This Week: March 8th

News and Updates

As this post goes live, I’ll be heading home from a cozy, much‑needed reading retreat in the North Georgia mountains. The weekend was the perfect mix of quiet planning for the months ahead and curling up with good books while the rain tapped at the windows—truly the best kind of reset. I also made a special stop at Bookmiser in Marietta on my way north; they reopened last weekend after months of repairs following fire damage. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend stopping by and showing them some love—supporting our local bookstores always feels extra meaningful.

This Week

Greek mythology has always held my attention and this week, we’re exploring a story I wasn’t that familiar with.

Monthly Reading Challenge: Fairytales and Folklore

Weekly Reading Challenge: Mythology

As the Argonauts set sail on their legendary quest for the Golden Fleece, a stranger appears and demands passage. She’s a master archer—an undeniable asset to the crew—but she’s also a woman, something considered unwelcome aboard the ship. After proving her skill and earning her place, Atalanta begins forging bonds with the Argonauts, both friendly and romantic. Yet beneath every connection lies a hard truth: Atalanta can never marry, or risk the wrath of the goddess Artemis.

Abandoned at birth for not being the son her family wanted, Atalanta was raised, protected, and trained by Artemis herself. Fiercely independent and uninterested in traditional gender roles, she embodies an early, mythic version of anything you can do, I can do better. This bold reimagining of the legend centers a heroine who refuses to be sidelined—and I can’t wait to dive deeper into her story later this week.

If you’re looking for other great books for this prompt, try one of these reads recommended by our StoryGraph community:

Circe – Madeline Miller
Gods of Jade and Shadow – Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer – Rick Riordan
The Song of Achilles – Madeline Miller
The Witch’s Heart – Genevieve Gornichec

New This week

None of our early review books are releasing this week, but I do have one book on order at my local bookstore!

In small-town Alabama, most public servants have two jobs – one for the government and one in their family business. That’s exactly the case for Judge Mary Stone who spends her time off the bench on her family farm. Usually, it’s easy to balance the two worlds, but her latest case of life and death is taking all her attention – and that of the entire state.

What could possibly be better than pairing the king of crime thrillers on the pages with the queen of legal dramas on the small screen? I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the news of this partnership! I love both Davis and Patterson for different reasons and cannot wait to read their book!

In Case You Missed It

Last Week’s Prompt

Zinnia has always loved Sleeping Beauty, so for her 21^st birthday, her best friend Charm has set out to throw the ultimate princess party including the spinning wheel complete with spindle. Zinnia has been terminally ill for years and shouldn’t live to see 22 so this must be an extra special celebration. But, when true to the fairytale, Zinnia pricks her fingertip on the spindle, she is suddenly transported into a different realm…with another Sleeping Beauty.

I give A Spindle Splintered 4.1 out of 5 stars. It is the first in a duology of fairytale retellings from Alix E. Harrow. Known for her fantasy writing, Harrow plays with the folklore we all know so well around the Sleeping Beauty fairytale while building a narrative all her own. Part A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and part the scene in Shrek the Third when Fiona organizes the princesses for a rebellion, this book delivers a story of strong women working together for a common good. The book also includes great representation for the LGBTQ community.

Last Week’s Articles

I’m especially excited about this month’s prompts. Folklore has long been a personal fascination of mine—I even wrote a term paper on Appalachian folklore and superstitions years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. This month’s prompt immediately brought to mind the animated fairytales many of us grew up with, alongside the Irish shanties and lively jigs I’ve always loved.

In last week’s article, I shared some great book suggestions for the fairytales and folklore prompts this month, along with our reading playlist for March. I’ve been enjoying that playlist all weekend on my retreat and I’m here to say it is fantastic! Check if your favorite fairytale or myth made the list and grab that playlist here.

Last Week’s Preview

Jenny Lawson’s books always feel like sitting down with the funniest, most honest friend who actually gets what it’s like to live with mental illness. Her newest, How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay, is full of practical compassion for the days when your brain just won’t cooperate. I laughed out loud, highlighted constantly, and kept stopping to read passages to my husband. The ADHD ping-ponging between deep thoughts and quick asides made me feel so seen.

I gave this a perfect 5 stars and especially loved her unforgettable hippopotamus analogy (you’ll know it when you get there). Gentle note: this book talks frankly about mental health. Check in with yourself before diving in and read when you have the capacity.

Reading Challenge Prompts

I’m especially excited about this month’s prompts. Folklore has long been a personal fascination of mine—I even wrote a term paper on Appalachian folklore and superstitions years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner and all the rich folklore tied to it, this feels like the perfect moment to dive in. Whether you’re drawn to old legends, modern retellings, or a bit of magic in between, these recommendations are a great place to start—and yes, I’ll absolutely be wearing green.

This Week: March 8th

News and Updates

This Week