Hi Book Friends,

I have to share something I stumbled across this week that made me genuinely giddy.

If you know me, I am OBSESSED with using LIBBY.

You know how the wait list on Libby for a popular title can feel like you’re waiting what it feels like FOREVER for a book? Three months for the latest new release. Sometimes longer and that can mean YEARS! Meanwhile, the book is sitting right there, taunting you.

A few years ago, I invested in hundreds of dollars applying for non-resident library cards to see which ones were the best bang for your money. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts this service is now a rare find. (RIP New Orleans Non-Resident Library Card)

Until this week when I found this new tool that will be game changer for many US library users. This a new tool so I hope they expand internationally as they grow.

Think of What to Read Next as your well-read best friend, your favorite author's bookshelf, and your library guide — all in one place. Every week we deliver trusted curated book recommendations from 3,000+ books read, 500+ author interviews, and a community of readers just like you, plus tips to maximize your library and read more for less.

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What if I told you that you might already qualify for multiple free library cards — and that adding them to your Libby app could dramatically cut those wait times?

Enter: ReciproCard

Here’s the deal: many US library systems across the country have reciprocal agreements with each other — meaning their cardholders can access each other’s digital collections. The problem is, most of us have no idea which agreements our library has, or how to find them.

ReciproCard fixes that. You simply search for your home library, and it instantly shows you every reciprocal agreement you qualify for — completely free libraries you can add to your Libby app right now.

More library cards = more copies of popular titles in the pool = shorter wait times = more reading. ✨

How to Get Started with Reciprocard

1. Head to reciprocard.com

2. Search for your home library

3. See which reciprocal libraries you qualify for

4. Sign up for the free cards (many are fully online!) Some you may have to visit in person (bookish road trip!).1

5. Add them to your Libby app

6. Watch your available titles multiply and shorter wait times.

I tried it myself and was honestly surprised by the new options that popped up even in Florida2 It takes a few minutes to check and the payoff is a much richer digital library at your fingertips — all completely legal, using agreements that already exist.

Consider this your permission slip to have a little too much fun in a library card rabbit hole this week.

📚💌Share this Tool with your Bookish Friends

Know a fellow Libby user who’s been suffering through a brutal waitlist? Send this their way. You’ll be their hero. 🦸

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This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I have a very specific weakness. Give me a small town where everyone knows everyone, a flower farm with some romantic tension blooming between the rows, and a slow burn that makes me want to scream into a pillow — and I am done for. Finished. Five stars, no notes.

So today, we are doing a full cottage core deep dive. We’re talking flower shops, pancake houses, lavender farms, pumpkin patches, and one very chaotic boathouse. These are the reads that make you want to move somewhere with a gazebo, a farmers market, and a hot neighbor who is inexplicably also a chef / farmer / bodyguard / park ranger.

Let’s get into it.

*This book is available on Kindle Unlimited as of April 27, 2026

From the What to Read Next Archives (Still Obsessed, Still Recommending these Spring Cottage Core Books)

Before we get to the 2026 reads, I have to shout out a few that have lived rent-free in my head and deserve a proper moment.

*The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laura Gilmore is the spring installment in her cozy small-town series (start with The Pumpkin Spice Cafe if you haven’t — there’s also a Christmas book and it’s all very Gilmore Girls, very gazebo, very everyone-knows-your-name energy). In this one, a world-renowned chef moves to a small town to open a pancake house and needs to hire a nanny for his daughter — enter a free-spirited opposite who is everything he is not. Slow burn. Found family. Delicious fictional breakfast food.

The Cozy Croissant Café by Jane Linford is set in a seaside town and is enemies-to-lovers with a pastry chef hero, and I just need to say — she doesn’t like him at first? He makes croissants from scratch. I would not be fighting that man. I would be at his door with butter. Heartwarming, family healing, second chances — it’s the full cozy package.

*The Flower Farm by Rachel Lucas gives us a grumpy-sunshine romance with competing interests: she’s trying to save her family’s flower farm, he’s setting up an outdoor activity center in the same town. Their worlds collide in the best way. If you love two people who really shouldn’t work together slowly realizing they absolutely do — this one’s for you.

The Find It Keeper’s Library by Annie Rains (one of my favorite small town romance authors — her backlist is genuinely to die for) features a garden library in Bloom, North Carolina. Our heroine arrives hoping for a fresh start, ends up running her aunt’s library, and teams up with a swoony neighbor to save it. It’s cozy, it’s heartfelt, and if you haven’t explored Annie Rains’ catalog yet, this is your sign.

The Tanglewood Flower Shop by Lilac Mills. A florist, a high-stakes competition, and a park ranger love interest. I will say it clearly: park rangers1 are important, necessary, and underappreciated.

*Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings - Buying a flower farm on Facebook Marketplace after winning the lottery? Yes. Showing up and discovering the farm already had a promised owner who is extremely hot? Even better. This is the premise of Late Bloomer and I need everyone to read it immediately. Mazey Eddings can do no wrong.

This is a backlist title that can tide you over before Mazey’s next sapphic romcom You Won’t Forget Me, that comes out this summer (coming out June 9, 2026).

You’re going to want the rest of this list.

There are 5 more 2026 cottage core reads waiting on the other side — including a lavender farm with a grumpy bodyguard, a runaway bride who rediscovers herself on a pumpkin patch, a fake dating flower shop romance with Gilmore Girls energy, and a viral boathouse bookshop that is already at the top of my TBR.

Right now, annual subscribers get 50% off forever — that’s just $16.25, less than most of the books on this list. One price. Locked in. Forever.

Subscribe now

Already a paid subscriber? Keep scrolling — 5 more recs are waiting for you. 🌸

My 2026 Cottage Core Reads 🌼

Okay. NOW we get to the good stuff. These are the books I’ve actually read this year and they are chef’s kiss for spring vibes.

Read more

Why Tagging Books on Libby is The Ultimate Libby Hack

If you’re anything like me, your screenshots, Notes app, and camera roll are full of books you meant to read someday. The problem? You forget where you saw them.

Libby quietly solved that problem with a feature that most readers overlook — tags.

Think of tags as your digital sticky notes. You can add them to any book you see in Libby — whether it’s one you’ve borrowed, one that’s on hold, or one you just discovered while browsing.

SPECIAL OFFER TO ALL SUBSCRIBERS

I’m offering 50% off my Substack (just $16.25/year, forever) because I know reading should feel like a cozy escape—not a luxury.

When you join, you’ll get:

• Access to the full archive

• Exclusive book lists I don’t share anywhere else

• Curated recommendations focused on reading more for less (library, Kindle Unlimited, hidden gems)

50% Annual Subscription (Forever)

What is Libby?

Libby is a free app that lets you borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your local library—right from your phone, tablet, or computer.

Think of it as your library… but without the commute, late fees, or wait at the checkout desk.

Here’s how Tagging Books in Libby works:

1. Tap a book title in Libby.

2. Click the small Tag icon.

3. Choose one of Libby’s defaults (like Borrowed or Wish List) or create your own custom tag.

That’s it. You’ve just started building your own virtual bookshelf.

📚 Tag Ideas to Try

• Spring Cozy Reads – for books that give you cottagecore and pumpkin-latte vibes.

• Book Club Picks – so you can quickly browse what’s perfect for your next meeting.

• Audiobooks I Loved – a running list of your favorite narrators and bingeable listens.

• Popcorn Thrillers - because sometimes you need a twisty thriller to keep you guessing

• Romance Next Up – because we all need a designated swoon shelf.

• DNF / Not For Me – no shade, just a record so you don’t borrow it again.

You can make tags for literally anything: moods, genres, tropes, or even “books that made me cry.”

✨ Why Tagging Books on Libby Works

Libby’s tag system does what Goodreads and reading journals sometimes can’t—it’s right where you already browse, borrow, and listen. You can filter by any tag, see what’s available, or get inspired when you’re in a reading slump.

It’s your personal Inspire Me button, curated by you not an AI algorithm.

💡 Try This Tonight

Open Libby, tap on the next book that catches your eye, and tag it “Spring TBR.” Do that five times and you’ve just built your next cozy reading list.

📚Building your TBR one Tag at a time

Libby’s tag system is one of the most underrated tools in the app. By creating a “Read Later” tag, you can keep your TBR organized, avoid checkout overwhelm, and always have a fresh stack of options ready when you’re in the mood for something new.

So next time you’re browsing and spot a tempting book, don’t just scroll past it — tag it for later, and future you will thank you.

Let’s Celebrate National Library Week

National Library Week takes place between April 19-25, 2026 and the purpose is to celebrary how much libraries mean to their local community.

If you live in a county or area that has a local library. I encourage you to call them or visit them and get your free library card.

Looking for a Non-Resident Library Card that grants you access to Libby and Hoopla?

🗨️Let’s Chat

Have you used the Tag feature on Libby? If so, what is your favorite niche category you have created? Are you using Tags to create Seasonal TBRs? Share with us your tips!

Leave a comment

Happy Sunday!

Here in Florida, we are getting signs of summer with hot weather and humidity and after a cold winter (we even got snow flakes at one point in Tampa) I am ready.

The start of 2026 was rough, hence the bit of radio silence. I was living in the fog and constant anxiety that I later learn was perimenopause. After a few nudges and being gaslit by two gyn, I finally found help and started HRT. Let’s just say things changed a bit of overnight. The depression fog lifted and I was willing to live. I started to have reprieve from my constant anxiety to focus on my care.

On a professional note, I am studying to become a Certified Fraud Examiner. What does this means? I will continue to investigate white collar crime. In this certification, I am learning all types of white collar crimes, scams, just general fraud. This was an industry I fell upon as a temp job but in the long term I have found my passion. I really love going on rabbit holes and finding the pieces that tie to the story. I love that I can heal the sense of justice that I didn’t have when I was growing up. More to come in this journey.

In this Substack, I am sharing a Cozy Mystery Guide:

1. VIDEO PODCAST: Where I talk to my friend about Cozy Mysteries

2. How did I get started reading Cozy Mysteries and my top recommendors

3. What are Cozy Mysteries

4. If you love Small Town Romances, why you should read Cozy Mysteries

5. Our honest take on three big Cozy Mystery series

6. Yes, why I did I skipped Hannah Swansen’s series. I have thoughts!

7. Tips on how to get started with Cozy Mysteries

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How did I get Started Reading Cozy Mysteries?

Back in 2024, I hit a reading plateau and I found that I was tired of reading romances (I KNOW!) and I needed an extra plot point in addition to the romantic relationship.

I decided to pick up a Cozy Mystery after being introduced to the genre year’s earlier. My book friends and were my initial guides to the genre in 2018 & 2020.

Enough that Larissa from Kensington Cozy reached out to share all of the goodness.

After I picked up my first series, Live and Let Chai by Bree Baker I knew this will be my next hyperfixation.

I messaged Ally from AllysBookshopAroundtheCorner for further guidance on series. She created this great mini-starter guide.

I am also a fan of YouTube for book recommendations. My favorite Cozy Mysteries creators are Spencer from Intentionally Bookish and Courtny from Courtagonist

What Are Cozy Mysteries?

If you’ve never picked up a cozy mystery before, think of them as the comfort-read version of a thriller.

These stories usually follow an amateur sleuth—not a detective—who gets pulled into solving a crime in their small town. Most of the time, there is a murder, but it happens off-page. You’re not getting gore or graphic scenes. Instead, you’re getting vibes.

A typical cozy mystery includes:

• A small-town or tight-knit community setting

• A main character with a specific hobby or business (bakeries, bookstores, coffee shops, beekeeping—you name it)

• A cast of recurring characters

• A pet (bonus points if it “helps” solve the mystery 🐶)

• A light romance subplot

What surprised me the most is that the mystery itself isn’t always the main focus. It’s really about the community, relationships, and day-to-day life, with the mystery woven in.

And yes—they’re formulaic. But in the best way. Just like romance, you know what you’re getting… and that’s exactly the point.

Cozy mysteries are basically Hallmark movies… with a murder thrown in.

If You Love Small Town Romance… Try Cozy Mysteries

This is honestly the easiest way to explain why I fell into cozy mysteries so quickly.

If you already love:

• Small town romance

• Found family dynamics

• Character-driven stories

• Low angst, comforting reads

Then cozy mysteries will absolutely work for you.

They follow a very similar structure to romance novels:

• Familiar beats

• Strong sense of place

• Recurring characters you get attached to

• Ongoing relationships that develop over a series

The biggest difference? Instead of the romance driving the story, it’s the mystery.

But even then, the mystery often takes a backseat to the relationships and the town itself. You’re not necessarily reading to “solve” the crime—you’re reading to spend time in that world.

And once you find a series you love? It becomes the ultimate comfort binge.

Where to Start: Cozy Mysteries Romances 101

When I first started reading cozy mysteries, I wanted to try a mix of classic series and newer ones to figure out what worked for me.

Here are three of the most well-known starting points:

🍰 Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander

If you are looking to listen to these books. Here is my guide - Book 1-3 are Audible Exclusive (BOO), then book 4-20 is available on audio from your favorite library. Book 21-22 are coming to audio this summer.

This is the series that made me fully fall in love with cozy mysteries.

Set in Ashland, Oregon, it follows Jules Capshaw as she returns home to help save her family’s bakery—and ends up solving murders along the way.

What I love:

• Strong sense of place (you really feel like you’re in the town)

• Incredible side characters that grow over time

• Food, baking, and cozy vibes throughout

• A series that actually evolves (personally and professionally)

If you’re only going to try one cozy series to start, I always recommend this one.

📰 Lucy Stone Mysteries by Leslie Meier

This series is available to borrow on Kindle Unlimited!

This is one of the OG cozy mystery series—and it still holds up.

Lucy Stone is a small-town reporter, mom, and amateur sleuth, and what I love about this series is that she’s already established in her life.

What makes it stand out:

• A married main character (which is rare in cozies)

• Strong family dynamics

• Classic small-town feel

• Perfect for seasonal/holiday reading

This is the kind of series I’d recommend saving for a cozy winter binge.

Beacon Bakeshop Mystery by Darci Hannah

In this series, Lindsey Bakewell moves to Michigan after purchasing a lighthouse bakeshop. With her friends, her Newfie dog and the ghost of the old captain who protects the lighthouse they solve mysteries.

This is a 7 book series, with six already out and we have a summer cozy coming out on June 30, 2026 called Murder at the Campfire Cookout.

Tune into my interview with Darci Hannah as we talked all things cozy mysteries and whether or not we are getting more Beacon Bakeshop mysteries.

🍪 Hannah Swansen Mysteries by Joanne Fluke

If you’ve heard of cozy mysteries before, chances are you’ve heard of Hannah Swensen.

This is one of the most popular series in the genre, centered around a bakery owner who solves crimes—and each book includes recipes.

It’s a long-running, iconic series… but it didn’t quite work for me (more on that below).

Why We Skipped Hannah Swansen

I really wanted to love this series.

It’s one of the most recommended cozy mystery series out there, and on paper, it checks all the boxes: bakery setting, small town, long-running story.

But after trying a few books, I realized it just wasn’t for me.

Here’s why:

• The main character felt hard to connect with- she is judgmental and a bad sister and friend.

• There was a heavy focus on diet culture and weight commentary, which felt dated and uncomfortable.

• The tone didn’t align with what I personally want from cozy reads (light, fun, and low-stress).

• The love triangle didn’t feel compelling enough to carry across multiple books

At the end of the day, this is one of those series where I can see why people love it—but it didn’t fit what I’m looking for in a cozy mystery.

And honestly, that’s the best part about this genre: There are so many options.

If one series doesn’t work for you, there’s another one—probably with a completely different vibe, setting, or hobby—that will.

3 Tips to Get Started Reading Cozy Mysteries as Romance Reader

I want to end of a positive note, if you are new to cozy mysteries here are my suggestions on how to get started:

1. Focus on series starters (book 1) to see if you enjoy the main character, the town and the niche hobbies or job

2. Try them on audio (even better before you fall asleep). Since there is no gore, no major twist and turns these books are perfect to fall asleep. No scary nightmares!

3. Look for niche hobbies/professions cozy from foodie, to bee keeping, knitting, store owner, Hollywood there are a wide variety of cozy

If you are looking for BIPOC and Queer leads, check out my Black Amateur Sleuth list, my Quozie list (Queer Cozy Mysteries) with more recommendations!

🗨️Let’s Chat

I want to hear from you! Are you a cozy mystery reader? If you are not, what are some of your hesitations?

Leave a comment

I am planning to put together other niche genre guides such as Mysteries, Romance. Let me know if your comments if you have a niche genre you want to learn more about and would like more book recommendations.

The first two weeks of the year, I was in Puerto Rico with my family and I read almost nonstop—mostly cozy mysteries, mostly on audio, and mostly just following my mood instead of overthinking my TBR.

And honestly, that made reading fun again.

So this is my Q1 reading recap. Not a polished “best books” list—just what I read, what worked, and what I’d actually tell you to pick up.

The Cozy Mystery Phase

I finished almost the entire Bakeshop Mystery series—up to book 20.

At that point, it’s not about whether each book is amazing. It’s about the world, the routine, and knowing exactly what you’re going to get.

I also tried a few new series:

• Death al Dente by Leslie Budewitz

• Rocky Road to Ruin by Mary Allen

Both were fine. Good premises, but not strong enough for me to keep going.

And that’s something I’m getting better at this year—if I don’t feel pulled into a series, I’m not continuing just to complete it.

The Books That Didn’t Fully Land

There were a few books that had everything I usually like but didn’t quite deliver.

• We Were Never Friends by Kaira Rouda

It had the setup I love—old friendships, secrets, messy dynamics—but it needed more depth. It felt like it stopped just short of where it could have gone.

That’s been a pattern for me lately: strong concept, but not enough payoff.

The Solid 4-Star Reads

This is where most of my reading lived.

Cozy Mysteries

• The Diva Takes the Cake by Krista Davis

• Death of a Kitchen Diva by Lee Hollis

• Death of a Country Fried Redneck by Lee Hollis

These all have that lifestyle-meets-murder energy. Very Martha Stewart, very small town, very easy to keep reading.

Thrillers

• The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

• The Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

Both are very much in my lane—secrets, timelines, people making questionable decisions, Southern thrillers.

The Storm especially works well on audio. The Anatomy of an Alibi works better in print as it jumps through various timelines.

Romance

This quarter leaned heavily into:

• billionaires

• road trips

• second chances

• and, for some reason, flower shops

The Grumpiest Billionaire by Pippa Grant

Standouts:

• The Grumpiest Billionaire by Pippa Grant

• Still Into You by Erin Connor

• In Her Spotlight by Amy Spalding

• Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score

These are the kinds of romances I keep coming back to—easy to get into, character-driven, and just fun to read.

Flower Shop / Flower Farm Romance Reads Perfect for Spring Reading

• Picnics and Promises at the Strawberry Field by Victoria Walters
  → Runaway bride returns home + helps revive a flower farm + slow-build romance

• The Cherry Crush Flower Shop by Harper Graham
  → Best friends to lovers + fake dating + small-town contest centered around their “relationship”

• Seems Like a Good Idea by Lauren Blakely
  → Lavender Farm + Bodyguard/Celebrity Adjacent Romance + very vibes-based romance

The One That Surprised Me

The Primrose Murder Society by Stacey Halls

This one felt like a mix of a mother-daughter story and a cozy mystery with a strong hook—a financial incentive to solve a cold case.

It has a bit of an Only Murders in the Building feel, but more grounded. I really hope this turns into a series.

The 5-Star Reads

My Take on Hunter’s Treasure by Olivia Jackson

These are the books I’d actually tell you to start with:

• Rachel West and the Fallen Starlet by Emma Mills (Mystery)

• Too Blessed to Stress by Alli Hoff Kosik (Women’s Fiction)

• The Heir by Sophia Travers (Contemporary Romance)

• Hunter’s Treasure by Olivia Jackson (Action RomCom)

• Before We Were Us by Sophia Glock (YA Graphic Novel set the Summer of 2003)

• This Story Will Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum (Thriller; best on Audio)

These all did something specific really well—whether it was voice, pacing, or just being genuinely hard to put down.

What I Learned About My Reading Taste

After 32 books, this is very clear:

I like books that are:

• fast

• engaging early

• easy to binge

• and a little bit messy

I’m not interested right now in books that take a long time to get going or feel like work.

And once I accepted that, I read more—and enjoyed it more.

If You’re Building Your TBR

Start with the 5-star reads.

Then:

• cozy mysteries if you want something comforting

• thrillers on audio if you want something immersive

• romance if you want something reliable

And if something isn’t working for you, stop reading it.

Your Turn

What’s the best book you’ve read so far this year?

I’m always looking for something new to add to my list.

Leave a comment

When you’re younger, friendships happen almost automatically. You sit next to someone in class. You join the same club. You run into the same people every day.

Then suddenly you’re an adult.

You move to a new city. You change jobs. People get busy. And friendship becomes something you actually have to work at.

That’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately — especially after recording a recent episode of the podcast with my friend Jules.

How Jules and I Became Friends

and I met the way many adult friendships begin now: online.

I had written a Substack post about magazines and ways to read them digitally. Jules liked the post, and I had already been following her work as a blogger. She runs Friday Night Readers, a book club built around reading the books featured on Gilmore Girls — which is basically my idea of a dream internet niche.

So I did something simple but surprisingly powerful.

I reached out.

I asked if she wanted to come on the podcast.

That conversation ended up lasting hours — long after the recording stopped. What started as a podcast interview turned into a real friendship.

And the more I thought about it afterward, the more I realized something:

Most adult friendships start with one person being brave enough to make the first move.

Making Friends as an Adult (The Honest Version)

Here’s the reality: making friends as an adult takes effort.

There isn’t a built-in system anymore like school, college or even work where everyone is automatically in the same space.

Instead, new friendships often start with small steps:

• Sending a DM

• Commenting on someone’s work

• Going to an event alone

• Saying hello to the person sitting next to you

None of these things guarantee a friendship.

But they open the door.

And sometimes that door leads to a connection you didn’t expect.

One thing Jules and I talked about during the episode is the difference between being alone and being lonely.

You can live alone and still feel deeply connected.

But loneliness often comes from feeling like you don’t have people who understand you.

Building friendships — especially ones built around shared interests — can change that.

6 Books Recommendations that Reflect the Complex Relationships of Friendships

Friday Night Readers

👯‍♀️6 Female Friendship Books for Galentine's Day

Listen now

3 months ago · 11 likes · 1 comment · Julianne Buonocore

Activities That Actually Help You Meet People

If you’re looking to build community, here are a few things that have genuinely worked for me.

1. Activity-Based Meetups

I’m not a big “go out drinking” person, so I’ve always preferred activities.

Things like:

• Yoga classes

• Fitness classes

• Walking meetups

• Creative workshops

You’re doing something together, which makes conversation easier.

Some of my local friendships here in Tampa actually started at my yoga studio. I started being a regular at certain classes and just met my friends as we see each other multiple times a week.

Funny story, my first local Tampa friend I met was at a Pure Barre class, where I accidentally popped the pilates ball. My friend reached out and shared the same thing happened to her. We started chatting and realized we have plenty of things in common. In the end, we left the Pure Barre studio and joined our local Yoga Six studio where we have found community.

2. Book Events and Author Talks

If you love books, this is one of the easiest places to meet people with similar interests.

Libraries, bookstores, and author events create natural conversation starters:

“Did you like the book?”
“Have you read their other work?”

I’ve seen people become real friends from conversations that started in a bookstore line.

3. Creative Classes

Another idea we talked about was taking classes together.

Things like:

• Candle making

• Cooking classes

• Craft workshops

• Junk Journal

• Calligraphy

These are low-pressure environments where people are there specifically to try something new.

And sometimes the shared awkwardness of learning a new skill becomes the best icebreaker.

4. Walk-and-Talk OR an Errands Friend Dates

One of my favorite friendship activities is simply going for a walk.

Pick a neighborhood. Walk around. Grab coffee afterward.

It’s simple, but it works.

When I lived in New York, my friends and I used to do this constantly — walking through different neighborhoods for hours just talking about life.

Community Looks Different as Adults

Another thing I’ve realized is that friendships look different depending on where you are in life.

Some of my friends are parents.

Others are child-free.

Some live nearby. Others live in different cities.

But those relationships still matter.

In many ways, building friendships as an adult means accepting that they may look different from the friendships we had when we were younger.

And that’s okay.

Voicenotes are my Love Language

Growing up, I always loved talking on my phone. At one point, I begged my parents for my own line which I am not sure if I got it. I just remember after school calling my friends and talking for hours on my phone.

When I moved out of my home in NYC, I knew I needed to stay in touch with friends but I hate to say we have lost the art of talking on the phone and just catching up. You know hablando mierda (shooting the shit).

A few years into the pandemic, I discovered the power of voice notes and it was a game changer. I have reconnected with my old friends by leaving them what I call personal podcasts. Over the days, we exchage voice notes where we just catch up.

I have tried Voxer, Instagram DMs (limit to 5 minutes) and over text, however my prefer method is Whatsapp.

The Best Advice I Can Give

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from building friendships through the podcast, blogging, and the book community, it’s this:

Most people are looking for connection too.

They’re just waiting for someone else to start the conversation.

Sometimes all it takes is:

• sending the message

• asking someone to coffee

• inviting someone to an event

• or saying yes when an opportunity appears.

Friendship doesn’t happen overnight.

But it often starts with something very small.

And sometimes that small moment turns into something meaningful.

💬👯‍♀️ Let’s Chat

In the comments, let us know your favorite meetup activity!

If you are looking to meet bookish friends - let us know your genre of choice, favorite bookish related activity (book binding, bookstore shopping, etc) and let’s connect!

Leave a comment

Quick heads up: The audio quality on this one isn’t perfect (technology keeps us humble), so I highly recommend watching the video version instead — it’s much clearer and includes captions. You can find it here, YouTube and/or Spotify.

There’s something really refreshing about talking to an author who has written for Hallmark… and also writes very open-door, emotionally layered romance.

Last week on the podcast, I sat down with Alys Murray to talk about her newest release, A Little Buzzed, the evolution of the sex toy industry, and why sex scenes should always serve the story.

Here’s what you need to know.

Who Is Alys Murray?

Alys Murray is a romance author and screenwriter based in New Orleans. If you’ve watched a cozy Hallmark or Lifetime romance in the past few years, there’s a good chance you’ve seen her work.

She’s written:

• Closed-door holiday romance

• Film and television scripts

• And now, high-heat contemporary romance

What I love about Alys is that she doesn’t see these as opposites.

To her, intimacy is simply one storytelling tool. Some stories need physical intimacy to deepen emotional stakes. Some don’t. Both are valid.

And honestly? That perspective feels so grounded in the current romance conversation.

About A Little Buzzed

The premise hooked me immediately:

A virgin sex toy engineer asks her coworker for sex lessons.

But here’s what makes this different.

She may not have had partnered sex — but she knows her body. She understands pleasure. She works in the sex toy industry. There’s no shame narrative. No “fixing” arc.

Instead, the dynamic is mutual.

He teaches her about partnered intimacy.
She teaches him about pleasure and sex toys.

It becomes less about “losing virginity” and more about vulnerability, agency, and emotional growth.

One thing Alys and I talked about that really stuck with me:

Sex scenes in romance should carry emotional weight. They should reveal something. Shift something. Complicate something.

Otherwise, why are they there?

A Little Buzzed uses intimacy as character development — and that’s what makes it work.

Yes, Alys shared that there was spicy scene that was edit from the book since it does not move the story forward emotionally.

Book Recommendations from Alys

If you loved the vibe of this episode, here are the books Alys recommends next:

The Deduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury by Lydia Lloyd

If you wanted A Little Buzzed… but filthier.

This Regency romance flips traditional power dynamics. A wealthy, commanding heroine sets her sights on a deeply repressed vicar and the result is torrid, messy, and full of delicious tension.

Alys loves it because it subverts expectations while delivering serious steam.

Dom Com by Adriana Anders

A high-heat workplace romance that blends humor with emotional intimacy.

Alys sees this as a true companion read to A Little Buzzed, funny, sex-positive, and grounded in character growth.

The ReDo List by Denise Williams

A story about reclaiming agency after having something taken from you.

This one is about rebuilding your life on your own terms, and finding love in the process. Alys highlighted how beautifully it handles vulnerability and growth.

Love Most Fatal by Kath Richards

For readers who think they don’t read mafia romance.

This is a rom-com twist on the genre: a female mob boss falls for a soft, slightly bumbling math teacher. It’s high stakes but surprisingly tender flipping power dynamics in a way that feels fresh and emotionally satisfying.

If you’re mafia-curious but red-flag cautious, start here.

Final Thoughts

What I loved most about this conversation is that it didn’t feel like a “spice vs. sweet” debate. I felt like permission to like a spectrum of romance novels.

In the comments, let us know what type of romances do you like to read?

Personal Reading Note:

After taking a long hiatus from reading Kindle Unlimited Romances, I just reactivated my subscription and started The Heir by Sophia Travers. After reading, their meetcute where Hunter and Emory bregudginly agree to get married, I knew I found my next great read.

Let us know in the comments, what are you currently reading?

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Romance reader.
Then historicals.
Then sports romance.
Then thrillers.
Then cozy mysteries.
Then… everything and nothing at the same time.

What I didn’t realize until this year is that my reading slump wasn’t about motivation — it was about misalignment. I wasn’t disconnected from reading. I was disconnected from my taste.

Somewhere along the way, my TBR stopped reflecting curiosity and started reflecting noise.

Too many recommendations.
Too many “you have to read this.”
Too many books that technically fit my genre but emotionally did nothing for me.

So instead of setting reading goals, I did something different: I sat down and asked myself better questions.

Not “what should I read?”
But “what actually works for me right now?”

That shift changed everything.

Once I defined my reading taste — not in a rigid way, but in a self-trust way — I started finishing books again. I stopped forcing myself through stories I wasn’t enjoying. I read faster, happier, and with way less guilt.

These are the questions that helped me get there.

If defining your reading taste made you realize you want better options — not more noise — I’ve built something to help.

When you sign up, you’ll get access to my Kindle Unlimited Starter Library: a curated, regularly updated list of KU books organized by genre, vibe, and reading mood. It’s designed to make choosing your next book easier — especially when decision paralysis hits.

You don’t have to scroll endlessly or guess what will work. Just borrow, try, and move on without pressure. (Free — no paywall)

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The Questions That Helped Me Define My Reading Taste

You don’t need to answer all of these at once. I didn’t. I revisited them over weeks, sometimes months. Your answers will change — that’s the point.

1. Which books did I actually finish this year?

Not the ones you planned to read.
Not the ones you bought.
The ones you finished.

Patterns live here. Format, pacing, tone, emotional payoff — your body already knows what works.

2. Which books did I abandon… and why?

Be honest. No moral judgment.

• Was I bored?

• Was it too stressful?

• Too much world-building?

• Not enough emotional payoff?

• Great writing, wrong season of life?

DNFs aren’t failures — they’re data.

3. What emotional experience am I chasing when I pick up a book?

Not genre. Not tropes. Feeling.

Do you want:

• Comfort?

• Distraction?

• Low-stakes intrigue?

• Emotional catharsis?

• Humor?

• A puzzle to solve?

Once I named the feeling, genres stopped controlling me.

4. What types of tension exhaust me?

This question changed everything for me.

High-stress thrillers?
Graphic violence?
Long war scenes?
Endless world rules?

Knowing what drains you is just as important as knowing what excites you.

5. What kinds of conflict do I enjoy?

I realized I love:

• External problems

• Mysteries to solve

• Situational chaos

• Character growth driven by plot

And I don’t love:

• Endless internal angst with no movement

• Trauma as a personality

• Romance with no outside pressure

That clarity made choosing books easier instantly.

6. Which tropes still work for me — and which ones don’t anymore?

This isn’t about trends. It’s about seasons.

Some tropes age out.
Some come back unexpectedly.
Some only work in specific moods.

Taste evolves. Let it.

7. When do I enjoy audiobooks vs. ebooks?

Format matters more than we admit.

Some genres work better for listening.
Some require visual focus.
Some depend on vibes.

I stopped forcing myself into one “right” way to read — and suddenly reading felt easy again.

8. What books would I confidently recommend without disclaimers?

If you have to say “I know this is popular but…” — that’s information.

The books you’d hand to a friend without over-explaining?
That’s your core taste.

9. What am I reading out of habit instead of curiosity?

This question is uncomfortable — and necessary.

Habit reading kept me stuck longer than my slump ever did.

10. If I could only read five kinds of books next year, what would they be?

Not forever. Just for now.

Boundaries don’t limit reading — they create momentum.

What Changed After I Answered These

Once I defined my taste, everything softened.

I stopped chasing numbers.
I stopped forcing daily reading.
I stopped feeling behind.

I finished more books — in fewer days — because I trusted myself again.

Reading became a pleasure practice instead of a performance.

And the biggest lesson?
Your reading taste isn’t something you find.
It’s something you notice — again and again — as your life changes.

💬Let’s Chat

If you’re comfortable, I’d love to hear from you.

What’s one reading “rule” you’ve been holding onto that might not actually fit your life anymore?

Is there a genre you’re quietly letting go of — or one you’re finding your way back to?

You can reply in the comments, or treat this like a journaling moment just for yourself. There’s no right answer here — only curiosity.

Reading goals don’t have to be louder or stricter to work. Sometimes they just need to be more honest.

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And the truth is, I wasn’t even upset about the lack of finished books… I was upset because I missed the feeling of being fully immersed in a story. That lost-in-the-pages kind of joy. That ritual of picking up a book and slipping into another world.

So this month became less about “finishing books” and more about rebuilding my attention, my pleasure, and my relationship with reading itself.

How I Started Reading Again

I made a few small—but radical for me—changes.

First, I cut down my phone time significantly. Not in a perfect way… but in a “touch and go, I’m trying” way. I needed fewer short-form dopamine hits and more long-form focus. Instead of scrolling TikTok, I found myself watching Real Housewives of Salt Lake City or Miami because honestly? Listening to people yell is deeply comforting. I don’t know what that says about me, but it works.

I also rebuilt the ambiance. Silence and I are not friends—I grew up doing homework with the TV on—so I made new reading playlists on YouTube Music: classical, meditation tracks, lo-fi background sounds. Enough noise to settle my brain without taking me out of the story.

And then I had to relearn a painful truth: I’m not the reader I was five years ago… or ten years ago.

Life is bigger now. I have a full-time job that actually keeps me busy. I’m creating podcasts and interviewing authors. I’m building content and community. And somewhere along the way, reading—a thing that once was pure joy—started to feel like part of the job.

That’s when I embraced my new personal rule: the 50% effort philosophy.

I give 50% at my day job, and weirdly enough, I’ve never been more successful. Not everything needs 200% perfection to matter. So I tried applying that same mindset to reading… and suddenly? I was finishing books again. Enjoying stories again. Showing up for my reading life without pressure.

It turns out the answer really was to lower the stakes.

How I Read This Month

I ended up dividing November’s reads into four categories:

• Cozy Mysteries (my bedtime audiobooks)

• A quick, popcorn thriller

• Romances that hit me right in the feelings

• Kindle Unlimited holiday romances

Here’s everything I read this month.

Cozy Mysteries That Helped Me Fall Asleep

Cozy mysteries are my comfort food, especially on audio. I can drift in and out and still follow along because nothing too wild happens until the big reveal. Perfect for winding down at night.

The Diva Paints the Town by Krista Davis

A classic “Martha Stewart solves murders” vibe in the best way. Set in Virginia, this is book three in the series, and Sophie Winston is once again hosting a dinner party in a dead man’s house and stumbling into secrets. It’s grown-up cozy goodness with just enough soap opera energy.

Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley

Set in Wisconsin with big Chicago energy, this first-in-series follows a pizzeria owner whose grand opening goes awry after a sudden death. A fun millennial mystery with great pacing. I’m excited to continue the series.

Death and Dinuguan by Mia P. Manansala

The final book in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries. I’m sad to see this series end. The Filipino food, the family dynamics, the warmth—this series has meant a lot to me. This last book goes a little darker but still delivers all the heart.

The Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril

Twins who run a mystery-themed chocolate shop in Montana discover a local murder that turns their world upside down. The twist genuinely surprised me, and the holiday setting was perfect.

Death by Hot Apple Cider by Alex Erickson

A Thanksgiving cozy featuring a bookstore café owner and a holiday murder. Even though I jumped in at book nine, it worked surprisingly well. A solid pick for next year’s Thanksgiving season.

A Quick Thriller Break

The Wife Deserved It by Darby Kane

A two-hour thriller that I listened to during errands. The setup is simple: a husband, a wife, a possible murder, and an unraveling of what really happened. Fast, twisty, satisfying.

Romance Books That Stole My Heart

Several of these will be upcoming podcast episodes because they were standout reads.

The Ex-Perimento by María J. Morillo

Coming February 2026. This Venezuelan-set romance follows an influencer/journalist whose very public breakup sends her into a new job behind the scenes of a singing competition. Talking to the author made this reading experience even richer, especially as someone who grew up immersed in Latin American media culture. Fresh, heartfelt, and beautifully written.

An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister

Academic rivals-to-lovers with a forced marriage twist set in Tasmania. The academia satire hit close to home after my ten years working in higher ed. Smart, funny, and emotional with great setup for book two.

Anne of a Different Island by Virginia Kantra

This might be the most healing book I read this month. Set on Mackinac Island during COVID, it follows Anne as she rebuilds her life and relationships. As someone who spent COVID isolated in Chicago, this book touched a tender place in me that I didn’t realize still needed healing. I cried at the end.

One Night, Two Holidays by Ali Brady

A short, dual-narrated novella following two strangers snowed in together on Christmas Eve and the first night of Hanukkah. Warm, charming, and satisfying.

Save You by Mona Kasten

I picked this up because of Maxton Hall season two, and now I’m not sure if I want to watch it. Dramatic, emotional, and full of teen-soap energy—fun, but messy in places.

Get Instant Access to the KU Starter Library

If your TBR is feeling chaotic (mine always is), make sure you check out my free KU Starter Library. I’ve cataloged 160+ KU books with star ratings, spice levels, and honest notes so you can find something to read based on your vibe. It’s my favorite tool I’ve built this year—and it’s free for all subscribers.

Access the Library

Password: KindleUnlimited

My Kindle Unlimited Holiday Reads

A full KU holiday binge, and I regret nothing.

The Holidate Switch by Torie Jean

Twin confusion, pretend dating, and a heroine who misidentifies which brother she’s in love with. Cute moments and thoughtful chronic pain representation, though some plot beats left me puzzled.

The Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth

A standout read. A people-pleasing heroine learning how to set boundaries during the holidays? I felt deeply seen. Emotional, spicy, and affirming.

The Holiday Hookup by Alexis Daria

My top KU audiobook of the month. Two former academic rivals create a twelve-day Christmas bucket list and a twelve-day hookup list. Spicy, fun, and perfectly paced. KU Read & Listen gold.

Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn

Chaotic, comedic holiday hijinks featuring a Christmas tree farmer, an accidental arrest, a snowed-in cabin, and a hero who must literally trek through a blizzard. Over the top in the best way.

Clued in to Love by Ellie Alexander

A Hallmark-style cozy featuring three interwoven storylines connected by a town scavenger hunt. Heartwarming and charming; a great audio pick.

November wasn’t really about the number of books I finished—it was about reconnecting with my reading life. Cutting down the noise, lowering the pressure, and letting reading feel like a sanctuary again.

If you’ve been in a slump, or if the year has pulled you in a thousand directions, maybe try giving yourself 50% effort too. It might be the thing that guides you back to reading with joy.

Thank you for reading, listening, and being part of this community. Happy holidays, and happy reading.

💬Let’s Chat

What did your reading life look like this month? Did you also hit a slump, or did you find a book that pulled you all the way back in?

Leave a comment

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