https://theverbalthing.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-02-02 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/cattos-post-office-review monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/490bd7cb-c565-4d87-8756-6aab1c37535c/Screenshot+from+Catto%27s+Post+Office+with+mural.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Catto’s Post Office Is a Short & Sweet Jaunt - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/4606941c-afd8-483b-95ee-bc6f3db1c8bc/Catto%27s+Post+Office+credits.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Catto’s Post Office Is a Short & Sweet Jaunt - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/introducing-fat-forward-books monthly 0.5 2025-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/dcc2e4b9-93d2-4d38-bf15-7d5be7b14806/FFB-logo-tpbg.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Introducing Fat Forward Books - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/spirit-city-lofi-sessions-game-thoughts monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/09aec25a-a408-4d0e-a10c-7449c2ec5314/Screenshot+from+Spirit+City+Lofi+Sessions+%282%29.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Spirit City Lofi Sessions Might Fix Me - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/253fe5b6-aa20-4be0-a205-1646c4d5ceeb/Screenshot+from+Spirit+City+Lofi+Sessions+%281%29.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Spirit City Lofi Sessions Might Fix Me - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/2024-in-review monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/5c731e63-e439-41f2-b3a1-ef89af7d7128/2024+in+review+page+1.png Samantha Puc's Blog - 2024 in Review - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/05bc14e1-2d9f-4962-9281-26251bd35f67/2024+in+review+page+2.png Samantha Puc's Blog - 2024 in Review - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/32223781-f4b9-41a5-9193-7216542c9361/2024+in+review+page+3.png Samantha Puc's Blog - 2024 in Review - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1b8ed639-1d1f-44d6-9e5f-6b60f0860203/2024+in+review+page+4.png Samantha Puc's Blog - 2024 in Review - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/cff8da6c-f38d-4423-a596-370aad23208f/2024+in+review+page+5.png Samantha Puc's Blog - 2024 in Review - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/d5eeac90-6f28-44f8-9c4d-0a8e3400124c/2024+in+review+page+6.png Samantha Puc's Blog - 2024 in Review - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/favorite-books-summer-2024 monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/5a4330d3-dcdb-413c-80ef-646c1c099058/Age+16.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2024 - Age 16 Three generations of mothers and daughters attempt to define their self-worth in the face of rampant misogyny, diet culture, and racism in 1954 Guangdong, 1972 Hong Kong, and 2000 Toronto. Roz struggles to find a prom dress that makes her feel good and a surprise visit from her estranged Por rattles the careful balance between Roz and her mother during an already tense time. Rosena Fung pulls from her family history in her YA debut and what results is a stunning exploration of generational trauma, body image, and a deep desire to connect even when your experiences feel so, so different. I connected with Roz and felt for her struggle, but I loved the overlapping timelines and the empathy each one evoked. Beautiful writing, beautiful art, incredible storytelling. The publisher provided a copy of the book for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/65c9e655-f2e6-42fa-aae8-c0b20451942d/Brittle+Joints+by+Maria+Sweeney.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2024 - Brittle Joints Maria Sweeney’s graphic memoir offers a non-linear exploration of what it’s like to live with the rare, progressive disability Bruck Syndrome, which makes her bones brittle and impacts her joints. Through gorgeous, painterly art and almost poetic text, Sweeney candidly discusses her symptoms, coping mechanisms, and struggles with living in an inaccessible world, including barriers to care, medical gaslighting, and negligence. She also highlights the things that keep her going and make her feel safe, including her dog, partner, and art. Whatever your relationship to disability and rare diseases, Brittle Joints is an absolute must-read. The publisher provided a copy of the book for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/4aeb40cc-9de6-42fa-9a8f-7740e105517d/Graveyard+Shift+by+M+L+Rio.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2024 - Graveyard Shift Every night in the university’s old cemetery, five people with late shifts and unhealthy sleep habits come together to smoke and, occasionally, chat: a hotel receptionist, a bartender, a rideshare driver, the editor-in-chief of the college newspaper, and a fifth whose involvement with the abandoned church behind them is unclear until it isn’t. One night, they discover a hole next to their smoking spot. Then, two of them see a gravedigger return and the journalist, always eager for a story, rallies the group text to have the mysterious figure followed… This creepy, atmospheric dive into the ways insomnia manifests and the means people will go to just get some fucking sleep is perfectly-paced and deeply disturbing. It begs questions of consent, safety, methodology, and even intimacy through the alternating POVs of a strange and strangely loyal ragtag found family. It is, in a word, haunting. The publisher provided a copy of the book for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/02f36a1a-1258-4df1-91ce-a843eeac058b/Housemates.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2024 - Housemates Bernie is a photographer and Leah, a writer. And when Bernie answers Leah’s ad for a new housemate in Philadelphia, their relationship quickly develops into something intense and unnameable, enhanced by their decision to go on a road trip together and document the state through their art. It begins with a pilgrimage to the home of Bernie’s late photography professor, who was accused before his death of sexual harassment by multiple former students. As both characters grapple with their feelings for each other and the meaning behind their project, things only get more complicated. Housemates is the best book I have read in 2024. Emma Copley Eisenberg’s command of prose is unparalleled and her devotion to writing Leah as a full, complex, fat, queer protagonist elevates the story that much more. I love the incorporation of contemporary media and the Internet, the harkening back to American road trip narratives I loved in my adolescence, and the added layer of seeing Bernie and Leah through the eyes of another queer person in their 70s. Can art save your life? Is your answer to that question different in your 20s versus your 70s? And is love enough? I truly cannot recommend this book enough. I read this for The Nonbinarian Book Club and also had the pleasure of hosting Eisenberg for a Nonbinarian Tandem Talk on Instagram Live. The publisher provided a copy of the book for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1f6b962b-d63f-41a0-9f9c-468b9ab0582e/The+Pairing+by+Casey+McQuiston.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2024 - The Pairing Theo and Kit were childhood best friends. Then they were partners. Now, they’re estranged exes who’ve both decided to redeem travel vouchers for a European food and wine tour they were meant to take together—until they broke up on the flight across the Atlantic and stopped talking altogether. Time apart has allowed them to grow into themselves as individuals, but when they enter into a hookup competition to prove how over each other they are, all they manage to do is rediscover not-so-dormant feelings they’re each loathe to admit. In their most confident book to date, Casey McQuiston creates a delicious love story with many of my favorite tropes: friends-to-lovers, exes-to-lovers-again, there’s only one bed, and more that I won’t spoil here. They also feature their first nonbinary protagonist, whose character arc is beautifully explored through both their POV and Kit’s. I really, really enjoyed this book. I read this for The Nonbinarian Book Club and also had the pleasure of hosting McQuiston for a Nonbinarian Tandem Talk on Instagram Live. The publisher provided a copy of the book for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/3d39658f-9ba3-488d-a027-fb47f31157cc/Pillow+Talk+graphic+novel+cover+art.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2024 - Pillow Talk College freshman Grace Mendes attends one Pillow Fight Federation match and instantly falls in love with the sport. When she tries out for the league, she never expects to rise through its ranks so quickly as the heel Cinderhella, but developing friendships with the other fighters helps her come of confidence in the best way. This graphic novel is so beautiful and so sharp, with a great cast of characters and truly stunning art. I loved reading this and following Grace’s journey, and I know so many YA readers will feel so seen by this book. More queer sports romps with fat-positive themes, please! The publisher provided a copy of the book for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/bde0a1d1-5d27-4d8f-b4d0-c9c18a39b723/So+Witches+We+Became+cover+art.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2024 - So Witches We Became High school senior Nell hopes that spending spring break on a private Florida island with her friends will be everything she’s dreamed of—but when a childhood shadow monster suddenly creeps onto the island and then her best friend’s terrible boyfriend shows up despite repeated assurances he wasn’t invited, the dream quickly falls apart. The island’s magic comes alive around Nell and her friends, demanding their attention and their sacrifice lest it swallow them whole. If they don’t feed it the right thing, everything could be washed away in the Atlantic with no trace left behind. This queer, feminist, YA take on Stephen King’s The Mist is so well done. It’s atmospheric and well-paced, building tension and exploding at just the right moments. Jill Baguchinsky highlights the impact of sexual assault in school environments where peer pressure is the norm and leans into the particular magic of young girls reclaiming their power and coming together to protect themselves and each other even—or perhaps especially—when the monster wears a familiar face. Finally, a rape-revenge fantasy where the rapist doesn’t win. The publisher provided a copy of the book for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/44a070a7-1495-4128-bb72-d62fbe59d3c4/The+Stardust+Grail+by+Yume+Kitasei.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2024 - The Stardust Grail Grad student Maya Hoshimoto used to be the best art thief in the galaxy, but now she just wants to submit her thesis and figure out the rest of her life. Then, an old friend she calls Uncle returns with a job she can’t refuse, sending them on a wild chase through the galaxy that unveils surprising truths about the history of the universe as Maya knows it and digs up awful secrets she isn’t ready to face. The Stardust Grail is essentially a “ragtag group of strangers goes on a quest” story, but the stakes are high enough to keep you invested from the jump. Everything ultimately revolves around Maya and Uncle’s relationship and how it unfolds during the heist. This grounds the more fantastical, unbelievable elements of the fiction and makes each plot development hit as hard as it does. I loved this adventure and I would love to someday read more books set in this universe. The publisher provided a copy of the book for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/b44b4751-a4f1-42d5-a5b0-3c5d4f8db0dd/The+Z+Word+by+Lindsay+King-Miller.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2024 - The Z Word Chaotic bisexual Wendy can’t settle into the queer community in San Lazaro, mostly because her ex—the ex—is all over every event in town and so deeply embedded in the community that Wendy can’t get ahead of her own mistakes from their relationship. But when Pride rolls around and everyone turns into flesh-eating monsters, Wendy has no choice but to team up with Leah (the ex), her frenemies Aurelia and her wife Sam, drag queen Logan, and silver fox Beau to save themselves from what seems to be a literal zombie apocalypse. On the surface, this campy horror novel is funny and chaotic and absurd, but Lindsay King-Miller spins it on its head multiple times throughout its short page count. How do the zombies feel when they’re turned? What does it really feel like to say goodbye to people you love? How do you live with yourself after you consciously make a bad choice? What does community mean and how do you keep each other safe? King-Miller examines these questions and more, pushing the concept of a zombie outbreak to its limits in this stunning, evocative, and sharply-written commentary on late-stage capitalism, queer community building, and found family. The publisher provided a copy of the book for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/dragon-age-waiting-to-romance-lace-harding monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/cf84a055-3165-4c76-a9c2-8f2ce6f4d053/Do+It+for+Her+meme+-+Scout+Lace+Harding.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Dragon Age: I've Waited a Decade to Romance Scout Harding - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/9caf1a92-2e94-4f31-8ff1-81c43bc25ba1/Scout+Harding+romance+gif+via+purlelavellan+on+Tumblr.gif Samantha Puc's Blog - Dragon Age: I've Waited a Decade to Romance Scout Harding - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/8ea6430b-b5d9-4e6f-a346-54ce8190eecf/Harding+release+date+trailer.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Dragon Age: I've Waited a Decade to Romance Scout Harding - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/love-ghostie-game-review monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/a8b8b161-fa5f-4526-b13b-ef11de435a68/Screenshot+from+Love+Ghostie+shows+the+Gifting+mechanic.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Love, Ghostie - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/ac4b7e5f-a805-4bf5-821d-94d28d191552/Screenshot+from+Love+Ghostie+shows+Calathea+and+Prince+Ollin+on+a+date.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Love, Ghostie - Make it stand out Calathea and Prince Ollin on a date https://theverbalthing.com/blog/my-favorite-2024-wholesome-games-steam-demos monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/the-crush-house-devolver-digital-review monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/3e32b07c-3d72-46f4-8e29-a9463e526fe9/The+Crush+House+screenshot+shows+the+Tuesday+EOD+mark.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: The Crush House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/52d998d9-3c74-4100-a994-c095915ff003/The+Crush+House+screenshot+shows+Ayo%2C+Alex%2C+and+Charlie+wearing+new+outfits+on+the+back+deck.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: The Crush House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/stephanie-cooke-pillow-talk-comics-interview monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/3d39658f-9ba3-488d-a027-fb47f31157cc/Pillow+Talk+graphic+novel+cover+art.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Stephanie Cooke Wants to Be the Comics Industry’s Ms. Frizzle - Make it stand out Pillow Talk graphic novel cover art https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/7809f07a-2f7a-4b5f-a210-3f44d9df690b/Ms+Frizzle+welcomes+students+onto+the+Magic+School+Bus.gif Samantha Puc's Blog - Stephanie Cooke Wants to Be the Comics Industry’s Ms. Frizzle - Make it stand out Ms Frizzle welcomes students onto the Magic School Bus https://theverbalthing.com/blog/candy-is-dandy-podcast-interview-daniel-zafran monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/52e951d0-df7b-4eae-b0c6-fbf5f94dac2f/Candy+Is+Dandy.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Candy Is Dandy Gets Scholarly About Sweets - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/c748755a-24f1-445a-9ac8-24e61c176086/Candy+Is+Dandy+hosts.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Candy Is Dandy Gets Scholarly About Sweets - Make it stand out The Candy Is Dandy hosts https://theverbalthing.com/blog/my-little-scythe-review-stonemaier-games monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/7807fb65-6242-47d3-b219-16917220ef1c/My+Little+Scythe.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: My Little Scythe Is a Family-Friendly Take on the Scythe Engine - Make it stand out My Little Scythe box front from Stonemaier Games https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/205b32b2-c206-4b51-94ac-be19b1534062/My+Little+Scythe+map+and+components+.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: My Little Scythe Is a Family-Friendly Take on the Scythe Engine - Make it stand out My Little Scythe map and components (Image: Stonemaier Games) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/023f1f52-64a4-41ff-884d-caa855962e34/My+Little+Scythe+full+tray+stack+with+components.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: My Little Scythe Is a Family-Friendly Take on the Scythe Engine - Make it stand out My Little Scythe full tray stack with components (Image: Stonemaier Games) https://theverbalthing.com/blog/rolling-hills-make-sushi-make-friends-review monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/ae9aa7f9-ac1a-422f-9906-23d123216b5b/Sushibot+chats+with+a+town+visitor+in+Rolling+Hills+Make+Sushi+Make+Friends.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/favorite-books-spring-2024 monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/a7dbae23-5da9-432f-a225-9dada9a47e21/The+Age+of+Magical+Overthinking.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Spring 2024 - The Age of Magical Overthinking Cultish author and podcast host Amanda Montell does it again in this finely-tuned exploration of how we process information in the current age and what it’s doing to our sense of identity, our ability to connect, and our ability to actually separate fact from fiction. Her linguistics-forward approach offers a smooth, beautifully written deep-dive into her research and commentary without sacrificing readability or approachability, which is a tough line to walk. If you’re even remotely interested in some of the science behind how we engage with the 24-hour news cycle, deep fakes, and old wives’ tales, I highly recommend adding this to your shelf. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/35de1692-43c3-4ea3-b335-8ee0f0fdbb04/All-Night+Pharmacy.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Spring 2024 - All-Night Pharmacy An unnamed narrator’s obsession with her older sister Debbie takes her down dark roads (addiction, drug dealing, sex work under duress, violence) until one day Debbie just… disappears. Then the narrator meets Sasha, who claims to be her “amulet”—someone who can tell the narrator tidbits of information about her future to act as a sort of guide—and their relationship is quickly complicated by strong romantic and sexual feelings, as well as their individual and generational trauma. I don’t always love stories that rely so heavily on women’s trauma, but Madievsky’s writing is like a fine wine. It’s stunning, surprising, and incredibly captivating. Highly recommend. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/d7c17315-fb62-4bc6-af42-6f631e1626f0/Death+Valley.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Spring 2024 - Death Valley An unnamed woman books a weekend alone at a Best Western in (you guessed it) Death Valley to process her father’s placement in the ICU and her disabled husband’s worsening condition without outside pressure. Instead, she gets lost and goes a little apeshit, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need. Melissa Broder’s latest novel once again showcases incredible writing, acerbic wit with frequent laugh-out-loud moments, and excellent pacing for a sharp read that’s impossible to put down. I listened to the audiobook read by Broder herself and loved every second of it. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/41f24fb9-d2cd-4e00-b330-67ddb28229f2/The+Familiar.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Spring 2024 - The Familiar When Luzia Cotado sings, she makes magic—literally. And as a scullion maid, she’ll take any advantage to get through grueling days in a lesser house in the new Spanish capital of Madrid. But when she gains the attention of her aunt’s wealthy lover and his immortal companion, a man many believe to be the devil himself, her powers and Jewish heritage are suddenly displayed for the king himself… and the stakes have never been higher. Leigh Bardugo is one of my favorite fantasy authors of all time and her particular skill for writing “magical girl protagonists” is unparalleled. This standalone novel is dark, tense, sensual, and so finely balanced I haven’t stopped thinking about it for weeks. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/b8227d63-13ef-4f67-8821-a79bfc881424/None+of+the+Above.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Spring 2024 - None of the Above Travis Alabanza’s essays in None of the Above aren’t written for cisgender people to understand gender expansiveness, nor are they a mere surface-level exploration of how Alabanza began to explore their own gender. Instead, this book takes a nuanced dive into the impermanence of gender and how the binary forces all of us to pick a role, even if we don’t feel like we want or need to assign ourselves a label. These essays are vulnerable and exquisite, and each one precisely examines a unique but integrated theme to create an overall affirming and gorgeous read. I read this for The Nonbinarian Book Club and really enjoyed our community discussion about Alabanza’s work on the eve of Pride Month. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/e1448e5e-9585-4bcb-83f1-862dc8a71692/Rouge.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Spring 2024 - Rouge Skin care-obsessed Belle returns to Southern California for her estranged mother Noelle’s funeral and struggles to unravel the details of her death and the mindboggling debts she left behind. Along the way, she meets a strange woman in red and stumbles upon a luxurious but cultish spa where she finds out surprising information about her mother’s final months. She also unpacks childhood trauma she’s buried so deep she’s forgotten it, hiding it behind a multistep skin care routine and a dedication to staying as far from home as she possibly can. I think Mona Awad is a genius? I devoured every last minute of this book. It’s one of the most bizarre and haunting commentaries on beauty culture and connection I’ve ever encountered. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/fd8ff13d-f6db-4def-9557-7b685cc4545b/Youth+Group.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Spring 2024 - Youth Group High school senior Kay agrees to attend youth group meetings at her mom’s church so she can go to college in New York City next year with her mom’s full blessing. But what appears to be a singalong-obsessed, happy-go-lucky group hyperfocused on avoiding temptation is actually a front for a demon-hunting operation led by the pastor and youth group leaders Meg and Cortland. Kay gets caught up in the supernatural drama fast, then sticks around of their own volition… even when things get especially dicey regarding her and her family’s safety. Beautifully illustrated, colored, lettered, and written, Youth Group upends stereotypes and truly explores how teenagers are going to save the world. Every second feels intentional and carefully placed as the pacing builds to create a campy take on religion and trauma bonding in the ‘90s. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/emergency-spine-surgery-cauda-equina-syndrome monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/be02f23f-d187-4d65-bc32-7d16faf3c7c9/Photo+of+two+horses+nuzzling+by+Gene+Devine+via+Unsplash.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - So, I Had Emergency Spine Surgery - Make it stand out Photo by Gene Devine via Unsplash https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/d0aba750-f7a1-46ab-813a-2abee5025a29/Samantha+hugs+their+weighted+dragon+plushie.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - So, I Had Emergency Spine Surgery - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/loving-ohio-comic-review monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/218accf0-baf5-4d1c-abf3-0fd0221a9dca/Loving+Ohio+preview+panel.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: Loving, Ohio - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/b850a93f-260a-45d0-a369-0b9309f1e181/Loving+Ohio.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: Loving, Ohio - Loving, Ohio "We all lived here. In some way. And wherever you live it leaves imprints on you" After the mysterious suicide of their friend, Sloane, Elliott, Cameron, and Ana are just trying to get through the rest of high school. They live in Loving, Ohio—a town built around The Chorus, a new-age cult with members firmly planted in positions of power and influence throughout the community. Through their grief, a series of murders throws these friends into a mystery connected to everything around them. Sloane and her friends have to escape a roaming murderer, figure out their place in the world, and deal with loss all in the looming shadow of The Chorus. But through it, they will find the true cost of friendship and the adulthood they seek. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/happy-wife-happy-life-queer-relationship-advice-podcast monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1c29abf5-b2bd-42e6-bdd3-3fca52a8fbf9/Kendahl+Landreth+and+Jordan+Myrick+photographed+by+Lee+Jameson+%281%29.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Is Happy Wife Happy Life the Queer Relationship Advice Podcast We Need? - Make it stand out Kendahl Landreth and Jordan Myrick photographed by Lee Jameson https://theverbalthing.com/blog/secret-histories-nerd-mysteries-maxfun monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/8a50ce1d-8fa4-4d25-a7c9-c641a3e08745/The+Secret+Histories+of+Nerd+Mysteries+banner.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - The Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries Co-Hosts Have Revitalized the Show with MaxFun - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/b139923c-c85a-419c-bdff-1139c3195b53/Austin+Taylor+headshot+by+KP+Studios.png Samantha Puc's Blog - The Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries Co-Hosts Have Revitalized the Show with MaxFun - Make it stand out Austin Taylor photographed by KP Studios https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/44986706-7452-4d93-a397-f3f1d1ff661e/Brenda+Snell+headshot++by+Kellan+Photography.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - The Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries Co-Hosts Have Revitalized the Show with MaxFun - Make it stand out Brenda Snell photographed by Kellan Photography https://theverbalthing.com/blog/escape-academy-review monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/princess-peach-showtime-review monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/09cb9906-de45-4b37-b329-6e0bfe82efb6/Princess+Peach+-+Showtime+-+Superhero.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Princess Peach: Showtime! Is Breezy & Delightful - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/17b6c72b-fbc9-4970-aa46-a72fb0a4b975/Princess+Peach+-+Showtime+-+Baking+Final.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Princess Peach: Showtime! Is Breezy & Delightful - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/eb4521bc-a49a-477d-9ff3-9be8a08a8a3b/Princess+Peach+-+Showtime+-+Cowgirl.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Princess Peach: Showtime! Is Breezy & Delightful - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/shalene-gupta-the-cycle-pmdd-period-pain monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/413473a0-a9f0-457c-9620-09b711835e43/The+Cycle.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Shalene Gupta’s The Cycle Highlights the World-Shattering Impact of PMDD - The Cycle The Cycle uncovers a hidden epidemic, delivering the definitive portrait of a widespread chronic illness most people haven't even heard of. From a historical overview of feminist debates, to on-the-ground interviews and a searing critique of menstrual stigma, Shalene Gupta lays out how disregard for this disorder has left too many people scrambling for appropriate healthcare. Deeply researched, movingly intimate, and refreshingly hopeful, this book is essential reading for any curious reader, especially those navigating a world ill-equipped to support their health. Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/favorite-books-winter-2024 monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/20145e45-7fc7-4374-9ad3-98bbd00ac7d8/Behind+You+Is+the+Sea+cover+art.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2024 - Behind You Is the Sea Behind You Is the Sea follows three Palestinian families living in Baltimore, where their lives as immigrants are deeply intertwined, yet their everyday lives couldn’t be more different. Susan Muaddi Darraj alternates points of view to explore the lives of these characters, and while some feel more developed than others, the connective tissue is strong. As the author finds her rhythm, she pulls you into this world and confronts you with issues of classism, racism, and sexism and how they affect the Palestinian diaspora. Many have criticized the author’s representation of Arab men as being riddled with stereotypes. While I highly recommend this book, be mindful of this note while reading. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/23f28dfc-aa0d-468a-8aeb-b5d48623b901/The+Chromatic+Fantasy+cover+art.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2024 - The Chromatic Fantasy A close friend described The Chromatic Fantasy as “lush,” and it’s the best word I can find to explain its decadent writing, rich illustrations, and saturated colors. This love story between two trans men—one a former nun and one a thief—is suspended in time, anchored by a Faustian deal that leads to rebellion when true love enters the picture. I could not stop staring at the art, even as I wanted to fly through the pages to find out what happened next. H.A. has created something truly magical here; his work is like nothing I’ve ever read, and I cannot wait for more. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/413473a0-a9f0-457c-9620-09b711835e43/The+Cycle.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2024 - The Cycle The Cycle is (I believe) the first non-academic text to examine Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), an extreme set of symptoms that affect less than 10 percent of people who menstruate. Through research and candid writing about her own PMDD journey, Shalene Gupta presents available data about the diagnosis in the most understandable way possible, which includes interviews with experts and with other people who’ve been diagnosed with PMDD. For those who have already done a ton of research into the condition on their own, this book may not be groundbreaking—but for those who are in the dark about their own symptom set or for those who have no idea that PMDD exists, this is an excellent affirmative and informational read. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1a9ea9b1-52e2-4c67-a45e-043c13fc159b/Interesting+Facts+About+Space.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2024 - Interesting Facts About Space Interesting Facts About Space feels a bit like a grown-up, sapphic version of The Catcher in the Rye—but not nearly as insufferable. As the main character navigates an irrational fear of bald men, caring for her mentally ill mother, and starting a truly unconventional romantic relationship, all while trying to impress her half-sisters and understand the motivations of her coworker and arguably closest friend, the story sort of unfolds around her. At times, the reader is as much in the dark as she is, but at others, we’re able to understand and interpret her confusion through a more distant lens. TL;DR this book is a little weird and it’s probably not for everyone, but I enjoyed it. If you decide to check it out, I highly recommend the audiobook version. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/ea83e5d4-9d77-4bd9-9117-e060a15a09f0/Land+of+Milk+and+Honey.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2024 - Land of Milk and honey Smog has taken over the sky and fresh food is a relic of the past—unless you’re the wealthiest man in the world or one of the few people he employs or invites to lavish dinners at his private mountain retreat just outside of Italy. Land of Milk and Honey is a cutting critique of the 1 percent, our growing climate crisis, and the impact of great food through the eyes of a chef with no ties to anyone or anything save for her cat, who comes with her to work for a mysterious benefactor and his beautiful, razor-tongued daughter. At turns bewildering and devastating, deeply sexy and shockingly vulnerable, this book is an absolute stunner. For the best experience, listen to the audiobook. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/8c0a1e81-b365-437d-8e97-29feff1dd6e4/Moby+Dyke.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2024 - Moby Dyke There are only a handful of lesbian bars left in the United States, and author Krista Burton visits all of them with her partner in this modern road trip through queer history. In a similar vein to Samantha Allen’s Real Queer America, Moby Dyke explores dyke-centric spaces that were and are staples of the community and, in some cases, beloved even by those who have never stepped foot inside. Throughout, she unpacks the meaning of the term “lesbian bar," particularly in relationship to whether these establishments matter as much now as they used to. (Note: I experienced a fair amount of “COVID ick” while reading, even though the book was clearly written in that brief bubble of hope we all had when vaccines were released.) I read this for The Nonbinarian Book Club and had a blast reading the book and talking about it with community members. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/c8289af1-8156-4ecd-9574-900959b33729/Nothing+Special+Volume+1+cover+art+by+Katie+Cook.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2024 - Nothing Special Vol. 1: Through the Elder Woods Katie Cook is great at creating whimsical worlds and fully-realized characters, and she demonstrates her incredible storytelling skills in Nothing Special, a Webtoon that’s now being released as a series of printed graphic novels. Fantastical, funny, dramatic, and full of delightful twists, the first volume of this series is fast-paced and deeply entertaining. I read this comic for an interview with Cook and fell in love with the characters and the world. I’m excited to catch up on the rest ASAP. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/e245f0a4-8668-4138-8d96-010912e783c0/Pretty+Boys+Are+Poisonous.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2024 - Pretty Boys Are Poisonous In the book’s description, Fox said, “These poems were written in an attempt to excise the illness that had taken root in me because of my silence. I’ve spent my entire life keeping the secrets of men, my body aches from carrying the weight of their sins. My freedom lives in these pages, and I hope that my words can inspire others to take back their happiness and their identity by using their voice to illuminate what’s been buried, but not forgotten, in the darkness.” Listen to this on audiobook. Hearing Megan Fox read her poems aloud made my chest go tight, but I was all in from start to finish. She talks about codependency, abuse, and recovery from a deeply personal place that undeniably resonated with me. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/0e310746-8cb2-47ed-836c-f68df213a80f/The+Priory+of+the+Orange+Tree.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2024 - The Priory of the Orange Tree I am so late to this party, but now that I’ve arrived, I’m never leaving. This sapphic fantasy epic by Samantha Shannon has everything I want in a high-fantasy series: a kingdom in turmoil, forbidden magic, hot women with swords, secret societies, and dragons. Although the sheer size of this book (848 pages) seems intimidating, it’s quick to pull you in. I devoured The Priory of the Orange Tree in just a few days because I didn’t want to put it down. It consumed me, body and soul, and I am so excited to read the prequel and the eventual sequel. Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/icymi-march-2024 monthly 0.5 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/68aaad34-cca1-4a00-8ea7-3d9db02e4ddf/Cyclic+Vomiting+Syndrome+zine+cover.png Samantha Puc's Blog - In Case You Missed It: Changing It Up - Last month, I published a new zine about Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, which I’ve written about before. It’s split into two sections: one briefly recounts how I got my diagnosis (and how long it took me to get one) and the other provides information about CVS and provides resources for further research. The digital edition is PWYW ($0+) and the physical edition is $7 + $3 shipping. Every purchase helps me and my partners make ends meet. (Note: Nothing in this zine should be considered medical advice. If you are able, please consult your general practitioner about your symptoms and inquire about being referred to a gastroenterologist and/or neurologist.) https://theverbalthing.com/blog/i-broke-my-glasses monthly 0.5 2024-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/5efbdc7f-be77-429a-8ece-9e47b9790186/Samantha+lays+on+the+couch+with+Tucker%2C+a+black+and+white+dog%2C+wearing+a+Sailor+Moon+t-shirt+and+black+cat-eye+glasses.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - I Broke My Glasses - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/stray-game-thoughts monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/5f156d69-51ef-4ba9-9955-fe3c6e36a074/Clementine+and+the+cat+in+Stray.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Stray - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/unpacking-2023 monthly 0.5 2024-04-02 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/favorite-books-winter-2023 monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/de1f7ba9-ef1f-448f-be3a-b3bc2e234b4b/It+Was+Vulgar+and+It+Was+Beautiful+cover+art.jpeg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2023 - It Was Vulgar & It Was Beautiful Read for The Nonbinarian Book Club, this exploration of the AIDS activist art collective Gran Fury and its relationship to ACT UP is stunning. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author and came away feeling equal parts grateful, enraged, and full of grief. Each time I read about the AIDS crisis, I learn something new and I mourn. Here, Lowery does a masterful job describing the protest art made by Gran Fury, explaining its impact, and exploring how and why art is such an integral piece of any fight for justice. A tough, but necessary read that I’ll be thinking about for a long, long time. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/e22e61f7-2014-439c-99b4-f3edd71b4f4a/Last+Night+At+the+Telegraph+Club+cover+art.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2023 - Last Night At the Telegraph Club High school senior Lily Hu is secretly obsessed with a local “male impersonator,” and when her classmate Kathleen Miller finds out, things go a much different direction than Lily expects. She starts sneaking out of her family’s Chinatown apartment at night to visit the lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club with Kathleen, where she discovers a whole new culture and—just for a while—can escape the fear of being a queer person of color whose father is at risk of deportation because of Red Scare paranoia. Last Night At the Telegraph Club is queer, historical fiction at its finest. Author Malinda Lo writes at a breakneck speed but always takes time to invest in the characters and what they’re feeling and experiencing, creating an ultra-rich reading experience that’s both atmospheric and evocative. I completely understand the buzz surrounding this multi-award-winning book. It’s beautiful. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/009ad667-10ae-4c88-a655-84607cc752bc/Lucky+Red+cover+art.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2023 - Lucky Red Read for The Nonbinarian Book Club, this queer western is a sultry, adventurous little dream. After Bridget’s father dies during their pilgrimage west, she leaves behind his memory and takes up residence at the only woman-owned brothel in Dodge City, Kansas, where she draws the affection of both a sheriff’s deputy and a notorious lady bounty hunter. Bridget learns a lot about herself at the Buffalo Queen, then takes up her true calling as a vengeful gunslinger. Claudia Cravens’s debut novel is fantastic. It’s a well-paced, high-stakes romp through the American West that upends many of the genre’s worst tropes and positions itself as one of the best fiction releases of 2023. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/6e873ef6-0423-4498-9df8-a38a9e515e55/Roaming+by+Mariko+Tamaki+and+Jillian+Tamaki.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2023 - Roaming Childhood friends Dani and Zoe take a spring break trip to New York City during their freshman year of college, and it goes spectacularly sideways when Dani brings along her friend Fiona, who spends the majority of the trip hooking up with Zoe. Their hostel room is cramped and their communication is terrible, forcing each of them to reckon with who they are right now. I named Roaming the #2 graphic novel of 2023 for The Mary Sue because reading it felt like a full-scale return to my college years—if only I had sooner realized I was a lesbian. The Tamaki cousins work brilliantly together and their writing flows flawlessly with Jillian’s illustrations. This creative team has yet to lead me astray and I am continuously blown away by their work. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/e0e43bf3-395b-4de8-8ac6-91053a269156/The+Talk+by+Darrin+Bell.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2023 - The Talk When Darrin Bell was six years old, he asked his mom for a water gun and she said no. Then she explained that, for Black boys like him, existing is a risk. That conversation has impacted how Bell has moved through the world ever since. I named The Talk the #1 graphic novel of 2023 for The Mary Sue because of how it examines anti-Blackness and police violence. It’s one of Bell’s sharpest and best works to date, and it should be on everyone’s shelves. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/0882f241-5a32-4a4e-aef7-9803b3b421f7/The+Woman+in+Me+cover+art.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2023 - The Woman in Me Britney Spears has been in the limelight since she was a child, and I’ve been a fan since I was just a child myself. Although she’s always been a subject of tabloid headlines, hearing her account of her life as read by Michelle Williams is brutal. This memoir not only examines how Spears became famous and the various relationships she formed through her role as an international pop superstar, but how her partners and family took advantage of her throughout her career, especially when she was at her most vulnerable. The details of her conservatorship, her relationships, and her struggles with mental health are startling at best. This book surprised me in every meaning of the word, and I highly, highly recommend it—with the caveat that you may need to take several breaks. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/e272705c-01cf-4e9f-8587-d79b9cc5e532/Yellowface+cover+art.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Winter 2023 - Yellowface When literary darling Athena Liu dies in a freak accident and her old friend June Hayward is the only witness, it breaks June—but her response to the tragedy is decidedly unhinged. Unable to make a publishing breakthrough with her own work, June steals Athena’s unfinished manuscript for her next novel and passes it off as her own, which works… for a while. But when the Internet begins picking her apart for writing about Asian history as a white woman, things quickly spiral out of June’s control (if she ever had that to begin with). This book is phenomenal. Suspensful, grotesque, painful, engrossing, and deeply, deeply disturbing. R.F. Kuang uses social media to frame the story in a way that feels as breakneck and back-and-forth as an actual feed, and her writing is hyper-detailed and incomparably good. White creators get away with far too much, and this novel—though fictional—bites at the heels of enablers and perpetrators alike. Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/favorite-books-summer-2023 monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/c2731f05-3984-46d3-ba50-32c9a3519990/Audre+Lorde+-+The+Cancer+Journals.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2023 - The Cancer Journals Audre Lorde’s searing memoir of her breast cancer diagnosis, mastectomy, and ensuing difficulty conforming to the expectation that she wear a prosthetic when she would rather freely walk around with one breast is both a stunning example of how feminism has failed Black women and a sharp commentary on illness and the culture of conformist wellness. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/41527968-7760-4321-b414-add0785f9906/Care+Work+by+Leah+Lakshmi+Piepzna-Samarasinha.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2023 - Care Work A major text in the disability justice studies canon, Care Work is an examination of disabled and chronically ill interdependence and how we can better show up for and support each other by using our strengths to bolster each other’s weaknesses. Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha also explores the importance of and variation in care networks, daily changes that can make massive impacts, and ways in which everyone—regardless of ability level or wellness—can help create a truly disabled-inclusive future. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/6cc692e5-93f2-4f6c-a2ca-df0426650871/Crying+in+H+Mart+by+Michelle+Zauner.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2023 - Crying in H Mart Michelle Zauner has a complicated relationship with her mother, and that only increases when she flies home unexpectedly to take care of her mother during high-impact cancer treatment. Through all of the hardships of that experience, Zauner holds onto the hope that her mother will survive and live much longer on the other side. When the treatment doesn’t work and her mother refuses to go through an additional round, Zauner is forced to reckon with her relationships with both parents, her sense of self, her sense of obligation, and what the future looks like when her closest remaining ties to her mother are through food, history, and culture she’s distanced herself from through adulthood. This book is beautiful and heartbreaking and worth every minute. It’s also impossible to put down. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/4d67821b-c4e4-408a-bd3b-012fdb28b0ea/Vivek+Shraya+-+I%27m+Afraid+of+Men.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2023 - I’m Afraid of Men I’m a longtime fan of Vivek Shraya’s music, and her prose is as impactful as her lyrics. Here, she explores gender and trauma through the lenses of forced masculinity and hyper-critical femininity, including how the gender binary has affected her most intimate relationships. This isn’t an easy read, but there’s also liberation in Shraya’s words and a sense of freedom that’s at once cathartic and fragile. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/b42ee4d8-b011-414e-8978-bd30ee6f928e/Brandon+Taylor+-+The+Late+Americans.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2023 - The Late Americans Read for The Nonbinarian Book Club, this contemporary examination of a friend group in their senior year at a rural university is as illuminating as it is complex. None of the characters are particularly likeable and each point of view introduces new, unreliable information that ultimately culminates in a group trip to someone’s lake house where grace is plentiful, but secrets still do harm. The prose is gorgeous and the flow of the overall story demonstrates Brandon Taylor’s mastery of his craft. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/40cdf93a-4bb7-4243-a8fc-945f7f9d9f7d/Samantha+Irby+-+Quietly+Hostile.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2023 - Quietly Hostile Read for The Nonbinarian Book Club, Samantha Irby’s latest essay collection continues to examine her life as a fat, Black, queer, disabled woman whose stardom has shifted as her personal life has begun to settle down. At turns hilarious and horrifying, these essays are striking for Irby’s iconic timing and turn of phrase. The audiobook narrated by the author is an especially intimate experience, and I highly recommend grabbing it from Libro.fm if that’s your thing. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/7de4d216-68bf-40ec-acec-1b2da333a2e5/GennaRose+Nethercott+-+Thistlefoot.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2023 - Thistlefoot Isaac and Bellatine Yaga have unique powers passed down through their family line, but where Isaac embraces his shapeshifting, Bellatine runs from what she calls “the embering.” When their ancestral home is unexpectedly delivered to a port in the US from Kyiv, they’re forced to go on the run as they’re hunted by one of the scariest, most sinister villains I’ve ever encountered in fiction. Based on Slavic and Jewish folklore, this sharply-written, incredibly descriptive, and thrilling book breathes new life into a classic story and introduces characters you won’t soon forget. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/ad144d05-78f9-400a-a1a1-c66aa1c83bc4/You+Just+Need+to+Lose+Weight+cover+art.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2023 - “You Just Need to Lose Weight” Aubrey Gordon is a preeminent fat liberation author and her work always resonates with me. It also teaches me, which allows me to continue my own education and outreach in this arena. Written in plain text with scholarly and anecdotal research, Gordon breaks down 20 of the most damaging myths of diet culture and explores how we can create a truly fat liberationist future. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/f19db24a-8902-4496-a271-d593938a9d52/Kayleb+Rae+Candrilli+-+Water+I+Won%27t+Touch.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in Summer 2023 - Water I Won’t Touch I read this collection for a queer poetry book club run by Kay E. Bancroft. In its examination of transness and trauma, it explores human bodies and the Earth, ultimately envisioning a future of queer joy where the author has escaped from addiction and familial harm. My 5-star review: “I feel like every single word resonated, even in passages where my experiences are totally different from the author’s. Gorgeous verse, excellent use of repetition and theming. Intimate. Lovely. “ Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/icymi-august-2023 monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/174f72a9-2e34-496f-86c6-12dd5fc01739/Claire+and+Jamie+embrace+in+Outlander.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - In Case You Missed It: Summer Swelter - Make it stand out Courtesy of Starz https://theverbalthing.com/blog/social-media-2023 monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1688668753798-54T9SPBNGPQEORE4HH2J/Staring+social+media+in+the+face+%28image+-+Karsten+Winegeart+-+Unsplash%29.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Staring Social Media in the Face - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/ooblets-game-thoughts monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/57318b0a-338e-452b-b23f-d3ec919b28c3/Ooblets+-+gleamy+Skuffalo.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Completing My Oobledex - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/favorite-books-april-may-2023 monthly 0.5 2024-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/3305b35c-6646-4d79-bc70-384ecad35d7a/Cosmoknights+Book+Two+by+Hannah+Templer.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in April and May 2023 - Cosmoknights Book Two Although I’ve been burning up with the desire to read the sequel to one of my all-time favorite comics, I only just got around to devouring Cosmoknights Book Two—and I highly suggest you dive in immediately! This sapphic take on Pacific Rim and outer-space colonialism complete with dowries and barbaric, one-on-one duels to marry a princess follows a group of ragtag queer people (mostly women) hellbent on destroying the patriarchy one giant mech fight at a time. This volume has snappier dialogue, even brighter colors, bolder lines, and stronger facial expressions than its predecessor, which seems impossible. I love these lesbians and queers. You will too. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/c11a072a-924b-4c3b-8a75-d94ed4eaf3ce/Lesbian+Love+Story+-+A+Memoir+in+Archives+by+Amelia+Possanza.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in April and May 2023 - Lesbian Love Story In a book that’s part-memoir, part-historical record of lesbians in the 20th century, Amelia Possanza examines what it means to be a hopeless romantic for community and advocates for queer recordkeeping by queer people. Lesbian Love Story is a detailed, wildly evocative love letter to archival work, historical lesbians, community-building, and radicalization worth taking your time to fully ingest. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/235e5e33-cc60-4775-9095-11fa6abe5457/Light+from+Uncommon+Stars+by+Ryka+Aoki.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in April and May 2023 - Light from Uncommon Stars This award-winning sci-fi/fantasy novel is a fascinating exploration of human nature, autonomy, and found family featuring a flawed but incredible cast. Once-famous violinist Shizuki Satomi made a deal with the devil to deliver seven souls in exchange for her own; she’s delivered six and has one year to deliver the seventh. Katrina Nguyen, a young transgender woman escaping an abusive home, is a self-taught violin prodigy whose approach to music is completely opposite Shizuki’s. And then there’s Lan Tran, interstellar refugee, starship captain, and donut shop owner, whose family throws even more chaos into the mix. As these three women cross paths, they’re forced to reconcile their worst mistakes, accept their greatest flaws, and be vulnerable in ways they never expected. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/97ed82b8-ffc0-4fc4-93f1-52f4534eaa3a/She+Is+a+Haunting+by+Trang+Thanh+Tran.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in April and May 2023 - She Is a Haunting This atmospheric and hungry haunted house story follows Jade Nguyen, a queer teen, whose dreams of college hinge upon her estranged father’s willingness to bankroll them. They make a deal: She’ll spend five weeks in Vietnam with him while he restores a French colonial house, and at the end, he’ll cut her a cheque. That plan is complicated by sleep paralysis, bugs in places they shouldn’t be, and the ghost of a young bride who gives Jade a simple but cryptic warning: “Don’t eat.” This young adult horror story is fast-paced and incredibly tense, equal parts creepy as it is disorienting. As Jade struggles to find out why she and her family are being targeted, she uncovers surprising facts about the colonialist history of her ancestral home and her personal determination to rattle the people whose violence landed her here in the first place. Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/icymi-april-2023 monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/49f15b9b-db7a-4c0e-9207-4d907a5e5dae/Link+BOTW.png Samantha Puc's Blog - In Case You Missed It: A Link Round-Up - Link is a gay icon, and Zelda fans know it The Legend of Zelda’s queer themes are more than just subtext https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1f2e8cde-0d7b-47b0-bf4f-20faad5f2261/Uterus+iStock.png Samantha Puc's Blog - In Case You Missed It: A Link Round-Up - How Polyamory Pushed Me to Prioritize My Pelvic Health In July 2022, seven months into being one-third of a closed polycule, I was diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis and a severe UTI. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/e6747010-1a99-4db3-a69f-51fa2244e015/Lunar+Blight+cover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - In Case You Missed It: A Link Round-Up - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/real-pain-management monthly 0.5 2024-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/6d71525b-46be-41f7-b365-e800c70c70bd/hospital-selfie-april-23.png Samantha Puc's Blog - How Real Pain Management Can Feel - Make it stand out I took this selfie at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the day before my epidural, after I woke sitting on the edge of my bed, mid-conversation with my nurse. In my sleep, I had removed my IV (which was a rare one-and-done by the ER nurse), my heart monitor leads, and my oxygen monitor. It took two nurses two hours and six pokes to get a new IV in, and three of those attempts were made with an ultrasound machine. They Coban-wrapped my new IV so I couldn’t remove it, which had the adverse effect of making the vein angry because it was too constricted. It blew in less than 12 hours. Somehow, my Tuesday night nurse managed another one-and-done based purely on intuition. I will never, ever forget how cool she was. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/favorite-books-march-2023 monthly 0.5 2024-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/c9868c07-99a8-48f7-a19e-589ad59d45b3/Dyscalculia+by+Camonghne+Felix.jpeg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in March 2023 - Dyscalculia Sometimes, breakups shake to your core hard enough to create cracks all across the surface. If you’re not careful, you’ll shatter—no matter how hard you try to keep it together. This poetic memoir by Camonghne Felix is raw, tender to the touch, and thick with scar tissue. As she navigates a huge breakup that results in a hospital stay, her path to healing means recounting and processing childhood trauma and past relationships. Felix frames this processing through her relationship with math, which is marred by dyscalculia. Cerebral, sharp, and incredibly emotional, Dyscalculia is a gorgeous exploration of intimacy, bodily autonomy, psychiatric distress, and love. It’s near impossible to put down. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/d4430344-a57e-4b0f-aef3-20768f27e617/Hungry+Ghost+by+Victoria+Ying.jpeg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in March 2023 - Hungry Ghost Valerie Chu strives to be the perfect daughter, which in her mother’s critical eyes means staying thin. Under the pressure of meeting these standards, Valerie becomes bulimic and struggles to exist in spaces where she can’t reliably purge—such as the class trip to Paris, where the food is rich in calories. When a distressing phone call brings her home early, she struggles to navigate her eating disorder, her grief, and her toxic relationship with her mother as she looks to the future and determines her own path. This young adult graphic novel is heartwrenching. Victoria Ying’s fine line work and focus on facial expressions and body language underscore the stakes of Valerie’s story and emphasize the acute horrors of harming yourself to stay safe. Ying’s dialogue is razor-sharp and perfectly timed, and Valerie’s inner monologue is as damning as it is devastating. Hungry Ghost will be available April 25. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/543b92c9-5893-4b00-9a4f-1ae97e1fa5e0/What+We+Fed+to+the+Manticore+by+Talia+Lakshmi+Kolluri.jpeg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in March 2023 - What We Fed to the Manticore Our desire to understand the world through an animal’s eyes is strong, and in this debut story collection, Talia Lakshmi Kolluri attempts to tackle deeply human themes through the lens of nine animals existing in international settings. If we fear war, how does a loyal donkey feel about it? How do scavengers assist the dead? These questions and more are explored in What We Fed to the Manticore, which is at turns crushing, uplifting, and maddening. It raises questions about identity, grief, belonging, and conservationism, allowing readers to bring their own interpretation to the text as we walk alongside the animals narrating each story. Frankly, this book is just beautiful, and each page deserves to be savored. Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/s-a-d monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/favorite-books-february-2023 monthly 0.5 2024-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/12157594-698b-4fd5-be28-d9b47db73729/black+girl+call+home.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in February 2023 - Black Girl, Call Home I don’t often read poetry, but when I worked at a bookstore in 2021-2022, I frequently picked this up to peruse it during my shifts. Jasmine Mans employs rhythm and intentionality in truly stunning ways, with each of the poems in this collection feeling like it both builds upon and undoes your expectations from the last. I read this one twice over and devoured every word both times. Read it and you’ll see why. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/28cd940d-3964-436d-8f61-4e696e8ba166/Feed+Them+Silence.jpeg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in February 2023 - Feed Them Silence This near-future sci-fi tale follows a woman whose obsession with getting inside the mind of one of the last living wolves in the US comes at the cost of everything in her life, including romance, intimacy, trust, career success, and health. Decidedly violent in a creeping way, this novella is haunting for how it explores queerness, gender, and patriarchy through the lens of parasocial, anthropomorphized relationships. This one is not light reading despite its short page count, but I cannot stop thinking about it. I think it will stick with me for a long time to come. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/e41ef875-6adc-4f60-9ffa-224746ccc865/Wolfish.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in February 2023 - Wolfish The way we mythologize wolves and use them as metaphors for fear is as deep-seated in western storytelling as it is problematic. Here, Erica Berry examines specific and strangely famous wolves, how learning about them forced her to re-examine her own relationship with predation, privilege, and fear, and why we are so afraid of these creatures when realistically, we’re more violent against them than they are against us. This is an intricately-woven and beautifully-crafted narrative that mixes the personal with the political in a truly gripping and informative read. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/58fee8ec-3ec7-4fe9-a5b6-86bcb6274b40/Fat+Off+Fat+On.jpeg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in February 2023 - Fat Off, Fat On Clarkisha Kent writes so candidly about her experiences in her debut book, and every page is as good as the last. This memoir examines selfhood through the lens of race, fatness, queerness, gender, and religion without ever losing its edge. Kent’s razor-sharp wit and incisive commentary are on full display in what is sure to be one of the most celebrated books of 2023. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/favorite-books-january-2023 monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/258fccc4-bd0b-4ea1-be53-c899a441af6c/ishiguro-klara-and-the-sun.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in January 2023 - Klara and the Sun Klara is a solar-powered Artificial Friend whose observational skills border on genuine empathy. When she’s chosen by a chronically ill child named Josie to be her companion for the next several years, Klara’s understanding of the world changes significantly, especially as Josie begins to grow up. This dystopian sci-fi novel is a character-focused treatise on love and empathy, and it’s a beautiful, emotional read. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/40c841de-4c85-4e38-90a8-b4739fc07be0/manhunt.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in January 2023 - Manhunt The world ends with a deadly virus that mutates men into feral, terrifying creatures whose only drive is hunger. For longtime friends Beth and Fran, two trans women whose survival depends on hunting and harvesting men’s organs lest the virus come for them too, the apocalypse is brutal and bloody and also full of yearning. When they meet Robbie, a Native trans guy who’s going it alone rather than risking trust in another person, they form an unlikely found family and face off against militarized TERFs, a billionaire bunker brat, and their own demons all at once. Manhunt absolutely blew me away, and I felt like I could not put it down. Do not miss this masterpiece of queer and trans horror. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/7aceb410-99db-450d-8ca9-cd9816a604e4/madeline-miller-galatea.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in January 2023 - Galatea How does it feel to be the sculpture molded by Pygmalion, rather than the misogynist sculptor himself? Galatea is a short story from the perspective of the “perfect woman” Pygmalion created, as she’s trapped in a hospital desperate for something More and plotting how to get it. Madeline Miller is one of my favorite authors. This story holds incredible depth thanks to her skillful application of the written word across an arguably negligible number of pages, responding almost solely to a tiny part of the myth in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/679d9b0d-d161-4289-b981-07065a2688fb/leigh-bardugo-ninth-house.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in January 2023 - Ninth House Alex Stern is not the kind of girl you’d see in a pamphlet for Yale University. However, she has a unique skill that makes her useful to one of the college’s secret, magical societies: She can see ghosts. When her mentor goes missing, she has to use her relationship with the dead to track him down while also solving an allegedly unrelated murder. I devoured this book and immediately jumped into the second title in the series (see below). Leigh Bardugo’s debut adult novel is as gorgeous and cunning as her YA work, without pulling any punches. It expertly walks the line between dark, tense, magical mystery and character-driven navigation of grief and trauma. I cannot recommend it enough. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/7e306502-8984-40a4-9663-059e37696018/leigh-bardugo-hell-bent.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Read (and Loved) in January 2023 - Hell Bent Hell Bent picks up a few months after Ninth House concludes, and Alex Stern has had the first truly safe summer of her life. However, her relationship with ghosts has changed dramatically and her mentor is still missing. Complicating things further, she’s being blackmailed by an old and dangerous acquaintance, the governing board of her society is cracking down, and two people have been murdered. Whatever her feelings about her powers now, she has to set them aside to resolve the disparate parts of her life before they crash together and send her tumbling down. Ninth House is even more gripping than its predecessor. The world-building is delicious, the character growth is top tier (especially because it reinforces the fact that healing is never linear), and the imagery is divine. Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/blogging-again-2023 monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/f859294c-41c0-48a6-8cca-d13892f4d150/hospital-selfie.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Somehow, It’s Almost February - Make it stand out July 2022 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/2021-best-books monthly 0.5 2024-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1639970395679-WIW5DEHXHEP69LG3SBKT/nghi-vo-chosen-beautiful-cover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - the chosen and the beautiful by nghi vo This beautifully written, imaginative, cohesive, glittering retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is one of the best books I’ve read in years. Instead of following the affable and mostly clueless Nick Carroway, author Nghi Vo instead tells the story from the perspective of Jordan Baker, who’s queer, Asian, and adopted in this version of the tale. She’s also just a little bit magic, and it’s impossible not to fall in love with her fro the jump. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1639971593470-OIY7PGJMGG4I0CQ19USJ/nk-jemisin-city-we-became-cover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - The City wE bECAME BY n. k. jEMISIN What if every city in the world could be reborn through human avatars? And what happens when those avatars are being hunted by an ancient, evil being determined to stop those rebirths from happening? This examination of New York City through N. K. Jemisin’s signature storytelling style is not only delightful, but gripping. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1640407171570-XRXA2OWTK0YJOOB9XQ39/dark-starless-forest.gif Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - A Dark and Starless Forest by Sarah Hollowell We deserve more and better and diverse fat representation in pop culture, which includes messy characters who don’t always make the right choices. Sarah Hollowell’s debut YA novel gives us exactly that, in a dark fantasy story that explores abuse and neglect, but also found family, magic, and strength. It’s a gorgeous, at times painful read, and it deserves more attention. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1639971677566-J0J3QRM6GIB4RTCV18B5/torrey-peters-detransition-baby-cover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters Torrey Peters dedicates this novel to divorced cisgender women, which feels oddly appropriate despite the overall conceit of the book. This is a story about found family, toxicity and messy relationships, as well as expectations of queerness and gender. No one comes out of this book looking any better than anyone else, and the final scene is so beautifully executed that I have not stopped thinking about it in months. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1639971217378-GOGVUH0JLSAW123QS68H/tamsyn-muir-harrow-ninth-cover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir I’ll just say it: Harrow the Ninth is a more compelling narrative than Gideon the Ninth, although I love both books immeasurably. As Harrow comes into her power and attempts to figure out her past, things look and feel out of place — and the creeping tension of it all is masterfully articulated by Tamsyn Muir. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1639972582727-V08AM67U1N7BWBPWFWJE/christopher-gonzalez-not-hungry-cover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - I’m Not Hungry But I Could Eat by Christopher Gonzalez This short story collection by Christopher Gonzalez is… haunting, and strange, and relatable, and beautiful. I didn’t love every piece in this collection, but I didn’t dislike any of them, either. If you need a hint of magical realism and some messy examination of queer relationships and self, this is an excellent, excellent read. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1639972300344-91ADPHCHRIJV00BA39W4/akwaeke-emezi-pet-cover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - Pet by Akwaeke Emezi At some point in the future, all the “monsters” are gone — except, of course, for when they’re still around. I didn’t know what to expect going into Pet, but the story and writing blew my mind. Please note there is a content warning for childhood sexual assault in this YA novella. It’s a short, 200-page story, but devouring it in one sitting may be too intense. Jam, Redemption, and Pet are incredible characters with a fascinating dynamic, and it’s worth taking some time to spend with them and unpack their world. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1639972409838-IODD0IPWI29V3AMQZO91/elizabeth-kilcoyne-wake-bones-cover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - Wake the Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne Full disclosure: Elizabeth Kilcoyne is a personal friend, and I was lucky enough to read/edit an early draft of Wake the Bones several years ago. This final, published version is so much more — that early draft was a seedling, and this draft has grown roots and spread them. Wake the Bones is a masterclass in gothic horror. The characters are divine, the development flawless, the storytelling top tier. Elizabeth's writing is genuinely breathtaking, and if this book doesn't become a bestseller, I'll be shocked (and disappointed, tbh). A must-read, hands down. Preorder from MacMillan (July 2022) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1639971893136-F4OHUNFG41Y3RYX4PZDK/dashaun-harrison-belly-beast-cover.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - Belly of the Beast by Da’Shaun L. Harrison Anti-fatness is rooted in anti-Blackness, and Da’Shaun L. Harrison masterfully breaks down these interwoven systems of oppression in their debut book, Belly of the Beast. Whether you’re new to fat liberation or you’ve been involved for a while, I guarantee Harrison will teach you something and invite you to re-examine your own prejudices and expectations. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1639971326133-2Y676ORT4ORX5DQ3YVZ4/amanda-montell-cultish-cover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - Cultish by Amanda Montell Celebrity stan culture, social media apps, gym memberships, and famous cults have one major thing in common: language. Linguist Amanda Montell breaks down these connections and ties in her own personal history and fascination with cults in her sophomore book, Cultish, which reads like a conversation with a super smart friend. It’s fast-paced, engaging, and a little bit wild. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1639971254935-ZRX2WK2XGWH0KL0MHV7Z/carmen-maria-machado-dream-house-cover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado Sometimes a relationship is a broken-down, rotted-out, haunted house of horrible memories. Carmen Maria Machado’s memoir, In the Dream House, deals with something that’s rarely explored in LGBTQ+ literature: abuse in queer relationships. This book is a haunted house narrative, a feast of magical realism, and a painfully candid recollection of a dark and distressing period in Machado’s life. This was one of the most difficult books I read this year, but also one of the most beautiful. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1639972212721-N6YA3BLGDI4HS5YB3GQB/cathy-park-hong-minor-feelings-cvover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong Cathy Park Hong is hilarious, but she also writes with such clarity and candor that her memoir, Minor Feelings, will make readers run the full gamut of emotions. This book is sharp, poignant, and fast-paced, the kind of writing you can devour even when it’s hard to swallow. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1639972035728-FZQGL38RJQJ08HHB274I/aubrey-gordon-talk-about-fat-cover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon Aubrey Gordon has been writing for years as Your Fat Friend, and she employs her signature style in her debut book to great effect. Gordon breaks down diet culture and systemic fatphobia in a way that’s super approachable, but super informative, making this an absolutely vital read — for everyone. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1622922555587-0W7SBLRCWT7Q4G65W1CD/girl-sea.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag My full review of The Girl from the Sea is here, but here’s the short version: This queer graphic novel seamlessly integrates selkie lore and the plight of a modern teenager as Ostertag presents truly top-tier writing and art. Colorist Maarta Laiho makes everything pop, and the story feels like a cozy, comfy cuddle with a good friend on a breezy summer evening. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for review. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1640401973971-8M4VOYNJBWM29VE5H49M/secret-garden-81st-st.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - Secret Garden on 81st Street by Ivy Noelle Weir and Amber Padilla I love The Secret Garden, and this modern-day graphic adaptation maintains the spirit of the source material, with some excellent updates. It’s beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated — I cried so much reading this, and I loved every single page. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1640402258828-VFYQ5DR3NYL4DGTHQDTA/dear-azula.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - Dear Azula, I Have a Crush on dANNY pHANTOM BY aZURA tYABJI AND jACKSON nEAL I bought this poetry book because of the title, and I wasn’t disappointed. Azura Tyabji and Jackson Neal explore pop culture through a queer, nostalgic lens, playing with form and content to create some really interesting verse. Worth reading for anyone who had a crush on at least one character from Avatar the Last Airbender or Teen Titans. Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1640402367183-BOM4S1X2K2433XPDYVKG/revenge-body-cover.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Books I Loved in 2021 - Revenge Body by Rachel Wiley Rachel Wiley is one of my favorite poets, and her third published poetry collection, Revenge Body, perfectly demonstrates why. These poems are sharp, evocative, and intense: Wiley explores Blackness, breakups, and more in a robust, bold voice that’s impossible not to love. Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/molly-knox-ostertag-girl-sea-graphic-novel-review monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1622922555587-0W7SBLRCWT7Q4G65W1CD/girl-sea.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: The Girl from the Sea - The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag From the author of The Witch Boy trilogy comes a graphic novel about family, romance, and first love. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tokyo-ever-after-review monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1621278429898-AY0AZWJ5J5DC357BUCK7/tokyo-ever-after-cover.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: Tokyo Ever After - Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean The Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians in Emiko Jean's Tokyo Ever After, a "refreshing, spot-on" (Booklist, starred review) story of an ordinary Japanese-American girl who discovers that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/little-nightmares-fatphobia monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1618373503428-WA7K3HO8NSXPJI5Y0V6K/littlenightmares.jpeg Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Little Nightmares https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1618499926904-RERWY0R23L0UIFAQ1KZQ/apps.63704.65516361464340384.2b1af344-4937-4a1f-af6f-8e009cbf5afa.jpeg Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Little Nightmares https://theverbalthing.com/blog/little-nightmares-2-review monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1618270530991-J6XOD9KG6E362MNU89Q6/IMG_5927.JPG Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Little Nightmares II https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1618271168389-SR3CIUYQSYZMFDDEYCKP/IMG_5931.JPG Samantha Puc's Blog - Game Thoughts: Little Nightmares II https://theverbalthing.com/blog/systemic-fatphobia-covid-19-vaccine-bmi monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1617261661615-PLQSHDESNA56CS2NMGP4/covid-19-obesity-featured.png Samantha Puc's Blog - When Systemic Fatphobia Works “For” You https://theverbalthing.com/blog/animal-crossing-new-horizons-1-year-anniversary monthly 0.5 2024-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1616340805719-FIRBWCHDMX2C6LD42WHL/IMG_5732.JPG Samantha Puc's Blog - Animal Crossing: New Horizons Got Me Through 2020 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1616433227189-8GQ6JS7COY591AJ7CAQ4/EjMLgESUYAAAfY5.jpeg Samantha Puc's Blog - Animal Crossing: New Horizons Got Me Through 2020 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/your-body-not-apology-workbook-review monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1615845704255-WBKG0G02L7E3UZAN7M2S/Your+Body+Is+Not+an+Apology+Workbook+cover.jpeg Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: Your Body Is Not an Apology Workbook - Your Body Is Not an Apology Workbook: Tools for Living Radical Self-Love by Sonya Renee Taylor Based on the New York Times bestseller The Body Is Not an Apology, this is an action guide to help readers practice the art of radical self-love both for themselves and to transform our society. https://theverbalthing.com/blog/verbal-thing-moved monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/the-night-country-review monthly 0.5 2024-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/a19453fb-b461-45c9-a87c-0c173228a3ef/The+Night+Country+by+Melissa+Albert.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: The Night Country - Overall rating: ★★★★½ Recommended for: Fans of dark fantasy who are interested in unpacking unreliable narration, fans of unconventional romance, and anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a tinge of horror Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/bloom-graphic-novel-review monthly 0.5 2024-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/b0150aaf-921c-444a-abe2-52c99a571aa1/Bloom+by+Kevin+Panetta+and+Savanna+Ganucheau.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: Bloom - Overall rating: ★★★★★ Recommended for: Everyone, but especially romance fans who enjoy a happy ending and a sweet, satisfying narrative. If you’ve ever read a graphic novel or comic book before, this might be the one that turns you onto the genre as a whole. Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/red-white-royal-blue-review monthly 0.5 2024-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1cba922b-3a0d-47f8-b80e-922de2485248/Chasing+Liberty.gif Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: Red, White & Royal Blue - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/e7e2e3fa-3f07-40d6-a3ee-db94bfd06be5/Red+White+and+Royal+Blue.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: Red, White & Royal Blue - Overall rating: ★★★★½ Recommended for: Romantic comedy fans who want more and better bisexual and gay representation, particularly from young adult fiction; anyone who feels disheartened by the world and needs an escape that’s heavy on romance, hope, and soft, sultry, non-explicit love scenes Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/everyday-tarot-practical-witchs-spell-book monthly 0.5 2024-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/7e648348-1abe-4041-830f-0f3a940c23aa/Everyday+Tarot+by+Brigit+Esselmont.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: The Practical Witch’s Spell Book & Everyday Tarot - Overall rating: ★★★★★ Recommended for: Tarot readers of all skill levels and experience, or people looking to learn more about the practice Buy it on Bookshop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/d3d55b01-4488-4240-93e9-b887bd760535/The+Practical+Witch%27s+Spell+Book+by+Cerridwen+Greenleaf.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: The Practical Witch’s Spell Book & Everyday Tarot - Overall rating: ★★★½ Recommended for: Witches looking for simple, useful spells that they can adapt to suit their individual practice Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/girl-squads-review monthly 0.5 2024-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1fee05a2-844b-4948-90df-ba1f854b232c/Girl+Squads.jpg Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: Girl Squads - Overall rating: ★★★★ Recommended for: Readers interested in history, women’s studies, and approachable essays about the two Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/the-hazel-wood-review monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/f5959991-9b2f-4f66-893b-686fe4ab3c3b/The+Hazel+Wood+by+Melissa+Albert.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: The Hazel Wood - Overall rating: ★★★★★ Recommended for: Fans of fairytales, fantasy, and Grimm-style horror Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/lunar-abundance-review monthly 0.5 2024-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/9c7cdfa0-9d75-4a42-8cde-f6305108625a/Lunar+Abundance+by+Ezzie+Spencer+PhD.png Samantha Puc's Blog - Book Thoughts: Lunar Abundance - Overall rating: ★★★★½ Recommended for: People who want help balancing their lives Buy it on Bookshop https://theverbalthing.com/blog/category/Updates monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/category/Games monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/category/Podcasts monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/category/Books monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/category/Blog monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/category/Interviews monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/category/Essays monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/played+in+2025 monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/played+in+2024 monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/newsletter monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/played+in+2023 monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/pr monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/fiction monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/disability monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/mental+health monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/polyamory monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/tabletop+games monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/action-adventure+games monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/casual+games monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/pop+culture monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/housekeeping monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/icymi monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/card+games monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/horror+games monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/management+games monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/dragon+age monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/read+in+2023 monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/roleplaying+games monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/read+in+2024 monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/tarot monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/social+media monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/poetry monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/witchcraft monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/news monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/ttrpgs monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/co-op+games monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/art monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/comics+and+graphic+novels monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/zines monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/the+nonbinarian+book+bike monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/nonfiction monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/book+review monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/sim+games monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/fat+liberation monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/food monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/fat+forward+books monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/ooblets monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/chronic+illness monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/style monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/queer+and+trans monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/puzzle+games monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/blog/tag/board+games monthly 0.5 https://theverbalthing.com/events daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-book-club-december-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/cbd2c183-f0d3-455f-8fd4-f3ebce9372aa/NBBC-DEC25.png Events - The Nonbinarian Book Club - December 2025 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/fat-forward-book-club-december-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/eed5a522-ab22-4594-b819-387920b03a29/FFB-BC-DEC25.png Events - Fat Forward Book Club - December 2025 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/fat-forward-book-club-november-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/c7eda14c-fd31-4acd-b4c7-6b6a246652d7/1125-Nov-Grid.png Events - Fat Forward Book Club - November 2025 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/pikes-peak-zine-fest-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/20e0f075-9f90-4efc-be71-d8b247c3537a/PPZF_2025_Poster.png Events - Pikes Peak Zine Fest 2025 - Make it stand out Pikes Peak Zine Fest 2025 poster https://theverbalthing.com/events/read-fat-books-august-2025-workshop monthly 0.5 2025-08-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/883c95fe-8e05-49a0-8902-0b8407954db5/49.png Events - Read Fat Books Workshop - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/fat-forward-book-club-september-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-08-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/a0303c11-84ff-4e22-9700-a2ecc5c28bad/0925-Sep-Grid.png Events - Fat Forward Book Club - September 2025 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-book-club-august-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/d2d3e81c-a61e-41fc-b2f9-7cfb0965249c/BCAug25.png Events - The Nonbinarian Book Club - August 2025 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-book-club-september-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1db0498e-d957-415b-95d9-5812d686be9e/BCSep25.png Events - The Nonbinarian Book Club - September 2025 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/fat-forward-book-club-august-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-08-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/f63ea4e9-cc1b-43be-ba17-6a8e813312b0/0825-Aug-Grid.png Events - Fat Forward Book Club - August 2025 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/fat-forward-book-club-october-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-09-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/79c2d897-1167-4d26-a9a3-112e9fa1a73d/1025-Oct-Grid.png Events - Fat Forward Book Club - October 2025 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/queer-zest-zine-fest-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/b327ed33-b5d2-43dd-8ede-33ba5425e054/QZZF.png Events - Queer Zest Zine Fest 2025 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/denver-zine-fest-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/d9b89a84-2a2b-42a6-90d5-7bb0e09abbce/Screen+Shot+2025-06-26+at+3.59.32+PM.png Events - Denver Zine Fest 2025 - Make it stand out Denver Zine Fest 2025 poster by Fawn Prince https://theverbalthing.com/events/publish-her-anthology-dear-body-launch-party monthly 0.5 2024-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/259d7eb0-d0d2-4ece-ba89-1cebcc33cfeb/Publish+Her+Anthology+-+Dear+Body+thumbnail.png Events - Publish Her Anthology: Dear Body Launch Party - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/awp-2025 monthly 0.5 2024-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/5bd47148-1168-46dd-9e82-7b95fec6e25a/Fat+and+Queer+-+An+Anthology+of+Queer+and+Trans+Bodies+and+Lives+thumbnail.png Events - 2025 AWP Conference & Bookfair - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-bonus-birthday-book-club-october-2024 monthly 0.5 2024-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/7f7e1a0e-4db2-4ff5-b1c5-981537c0a548/The+Low+Low+Woods.jpg Events - The Non-BOO-narian Book Club: October 2024 - Bonus Birthday Meeting! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-book-club-september-2024-96wcx-rfg65-cna37 monthly 0.5 2024-08-27 https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-book-club-september-2024-96wcx-rfg65 monthly 0.5 2024-08-27 https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-book-club-october-2024 monthly 0.5 2024-10-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/cf831f9d-1b4c-481d-aca2-83434dbfadb1/Ten+Bridges+I%27ve+Burnt+by+Brontz+Purnell.jpg Events - The Nonbinarian Book Club: October 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-book-club-september-2024 monthly 0.5 2024-09-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/3f73c435-7060-4922-98c5-9240d0a40dfc/Gender+Queer+by+Maia+Kobabe.jpg Events - The Nonbinarian Book Club: September 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-tandem-talk-fat-liberation-month monthly 0.5 2024-08-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1665963202023-DNS07F60HU3LT0KGYPLZ/IMG_1513.jpeg Events - Fat Liberation Month Nonbinarian Tandem Talk in Partnership with NAAFA - Make it stand out Samantha Puc https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-tandem-talk-michael-waters monthly 0.5 2024-08-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/66648b38-6837-490e-9e05-1a5480622c70/Michael+Waters+pic_Xander+Opiyo.jpg Events - Nonbinarian Tandem Talk with Michael Waters - Make it stand out Michael Waters photographed by Xander Opiyo https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-tandem-talk-casey-mcquiston monthly 0.5 2024-08-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/0bc1807d-1dd4-42cd-b4ca-bfdef13503e1/casey+mcquiston+headshot+sylvie+rosokoff+2024.jpg Events - Nonbinarian Tandem Talk with Casey McQuiston - Make it stand out Casey McQuiston photographed by Sylvie Rosokoff https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-book-club-august-2024 monthly 0.5 2024-08-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1f6b962b-d63f-41a0-9f9c-468b9ab0582e/The+Pairing+by+Casey+McQuiston.jpg Events - The Nonbinarian Book Club: August 2024 - Make it stand out Cover of The Pairing by Casey McQuiston https://theverbalthing.com/events/nonbinarian-book-club-july-2024 monthly 0.5 2024-08-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/518d0acf-b2f4-41f4-b958-29f2f1084691/Disability++Intimacy.jpg Events - The Nonbinarian Book Club: July 2024 - Make it stand out Cover of Disability Intimacy: Essays on Love, Care, and Desire edited by Alice Wong https://theverbalthing.com/events/denver-zine-fest-2024 monthly 0.5 2025-06-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/1721527070035-5SR08IXJIATQ62PNEOCR/Denver+Zine+Fest+2024+poster+by+Dylan+Edwards.png Events - Denver Zine Fest - Make it stand out Denver Zine Fest 2024 official poster by Dylan Edwards https://theverbalthing.com/contact daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://theverbalthing.com/press daily 0.75 2026-01-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/0abeb0b9-25f2-46b2-aba4-af09f391572a/Input+Mag.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/989d7256-ea9e-4f89-bdcb-bc27843a3619/REI+Co-Op.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/46a2f122-7656-4d51-9410-355023ffa395/Into.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/5c1ad03e-ecbe-4728-913e-0323039213a8/Moneyish.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/959bf144-5120-45df-84c2-92609d6b756b/them.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/fe43f742-be4c-4714-9eda-e710b9945550/Kickstarter.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/0ccc002d-1fef-4d83-8499-36142239bb01/NBC+News.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/063a8390-6f7f-4bf2-b05a-f9089f3fdf5f/Sydney+Morning+Herald.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/869e668d-8909-4dd7-9007-d1627ff97bf2/Outside.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/83ed6be5-f740-4164-85f4-daf514b5541b/Buzzfeed+News.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/d5dd854b-a0b5-4e1c-8c6e-328077644617/They+Came+to+Slay.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/737815f4-9dc3-4904-878f-f78f6d55d731/Bookworm+Reads.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/2136b948-de0b-4787-8e0c-740e76aa24d2/Microsoft+Xbox+Pride+2021.png https://theverbalthing.com/bylines daily 0.75 2026-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/b8406f7e-b3f3-45d7-af95-31f5e9e4dc3f/The+Beat+logo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/fd44022c-b352-4e49-9d36-d443fe83224c/K-Comics+Beat+logo+%28black%29.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/8aae9374-3b25-4208-9290-8fc2e33ac7fd/Publishers+Weekly+logo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/d7e8ceed-9ef6-4371-a0c8-69f01f3a546c/RT_CRITIC_TM_BADGE.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/4b36bcc1-c740-4f52-8827-63c84dcfc713/Will+Eisner+Comic+Industry+Awards+Winner.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/bc77211f-78a7-4cdd-8b07-650c1b2e8447/NLGJA+logo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/7f27375e-a240-4a32-8c3f-6bc6f90f95c3/Authors+Against+Book+Bans+logo.png https://theverbalthing.com/books daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/5bd47148-1168-46dd-9e82-7b95fec6e25a/Fat+and+Queer+-+An+Anthology+of+Queer+and+Trans+Bodies+and+Lives+thumbnail.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/3c8363f8-eb83-4a6c-994e-97602ebcc1b2/The+Cyclista+Zine+Collection+thumbnail.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/259d7eb0-d0d2-4ece-ba89-1cebcc33cfeb/Publish+Her+Anthology+-+Dear+Body+thumbnail.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/9b2af0d8-545e-4264-8da8-ebee2d9d9e5b/One+to+Watch+by+Kate+Stayman-London.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/4e39afe2-79ae-421a-aa93-63c680ed0c31/Wake+the+Bones+by+Elizabeth+Kilcoyne.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/6930ab2d-6495-4382-99da-12742ce45a1f/Caraway+-+Tales+of+Lucidity+by+Angeline+Meyer.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/8c58f128-9ab6-4505-814f-ed9ddde468dc/Fat+Folks+Tarot+-+The+Guidebook.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/f9316c89-b252-44af-91c7-7578c5b912cd/Extra+Large+by+Tyler+Page.png https://theverbalthing.com/speaking-appearances daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/6be0c07c-c0e1-4e62-8b16-5faa63ce5adb/Instagram+Live.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/52ca6ac6-20e3-4828-a435-549e996d6446/panelist-icon.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/0ab6f2ed-c624-4ba4-8e1d-4ad5a384df05/podcast-mic.png https://theverbalthing.com/blog-old daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://theverbalthing.com/old daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/422d5bf6-dc19-4b72-bfab-d7f4d776bbc0/Samantha+Puc.png https://theverbalthing.com/ttrpgs daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/f160601b-c4b5-40a5-b27a-b34788185c84/Death2Divinity+character+splash.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/bf7c00e2-a73a-4c9e-ada4-84aefaf7c18d/IMG_2700.jpg https://theverbalthing.com/fat-and-queer-anthology daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/5bd47148-1168-46dd-9e82-7b95fec6e25a/Fat+and+Queer+-+An+Anthology+of+Queer+and+Trans+Bodies+and+Lives+thumbnail.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/f8f01f7d-1a2f-475c-b23a-5671b7d9104a/Fat+and+Queer+contributors+banner.jfif https://theverbalthing.com/publish-her-anthology-dear-body daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/259d7eb0-d0d2-4ece-ba89-1cebcc33cfeb/Publish+Her+Anthology+-+Dear+Body+thumbnail.png https://theverbalthing.com/one-to-watch-kate-stayman-london daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/9b2af0d8-545e-4264-8da8-ebee2d9d9e5b/One+to+Watch+by+Kate+Stayman-London.png https://theverbalthing.com/wake-the-bones-elizabeth-kilcoyne daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/4e39afe2-79ae-421a-aa93-63c680ed0c31/Wake+the+Bones+by+Elizabeth+Kilcoyne.png https://theverbalthing.com/caraway-tales-of-lucidity-angeline-meyer daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/6930ab2d-6495-4382-99da-12742ce45a1f/Caraway+-+Tales+of+Lucidity+by+Angeline+Meyer.png https://theverbalthing.com/fat-folks-tarot daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/8c58f128-9ab6-4505-814f-ed9ddde468dc/Fat+Folks+Tarot+-+The+Guidebook.png https://theverbalthing.com/cyclista-zine-collection daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/3c8363f8-eb83-4a6c-994e-97602ebcc1b2/The+Cyclista+Zine+Collection+thumbnail.png https://theverbalthing.com/extra-large-tyler-page daily 0.75 2025-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/f9316c89-b252-44af-91c7-7578c5b912cd/Extra+Large+by+Tyler+Page.png https://theverbalthing.com/about daily 1.0 2025-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/fbf54be2-5cc7-46b8-a2c2-22a2fdef9f85/Samantha+Puc+photo+by+Sara+Century.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/603efb4e627a1672f64ffbb2/dcc2e4b9-93d2-4d38-bf15-7d5be7b14806/FFB-logo-tpbg.png https://theverbalthing.com/fat-forward-books-winter-reading-challenge daily 0.75 2026-01-05 https://theverbalthing.com/2026-fat-forward-books-submission daily 0.75 2026-01-05