2025 book releases + let’s chat
Hi friends! I’m no stranger to the fact that it’s been a minute. I’ve missed it here. I’m going to dig into that a bit later in this blog. But first, can we talk about 2025?
I have been a bit overwhelmed (with joy) on hearing that 1) Rebecca Yarros confirmed the 3rd book in the Iron Flame series is set to release on January 21, 2025. And 2) Emily Henry has a new book scheduled to be released in April 2025 (thank you for this early birthday present in advance!).
Where do I begin? With Rebecca Yarros' book theories? Or with all the exciting things going on with Emily Henry? Ah!
This isn’t even 2025 related but the movie adaptation of “It Ends with Us” releases this weekend August 9th!! I’ve already scheduled a solo date to a cute movie theater with a box of tissues because I am beyond excited.
There are so many moments I am grateful I leaned back into reading in 2020. I’ve talked about this at length and how it was so impactful to my anxiety and mental well-being. Aside from that there is always something to look forward to. Always a new book, a new film being made on a popular book, a new genre to test the waters. However, as one of our members put it, sometimes I am fighting for my life to keep up with my TBR. I am using her quote verbatim, and it is so true! Thanks, Loretta <3.
So, let’s talk 2025 book excitement.
Onyx Storm Theories
Rebecca Yarros, you queen. I posted a silly little TikTok about the release of Onyx Storm. We’re still a baby account and I’m still figuring out my voice as a creator, but that little video has almost 40K views. With so many people talking about their excitement of the release. I made it because I too am very excited and would plan a day off around reading that book specifically.
Let’s talk about some theories based on the book cover and title which is all the prelim info we have at the moment. The book itself is black, white, and gold. There appears to be a white shadowy fog on the cover. Spoiler alert! My thoughts on what this fog means can go a few ways. First, now that now that Xaden has turned Venin, the fog may have something to do with the entire “Venin” clan. My second thought it could be related to Violet’s second signet development. We haven’t seen her manifest that yet, so maybe? My final guess on this fog is that it will have something to do with Xaden’s powers as a venin. I’m not sure what that will look like. He can wield shadows normally, so I wonder if he can yield more shadows and a “fog” of sorts. Taking the title “Onyx Storm” into consideration, I was wondering if Xaden could wield more shadows and “fog” as a defense (for whichever side he ends up fighting for). These could all be complete garbage, but they are fun to talk about.
My final book cover note is there are five dragons on it. Two are gold, and two are black. I wonder if this will hint that we will have five books in the series? I’m not sure at all on that but couldn’t make anything out of it.
Emily Henry News + Sparse Updates
My thoughts on Emily Henry’s new April 2025 book are limited. That is mainly because we don’t have a cover or title released. Just the knowledge of a book slated for April 2025. She also mentioned it in her recent post! Outside of that, A LOT of her books are being filmed or the script is being written. I was very excited to see that “People We Meet on Vacation” also is being turned into a film. That’s one of my favs. Emily Henry’s career is so inspiring to me so I try and stay up to date with what she does.
Our Next Book Club Pick + Why
For our next book club, we are reading “How to End a Love Story” by Yulin Kuang. You can join us signing up here. Of course, we are a voting community and I am largely influenced by everyone’s recommendations and feedback. However, a huge reason I landed on this book is that (aside from it being widely voted on!) was that Yulin Kuang is going to be the Director of Emily Henry’s film adaptation of “Funny Story”. How cool! That was our last book club read. In addition, it is Yulin’s first book. I love to see all the cross-pollinating of the worlds, I love to give a new author a try, and I love to see a woman being great and doing big things. And that’s the vibe I get from Yulin :)
On Being “Enough”
If you made it this far, I promised we would chat.
It is Sunday afternoon when I’m writing this and a thunderstorm has rolled in. I just finished vacuuming, attending to the 7 loads of laundry I had piled up, and was in the middle of scrubbing my bathroom floors like my name is Cinderella when lightning struck. Literally and figuratively.
When I am cleaning I get some of my best thinking done. I don’t know if that is conditioned from childhood because my mom and grandma are professional-grade cleaners (IMO). I would pay my 81-year-old grandmother to clean my home if I didn’t worry about her health and stamina. I suppose it’s something I was forcibly accustomed to growing up.
As an adult I find myself cleaning when my thoughts are a mess. That’s not the case today. We were really overdue for a DEEP clean in our home but like I said it is usually when I get my best thinking done.
As the thunder crackled I was thinking about something I posted on our Instagram stories this week. It touched on the topic of doing “enough”. I have been a little stuck on what to get out on our blog. A boom shook the house and the inspiration to write settled in. Once I finished up, it looked like the dead of night outside. The rain was pounding on the windows, and my normal view looked like a water painting.
Naturally, as any reader or writer might do, I scurried to seize the moment. I finish up cleaning, took an almost everything shower by candlelight, put on my comfiest sweats, and began writing. There is something so magical about reading while it rains, or writing while the world gets washed away. The ambiance is unmatched.
Last week a podcast was filmed, edited, recorded, and released. A few Instagram posts were posted, and our August backgrounds were posted. When I reached Friday morning, I was a little bummed “only three” posts made it out. I posted this story after recapping our week.
The feedback was overwhelmingly kind from our LWBC community. I got a little teary from a few of the messages. There were women sharing that they get it, and they see me. Simple kind words that felt like a warm hug.
I started LWBC to build a little girl gang and to stop shying away from my fear of creating digital media. It’s a small corner of the world that I cater to and foster so that everyone feels like they can connect, reach others, and they leave our events feeling peaceful, accomplished, and a part of something.
Since starting LWBC I’ve taken on more responsibility not only in my professional career but in other areas of my life. Including passion projects outside of LWBC. I hate admitting this but I sometimes wish I didn’t need to sleep to get more done. I’ve put off writing for the blog for a few weeks with how demanding my schedule has been and I felt like I had nothing to talk about. If anyone is reading this you’re probably wondering WTF? Since I’ve written a novella today *hehe*. But this has been a point of worry for me.
As I said in the story, I was worried I wasn’t putting out enough content. In my professional life, I worry I’m not doing enough when I get through 80% of my daily to do list. I commit myself to movement 6-7 days a week for my fitness schedule, and sometimes I worry that isn’t enough. I worry I’m behind on my TBR when I’ve read 21 books this year. I could go on. It’s complete madness and I have to say it out loud.
So for anyone fighting for their life to “keep up” or to stay afloat (especially when you’re doing the most), I’m here to say: you are enough. What you’re doing is enough. You always were and you will always be enough.
My shoulders are creeping up to my ears writing this because I don’t share these things. And I don’t want to be perceived as preachy. But this is me, and this is true. The first affirmation I’ve written every day for the past 2 years is “I am enough”. It’s something I’ve struggled with and sometimes a small reminder is all you need.
Until next time <3
