I. Discussion Guide: Mystery, Memory, and Morality

Use these questions to prompt a conversation about the historical details, the character motivations, and the complex ethical choices made during the war.

The Mystery and the Past

1. The Catalyst: The discovery of the necklace in a secondhand shop triggers Louise's investigation. What made the necklace such a powerful symbol, and how did its initial appearance set the tone for the journey back to the past?

2. Franny's Death: Louise is driven by the mysterious death of her friend, Franny. What did you initially suspect about Franny's involvement in the war and the cause of her death? Did the truth surprise you, and how did the revelation impact your view of her character?

3. Keeping Secrets: The novel explores secrets kept for a decade after the war. Why were certain truths buried for so long? Do you think the characters who chose silence were acting out of protection, shame, or fear?

Historical Setting: Lévitan and Wartime Paris

1. Lévitan Department Store: The story is inspired by the true history of Lévitan being used as a Nazi prison. How did this unusual setting, a place of consumerism and glamour turned into a place of confinement affect the atmosphere and the characters' experiences?

2. The Parisian Resistance: The novel deals with sacrifice and resistance. In what ways did the characters Helaine, Louise, Ian, and others show resistance, and which form of resistance overt action vs. subtle survival did you find most compelling?

3. Post-War London 1953: Louise begins the story in post-war London. How did the shift in setting from occupied Paris to 1953 London highlight the difference between memory and the reality of post-war life for women like Louise?

Character, Love, and Sacrifice

1. Louise's Transformation: Louise transitions from a post-war housewife back into a determined investigator. How did this journey allow her to confront her own past, including her romantic history with Ian?

2. Helaine and Her Husband: Helaine's story centers on her separation from her husband. Discuss the sacrifices and choices Helaine made during her imprisonment. How does her love story contrast with the love story between Louise and Ian?

3. The Power of Love: The book explores the power of love to transcend even the darkest hours. In this context, does love primarily mean romantic love, or does it include platonic love and familial bonds?

II. Themed Menu: A Taste of Paris

The menu is inspired by the Parisian setting and the elegance of a department store café, but with a focus on simple, classic flavors.

🍽️ Themed Snack: Parisian Cheese & Radish Bites

A simple, classic French appetizer that combines the elegance of Paris with the simple ingredients of wartime survival.

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces

• 1 stick 8 oz good quality unsalted butter, softened

• 1 bunch fresh radishes, thinly sliced

• 1 tsp flaky sea salt 

• Optional: Soft Goat Cheese or Cream Cheese

Recipe:

1. Toast the baguette slices lightly if desired, or serve fresh.

2. Spread a generous amount of softened butter or cheese on each baguette slice.

3. Top the butter/cheese with 3-4 thin slices of radish.

4. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the radishes for texture and flavor. Serve immediately.

🍷 Themed Drink: Le Crépuscule The Twilight Spritzer

A refreshing, slightly romantic drink named after the twilight in the book's title.

Ingredients per serving:

• 1/2 cup dry rosé wine or sparkling white grape juice for a non-alcoholic option

• 1/4 cup club soda or sparkling water

• 1/4 cup cranberry juice for the twilight color

• Garnish: A lemon twist or a few fresh raspberries

Recipe:

1. Fill a wine glass or a tall tumbler with ice.

2. Pour the rosé or juice and the cranberry juice over the ice.

3. Top with the club soda or sparkling water.

4. Gently stir once and garnish with a lemon twist or raspberries.

III. Themed Activity: Deciphering the Clues

Engage your book club members in a quick mystery challenge based on the idea of decoding the past.

🔎 Activity: The Codebreaker Challenge

Setup:

• The Clue: Prepare a short, cryptic message The truth lies where the light once shone or a short quote from the book.

• The Code: Use a simple substitution cipher like the Caesar Cipher where you shift every letter by 3 or 5 places to encrypt the message. Example: A=D, B=E, C=F, etc.

• Print the coded message on a decorative piece of paper labeled Lévitan Clue.

• Provide scratch paper and the Key  "Shift 5 letters back to decode."

The Challenge:

• The Goal: Challenge the club members individually or in pairs to quickly decode the message using the provided key.

• The Discussion: The first person or team to correctly decode the message wins a prize. Use this activity to discuss how difficult it must have been for resistance members to communicate under constant threat.

IV. Themed Door Prizes

Award prizes based on the novel's key settings and objects.

1. The Necklace Clue Prize: A small, elegant vintage-inspired locket or a delicate silver necklace.

2. The Parisian Elegance Prize: A tube of high-quality French hand cream or a small box of French macarons.

3. The Codebreaker Prize: A beautiful leather-bound journal for documenting their own mysteries or memories.

4. The Lévitan History Prize: A history book about Paris during WWII or a gift certificate for a subscription service that focuses on historical fiction.

➡️Tap link to download the kit!

https://tinyurl.com/2w2da7wn

❗️Don't forget to come back and tell us how your meeting went and if there anything else you would like us to add to our book club kits!

❄️Happy Tuesday, my friends! So many of you were enthusiastic about my Christmas Book Baubles over on Instagram - I thought I'd give TWO away. These will be custom to the books you've read this year (2025) and it doesn't matter how many books you've read, I have multiple sizes of glass bulbs!

❄️ What is it? I've created a Christmas ornament with tiny replicas of each book read within the span of a year! This is totally custom.

⪼ How to Enter:
❄️ Comment below with how many books you have read this year!

⪼ Bonus Entry
❄️Follow @amanda.the.bookish on IG
❄️Like + share (you can share to stories or repost, both count!)
❄️Tag your bookish friends (1 name per comment)

(link to the post on my Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/DSnfu79Ep5n/)

⪼ One winner will be chosen from the comments here
⪼ One winner will be chosen from the comments on IG

⪼ International! I will cover shipping to the US, Canada, and Mexico, and contribute to shipping internationally

⪼ Boring Rules:⁣⁣
-GA begins December 23rd and ends 9 PM MST on January 1st. Winners will be drawn soon after⁣ 
- you must be willing to share your Goodreads/ Storygraph / book journal list of books read in 2025
-Not affiliated with IG or Meta, or any book tracker app, just me
-I will contact one winner through this account , and one through the email you provide to Bindery
-Private + public acc welcome⁣, 18+/ parental permission
-I reserve the right to disqualify any account for breaking the rules⁣⁣

Love stuff like this? Become a paid subscriber for less than a cup of coffee a month. Supporting me here means I get to work toward making this imprint a reality; and in the meantime you get to access cool perks like my bookclub, videos deep diving into books, and my sommelier knowledge!

⭐Book Club Review: Last Twilight in Paris⭐

The way Pam Jenoff blends her stories spotlighting pieces of history many people have never heard of and turns them into heart-clenching, emotionally rich reads is nothing short of stunning. This story delivers powerful character development, immersive dual points of view, and an unforgettable atmosphere that sweeps you straight into both women’s lives. It’s fast-paced and full of heart, hope, betrayal, love, twists that hit hard, and moments that stay with you well after the final page.

⭐️And now our individual reactions:

Kaci a.k.a. I-swear-this-necklace-is-a-sign:

The minute I picked up that dusty little box in the secondhand shop, my world tilted. I knew that necklace from a place I don’t talk about much. And suddenly I’m hopping across the Channel to Paris like it’s no big deal because apparently I can’t resist a good mystery or unfinished business. Or certain old coworkers. Ahem.

Stacey definitely-not-still-invested Stacey:

Kaci showing up at my door after all this time with a necklace and a look that says, “we’re about to ruin our peace again”? Yeah, I should’ve expected it. One mention of Lévitan and I knew we were chasing ghosts again. And honestly? I’d follow her into the thick of it every time.

Lisa survivor, fighter, absolute icon:

I remember the department store before the Germans took it before it became a place where hope went to die. Before they tore me from the man I loved. My story isn’t gentle, but it’s real. And that necklace? It holds pieces of a truth buried for far too long. Watching Kaci and Stacey dig into the past felt like an old wound finally receiving air.

Ashley gone, but not forgotten:

If I could speak to them, I’d tell them I never meant for the secrets of that time to linger like ghosts. But wartime truth rarely dies quietly. Kaci always had the biggest, most stubborn heart. I’m grateful she didn’t let my story fade into rubble and silence.

Alisha yes, I get a POV I’m the necklace:

Hi. It’s me. The real MVP. I’ve seen more drama than a whole season of prestige television. If humans would stop boxing me up and actually listen, these mysteries would go so much faster. Until then, I’ll keep being the sparkly breadcrumb trail leading everyone to truth, healing, and maybe even love. You’re welcome.

Jess Paris herself eternal drama queen:

Ah, mon chéri, my streets hold secrets older than heartbreak. Kaci walks my cobblestones like she’s chasing ghosts and perhaps she is. I never give answers gently, but I always give them. In my shadows, truth waits patiently for the brave.

⭐Final Thoughts from all of us! Last Twilight in Paris is a gripping blend of mystery and history fast-paced, emotional, and rich with resilience, sacrifice, and deeply human moments. Jenoff delivers characters you feel, a past you can almost touch, and revelations that linger long after the last page.

❓If you discovered a mysterious object from your past sitting in a thrift shop, would you…

A) Go full detective mode,

B) Pretend you saw nothing and moonwalk away

C) Buy it immediately because this is clearly the start of your main-character arc?

What are you choosing? 📚✨

❗️If you are in a book club and need a book club kit for this book then come join The First Editions! A discussion guide, themed menu, activities and more!

Well to all the lucky folks in my bindery, here is the cover reveal for The Tenth Muse: Rebellion. The second volume in my charity anthology. It's available for pre-order now on amazon!

Friends,

I know it’s been a busy week, but I’ve got one more very hot news slice to share! We are publishing another book!!!

Cracks in an Ocean of Glass is a lush literary horror and I know you are all going to devour it!

Want to get a taste of Kristy's writing? Pick up some of her other books tagged below!

Grab your favorite snack, get comfy, and let’s find out your true reader identity. Choose the answers that sound the most like you and tally your points at the end!

1. It’s a rainy afternoon. What are you reading?

A. A cozy fantasy or heartwarming adventure rain + magic = perfection! (2 pts)

B. A fast-paced thriller that makes me forget the weather entirely. (3 pts)

C. A swoony romance because rain is basically mood lighting. (1 pt)

D. A stack of picture books or graphic novels pure comfort reads! (4 pts)

2. You walk into a bookstore. What’s your first stop?

A. The fantasy/sci-fi shelves calling my name like a prophecy. (3 pts)

B. The new releases table I must inspect EVERYTHING. (1 pt)

C. The kids' section the colors! The whimsy! The guaranteed joy! (4 pts)

D. Mystery/thrillers give me clues, give me chaos. (2 pts)

3. What’s your ideal reading snack?

A. Literally anything I can eat without getting crumbs on my book. (1 pt)

B. Popcorn which will absolutely get everywhere, and I do not care. (4 pts)

C. Tea and something tiny and fancy, like I’m in a British mystery. (2 pts)

D. Chocolate. Always chocolate. (3 pts)

4. Choose your perfect fictional best friend.

A. The bold, chaotic sidekick who always gets you into fun trouble. (4 pts)

B. The loyal softie who brings snacks and emotional support. (1 pt)

C. The mysterious one with a tragic backstory and killer eyeliner. (3 pts)

D. The brave adventurer who always says “We’ve got this!” (2 pts)

5. What’s your reading superpower?

A. I can finish a book in one sitting without even blinking. (3 pts)

B. I reread my favorites so often I basically know them by heart. (1 pt)

C. I can predict twist endings like a literary psychic. (4 pts)

D. I can read anywhere cars, noisy rooms, upside down doesn't matter. (2 pts)

✨RESULTS TIME! Tally your points!✨

5–7 points: The Cozy Dreamer: You love warm, comforting reads that feel like a hug. You’d probably live inside a storybook cottage if you could.

8–11 points: The Romantic Heart: You feel deeply, swoon easily, and love stories where the emotions are as dramatic as the weather. You bring tissues everywhere.

12–15 points: The Brave Adventurer: Epic quests? Bold characters? Sci-fi creatures? You’re there. Your imagination never sits still.

16–20 points: The Plot-Twist Detective: You pick up clues no one else notices. Thrillers, mysteries, and twisty tales are your natural habitat. You know the killer before page 50.

📍Let us know you reader type in the comments!

August was quite a book traveling month for me. New Voices, New Rooms was the destination in Atlanta, Georgia. Between there and Enola, Pennsylvania, there are many bookstores.

The first one we stopped at was Miss Willa's Bookshop in West Virginia.

About Miss Willa's Bookshop

Miss Willa's Bookshop, located in Charles Town, West Virginia, is an independent bookstore that offers romance-only novels written by authors both well-known and debut, traditional and indie.

Owned by # 1 New York Times Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout, the bookshop is named after Willa Colyns, a character from JLA's Blood and Ash series. When JLA decided she wanted to fulfill one of her dreams by opening a bookstore, she immediately knew she wanted to showcase the genre that not only started her love of reading but also writing. 

I love that so many authors are opening up their own indie bookstores. When Jennifer Armentrout announced her new venture in opening up a bookstore in West Virginia, I was stoked.
I knew I wanted to go there, and the group of us made the pitstop on our way to Georgia.

It's such a cute shop.

I loved the decorations.

What a cool wall.

This is so funny to me and matches the vibes of JLA’s books!

There were many romance books of all sub-genres.

Classics of the genre were on the shelves along with their more recent counterparts.

A group photo was a must.

Truth.

I left with a Beverly Jenkins novel that I didn't already own. And of course a sticker commemorating the occasion. I love buying stickers from bookstores. If I don't have space for more books or don't find a book I really want, I still like to support stores. So if there's a sticker or postcard, I'm there for it.

I can’t wait to visit again!

This week on the podcast, we have our last bonus episode of the year! And our last movie deep dive bonus episode... forever? I enjoy doing them so much, but I'm changing up the Bonus Episode format next year so yes... maybe forever.

We're diving into The Holiday! The 2006 cozy rom com starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black. And I truly loooooove me a good romcom, but I do tend to be a bit picky. I hate romances that overutilize the miscommunication trope. The writing needs to be witty and the story have some unpredictable or at least, fun, moments to break out the monotony of the formula we all know.

Here are my star reviews (on a scale of 1-5) for the romances I read this year!

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna - 5 stars
- is this one technically a romance, as much as it's also a coming of age story? I don't care, I LOVED it and wanted to share it lol

Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane - 5 stars
- Mhairi can do no wrong. Her characters are smart, the writing is sharp. Love love love

It's a Love Story - Annabel Monaghan - 5 stars
- simply adored, plus I'm a sucker for anything set in the entertainment industry

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren - 5 stars
- LOVED! A fun, sexy read

An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating - 4.5 stars
- this was soooo close to a 5 star read and actually surprised me with how much I adored it, but a few cheesy lines kept it from being perfect

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan - 4 stars
- cute story, super likeable FMC, but wasn't quite a five star read

If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia - 4 stars
- a little too "Hallmarky", but still really enjoyable and I loved the cozy fall vibe

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez - 4 stars
- I love Abby Jiminez, I do, but I read romances to escape a little bit, and I think she went too far with the sad on this one

When in Rome by Sarah Adams - 4 stars
- This story was lovely and I liked both MCs

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams - 4 stars
- This Sarah Adams was a bit better, but some of her lines make me roll my eyes. Do people really think/talk/behave like that?

The Rule Book by Sarah Adams - 3 stars
- Parts were cute, parts were not my jam

The Off Limits Rule by Sarah Adams - 3 stars
- the FMC was... okay, a little immature

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams - 3 stars
- the FMC's self doubt got super old real quick

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore - 3 stars
- this book series is super cheesy, but still enjoyable. The MMC wasn't my favorite

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods - 3 stars
- this book was simultaneously lovely and disappointing. The writing was mostly meh but, little lines of genius shone through

Dating You/Hating You by Christina Lauren - 3 stars
- I liked the chemistry of the main characters, but the story dragged for me and I found myself skimming pages to get through it

What was your favorite romance read this year? I'm always looking for a new author with a loooong backlist ;)

Hello Friends,

I am so happy to be able to share with you the cover for the first book from our imprint, WHAT FEEDS BELOW by Tatiana Schlote Bonne.

This cover, illustrated by Niclas Mortensen is absolute perfection and I think it lets you know just want you're going to be getting into when you pick up What Feeds Below.

This YA Horror Fantasy is perfect for:

• horror lovers

• quest/adventure fantasy lovers

• video game and anime lovers

• people who thought they'd see more quicksand in their lives

• people who love Annihilation and The Descent

• poeple who love books that read like love letters to the horror genre

Before we get to the goods, I want to share a quick message about pre-orders.

Pre orders are important to all authors, but especially BIPOC authors, it signifies interest in the book to book boxes, media, book clubs , book lists, the early energy surrounding a book has a huge impact on success.

I want Tatiana to have the best publishing experience she has ever had and get all the things that she's ever wanted. (Can you help us make a best seller list?!) I am so passionate about Bindery's mission and the stories that I am choosing to put out in the world and I want to keep doing it (and excelling!)

Our goal is to hit 1,000 preorders by the end of January. Most trad published authors would laugh at that and say BEST OF LUCK! but I believe in this book, and I believe in the power that this community has, and I believe when we work together we can perfectly compete with Big Publishing. It's time to do the work.

I have a second book announcing this week (stay tuned) that is set to publish in Spring 2027. 1,000 preorders could guarantee a book for Fall 27 (super secret: but I've met with an Indigenous author whose work I am very interested in reading and if I love it, I don't want to wait until Spring 28!)

WILL YOU JOIN MY SCREAM TEAM?

• Will you pre-order What Feeds Below today? Even if you don't like horror or fantasy, gift it to someone?

• Will you post the book with the pre-order link and encourage others to pre-order?

  
  WHAT FEEDS BELOW SYNOPSIS:

The darkness isn’t empty. It’s hungry.

At the edge of the City of the Void, a massive chasm extends miles into the earth, its treacherous terrain overrun with vicious monsters and carnivorous plants. For orphaned best friends Petra and Jade, guiding treasure-seeking tourists down into the Void is the only way to earn enough to pull themselves up out of the slums for good.

Petra prefers to play it safe and take jobs only in the Void’s upper levels, where the dangers are better understood, while Jade wants to risk a descent to the deepest and most mysterious Sixth Layer. Because the deeper they go, the better the payout, and the sooner their dreams can become reality. Their friendship is Petra’s whole world, and Jade’s approval means everything—so Petra agrees to do it Jade’s way.

When their job goes wrong and Jade is lost in the Void, Petra must plunge deeper than she’s ever dared to save her friend. But she doesn’t know the truth of the Void . . . or what really waits for her in its depths.

Wandering with no direction can lead you to a bookstore.

That’s how I came upon Mast Books. I saw the word books while walking around and decided to go in.

About Mast Books

Established in 2010 by Bryan Leitgeb and James McKee, Mast Books is a bookstore and gallery space located in New York City’s East Village.

Mast Books curates a rotating selection of rare and out-of-print titles presented alongside contemporary publications from small press publishers worldwide.

This was probably the most unique bookstore I visited.

I so enjoyed seeing this old copy of Fear and Loathing On The Campaign.

It was a different sort of bookstore I’d visited which was nice to see. The idea of positioning a space in this way made this a very unique spot.

Across the street I did see a 28 Years Later advertisement. I love zombies and the whole 28 Days/Year series. I’m one of those where the zombies in books can be symbols for something else and deep meanings or they can just be a fun antagonist in a post-apocalyptic world. Anything goes for me.

I mean how much cooler does it get? It’s a bookstore and a bar.

About Book Club Bar

Book Club Bar opened in November 2019 and serves as a community hub of the East Village: a new kind of independent bookstore featuring top-notch cocktails, beer, wine, and coffee. Owners Erin Neary and Nat Esten have been proud to call the East Village home for over a decade. This spirited and dynamic neighborhood is reflected in the store: from the cozy living room-feel decor, to curated book inventory, locally roasted coffee, and NY state craft beers.

I loved the vibes and lighting in this store.

Book Club Bar menu featured literary themed drinks.

The shelves were full of books that ranged in genre.

There’s never a bad time to see Kennedy Ryan’s Skyland series.

I loved this spot and next time I’ll have to grab a drink!