[I wrote the following essay with my ninth graders during a month-long writing workshop, following exactly the same prompts and time limits I gave them.] One day, when my daughters, now grown and flown women, were eight and eleven years old, I took them shopping at Justice. (I’m already going to put this story on…
“Why”…Wednesdays
NetGalley Review of Queen of Lombard Street
(opens in new tab) title: Queen of Lombard Street author: Lisa Kleypas publisher: Avon publication date: October 20, 2026 pages: 448 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: mysogyny near/threats of violence death summary: Despite society’s cruel treatment of bastard children, Reina Martin finds ways to succeed where others have failed. Guided by her invaluable mentor,…
406. Why My Presence Matters
If you’ve been reading the blog for more than a month, you’re probably thinking, “Good grief! This woman recently wrote a post called ‘Why My Presence Shouldn’t Matter(opens in new tab)’ and now she’s writing the exact opposite.” And you’re right. On the other hand, as Gretchen Rubin(opens in new tab) says, the opposite of…
NetGalley Review of The Gilded Rose
(opens in new tab) title: The Gilded Rose author: Joanna Shupe publisher: Avon publication date: October 13, 2026 pages: 368 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: marital rape and brutality violence summary: Rare book expert Caroline thinks she’s lucky to marry Orson, who is stunning and woos her well…until she’s actually married to him and…
405. Why Stars
(opens in new tab) When I was in my pimple years, most people had several reactions to noticing a blemish. We might pop it. Though we knew that opening the skin was a sure-fire way to look worse the next day, the satisfaction of watching the gunk exit our faces was irresistible. We might brush…
NetGalley Review of It’s Only Dancing
(opens in new tab) title: It’s Only Dancing author: Jasmine Guillory publisher: Scholastic Press publication date: October 6, 2026 pages: 320 peppers: 1 (on this scale) warnings: body-image meanness mean boy behavior summary: Kat’s parents decide that what the family needs is a month at Camp Ochoa, a family camp in Southern California. It’s absolutely…
NetGalley Review of Trust Fall
(opens in new tab) title: Trust Fall author: Lynn Painter publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers publication date: September 29, 2026 pages: 416 peppers: 1 (on this scale) warnings: bullying summary: When Julia’s family in Nebraska inherits a mansion in NYC and millions of dollars, they’re somewhat surprised by the stipulation that they…
NetGalley Review of Hooking Nash
(opens in new tab) title: Hooking Nash author: Annica Dahl publisher: W by Wattpad Books publication date: September 22, 2026 pages: 320 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: miscarriage, alcohol, vomit summary: Kennady has just moved to NYC for a new job in advertising. Her childhood best friend and lifelong crush Nash plays for NYC’s…
NetGalley Review of The Pools
(opens in new tab) title: The Pools author: e. lockhart publisher: Delacorte Press publication date: October 6, 2026 pages: 384 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: unwilling transmogrify animal murder violence self-harm/suicidal ideation (both past) summary: Lexie and Chester both have troubling pasts, but when they meet each other, everything feels right. Unfortunately, the natural…
NetGalley Review of The Twelve Loves of Christmas
(opens in new tab) title: The Twelve Loves of Christmas author: multiple publisher: Atria Books publication date: September 29, 2026 pages: 384 peppers: 1-3 (on this scale) warnings: none summary: These twelve short stories cover lots of ground over the twelve days from just before Christmas to just after New Year’s. tropes: enemies to lovers…