Toby's Library: The Nerd Cave

09/05/2026

Hey Book Nerds! I know it's been a while since my last post, but it's been a crazy few months, but now that it's September, it's time for the August 2026 Monthly Reading Wrap Up!
I managed to read 15 books in August, 10 of which were ARC novels 😁 Thanks so much to the various authors and publishers that have sent me ARCs!! I promise to keep up as best as I can!
This month has been nuts for me as I've just moved after living in the same place for 10 years with a growing massive physical library. It was daunting, but I am finally moved into my sister's place for the next 4-6 months, then she and I are going to rent a house together 🖤
I hope to read and review more ARCs this month, and I'm on track to reach my goal of 185 books read for the year very soon!
There is one book on this list, Zoe's Fame, that I do NOT recommend as it was very poorly written or translated with AI and I did not know that when I applied for the ARC.
*This image has NOT been made using AI*

07/22/2026

Upcoming cool author event alert!!

I wanted to let you all know that an upcoming author event will be happening at the Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Parma-Snow branch on November 11th! This event will feature Boy Meets World cast members, including Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, and Will Friedle!

-Ari

TICKETED EVENT: $30+fees. Event starts at November 11, 2026 7:00 PM EST

06/28/2026

Pride month may be coming to an end, but here at Toby’s Nerd Cave Library, we celebrate Pride all year long! Show me some of your favorite LGBTQ+ books and let’s start an LGBTQ+ TBR for someone just getting started!

To get things started, I have read Ashley Shuttleworth’s “The Hollow Star Saga” and I was absolutely in love with it! There are 4 books in the series and they feature some really well written LGBTQ+ characters and story arcs. I highly recommend them!

Here’s a few pics of Toby and I (Ari) at Pride in the CLE for the last 3 years!

-Ari

06/28/2026

Do you LOVE library cats like we do? Here’s some cute pics of Toby’s library cat Kuda! She’s a 19 year old cuddle bug and if you want to hang out at Toby’s nerd cave library, she’ll happily sit on your lap while you read or watch movies ❤️

-Ari

05/20/2026

Hey Book Nerds! 🖤📚 Happy Wednesday! What are you reading today?
Today in the Nerd Cave, I am currently reading "The Monsters We Made" by Peyton June.
Alien cryptids, murder mystery, and le****ns? Hell yes, sign me up! 🏳️‍🌈👽
Thanks to my sister, Arielle, who works for the Cuyahoga County Public Library, I was able to obtain the paperback ARC in exchange for my review, and I'm about halfway through it so far 😁
I was lucky enough to have also gotten the ARC of Junes' first published novel "Bad Creek" as well, and that one was great, so I'm really looking forward to this one too 🖤
Look for my review this week, and make sure to preorder your own copy for when it officially comes out in June!

https://linktr.ee/tobys.nerdcave.library

04/30/2026

Hey Book Nerds! 😄 Here's my April 2026 Reading Wrap! I was able to read 14 books this month, bringing my total for the year up to 69 books finished out of my goal to read 185 books! 🖤😁 My top 3 favorite books this month were "New Dragon City" and "Legends Of The Sky" and "Shadowshapers".
I also read "Scob Nation", a paperback ARC I won through the LibraryThing early reviewers club.
https://linktr.ee/tobys.nerdcave.library

04/24/2026

Hey Book Nerds! 😁 Check out what I'm reading today! I am on book number 66 out of my goal of 185 books to read in 2026 📚 "Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side" by Beth Fantaskey 🖤
I am halfway through the paperback so far and I'm definitely invested. I've already added the second book and the novella to my TBR 🖤
As always, follow on all my bookish platforms for more updates from The Nerd Cave Library (QR code in picture is same as link tree link below)

https://linktr.ee/tobys.nerdcave.library

04/22/2026

Hey fellow Book Nerds! I'm celebrating National Library Week with the proper poindexter energy and, to that end, am planning to expand my library soon.

There's an incredible feeling that comes from finding out you have more space for new books than you realized. Well, I do not have more space. But that's what ambition is for. Ambition and an unstoppable hyperfixation.

If you enjoy my content, I'd love if you could make a donation to help me grow my collection. I want to add new shelves, games, media, and of course those fun flappy things some call books.
(QR codes pictured below)
Cashapp: $Tobygoth
Venmo: @ Toby-Palevsky-Smith

For every donation, your name is entered to win a free book log journal! (Pictured below) It's perfect for those days when you just want to quantify your nerd levels.

Thanks for following, and I can't wait to keep sharing my love of books with you. What's your favorite new story you've read lately?

https://linktr.ee/tobys.nerdcave.library

04/08/2026

04/08/2026

So sorry to hear about John Flanagan
R.I.P