I took the above selfie (ussie?) at a stunning wedding my husband and I went to last fall in Vermont. (Hi JL/STM!) I thought it was a good photo for this post because we’re both flashing big smiles, not because we’re trying to show off our teeth, but because we were happy to get to…
“Why”…Wednesdays
NetGalley Review of Where the Wildflowers Grow
title: Where the Wildflowers Grow author: Terah Shelton Harris publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark publication date: February 17, 2026 pages: 496 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: death (before) violence abuse and neglect (before) rape (before) summary: When Leandra/Leigh Wildes’ transport bus goes off the road, she sees the opportunity to walk away from her incarceration into…
375. Why Flashlight and Floodlight
I took the photo above during a tent-covered dance at my school. The DJs, who were students, projected this fun light show onto the tent. The lights added a festive element to the event, and since I was already thinking about what different kinds of light add to our experiences, I spent more time enjoying…
NetGalley Review of Toe to Toe
title: Toe to Toe author: Falon Ballard publisher: G.P.Putnam’s Sons publication date: March 10, 2026 pages: 336 peppers: (on this scale) warnings: workplace sexual harassment mentions of disordered eating summary: When ballerina Allegra’s creative director tells her that she needs to have more sexuality in her dancing, she hires exotic dancer Cord to teach her…
NetGalley Review of Second Chance Duet
title: Second Chance Duet author: Ana Holguin publisher: Forever publication date: March 10, 2026 pages: 384 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: mean parents alcohol use mention of vomit summary: Celia Garcia has been trying to make it in the music industry for the more than a dozen years since she graduated from Juilliard, but…
NetGalley Review of Lady Tremaine
title: Lady Tremaine author: Rachel Hochhauser publisher: St. Martin’s Press publication date: March 3, 2026 pages: 352 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: discussion of incest violence death cruelty summary: Every version of Cinderella you’ve ever heard centers Ella, canonizes Ella, shows Ella in the best light. This version gives Elin’s stepmother voice, and she’s…
374. Why Show ‘Em Your Belly
I miss Tuukka. Look at the photo above. Can you remember the last time you trusted someone that much? Tuukka was great at giving himself over to the joys of the belly rub. He would get our attention, and then lie down like this, knowing that he was about to get exactly what he wanted–belly…
NetGalley Review of The Book Tour
title: The Book Tour author: Emily Ohanjanians publisher: Dell publication date: March 3, 2026 pages: 320 peppers: (on this scale) warnings: summary: When podcaster Ana finds out on the publication day of her debut book that her publicist is leaving the company and Ryan will be replacing her on tour, she’s not amused. Ryan has…
NetGalley Review of Lady Tremaine
title: Lady Tremaine author: Rachel Hochhauser publisher: St. Martin’s Press publication date: March 3, 2026 pages: 352 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: discussion of death violence incest cruelty summary: Every version of Cinderella you’ve ever heard centers Ella, canonizes Ella, shows Ella in the best light. This version gives Elin’s stepmother voice, and she’s…
373. Why CTV
Have you ever streamed a show created by Canadian Television? After watching Heartland and Sullivan’s Crossing, I wanted to write about the joys of watching shows made in Canada. I find myself getting completely sucked into them for so many reasons. I’ll share a few (in no particular order): Everyone hides from their feelings for…