May 2026 Roundup
Book Reviews, Film Reviews, & Shout Outs
Hello!
Welcome to the end of May. Welcome to a few new subscribers. Here’s what you can expect from this newsletter. Many posts are free, but there are some paid/hybrid posts where some content is for my paid subscribers.
Analysis on opening chapters of novels from various genres—free
Short Book Reviews (and occasionally film)—free
Shoutouts (new!) for new prose & poetry publications—free
Writing Tips—paid/hybrid
Links to my latest publications at the end of every post
Shameless plugs for my writing/editing services
P.S. When I link to books, I usually do so through Bookshop.org because they support independent bookstores. Read how it works. Or, I’ll let you know if it is available on Project Guttenburg or another free archive. Don’t forget Libby, your digital library app.
Spiffy button, huh? And don’t forget I’m now open for feedback submissions.
Book Reviews
Love That For Us by Chen Chen and Sam Herschel Wein. This is a book of poetry that celebrates all things kooky and queer. It’s fun and beautiful. One of the poems can be read to the tune of “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion.
Time is a Mother by Ocean Vuong. A collection of poetry about being, about self, and about grief. Very beautiful, as always with Vuong’s poetry.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid, read by Candance Thaxton. As usual, I’m a decade behind. I watched the movie adaptation on Netflix and had to read it. As is the case with adaptations, it’s quite different from the book. The general plot is the same, but the way it is portrayed is different. I enjoyed the film. It did a great job of recursion and making me feel uneasy. The book also made me feel uneasy, and there were moments in the book that felt scarier than the film—though this is not a horror novel. I’m going to have to read it again. It’s a trip. Trigger warning as there are occasionally thoughts of suicide.
Scream With Me: Horror Films and the Rise of American Feminism (1968-1980) by Eleanor Johnson, read by Andi Arndt with the author. Summary from bookshop.org “Johnson reveals how classics like Rosemary’s Baby, The Exorcist, and The Shining expose and critique issues of reproductive control, domestic violence, and patriarchal oppression.” It’s a brilliant look at how horror is and always has been deep and political. She also has a special section discussing the irony that some of these films are directed by abusive males. Even if you don’t like horror or haven’t seen these movies, learning about the historical impact these films had on women’s rights is facinating, so I highly recommend reading it.
Several Issues of One Story, the Pop-Up Prompted issue of Trash Cat Lit (featuring me & several other authors I admire), Rattle’s daily poem right in my inbox, and many other things I have forgotten.
Film Review
Obsession (2026) written and directed by Curry Baker. Honestly 10/10 no notes. It is an amazing horror film and it pairs perfectly with reading Scream With Me, both for the domestic horror and for the nod to The Exorcist in one scene. Too often we hear about the “nice guy” who would never hurt anyone. Well, here’s a nice guy who just wants a girl to like him. Right? It’s a billiant take on the “nice guy” trope and highlights the theme of consent. It’s unsettling and dark. Yet, there were moments everyone in the theater laughed because Baker knows how to relieve some tension to make everything all the more terrifying. And Inde Navarrette (Nikki) deserves all the acting awards for her performance.
I Love Boosters (2026) written and directed by Boots Riley. I had not seen the previous Riley film. I had no idea what I was really walking into. The plot is simple—a group a woman steal designer clothes and sell them at a discounted price for a profit. But the plot becomes a delightfully wacky commentary on the perils of designer clothes, worker’s rights, sweat shops, and billionaires (and a few more things). Don’t ever let anyone tell you to pick a genre, to not be wacky. The cinematopgraphy in this film is brilliant, both for the color and the perspectives. And don’t discount anyone—one person knows way more about science than you’d expect. It also has a great opening scene. And let’s not forget that Demi Moore has come out in support of AI, making her villain role a bit more meta than perhaps intended.
My Brilliant Friend
I’ve taken inspiration from the fabulous Elena Ferrante and added a new section to the monthly roundup emails. In this section, I’ll celebrate my brilliant friends’ acheivements—publications and more!
Here’s what I have this month!
Chris Bonafede’s newest short film is live on YouTube. California 330 follows a police officer as she battles her gambling addiction and tries to reconnect with family members. It packs a lot in under 10 minutes.
Christina Tudor has multiple publications this month, such as There’s Something So Deeply Human About That. She also has a chap book coming out later this year, and I get to interview her for it!
Ani King (they/them) has another flash piece, It’s Not Called a Miscarriage if You’re a Horse. And hold on to the reins, because I’m going to interview Ani about their upcoming collection of flash fiction Family Night, out in October 2026! Subscribe so you don’t miss it!
Kuhu Joshi’s poem “Nat Geo says migration is a natural phenomenon, fascinating humans for centuries, and important to ecosystem health” was published in The Berlin Review. Joshi also offers virtual poetry classes for those interested. Her book of poems My Body Didn’t Come Before Me is available to purchase. And an interview with her is forthcoming.
Wildscape Literary Journal issue 6 has published gems from several people I know and admire. While you should check out the whole, bitter-sweet issue, here are my 3 shout-outs. Ella B. Winters, Christina Tudor, and Pip McGough.
Trash Cat Lit is so author friendly. JP Relph, the EIC, puts so much work into each author’s page. In addition to a bio and a special animal-themed author photo, she links to 2 other publications from the author and mentions if they have books published. (Prompted Stories Pop-Up Spring 2026) features fun micro fiction. For “Prompted” submitters are given a random setting, character type, and theme. Here are my shout-outs: Hayley Shucker (oh, that’s me!) & Beth Sherman.
Issue 23 of Stanchion featuring me, plus several other authors I enjoy reading: Stephen Roberts, Cole Beauchamp, and Linda M. Bayley. (Linda M. Bayley also has a piece coming out in Stanchion’s online exclusive content)
Are you a brilliant friend of mine? Let me know! Are you brilliant but we’re not friends yet? Let’s be friends!
Coming Soon!
A First Chapter’s analysis of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Now a film on Netflix.
“5 More Reasons Your Stories are Being Rejected.” Read the first post and Subscribe below!
My Latest Publications
“All the Tomorrows,” microfiction, print, Stanchion issue 23, June 2026
“Alice Should Have Known Better,” microfiction, Trash Cat Lit, May 2026
“Serendipity” + 4 poems, poetry, Blood + Honey Lit Mag, Feb. 2026
“When You Find the Secret Tunnel Hidden Behind the Panel,” flash fiction, A Curious Moon Issue 2, Dec. 2025
“Kaleidoscope,” micro fiction, Silly Goose Press Issue 6, Nov. 2025
“New Yorkers,” flash fiction, Etched Onyx Issue 18, Sept. 2025
I've got several author interviews lined up and I'm excited to share their work with y'all!