Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted over at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about but haven’t yet read. Most of the time they’re books that have yet to be released, but not always. It’s based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme, which was originally hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.
This week my Can’t-Wait-For Book is Light & Earth & Marrow by Jeannie Marschall!
Light & Earth & Marrow by Jeannie Marschall
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Horror, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Sapphic MC
Published on: 22nd September 2026
Goodreads
Hedge witch Tilly Reinicke resides in a bucolic village where magic and all manner of paranormal creatures are real—everyone knows it, but not everyone is necessarily kenning.
Tilly passes the quiet seasons alongside her dead but far-from-gone wife Ralda, cultivating their garden, respecting the Others, and teaching the children the ways and the Paths… until their peace is shattered by the rumble of construction next door.
Her new neighbors, Yola and Karsten Bell, are determined to control every last detail of their new home build… and are decidedly not kenning. As the nights grow longer and the most hallowed day of the year approaches, Tilly tries her very, grumpy best to guide, cajole, and reason with the Bells, before their unbelief in—and contempt for—the paranormal world endangers everyone.
For the Others do not suffer disrespect lightly, and soon they will walk the Paths again.
I first heard about this one when I stumbled upon the author on Bluesky, and I’ve been COVETING IT ever since! Snarky undead witches and ‘ecology with teeth’ and all the little snippets I’ve seen over the months – plus the kind of person Jeannie seems to be – adds up to something I REALLY want to read!
Like, full discloser: Jeannie and I are friendly acquaintances at this point, but the only reason we ever started talking was because I loved what I saw of their prose and storytelling, SO.
But seriously, how can you not be interested in something the author describes thusly;
My darling sapphic witches Tilly & Ralda bring to the page all my hopes for a better way of existing with and within this beautiful superorganism we call Earth.
AND they bring that voice that says, If not …then you’ve had it coming
WANT.
You can read one of their short stories here if you want to get a feel for their writing, and Light & Earth & Marrow is available for preorder in paperback or ebook at the publisher!
“AND they bring that voice that says, If not …then you’ve had it coming”
YES, this sounds GREAT. This is also the first I’ve heard of Shiraki Press, and they look like they have fun stuff coming out.
RIGHT?!
They do! I have their Fruits of Our Labor on my tbr, and I’ve heard good things about Wine For Roses and Accelerated Growth Environment! Definitely a press to keep an eye on, methinks!
FINE. I’ll add another book to my TBR. :D
Probably mentioned this more than once, but September is absolutely ridiculous when it comes to book releases that I’m excited about. The Goblin Crown, Massif, Traitors’ Nest, A Snake Among Swans, Strange Lights, Espiritu, The Unsolvable Case, the new Earthsea box set, and now this.
Also, I have a book rec for you! The Story of the Hundred Promises by Neil Cochrane OR [heck of a name, wow]. I’m always up for a queer Beauty and the Beast retelling, and I read maybe 4 pages of the sample and went ‘I needed this xyz years ago!’ [It came out, pun intended, in 2022.]
Also also, how’re you liking The Demon Star? I’m going to take a gamble on it, and buy it on release.
……..Along with all of the September books and 4 books in October. Just when I thought I was getting better at not doing that. At least 8 out of the 11 authors are ones I trust far above most other authors, because they’re among my absolute favourites.
MWAH HA!
Oh gods yes, September is PACKED this year! (As it is most years, to be fair). Goblin Crown and Traitors’ Nest are right at the top for me – and I’m reading Snake Among Swans right now and loving it!
! I HAVE READ THAT! It’s one of my faves :D
Demon Star isn’t bad. It’s not holding my attention very well, but I think it’s a me-problem – there’s been a lot of drama going on with family so that’s probably messing with my concentration. The aesthetic reminds me of Dune, a bit.
I MEAN. IT’S IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT OUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS, ISN’T IT?
I just found out that The Bone Brides has a new release date, Sep. 29th, instead of Oct. 6th. Forgot about Bodies of Magic releasing in September, too. Ten books!
Hooray! I hope it’ll become one of my favourites, too.
I know that feeling of not being able to concentrate on anything with family drama going on. So, many sympathies.
IT IS! :D
Oh excellent! I can update my book release calendar, thank you!
Thank you <3