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Last week I asked if you all check out books from the library. A large group of you do!
Personally, I use a combination of libraries, buying my books, and reading on Kindle Unlimited. I'm also a big fan of the Libby app which I'll talk more about below.
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FREE for a limited time! In Dark Corners, the first book in Katie Rush’s Dana Blaze FBI Suspense Thriller series, Dana Blaze—a former constitutional lawyer turned FBI agent—faces a deadly challenge. A mastermind serial killer begins targeting victims in ways tied to the U.S. Constitution, drawing Dana into a high-stakes game of intellect and strategy.
Haunted by the unsolved murder of her father, a respected politician, Dana has dedicated her career to justice and truth. Now, as the killer’s pattern emerges, it becomes clear that Dana is the only one capable of stopping him. But can she catch the killer before he strikes again? This gripping debut combines legal intrigue, suspense, and a race against time.
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FREE for a limited time! In the Parse Galaxy series, books 0-2 by Alston Sleet, Sloane Tarnish—a med student with more expertise in cocktails than combat—gets dragged into an intergalactic heist by her infamous outlaw uncle, Vin. When Vin convinces her to help steal a chip containing critical Fleet intelligence, Sloane is thrust into a dangerous mission that could expose a sinister Fleet agenda to establish galactic control.
Sloane's role involves infiltrating a high-security Fleet ball to swipe the data right under the Commander’s nose—a task she feels wildly unqualified for. Things take a turn when rogue drones target her, forcing Sloane to embrace her inner rebel and confront the stakes of the mission.
The series blends humor, action, and intrigue, beginning with Outlaw Rising, continuing in Chaos Zone, and culminating in Bounty War, as Sloane navigates her unexpected path in a galaxy on the brink of chaos.
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FREE for a limited time! In the Guild-ruled land of Ilbrea, where commoners are oppressed and survival comes at great cost, illegal healer Ena Ryeland is offered a rare chance at freedom—and the opportunity to take on the tyrannical Guilds. But to succeed in this perilous fight, Ena will need allies and strength beyond her own.
Guided by myth, reunited with a brother she thought was lost, and haunted by a ghost that tempers her fear, Ena also finds love in the midst of turmoil. With an impossible enemy looming and a glimmer of hope for freedom, Ena must defy the odds and risk everything to challenge the Guilds—if she can survive long enough to make her stand.
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MUBI EDITIONS
Mubi, the arthouse distributor, streamer, and production company, is launching Mubi Editions, a global publishing arm dedicated to cinema and the arts, set to debut in April. This venture aims to deepen Mubi’s connection with its audience by exploring film culture, history, and the intersection of cinema with other art forms through books and unique publications.
The inaugural title, Read Frame Type Film, created in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, examines often-overlooked textual elements in experimental and arthouse films, such as credits and subtitles. The book is part of Mubi's plan to publish up to three titles annually and is available for pre-order.
Mubi Editions will feature four core series:
- Projections: Focused on film culture and history.
- Auteurs: Collaborative works with renowned artists and filmmakers.
- Internegatives: Reprints or translations of rare or out-of-print texts.
- Lights!: Exploring Mubi’s productions and releases.
This initiative expands Mubi’s existing efforts, including its biannual magazine Notebook and select merchandise. It follows a year of record-breaking success, including the theatrical releases of Priscilla and The Substance. Mubi Editions will distribute globally via partners Thames & Hudson (outside the U.S. and Canada) and Distributed Art Publishers (U.S. and Canada).
According to Daniel Kasman, Mubi’s VP of editorial content, this new imprint furthers the company’s mission to unite global audiences through a shared love of cinema and its rich culture.
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LIBBY
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If you’re not using Libby, you’re missing out on one of the best bookish perks out there! Libby is a free app that connects you to your local library’s digital collection. Imagine having access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, and even magazines—all without leaving your couch.
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Here’s how it works: Download the app (available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store), link it to your library card (or get one if you don’t have one—it’s super easy), and voilà ! You’ve got an entire library in your pocket. You can borrow bestsellers, discover hidden gems, or binge-listen to audiobooks during your commute. And the best part? Libby returns everything automatically, so no late fees ever.
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Whether you’re in the mood to curl up with an eBook, listen to a gripping audiobook while you multitask, or flip through a digital magazine, Libby has you covered. It’s like Netflix, but for book lovers—and free!
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If you haven’t tried Libby yet, trust me, it’s a game-changer. Give it a go and let me know what you’re reading!
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BOOKIST
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Bookist, a South African-developed app, is changing the way readers discover new books by offering highly personalized recommendations. By analyzing your genre preferences, reading history, and in-app activity, Bookist makes finding your next great read easier than ever.
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How It Works:​
Getting started is simple. Bookist begins by asking a few questions about your reading preferences, helping it create tailored recommendations. From there, the app's swipe-based interface—reminiscent of popular dating apps—lets you browse book suggestions and curated collections. Swipe right to save a book to your personal shelf, or swipe left to pass.
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Why It Stands Out:​
The more you interact, the smarter the app gets, refining its recommendations based on your input. You can also organize your finds into shelves, creating an easy-to-access wishlist of titles you’re excited to explore.
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Get Started Today:​
Bookist is free to download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Whether you're a casual reader or a devoted bookworm, this app is a game-changer for discovering books that match your unique tastes.
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- Did You Know?: The Bible is the most shoplifted book in the world—possibly because it’s often displayed in stores without security measures.
- Fun Fact: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was originally titled Atticus, but Lee changed it to reflect the broader themes of the story.
- Book Trivia: Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham uses only 50 unique words, proving simplicity can be brilliant.
- Literary Fact: Bram Stoker's Dracula was nearly titled The Dead Un-Dead, but his publisher suggested a catchier name just before publication.
- Interesting Tidbit: The phrase "truth is stranger than fiction" was coined by Mark Twain in his book Following the Equator.
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Whether you’re diving into a new book or working on your next big writing idea, remember that every page is progress. Keep nurturing your creativity, and never stop reading and learning. As always, thanks for being a part of MY journey as I continue to write books and work to build this newsletter into something that will hopefully help and inspire people. See you next week!
--Mark
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