The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook by Melani Sanders comes out January 13, 2026

Well this was a delight! I love The WDNC videos and the tone remains that of a smart, snarky sister who knows what is headed your way. Even though I am on the crone side of meno-madness, it was still a comfort to read that it wasn't me that was bonkers, that it was just part of the ride. 

Melani has her signature list of things we simply do not care about, along with examples of honorary WDNC members throughout history and quotes from women who have been through it and know whereof they speak. 

Some of the chapters are a little slight and the formatting of the ebook was monstrous. I can only assume that is because it is a pre-publication Netgalley version and they will will fix it. But honestly, I think the print version of this is the way to go. There is talk of awarding yourself points for you awesomeness and keeping track of your points in the back - an impossible task in an ebook, needless to say. But the content is delightful. 

Melani's voice and attitude come through in writing as strongly as they do in her videos and it is a welcome tone for women of a certain age. I'd even buy one of those affirming desk calendars if she created it, and I hate those things! If you are between the ages of 40 and death, you're going to want to read this one. 

Dear Monica Lewinsky by Julia Langbein comes out April 14, 2026

It has taken me so long to write this review because I honestly don't have the right words for how much I loved this book. 

The story concerns Jean who is having a crisis in her home and work life that seems to be related to an affair she had with a professor in the summer of 1998, the same summer the Lewinsky/Clinton scandal was dominating the news. Jean prays to Saint Monica who transports her to a replica of the hotel room in which Ken Starr trapped her and the two women review Jean's story. 

First off, the book is hilarious. Langbein swings hard and connects beautifully in her depiction of Monica as an icon, human and goddess. I hope the real Monica reads this book because it is a love letter to her. 

The beginning is a little confusing. Jean is not particularly likable. Frankly, I never warmed to her, but I loved her story. At the start she is a court translator, formerly a chef. But once she aspired to be a historian. In the flashbacks we learn she is in way over her head with a bunch of graduate students studying medieval architecture in Europe as an undergraduate. As the story progresses we see her near-obsession with one of the professors running the program. She attempts to seduce him. Even in her flashbacks, she is clear that everything that happens is consensual, and yet there are ripples that come to her in midlife with tremendous repercussions. And this is what Langbein does so brilliantly. She shows this dynamic that used to be commonplace and is now taboo and clearly shows why without preaching. And while showing this, she also builds believable, fascinating characters, a bit of suspense and so, so many laughs. 

I can't wait for this book to be published so that I can buy a copy and just hold it in my hands. It was splendid.