Banned Book Review: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Last Night at the Telegraph Club
Malinda Lo
Dutton Books for Young Readers
Published January 19, 2021

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About Last Night at the Telegraph Club

“That book. It was about two women, and they fell in love with each other.” And then Lily asked the question that had taken root in her, that was even now unfurling its leaves and demanding to be shown the sun: “Have you ever heard of such a thing?”

Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment … Continue reading

Summer 2025 Backlist Reading Check-in and Life Update

Summer 2025 Backlist Reading Check-in

Summer 2025 Backlist Reading Check-in and Life Update

Summer is always an odd season for my reading life. Since I do most of my reading in the evenings, it never seems to me like summer will change all that much, but somehow, it does. This summer I had the added complication of having surgery early in June. It sounded like the recovery would be pretty quick and easy, but my experience didn’t quite line up with my expectations there, either.

Which mostly meant that I read far fewer books in June than I anticipated. That was okay, though. It was good to slow down. I made up for lost time in July.

I’ve continued my poetry reading … Continue reading

Review: Coming Back by Jessi Zabarsky

Coming Back by Jessi Zabarsky

Coming Back
Jessi Zabarsky
RH Graphic
Published January 18, 2022

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About Coming Back

A beautiful graphic novel fantasy romance that follows two young women who have to go on their own separate adventures to discover the truth about themselves and about each other.

Preet is magic.

Valissa is not.

Everyone in their village has magic in their bones, and Preet is the strongest of them all. Without any power of her own, how can Valissa ever be worthy of Preet’s love? When their home is attacked, Valissa has a chance to prove herself, but that means leaving Preet behind. … Continue reading

Monthly Recap: September 2025 Reading

September 2025 Reading Wrap

September 2025 Reading Status Update

I’ve been wildly disorganized this season, so I haven’t been posting lists or updates as much as I’d like. I thought I’d try out a monthly wrap post to see if it’s something I can sustainably do. The one or two sentence summaries I create for posts like this help me later when I am doing themed lists or my reading challenge pages, so maybe this will be useful. We’ll see.

At any rate, I managed to finish 25 books this month, including 11 backlist titles. Most of those are audiobooks, but I read a few as ebooks this time. I average about 20 books per month, so that’s pretty good for me. … Continue reading

Review: The Night Country by Melissa Albert

The Night Country by Melissa Albert

The Night Country (The Hazel Wood #2)
Melissa Albert
Flatiron Books
Published January 7, 2020

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About The Night Country

The New York Times bestselling sequel to Melissa Albert’s beloved The Hazel Wood!

In The Night Country, Alice Proserpine dives back into a menacing, mesmerizing world of dark fairy tales and hidden doors of The Hazel Wood. Follow her and Ellery Finch as they learn The Hazel Wood was just the beginning, and that worlds die not with a whimper, but a bang.

With Finch’s help, Alice escaped the Hinterland and her reclusive grandmother’s dark legacy. Now she and the rest of the dregs of the fairy … Continue reading

Banned Book Review: Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Judy Blume
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published February 28, 2023 (Orig 1970)

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About Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.

Margaret shares her secrets and her spirituality in this iconic Judy Blume novel, beloved by millions.

Margaret Simon, almost twelve, likes long hair, tuna fish, the smell of rain, and things that are pink. She’s just moved from New York City to Farbook, New Jersey, and is anxious to fit in with her new friends—Nancy, Gretchen, and Janie. When they form a secret club to talk about private … Continue reading