Ep. 196: New Year, Fresh Reads with Sweetpea Flaherty

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EQ: What books or trends do you think will define the reading experience for 2025, both for individual readers and the community your bookstore serves?

Today, we are back with the one and only Sweetpea Flaherty of King’s Books in Tacoma. Sweepea talks us through anticipated book releases for this spring. Get something to write with, because you’re going to want to take notes!

Support Bookstores

Support Libraries:

Nonfiction:

  • Dark Laboratory: On Columbus, the Caribbean, and the Origins of the Climate Crisis by Tao Leigh Goffe

  • Strike : Labor, Unions, and Resistance in the Roman Empire by Sarah E Bond

  • Authority by Andrea Long Chu

Memoir/Biography

  • Harder I Fight the More I Love You by Neko Case

  • Rachel Carson and the Power of Queer Love by Lida Maxwell

Picture Books

  • Make a Pretty Sound : A Story of Ella Jenkins—The First Lady of Children's Music by Traci N. Todd, Eleanor Davis

  • Make Your Mark : The Empowering True Story of the First Known Black Female Tattoo Artist by Jacci Gresham, Sherry Fellores

  • Yáadilá! : Good Grief! by Laurel Goodluck, Jonathan Nelson

  • Rise Up!: Powerful Protests in American History by Rachel C. Katz, Sophie Bass

Teen

  • They Bloom at Night by Tran Thanh Tran

Poetry

  • Strange Beach by Oluwaseun Olayiwola

  • Eternal Dice by César Vallejo

  • Buzzkill Clamshell  by Amber Dawn

Fiction

  • Life of Herod the Great by Zora Neale Hurston

  • Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

  • Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee

  • Listen to Your Sister by Neena Vel

  • Stag Dance by Torrey Peters

  • Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones

Great Gifts

  • Black in Blues : How a Color Tells the Story of My People by Imani Perry

  • Bookstore Romance : Love Speaks Volumes by Judith Rosen

Ep. 190: Intersectional Story-Telling & Why Anger is Healthy with Author Sonora Reyes

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EQ: How do stories that center queer and Latinx identities challenge mainstream narratives in literature, and what role do they play in fostering greater understanding and representation across both young adult and adult genres?

In this episode of IWL, we are joined by author Sonora Reyes. Sonora is most known for their hit YA novels The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School and The Luis Ortega Survival Club. We get personal with Sonora about how their unique identities influence their stories and the importance of staying authentic when representing complex, intersectional characters.

We also talk about how queer and Latinx stories are reshaping mainstream narratives in literature—both in young adult and adult genres. Sonora shares their writing process, from balancing genres to what’s inspiring them right now, and how community plays a center role in their writing. We learn more (and geek out about) their upcoming Adult Romance novel The Broposal.

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Sonora: Self-Care App: Finch

  • Hope/Annie: Please support Sonora’s work by purchasing and sharing their books (support your local bookstores!)