Ep. 196: New Year, Fresh Reads with Sweetpea Flaherty
EQ: What books or trends do you think will define the reading experience for 2025, both for individual readers and the community your bookstore serves?
Today, we are back with the one and only Sweetpea Flaherty of King’s Books in Tacoma. Sweepea talks us through anticipated book releases for this spring. Get something to write with, because you’re going to want to take notes!
Sweetpea also joined us for Ep 184: Hot & Steamy Summer Reads and Ep 186: Pumpkin Spice & Bookish Advice
Support Bookstores
Support Libraries:
Learn more about digital content in libraries
Nonfiction:
Dark Laboratory: On Columbus, the Caribbean, and the Origins of the Climate Crisis by Tao Leigh Goffe
Strike : Labor, Unions, and Resistance in the Roman Empire by Sarah E Bond
Authority by Andrea Long Chu
Memoir/Biography
Harder I Fight the More I Love You by Neko Case
Rachel Carson and the Power of Queer Love by Lida Maxwell
Picture Books
Make a Pretty Sound : A Story of Ella Jenkins—The First Lady of Children's Music by Traci N. Todd, Eleanor Davis
Make Your Mark : The Empowering True Story of the First Known Black Female Tattoo Artist by Jacci Gresham, Sherry Fellores
Yáadilá! : Good Grief! by Laurel Goodluck, Jonathan Nelson
Rise Up!: Powerful Protests in American History by Rachel C. Katz, Sophie Bass
Teen
They Bloom at Night by Tran Thanh Tran
Poetry
Strange Beach by Oluwaseun Olayiwola
Eternal Dice by César Vallejo
Buzzkill Clamshell by Amber Dawn
Fiction
Life of Herod the Great by Zora Neale Hurston
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee
Listen to Your Sister by Neena Vel
Stag Dance by Torrey Peters
Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Great Gifts
Black in Blues : How a Color Tells the Story of My People by Imani Perry
Bookstore Romance : Love Speaks Volumes by Judith Rosen
Ep. 190: Intersectional Story-Telling & Why Anger is Healthy with Author Sonora Reyes
EQ: How do stories that center queer and Latinx identities challenge mainstream narratives in literature, and what role do they play in fostering greater understanding and representation across both young adult and adult genres?
In this episode of IWL, we are joined by author Sonora Reyes. Sonora is most known for their hit YA novels The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School and The Luis Ortega Survival Club. We get personal with Sonora about how their unique identities influence their stories and the importance of staying authentic when representing complex, intersectional characters.
We also talk about how queer and Latinx stories are reshaping mainstream narratives in literature—both in young adult and adult genres. Sonora shares their writing process, from balancing genres to what’s inspiring them right now, and how community plays a center role in their writing. We learn more (and geek out about) their upcoming Adult Romance novel The Broposal.
Do Your Fudging Homework:
Sonora: Self-Care App: Finch
Hope/Annie: Please support Sonora’s work by purchasing and sharing their books (support your local bookstores!)