Vote down below which books you would like me to read in March. Mot voted will be the choice.

Hello by Brigaders! My dear Mushies!

Welcome back to Snippet Saturday!!!!!!!!

Life has been lifing as of late, and it has sapped me of my creativity when it comes to writing.

Well, that just means we have a new story to share. Or at least, the bare bones of one!

It is a modern romance, following Jas and River as they navigate their budding romance and the complexities that their own separate lives create. Jas, a 36 year old single mother to an 11 year old daughter, has to deal with life after grief, issues with her in laws, as well as the day to day expenses that seem to pile up. Thankfully, she has the greatest support system in her mother and best friends, all who act as an anchor in Jas and Nora's life.

River is a 27 year old returning student to college after dealing with their own blowbacks that had them drop out. Studying anthropology and history, River works at a local museum as well as does cosplay at cons and on social media. They use any and all pronouns but do love using they/them the most.

So yes, this is going to be a sapphic/queer romance with queer, lesbian, genderfluid representation. This will also be dual POV.

This story, still unnamed, is currently in the plotting phase, but I did indeed write a bit of a scene between our two main characters where they are out at a club, Jas with her friends and River with theirs.

And here is a snippet of that scene:

Lights flashed all around, beats muffled to background haze as my heart synced with the electronic tempo. Glistening skin, clothes dampening,  but the clinging fabrics Weren’t the only thing I feel. All night, no matter how many partners I danced with, her eyes were on me. Perhaps it was that knowledge that led me back out on the dance floor. 

A gorgeous body pressed up against my behind, a palm brushes against my hip dip as we rock together fluidly to the music. As the hand skated further up my hips, my eyes found hers. Those rich brow eyes gleaming in the strobe lights, pupils flaring as she takes further notice of the scene before her. I watch as her brows begin to crease together, the frown settling in. A small gasp leaves my lips as her nostrils flare, a sound that coaxes a small squeeze at my side. The sensation causes me to temporarily break eye contact, lashes fluttering closed, lips parting slightly. 

Perhaps it was the knowledge that I was driving River wild with this teasing. Maybe seeing that sliver of something whisper to his features as my favorite spot on my body gets a gentle squeeze. Maybe it was the euphoria of being touched or Vi’s special snack finally kicking in, but I was feeling myself. 

“Can I cut in?” 

A rich vanilla scent lulled me in, as a hand brushed against mine. Turning to face River, I gave a soft smile. 

“Mm, perhaps.” I look over to my gorgeous dance partner who gives me a knowing wink. Looking between River and I, she blows me a kiss before walking off to dissappear into the crowd. I don’t get much of a look at the sight of her walking off because my chin is tilted in River’s direction, their thumb brushing lightly at my cheek. 

“May I have this dance?” They ask as she steps dangerously closer, encapsulated my senses in vanilla musk. “I promise I can keep up.”

A smirk curled their lips, those eyes traveling down my frame in delicious appreciation. If looks could devour, I’d be their meal. 

Gladly…. 

Quickly pushing that thought down, lest I want to melt the touch alone, I closed the distance between us. Inhaling in, the warmth Cradled at my flesh as I brushed against them, turning until they were at my back. 

“You are trouble.” 

Keeping them behind me made it easier to hid the flush that threatened to creep up my neck. I had to keep myself steady. There was no way I could catch myself stumbling for this gorgeous person. 

A younger gorgeous person. I had to remind myself. 

“I’d personally like to see myself as good.” Leaning in closer, their voice must have dropped an octave and it nearly had my heart stop. The hairs on my neck stood as whispers of breath blew through the follicles, ticking my skin. “Good as in—-” 

They smell too fucking good….

“Good… For you.”

With a hand firmly holding each of my hips, there would have needed to be a caution sign immediately because I was a puddle. Thighs lightly pressed together, I took a deep breath for clarity before turning towards her. 

“Careful River,” I warn. “You are going to end up biting off more than you can chew with me.” 

And there was that grin. That cocky ass grin that, on anyone else, would look condescending. 

“Oh, see now, when I bite, I plan on doing more than just nibble on you, Jas.”

Hi friends!

March is just around the quarter which means it’s time for a quick recap on March’s Read Disabled 2026 challenge as well as bring you some recommendations for books to read! All of these books are by disabled authors.

Also! Before I get into it, I just wanted to give you all a heads-up that voting for our March book club picks is open in the Discord, and many of the options fit one or both of these prompts!

Without further ado–let’s get into prompts and book recs!

Main Prompt: A Book by a Female Author

What I’m Planning to Read: That’s a Great Question, Thank You for Asking by Elyse Myers (Autism and ADHD representation)

March is Women’s History Month here in America, and to celebrate, our main prompt this month is a book by a female author (read: any book by an author who identifies as a woman), and I’m planning on going the non-fiction route with That’s a Great Question, I’d Love to Tell You by Elyse Myers.

I’ve been following Elyse Myers for a few years now. I find her content at turns very relatable and absolutely hilarious, and I was even able to meet her at Shelves and the City last March (she was so kind!) where she revealed the cover for this book! This is part memoir, part essay collection, and part poetry, talking about her life in a similar way to her video content, but a bit longer form. I’ve heard audio is the way to go for this one, so I’m hoping my library hold will come in by the end of the month for a tandem read, but if not I’ll settle for the physical copy.

My Recommendations:

A Prayer for Vengeance by Leanne Schwartz (autism representation)

This YA fantasy follows Milo, a devout, autistic temple steward who accidentally awakens a girl who was cursed to become a statue a thousand years before. Now awoken after a millennia trapped in stone, Gia is on a mission to kill the corrupt religious leader who cursed her–and she will kill anyone who gets in her way, even Milo.

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella (glioblastoma, memory loss, and aphasia representation)

Sophie Kinsella’s final book, a novella fictionalizing her own experience with Glioblastoma is beautiful, heartbreaking, and hopeful. It follows Eve, a renowned novelist and mother of six who wakes up in a hospital bed with no memories, and must come to terms with a terminal diagnosis and fight to remember what is important to her.

The Fall of Whit Rivera by Crystal Maldonado (PCOS representation)

When Whit Rivera is forced to plan her school’s Fall Formal with her nemesis, Zay, she knows it’s going to be a disaster–and she’s right. But what she wasn’t expecting was the sparks that begin to fly between the two of them.

Bonus Recommendation:

Fairest: A Memoir by Meredith Talusan (albinism representation)

This is a bonus recommendation because I haven’t read it. It’s another that is on my March TBR, but I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump, and don’t know if I’ll 100% manage to get this one read as well as the other two (which I’m prioritizing because they’re on my physical TBR, whereas this one i’d have to get from the library). It’s a memoir following the author’s experience  growing up albino in the Philippines, immigrating to America, and coming out as a transwoman.

Bonus Prompt: A Book Featuring a Developmentally Disabled Main Character

What I’m Planning to Read: Happy Ending by Chloe Liese (ADHD representation)

March is also Developmental Disability Awareness Month! Developmental disability is a broad category of disabilities including things like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, and more. It’s defined as categorizing disabilities that arise early in life and cause difficulties with communication, knowledge/skill acquisition, social interaction, and/or mobility. I’m planning to read Happy Ending by Chloe Liese for this prompt!

Chloe Liese is one of my favorite authors when it comes to disability representation, and I was under the impression that her upcoming release did not have any, but a few of my friends read early copies and have informed me that one of the main characters has ADHD. I was already excited to see Chloe Liese edge into a more women’s fiction bent in her romance (I’ve heard Emily Henry comped!) but with the added rep I’m doubly excited. This one isn’t out in the world until April, but I was lucky enough to receive an Advanced Reader Copy from Gallery Books.

My Recommendations:

King of the Neuro Verse by Idris Goodwin (ADHD representation)

This feels a little like cheating because I talked about it last month so it was already on your radar, but I just read it and it was phenomenal, so I need to scream about it. This follows Pernell, a 17 year old Black boy as he finds himself back in summer school for the third summer in a row and struggles to catch up with his peers. This book is stuffed full of Black disabled joy, and I love how the author knew exactly who his target audience was and wrote a story just for them. There were some really interesting (read: cool!) decisions made in story structure, pacing, and prioritization of different story elements to make this book more accessible and easier to connect with for teens with ADHD–escpecially those who struggle with reading. Cannot recommend this one more.

What Stars Are Made Of by Sarah Allen (Turner Syndrome representation)

When twelve year old Libby’s sister tells her she’s pregnant, Libby is thrilled–and also worried. She knows her sister is struggling financially and that not all babies are born healthy. So Libby strikes up a deal with the universe: she’ll enter a science competition, and if she wins the grand prize, she’ll give that money to her sister and the baby will be perfect.

Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest (cerebral palsy and wheelchair user representation)

As Effie starts her senior year, all of her focus is on college applications. She can’t wait for college, and she already knows the perfect place: a college in NYC with her dream program. But Effie is a wheelchair user, which means there’s a lot more to consider when choosing a college, and as senior year progresses she learns that sometimes growing up means being open to a world of possibilities you never even dreamed of.

Books That Fit Both Prompts: A Book by a Female Author with a Developmentally Disabled Main Character

For anyone who isn’t able to read two separate books, but wants to fit each prompt nonetheless–here are three books that are both by a woman and feature a developmentally disabled MC!

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (autism representation)

When Stella decides that she needs to practice dating, she does the only thing that makes sense: She hires a male escort to teach her all about dating and intimacy. Before long, Stella finds their no-nonsense partnership to make a strange sort of sense, and maybe is becoming something more than she planned for.

Second Chance Summer by Sarah Kapit (dyspraxia representation)

Maddie and Chloe are ready to move on after the dissolution of their best friendship, but when they end up at the same theater summer camp and find themselves repeatedly forced together, they discover that maybe the universe isn’t ready for their friendship to end.

Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman (autism representation)

This YA fantasy follows autistic Changeling Seelie in the aftermath of a heist-gone-wrong as she’s forced on the run with her twin sister and unexpected allies. As they flee a murderous sorceress intent on retrieving what they’ve stolen, Seelie and her friends begin to unravel a mystery with its roots in both human and fae history.

Happy reading!

~Kaley

Hi everyone, sorry for the late notice but I am hosting reading sprints today. I would've had this up sooner but I've been having computer issues since Sunday and just picked up my computer from the repair shop yesterday.

I'll be holding live reading sprints for two hours (12pm-2pm ET). These will act as our monthly book club sprints so feel free to bring the book you're reading for our book club —Feb's theme is "Events"— or any book you're reading for the readathon. (Must have queer rep or be by a BIPOC author)

They're open to all free and paid members of my Patreon and Bindery. If you can't make it, the recording will stay up so you can rewatch it.

CLICK HERE to access the stream.

I hope to see you there!

It’s time to pick our book club read for March! We have three great options lined up—a grimdark epic fantasy, a character-driven sci-fi, and a standalone fantasy romance. I’ve heard amazing things about each of these and will be so thrilled with whatever direction we decide to go in ☺️ I hope you all are having a great month! I’m not going to lie—February has been kicking my trash. But reading Red City by Marie Lu with you all has been such a highlight. I hope you’ve loved it as much as I did!

Whispers of the Storm by Z.B. Steele

Described as a moody, banter-laced, violent, and poetically framed story—“I wasn't always the monster they see me as. Half of the songs they sing are stories of my grandeur. The other half are tales of my misdeeds. The sad truth is that they're all true. So, listen to my tale and learn why it all happened. Learn the reason for the war, the reason for all the death. Listen to my tale and listen well. I won't be alive long enough to tell it again.”

These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacobs

“A dangerous cat-and-mouse quest for revenge. An empire that spans star systems, built on the bones of a genocide. A carefully hidden secret that could collapse worlds, hunted by three women with secrets of their own. All collide in this twisty, explosive space opera debut.”

The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi

“In this lush and romantic novel from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi, a prince is only as good as his beating heart and a maiden is only as good as her honest word. But when love and the truth become impossibly tangled, the two must figure out how to survive together, or fall completely apart.”

Some have you have already seen it but I'm super hyped to announce that we have a new development to announce. 2026 is the year A Complement of Scoundrels by S.V. Lockwood releases and to celebrate, Bindery is launching our own Kist Reads, Sickos Society book box!

This is my highest-tier membership, built for readers who love morally gray chaos, have
impeccable taste, and want to support the future of the kinds of books we actually want to exist.
Sicko Society is for readers who want to go deeper than recommendations and become part of
the inner circle supporting my creative work and the Kist Reads publishing mission.

It combines everything from my previous tiers with a quarterly book box, exclusive extras, and a
deeper way to back bold, tastemaker-led publishing.

This year’s theme is Year of the Scoundrel: a curated journey through fantasy’s most iconic
liars, thieves, con artists, criminals, and criminally charming masterminds.

Across four quarterly shipments, you’ll receive handpicked heist and/or scoundrel-centric novels, plus my personal commentary, additional online discussion, and a community-driven reading experience.

By joining Sicko Society, you:

• Support the mission of Kist Reads imprint

• Help fund the discovery, championing, and success of bold new authors

• Back ambitious editorial projects and tastemaker-led storytelling

• Get a community-driven, premium reading experience in return

Every Sicko Society member receives:

• ALL perks from previous membership tiers including advance e-books + exclusive
  advance print copies of original Kist Reads books, tour name in the "Thank You" page of
  to-be-published books

• A quarterly curated fantasy novel each quarter

• Exclusive notes and commentary from me

• Priority access to future perks and benefits

$25/month, billed monthly. Limited availability. Cancel anytime. Physical benefits unlock after 90 days. Shipping available to U.S. residents only.

Sicko Society is for readers who want to go deeper than recommendations. It’s for the people who:

• Trust my taste

• Love villain-coded characters and/or a good ol' heist vibe

• Want to support the publishing mission I’m building

• And want to be part of the inner circle shaping what comes next
  

If that’s you, welcome. Let’s cause some literary crimes together.

FAQ’s

Does Sicko Society include perks from lower tiers?

Yes. Sicko Society includes ALL perks from previous membership tiers, plus premium physical benefits and exclusives.

How much does it cost?

$25/month.

When do physical perks start?

Physical benefits unlock after 90 days of active membership.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes, cancel before the next billing deadline to avoid future charges.

Can I join mid-year?

Yes, as long as you join before the cutoff date for each shipment.

Is shipping international?

Shipping is currently available to U.S. residents only. (I'm hoping this changes soon as we have wonderful folk from all over the world here and I would love to be able to include them. From a business perspective it's just not feasible right now but I promise you we will continue to revisit this)

Is this a limited program?

Yes, this is a limited pilot with capped spots while we test demand and fulfillment.

What books are planned?

• The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

• Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

• The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick

• A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab

I was in a reading slump.

Like, genuinely not interested in picking up a book. And instead of accepting that, my brain said, “How can we make this more fun?”

And somehow the answer was… make it more complicated. LOL.

So I started annotating more intentionally, and then I thought, if people on TikTok can make these whole reading journals, I can too. So I made one.

Nothing fancy. I decorated the cover with a few stickers. The first page explains why I started it and what my reading goals are this year. Then I listed out my TBR, which is long because I own about 40 unread books. We’re working through it.

For each book I read, I answer three questions:

• What was my initial reaction?

• What was the craft and emotional depth like?

• What themes and lingering thoughts stayed with me?

That’s it. Simple structure.

I like that I can flip through it and see a catalog of what I’ve read and what I thought about it. Is it the prettiest journal in the world? Absolutely not. But it’s mine, and I know it’ll evolve as I keep going.

In between reviews, I also added some journaling prompts for myself. Things like:

• Why did I buy the books on my shelves?

• What themes keep finding me?

• What kind of Black love feels safe to me?

• What does being a Black woman reader mean to me?

• What am I outgrowing in my reading taste?

These aren’t assignments. They’re just ways to think more intentionally.

If I’m being honest, part of this whole thing is about stopping the brain rot. I needed something tactile. Something slower. Something that gets me off social media and back into my body.

Annotating, journaling, crafting these pages, even just sitting with a prompt, has helped with that. It feels grounding. It feels regulating.

You definitely don’t have to do all this. I know I’m creating a project for myself. But if you’ve been in a reading slump or you want to dig deeper into your hobby, this might actually make it more fun.

Sometimes making it “extra” is exactly what makes it click.

My dear Froomies.

It is Friday, everyone's favorite day, and we are back to spotlight another author that is near and dear to my heart.

Drum roll please..........

ANALEIGH SBRANA!!!!!!

It truly should not come as a shock to you that I adore Analeigh. I've written analysis of both Lore of the Tides and Lore of the Wilds, both are published on here, and I have a book tree that is just her books. Safe to say, she is one of my favorites.

The moment I picked up Lore of the Wilds, or it picked me as my friend gifted me a physical copy, I was unaware that this book would spark an obsession. That I was going to be served a beautiful fantasy narrative that is imaginative, full of heart, and something that all book readers should be exposed to. We are exposed to the world of Lore through her eyes, and from the beginning, we are met with two facts:

1. The inhabitants of her town were ripped away from their world to Alytheria, and cannot leave.

2. Lore loves books and and has a vast collection of them.

While those two points may not connect on the surface, it becomes apparent to the reader that the stories are of high value because they are used as ways to teach the youth of what life was like in their rightful land. Given that this is black fantasy, the practice of elders retelling stories and becoming storykeepers is something that is important within Black History, preserving them through oral means to be used as celebrations and warnings. Beautifully described by Analeigh, we follow Lore as she carries the narratives and history throughout the first and second novel, making choices in order to make a place for her people where they can be safe.

In her second novel, we see the growth in Analeigh's writing, as well as seeing Lore through devastating lows, that also mirror Black history.

"To every Black reader who grew up looking for themselves on the fantasy shelves, this one's for you"
-Analeigh Sbrana

That is the quote that I needed in my life, and Analeigh is an author who understands the need for Blackness in Adult Fantasy. Around 6% of traditionally published authors are Black and the number is even smaller within the fantasy space. Which is abysmal.

We need more authors like Analeigh, more people like her, who fill this space with their words, creating an impact where it needs it most.

📖 Bookish This or That: Reader Habits Edition

Welcome to the edition that exposes us all.

Your trope preferences might be mysterious…But your reading habits? Absolutely incriminating!

Choose wisely. No fence-sitting allowed.

📚 Annotate Everything or Keep Books Pristine?

Are you:

▫️Highlighting every line that emotionally damages you?
▫️Using 47 tabs for “him being feral”?
▫️Writing full reactions in the margins?

Or are you:

▫️Treating your books like museum artifacts?
▫️Refusing to even crack the spine?
▫️Whispering “absolutely not” at the idea of a highlighter?

There are two kinds of readers. And they judge each other silently.

📱 Ebook or Physical?

Be honest!

▫️Kindle at 2am so no one sees what you’re reading?
▫️Adjustable font size supremacy?
▫️Three hundred books in one device like a literary goblin?

Or:

▫️Dog-eared pages.
▫️That book smell.
▫️The emotional support weight of a 500-page fantasy in your bag.

There is no wrong answer. Except maybe when your Kindle dies mid-cliffhanger!

👀 Read Spoilers First or Protect the Surprise?

Are you:

▫️Checking the last page to confirm the HEA?
▫️Scanning reviews for emotional damage warnings?
▫️Protecting your peace at all costs?

Or:

▫️Diving in blind?
▫️Living dangerously?
▫️Letting the plot emotionally ruin you in real time?

This one says a lot about your trust issues.

📖 One Book at a Time or Chaotic Multi-Reading?

Are you:

▫️Loyal. Focused. Devoted.
▫️Finishing what you start?
▫️Emotionally monogamous with your current read?

Or:

▫️Three romances.
▫️One fantasy.
▫️A random nonfiction.
▫️All at once.
▫️Depending on your mood and level of emotional stability.

Be brave.

📦 TBR Under Control or Emotional Support TBR Mountain?

Is your TBR:

▫️Curated?
▫️Organized?
▫️Realistic?

Or:

▫️A towering monument to your impulsive personality?
▫️Two hundred books deep?
▫️Growing faster than you can read?

No shame. Only honesty.

📚This is your official invitation to expose yourself in the comments.

No judgment. Okay… maybe a little!

Drop your answers below in order.

Let’s see who’s thriving and who’s drowning under an emotional support TBR mountain.

In the last two weeks I have managed to read 10 books. Of these ten books, three of them were 5 stars and one was the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read. It was so fantastic that I now want to just read non-fiction. One of my goals for 2026 was to read more non-fiction and memoirs and with three in those categories just this month, I think it’ll be possible.

Ten books, however, is a lot and I want to break it down with what I read why you should read these books.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

This was a reread but the first time I have read the new 10th Anniversary edition. I adored this series the first time I read it and rereading made me fall in love with the world and characters all over again. If you love dystopian and fantasy books mixed with a rebellion and hope that is just as likely to flourish as it is to be crushed, this is the book and the series you should be reading.

A Time of Dread and A Time of Blood by John Gwynne (5 ⭐️)

Do not be like me and finish ‘The Faithful and the Fallen’, tell yourself you will get to the next series in a world you love, and then wait over 6 months before you do. Do not do it. You will regret it. The Banished Lands are John Gwynne at his prime. Everything you loved about ‘The Faithful and the Fallen’ is once again on these pages. While you have a new cast of characters and plot, the central themes, tone, and prose that you adored is present here.

James by Percival Everett

There is a reason this book is award winning. From the prose to the narrative to the themes, every aspect of this well thought out and thought provoking. The themes of racism, slavery, ignorance, and the exploration of the perception of language made this book more intriguing than I imagined. Layered with humor and heartbreak, ‘James’ is an instant modern classic.

The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni

When I think of YA fantasy at its prime, I will forever think of this series. Up until the last page, I was rooting for these characters, wondering how the story would unfold, and be grateful for the journey I was taken on. If you want a YA fantasy series to fall in love with, this is the one for you.

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

A mesmerizing memoir that showed light on a situation we all thought we knew, but from the perspective of the hell Shari was living in, a camera still only shows so much. Though I never watched or had heard of 8 Passengers on Youtube in their prime, I was aware of the fall out and preceding arrest of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt. This memoir reaffirms my stance on why I am against family vlogging and what in this case turned into child exploitation. It was a heartbreaking and insightful memoir and one of the best I have ever read.

The Gate of the Feral Gods by Matt Dinnaman

I would like to state that I have been listening to this audiobook for about two months and only had about 3 hours left by the time February rolled around. It did not take me two months because I did not enjoy it (I really loved it), but because my fiancé and I have been listening to DCC whenever we are in the car together. That’s beside the point. The most important point here is if you haven’t read Dungeon Crawler Carl yet, what are you doing and why are you missing out on the best time of your life?

On Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah-Yah Scholfield

The best way to describe this book is raw. Raw details. Raw emotions. Raw characters. Raw narrative. The writing to me was the best aspect of the story. It was lush but ominous, mixing beauty with horror in every sentence. If you want a graphic horror novel with peak writing, you have found not only an excellent debut, but the book meant for you.

And Side By Side They Wander by Molly Tanzer

In just 90 pages, you become fully immersed in the world and characters that are about to commit an art heist. It was surprising how much detail and nuance development in a short span, giving you a fully fleshed out story that makes you want even more. I would to see what Molly could do in a full fledged novel, the exploration of the characters, the philosophical undertones, and the depths of the political intrigue that was only barely touched upon. This does not come out until May, but it will be worth the quick read.

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (5 ⭐️)

THIS BOOK! I rarely read non-fiction, but when it came to every aspect of this book I could not put it down. I got emotional multiple times throughout reading this, shedding tears through the last page. This was more than just a look at the injustice of the justice system in the United States, but a look at humanity, systemic racism, bias, poverty, and the violence and cruelty plaguing our justice system. It is both eye-opening and captivating, shedding light on issues that are going unchecked and repeatedly harming those who just needed a hand to help them up instead of push them down. I will be thinking about this book for a very very long time. I wish I could get everyone to read it. It inspired hope while also pointing out the tragedies that keep mercy from succeeding. Please, please read this. Whether you read non-fiction or not, it’s a book that would benefit from everyone reading.