s divine magic, a gift the colonizers have tried to stamp out. When his brother is arrested, he seizes Poppy as leverage. But Poppy has powerful secrets—and political ambitions—of her own. As allies, they could do more than just free Hasan’s brother and keep Poppy safe. They could topple the very power structures that hold them all back. 

The first book in the Reckoning Storm duology, To Bargain with Mortals is a stunning reflection on politics and purpose, blood and allegiance—and what we do with the histories we inherit. 

3) The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma

The Ravani kingdom was born of a prophecy, carved from unforgiving desert sands and ruled by the Ravence bloodline: those with the power to command the Eternal Fire.

Elena Aadya is the heir to the throne—and the only Ravence who cannot wield her family’s legendary magic. As her coronation approaches, she will do whatever it takes to prove herself a worthy successor to her revered father. But she doesn’t anticipate the arrival of Yassen Knight, the notorious assassin who now claims fealty to the throne. Elena’s father might trust Yassen to be a member of her royal guard, but she is certain he is hiding something.

4) Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel

A mother and a son. A goddess and a prince. A curse and an oath. A river whose course will change the fate of the world.

Ganga, joyful goddess of the river, serves as caretaker to the mischievous godlings who roam her banks. But when their antics incur the wrath of a powerful sage, Ganga is cursed to become mortal, bound to her human form until she fulfills the obligations of the curse.

Though she knows nothing of mortal life, Ganga weds King Shantanu and becomes a queen, determined to regain her freedom no matter the cost. But in a cruel turn of fate, just as she is freed of her binding, she is forced to leave her infant son behind.

Her son, prince Devavrata, unwittingly carries the legacy of Ganga’s curse. And when he makes an oath that he will never claim his father’s throne, he sets in motion a chain of events that will end in a terrible and tragic war.

As the years unfold, Ganga and Devavrata are drawn together again and again, each confluence another step on a path that has been written in the stars, in this deeply moving and masterful tale of duty, destiny, and the unwavering bond between mother and son.

5) The Legend of Meneka by Kritika H. Rao

Across the mortal and immortal realms, celestial dancers known as apsaras are revered for their beauty, allure, and enchanting magic. But Meneka knows that is not all they are. Trained as a weapon—a warrior—Meneka despises leaving each of her marks in thrall to her potent illusions. With every seduction Lord Indra, king of heaven, demands of her for his political gain, she craves her freedom more and more.

When a mortal sage’s growing powers threaten Indra’s supremacy in his own realm, Meneka seizes a rare opportunity. She strikes a deal—if she can seduce this dangerous man, Indra will allow her to forgo future missions. But upon meeting the sage, Kaushika, Meneka finds herself captivated by his energy, ignited by his empathy and passion, even though he threatens everything she’s ever known. Can she overthrow the man who is—little by little—stealing her heart, or is Kaushika seducing her instead? As war looms in the skies, Meneka must choose between her duty to protect her home, and the sage who is showing her what true love can mean.

Romantic, spellbinding, and empowering, The Legend of Meneka breathes new life into Hindu mythology to weave a lustrous tale of a woman discovering the cosmic power within herself. This first book in the Divine Dancers duology is a completely unputdownable adventure for lovers of romantasy and myth retellings.

Welcome to a new segment of my Bindery! Case Files will cover my weekly reading updates: finished books, current reads, and even book mail.

For now, consider this a beta newsletter—I’m going to see how it works with my content schedule before I fully commit. But I’m hoping it sticks, because I would love to refresh my Bindery with some exclusive content for Book Snoops and Novel Sleuths.

Psst, this was also a Cluesletter week! ICYMI, here’s a link.

This week’s reads:

• The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego (finished): I love an ambitious mystery and this one about a tour group stuck in a famous—and potentially haunted—labyrinthine library is as ambitious as they come. While slightly over-complicated, this was highly entertaining, and wonderful for fans of old books and dark curses.

• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (currently reading): Better late than never, right? I’m not a huge fan of domestic suspense, but I felt an obligation to try the book that more or less defined the genre, at least in this century. I’m enjoying the audio so far.

• The Poisoned Chocolates Case by Anthony Berkeley (currently reading): Just barely started this one, but I do love a public domain classic crime novel with a well-rounded, refined cast of characters. I also somehow forgot that Berkeley also wrote The Wintringham Mystery (1927), which I enjoyed, so it’s fun to return to his witty writing style.

• Murder Most Delicious by Danielle Postel-Vinay (currently reading): Also just barely started this one, but I so love a Parisian setting! And the premise of this one—of a sommelier who lost her sense of taste after COVID—is quite special.

This week’s book mail:

• The Inklings Detective Agency by John R. Kelly (out now!): In 1936 Oxford, England, literary greats including J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis team up with Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers to unravel a mystery. Yes to all of this. Yes, please.

• You’ll Be Sorry by Lisa Gardner (out Aug 4): A standalone thriller from an author I’ve always wanted to try! An abandoned lodge in a small mountain town? Sign me up.

• Beyond Honor by K.B. Brodsky (out Sep 1): A political thriller involving a paramilitary operative, a CIA analyst, and a Russian agent. First in a new series!

• Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley (out Sep 22): One of my most highly anticipated releases of the year! The first Miss Marple outing since 1976. Filling Agatha Christie’s shoes is no easy task, and I’m looking forward to seeing Foley’s take on our favorite older sleuth.

Yours mysteriously,

Manon

happy friday, friends!

I've been incredibly busy finishing final projects for school, but I'm still reading!

I've started All My Rage, leaning into an immersive read as I want to annotate as I'm reading, and I'm drawn into the story told from multiple POVs. If you aren't following along, make sure you check in for updates and to join the discussion!

I've also started Judge Stone on audio, and am loving Viola Davis as the narrator!

What are you all reading this weekend?

Vote for one of the books Will reads in June....

LINK TO JOIN FOR MAY 21st at 7pm EDT

Join our Inky Phoenix Book Club discussion of WAYWARD SOULS w/ Susan J. Morris popping in to answer questions on the last half!

Here are some of my thoughts on Chapters 10-14 (p. 165-241) of The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan.

This section feels weaker to me. I don't fully understand the inclusion of the interactions with the fathers and what it adds. Still, let's review the themes I've noticed.

Us vs. Them

I feel like the interactions with Tucker provide some clarity here. In a way, he sets himself apart from the other parents through his "wokeness" and they seem differently because he makes these distinctions.

The Expectations on Mothers

It made me so angry when it's brought up that a mother should have all their needs fulfilled through being a mother. Of course it's not true, but I've also never met a mother who didn't feel guilt when they had needs that weren't met through motherhood, as we should be ashamed to be full people. Perhaps this isn't as overt in our society as in the book's but it's definitely there.

Misogyny in a Patriarchal Society

I think this is most emphasized in the differences between the fathers' and mothers' training, down to the fathers not having to claim to be narcissists.

Additionally, we see Frida come to terms with the way Harriet will be seen by men as she grows up. And of course, there's the lesbophobia...can't have women being fulfilled apart from men and motherhood!

Additional Questions for Discussion

Did the fathers section make more sense to you than it did to me? I'm hoping someone can help me understand why it was included.

Note - contains image of NSFW book art.

me when I finally read my entire TBR:

I am a mood reader, which means I have trouble sticking to my TBR list. As much as I want to pick up random titles from my bookshelf and just dive in, I must stick to a reading schedule so that the Rebel Ever After podcast remains diverse, fresh and reflective of the genre's breadth.

So here's my best stab at an accountability measure! These are the books I want to read by the end of June. Half are by authors I already know and love, like Alicia Thompson and Emma R. Alban, while half are new to me.

I would love to know what you're vibing with lately. What should I add to my TBR?

@pxw1

@pxw1 testing...

Hey @pxw1 check this out

If you have been reading along with us through daughter of the forest I just wanted to give a quick update- there is a scenario with SA in chapter 6. I did not realize this before choosing this book- so if you’re like me feel free to skip this chapter or DNF as you feel suited to.

Tagging @pxw1 to test this again.

Hello and welcome to my brand new Bindery community!

I am so excited to launch a bookish space outside of the Meta universe. No algorithms, just books!

I plan to use this space to chat about recent reads, anticipated releases, and probably also some non-bookish stuff I'm into as well (I will make everyone an NWSL fan if it kills me).

I also want to hear from you! What do you want from this space? What do you want to hear my thoughts on? What do you NOT want this space to be? Use the link above to join my Discord channel and let's get cooking!

Summer reading season is officially here! Whether you’re looking for a gripping thriller to read by the pool, a sweeping historical drama, or a cozy romance for those rainy June afternoons, our June Pre-Order Early Warning System has you covered.

Don't wait until release day lock in these highly anticipated titles now.

Early June Releases June 1st – 2nd

The month starts with a massive wave of heavy hitters, including new works from Ann Patchett, Maggie O’Farrell, and Lisa See.

• June 1st: Shades of Onyx by Tj Williams

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 1st: Design and Desire by Farrah Colson

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: Whistler by Ann Patchett

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: Land by Maggie O'Farrell

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: The Heirs by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: Father Material by Alexis Hall

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: The Chateau on Sunset by Natasha Lester

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: Girl's Girl by Sonia Feldman

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: Tell Your Friends by Lauren Wilson

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: The Secret World of Briar Rose by Cindy Pham

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: The Kennedys and the Windsors by Caroline Hallemann

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 2nd: Bookstore Girls by Kei Aono

• Amazon | Bookshop

Mid-June Releases June 3rd – June 16th

From the whimsical garden romances to intense thrillers and high fantasy, the middle of the month is packed with variety.

• June 3rd: By the Book by Danielle Smyth

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 9th: White Lights by Lauren Kate

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 9th: Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 9th: You Won't Forget Me by Mazey Eddings

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 9th: Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 9th: Off the Record by Sara Goodman Confino

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 12th: Count on Forever by Lacey Bros

• Amazon

• June 15th: Hearth & Heartbreak by Elle Lavendelle

• Amazon

• June 15th: The Boyfriend Setup by Dawn Banks

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 16th: Songs of the Dead by Brandon Sanderson

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 16th: The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 16th: Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 16th: Arrivals and Departures by Amanda Eyre Ward

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 16th: The Lake Club by Lina Patton

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 16th: The Butler by Clare Mackintosh

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 16th: The Great Outdoors by Kayla Olson

• Amazon | Bookshop

Late June Releases June 21st – June 30th

We’re closing out the month with psychological thrillers from Lisa Jewell and Catherine Steadman, plus highly anticipated sequels and graphic novels.

• June 21st: Between Worlds by Sarah Brynteson

• Amazon

• June 22nd: Poison The Well by J.K Divia

• Amazon

• June 23rd: It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 23rd: Nine Lives by Catherine Steadman

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 23rd: When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 23rd: The Sixth Nik by Daniel Kraus

• Amazon

• June 30th: The Princess Diaries: The Graphic Novel by Meg Cabot

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 30th: Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep by Paul Tremblay

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 30th: A Smidgen of Chaos by S Usher Evans

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 30th: Tempting Venom by Rina Kent

• Amazon | Bookshop

• June 30th: The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson

• Amazon | Bookshop

❗️Happy Reading! Which of these are going straight to the top of your TBR pile? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 

Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.

I’m now kneeeee deeeeeeep in Jahquel J’s Delgato/Inferno/Caselli series and I ain’t going ANYWHERE ANYTIME SOON! 

Hoopla has been carrying me through this, so I love that for me. 

Anyways, I wanna talk about what’s at the center on this book: GRIEF. 

Everyone has someone they are missing and it pulls at my heart strings how bad both Blair & Quasim are going through it😭 

These two? Their story? How they are working through what they are? I can’t. I’m almost in TEARS. I always enjoy Jah’s writing but this book is where I really see her pen getting stronger. I’m seeing the development and I truly love it. 

I can’t recommend this book enough. However, as we all know this isn’t the beginning & it damn sure isn’t the end. 

I’m also falling in love with side characters FINGERS CROSSED there’s more books and everybody gets a series LOL.

I preordered this whole series at BRBF and I’m so glad I did.  Having shelf trophies for this series that are signed are gonna be my holy grail LOL. 

Season 2 of our BookClub The Booksworn is kicking off with the Modern Classic that is THE WOLF DEN by Elodie Harper!

Thank you to all who voted and we can’t wait to chat about this with you over on Discord at the end of the month. We are organising some special things for this!

In the meantime, don’t forget to upgrade your Tier to either a FIRST SWORD or a BRIGHT STAR to have exclusive access to the Bookclub Threads over on Discord!

We’re off to meet Brandon Sanderson next week! If you have a question for him, drop it below ⬇️

We will also be at MCM ComicCon next week in London so come and see us at The Broken Binding stall and we will ruthlessly interview you about why Papa Gwynne is your favourite author!

Truth and Courage

Ed & Will