Now, I know, I know. You\u2019ve been on the edge of your seats, waiting for Book 10, but in between drafting intense chapters, I felt a pull\u2014a whimsical Halloweeny pull. And voila! This haunting tale was born. And let me clarify: this isn\u2019t some fleeting ghost of a novella. Oh no, this is a full-bodied apparition of a book, matching stride with all its Starstruck siblings in terms of length and adventure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Into the Sallyverse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/readcommendations.files.wordpress.com\/2023\/10\/sallyverse-tagline.jpg?w=640\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen Zander winds up trapped in an alternate reality where his doppelg\u00e4nger left a little more than just memories behind, Sally is on a ghostly mission to break him out. But why is she suddenly incorporeal? And how exactly do you babysit your boisterous alternate family?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nBack home, a reality TV ghost-hunting squad has caught wind of some spectral activities, and Blayde must employ more than just wit and spunk to hide the interdimensional portal they inadvertently opened. Between ghostly pranks and portal cover-ups, it\u2019s all in a day\u2019s work.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn the Sallyverse, it\u2019s a heart-pounding race against realities. Time is ticking down, and as they delve deeper into the layers of the multiverse, they\u2019re faced with the chilling realization that reminder that alternate choices can lead to very real consequences.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nTake me to your reader!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nHappy Spoo<\/s>Booktober!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Into the Sallyverse<\/a><\/em> is your ultimate Halloween reading treat. Chock-full of suspense, laughter, and those uncanny moments that make your spine tingle, it\u2019s the ideal companion for those cozy October nights, wrapped up in a blanket with a cup of pumpkin-spiced whatever-your-heart-desires.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile the epic journey of Book 10 is still on the horizon (and oh, what a horizon it is!), think of this as your delightful, haunted hors d\u2019oeuvre\u2014a bit of ghostly fun to tide you over till the main event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, light those autumn candles, cozy into your favorite reading spot, and dive headfirst into a world where things go bump in the multiverse night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc9c Introducing \u201cBeing Ace\u201d \ud83d\udc9c<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/readcommendations.files.wordpress.com\/2023\/10\/9781645679561-2.jpg?w=683\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe long-anticipated day is here! \u201cBeing Ace: An Anthology of Queer, Trans, Femme, and Disabled Stories of Asexual Love and Connection\u201d<\/a><\/em> has made its grand entrance, and what a splash it\u2019s making!<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis anthology isn\u2019t just a book\u2014it\u2019s a movement. A collaboration of fourteen brilliant authors from five countries, each thread of narrative intertwines to create a rich tapestry celebrating the diverse voices within the asexual community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My personal contribution to this anthology features Arty, an asexual Slayer channeling all the Buffy vibes. Battling both real-world monsters and societal expectations, Arty\u2019s story is one of many, each highlighting a different facet of the ace spectrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Discover the infinite realms of asexual love across sci-fi, fantasy, and contemporary stories<\/strong>
From a wheelchair user racing to save her kidnapped girlfriend and a little mermaid who loves her sisters more than suitors, to a slayer whose virgin blood keeps attracting monsters, the stories of this anthology are anything but conventional. Whether adventuring through space, outsmarting a vengeful water spirit, or surviving haunted cemeteries, no two aces are the same in these 14 unique works that highlight asexual romance, aromantic love, and identities across the asexual spectrum.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/readcommendations.files.wordpress.com\/2023\/10\/being-ace-kirkus-sltv.jpg?w=1024\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBeing Ace got a Kirkus Review!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And don\u2019t just take my word for it! The Kirkus Review praised the anthology for its rich tapestry of themes, from grief and resilience to self-esteem and queer joy, making it a haven for readers seeking intersectional ace representation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A multigenre anthology of short stories for teens that centers asexual protagonists.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nA teen Slayer who is repulsed by sex is the target of monsters attracted to her virginal blood\u2014until she deconstructs her community\u2019s buy-in of the heterosexist concept of virginity in \u201cSmells Like Teen Virgin\u201d by S.E. Anderson. In S.J. Taylor\u2019s \u201cThe Witch of Festa Falls,\u201d a girl living in 18th-century Norway is able to save her community from a fossegrim, a terrifying creature from folklore, because she\u2019s immune to his charms. \u201cThe Third Star\u201d by RoAnna Sylver follows an aro-ace, agender, autistic teen who is worried about their queerplatonic relationship when their two partners go through rough patches, all while surviving on an emergency craft in the depths of space. The Little Mermaid is rescued from the clutches of exploitation and finds an unexpectedly platonic alliance with a merman prince in Moniza Hossain\u2019s \u201cThe Mermaid\u2019s Sister.\u201d Themes of grief, community expectations, resilience, self-esteem, and queer joy are woven throughout this anthology. The stories range widely in tone and genre, although the majority are speculative. While some are immensely satisfying, others feel noticeably underdeveloped and rushed. But readers hungry for intersectional ace (and frequently also aro) representation will be pleased to see a range of queer identities, racial backgrounds, and disabilities (including a protagonist with hyperacusis and cerebral palsy who uses a power wheelchair).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nMay not take the whole cake, but asexual readers hungry for representation will find some outstanding pieces to dig into.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nBeing Ace<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\ud83c\udf89 A Pocketful of Adventure: \u201cStudy Night at the Museum\u201d \ud83c\udf89<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd just when you thought that was it for October, here\u2019s another delightful surprise: \u201cStudy Night at the Museum\u201d<\/a><\/em> is now available in a cozy 4\u00d76 paperback! This story, previously featured in the Unbound<\/em> anthology, has been reincarnated in this tangible format, complete with stunning artwork by the phenomenal Xenida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/readcommendations.files.wordpress.com\/2023\/10\/study-night-at-the-museum.jpg?w=640\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat\u2019s worse than finding a mummy in your breakroom? Finding one \u2013 then losing it.<\/strong>
When Kate is uprooted from her familiar world and thrust into a new school in a new town, all she wants is to get through her senior year unnoticed. Instead, she finds herself staying late in the eerie library of the Natural History Museum, unraveling the mysteries of ancient Egypt with a girl named Nat who is just as much an enigma.
But when a 5,000-year-old mummy with a sweet tooth for yogurt decides to join their late-night study sessions, bringing with it a mystery that defies logic and science, Kate and Nat are thrust into a spine-tingling race against time to avoid becoming a permanent exhibit themselves.
Can Kate and Nat outwit a menace five millennia in the making, or will they \u2013 like Kate\u2019s unopened textbooks \u2013 be left in the dust?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nWill Kate and Nat solve the mummy mystery before it\u2019s too late? Grab your copy and dive into their enchanting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen Zander winds up trapped in an alternate reality where his doppelg\u00e4nger left a little more than just memories behind, Sally is on a ghostly mission to break him out. But why is she suddenly incorporeal? And how exactly do you babysit your boisterous alternate family?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Back home, a reality TV ghost-hunting squad has caught wind of some spectral activities, and Blayde must employ more than just wit and spunk to hide the interdimensional portal they inadvertently opened. Between ghostly pranks and portal cover-ups, it\u2019s all in a day\u2019s work.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Sallyverse, it\u2019s a heart-pounding race against realities. Time is ticking down, and as they delve deeper into the layers of the multiverse, they\u2019re faced with the chilling realization that reminder that alternate choices can lead to very real consequences.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Take me to your reader!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Into the Sallyverse<\/a><\/em> is your ultimate Halloween reading treat. Chock-full of suspense, laughter, and those uncanny moments that make your spine tingle, it\u2019s the ideal companion for those cozy October nights, wrapped up in a blanket with a cup of pumpkin-spiced whatever-your-heart-desires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the epic journey of Book 10 is still on the horizon (and oh, what a horizon it is!), think of this as your delightful, haunted hors d\u2019oeuvre\u2014a bit of ghostly fun to tide you over till the main event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, light those autumn candles, cozy into your favorite reading spot, and dive headfirst into a world where things go bump in the multiverse night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The long-anticipated day is here! \u201cBeing Ace: An Anthology of Queer, Trans, Femme, and Disabled Stories of Asexual Love and Connection\u201d<\/a><\/em> has made its grand entrance, and what a splash it\u2019s making!<\/p>\n\n\n\n This anthology isn\u2019t just a book\u2014it\u2019s a movement. A collaboration of fourteen brilliant authors from five countries, each thread of narrative intertwines to create a rich tapestry celebrating the diverse voices within the asexual community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My personal contribution to this anthology features Arty, an asexual Slayer channeling all the Buffy vibes. Battling both real-world monsters and societal expectations, Arty\u2019s story is one of many, each highlighting a different facet of the ace spectrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Discover the infinite realms of asexual love across sci-fi, fantasy, and contemporary stories<\/strong> And don\u2019t just take my word for it! The Kirkus Review praised the anthology for its rich tapestry of themes, from grief and resilience to self-esteem and queer joy, making it a haven for readers seeking intersectional ace representation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A multigenre anthology of short stories for teens that centers asexual protagonists.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A teen Slayer who is repulsed by sex is the target of monsters attracted to her virginal blood\u2014until she deconstructs her community\u2019s buy-in of the heterosexist concept of virginity in \u201cSmells Like Teen Virgin\u201d by S.E. Anderson. In S.J. Taylor\u2019s \u201cThe Witch of Festa Falls,\u201d a girl living in 18th-century Norway is able to save her community from a fossegrim, a terrifying creature from folklore, because she\u2019s immune to his charms. \u201cThe Third Star\u201d by RoAnna Sylver follows an aro-ace, agender, autistic teen who is worried about their queerplatonic relationship when their two partners go through rough patches, all while surviving on an emergency craft in the depths of space. The Little Mermaid is rescued from the clutches of exploitation and finds an unexpectedly platonic alliance with a merman prince in Moniza Hossain\u2019s \u201cThe Mermaid\u2019s Sister.\u201d Themes of grief, community expectations, resilience, self-esteem, and queer joy are woven throughout this anthology. The stories range widely in tone and genre, although the majority are speculative. While some are immensely satisfying, others feel noticeably underdeveloped and rushed. But readers hungry for intersectional ace (and frequently also aro) representation will be pleased to see a range of queer identities, racial backgrounds, and disabilities (including a protagonist with hyperacusis and cerebral palsy who uses a power wheelchair).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n May not take the whole cake, but asexual readers hungry for representation will find some outstanding pieces to dig into.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Being Ace<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n And just when you thought that was it for October, here\u2019s another delightful surprise: \u201cStudy Night at the Museum\u201d<\/a><\/em> is now available in a cozy 4\u00d76 paperback! This story, previously featured in the Unbound<\/em> anthology, has been reincarnated in this tangible format, complete with stunning artwork by the phenomenal Xenida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s worse than finding a mummy in your breakroom? Finding one \u2013 then losing it.<\/strong> Will Kate and Nat solve the mummy mystery before it\u2019s too late? Grab your copy and dive into their enchanting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHappy
Spoo<\/s>Booktober!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udc9c Introducing \u201cBeing Ace\u201d \ud83d\udc9c<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
From a wheelchair user racing to save her kidnapped girlfriend and a little mermaid who loves her sisters more than suitors, to a slayer whose virgin blood keeps attracting monsters, the stories of this anthology are anything but conventional. Whether adventuring through space, outsmarting a vengeful water spirit, or surviving haunted cemeteries, no two aces are the same in these 14 unique works that highlight asexual romance, aromantic love, and identities across the asexual spectrum.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBeing Ace got a Kirkus Review!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\ud83c\udf89 A Pocketful of Adventure: \u201cStudy Night at the Museum\u201d \ud83c\udf89<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
When Kate is uprooted from her familiar world and thrust into a new school in a new town, all she wants is to get through her senior year unnoticed. Instead, she finds herself staying late in the eerie library of the Natural History Museum, unraveling the mysteries of ancient Egypt with a girl named Nat who is just as much an enigma.
But when a 5,000-year-old mummy with a sweet tooth for yogurt decides to join their late-night study sessions, bringing with it a mystery that defies logic and science, Kate and Nat are thrust into a spine-tingling race against time to avoid becoming a permanent exhibit themselves.
Can Kate and Nat outwit a menace five millennia in the making, or will they \u2013 like Kate\u2019s unopened textbooks \u2013 be left in the dust?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n