The Death of Vivek Oji

This is the 5th book of the Aspen Words Literary Prize Longlist 2021 that I’ve gotten to. I’m a third of the way through the list now! This is one I definitely was planning to read anyways, having read and been so freaking impressive by both Freshwater and Pet, so it’s nice that it overlapped…

Catherine House

My interest in the genre of dark academia, and in fact my knowledge of that as a sub-genre of its own in the first place, is totally due to @kiara.in.the.stacks. So, shout out to her! But for real, I am really feeling this dark academia vibe. I have read The Secret History, which was good…

Cemetery Boys

This is one of those books that I knew I was going to read as soon as I heard about it. It seemed so original and right up my alley, interest-wise, and also that cover is really gorgeous. Plus, it was just about the most perfect book to cuddle up with on a cold Autumn…

The Voting Booth

I’ve had Colbert’s novel Little and Lion on my TBR for years because I’ve heard only great things about it. I still haven’t managed to get to it yet, but when I saw this one as an option as an ALC from Libro.fm, I still knew I was going to pick it to read ASAP.…

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them

The title of this book put it solidly on my radar as soon as I heard about it (I mean, it’s a fantastic freaking title…so much imagery just from that single phrase!). And once I read the description, the deal was sealed. I had hoped to get to it during #ReadCaribbean (as hosted by @bookofciz…

We Are Never Meeting in Real Life.

Irby’s collections have been on my radar since I started getting more into short story/essay collections. Everything I’d read about them was unanimous in commentary on how funny she was and honestly, if there was ever a year/time that needed more comedic relief, it’s this one. So, as you all know by now is normal…

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…

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…

What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky

This collection has been on my radar for a while. With a title like that, it’s one that sticks out and sticks with you. But I am not often in the mood for story collections, so it stayed on the periphery for quite some time. However, I have to say, I think I am coming…

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…