You Should See Me in a Crown

From the moment I’d heard about this book, I’d added it to my TBR. That title, that (adorable) cover, the short description I’d read about small town prom and a queer love story…it was all right up my alley for a light, YA read (which I generally sprinkle into my reading throughout the year for…

The Beekeeper of Aleppo

I have realized over the last few years that the fairly new Aspen Words Prize, focused exclusively on fiction with a social impact, is one of my favorite literary prizes. I am by no means an expert in literary prizes, but what I can say is that their long and short lists are wonderfully diverse…

Brown Girl Dreaming

I know I don’t usually read children’s/middle grade books, and Woodson has written “adult” books, so I’m not really sure what made me feel like this needed to be the first one by her that I read. But there was definitely a reason, because I bought this a year or so ago and have had…

The Boyfriend Project

First, thanks to Libro.fm for the ALC of this contemporary romance. (If you are into audiobooks, definitely check out their librarian/influencer program!) I was really in the need for something light and sexy (contemporary romances have become some of my favorite escapist literature over the past few years) and this was sounded like it would…

Wild Swans

I was recommended this book by a coworker many years ago and a combination of events this year, including AAPI Heritage Month, a book choice recommendation for a book club topically related to Mother’s Day, and prompt #15 for The Reading Women Challenge 2020 (a biography) finally had me picking this one up. Wild Swans…

Felix Ever After

There were so, so many things about this book that caught my eye and put it on my radar. The gorgeous and colorful cover, including and especially the fact that Felix himself, a young trans male with top surgery scars visible, is highlighted in all his beauty. Then, there’s the title (I’m a sucker for…

The Tradition

I don’t read a lot of poetry. I never really have. And though I’ve picked up and loved a few collections over my years on this blog (notably: If They Come for Us and Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings), I haven’t really been what I would consider “converted” to the art form. However, as is…

How We Get Free

This book was chosen by a friend as the first book of an Anti-Racist Book Club that she started. I know that the reactions to white people, white women, starting book clubs like this to address racism is very understandably skeptical as an empty gesture that will soon be moved on from… All I can…

The Girl with the Louding Voice

It’s really hard not to notice this novel, with a cover like that. Honestly. It’s bright and gorgeous and one of those covers that absolutely makes you want to judge the book inside and read it even if you really don’t even have an idea what it’s about. So that’s about where I was with…

Krik? Krak!

I’ve been meaning to read Danticat for years and @bookofcinz’s encouragement to just hurry up and do it for her #readcaribbean celebration this year was just the push I needed. I decided to go with this one because it’s the title I had heard of most frequently. Also, I have to be honest, I was…