Ok besties,

Writing this means spilling the beans on some upcoming content, but at the risk of my idea getting out there, I had to tell y'all about my most recent audiobook experience.

First, let me set the scene. I just finished The Calamity Club and was in my feels. Upon reflection, I realized it made me nostalgic for another book, perhaps an even better one. Memory casts a golden glow over past positive reading experiences, giving them a shine that might not be as accurate as one might hope.

Well, I thought long and hard about it and ultimately decided that I had to know if The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood was as good as I remembered. For years, I told everyone this book was my favorite novel. I read this book in my youth (prob late teens) and felt it deeply in my old soul. But would it be as good as I remembered?

So, I checked out the audiobook on Libby and dove into the familiar world of the famous Ya-Yas of Thornton, Louisiana. I knew almost instantly that the choice to listen was the CORRECT choice. Narrator Judith Ivey was PERFECT for this role. Her Southern drawl and perfectly accented French drew you right into Vivi's mind and heart. Before long, I couldn't put it down, making up chores that must get done this instant.

Totally transportive with bright, vivid characters, this book is perfect for fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey, Elin Hilderbrand, Mary Kay Andrews, or Kathryn Stockett. The book follows 40 y/o Siddalee Walker as she sets out on a quest to unearth enough old hurts to better understand why she had such cold feet about marrying her beau, Connor. Her complicated relationship with her melodramatic mother, Vivi Abbott Walker, might have something to do with it. To better understand herself, she must first learn more about her mother's colorful history, rich with both bright and dark tones. So, she asks her mother to part with the one thing that might help: The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, otherwise known as her scrapbook.

Sidda soon discovers the images and scraps of information in the scrapbook aren't enough to fill in all the blanks. Luckily, her mother's lifelong girlfriends show up with champagne, pecan treats, and endless stories. What Sidda learns about her mother, and eventually herself, is life-changing.

As expected, this book thoroughly entertained me. I laughed, I cried, I got lost in memory, and I felt all the feelings. And unlike The Calamity Club, I got the MOST satisfaction from the ending. Full of nuggets of wisdom and Southernisms, The Divine Secrets is the type of book that reflects images of yourself and the women in your life. Mothers and daughters are the main focus, but woven throughout is a love story unlike any other: the story of four best friends madly in love with each other. No, not that kind of love. A purer type of love exists in the pages of this book.

While my own mother wasn't as wealthy as Vivi, she lived out loud, just like her friends and many of my friends' mothers. Southern Women are unlike any other breed. We are charming, fun, and funny, but we are also deep wells of strength, perseverance, and persistence. And the women in this book are perfect illustrations of that dichotomy.

Published in 1996 and set between 1993 and the 1930-60's, this book was an absolute time machine. Not only did it make me nostalgic for the 90s, but I also found myself reminiscing about my grandmother's stories about life in Louisiana in the early-to-mid century. In particular, there's a scene in which a very young Vivi recalls going to Atlanta to see the premiere of Gone With the Wind. It was not unlike the account my grandmother shared with me about seeing the film in theaters and the joy it brought her and her friends.

Speaking of the Gone with the Wind scenes, I can't lie and say that the book is without its problems, chiefly depictions of Black characters and race relations in general. There is definitely a romanticization of the Southern (white) way of life in the early 20th century. I recognize that and know that it could be problematic for modern readers. As I hope you already know, I feel strongly about amplifying Black voices and stories, so reading some of these scenes was hard for me. There are, at least, some redeeming sentiments in the rest of the book, reflecting on the unfair power dynamics and poor treatment of Black women. Sadly, I do think it is an accurate portrayal of a certain type of Southern sentiments at the time in which the book is set.

While no longer my go-to genre (Southern women's fiction), I recognize how formative this book was in my passion for historical fiction and strong female main characters. I loved this re-read and relished the time I spent listening to the wild tales of Vivi, Teensey, Caro, and Necie. Told with SO much heart, love, and respect for these characters, Wells created something magical in this book (and series). She tapped into the secrets of womanhood, motherhood, and sisterhood that give shape to our lives and the world's we create.

It's magic, I tell ya. Très magique, chère. ♥️

Let me know if you enjoy this type of content. It's a little too personal for the blog and a little too long for social media. Bindery felt like the perfect place to share this review. But I want to know what you think!

Coming soon...

Stay tuned for a super secret project that I can't wait to reveal! I have about 200 pages left, but I'm blowing through them. 😜

xoxo

c

Hi there book buddies,

Dropping you a quick line before heading out to a Sunday evening Dodger game! Hope you had a great 4th of July. We hosted our neighbors, and I think I'm still full. In other news, I finally broke down and ordered a new rug from Ruggable to replace our super stained living room rug. If you have any tricks for keeping your rug stain-free, please let me know.

I did A LOT of reading last week but only finished ONE book. 😳 Yes, you guessed it! I spent my entire week plowing through The Calamity Club, finally finishing yesterday while prepping for 4th of July company. And while I did LOVE it, I don't think it's a 6⭐️ for me. I wanted more from the ending; in fact, I felt like we deserved more from the ending after spending SO much time with these characters. Alas, I still highly recommend it and cannot wait to share a little something fun I'm working on that was inspired by the book. 5⭐️s

I'm chipping away at The Secret Society of Librarians more slowly than I'd like, but that's just because I haven't had much time to sit down with my Kindle. The days leading up to the beginning of a new month are SO hectic in my little bookish space that it always means I have less time to read. I'm hoping to start a new content creation cycle that will help with that (and give paid subs early access to the next month's histfic releases much earlier).

I read one chapter of the new Madeline Martin book, A Time of Witches, and it completely hooked me! I love when an opening chapter sucks you right into the drama. I have a feeling this will be the witchy book I've been craving.

I just started Mad Mable on audio and have a feeling it will be the palate cleanser that I need after The Calamity Club. It's too early to say much about it other than I always enjoy being transported to Australia in Hepworth's books, and this one is no different.

I have big reading plans for July so stay tuned for lots of great books, reading updates, reviews, and a secret behind-the-scenes vlog!

ICYMI

• This labor of love has had great reactions, so thank you to all who engaged with it on social media!

• July historical fiction heads up (short form)

• July historical fiction heads up (long form)

• Don't miss this massive book mail haul

Hear It Here First

BIG plans for a Calamity Club comparison post & my first ever secret TBR jar pull coming soon!

Happy reading!

xoxo

c

Hi there book buddies!

You thought I forgot about the weekly reading update, didn't you? Nope! I just took the day off to celebrate my birthday. I'm 46 & fabulous, thank you for asking. 😜

We slipped away to Sequoia National Park to tent camp for the weekend, and though I had every intention of enjoying my book whilst in the hammock the entire weekend, I barely finished a page. Instead we did a driving tour and a few short hikes, plus lots of time tending the campfire (it was cold, yo).

Now we're back home and back to reality, though I'm finding it hard to focus on anything other than my current reads! Y'all suggested The Calamity Club as my next read, and, boy, I'm glad you did. The hype is REAL. It's SO good that I don't want to put it down, though I've been told to savor it if I can. I'm reading the physical book and listening to the audiobook, and, if I'm being honest, the audiobook is much better. But regardless how you read it, get your hands on this book asap! Now's a good time to tap into Audible (get 3 months free) since Libby holds on this book are going to be miles long!

I've also started the new Kate Thompson, The Secret Society of Librarians, and, as I expected, I'm loving it, too. If you've read her other work, then I guarantee you'll enjoy this book. I'm only 15% of the way into my advanced reader copy and already there are SO many Easter eggs from The Little Wartime Library and The Little Wartime Book Club. Her WWII books are all full of great characters, found family, and tight-knit communities. 10/10 recommend

Since my last update I finished A Great Act of Love and really, really enjoyed it. As I said in my most recent Last/Now/Next, it's a good one for adventure seekers. I especially loved the father/daughter connection in this book, along with the woman-reinventing-herself theme. Lately, I'm feeling the pull to be somebody completely new, so that really spoke to me. 4.5⭐️

I finally got the chance to read The Original, my most anticipated Spring release, and, y'all, it had me wondering WHY I WAITED SO LONG!? If you love Katharine Hepburn or Cary Grant films, this is a MUST read. It was like watching a film, with the terse, quick exchanges and abrupt scene shifts between chapters. It was seriously good reading, but I have a feeling it will not be for everyone. 5⭐️

Lastly, I decided to DNF The Correspondent for now. I tried reading on my Kindle and then tried audio, and neither format was speaking to me. It's a fan favorite, so I may try it again, but the dry narrative was a struggle.

ICYMI:

Paid subscribers got first dibs on the August Historical Fiction Heads Up! Otherwise, be sure to subscribe (and confirm) to my newsletter for access on July 1.

Hear It Here First:

I'll be sharing a bunch of stuff on Youtube very soon, including my book haul from the Great Bookstore Tour (very overdue). Be sure & follow me there if you like long form content.

Thanks, as always, for being here! Until next time, happy reading. 🤩

xoxo

c

Hi besties,

As part of your paid subscription, you'll be getting first dibs on new historical fiction notices. That's right! Each month I'll send you a link to a password protected blog post that ONLY you can know the code to access. It will remain password protected until the first of the following month. Use that list to plan your TBR, request library holds, or just be in the know.

Making these lists each month brings me so much joy because I know how long those library/Libby hold lists can be. Hopefully this gives you an edge so you can be first in line!

August Historical Fiction Releases Blog Post:

https://shesbecomingbookish.com/new-historical-fiction-books-august-2026/

Password = newbooks

Let me know your thoughts on this fun new feature! I'm hoping to share this mid-month moving forward, so watch for those Bindery alerts.

Happy Reading!

xoxo

C

P.S. I've got big plans for another fun subscribers-first series centered around trips to my local library, so stay tuned for that.

Oh hello stranger!

I've been missing my book buddies, but I took some much needed time away to begin my grief journey. Thank you for your patience as I slowly try to establish something that resembles "normal." That may take some time, but these weekly updates are one of my favorite things, so was eager to dive back into Bindery. Let's catch up!

I've been reading SO much the past several weeks, which doesn't surprise me at all. It's exactly how I coped when my mother passed in 2022. I'm not sure if you know this or not, but escaping into fiction is an excellent way to avoid reality. 😜

Since we last spoke I've finished 9 books, hard DNFd 2 books, and soft DNFd a book I might go back to in the future. Many of those were audiobooks; I used to talk to my dad for 30-60 mins every morning while walking the dog, so it's been helpful to have the distraction of the audiobook to fill that void. Plus I haven't been creating as much content, so I've had extra time in the day to pick up my Kindle.

Of those 9 books, some were absolutely incredible. Best of all, they are all VERY different. One was downright healing, possibly even life changing. So, let's start with that one!

🧜🏻‍♀️ A Year of Marvelous Ways by Sarah Winman is being republished by Putnam (though it's not clear why), and I'm so glad to see it getting the recognition it deserves. In fact, I'm thiiiissss close to crowning Winman as my favorite author. This is my third Winman book, and though it doesn't top Still Life (as if anything ever could), it's absolutely stunning. Poetic, atmospheric, bordering on magical, eccentric octogenarian, this book is a MUST read. Keep in mind there are no quotation marks, but I have NEVER missed them in her writing. There's a flow and once you find it you won't even notice. ∞⭐️

🦄 The Unicorn Hunters is the type of historical fantasy I'm always searching for! It instantly sucked me in, enveloping me in a sense of nostalgia for the books of my youth (mainly the Narnia collection). It's inspired an entire series that I'm already working on, so stay tuned! 5⭐️

🧚🏻 If you watched my June TBR video, then you know that Thistlemarsh was the books I selected in response to the prompt "the book with the best spine." This cover is stunning, but that's about all that was stunning. It's a charming fantasy, but it's was a bit too much fantasy, at least for me. Maybe I just don't care for fairy stories? I've not found one that has blown me away. 3⭐️

🔮 If you're looking for a spooky summerween story that won't scare you, The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru is perfect for you! Ghosties, fortunes, seances, and charms abound in this fun coming-of-age historical horror. 3.75⭐️

👑 I won't lie, I was a little disappointed in Elizabeth & Marilyn. Something just felt off to me about the way the author portrayed Marilyn. I'm still trying to find the right words to describe it, but let's just say Elizabeth's overshadowed her throughout the book in terms of presence and power. The Queen's storyline was by far the best part of the book. 3.75⭐️

☕️ I don't care what anyone says, I still love WWII books. So much so that it's rare for me to not read at least one at some point throughout the month. The Daughters of Naples was a good story, albeit a little busy. Triple POV is hard to pull off, and I think the author came really close in this one. I felt the connection between this sisters and was invested in some of their storylines. The best part of the book was the exposure to life in occupied Italy. 3.75⭐️

🦘 A Far-Flung Life was a tough book to read, y'all. It's hard to describe why without spoilers, but let's just say the main plot point was pretty icky. That aside, it's a really beautifully written book. It's a quiet, powerful character-driven story that brings the Australian outback vividly to life. 4⭐️

🐙 Invasive Species was a fun spin on horror that I was hoping would give Widow's Bay vibes. Sadly, it didn't quite capture the brilliance that is our new favorite show, but it was still fun. Another book that would be perfect for summerween, this book is perfect for those who love a small town story with lots of unlikeable characters. 3.5⭐️

👶🏻 I finished Where the Girls Were and immediately started planning a new Youtube video about historical fiction books that capture the pain and magic of the transition from girlhood to womanhood. This was superb storytelling that feels a little YA but packs a big punch. Loved how atmospheric it is! Terrific debut from Katz. 4.5⭐️

Right now I'm listening to one of my June TBR jar pulls, A Great Act of Love. I'm definitely enjoying getting deeper into the story, but it's a bit slow, so I suspect some readers won't give it a chance. I'm also reading The Correspondent, and, so far, I'm not seeing the appeal. It's very, very dry. Maybe it will get better?

As for what's to come, I honestly am not sure. I have a lot of writing to do if I plan to get my July look ahead content ready for July 1. My energy levels have been really low, so I'm not confident that I can pull it off. In the meantime, I'll just be over here reading to escape reality. ❤️

I'd love to hear from y'all! What are you reading right now? Are you enjoying it? Let me know below in the comments!

ICYMI:

• My new TBR Jar Prompts are live! Get yours for $5

• I was featured in a friend's round-up of Historical Fiction bookstagrammers favorite books

• A giant stack of bookmail was waiting for me when I got home

• More thoughts on A Far-Flung Life

• American Revolution Historical Fiction perfect for the 250th Anniversary of America

Hear it Here First:

The July Historical Fiction heads up blog post is finally live! And now that my TBR Jar is ready, I'll be starting a new series that you won't want to miss.

Happy reading!

xoxo

C