title: Only on Game Day author: Kristen Callihan publisher: Mira publication date: January 6, 2026 pages: 416 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: violence, destruction of property summary: Since Penelope Morrow has had a serious crush on her mother’s best friend’s son August since she was nine-years-old, she’s surprised when he asks her to be…
“Why”…Wednesdays
NetGalley Review of Room to Breathe
title: Room to Breathe author: Kasie West publisher: Delacorte Romance publication date: January 6, 2026 pages: 272 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: alcohol use marijuana use, mentioned vandalism fighting parents nightmares parental legal troubles summary: Indy and Beau used to be best friends, but when Indy’s mom forbids her from telling anyone what’s going…
365. Why HIIT
When we have all the free time in the world, we can relax, walk in circles (maybe following the path pictured above), and aim our energies in whatever direction we want. But how often do we have all the free time in the world? I’m a big fan of efficiency. Even when I am on…
NetGalley Review of In Your Dreams
title: In Your Dreams author: Sarah Adams publisher: Dell publication date: December 30, 2025 pages: 368 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: smoking heart attack (mention) and high blood pressure panic attack (brief, on page) grief summary: On the night of Madison’s just-barely-made-it graduation from culinary school and with no jobs on the horizon, she…
364. Why Lift Weights
[Before I explain today’s Why Wednesday, I want to note that if you see my mom or BFF the day today’s post goes live, you should wish them both a very happy birthday. (HBD, JG and TvS!)] The photo above shows my summer yoga studio, AKA our back porch. The title of the post is…
363. Why Last-Minute
I’ve probably used the photo above before, but can you blame me? There’s no filter on that; it’s really where I get to live. Amazingly lucky. Also, totally unrelated to this week’s post. Half of my parents (I grew up with four to most people’s two, again, lucky me!) were telling me about their New…
362. Why Have a Motto
As you contemplate the end of this calendar year and the start of the one ahead, I’d like to encourage you to adopt a motto for 2026. Last summer, as I was preparing to start my two-year journey as Dean of the Class of 2027, one of the kids in the class (Hi, JK!) recommended…
NetGalley Review of An Academic Affair
title: An Academic Affair author: Jodi McAlister publisher: Atria Books publication date: November 11, 2025 pages: 384 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: parental death (in past) parental abandonment (in past) mean parents (present) abandonment issues alcohol spousal abandonment summary: Jonah and Sadie have been academic rivals for more than a decade with only six…
NetGalley Review of Hate You, Maybe
title: Hate You, Maybe author: Julie Christianson publisher: independently published publication date: September 20, 2025 pages: 350 peppers: 1 (on this scale) warnings: past trauma summary: Sayla wants to win the big grant for her theater program, so when her boss tells her that she needs to prove she’s a team player by going on…
361. Why Life’s Going to Life
I bought a T-shirt with the image above many years ago as a baby present for a friend who named her kid Henry. Just kidding, she named him Tate. If you know a Tate and/or like potatoes, you can click on the photo above to see a website where you can buy the shirt. I…