Editor’s Note:

Friends, I am elated. I’ve achieved an incredible feat—one that, for the past nine months, I thought I might never be able to accomplish again. I have finished my book club’s book of choice for this month. And not just that—I finished it TWO WEEKS ahead of time.

Since 2025 began, I have started each of our books with the best intentions, only to be sidetracked by friends with offers of wine and dinner; diverted by live music plans; waylaid by work responsibilities; or enticed on detours by whimsy and carousal. I am not proud to admit that the best effort I’ve made this year has been to get around eighty percent through one of the books.

So, imagine my delight to have finished the most recent novel—the wonderful The Emperor of Gladness, by Ocean Vuong—with enough time to then read reviews, listen to the author interviewed on podcasts, and give real thought to the themes and characters. I am totally going to win this book club, I can feel it. (Wait, book club is not a competition? Tell that to the guy currently engraving my trophy.)

We’re not the kind of book club that won’t let you come along if you haven’t read the book (though they exist—did you know that some book clubs have rules? Crazy). In fact, our book club is a thinly veiled excuse to drink a little and chat a lot with a wonderful group of women—and there’s a bookish bit at the beginning. That said, I am so excited to arrive this weekend at the brewery where we meet, and to finally make some kind of contribution. (And to accept my trophy.)

In this issue of Oh Reader, you’ll fi nd stories about self-care, rebellion, running, ChatGPT, substance addiction, reading with the seasons, wrestling, tuberculosis and, coincidentally, the shamelessness of not finishing books. I hope you love every last word of it.

Gemma Peckham

Editor