Tag: feminism

Valeria Eden’s Tender Teeth Explores Grief, Identity, and Healing

By Sophia-Joelle McDowell
Art by Kelcie McKenney

Valeria Eden is passionate, and it shines through her words and actions. She follows a vegan lifestyle, adores her pups, and loves to read whenever she gets the chance. And she funnels all that passion into her writing—both fiction and poetry. With a BA in psychology, Valeria is also pursuing an MFA in poetry and creative writing in colorful Colorado.

Tender Teeth is Valeria’s newest poetry book, and it’s packed with gripping poems inspired by the aches and pains found in death, grief, identity, love and survival. We spoke with Valeria about the journey life has taken her on thus far and got the scoop on her must-read poetry book.

Continue reading →

What was second-wave feminism really like? Explore the era with feminist author Clara Bringham during her live talk on March 20

By Emily Laptad

The 1960s and 70s marked a significant era of progress for women in the United States. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was the first nationwide legislation for eliminating wage disparities based on sex. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Women’s Educational Equity Act of 1972 guaranteed equal access to education for women and girls. Roe v. Wade legalized abortion across the US in 1973. The Equal Opportunity Credit Act of 1974 enabled women to open bank accounts and apply for credit cards with their own names. And other court cases and legislation further expanded women’s rights to employment, education, financial independence, and reproductive health during this time too. 

Continue reading →

Take a Peek Inside the World of Trope Bookshop: a Romance Reader’s Dream

By Sophia-Joelle McDowell

What’s cooler than smutty books on wheels? Trope Bookshop stands out as a romance focused mobile bookstore operating in Charlotte, NC. 

Founder Katie wasn’t always a romance book-slinging bus driver. She grew up in Arkansas and moved to Charlotte after graduating from the University of Arkansas. Katie worked some corporate jobs before getting COVID and experiencing burnout. This weight encouraged her to kick the corporate scene to the curb and find her way to the world of bookstore ownership. 

Katie’s been enjoying the ride, and she recently announced her plans to put down roots with a brick and mortar location—Trope HQ opening March 1. The green gal on wheels will still continue to bop around Charlotte once the new location opens. We spoke with Katie about her journey so far and the love she carries for the genre. Maybe we can convince her to take a road trip to Kansas City? 

Continue reading →
Catcall's 2025 Books to Look For

Must-Add Books for Your 2025 Reading Wishlist

By Sophia-Joelle McDowell
Art by Maddy Best

As we take on the next four years, many will turn to books for distraction and connection. This is the perfect time to pick up more titles with diverse voices or an LGBTQ+ focus. 

January has already brought new releases like The Three Lives of Cate Kay, How to Sleep at Night, Black in Blues, Holy Ground, Give Her Credit, Single Player, and Onyx Storm. We Do Not Part was first published in 2021, but was recently translated from Korean to English and published in January too. There are so many other titles left to get excited about.

If you’re looking for new reads to stack onto your TBR, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you lean towards romance, smut, true crime, or sci-fi, there’s something for you. These new releases will be hitting bookstore and library shelves near you in 2025! 

Continue reading →
Good Grief

Good Grief

2 Comments

Mourning and moving on after cutting off an abusive parent.

By Ashley Carey
Art by Maddy Best

CW: Mention of domestic abuse by a parent and childhood trauma.

This is for every person whose parent(s) did not love them in a way a parent is supposed to. For those of you who had a “parent” who was a charming narcissist or abuser or just plain toxic, I see you. And you deserve a life filled only with the people who can appreciate all that you are.

It’s a deeply strange experience to grieve the living. Much like any other form of grief, it’s also quite lonely, though in a profoundly different way.

So much has been written and understood about grieving those we’ve loved and lost. It’s certainly not an easy thing to do, which is why I believe so many people avoid grieving once the funeral dies down (woof that pun was terrible. I’m kind of a walking dad joke despite not having a dad. SICK BURN, DAD).

Grieving someone who is alive is super weird, and mercifully is something many people don’t seem to understand.

Continue reading →