Teamwork Makes It Happen

Losing an hour of reading time to gain more daylight offers a worthwhile exchange.

[7 books, stacked from top to bottom: Winning the Earthquake: How Jeannette Rankin Defied All Odds to Become the First Woman in Congress, The Shop on Hidden Lane, Restore Me, Husband of the Year, And Now, Back to You; Fight, and one book showing only its bottom edges]

Read

Winning the Earthquake: How Jeannette Rankin Defied All Odds to Become the First Woman in Congress by Lorissa Rinehart

non-fiction

St. Martin's Press, 2025

"Go! Go! Go!" quoted from Congresswoman Rankin's journals and "Pivot!" as offered by the author in summary of the subject's life, sum up the scope of a challenging and rewarding life that ultimately benefitted millions of people.

The author's admiration echoes throughout this intimate biography that also chronicles the evolution of the U.S. parallel to technology and industries, and reflects present-day societal struggles of voter apathy, an unpopular war, redistricting, ranked choice voting, and the archaic nature of the electoral college.

This passage from chapter 27 reads with particular relevance:

"Our democracy has atrophied because the process by which political candidates are selected is under the control of an enormously powerful military-industrial establishment."

The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz

contemporary speculative romance

Berkley, January 2026

Whether writing as Jayne Ann Krentz, Jayne Castle or Amanda Quick, this author's writing has offered me satisfying comfort reads for decades. She's always included a variety of characters (aside from Black and Brown people - sigh) in a range of ages and sexualities before doing so expanded into titles from the dominant publishing houses.

TBR BACissues (Book Acquisition Compulsion)

Restore Me by J.L. Seegars

Husband of the Year by M.A. Wardell

And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison

Fight by Sloane St. James

Always wishing you good health, peace of mind, safety, joy & some pleasure every day

Comments

Tapping into Your Power

The following two books celebrate powerful characters who overcome their fears to manifest their greatness for the benefit of themselves, their loved ones and communities. So satisfying. [2 books from left to right: A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna, Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff] A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna contemporary speculative romance Berkeley, July 2025 Sera's story of navigating otherness was worth the wait. The advantages, responsibilities, and consequences of being powerful are explored with nuanced observations, humor, and compassion. Themes on distinctions between family by blood, choice, and intention weave throughout this poignant tale about paying attention and recognizing personal details as fundamental to the evolution of one's perspective on who and what are valuable. One of my favorite passages from the end of chapter nineteen: Like this was a thing that had, somehow, become...

Beach Reads That Sizzle (in Many Ways)

It's a miracle that so many actual and imagined human young survive into adulthood, and then on to old age. The following books offer entertaining and provocative tales of challenges, misadventures, and triumphs. [a collage of 4 images: upper left - It Had to Be You hardcover Thorndike Press large print edition set on the edge of a small table between 2 chairs; upper right - a "BEACH" tote bag in a striped beach chair along with a paperback ARC of Up in Smoke; lower left - a paperback copy of An Evening at the Hotel on a wood table next to a beach umbrella; lower right - a paperback copy of All Super-Heroes Need PR] All Super-Heroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens contemporary speculative romance Amazon Publishing, May 2025 Vanessa's story delivers a riveting aliens-among-us origin story, a fake romance with unexpected twists, and nuanced workplace interpersonal dynamics that offer drama, humor, razor sharp social commentary, and visceral memories of past chi...

TWWBF Grand Finale Gratitude & More Books

The 6th and grand finale The Write Women Book Fest 2025 event last weekend was phenomenal! It exceeded our most ambitious hopes during these very challenging times. Many, many heartfelt thanks to the each of the featured authors, tabling authors & their assistants, TWWBF Poet Laureate Aressa V. Williams, performing poets, storytime readers in the children's area, narrators, author and publishing services professionals... Special thanks to the 2/3 of the TBR Trio who attended, a dynamic IG influencer, and each and every attendee who engaged with participants and bought books and merch. And to the volunteers, Bowie Comfort Inn staff, the team at South Bowie Branch Library, and as always, our conscientious, tireless team of dedicated TWWBF voluntolders, expressions of gratitude beyond words! [a "The Write Women Book Fest" journal, a tote bag with "Maria Secoy Romantic Suspense" and a smaller "Thank you" tote bag] [a collage of 3 images: left - pla...

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