- I know we all dislike calling books "must-read" books, but if ever that term should be applied to a book, it's WE DO THIS TIL WE FREE US.
- This book is a collection of articles, essays and interviews written over several years about prison abolition and cases that brought attention to the movement.
- Kaba is clear that change will not happen overnight, but equally clear that if we continue to accept the current system because it's what we have "in the meantime" while we wait for others to make change we will never get anywhere.
- It really shows you how, even if you consider yourself knowledgeable about and/or a supporter of abolition, this system is so deeply ingrained in our worldview and that's what makes it seem like gradual reforms would work better than complete abolition. It's simply hard to imagine uprooting a system that touches so many aspects of our lives, but it is the only way forward. 

Thanks to Doubleday Books for the free advance copy of this book.

- SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE TYPING is one of the most absurd books I've ever read and I loved every minute of it. It's told entirely through Slack chats, but I think you'll get it even if you've never used that platform.
- Gerald's company is a PR firm, and as someone who works in digital marketing, some of the jokes were a liiiiitle too real, wow yikes!
- It's hilarious in the way that having an existential crisis is...does that make sense? I promise it's fun, please read it and then report back about what you think using the :dusty stick: emoji implies.
- Also, now I'm going to worry about Slackbot gaining consciousness forever, thanks. 

 - Jasmine Guillory's books get better and better with each release. In her early books I found the dialogue quite stilted, but now everything flows and the people and their conversations feel real.
- I loved the slight twist on the fake dating trope here - they were sleeping together and maybe dating, and then turned it into publicly fake dating, and I'm sure you know the drill from there.
- Anna and Ben were both just such sweet and lovely people. This is one to pick up when you need something gentle.
- Along with that, though, are some good discussions about anxiety and about being a famous fat Black person. 

Thanks to Atria Books for the free advance copy of this book.

- QUEER SCREAMING HELP I LOVE IT SO MUCH!
- Like, I cannot even cram all the things I loved about this book into an Instagram caption. A Bachelor-type show! A hopeless romantic! Queer love! Discussions of asexuality as a spectrum! Depictions of anxiety, depression, panic disorders and OCD that feel real! Pansexual, bisexual, lesbian, and nonbinary secondary characters! Banter! Two leads falling in love with each other through actually talking and getting to know and support each other! Repeated emphasis on the idea that you deserve to be loved for your whole self and not in spite of your mental illnesses!
- On a personal level, THE CHARM OFFENSIVE is the only book I've ever read where I saw my own queer experience written on the page. Confusion about why no sexual orientation label ever seemed correct to you? Check. Someone else pointing out that you might be asexual? Check. Just so much about Charlie. He has my whole heart. Omg, I'm gonna cry again just thinking about it. Thank you for this book, Alison Cochrun. 

 - BOYFRIEND MATERIAL is the kind of book that feels like a warm hug. Who doesn't love working through childhood trauma with banter and hijinks?
- Honestly I keep trying to think of more smart words to put here and wind up just sort of waving my arms around with how much I loved it. It's all the best things about romance novels.
- Plus, some truly hilarious secondary characters. I would read a whole book on Alex bumbling through his office job.
- Also, the audiobook is fantastic.