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Books as Luxury Items

Books are being recast as luxury items, which I believe reveals a larger cultural anxiety about reading.

Book Review

Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan

Thistlemarsh

There are many reasons that I choose not to finish a book and then subsequently am compelled to write about the experience in a review. Sometimes it is irritation or anger or frustration. Sometimes, like now, it’s because I’ve stumbled across a book that will be someone’s catnip; it’s just not my catnip. I can’t force myself through the rest of the story, but I’m desperate for Thistlemarsh to find its readers. So much so … Continue reading Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan

We Miss Boat: Reading and Connecting on the JoCo Cruise

view of the ocean from deck with a table that has a toy lizard and glass of iced tea

Carrie: Fellow Smart Bitch Shana has been trying to get me to go with her on the JoCo Cruise for years, and she finally succeeded. I joined Shana and two other roommates (Heather and John) on JoCo Cruise 2026 and I honestly don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything quite like it. JoCo Cruise is named after its founder, Jonathan Coulton. Coulton is a singer-songwriter who is best known for his songs that are science fiction/fantasy … Continue reading We Miss Boat: Reading and Connecting on the JoCo Cruise

Sunday Sale Digest!

Smart Bitches in a blue typewriter font, and After Dark lit up like hot pink neon

This piece of literary mayhem is exclusive to Smart Bitches After Dark, but fret not. If you’d like to join, we’d love to have you! Have a look at our membership options, and come join the fun! If you want to have a little extra fun, be a little more yourself, and be part of keeping the site open for everyone in the future, we can’t wait to see you in our new subscription-based section … Continue reading Sunday Sale Digest!

Hide Your Wallet

Book Beat: A New Historical Series, Small Town Romance, & More

Book Beat aims to highlight other books that we may hear about through friends, social media, or other sources. We could see a gorgeous ad! Or find a new-to-us author on a list of underrated romances! Think of Book Beat as Teen Beat or Tiger Beat, but for books. And no staples to open to get the fold-out poster.

Friday Videos Miss the Literacy Signing at RWA

An image of a VHS cassette with a label that reads FRIDAY VIDEOS Smart Bitches Ep. 21 against a pink crosshatch background

Some of you may remember this video, but back in 2010, I made a video at RWA National trying to capture the size and scope of the giant literacy signing. It was massive, y’all. Thousands of people in a giant ballroom, tables in lines stretching into the distance, balloons and prize baskets and swag, and so many books.  This was the first video I made. You’ll notice that my cell phone footage is terrible but, well, … Continue reading Friday Videos Miss the Literacy Signing at RWA

Podcast

714. The Edge of Space-Time with Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

When you subscribed to this podcast, I bet you thought, “When is Sarah going to interview an expert on theoretical physics ?” Today is your day! My guest is Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein author of the book The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie. And if you’re thinking, I was really bad at physics – don’t worry, so was I. I found this book to be both incredibly engaging and just the … Continue reading 714. The Edge of Space-Time with Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

The Rec League: Fantasy and Sci-Fi Mafia Romances

The Rec League - heart shaped chocolate resting on the edge of a very old book

This Rec League request is brought to you, selfishly, by me! I want mafia romances but in a fantasy or sci-fi setting. GET ME OFF THIS PLANET. Elyse: Oh. Now I want that too. Shana: Taken to Kor by Elizabeth Stephens has space pirates. I’m not sure if that counts. It’s a dark romance. I’m not sure how well it would work as a standalone. Susan: Hana Maruko’s Love Gamble With the Mafia is sort-of … Continue reading The Rec League: Fantasy and Sci-Fi Mafia Romances

This Started as a Review and Turned into Something Else…

Featured image for This Started as a Review and Turned into Something Else…

TW/CW: The following post contains discussion of medical procedure, medical anxiety, and chronic illness. I just finished Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas and it is easily an A+ book. The book took me by the hand and led me through some of the scariest days in my recent life. For the moments that I was reading that book, my external world, hell, even my internal world, was reshaped and replaced by a book so all-consuming … Continue reading This Started as a Review and Turned into Something Else…

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