Matthew
@fineplan.bsky.social
Librarian, ex-archaeologist, shutterbug. Into readers advisory, travel, and trying out cookbooks. 🏳️🌈🇺🇸🇰🇷 All opinions are own, this is my an account for the library I work at.
Can't remember if I posted the full list, but in case, here's the cookbook list my committee came up with: (I particularly recommend The Choi of Cooking, Yassou, Potluck Desserts, and Soju Party. 😁
rusaupdate.org/awards/the-c...
rusaupdate.org/awards/the-c...
Essential Cookbooks: The CODES List
Essential Cookbooks: The CODES List highlights titles for both avid home chefs and those just learning the rewards of making a meal. The list further supports those who appreciate the many joys of …
rusaupdate.org
February 4, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Can't remember if I posted the full list, but in case, here's the cookbook list my committee came up with: (I particularly recommend The Choi of Cooking, Yassou, Potluck Desserts, and Soju Party. 😁
rusaupdate.org/awards/the-c...
rusaupdate.org/awards/the-c...
Reposted by Matthew
Do you need a queer haunted apartment story this morning? (Of COURSE you do!!!) Don't miss this gem by Everdeen Mason!
www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/the-...
www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/the-...
The Ghost in Apartment 5K - Nightmare Magazine
Nena came to consciousness little by little. She was ever present in the air of apartment 5K in the seventy-unit building in Brooklyn, like the wafting scent of sewer gas coming from old drain pipes: ...
www.nightmare-magazine.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Do you need a queer haunted apartment story this morning? (Of COURSE you do!!!) Don't miss this gem by Everdeen Mason!
www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/the-...
www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/the-...
Guess I better put the “all opinions are my own and have nothing to do with my library” disclaimer in my profile after our morning meeting about how to interact with ICE in the library.
February 4, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Guess I better put the “all opinions are my own and have nothing to do with my library” disclaimer in my profile after our morning meeting about how to interact with ICE in the library.
Reposted by Matthew
IOWA!
There is a hearing today on a new bill that would ban partnerships between public schools and public libraries (based on a Des Moines partnership), as well as ban bookmobiles from schools if students are allow to borrow books from it.
www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/...
There is a hearing today on a new bill that would ban partnerships between public schools and public libraries (based on a Des Moines partnership), as well as ban bookmobiles from schools if students are allow to borrow books from it.
www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/...
Iowa Legislature - BillBook
Information pertaining to the Iowa Legislature as well as the Executive and Judicial branch in as much as they relate to the legislative branch
www.legis.iowa.gov
February 4, 2026 at 11:17 AM
IOWA!
There is a hearing today on a new bill that would ban partnerships between public schools and public libraries (based on a Des Moines partnership), as well as ban bookmobiles from schools if students are allow to borrow books from it.
www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/...
There is a hearing today on a new bill that would ban partnerships between public schools and public libraries (based on a Des Moines partnership), as well as ban bookmobiles from schools if students are allow to borrow books from it.
www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/...
Th manga panels pinned up at my desk seem to be developing a theme…
February 4, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Th manga panels pinned up at my desk seem to be developing a theme…
Reposted by Matthew
Your monthly reminder:
Keep writing. When no one cares, persist. When things appear to be crumbling, keep at it. When it's difficult, push through. When you feel alone, listen to the stories in your blood. Just write. The world needs your stories.
Keep writing. When no one cares, persist. When things appear to be crumbling, keep at it. When it's difficult, push through. When you feel alone, listen to the stories in your blood. Just write. The world needs your stories.
February 3, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Your monthly reminder:
Keep writing. When no one cares, persist. When things appear to be crumbling, keep at it. When it's difficult, push through. When you feel alone, listen to the stories in your blood. Just write. The world needs your stories.
Keep writing. When no one cares, persist. When things appear to be crumbling, keep at it. When it's difficult, push through. When you feel alone, listen to the stories in your blood. Just write. The world needs your stories.
Reposted by Matthew
Hear my full review of WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY by @wenyilee.bsky.social (available now from @torbooks.bsky.social) and see how the drink is made at Bar Cart Bookshelf on YouTube.
youtu.be/sZ6H51iyX48
youtu.be/sZ6H51iyX48
Cocktail Recipe & Book Review: Madam Butterfly (WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY by Wen-yi Lee)
YouTube video by Bar Cart Bookshelf
youtu.be
February 3, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Hear my full review of WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY by @wenyilee.bsky.social (available now from @torbooks.bsky.social) and see how the drink is made at Bar Cart Bookshelf on YouTube.
youtu.be/sZ6H51iyX48
youtu.be/sZ6H51iyX48
Oof, the things that get me all teary these days. That's such a lovely letter (even if most my evenings seem pretty dark).
February 3, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Oof, the things that get me all teary these days. That's such a lovely letter (even if most my evenings seem pretty dark).
I made many coworkers happy with the breads I made from this one! (and the Lucky Charms cookies!)
It's delightful to see Bake it Gluten Free by Dana Pollack on this year's Essential Cookbooks 2026: The CODES List.
tinyurl.com/3vdxjzmy
tinyurl.com/3vdxjzmy
February 3, 2026 at 10:51 PM
I made many coworkers happy with the breads I made from this one! (and the Lucky Charms cookies!)
Reposted by Matthew
The best non-spoilerly pitch I can make for my story in this is:
“Have you ever arrived at a family dinner and wanted to murder everyone present?” *
*please don’t do this 😆
“Have you ever arrived at a family dinner and wanted to murder everyone present?” *
*please don’t do this 😆
It's Black History Month, and here's an opportunity for you to directly support black authors and editors in their creative careers. This anthology includes stories by @shereereneethomas.bsky.social @davaun.bsky.social @brentclambert.bsky.social @edenroyce.bsky.social and more. Pre-order now!!
The Cookout: A Speculative Fiction Anthology
Sci-fi, fantasy, & horror stories by Black authors, centering traditions of “the cookout” — the joy, the drama, and the delicious food.
www.kickstarter.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:26 PM
The best non-spoilerly pitch I can make for my story in this is:
“Have you ever arrived at a family dinner and wanted to murder everyone present?” *
*please don’t do this 😆
“Have you ever arrived at a family dinner and wanted to murder everyone present?” *
*please don’t do this 😆
I loved Yosha Gunasekera's Midnight Taxi! Siriwathi, a Sri-Lankan American cab driver whose fare is somehow murdered en route to the airport. When the police decide Siri looks guilty enough they don't need to investigate, she teams up with Amaya, a public defender, to solve it herself. #booksky
February 2, 2026 at 7:15 PM
I loved Yosha Gunasekera's Midnight Taxi! Siriwathi, a Sri-Lankan American cab driver whose fare is somehow murdered en route to the airport. When the police decide Siri looks guilty enough they don't need to investigate, she teams up with Amaya, a public defender, to solve it herself. #booksky
Five classes from college:
Lithic Technology and Analysis
Linguistics in Language Teaching
Collection Development
Magazine Production
Paleontology
Lithic Technology and Analysis
Linguistics in Language Teaching
Collection Development
Magazine Production
Paleontology
Five classes from college:
Origin of Man
The Western Cultural Tradition
Restoration Drama
Medieval Literature
History of Boston
Origin of Man
The Western Cultural Tradition
Restoration Drama
Medieval Literature
History of Boston
Five classes from college:
1. The City of Rome in Antiquity
2. Earthquakes
3. Latin Comedy
4. Imperial Russia, 1613-1917
5. Chemistry 105a
1. The City of Rome in Antiquity
2. Earthquakes
3. Latin Comedy
4. Imperial Russia, 1613-1917
5. Chemistry 105a
January 31, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Five classes from college:
Lithic Technology and Analysis
Linguistics in Language Teaching
Collection Development
Magazine Production
Paleontology
Lithic Technology and Analysis
Linguistics in Language Teaching
Collection Development
Magazine Production
Paleontology
Reposted by Matthew
It always feels like all the wrong people die, but I think it’s because there are far more beloved people than there are bastards.
January 31, 2026 at 12:28 AM
It always feels like all the wrong people die, but I think it’s because there are far more beloved people than there are bastards.
Reposted by Matthew
Janurary is almost over! Can you believe it?
We still are working our public library map project. 😀
Here are the states we still need!
Alabama
Alaska
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Iowa
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Continued below...
We still are working our public library map project. 😀
Here are the states we still need!
Alabama
Alaska
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Iowa
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Continued below...
January 30, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Janurary is almost over! Can you believe it?
We still are working our public library map project. 😀
Here are the states we still need!
Alabama
Alaska
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Iowa
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Continued below...
We still are working our public library map project. 😀
Here are the states we still need!
Alabama
Alaska
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Iowa
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Continued below...
Halt! This is a bookish opportunity.
Last book: The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
Current: Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera
Newest on TBR: A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-young
Next: Nothing Tastes As Good by Luke Dumas
Last book: The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
Current: Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera
Newest on TBR: A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-young
Next: Nothing Tastes As Good by Luke Dumas
Halt! This is a bookish opportunity.
Last book: An Unlikely Coven, AM Kvita
Current: When Trees Testify, Beronda L Montgomery
Newest on TBR: The Downstairs Girl, Stacey Lee
Next: We'll Prescribe You a Cat, Syou Ishida
Fun fact: All of these books save for one are bluesky recommends.
Last book: An Unlikely Coven, AM Kvita
Current: When Trees Testify, Beronda L Montgomery
Newest on TBR: The Downstairs Girl, Stacey Lee
Next: We'll Prescribe You a Cat, Syou Ishida
Fun fact: All of these books save for one are bluesky recommends.
Halt! This is a bookish opportunity.
Last book: It Had to Be Him by Adib Khorram
Current: The Ultimate Engineer by Richard Jurek
Newest on TBR: Metal from Heaven by August Clarke
Next: Dead Man Blues by Silas House
Last book: It Had to Be Him by Adib Khorram
Current: The Ultimate Engineer by Richard Jurek
Newest on TBR: Metal from Heaven by August Clarke
Next: Dead Man Blues by Silas House
January 30, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Halt! This is a bookish opportunity.
Last book: The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
Current: Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera
Newest on TBR: A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-young
Next: Nothing Tastes As Good by Luke Dumas
Last book: The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
Current: Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera
Newest on TBR: A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-young
Next: Nothing Tastes As Good by Luke Dumas
Reposted by Matthew
Free online RA training, now in its third year with a whole new set of topics! Woo!
🎉It's back! @ala-booklist.bsky.social #ReadersAdvisory workshop returns on 3/18 with three sessions focusing on:
📘Recommending Historical Nonfiction and Memoirs
⚔️ Romantasy Readers’ Advisory for Libraries
🤓The Four Cornerstones of Reader Interest
Registration is FREE! RSVP now: bit.ly/3NJGwBq
📘Recommending Historical Nonfiction and Memoirs
⚔️ Romantasy Readers’ Advisory for Libraries
🤓The Four Cornerstones of Reader Interest
Registration is FREE! RSVP now: bit.ly/3NJGwBq
January 30, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Free online RA training, now in its third year with a whole new set of topics! Woo!
Reposted by Matthew
Made a little short story collection appreciation post!
Want to read some perfect short stories???
Start here :)
Want to read some perfect short stories???
Start here :)
January 30, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Made a little short story collection appreciation post!
Want to read some perfect short stories???
Start here :)
Want to read some perfect short stories???
Start here :)
Reposted by Matthew
And that's a wrap on THE BIRD THAT DRINKS TEARS Vol. 4, the thrilling conclusion to the THE BIRD THAT DRINKS TEARS tetralogy, "Korea's Tolkien" fantasy epic for HarperVoyager US/UK/AUS!!!
I CAN'T BELIEVE I FINISHED THIS JOB!!!!!
IT WAS THE TRANSLATION GIG OF A LIFETIME!!!!!!!!
I CAN'T BELIEVE I FINISHED THIS JOB!!!!!
IT WAS THE TRANSLATION GIG OF A LIFETIME!!!!!!!!
January 30, 2026 at 12:58 PM
And that's a wrap on THE BIRD THAT DRINKS TEARS Vol. 4, the thrilling conclusion to the THE BIRD THAT DRINKS TEARS tetralogy, "Korea's Tolkien" fantasy epic for HarperVoyager US/UK/AUS!!!
I CAN'T BELIEVE I FINISHED THIS JOB!!!!!
IT WAS THE TRANSLATION GIG OF A LIFETIME!!!!!!!!
I CAN'T BELIEVE I FINISHED THIS JOB!!!!!
IT WAS THE TRANSLATION GIG OF A LIFETIME!!!!!!!!
Reposted by Matthew
"Librarians are librarians because they want to provide their community with a place to learn, to explore, to grow. Librarians want to provide more to their community, not ban books or make it difficult for people to access materials, as this provision would force librarians to do."
Jim Obergefell–the name you know from the SCOTUS case on LGBTQ+ marriage–has penned a hell of an editorial about the political battle over LGBTQ+ books in Ohio libraries.
www.cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
www.cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
Hiding our history is wrong — and un-American: Jim Obergefell
Requiring libraries to put “material related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression” out of sight of anyone under the age of 18 ignores the reality of human diversity. If the Ohio legi...
www.cleveland.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:06 PM
"Librarians are librarians because they want to provide their community with a place to learn, to explore, to grow. Librarians want to provide more to their community, not ban books or make it difficult for people to access materials, as this provision would force librarians to do."
Reposted by Matthew
I know that there's a 1 like=1 random line from any of my works thing going on today but I am reading the galleys for THE FEYWILD JOB and I'm having trouble focusing
if you would reply with a number between 3 and 335, I would be happy to give you a line from that page. TYSM
if you would reply with a number between 3 and 335, I would be happy to give you a line from that page. TYSM
January 28, 2026 at 6:31 PM
I know that there's a 1 like=1 random line from any of my works thing going on today but I am reading the galleys for THE FEYWILD JOB and I'm having trouble focusing
if you would reply with a number between 3 and 335, I would be happy to give you a line from that page. TYSM
if you would reply with a number between 3 and 335, I would be happy to give you a line from that page. TYSM
Well, this cake recipe has me flambéing some cherries… never done that before. Wish me luck that I don’t burn down the house or something. 🤣
January 30, 2026 at 4:19 AM
Well, this cake recipe has me flambéing some cherries… never done that before. Wish me luck that I don’t burn down the house or something. 🤣
Reposted by Matthew
When someone picks your staff pick.
January 29, 2026 at 6:01 PM
When someone picks your staff pick.
Reposted by Matthew
@neonhemlock.bsky.social is having an AMA right now and a few authors (myself included) are taking part. So come through and ask some questions, say hi etc. etc.
www.reddit.com/r/QueerSFF/
www.reddit.com/r/QueerSFF/
Queer SF/F
A subreddit dedicated to Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Speculative Fiction that explicitly centers queer characters and themes. Books, movies, games, tabletop RPGs, podcasts, etc are all welcome.
www.reddit.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:24 PM
@neonhemlock.bsky.social is having an AMA right now and a few authors (myself included) are taking part. So come through and ask some questions, say hi etc. etc.
www.reddit.com/r/QueerSFF/
www.reddit.com/r/QueerSFF/