Happy Tuesday, mis internet amigxs!

February 28th is the last day to post your #MeltIceBookStack on Instagram! I encourage you to do the same to help raise funds for Minneapolis. Your stack can help raise necessary funds for mutual aid to assist those in immediate need.

I have a few book club and Discord announcements before we get to this week's releases...

BIEN LEIDOS BOOK CLUB

All the winners of the Now I Surrender giveaway have been contacted via their Bindery email. As a reminder, since the book doesn't release until March 3rd, we won't be opening up discussion on Discord until the 4th. Our chat will be spoiler-free throughout the month, as per usual, so feel free to jump in as soon as you receive your copy. Also, we WILL be chatting with Alvaro again! I'm currently talking to his team to confirm availability and will more than likely poll in Discord, if you want to have a say in those dates.

March 1st also begins our nonfiction sidequest, Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here by Johnathan Blitzer. We'll be reading through the end of April, so feel free to join us whenever you want in the next couple of months. There is a possiblity we'll be chatting with Johnathan. I'm in talks with his team to see if schedules align.

I'll be posting polls this week in Discord for spoilery book club discussions of Sparks Fly and Racial Innocence.

April and May fiction book club selections have been finalized. Watch this space for some exciting giveaways and announcements coming up very soon!

COMING UP THIS WEEK ON DISCORD

Discord has voted and the 4th Wednesday of every month will be Sticker/Journal night. Name for this monthly event is pending, but for the time being it's Chaos: A Love Story. If you're into journaling, pens, stickers, this is a fun night on Discord where you can share your newest stickers, journal spreads, pens, etc...

*THIS WEEK'S LATINE'S RELEASES*

We've got a massive selection of Latine books releasing this week, so let's get to them!

HISTORICAL FICTION

The Other Moctezuma Girls by Sofia Robleda

TRANSLATED FICTION

Technology and Barbarism: or how billionaires will save us from the end of the world by Michel Nieva and translated by Rahul Bery and Daniel Hahn

The Invisible Years by Rodrigo Hasbun and translated by Lily Meyer (Audiobook)

I Give You My Silence by Mario Vargas Llosa and Translated by Adrian Nathan West

NONFICTION

Tumbleweed Underworld: A Saga of Morphine and Mayhem in the Arizona Territory by Eduardo Obregón Pagán

CHILDREN’S

La Golondrina by Sonia De Los Santos and Illustrated by Teresa Martínez

ROMANCE

The Hope Once Lost by Ambar Cordova

xoxo,

Carmen

Welcome to my Syllabus Series. I was a high school English teacher for over five years and nothing gives me more joy than to help others learn something new. As someone who also reads a large amount of non-fiction, I wanted to create a new series where I pick a singular topic that you might want to learn more about. This edition is all about the current climate crisis.

First, I’ll take you through books to read through various genres and the order you should read them in to scaffold and layer your learning. But learning isn’t all about reading, so I’ll also share video resources, shorter articles, and give you a list of people to follow on social media in order to stay up to date well beyond today. Finally, learning means nothing without action, so I will also provide you ways that you can do something with what you’re learning.

This isn’t meant to be overwhelming and is laid out in a way that it’s learning you have time for. Therefore, the list isn’t extensive and manageable. Of course, there’s always more learning to be done.

Books to read

A collection of books read to read. For the best learning experience, try to read the books in this order.

• Fiction
  “Migrations” by Charlotte McConaghy
  A devastating yet healing novel (also one of my all-time favorites) that takes place in a near future where the main character is following arctic terns on what may be their last migration.

• Essays
  “Vanishing Treasures” by Katherine Rundell
  An accessible colleciton of essays each focused on a different endangered animal. The essays focus on why these animals are endangered (usually due to climate change and/or human interaction) and what we can do about it.

• Memoir

  “Life on the Rocks” by Juli Berward

  This is a blend of memoir and science writing (one of my favorite genres) that follows a marine biologist focused on saving our coral reefs from the impacts of climate change.

• Non-fiction
  “The Great Displacement” by Jake Bittle
  An increidble and timely piece of journalism that looks at the climate change impact (and the impact of our systems and capitalism) on every day lives of people in America. This book argues that climate displacement and refugees will continue to grow in our future and showcases what that could look like and what we can do about it.

• Non-fiction
  “The Weight of Nature” by Clayton Page Aldern
  A look at the effects of climate change on our brains that gives us a new and eye-opening look as to how we’re affected by climate change on a daily basis and how it’s not just something that’s affecting our outside lives, but our inside ones as well.

Other media to consume

• TV series
  "Our Planet” on Netflix
  Just like the rest of the Planet Earth series, this series explores the lives of different animals around the world. What makes this particular one different is that it focuses on the impact of climate change on these animals. Warning: this show absolutely destroyed me.

• Article
  “Watching Hurrican Helene” by Nathan Shuherk

  An exploration of the experience watching natural disasters occur in real time from our phones and what it means for our future.

• YouTube video
  “Can clean energy handle the AI boom?” by Vox

  Looking at the amount of energy needed to support our data and AI.

• Article
  “Emissions from Israel’s war in Gaza have ‘immense’ effect on climate catastrophe” by Nina Lakhani
  This article was written at the beginning of the genocide and reports that the emissions generated during the first 2 months were “greater than the annual carbon footprint of more than 20 of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations”.

• Report
  "A global foresight report on planetary health and human wellbeing” by UN Environment Programme

  A report published in 2024 that lays out 18 signals of change within the climate, what we need to be aware of, and what we can do about it

Who to follow

When learning about a subject where community is key it’s important to find people to help you along the way. Here are a few people and organisations I encourage you to follow:

• Nathan Shuherk: If you’re looking for not only incredible book recommendations about climate change, but also personal writing about the climate crisis that’s a beautiful mixture of science writing and memoir, look no further. Also recommending reading his Substack.

• Emily Atkin’s “Heated” Substack: A Substack focused on the fact that you aren’t the reason the world is burning and exposing the systems that are responsible.

• Xiye Beara: A climate justice activist from the Otomi-Toltec Indigenous community in Central Mexico.

• Greta Thurnberg: Arguably one of the largest voices in the world when it comes to climate change, Thurnberg is consistent at challenging the systems responsible for climate change including colonialism and genocide.

• Nina Lakhani: Check out her backlist of articles on “The Guardian”. She’s doing some really important reporting.

Take action

Donate to mutual aid efforts
In the midst of and after a climate disaster, we’ve seen time and time again that the systems that are built to help us, aren’t. As we work towards systemic change, we will need to rely on mutual aid in order to recieve and give immediate help to those in need.

Whenever a disaster occurs, find people who are on the ground and either living there and/or sharing resources. Pay attention to mutual aid opportunities and give where you can (whether that be through monetary donations, donations of goods, donations ot time, etc). At the very least, you can share these resources to your own communities if you’re not able to give.

Here are some places that you can donate and help with the current wildfires in LA:

• Mutual Aid LA Network has a huge spreadsheet of mutual aid resources

• Pasadena Humane has had an unprecedented influx of animals that continues to grow. They’re no longer looking for physical donations, but do still need monetary donations and foster homes.

• LA Street Care needs volunteers and donations for their mutual aid work providing resources to individuals who are unhoused.

• Donate to individual family’s GoFundMe Pages. Here are spreadsheets for displaced Black families, Latine families, Filipino families

Don’t use AI
AI is one of the things that is rapidly impacting climate decline. According to the UN Environment Programme:

The electronics they house rely on a staggering amount of grist: making a 2 kg computer requires 800 kg of raw materials. As well, the microchips that power AI need rare earth elements, which are often mined in environmentally destructive ways, noted Navigating New Horizons.

The second problem is that data centres produce electronic waste, which often contains hazardous substances, like mercury and lead.

Third, data centres use water during construction and, once operational, to cool electrical components. Globally, AI-related infrastructure may soon consume six times more water than Denmark, a country of 6 million, according to one estimate. That is a problem when a quarter of humanity already lacks access to clean water and sanitation.

While it may be impossible to not use AI at all in our current tech climate, be aware of what’s using AI and when and try to not utilize it.

Protest
You’ll notice a pattern that this will always be an action step for me here. If you are able, protesting helps make our voices louder. It’s a tool meant to disrupt and force those in charge to take action. Make sure that you continue to make your voice heard on the issues you care about.

If you’re unable to physically protest, there are ways to spread information and awareness from your home. Use social media as a tool to educate, inform, and push for systemic change. The reality is that individual changes won’t make a dent in curbing climate change. In order to make a dent we need to focus on who is affecting it the most: corporations, billionaires, and our governments. We need to push for systemic change here.

As I mentioned earlier, learning is an ongoing practice. If you would like more resources, don’t hesitate to reach out. And if you have any resources to add to this list, please add them to the comments below.

Time to vote for our March book picks! I unintentionally selected 3 dystopian books instead of fantasy so hopefully everyone will still be interested in these titles! We also have 3 thriller/horror to choose from! Voting will end on 2/28

WEEEEEEEEE at the time of posting this that is in 4 hours, babes! Let's talk about gay olympic drama (fictional but also maybe some real because you know I love it)

Again, don't forget to join the discord linked at the top of my bindery page and join the queer sports romance channel :)

It's the LAST DAY to submit your creative piece to our Traveling Tomes Newsletter!

If you're new to Shire Sprouts/SBC, we're producing a monthly newsletter this year to celebrate the Twig's Traveling Tomes release. It will be a scrapbook-style newsletter, filled with submissions from our paid Cozy Quill members. Each month, I'll pick a theme and provide some prompts. You'll then have an opportunity to submit up to five pieces. They can include photos, digital art, short pieces of writing, book recs, recipes, etc. Anything that feels in tone with the theme of that month.

Our February theme is: JOY AS RESISTANCE ✨. As we wade our way through this dark world, it's so important to fight for light. And that's what I want to focus on this season.

Feel free to share: 

• A small, joyful moment that felt like a quiet act of defiance.

• Something that made you laugh, smile, or sigh in relief this month.

• A comfort, ritual, or hobby that grounds you when life feels overwhelming.

• A book, recipe, or creative project that brought unexpected joy.

• A photo of something ordinary that made your heart lift.

The newsletter will be released to all of our Cozy Quill tiers on the last day of each month.

If your submission isn't chosen due to space limitations or whatever reason, please know we'll be creating a channel in the Discord to share those as well if you permit.

All the info you need is in the form below, but please don't hesitate to comment below with any questions. xx, Meg

Ready to submit?
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE GOOGLE FORM

I've always wanted to be someone who followed the book awards, but so often the books that win have me shaking my head.

Well, this year, I decided I'm going to do it. But I'm going to be specific: the 2 book awards I am going to follow are the International Booker Prize and the Women's Prize for Fiction.

I enjoy high-brow literature, but focusing on these prizes will help me lean in where I have the greatest interest: fiction by women and other marginalized authors. Because I don't think I want to read any more books by pretentious white men.

The International Booker Prize attracts me as it is for fiction translated to English. The Booker judges often have me scratching my head, but I want to read all of the 13 longlist titles releasing on Tuesday and make up my own mind as to which I think is most worthy.

This is my first time doing it, so we'll see if I struggle to get my hands on any (the timing is based on releases in the UK so they may or may not release in the US in similar timing). I plan on utilizing my library, which has always been super helpful in getting more obscure titles in my hands.

I will also be reading the long list for the Women's Prize that announces March 4th. There were 16 books on the long list last year, many of which I read and loved, including last year's winner, The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden.

As this is my first year attempting this, I'm not exactly sure how it'll go. But I know that I will keep you updated on my thoughts. Have you ever attempted such a challenge?

Hey gang! Some exciting things coming up.

We were lucky enough to interview both Ryan Cahill and Papa Gwynne during their event in London, which will be posted on the channel this afternoon!

We also have an interview posting later this week with Christopher Buehlman celebrating his re-release of Between Two Fires. He's a genius and the opportunity to pick his brain was brilliant.

We also batch recorded a handful of videos, like 10 Books To Get You Out Of A Reading Slump, and Will has headed back to Durham. His dissertation is due in March so the channel will be mostly Ed on his lonesome for a little while.

Booksworn Bookclub chat about Trie Grit will be scheduled soon, and our Booksworn Options for March will be posted during this week!

Truth and Courage,

Ed and Will

Vote here for a time (Eastern Standard Time) that works if you're hoping to join. Either way, please make sure you're on at least Lovers tier so you can access the book club channel on Discord, and of course JOIN THE DISCORD! Even if you can't join the meeting or don't want to, I'd love for the chat to be active. I'll drop the conversation starters that I bring to our book club meeting in the chat so that anyone else can also contribute!

Going to use the channel/meeting to see what people may want to read for next month so make sure to join the channel (there's also one for the more general book club!) so join the discord even if you didn't read Wake Up Nat & Darcy, but are interested in future meetings :)

k love you all I'm excited for this and hope y'all don't let me just talk to myself

Hello Friends and Insiders! We are gearing up to choose our March Book Club Read, please vote! If you have a book you'd love to submit, please comment below :)

EGG HUNT

ASHLEY GRAVES

The Spring breeze blew through the open field, turning the green and yellow grass into a rustling ocean full of hidden treasures. Nine-year-old Scarlet’s pastel pink Easter dress tickled the white stockings on her leg as the breeze took possession of the fabric.

Her stomach rumbled and her mouth watered as she thought of all the candy she would gather and consume during the Easter egg hunt. She hoped the church didn’t get stingy with the chocolates like they did last year. The previous egg hunt had too many twizzlers and old lady candy like butterscotches and the icky strawberry ones with the gooey center. Scarlet wanted Kit-Kats, Reeses, and Cadbury Eggs. The good stuff.

She’d waited all morning for the hunt with the church service dragging on for eternity on purpose. Scarlet always wondered if the saying “good things come to those who wait” invoked the slowing of time to make the “wait” longer. Last year’s egg hunt was a failure. The overtly competitive Scarlet lost to the booger picker Michael–her archnemesis. Maybe all that nose picking made his fingers extra sticky. But Scarlet was prepared this year. She would demolish Michael and win the giant bunny prize.

Her fingers gripped the wicker basket tighter as she surveyed the rest of the competition. No one else took this as seriously as she did–well besides Michael of course. The smaller kids felt like gold star winners if they got three eggs. The older kids would rather be playing on their cell phones. 

Scarlet had a few tricks up her sleeve. She knew the deacons liked to hide a few eggs under the piney underbrush of the forest line. And while the forest itself was off limits, she knew the eggs along that line could make or break her victory.

“Ready to lose, Gingy?” A nasally, boyish voice asked Scarlet.

Michael sidled up to Scarlet’s left side. His brown hair was gelled back from his forehead. His blue polo was tucked into his khakis, which already had grass stains on the knees. 

“Not in a million years, Booger Fingers.” She scoffed and rolled her eyes.

“I can grab more eggs with my sticky fingers.” He proceeded to demonstrate his ability by shoving a finger up his nose and pulling out a disgustingly green blob. 

“You’re so gross,” Scarlet replied, scrunching her nose in disgust.

The whistle blew, saving her from dealing with Michael further.

“Girls and boys,” a booming voice echoes throughout the open area, “may I have your attention please. It’s time to kick off Cornerstone’s annual Easter Egg Hunt! A reminder of the rules. No hitting or kicking. Once a hand is on an egg there will be no fighting over it. Whoever picks it up claims it. The woods are out of bounds. No eating the candy until times up. And whoever collects the most eggs in ten minutes is this year's winner.”

Scarlet planted her feet and readied herself to run. 

“Time will start once I blow the whistle. Don’t forget, some eggs are hidden. Look closely under rocks and bushes.”

The high pitched shrill sounded and Scarlet bolted forward. She barely stopped moving long enough to pick up the purple, plastic egg, throwing grass and the egg both in the basket. In rapid succession she snagged three more eggs. One of the eggs she reached for was snatched before her fingers could touch it by Michael. She narrowed her eyes at him but kept moving.

She did her best not to knock down the small kid while still keeping a good momentum. Each egg added made the basket heavier. After a few minutes, she ventured toward the edge of the woods. There she found the eggs hidden under the brown pine needles. 

She looked toward the woods and to her shock, saw a yellow egg sitting a few feet in. Maybe one had fallen and rolled into the woods. Shrugging, she took a few steps in and picked it up. Another egg sat past a fallen log. 

Had one of the egg placers messed up? No egg should be out this far. And it couldn’t have rolled past a fallen log. Picking the egg up, she saw another. And another. Until finally the trail stopped under a tree. 

She hadn’t heard the finishing whistle yet, but her basket was nearly overflowing. A few eggs were stuffed in her pockets. There was no way Michael could top that. Taking a quick glance around, Scarlet saw no one nearby. She could hear the laughter and chatter from the field, but the forest was silent.

She shrugged and sat for a moment. No one was around to see her open one of the eggs and sneak a piece of candy. The plastic popped as she applied pressure on both sides. Lo and behold a Reese’s Cup sat inside. Scarlet smiled wide and ripped the plastic open, peeling the outer wrapper off before throwing the entire piece of chocolate in her mouth. A sharp, stabbing pain hit the roof of her mouth the second she bit down. 

Her eyes watered as warm liquid filled her mouth and ran past her lips. The taste of iron coated her tongue. There was something solid and sharp stuck to the roof of her mouth. Spitting blood on dirt and grass below her, she brought a trembling hand to her mouth and opened wide. Her fingertips brushed against something hard. Through blurred vision, she ripped the object out of her mouth. A warm gush rushed from the freshly vacated wound.

She spit again and used her arms to wipe her eyes. With her vision focusing slightly, she saw a steel razor blade coated in chocolate and specks of her blood sitting in her hand. A hard swallow sent her warm blood down her throat and made her stomach churn. She’s going to be sick.

Vomit rushed up and stung the wound on the roof of her mouth. There’s pain from one of her teeth as well. Taking her tongue, she probed one of her bottom molars and found it cracked and loose. 

Scarlet snatched another egg from the basket and forced it open. A scream rushed past her lips as she dropped the egg and stumbled back, tripping over a tree root. She knocked over her egg basket and more eggs popped open. But she’s still staring at the second egg. The one that has a human, bloody eyeball in it. The stalk and all.

She glanced around, she saw a severed finger, a tongue, and teeth scattered about the forest floor.

Her heart threatened to break through her rib cage. She can barely catch her breath as she attempted to fight off the black encroaching on her vision.

A figure stepped out from behind a tree, into her field of vision. Relief flooded Scarlet veins. Help was here. She didn’t care how much trouble she would be in for sneaking a bite of candy. She was saved.

When the figure came into view, her heart fell. They were dressed head to toe in a giant gray Easter Bunny costume. The fur was dirty, with mud, grass, and a rustic color stained on it. The face haunted Scarlet. Black, beady eyes peered at her. The rabbit’s once happy smile now felt twisted and threatening. The more her vision cleared, the more menacing the rabbit appeared. A chunk of skin hung from the corner of the rabbit’s mouth.

The figure took a step closer to her and cocked it’s head. Warmth soaked Scarlet’s thighs and she realized she’d urinated on herself.

She had to get out of here. And fast. Her eyes darted around the forest. Which way had she come? She tried to focus on the sounds of laughter. 

“Go away!” She sputtered, spewing blood a few inches in front of her. Taking one of the eggs, she chucked it at the bunny and sprung to her feet. 

As if she was once again racing for Easter eggs, she took off running in the direction she hoped was her salvation. 

Heavy footsteps pursued behind her. The bunny was fast. 

She dared a glance back and saw the figure only feet behind her.

 “Leave me alone!” She screamed.

The rabbit said nothing, just stretched out his hands as if to grab her.

She turned her head back forward but it was too late. She tripped over something hard and went face first into the mossy ground. Her head ached. SHe reached a hand to her temple and it came away bloody. Her vision swam and she tried to stand but the world spun and she fell straight back down. As her sight produced triples of everything in front of her, she slowly began to make out what she stumbled over.

It was Michael. His lifeless, bloody body lay slumped on the floorbed. A few of his fingers were missing. Black, bloody sockets sat where eyes once had been. 

The eggs she picked up in the forest must’ve been from the bunny, containing bits of Michael…

The footsteps sounded once more, and Scarlet’s scream timed perfectly with the finishing whistle.

Ready to feel nostalgic? March 1st I'm launching a book club exclusive to Inner Circle Bindery Members. The Goosebumps Bookclub is making a comeback. I had a goosebumps bookclub on my patreon for awhile, but then my doggo kept getting sick and I didn't have time to properly run it.

Now that my doggo is doing much better, I'm bringing it back for Bindery.

What the bookclub will entail:

-Exclusive discord chat

-Reading a goosebumps book every 2 weeks

-watching episodes based on the current book

-readalikes based on the book

-and a fun nostalgic journey

If you've needed an excuse to become an Inner Sanctum Member, here it is! After we finish the Goosebumps series we will visit other nostalgic horror classics such as Scary Stories to Tell In The Dark and Fear Street!

Come join and let's have a good time!

I want to share an update and bring you into the process a bit.

The book box is still happening. Frankie and I chose to move in a new direction and keep it separate from The Tenth Muse. The focus is still, obviously, sapphic. The covers WILL BE NSFW. The vision feels clearer and more aligned with what we want to build.

We are deep in planning mode right now. Brand direction. Artist outreach. Book curation. Community pieces. All of it. The goal is to build something that feels intentional and worth your time and money.

I also want your input. What do you want more of at this tier?

Talks on deconstruction
Sex Ed stuff
Short form videos
Thoughts on current book space discussions
Exclusive essays or reading guides
Live chats
Discord discussions
Sneak peeks of upcoming boxes

I have a lot I could offer. I want to focus on what feels valuable to you. Tell me what you would be excited to see and what would make this space worth staying in.

Long time no talk, but I have been busy building a sapphic empire. I will talk about that this week. I have been mulling over the anti-intellectualism conversation moving through social media and had thoughts, but I recently picked up ten client,s and the last two weeks have been busy. Here I am on sapphic Sunday with two quick things before I get into it. Book club is tonight at 7 pm on Discord. Even if you did not read the book, come hang out and get to know people. I am also working on a schedule so I show up here more consistently.

There has been a lot of noise about a rise in anti-intellectualism in online book spaces. That claim needs care. People often use it in ways that slide into ableism by equating intelligence with academic language, formal education, or a narrow reading culture. Many readers engage deeply through romance, lit fic, non-fiction, fan spaces, and community-driven recommendations. Those are valid forms of connection and learning. Dismissing them limits who gets seen as thoughtful or informed.

At the same time, fear of knowledge creates real harm. When people are taught to distrust history, journalism, and critical thinking, power concentrates. Disinformation spreads. Simplistic narratives replace complex truth. Attacks on libraries, educators, and marginalized voices follow. Access to knowledge is tied to the health of any democracy. We are currently seeing its fall in real time with the defunding of libraries, the banning of books, etc.

Algorithms also shape what we see. Platforms reward straight, cis, white, western beauty standards and quick, polished content. The tropification of books as reviews, belittling deeply romantic and beautiful stories to one-liners like “Where is my wife?” Creators who fit those expectations get more visibility. The shorter, flashier, and more outlandish a video is, the more it gets engagement. The books pushed in those spaces often feel safe, familiar, and forgettable. Visibility gets mistaken for quality. That narrows the range of tastes and limits exposure to voices that challenge readers.

The response is not gatekeeping. The response is expansion. Follow disabled creators. Follow queer and trans reviewers. Follow Black, Indigenous, and global readers who bring history and lived experience into their analysis. Seek people who name power, context, and impact. That builds perspective and keeps the book space alive and relevant.

I recently read an ALC of Was That Racist? By Evelyn Carter. This is also where that book fits. The book works as an entry point for readers who want to understand racism as a system, not only as overt harm. It explains how Whiteness functions as a standard and why many White readers have not been socialized to recognize bias in the same ways people of color often must. The tone is gentle and inviting, keeping readers engaged rather than defensive.

Readers already immersed in anti-racism work will recognize much of the material. The strength lies in delivery and in the personal stories. The examples show how bias shows up in everyday moments and how unlearning requires attention and accountability. The author names her own bias, reinforcing the idea that everyone carries learned patterns.

This is not a theoretical text. It is a practical tool for conversation, reflection, and early learning.

The broader goal is not to win debates online. The goal is to widen what people read, who they listen to, and how they think about knowledge. Curiosity and critical thought protect communities. The book space has a role in that work. Showing up, reading widely, and amplifying voices outside the algorithm’s comfort zone matters.