Leslie D (she/her)
@leslie-d.bsky.social
I'm a nerd when it comes to books and TTRPGs; I sell the former (for Powell’s Books on Hawthorne) and often GM the latter.
Oh no! I should’ve waited for book 4 before reading this one! Note to all of you are intrigued by this incredibly wild, funny, action-packed tomb-raider-esque portal fantasy (for 10+): books one & two resolve one arc. Book 3 will leave you on a heart-stopping cliffhanger of oh-my-word! proportions.
December 1, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Oh no! I should’ve waited for book 4 before reading this one! Note to all of you are intrigued by this incredibly wild, funny, action-packed tomb-raider-esque portal fantasy (for 10+): books one & two resolve one arc. Book 3 will leave you on a heart-stopping cliffhanger of oh-my-word! proportions.
November 26, 2025 at 6:23 AM
a charming, cozy-ish romance set in a fantasy world. perfect for fans of Durst’s Spellshop & Burgis’ To Woo a Witch Queen.
#booksky #sff #romantasy
#booksky #sff #romantasy
November 25, 2025 at 4:27 AM
a charming, cozy-ish romance set in a fantasy world. perfect for fans of Durst’s Spellshop & Burgis’ To Woo a Witch Queen.
#booksky #sff #romantasy
#booksky #sff #romantasy
It has been a few years since I’ve had this kind of haircut. Long in front, dramatically wedged and shaved at the back. I’ve missed it. Grateful @th3lostb0y.bsky.social agreed to cut my hair again 🥰
November 18, 2025 at 3:58 AM
It has been a few years since I’ve had this kind of haircut. Long in front, dramatically wedged and shaved at the back. I’ve missed it. Grateful @th3lostb0y.bsky.social agreed to cut my hair again 🥰
this Tuesday release is a last minute add to my gifting table..
it is charming & dramatic & just seriously adorable! Friendship & baked goods? Yes, please, & thank you!
#booksky #picturebooks #kidsbooksky
it is charming & dramatic & just seriously adorable! Friendship & baked goods? Yes, please, & thank you!
#booksky #picturebooks #kidsbooksky
November 13, 2025 at 3:36 PM
this Tuesday release is a last minute add to my gifting table..
it is charming & dramatic & just seriously adorable! Friendship & baked goods? Yes, please, & thank you!
#booksky #picturebooks #kidsbooksky
it is charming & dramatic & just seriously adorable! Friendship & baked goods? Yes, please, & thank you!
#booksky #picturebooks #kidsbooksky
interactive books feature heavily in my gift recommending this year. Opportunities for off-screen activities & books that’ll excite those of us who love shorter chapters, illustrations, & gaming are popular requests.
I’ve gotten ahold of (& tested) some great titles this year…
Codebreaker (Martel)
I’ve gotten ahold of (& tested) some great titles this year…
Codebreaker (Martel)
November 6, 2025 at 7:28 PM
interactive books feature heavily in my gift recommending this year. Opportunities for off-screen activities & books that’ll excite those of us who love shorter chapters, illustrations, & gaming are popular requests.
I’ve gotten ahold of (& tested) some great titles this year…
Codebreaker (Martel)
I’ve gotten ahold of (& tested) some great titles this year…
Codebreaker (Martel)
a queer YA SF involving imperialist vs clanner warfare & giant battle mech. I love the cool science meets mystic/myth mechanics of the fiction. I love how true-to-youth the story is: capable, but still learning & preoccupied w life as they know it.
#booksky #kidsbooksky
#booksky #kidsbooksky
November 1, 2025 at 12:04 AM
a queer YA SF involving imperialist vs clanner warfare & giant battle mech. I love the cool science meets mystic/myth mechanics of the fiction. I love how true-to-youth the story is: capable, but still learning & preoccupied w life as they know it.
#booksky #kidsbooksky
#booksky #kidsbooksky
okay, that was unexpected—& not in a bad way. but the copy attached to this book, & indeed this cover, is a bit misleading. It is not fast-paced. The chapters are short (some more than others) but there are 16 + 63 chapters over the course of 352 pages.
October 30, 2025 at 10:03 PM
okay, that was unexpected—& not in a bad way. but the copy attached to this book, & indeed this cover, is a bit misleading. It is not fast-paced. The chapters are short (some more than others) but there are 16 + 63 chapters over the course of 352 pages.
I’m noticing that the majority of my favorite fantasy reads for young readers this year have been out of the UK, AU, NZ. Unsurprising, but noteworthy.
October 30, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I’m noticing that the majority of my favorite fantasy reads for young readers this year have been out of the UK, AU, NZ. Unsurprising, but noteworthy.
okay, but this #middlegradefantasy is an absolute delight. Tourmaline & her adventures are marvelously entertaining. Tourmaline & George’s relationship is the best. The story is a masterclass on how to not fuss over all the details & how to move seamlessly & organically between POVs.
October 30, 2025 at 5:56 PM
okay, but this #middlegradefantasy is an absolute delight. Tourmaline & her adventures are marvelously entertaining. Tourmaline & George’s relationship is the best. The story is a masterclass on how to not fuss over all the details & how to move seamlessly & organically between POVs.
the second book in a marvelous #middlegrade SFF series. So many twists & turns. Great action sequences & tender moments. & Jane’s sense of humor continues to be incredible. (Also Aki 🖤)
#booksky #kidsbooksky
#booksky #kidsbooksky
October 23, 2025 at 10:08 PM
the second book in a marvelous #middlegrade SFF series. So many twists & turns. Great action sequences & tender moments. & Jane’s sense of humor continues to be incredible. (Also Aki 🖤)
#booksky #kidsbooksky
#booksky #kidsbooksky
a heavily illustrated middle grade novel (8-12) of a different -looking & -functioning baby rabbit so desirous of belonging they pursues a dangerous wish. The color illustrations on quality paper are gorgeous, how they weave in and out of the prose is brilliant.
October 17, 2025 at 1:48 AM
a heavily illustrated middle grade novel (8-12) of a different -looking & -functioning baby rabbit so desirous of belonging they pursues a dangerous wish. The color illustrations on quality paper are gorgeous, how they weave in and out of the prose is brilliant.
that was a fun, lightly gruesome but ultimately romantic romp. Mallory is a hoot. The whole novel is charming. I could see a series forming (Fitcher is intriguing, isn’t he?), but works as an excellent standalone. #YA for Margaret Rogerson fans… #booksky #yabooksky
Out November 4th
Out November 4th
October 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
that was a fun, lightly gruesome but ultimately romantic romp. Mallory is a hoot. The whole novel is charming. I could see a series forming (Fitcher is intriguing, isn’t he?), but works as an excellent standalone. #YA for Margaret Rogerson fans… #booksky #yabooksky
Out November 4th
Out November 4th
well that was a dark & twisty ride, with a gentler landing than I expected (not complaining (much)). The comparison to Rundell’s Impossible Creatures is sound in that it’s creative and risky narratively—as compared to US-born books.
October 15, 2025 at 5:03 AM
well that was a dark & twisty ride, with a gentler landing than I expected (not complaining (much)). The comparison to Rundell’s Impossible Creatures is sound in that it’s creative and risky narratively—as compared to US-born books.
the blurb mentioned Witcher & Howls Moving Castle; I’d add Lloyd-Jones’ Huntress. It’s more Witcher than Howl (Aldaric is Howl-like); & if you go in expecting some twist on Beauty & the Beast, you wouldn’t be wrong, but not wholly correct either.
October 10, 2025 at 11:32 PM
the blurb mentioned Witcher & Howls Moving Castle; I’d add Lloyd-Jones’ Huntress. It’s more Witcher than Howl (Aldaric is Howl-like); & if you go in expecting some twist on Beauty & the Beast, you wouldn’t be wrong, but not wholly correct either.
I’ve learned I can lure Bowie into napping near me if I have the quilt. Good thing the temps have cooled.
#bowiecat @th3lostb0y.bsky.social
#bowiecat @th3lostb0y.bsky.social
October 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
I’ve learned I can lure Bowie into napping near me if I have the quilt. Good thing the temps have cooled.
#bowiecat @th3lostb0y.bsky.social
#bowiecat @th3lostb0y.bsky.social
this YA graphic novel is wonderful. Visually lovely with sweet emotional exploration, some nice humor, & a delightful childhood romance. I love the queerness & fat rep, the vulnerability & empowerment … An absolute delight.
#booksky #yabooksky #yagraphicnovel #graphicnovel
#booksky #yabooksky #yagraphicnovel #graphicnovel
October 9, 2025 at 4:39 AM
this YA graphic novel is wonderful. Visually lovely with sweet emotional exploration, some nice humor, & a delightful childhood romance. I love the queerness & fat rep, the vulnerability & empowerment … An absolute delight.
#booksky #yabooksky #yagraphicnovel #graphicnovel
#booksky #yabooksky #yagraphicnovel #graphicnovel
Out today, just finished this evening… That was a wild ride. 🥰 Oscar is incredible, and Natasha was dangerously close to being too much for me (the shower, really?), and it had me thinking Sachar and Holes and what’s with all the cool grandpas showing up in middle grade lit of late?!
October 8, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Out today, just finished this evening… That was a wild ride. 🥰 Oscar is incredible, and Natasha was dangerously close to being too much for me (the shower, really?), and it had me thinking Sachar and Holes and what’s with all the cool grandpas showing up in middle grade lit of late?!
A choose-your-own SEL adventure graphic novel for the younger set. Perfect for future therapists & those who like relationship drama & discussing the ins & outs of boundary making & best behavior.
October 8, 2025 at 2:13 AM
A choose-your-own SEL adventure graphic novel for the younger set. Perfect for future therapists & those who like relationship drama & discussing the ins & outs of boundary making & best behavior.
came out today!! super cute. fun fantasy adventuring academy set up; first crush situation; great sibling dynamics. Looking forward to the next book.
#booksky #kidsbooksky #kidsgraphicnovels
#booksky #kidsbooksky #kidsgraphicnovels
October 8, 2025 at 2:01 AM
came out today!! super cute. fun fantasy adventuring academy set up; first crush situation; great sibling dynamics. Looking forward to the next book.
#booksky #kidsbooksky #kidsgraphicnovels
#booksky #kidsbooksky #kidsgraphicnovels
Bowie is definitely Sean’s kitten.
@th3lostb0y.bsky.social
@th3lostb0y.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Bowie is definitely Sean’s kitten.
@th3lostb0y.bsky.social
@th3lostb0y.bsky.social
a refreshingly imaginative retelling of Cinderella in which she is dead, a ghost, a grudge, a house. The novella hits all the markers of the familiar story, but is so much more. Think Ella Enchanted meets Kingfisher or Novik. Think queer and disabled.
October 3, 2025 at 7:03 PM
a refreshingly imaginative retelling of Cinderella in which she is dead, a ghost, a grudge, a house. The novella hits all the markers of the familiar story, but is so much more. Think Ella Enchanted meets Kingfisher or Novik. Think queer and disabled.
cute! And great art. I kept hearing Lilo’s voice for Brume the entire time; a bit bossy, highly imaginative, a bit oblivious, 💯 delightful. The pig is a great character; the peeing scene is marvelously funny. 6+ unless irreverent children and peeing-while-standing pigs make you squeamish.
October 2, 2025 at 6:06 PM
cute! And great art. I kept hearing Lilo’s voice for Brume the entire time; a bit bossy, highly imaginative, a bit oblivious, 💯 delightful. The pig is a great character; the peeing scene is marvelously funny. 6+ unless irreverent children and peeing-while-standing pigs make you squeamish.
noticed Jessica Townsend recommend this series so I hunted this copy down from the library. I will be looking to order some for the store. It’s world & action is intense; tomb raider kept coming to mind—but fantastical. the gods mythology & multiple worlds is fascinating.
September 27, 2025 at 12:16 AM
noticed Jessica Townsend recommend this series so I hunted this copy down from the library. I will be looking to order some for the store. It’s world & action is intense; tomb raider kept coming to mind—but fantastical. the gods mythology & multiple worlds is fascinating.