"Yet it is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till". 

- Gandalf; The Lord of the Rings (The Return of the King); Book 5; Chapter 9: The Last Debate

One of the more important books I have read (and reread) is The Lord of the Rings. It is a story of hope in the face of darkness and hopelessness, and a story of how good people doing what they can often makes all the difference in the world. Reading about how each individual, however small, struggles to do what they can, and to find hope, always inspires me.

I have always been a problem solver. Over the last few years, I have really struggled to figure out what I can do, and what role I can play in trying to make the world a better place for everyone, and stand up to injustices where I can. One of the reasons I started making book content was to try to help people rediscover the joy of reading, and share stories that can teach us about our lives. But I want to do more, and do what I can. It can feel hopeless - like Frodo and Sam, how can one person make a difference when there is so much out in the world over which we have no control. For me, I have decided there are a few things I can do.

I have been fortunate enough to have the chance to monetize some of the book content I make, and I would like to use that to support some good causes. So going forward, each month, I will total up whatever I get from any social media monetization (including Bindery memberships, Bindery book sales, my bookshop.org affiliate store, my bookshop.org and Amazon affiliate links, as well as future YouTube monetization), match it up to $100, and donate the total of that to the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia. The New Sanctuary Movement is a local Pennsylvania group, connected to similar national nonprofits, whose goal is to "work to end injustices against immigrants regardless of immigration status, express radical welcome for all, and ensure that values of dignity, justice, and hospitality are lived out in practice and upheld in policy."You can learn more about them at their website. Additionally, while I tend to focus on fantasy, horror, and sci fi, I am going to start introducing some educational nonfiction content to my social platforms that I feel are important, or relevant to a well informed people. Most of my content is going to stay the same, but I also feel that, as someone who has been fortunate to have some semblance of a platform, I want to do what I can with what I have.

I have never liked asking for likes, follows, shares, or trying to upsell myself (in fact if you watch my videos, you notice I never ask for engagement or follows). I make content because I have fun doing it, and I love being able to make connections with people and talk books in a safe welcoming space. So without being too sales-e, if you are interested in supporting, consider becoming a Bindery member, buy a book from the links here on Bindery or from my Bookshop affiliate store, and share my info with anyone who you think may be interested in joining a great book community. And if any kind of membership or book purchasing is not something you can do right now, just subscribing/following and sharing on whatever platforms you are on makes a big difference. The more people I can reach, the more good I hope to be able to do.

Thank you all for being part of this wonderful community, and for your support!