“You want weapons? We’re in a library! The best weapons in the world!”
~ The Tenth Doctor, Tooth and Claw
Ciao Viaggiatore. Welcome Wanderer! Welcome back to the little book Notes. This month has been a real good reading month and I’m giving credit to the Goober Readathon Challenge hosted by Jashii Corrin (on Discord and StoryGraph) and the massive amount of stress I’ve got in my life right now. I’ve picked a number of books prior to the challenge starting at the beginning of the month. I’ve also gotten caught up on some of my book club reads this month. With how much stress I’m under (externally and internally) I’ve given myself permission to go floozy on my reading and writing goals.
Essentially, I’ve decided to erase deadlines from my commitments in May and just let myself do what feels good. Which means a lot more reading this month, though most of it hasn’t been goal-oriented. I did check in with my reading goals this week, as I was getting ready to sit down and write this Note. Turns out that I’ve already completed one of my 2025 goals - to read at least 15 ARCs this year (not counting kids books). I’ve already hit twenty and I’ve got four more digital copies to read through the next two months.
15 ARCs read over the year
Going into the sixth month of the calendar year, I’ve read 52 of my 150 book goal, without subtracting the kids books. I’ve read over 13,000 pages and listened to more than 20 hours of audiobooks. And it mostly does not count the graphic and webtoons I consume online. It also doesn’t account for the books I read with Wildling because he’s typically reading to me now. I’m feeling fine about all of this. I’m even feeling fine about the fact that I have 2 DNF’s on my list. Like I’ve said, I’ve given myself permission to flit about with my reading habits for this month because the stress of life is just too damn high to be so uptight about my reading list!
“We’re creating a little niche for ourselves instead of working the whole canvas.”
~ Bernie Glassman
I’m reading more erotica, more monster MCs, and more queer horror than I’ve read in a long time. I am absolutely moving away from the romantacy genre for the plain and simple fact that I am tired of reading books with heteronormative characters that follow the same plotline over and over. It apparently sells to be a sellout as an author in our current state of affairs. But let me tell you about this queer horror kick I am on!
I got the privilege last year to read Don’t Let The Forest In by C.G. Drews and absolutely devoured it! It’s what started my queer horror kick. This month, I read the newest ARC from Drews - Hazelthorn. I want to gush and gush about how lush this book is! So much so that it is my second 5 star review of an adult fiction book all year.
My 2025 5 Star Books So Far
Alia Terra: Stories from the Dragon Realm by Ava Kelly - children’s
Adrift In Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire - young adult, a favorite author
78 Acts of Liberation by Lane Smith - non-fiction, a favorite queer tarot influencer
The Naturalist Society by Carrie Vaughn - a favorite author
In Our Solar System by Jenny Sundstedt - children’s, a favorite subject
Lord of the Butterflies by Andrea Gibson - poetry, a favorite author
Take me with You by Andrea Gibson - poetry, a favorite author
The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill - middle grade graphic novel
The Tea Dragon Festival by K. O'Neill - middle grade graphic novel
Hazelthorne by C.G. Drews- queer horror, swiftly becoming a favorite author
Books read this month
What is it that you, dear Wanderer, love to read when you just need to escape? I have been finding an odd sort of comfort in reading queer horror lately. It’s a genre that I have not regularly read before the last two years. I have realized that it is the representation of the queer characters being so raw and real feeling. Horror is one of the few genres that routinely makes the characters feel emotions that are true to reality. When was the last time you wept with full abandon? Gave yourself unto joy without consideration? Sometimes the books I read gave a sliver of those emotions when I was a younger person.
So I have been less picky with my book choices. I’ve also given myself a lot of grace to discontinue any books I start and don’t find interesting. So these are the books that I might read throughout June. The list is there for me to pursue, but it’s also fine for me to choose books that just bring me joy. What, dear Wanderer, are you sinking your metaphorical teeth into?
Until next time, may your books bring you joy and your drinks be comforting!
~ Eli
Some links for the fun of it
The Queer Liberation Library is doing great work, providing free access to digital books for anyone who needs the safety of online libraries. They’re doing a Pride month fundraiser to help with it.
One of my fave tarot people is dropping spreads on their socials around tropes… in tarot!
Grief Tarot Zine - My pay-what-you can tarot spread collection.
StoryGraph - where I do the majority of my bookish charting and tracking.
Instagram & BlueSky- where I occasionally post about the books I am reading and tarot-related content.
