Truth & Consequences + A Never Shrinking TBR List

Bumpy resets and lots of all kinds of drama in these entertaining and provocative reads.

[8 books, from left to right: Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block, Dolly All the Time, This Song Is About Me, An Ordinary Sort of Evil; 4 stacked trade paperback books, 2 showing only the edges of their pages atop Rani Deshpanda Takes the Wheel, Scandal of the Summer]

Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto

contemporary fiction

Berkley, April 2026

Mebel Tanadi's hilarious, heartfelt journey starts with an unexpected rejection and concludes with a recommitment to an unapologetic acceptance of self, imperfections included. It's a poignant fish-out-of-the-aquarium-into-the-ocean celebration of leaps of faith, fresh starts, self-love, and friendship.

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

contemporary romance

G.P. Putnam Sons, May 2026

A little spin on a PG-13 rated version of Pretty Woman (minus any sex workers) with emotive, layered riffs on the gifts and challenges of care-giving for adult family members. Lots of laughs and uncomfortable revelations.

This Song Is About Me by Melissa De La Cruz

contemporary romance

Little A, April 2026

With some recognizable nods to a real-life country music star turned pop princess and recent newlywed, backtracking through the rise and disappearance of Ryan Holding revels in the messiness and high costs of dreams come true.

An Ordinary Sort of Evil (Rip Through Time #5) by Kelley Armstrong

historical mystery with romantic elements

Minotaur Books, May 2026

21st-century homicide detective Mallory Mitchell's Freaky Friday time-travelling body switch adventures continue as she and her 19th-century motley crew of crime-fighting sleuths continue their investigative escapades into murder and mayhem.

And as usual, a trip to the library to return books concluded with my claiming a holds request and an intriguing book from an eye-catching display.

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

Happy reading (in whatever format/s)!

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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