January 2025
This month’s newsletter is mostly about books! There’s also a recipe at the end. The rest of this intro talks about current events in the US; if you need to skip it, head straight to the book section & I’ll see you next month <3
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As so often happens, in times of stress & uncertainty, I turned to Ursula K. Le Guin this week. This speech hit me me pretty hard, particularly:
I see a public library as the toolshed, the warehouse, concert hall, temple, Capitol of imagination — of moral good. So here — right here where we are, right now — is where America stands or falls. Can we still imagine ourselves as free? If not, we have lost our freedom.
Whew. Alright then. I’ve been turned upside down, shaken a bit, and I’m ready to go.
Right now, I’ve been asking myself two questions. First, what’s something I can do today to help someone else? It could be donating, giving food, time, or supplies, promoting diverse voices, or supporting friends and loved ones. Second, what’s something I can do today to take care of myself? Sometimes I need to have a no news day, or go outside. Sometimes I need to read something (like Le Guin) that challenges me a bit. For me, this is a bit different than self-care, in that it’s more focused on restoration and growth.
Your list may look very different, but for me, the key is to focus on small, sustainable, and concrete actions. With donations and volunteering, I’m specifically trying to focus on local places: mutual aid societies, LGBTQIA centers, immigrant welcome centers, food pantries, etc. I also love prisonculture’s journal prompts to help narrow down which issues you’re going to focus on and what steps to take. We can’t actually take on the entirety of the world’s problems, but we can at least find our corner to sit down and fight.
For me, part of what I’m fighting for is libraries, of course. If you’re not sure why, I wrote a quick overview in 2022 that, sadly, is already far out of date. It also includes action steps you can take to support your library and librarians. You can also find a list of action items from former librarian Kelly Jensen at Book Riot.
Here’s my favorite library moment this week: after school, I walked by a group of tweens who were very intently playing with the oversize fruit stacker we bought for babies. Older kids so rarely get a chance to be playful, or be welcome in a public space, and I’m glad they felt the freedom to do that with us. Meanwhile, a family negotiated the price of pretend baked goods at our bakery themed dramatic play stand, and another family checked out a stack of books.
There’s plenty to critique about libraries, from the racial barrier in library staffing to the predominance of vocational awe. But in these moments, I remember that we’re also fighting for something, and that’s the simple chance to give people the space to grow and connect.
Books
This month, I'm focusing on upcoming middle grade sci-fi & fantasy releases. Next month, I plan to talk about my favorite reads of 2025 so far!
February
A World Worth Saving by Kyle Lukoff (lbgtqia, fantasy) 2/4/25
Space Chasers by Leland Melvin (graphic novel, science fiction) 2/4/25
What Fell from the Sky by Adrianna Cuevas (historical, science fiction) 2/11/25
The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay by Mary Averling (fantasy, horror) 2/11/25
The Labyrinth of Souls by Leslie Vedder (fantasy) 2/11/25
Cassi and the House of Memories by Dean Stuart (graphic novel, fantasy) 2/18/25
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman (fantasy, mystery) 2/25/25
March
The Deadly Fates (Conjureverse #3) by Dhonielle Clayton (fantasy) 3/4/25
A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill (graphic novel, fantasy, romance) 3/4/25
Paper Dragons #2: The Rise of the Sand Spirits by Siobhan McDermott (fantasy) 3/11/25
Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna (fantasy) 3/11/25
April
The Heron Princess (Legendarios #4) by Karla Arenas Valenti (fantasy) 4/1/25
The Dragon's Apprentice by James Riley (fantasy) 4/1/25
Unboxing Libby by Steph Cherrywell (science fiction) 4/1/25
Ghost Scout's Honor by Carey Blankenship-Kramer (horror) 4/1/25
Storm Singer by Sarwat Chadda (fantasy) 4/15/25
Beetle & the Chimera Carnival (The Beetle Books) by Aliza Layne (graphic novel, fantasy) 4/29/25
Sea Swept (Sisters Ever After) by Lean Cypess (fantasy, fairy tales) 4/29/25
Dreamslinger (Slinger) by Graci Kim (fantasy, science fiction) 4/29/25
Keynan Masters and the Remixed Monster by DaVaun Sanders (fantasy) 4/29/25
Recipe
Double Onion Dill Muffins
Adapted from Whole Grain Vegan Baking
3 T plus 1 t oil
1 c minced onion
¼ t garlic
1 c vegan milk
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 ¼ c almond flour
½ c oat flour
¼ c chickpea flour
¼ c minced scallion
2 t baking powder
1 T flax
¾ t fine sea salt
2 t minced fresh dill
¼ t ground cayenne
Preheat oven to 375*F. Lightly grease muffin tin. Heat 1 t oil. Add onion & garlic. Cook, stirring, until softened, 3 min. Let cool. Combine milk, vinegar, & remaining 3 T oil in small bowl. Stir with fork. Combine flours, scallion, baking powder, salt, dill & black pepper. Stir in onion. Pour wet ingredients into dry & stir to combine. Spoon into muffin pan. Bake 18-20 min, until tests clean.
Where to find me
I’ll leave you with another snippet of Le Guin and hope that you can find a way to celebrate “the invaluable unruliness of literature, the essential liberty of the imagination.”
Until next time,
Maureen