The word trigger (according to my Google search) to refer to activating an emotional trauma response was first used in the DSM in the 1980s. That meaning spread to common usage in the 1990s and early 2000s. Trigger warnings started to appear at the same time to help make sure that one’s students/ readers/ audience…
“Why”…Wednesdays
NetGalley Review of Well, Actually
title: Well, Actually author: Mazey Eddings publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin publication date: August 5, 2025 pages: 384 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: death of a family member (in past), divorce, alcohol summary: In a drunken fit, Eva Kitt, whose job it is to snark her way through video interviews of eating lukewarm hotdogs with…
NetGalley Review of Steady Now
title: Steady Now author: Liberty Stowe publisher: Rupertbossier publication date: August 1, 2025 pages: 440 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: suicide (mentioned), parental neglect, child abandonment, and drug use (mentioned) summary: When Wren’s Mazarati breaks down in the middle-of-nowhere, Texas, she ends up stranded in a small town with Hud, a mechanic who really…
NetGalley Review of Pucking Enemies
title: Pucking Enemies author: Katie Strong publisher: Kindle publication date: July 30, 2025 pages: not sure, on my Kindle app, it says 401 pages, but it didn’t feel nearly that long peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: alcohol abuse, vomit summary: Rylee is thrilled to be hired not only as the photographer but also as…
343. Why Name Your Whys
I have an advisee with whom I meet every week. At some point I noticed that we had roughly the same conversation every time she came to my office: Me: How are things going? Her: Not great. I have a paper that’s late and a test I’m not ready for and I wasted all of…
NetGalley Review of Give Me a Reason
title: Give Me a Reason author: Jayci Lee publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin publication date: July 29, 2025 pages: 352 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: one scene in a hospital, a fall leading to a concussion summary: This modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion follows Korean television star Anne after she quits her career to move back…
NetGalley Review of Road Trip with a Rogue
title: Road Trip with a Rogue author: Kate Bateman publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback publication date: July 29, 2025 pages: 336 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: shootings, stabbings summary: Daisy has been hired to stop a couple from eloping in Gretna Green; unfortunately, they have a head start and she gets delayed by Lucien Vaughan,…
342. Why Wobble
If you are a Peloton subscriber, the photo above should take you straight to the yoga class that inspired today’s post. If you’re not and want to try a free, two-month membership, let me know so that I can send you a link. Either way, you can read this post about pushing our limits to…
NetGalley Review of Best Laid Plans
title: Best Laid Plans author: Mallory McKenna publisher: indie/self publication date: July 15, 2025 pages: 308 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: none summary: When Elle’s life implodes, she goes to her brother’s apartment to hide away and plan for what’s next. It’s perfect timing, because he’s going to be away at the football camp…
NetGalley Review of Pugs and Kisses
title: Pugs and Kisses author: Farrah Rochon publisher: Forever publication date: July 15, 2025 pages: 352 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: pet death summary: Finding her fiancé cheating on her is problematic for Evie Williams because she works at his clinic. After leaving her job, she goes to volunteer at the animal sanctuary she…