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We’re more than halfway through May, but there’s still time to join and participate! Drop a 🍋 if you want a link to join Lost In Translation book club over on Fable! #yvonnareads #bookstagram #fable #reading #latina #latinx #latinxreads #latinxbookstagram #latinabookstagram #latinxreader #latinareader #diversifyyourreading #diversifyyourshelf #readbipoc #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors #lostintranslationbookclub

Current read

💬ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ💬 Saving Jim Thunder by Nick Ehizojie 29/52 📚 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 Thank you so much to @nick_ehiz_writes for sending me a copy. It was published May 5, 2024 Snapshot📸: Azotie survives a terrible car crash and on a whim, signs up for a time travel experiment. Thrusted into the boreal forests of northern Alberta in 1922, she comes across a lost little boy, Jim. Abandoned as a baby, her mysterious origins intertwine with her newfound mission- Jim is a young Indigenous boy and wants to go home, fleeing the residential school he was brought to. As Azotie learns Jim is ill but desperate to see his family again, Azotie must make some difficult decisions. She is in a race against time to save Jim, while learning of the oppressive laws dictating the fate of so many young Indigenous children, complicating her efforts to reunite Jim with his family. Review 📄: Since my university days, I have really enjoyed reading Canadian history non fiction/fiction. Ehizojie writes a compelling novel that explores Indigenous children’s experiences at a residential school. Azotie doesn’t understand why she was propelled over 100 years back in time, but she dives right in to this journey to save Jim, and in the midst discovers the atrocities that happened at residential schools. I felt so helpless and frustrated for Azotie, and as the reader I felt like I was on the journey with her. This would be such a great read for someone who is interested in learning about residential schools. ❔QOTD: what is a historical event that interests you? #canadianhistory #historicalfiction #importantread #bookreview #Bookstagram #diversifybookstagram #diversereading #readbipocauthors #bookcommunity

[baby review] “Where Sleeping Girls Lie” by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé #yvonnareads #bookstagram #reading #latina #latinx #latinxreads #latinxbookstagram #latinabookstagram #latinxreader #latinareader #diversifyyourreading #diversifyyourshelf #readbipoc #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors #moodreader

AND THEN SHE FELL by Alicia Elliott | #duttonpartner @duttonbooks #gifted • out now Toronto - Alice has just given birth to a beautiful baby girl and lives with her charming husband Steve, a white academic who studies her own Mohawk culture. Life seems to be perfect for this Indigenous woman, however she struggles to connect with her daughter while floundering in the loss. Things start to get even worse when she finds herself hearing voices she can’t explain and the neighbors’ passive-aggressive behavior turns into something more threatening. The narrative begins with a coming-of-age story of a Native girl and follows to the womanhood. During one night when Alice is babysitting, one voice appears in her life and opens closed doors to unsettling truths. With exquisite prose, this story is multi-layered, offering a razor-sharp look at (Native) motherhood, mental health, white savior complex and cultural appropriation/stereotypes. There is no flowering picture about childbirth and mothering as the author doesn’t shy away from watering the idea of post-partum depression. Elliott crafts an elastic world where old demons come back to ruin, not in the form of voice-that-feels-like-conscious, but rather of those trying to sabotage one’s efforts. As the MC goes on many journeys when writing, she simultaneously invites one to see the different perspectives on things. There is a generational exhaustion embedded in the lives of descendants and grief caused by stories people wrongly perpetuate - by keeping the story alive for next generations, survival comes in a distinct way. With a slower pacing at first, the story seamlessly blends an innovative line of reasoning anchored by metaphors that offer a fever dream experience, and I must admit that some of the passages (with an unreliable narrator and magical realism) went over my head. What are women afforded in colonized spaces? With plot twists that brilliantly come full circle, at its core, the story is about the importance of legacy, of carrying the whole community and their history’s weight on one’s back to survive. (Continued in comments) #reviewsbyelena

Firefly Palestinian Reading Lists! (Thanks @missoularedhead for help putting this together and to @bookitqueen for the inspiration!) In honor of #AANHPIHeritageMonth, first prompt of my scavenger hunt giveaway/Palestine fundraiser, & my bday, here’s a post to get to know me/my vibe. Firefly, one of my favorite shows, is a space cowboy story that explores a group of people trying to build a life while staying clear of a colonizing force. There are nine main characters: Malcolm (Mal) Reynolds: Captain of Serenity and Sergeant in the war against the Alliance. A fighter & fiercely loyal to his crew, with a strong sense of justice and nobility. Aims to misbehave. Zoë Washburne: Mal’s Second in Command both in the fight against the Alliance and on Serenity. A fighter who longs for a family. Enjoys a slinky dress. Hoban “Wash” Wasburne: Zoë’s husband and Pilot of Serenity. Went to flight school to see the stars. Is a leaf on the wind. Inara Serra: A Companion who rents a shuttle from Mal. Spiritual, queer, and a lover. Most likely to offer tea. Kaylee Frye: Engineer on Serenity with a mind for mechanics. Loves whimsy and helping others find themselves. A romantic at heart. Buddy reading with River. Simon Tam: Brilliant Doctor on the run from the Alliance after he broke his beloved sister out of a secret government facility. The only crew member to carry an encyclopedia. River Tam: Simon’s younger sister. A quirky teenager who is a mind reading genius, but what she really wants is to be a kid. Buddy reading with Kaylee. Shepherd Book: A man of God with a mysterious past. Spiritual, thoughtful, and fascinated by people. Too much hair. Jayne Cobb: Gun for hire who openly states his dislike for schooling. Sadly, the only things he’s reading are letters from his mother. Probably while wearing a cunning hat. Combined, they’ve got a pretty good reading list. I need to add a few books to my own TBR! [Image descriptions in comments.] #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #QueerYourYear #20BooksByAsianWomen #20BooksByAsianAuthors #19NonFiction #DecolonizeYourShelf #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #ReadPalestine #ReadPalestinianAuthors #ReadPalestinianBooks

The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera *mini review* As some of you may recall, I attempted to read this last year as an audiobook before realizing I can only do nonfiction on audio. This year I got a physical copy and I’m so glad I did! The Whale Rider is an engrossing tale of love of land, community, and people, but also sadly an all-too-common tale of misogyny and overlooking brilliant, powerful girls. These elements could turn into a disaster, but in the hands of Ihimaera, we get a wonderful exploration of Kahu’s early years, the stories and legends of the Whale Rider who founded the community, and the way Kahu’s life is connected to that legend. I especially loved the way Ihimaera used imagery and played with time to tell two stories at once. The Whale Rider is a classic for a reason and there likely isn’t more I can say that hasn’t already been said. I’ll just add that if, like me, you have taken forever to read this one, don’t put it off any longer. It’s a beautiful read. #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #SouthAsianBookstagrammer #BookReview #BookRecommendation #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #DecolonizeYourShelf #AdultsReadYA #IndigenousAuthor #MaoriAuthor #NewZealandAuthor #NewZealandBookstagram #PacificIslanderAuthor #AANHPIMonth #AANHPIHeritageMonth

If it isn’t little miss “I finish one book and think I’ll read 5 in one month”. This month I’m focusing on book clubs & ARCs. “Lemon” by Kwon Yeo-sun - Lost In Translation Book Club (drop a 🍋 in the comments if you’d like a direct link to join!) “Oye” by Melissa Mogollon - ARC “Elena Knows” by Claudia Piñeiro - Coffee & Cuentos Book Club hosted by @spookishmommy “The Cemetery of Untold Stories” by Julia Alvarez - ARC “The Devil’s Highway” by Luis Alberto Urrea - Discover Latinx Book Club hosted by @discover.latinx.literature Thank you @netgalley and tagged publishers for providing an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. #yvonnareads #bookstagram #fable #reading #latina #latinx #latinxreads #latinxbookstagram #latinabookstagram #latinxreader #latinareader #diversifyyourreading #diversifyyourshelf #readbipoc #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors #bookclub #bookclubs #lostintranslation #lostintranslationbookclub #coffeeandcuentos #discoverlatinxliterature #libbyapp

Apparently when I have a stressful month, like the last month of the semester, I read a lot of fast reads…which is the only explanation for how I got through 9 books in April. Read Just Because: Dear God. Dear Bones. Dear Yellow. by Noor Hindi (fantastic poetry that’s more relevant than ever; reviewed) Nina: The Story of Nina Simone by Traci N. Todd (a lovely picture book biography of one of the greatest singers to ever live) Read for the #Pages4PalestineReadathon: Nayra and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata (delightful graphic novel; reviewed) You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat (really liked; planning to review it during the #QueerPalestineReadathon I’m organizing with @cats.tea.and.books, @ceallaighsbooks, and @treesofreverie. More details on the readathon soon!) eARCs Read: To Gaze upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Change (there’s a potential for a great story here, instead we get an unnecessary colonizer love story; full review on Storygraph) This Book Won’t Burn by Samira Ahmed (the rare YA book that I think works well for the intended audience but not so much for an older Brown woman who’s dealt with racism and censorship for decades; full review on Storygraph) Magnolia Wu Unfolds it All by Chanel Miller (one of the best books I’ve read in a while; reviewed) Read for the #ChronicallyIconicBookClub April Pick: Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore (I liked it; I might try to put my thoughts into a review, but if you’re considering picking it up, I recommendit) Read for the #Toni2024 Reading Challenge: Tar Baby by Toni Morrison (really enjoyed this one, but also torn on the fact that there were two characters I could do without but also that the book wouldn’t have been the same without them) How was your April? What are you reading this month? And don’t forget to check out my #AANHPI and Birthday Month Scavenger Hunt (and Palestine fundraiser) Giveaway! #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #SouthAsianBookstagrammer #BookReviewer #BookRecommendation #QueerYourYear #20BooksByBlackFolx #20BooksByAsianWomen #20BooksByAsianAuthors #19NonFiction #DecolonizeYourShelf #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #AdultsReadYA #AdultsReadMG

A little while ago, my book club and I had the honor to host and chat with the talented and sweet @britney.s.lewis The author of The Dark Place. It was such a great conversation about this book and what’s to come next. Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Hylee Williams didn’t ask to disappear. But she did disappear, and not only that, but when she vanished from our world, she materialized in a dark, twisted version of the night that changed her life forever: the night her older brother went missing. Just as Hylee realizes this moment could be the key to unraveling the truth about her brother, she’s yanked away from the dark place back to our world. Craving a sense of normalcy, she goes to a party with her best friend—where she meets Eilam Roads. Tall, handsome, and undeniably, inexplicably familiar, Hylee can’t help the pull she feels towards him. It’s a classic teen girl-meets-boy situation, until it happens again. She disappears, right in front of him. Together, Hylee and Eilam investigate the truth about time, space, and reality, with Hylee increasingly convinced her time travel holds the key to saving her brother. But the more they learn, the more Hylee begins to see darkness lurking in her world—and in herself. This book took me on a whirlwind to say the least. Every page I was rooting for Hylee through the fear, mystery and heartbreak. Definitely a must-read. #horroryabook #yabooks #britneyslewis #thedarkplace #readingjournal #bookstagram #booktok #blackbookstagram #blackbooktok #readbipocauthors #bipocauthors #bookclubpick

Sheesh, I don’t know how I got here, but I’m behind on my NetGalley ARCs AGAIN. Let’s just say life got busier than expected. But I’m back to my routine - reading an ARC between each of my personal books. Here are all the books I’ve been lucky enough to receive an ARC for that I have to catch up on. #yvonnareads #bookstagram #reading #latina #latinx #latinxreads #latinxbookstagram #latinabookstagram #latinxreader #latinareader #diversifyyourreading #diversifyyourshelf #readbipoc #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors #moodreader #netgalley #arcs

Welcome to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Month! It’s also my birthday month! Which means, it’s time for another @lindsloveslit inspired scavenger hunt and giveaway! How to enter! 1) Follow me. (And don’t just follow to unfollow. That’s mean.) 2) Post a photo (flat lay; stack; collage) or reel to your feed using the prompts & tag me. Books can be ones you’ve read or on your TBR, but all books MUST be by an Asian/Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander author. The Prompts! 1) A book that matches my vibe. Need inspiration? Peruse my page to get to know me better! 2) A book that fits the theme of 12. This can be any aspect of the book, like 12 in the title; 12 chapters; total pages starts or ends with 12 for print/eBook or total time starts or ends with 12 for audiobook; 12 authors in an anthology; 12 characters; or any other way 12 plays a significant role with the book. 3) A book with Taurus vibes. 4) A book with a purple cover. 5) A book about colonialism and/or abolition. There are FIVE possible extra entries! 1) Tag three friends in the comments. 2) Use books from an indie bookstore and/or library and/or that were gifted. 3) Share to stories 4) TWO extra entries: Donate to any @OperationOliveBranch fundraiser and DM me screenshot as proof. (Thanks to @sims_instragrams_badly for the inspiration.) For every donation, I will donate $1 to @baraa_awoor2’s fundraiser. (Link in bio.) Entries accepted May 1-31 with a winner chosen shortly thereafter. Winner will receive a diverse book off their wish list (ideally a Bookshop registry or an independent bookstore). Open internationally, but I must be able to ship from a local store or Blackwell’s. (Note: If I don’t respond noting your entry within 24 hours, please message me so I don’t miss it!) #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #SouthAsianBookstagrammer #BookReviewer #AAPIMonth #AANHPIMonth #AAPIHeritageMonth #AANHPIHeritageMonth #20BooksByAsianWomen #20BooksByAsianAuthors #ReadPalestine #19Nonfiction #QueerYourYear #DecolonizeYourShelf #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #AdultsReadYA #AdultsReadMG #IndigenousAuthor #NativeHawaiianAuthor #PacificIslanderAuthor

Independent book store day haul! - I’m supposed to be on a *no buy* but I wasn’t passing up the chance to support my favorite indie book store 🩵 so i dragged my friend @beaismyhero to @lions_mouth_bookstore to peruse with me & ran into 2 fellow local bookstagrammers @alishareadsgoodbooks & @colesbooknook of @_queerlybeloved_ ❤️🏳️‍🌈 •heartbones, losing hope, & Layla by Colleen Hoover •meet me at the lake - Carley fortune •this book is gay - Juno Dawson •the hate u give - Angie Thomas •behind closed doors - BA Paris •the bridges of Madison county - Robert James Waller 🏷️: #bookstagram #booknerd #bookworm #booktok #indiebookstore #independantbookstoreday #supportlocalbusiness #lionsmouthbookstore #readqueerallyear #readbipocauthors #coho #classicliterature #lgbtqia #pride

T-5 days! #yvonnareads #bookstagram #fable #reading #latina #latinx #latinxreads #latinxbookstagram #latinabookstagram #latinxreader #latinareader #diversifyyourreading #diversifyyourshelf #readbipoc #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors #translatedbooks #lostintranslationbookclub

Today is the last day of the #Pages4PalestineReadthon. Thank you to @rocio_literaryplantitas and @ashlee_erinreads starting this effort and bringing attention to the @operationolivebranch fundraises. I will soon be donating to fellow #bookstagrammer @bookish.forlife, who is currently fundraising to leave Gaza along with her parents and siblings. As we’re wrapping up, I’d like to ask that we ponder on of my favorite quotes by Bryan Stevenson: People say all the time, “I don’t understand how people could have tolerated slavery, how could they have made peace with that? How could people have gone to a lynching and participated in that? How did people make sense of this segregation, this ‘white’ and ‘colored only’ drinking—that’s so crazy—I just—if I was living at that time, I would have never tolerated anything like that!” And the truth is, we are living at this time. And we are tolerating it. Stevenson was talking about the criminal legal system, but I think his basic point applies to other atrocities, including the ongoing g3n0cide in Gaza. There is a lot of silence on #Bookstagram, especially by readers and authors who usually write beautifully about the importance of reading diversly, celebrating own voices, and championing representation and I just have to ask: Why? What are you afraid of? If you’ve spoken up for #BlackLivesMatter or #TransRights or other against other types of oppression, but you aren’t speaking up for Palestine, why not? Why is this the atrocity you’re willing to tolerate? I ask these questions not to shame people, but because I truly don’t understand how, after 200 days, there is still silence. I know it can be scary to speak up and it can feel overwhelming, but your voice matters. And we need every voice we can get right now. If you’re unsure of how to begin, start by reading more Palestinian books and authors and championing those books on your page. Because even though the readathon is over, we should #ReadPalestine all year. #TheRitaReads #SouthAsianBookstagrammer #20BooksByAsianWomen #20BooksByAsianAuthors #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #DecolonizeYourShelf #CeaseFireNow #ReadPalestinianAuthors #ReadPalestinianBooks

Currently reading #homeisnotacountry by @safiamafia #QEreads #ya #yanovelinverse #safiaelhillo #readbipocauthors #readfemaleauthors

REVIEW Happy paperback pub week to The Late Americans! Thank you #partner @riverheadbooks for my #gifted copy. The Late Americans Brandon Taylor •Literary / contemporary fiction •Character-driven •BIPOC & queer characters The Late Americans follows a group of young adults, in a small midwestern town, on their individual and collective journeys of self discovery. 🔄 swipe for full synopsis This ambitious, highly literary novel may not be for everyone, but I really appreciate what Taylor did here — especially his skilful dissection of the complexities of human behavior, interactions, and relationships. As the plot takes a back seat to the individual character studies, The Late Americans moves at a slower pace and as such, is a book that requires savoring. I paired my print copy with the audiobook, via @libby.app and my local library. Narrator Kevin R. Free's audiobook performance is easy on the ears, and I enjoyed this format as well. 😊 📌 Available now 👉🏼 Would you say you read more plot-driven or character-driven fiction? Or is it a pretty even mix of both? I'd say I read about 60/40, plot/character. I like them both equally; it just depends on my mood. . . . .

Magnolia Wu Unfolds it All by @chanel_miller (CW: anti-Asian racism; emotional and physical abuse by parents discussed) Thank you @NetGalley and @PenguinKids for the eARC! A small break from the #Pages4PalestineReadathon to wish a happy book birthday to this adorable middle grade debut! Magnolia spends a lot of time at her parents’ laundromat and grows to feel bad for all the lost socks she finds—so much so that she has pinned them to a corkboard on the wall hoping their owners will reclaim them. Enter Iris, a newly transplanted Californian who not only sees Magnolia for the sweet kid she is, but also appreciates her sock goals. With Iris’ encouragement, she and Magnolia embark on a quest to reunite each sock with its owner. While on this quirky mission, Magnolia and Iris learn the meaning of friendship and community. But what makes the story truly wonderful are the sock owners we meet along the way and how they help Iris and Magnolia grow. As the individual sock stories unfold, the book explores how a seemingly everyday item can help kids learn about trying new things, not assuming you understand someone when you don’t know their whole story, dealing with loss and xenophobia, and accepting that not all adventures need to have a clear end point to be good. There was also one really poignant moment when Iris explains why being a sock detective is so important to her. I won’t spoil it other than to say that if you, like me, are a crier, you might need a tissue handy. Magnolia Wu Unfolds it All beautifully balances the joy of childhood with the inevitable realities that kids start to face as they get older. For middle grade readers, I think this book will help them understand a bit more of that balancing act as well. Plus, it has super cute illustrations that really add to the joy of the book. #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #SouthAsianBookstagrammer #BookReview #BookRecommendation #20BooksByAsianWomen #20BooksByAsianAuthors #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #DecolonizeYourShelf #AdultsReadMG #MiddleGrade #MiddleGradeBooks #MiddleGradeFiction

Nayra and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata (CW: Islamophobia; bullying) *mini review* What an absolutely delightful story. Nayra is, like many kids, dealing with a lot. Bullying, a friend whom she loves but feels overwhelmed by, and a family that won’t listen to her. Until, suddenly, a djinn who has run away from home enters her life. Together, Nayra and Marjan develop an unlikely friendship that helps Nayra tackle her problems, though some are handled better than ever. While it’s not a smooth ride, both Nayra and Marjan learn a lot about who they are, who they want to be, and how to be good friends to those they love old and new. While in many ways Nayra and the Djinn is a familiar coming of age story, it is that familiarity that helps the reader see themselves in the story. Feeling like an outsider and not being sure how to connect with dear friends as one grows and changes are universal experiences that are wonderfully explored in this story. I also really appreciated the twist of the Marjan the Djinn being a friendly and lonely creature rather than the evil monster djinns are usually portrayed as. While a quick read, this beautifully illustrated graphic novel will suck you in from the first page and have you rooting for them both until the very end. #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #SouthAsianBookstagrammer #BookReview #BookRecommendation #20BooksByAsianWomen #20BooksByAsianAuthors #QueerYourYear #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #DecolonizeYourShelf #CeaseFireNow #ReadPalestinianAuthors #ReadPalestinianBooks #ReadPalestine #Pages4PalestineReadathon #GraphicNovel #AdultsReadMG #AdultsReadYA

Last April I read my first Akwaeke Emezi book and fell deep into their writing. I’m sad to say I haven’t read any of their other books… YET. Luckily, I impulse bought these right after I read “Freshwater”. All this to say, I’m dubbing April my personal Akwaeke Emezi month, and will be reading these titles. And I’ll start by rereading the book that reeled me in. What’s your favorite Akwaeke Emezi book? 💬 #yvonnareads #akwaekeemezi #freshwater #petakwaekeemezi #bitterakwaekeemezi #bookstagram #reading #latina #latinx #latinxreads #latinxbookstagram #latinabookstagram #latinxreader #latinareader #diversifyyourreading #diversifyyourshelf #readbipoc #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors #moodreader

THE OLD MAN WHO READ LOVE STORIES by Luis Sepúlveda (tr. Peter Bush) | #gifted @harperviabooks • out now In a fictional town of El Idilio, Ecuador - this is one episode in the life of Antonio José Bolivar Proaño, who lives in an indigenous Shuar community that has slowly been overrun by tourists and opportunists. One day, two Shuar men arrive with the dead body of a greedy trader and they go on an expedition in the jungle in search for the killer. With meteoritic plot, Sepúlveda doesn’t waste any time plunging readers into the lush descriptions of Amazonia, which peace is threatened by the man’s intervention. Part an adventurous novel, Sepúlveda dives deep with the atmospheric prose that highlights the raging conflict between man and nature; man and man (Indians, rejected natives and white people). From the life in the jungle filled with delights of reading to the climatic closure, the MC’s quiet introspection coexists with moments in which the author plays with the nature as a character. This book provides a powerful meditation on exploitation, the costs of environmental irresponsibility and colonialism. I devoured this slim book in one sitting and found it impactful, yet wouldn’t have minded 100 more pages. Often sardonic and provoking discomfort, this is an influential work in the Latin American tradition that echoes environmental commitment; and the profound introduction into Latin American literature (by Álvaro Enrigue) is utterly insightful. 🔖 by @theseasonalpages 🪴 #reviewsbyelena

Dear God. Dear Bones. Dear Yellow. by @noorkhindi *mini review* Thanks to @desibookaunty for the gifted copy! I’m not really a poetry reader. I know that’s going to be disappointing to some of my followers, but it’s not my favorite genre to read. I do appreciate that the written form allows us to see the formatting and the imagery that can be evoked through the placement of words. And I am very much in awe of the skill it takes to write and revise beautiful pieces. But I prefer listening to poetry. There’s something about hearing it that moves me in ways that reading it just doesn’t. So imagine my surprise when I devoured this collection of poetry by Noor Hindi. Maybe it was because I could see myself in different pieces, but I was enthralled, and I kept sending photos of pages to friends who I knew would also appreciate the poems. Some of them are beautiful. Some of them are gut punches. All are fantastic. My favorites were probably All My Plants are Dead and Fuck Your Lecture on Craft, My People are Dying. I had the honor of hearing Hindi read some new pieces when she came to EMU a few weeks ago and I’m eagerly anticipating her next collection. #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer # #20BooksByAsianWomen #20BooksByAsianAuthors #QueerYourYear #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #DecolonizeYourShelf #CeaseFireNow #ReadPalestinianAuthors #ReadPalestinianBooks #ReadPalestine #Pages4PalestineReadathon #Poetry

Beginning today through April 24th is the #Pages4PalestineReadthon hosted by @rocio_literaryplantitas and @ashlee_erinreads. The goal of the readathon is to read books by #PalestinianAuthors and about Palestine and, if you’re able, donate to families and individuals trying to escape Gaza. I will be participating by reading at least 1 book and donating to fellow #bookstagrammer @bookish.forlife, who is currently fundraising to leave Gaza along with her parents and siblings. If you’d like to participate, check out book recommendations from myself (slide 2) and others and @operationolivebranch’s spreadsheet of people trying to escape, links to their GoFundMes, and stories about who they are. Books Recommendations to Read During the Readathon (slide 2) * The Hundred Years of Palestine by Rashid Khalidi * Minor Detail by Adania Shibli * Evil Eye by @etafrum * Dear God. Dear Bones. Dear Yellow. By @noorkhindi Books I Plan to Read During the Readathon (slide 3) Definitely reading: Nayra and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata Hoping to read: You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat and Behind you is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #SouthAsianBookstagrammer #BookRecommendations #20BooksByAsianWomen #20BooksByAsianAuthors #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #DecolonizeYourShelf #CeaseFireNow #ReadPalestinianAuthors #ReadPalestinianBooks #ReadPalestine

You guys! I’ve been contemplating this for a year now (hello procrastination!), and I’ve decided starting is better than waiting for the right time. I’m starting a book club over on Fable! It focuses on translated works, written by authors from different countries, which I hope means I’ll be exploring different genres. Here are the first 2 books we will be reading. Head on over to fable and join! We start reading May 1. Feel free to DM me if you have any questions! #yvonnareads #bookstagram #fable #fablebookclub #reading #latina #latinx #latinxreads #latinxbookstagram #latinabookstagram #latinxreader #latinareader #diversifyyourreading #diversifyyourshelf #readbipoc #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors

Evil Eye by @etafrum *review in honor of the Global Strike for Palestine* (CW: gaslighting; emotional abuse; suicidal thoughts) In many ways, Evil Eye is a coming-of-age story. Yes, Yara is in her late 20s, but given that she was married at 19 and embraces who she wants to be and how she wants to live, this is very much a story of self-discovery. Or at least, a story of re-discovering who you truly are and finding the person you buried after following the path your parents set for you rather than your own. Desperate to escape her violent father and closed off mother, Yara marries who she thinks is a good man. Ten-years later, having accomplished several goals, something still feels missing. After exploding on a colleague (a scene I found quite satisfying if I’m being honest), she is put on probation and starts attending therapy. This pivotal moment sends Yara on a path of realizing that just because her life is better, doesn’t mean it’s good. As Yara soon discovers, obtaining that good life may mean unraveling everything she has and everything she thought she wanted. Yara herself unravels in more ways than one and you waffle between wanting to hug her and tell her it’ll be okay and wanting to tell her to start making hard decisions. But how do you tell someone who escaped a physically abusive house only to end up in an emotionally abusive one to just get on with it, especially when cultural expectations keep telling her not only that she shouldn’t, but that she can’t? Evil Eye is a truly beautiful exploration of how sometimes it’s necessary to burn things down and how one person can rise from those ashes stronger and more empowered than ever. #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #SouthAsianBookstagrammer #BookReview #BookRecommendation #20BooksByAsianAuthors #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #DecolonizeYourShelf #CeaseFireNow #ReadPalestinianAuthors #ReadPalestinianBooks #ReadPalestine

Hi everyone! I think it’s time for a re-introduction. My name is Yvonna and I really enjoy reading! So much so that I have a blog and started this instagram 4 years ago. I joined bookstagram to learn about all the wonderful BIPOC books out there - because let’s be real, the ones that are heavily marketed are majority NOT BIPOC. Some fast facts about me: I love true crime podcasts I’m 30 I’m a Scorpio 🖤 I’m a nurse I’m trying to strengthen my nails (wish me luck!) 💅🏼 I went natural in 2014 ➰ I mainly enjoy thrillers/contemporary fiction but if I enjoy it, I’ll read it 📖 I get my books primarily at the library or on Libby 📚 📱 the only living thing I’m responsible for are my plants 🪴 my boyfriend and I have been together 11 years 🥰 taking selfies is a rare occurrence for me 📸 Do we have anything in common?? 💬 #yvonnareads #bookstagram #meetthebookstagrammer #reading #latina #latinx #latinxreads #latinxbookstagram #latinabookstagram #latinxreader #latinareader #diversifyyourreading #diversifyyourshelf #readbipoc #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors

#featurefriday We Are All so Good at Smiling by @ambsmcbride is an emotional novel in verse that deals with mental heath, family, and relationships with a hint of magic! Check it out on the LLC! #QEreads #ya #yanovelinverse #novelinverse #weareallsogoodatsmiling #ambermcbride #readfemaleauthors #readbipocauthors #readblackauthors

🎧 Audiobook review: Anita de Monte Laughs Last One of my favorite audio performances of the year! Thanks @macmillan.audio for the gifted copy via Google Play. Anita’s narration, performed by Jessica Pimentel, was an ✨experience✨. You could feel her rage oozing from the story. It was a hairs-standing-on-end, wincing-from-the-anger, punching-the-air with triumph… visceral kind of performance. It’s a dual timeline historical fiction, set in both 1985 and 1998. We meet Anita de Monte as she’s beginning to peak in the art world. Swept under the spell of a much older love interest, Anita gives up much of her dream to help Jack pursue his own success. Their relationship is volatile, both predictable and unpredictable until Anita’s death from a highrise fall in NYC. Raquel’s life more than a decade later mirrors Anita’s closely. A successful student of color in a historically white higher ed setting who falls for an older student with deep connections in the art world. Raquel uncovers a glimpse into Anita de Monte’s life. She’s been long forgotten by the art world, but the more her name is spoken… the stronger Anita becomes. She’ll be damned if she lets her philandering husband have the last word in her life. It has some supernatural vibes that will make you cackle. This book will make you angry, inspired, sad, but also hopeful. Overall an excellent, multicast audio with all the stars for its production. Stacy Gonzalez as Raquel was great, and her confidence seemed to grow along with Raquel’s, and Jonathan Gregg gives us Jack’s pretentiousness with ease. It’s 13.5 hours and I listened at about 2.5x speed via Google play.

1950, Gracetown, Florida - twelve-year-old Robbie Stephens Jr. is sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys for kicking the son of the largest landowner in town in defense of his older sister, Gloria. Known as The reformatory, this school is plagued by ghosts, or haints that some people have the ability to see, and Robbie has this talent.   Told from dual POVs, one follows the perspectives of Robbie and Gloria - Due is gifted at crafting complex characters, whom I was able to empathize with since early pages. Robbie’s goal is to survive amidst the terrors of the school, which seeing ghosts becomes the least of his problems. He is condemned into a place that brings the worst parts of the human, where vengeful souls wander until they can claim their justice. Dark secrets threaten to come out, unfolding in a way that heightens the intensity of the story after half part of the book and rewarding those patient with the slow pacing in the first half. One of the compelling aspects of the book is the confident writing that successfully delivers the atmospheric vibes and emotions, which readers might wonder about the lines between the reality and own fantasy. Meanwhile, Gloria is willing to do anything to get Robbie out of the school. Due provides a sharp social commentary on racism and injustice, reminiscent of the slave times. Additionally, themes of (abuse of) power, grief and complexity of family are incorporated in the narrative, painting layers and a more urgent tone. How can one trust in a broken system? The system of violence in a juvenile incarceration is woefully exposed and I was mostly infuriated reading about the many degrees of dehumanization. Regardless, the story converges in a hopeful way that I found brilliant and might bring some comfort. With almost 600 pages, this novel didn’t feel lengthy. Inspired by the author’s family history, THE REFORMATORY is a book that packs a punch and stands as a relevant read. A book not to be missed. ( ps: THE REFORMATORY is a great companion read to THE STONE HOME by Crystal Hana Kim ) Thank you to @sagapressbooks for the giveaway win! #sagasayscrew  • buddy read with @ambershelf and @vanreads 💖

< Nominated for the National Book Award for Translated Literature 2023 > Paris, 1806 - the renowned botanist Michel Adanson dies and the last word to escape his lips is ‘Maram’. As his daughter (Aglaé) goes through her deceased father’s belongings, she finds notebooks that contain information about what happened to her father when he went to Senegal and the mysterious woman Maram. The story starts focusing on the complexity of family - one is allowed a glimpse of the estranged relationship between Michel and Aglaé, which academic ambitions and an unspoken reason lie amidst them. Appreciator of botany might enjoy the passages heavy with botanic details, which otherwise can feel lackluster for others. Aglaé’s perspective is slightly exposed, infused with meticulous descriptions of Paris as she grapples with grief - I found this part less compelling and I was eager to follow the Senegal’s storyline. One of the riveting aspects of this book is to satisfy one’s simple curiosity about Maram/Senegal - the plot is initially muddled, with branches of the story that converge in a more appealing narrative, as Diop transports one into the Senegal people and culture. The author covers meaning of life, love, loss, revenge, colonialism, race and friendship, with a touch of magical realism and political intrigue. The flamboyant prose reads beautifully, yet it might be distracting for those looking for a straightforward style. While I found some of the events predictable, this didn’t mean the strength of novel is weakened. Lastly, the story ends on an emotional note. BEYOND THE DOOR OF NO RETURN (tr. Sam Taylor) is a cross between historical fiction and love story. Somber and poetic, read this book if you are looking for more Senegalese stories/African setting. { #gifted @fsgbooks | out now } 🔖 by @selahpaper 💖 #reviewsbyelena

April Hopefuls 💫📖 Month four of making my way through my BOTM backlog! After April, I might take a couple months break to focus on other physical TBR, but we’ll see. Three books on my April TBR that I’m excited about are: Divine Rivals for @thereadroversbookclub and also recommended to me by @booked_anbusy 💫 If He Had Been With Me which was recommended to me by my cousin 🥀 Evil Eye in support of Palestinian authors 🧿 Not shown, but on my kindle TBR are several collections of poetry / novels written in verse for national poetry month! #apriltbr #tbrcart #tbrpost #bookstagram #booksta #booklover #booknerd #bookworm #bookworld #bookgeek #diversifyyourbookshelf #freepalestine #readbipocauthors #diversereads

It’s been a longggg minute since I’ve posted. Thought I’d share what I’ve been reading. Above are the titles I read - some were FANTASTIC, others I could have done without. I really leaned into audiobooks, and honestly, the narrators were great. I did a lot more commuting these last couple of months, and being able to listen to the books were so helpful. Also!! My boyfriend is trying to get into reading again and finding which genre speaks to him. So he and I have started a little buddy read and we read 3 of these books together (I’m so proud of him!) - can you guess which? Comment below👇🏼. Format for each title are as follows: [audio] The woman in the library by Sulari Gentill The Obsession by Jesse Q. Sutanto The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson The New Girl by Jesse Q. Sutanto The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh Drowned Country by Emily Tesh Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney Murder and Mamon by Mia P. Manansala Confessions by Kanae Minato Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry [physical] In the Woods by Tana French The Mad Women’s Ball by Victoria Mas All These Bodies by Kendare Blake Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno Garcia What We Kept to Ourselves by Nancy Jooyoun Kim The Financial Diet by Chelsea Fagan The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky [digital] What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez Plantains and Our Becoming by Melania Luisa Marte Post-Traumatic by Chantal V. Johnson The Fury by Alex Michaelides #yvonnareads #reading #latina #latinx #latinxreads #latinxbookstagram #bookstagram #latinabookstagram #latinxreader #latinareader #diversifyyourreading #diversifyyourshelf #readbipoc #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors

Ok so I know people are in their "March wrap-up" era... It looks good on you. I love it for you: seriously, brilliant. I'm gonna talk about February, though. 😅      February, for me, was a month of more listening, less talking. And it seems like my brain is still in that mode even when I go to write a caption for my February #TheDiverseBaseline Recap post because I cannot think of words right now. 😅 So! HERE IT IS. [scroll through photos for the prompt breakdown]      Um... yeah! I think that's it. You can fill out this unrelated poll if you want to just for funsies, though. 👇🏻         [image descriptions in comments]      If you could have one of these as a pet, which would it be? Discuss.

#bookreview | WAYS OF DYING by Zakes Mda Genre: literary fiction, satire Key words: post-apartheid South Africa Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 I first got to know Zakes Mda through a college class on postcolonial literature. This year, while aiming to read more books by African authors who weren’t from Nigeria and Ghana, I came back to him. It’s hard to describe what happens in WAYS OF DYING, because very little actually happens in terms of plot. The main character, Toloki, is a quirky, one-of-a-kind “Professional Mourner,” making his living by grieving at funerals—and a great many funerals there are in the violent period that is post-apartheid South Africa. The story really begins when he crosses paths again with Noria, a woman who used to be the most beautiful and mesmerizing girl in the same village where they grew up. Successful satires only work if the author has a profound understanding of and love for their subject. In WAYS OF DYING, the love and hope that Mda has for the new South Africa is clear, and so is his grief for the ways in which his fledgling country is hurting its citizens through tribalism, racial violence, poverty, and corruption. The world of WAYS OF DYING is a place where old superstitions and traditions are clashing with new problems. A place where human responsibilities and connections are abandoned in the search for riches. A place where its social services are rendered helpless due to red tape and correction. Reading WAYS OF DYING was a journey from snickering at Mda’s accomplished satirical descriptions to clutching at my chest to stem the waves of hurt as I read and read and read about how the new South Africa kept on disappointing and harming Toloki and Noria. I wouldn’t change a thing about it. Mda’s literary achievements are in a league of their own. The rest of his oeuvre has made its way onto my TBR list.

March Wrap-Up! Where on earth did this month go!? I swear March 1 feels like yesterday and a million years ago. As hectic as it was, March was a good book, especially as it included a campus visit with @desibookaunty! It was also a better reading month than I expected it to be. It took me so long to get through Song of Solomon (I think two weeks?) that I wasn’t sure I’d read more than 2 books all month. But then I picked up a few books I flew through! (And also, maybe ignored some other responsibilities because I just couldn’t focus, but that’s our little secret. 🤫) In the end, I managed to read 5 physical books and an ebook including one book for the #TransRightsReasathon and another for the #ChronicallyIconicBookClub. In order of reads, they are: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (Book 3 for #Toni2024; not my favorite but I see why others love it) Mother Country by @etafrum (Gorgeous novella with some really interesting connections to Evil Eye) Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert (really cute #YARomance) Evil Eye by @etafrum (Gorgeous book and one I hope to review soon!) Most Ardently by @thegabecole (I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!! reviewed on March 29th) Homegoing by Yaa Gysai (y’all were right; this was amazing. Hoping to review soon) As we head into March, I’m hoping to finally catch up on all of my backlogged reviews and prep for the summer. I have my own book proposal and book to work on in the coming months so we’ll see how much reading I get done. But I have a few books lined up that I’m really looking forward to! And, as always, #CeaseFireNow. #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #SouthAsianBookstagrammer #BookReviewer #BookRecommendation #20BooksByAsianWomen #20BooksByAsianAuthors #20BooksByBlackFolx #QueerYourYear #DecolonizeYourShelf #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #AdultsReadYA

1950, Hollywood - Every actress wants to play the legendary woman Salome. When Vera Larios, a debut Mexican actress, is chosen to play this big role, she becomes the new face of Hollywood. However, Vera also becomes an object of envy from some people, including Nancy Hartley, a more seasoned actress who will do anything to win the fame she believes that belongs to her. The story focuses on three POVs - Vera, Nancy and Salome. Moreno-Garcia tells a Biblical epic in a story-within-story style, narrating what Salome, a resilient princess, is willing to sacrifice in the name of love. The author uses Vera and Nancy to realistically portray the dynamics of studio systems, brimming with gossips, scandal, manipulation and intrigue. Vera is soft and obedient, suffering from imposter syndrome while Nancy is ambitious and proud. Both are flawed characters and their character arc become satisfying towards the end - the three POVs’ story reflects each other, in which Salome represents the duality between Nancy (lion) and Vera (dove). As much as she was unlikable at first, I preferred Nancy’s voice and I was less invested in Salome’s storyline. Beneath the Hollywood glamour, painful moments show its face through racism, colorism, competitiveness and favoritism. Tastes of failure blend with platonic friendship and politics, echoing the Hollywood hostile towards actors of color (that remains until nowadays). In this entertainment industry, the chaotic lifestyle often feels shallow, yet this might be the author’s intention. Moreno-Garcia offers a glimpse of Mexican heritage, although the cultural references could have used more depth. THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME might not be my Moreno-Garcia’s favorite. Regardless, Moreno-Garcia is an amazing storyteller who is able to successfully dip into different genres. Read this if you are into film industry dynamics with a Latinx touch and messy characters. I will still read anything Moreno-Garcia writes. { #gifted @delreybooks @randomhouse | Out August 6! } #reviewsbyelena #randomhousepartner

more poetic prose, please! ⚠️ MARTYR! by Kaveh Akbar follows Cyrus Shams, a newly sober and orphaned poet who struggles to find meaning in his life, so he quests to find meaning in his death. After his mother’s mysterious death and his father’s slow decline into one, Cyrus is haunted by his past. Only through drugs and alcohol does Cyrus feel like he can experience the present moment. When Cyrus becomes sober, he is infatuated with the notion of martyrdom as he seeks to make sense of what life is between the past and the future, the beginning and the end. His infatuation leads him to conversations with a terminally-ill performance artist whose final piece vulnerably showcases her final moments of life. Through their conversations and Cyrus’ reflections on martyrs of the past, MARTYR! explores themes of diasporic identity and belonging, depression, grief, and love. As a whole, this novel was beautiful. The prose is smooth and savory; the plot flows naturally and languidly. Akbar’s sentence-level writing is deeply thought-provoking, showcasing his poetic talent in prose form. Reading this book was easily enjoyable, and I would recommend picking it up without hesitation. In fact, it reminded me a lot of NO ONE CAN PRONOUNCE MY NAME by Rakesh Satyal, which I loved for similar reasons and themes. I will admit, though, that this one didn’t necessarily blow me away me like I had expected it to. Don’t get me wrong: I was thoroughly engaged in this book and I utterly devoured it. Yet, I didn’t connect with Cyrus as much as I had anticipated; I fell in love with Akbar’s prose, but not necessarily his characters. TL;DR - MARTYR! has pertinent things to say about diasporic experiences and the purpose of human life. For the prose alone, everyone should read this. Many might find more connection with the characters than I did! #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview #lgbtqbooks #aborzoibook #diversespines #ownvoices #martyr #diaspora #nytbestseller #readbipocauthors

Most Ardently by @thegabecole A perfectly sarcastic Oliver. A maybe-but-not-really-grumpy Darcy. Two boys navigating early 1800s life. Both having to hide who they truly are. And yet, somehow, they both start to find their way as themselves. And that is why Most Ardently is one of the best P&P retellings I have ever read. Novoa captures the essence of both the characters and the social commentary found in the original book while adding a new twist to a tale as old as time. There were so many things I loved about this retelling. From exploring the impact of Oliver having to live a double life on his mental health to Darcy’s general disdain for people to the relationship between Oliver and Jane and Oliver and his father. To even the way Novoa re-writes the way Collins and Wickham impacts the story. (And I really want to know how Charlotte reacts when she finds out what Collins did.) One of my favorite aspects is how I changed my view of Mrs. Bennett. Yes, she’s still ridiculous and at times says some incredibly harmful things. But, after the final scene, I see her in a more sympathetic light than in the original. It becomes clear that Mrs. Bennett isn’t acting from a place of greed, but out of fierce love and protection. She acts as she does because she doesn’t know officially who Oliver is and desperately wants him to be okay in the world as she thinks Oliver will be living in it. But none of this clicks until after turning the last page and I find that absolutely brilliant. Most Ardently is a book I will be returning to over and over. And one I think Austen would be proud of. #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #SouthAsianBookstagrammer #BookReviewer #20BooksByLatineAuthors #20BooksbyLatinxAuthors #QueerYourYear #QueerBooks #DecolonizeYourShelf #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #TransRightsReadathon #TransAuthors #TransBooks #TransRightAreHumanRights #AdultsReadYA #YA #HistoricalYA #YAFiction #YoungAdultFiction #YARomance #YoungAdultRomance #PrideAndPrejudiceRetelling

#featurefriday The School For Good and Evil by @somanc is a the first in a fantasy series where children are kidnapped and taken to a magical school where they learn yo become either heroes or villains it's also been made into a show on Netflix! #QEreads #theschoolforgoodandevil #ya #middlegrade #somanchainani #series #readbipocauthors #middlegradeseries

I unstoppingly devoured the outstanding book Bad Cree by @jessicastellaa. I was completely pulled into Mackenzie’s life, whether she was awake or dreaming and my heart was dragged along with her as she navigated deep pain and fear. Typically, I don’t read suspense or thriller stories and this is classified as both, however, those elements are the primary reason I couldn’t put the book down. The mysticism adds a dimension that intrigues me and reminds me of Eden Robinson’s work, which I love. I absolutely loved the Aunties and mother and was reminded of my childhood community of Tahltan women many of whom I was privileged to call Auntie and Grandma. The warmth, attentiveness, and care from these women was palpable and highlighted the essential role that Matriarchs play in community. I am so excited that Bad Cree has received so much recognition and I look forward to more from Jessica Johns. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Happy Wednesday! - One thing that I love and want to do more is to read more Brazilian authors/titles. Today I am happy to share the COVER REVEAL of SHOESTRING THEORY by Mariana Costa ( @marinscos ), a Brazilian author. • cover design by @onecuriouschip SYNOPSIS: “Shoestring Theory is a charmingly irreverent fantasy that weaves magic and romance into a charming adventure. Featuring a formidable Great Aunt, a friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance, an awkward love quadrangle and a crow familiar called Ganache, this gorgeous story is imminently easy to read and sure to satisfy fans of fanfiction who like their fantasy lite.” - This book has a blend of rivals to lovers, second chance romance, found family, time travel and coziness. Does it sound intriguing? I am very excited from this first impression. Swipe to see the details of the cover! Out October 8, 2024! ▶️ Pre-order: https://angryrobotbooks.my.canva.site/shoestring-theory . . . . #ShoestringTheory #angryrobotbooks #coverreveal #bookphotography #bookrecommendations #bookfeature #bookaesthetic #fantasybooks #bookcommunity #readersofig #adultfantasy #fantasyreads #bookblogger #diversespines #fantasybookrecs #marianacosta #latinxread #latinxauthors #readbipocauthors #fantasybookstagram

Thanks to @kayepublicity , @thedialpress for sending me a gifted copy, and @prhaudio for the free audiobook. This review is a bit delayed because it took some time for me to work up the nerve to stop for this photo in a semi public place. I pass by this art all the time, knowing it would be a great backdrop. As soon as I saw this cover, I knew I had to go for it. When I finally talked myself into taking it, there was a construction crew working on the back of the building, but I forced myself to do it anyway. And they didn’t bat an eye and the picture I envisioned came to fruition perfectly. This book DESERVES the extra TLC to show off its beauty, inside and out. Just Another Epic Love Poem by @authorparisa is a tender, gorgeously-written, emotional YA book that’s just as much coming-of-age as it is a sweet sapphic romance. Mitra Esfahani met her best friend Bea Ortega five years ago. They connected at a lonely time in each of their early teen lives, and words because their world together. They’ve shared The Book for years, taking turns filling the pages with stanzas of a continual poem. It’s given them an outlet to share the deepest, rawest pieces of themselves–Bea’s heartbreaks, Mitra’s messy feelings about her mom, who’s dealt with substance use issues most of her life, their shared connection of being queer brown girls in a very white, Catholic school. The one thing they don’t talk about–how Mitra is head-over-heels for Bea. But then a shift happens, and the duo decides to test the waters of a different type of love together. The included poetry was just a treat, and the formatting of the book was unique and compelling. (Swipe for a peek at me reading this at @booktenderswv most recent silent book club) This book had SO much and still never felt like too much. Not only were the friendship and romance aspects fantastic, but I enjoyed how well we got to know Mitra’s family. Her father really was doing his best, and the sister dynamic felt so authentic. —cont in comments—

Currently reading #TheirViciousGames by @jowellington #QEreads #ya #yamystery #yaadventure #yathriller #currentlyreading #joellewellington #readfemaleauthors #readblackauthors #readbipocauthors

‘Part of Your World’ by Abby Jimenez. In a nutshell: how the hell is a doctor and a small town inn keeper gonna make it? I didn’t think there was a way but HOT DAMN & THANK GOD! 🐧 #taylorjbridgeforthreads #abbyjimenez #abbyjimenezbooks #partofyourworld #womensupportingwomen #womenshistorymonth #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors #romancebooks #romancereader #romancequotes #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookobsessed #bookclub #booklove #happytuesday😊 #readon #readmorebooks #readerforlife #readersgonnaread

Last week I learned about #ManseMarch, or #KoreanMarch, created by @readwithneleh to highlight Korean authors. It made me curious to see how many books by Korean writers I’ve got on my shelf. I was pleasantly surprised! Not all of the featured authors are of Korean nationality or writing specifically about Korea, but all are of Korean ethnicity. Books featured include: ▫️Crying in H-Mart by Michelle Zauner ▪️Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn ▫️Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee ▪️Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin ▫️I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee ▪️Miracle Creek by Angie Kim ▫️Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong 🧡 ▪️If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha ▫️Pachinko by Min Jin Lee 🧡 ▪️Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum ▫️I’m Waiting for You and Other Stories by Kim Bo-Young Pachinko is a lifetime favorite of mine. How many of these books by Korean authors have you read? Are any books on your TBR list?

💛💚💛 #fivestarread #bookreview: What It Means When a Man Falls From the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah 💚💛💚 I am in awe. Writing doesn’t have to be extravagant to be powerful, and Arimah’s collection of short stories is a great example of that. Using deceptively simple and straightforward prose, Arimah evokes a whole range of emotions. WHAT IT MEANS features Nigeria as a setting, and Nigerian characters, both domestically and overseas, but it’s not stories about Nigeria so much as it is an exploration of more universal themes, and how Nigerian characters in particular respond to them. Some of the themes I identified and appreciated reading about include: 💭 Motherhood – Is there one “right” way to be a good mother? Are there any objectively bad ways to be one? What is considered justified sacrifice on the path to motherhood? 💭 Intergenerational trauma – Should the best way to deal with it be to exorcise it from our minds like a demon? Is it possible to fully let go of this sort of trauma? What happens when it gets ignored, then comes back with a vengeance? 💭 Familial sacrifice – What is considered acceptable to sacrifice for one’s family? Little is acknowledged of the personal sacrifices a parent makes in order to raise their child in a new country. Can a father send his beloved daughter away to America for a better upbringing? Should a daughter sacrifice her health and ~her~ daughter to please her mother? Should an understanding sister sacrifice her life for her sibling’s poor relationship mistake? More than thought-provoking and emotional, though, Arimah’s writing is ~funny~. She has this sort of deadpan, one-line delivery that highlights the absurdity of a situation or a character’s actions. This is writing that takes itself and its responsibility seriously, yet understands that great authorial responsibility doesn’t automatically mean things can’t be fun. I will be eagerly on the lookout for Arimah’s next book. I hope she chooses to publish a full-length novel next, with as much goodness as her short stories contain. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

If you were a bookish ghost on a crewneck, which bookish ghost on a crewneck would you be? [swipe to see 9 options] I've felt like a tiny ghosty screaming into a void a lot lately. The void, in my case, being my reps/senators' inboxes and voicemails... 🕳 But connecting with people who get it {especially on bookstagram} helps. There's something about chatting with people who can hold both the sheer joy and freedom that books/art give us AND the deep pain and horror happening out in the world... You give me hope in humanity. It also feels extra comforting to find books that can hold the full joy <> horror spectrum too. And although the book pictured here doesn't address the g3n0cydes in G@za / Sud4n / the C0ng0 / etc; it covers other hard topics like (⚠ CW) CSA, depression, bullying, and suicidal thoughts. It shows humans fighting their own, horrifying internal battles and winning. If you've been feeling a little invisible lately (whether it's because you're calling out a humanitarian crisis the greater powers are ignoring or because you're fighting your own battles at home), you're not alone. Lemme know which ghost you are in the second pic and maybe scroll through the comments to see all the other people here fighting together. Together is how we keep our humanity when other people want to strip it away. [image description in comments] P.S. 🆓🇵🇸 P.P.S. Happy Paperback Pub Day to @dawn.writesstuff and her short story collection - "Dawn's Cozy Horror Corner: a queer Chinese diaspora horror short stories anthology!" This was the perfect read at the perfect time for me, and I'm so glad to know you and have had the honor of reading an ARC of your stories. You're a gift.

🌸Happy International Women’s Day!🌸 I am so lucky to be surrounded by such strong, empowering women in my life, and to read great books written by great women! Here are a few I’m loving lately, check them out on goodreads or wherever you look up books and add them to your tbr! 👑Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter (you’ll love all her books) 👑The Break by Katherena Vermette (a local Métis writer, who writes powerful stories about indigenous and Métis people) 👑A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum (a Palestinian American author who writes about Palestinian women) 👑Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan (if you weren’t a romance reader, you will be once you read this) 👑The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (I will not shut up about this book- go read it) 👑Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley (an indigenous writer who writes about cultural traditions, hardships and stories, with twists along the way) #karinslaughter #katherenavermette #etafrum #kennedyryan #kristinhannah #angelineboulley #internationalwomensday #readwomen #readbipocauthors #womenauthors #alwaysreading #diversifymybookshelf #reading #bookaddict

ISLAND WITCH by Amanda Jayatissa | #gifted @berkleypub #berkleypartner #berkley • out now 19th century Sri Lanka - Amara is the daughter of the village Capuwa - her father deals with demons (yakku). When the nightmares and voice start to haunt her and her father is accused of the attacks in the jungle, she must search the truths behind these events, only to find out that they are all connected. The atmospheric vibes burrow its way into the pages - the jungle is spoiled with horror and fear is a woman’s burden. Amara is burdened by guilt and shame, often victimizing herself and being insecure. Injustice and judgements lead to anger and one is able to find satisfaction in the main character’s arc. The story heavily entangles the clash between religious beliefs and witchcraft; curse and sins impale the characters, mostly loathsome in a way that makes one wonder their roles. The Sri Lankan folklore (what I enjoyed the most) adds layers to the mystery - I was immersed into the story, in which Jayatissa sharply examines colonialism and violence against women. There are secrets and past lives embedded in a plot that can feel chaotic, however the revelations culminate in a climatic ending. For someone who appreciates a romantic touch, the romance - rooted in the lack of confidence - felt dislikable, albeit realistic. My complaint is that the book felt lengthy at times, as the story could have escalated evenly. ISLAND WITCH is a revenge tale with a compelling blend of historical fiction and horror. Amara’s story is one that could be of many women, one that will leave readers enraged and urgently needed to be told. cw: (graphic) violence, rape, bullying, death #berkleybookstagram #reviewsbyelena

Black history month is over. You know what that means. Yep, time to read Black and POC books/authors every other month of the year! Reading is meant to be enjoyed, but it is also meant to share, to teach, to empathize, to clarify. Reading intentionally and diversely is one of the most important things you can do as a reader for your fellow humans. So now in Women’s History Month, heres some books by Black women, both that I’ve read and loved and on my physical TBR that I’ll be partaking in year round, as well as adding to. I’ll also try to post some of my favorite women in literature throughout the month, to give spotlights to some authors I love. See any favorites? Based on this small sample size, what books would you recommend me? . . . #readdiversebooks #readdiversely #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors #readingisdiverse #read #readmorebooks #readmore #readmorewomen #reading #readinglife #readingwomen #books #booksbooksbooks #bookish #bookishthings #booklover #bookishcommunity #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksta

“To truly love we must learn to mix various ingredients — care, affection, recognition, respect, commitment, and trust, as well as honest and open communication.” — bell hooks The month of love was full of books written by educated, motivated, elevated and melanated authors. They teach us that Love is fearlessness, freedom, a divine act of self care. Love is a choice. Love is peace. #melanatedreader #blackgirlmagic #blackgirlsread #wellreadblackgirl #diversespines #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory365 #readblackauthors #dobetter #chooseempathy #empathy #diversityandinclusion #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors #bipocromance #bookchallenge #readwithme #romancebooks #ilovetoread #wellreadblackgirl #20booksbyblackwomen

#featurefriday Love From Mecca to Medina by @skalibooks IA a YA romcom that has a long distance couple meeting up to go on an obstacle filled pilgrimage. Put it on hold in the LLC! #QEreads #yaromcom #yaromance #skali #lovefrommeccatomedina #readbipocauthors #readmuslimauthors #readfemaleauthors

book recs | multigenerational family saga by BIPOC women #recsbyamber #reviewsbyelena To celebrate Women’s History Month, we put together 36 multigenerational historical fictions written by BIPOC women from around the globe 🩵 Hope you enjoy these recs! Books mentioned • HULA by Jasmin Iolani Hakes • PACHINKO by Min Jin Lee • GREEN ISLAND by Shawna Yang Ryan • THE LOST CENTURY by Larissa Lai • PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING by Melissa Fu • WE MEASURE THE EARTH WITH OUR BODIES by Tsering Yangzom Lama • THE MOUNTAINS SING by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai • HOW WE DISAPPEARED by Jing-Jing Lee • AMERICA IS NOT THE HEART by Elaine Castillo • BONE CHINA by Roma Tearne • IN THE SHADOW OF THE BANYAN by Vaddey Ratner • THE LOWLAND by Jhumpa Lahiri • THE PEARL THAT BROKE ITS SHELL by Nadia Hashimi • A SKY SO CLOSE TO US by Shahla Ujayli • AN UNLASTING HOME by Mai Al-Nakib • SEVEN HOUSES by Alev Lytle Croutier • THE ARSONISTS’ CITY by Hala Alyan • BEHIND YOU IS THE SEA by Susan Muaddi Darraj • HOW BEAUTIFUL WE WERE by Imbolo Mbue • A HISTORY OF BURNING by Janika Oza • THE ART OF LOSING by Alice Zeniter • HOMEGOING by Yaa Gyasi • DREAM COUNTRY by Shannon Gibney • SCATTERLINGS by Rešoketšwe Manenzhe • A GRANDMOTHER BEGINS THE STORY by Michele Porter • THE LOVE SONGS OF W.E.B. DU BOIS by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers • A BALLAD OF LOVE AND GLORY by Reyna Grande • LAS MADRES by Esmeralda Santiago • FAMILY LORE by Elizabeth Acevedo • VANISHING MAPS by Cristina García • THESE GHOSTS ARE FAMILY by Maisy Card • THE INHERITANCE OF ORQUIDEA DIVINA by Zoraida Córdova • THE INVISIBLE MOUNTAIN by Carolina de Robertis • INFINITE COUNTRY by Patricia Engel • BRICKMAKERS by Selva Almada • THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS by Isabel Allende 💬 Do you see any favorites? Any other books you’d recommend?

Happy Leap Day!! 🐸📖 This month, I had an illuminating experience discovering new to me BIPOC authors. Kudos to @bookiesandtea and @booksandthemes for hosting this book challenge. QOTD: What BIPOC author ✍🏾 did you, read, discover and LEAP on this month? Did you LEAP, expand your palate and read a book 📚 by a BIPOC author? #BIPOCRomanceBookChallenge2024 #bipocromancebookchallenge #dobetter #chooseempathy #empathy #diversityandinclusion #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors #bipocromance #bookchallenge #readwithme #romancebooks #ilovetoread #wellreadblackgirl #diversespines #blackhistorymonth #readbipocauthors #readblackauthors #readblackbooks #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #diversebooks #diverseromance #20booksbyblackwomen

I am so excited to announce that I and Patrick Flores-Scott will be launching his new book at @schulerbooks in Ann Arbor on April 4th! I am so honored to be a part of this event as the book intertwines both my academic interest in corrections, and especially parole, and my love of #YABooks. No Going Back is a thoughtful exploration of how one teenager navigates his first weeked out after earning early release from a juvenile detention center. Like many teenagers, Antonio (the mc) is a mess, and somehow only manages to make his mess worse in the first few hours home. The story is engaging, heartfelt, and beautiful. (See my review posted on 9/18/2023.) I can’t wait to explore the themes present in the book and so much more with Patrick! No Going Back is available now for pre-order, library requests, and ARC requests. And if you’re in the Ann Arbor area, I hope to see you there! (Registration recommended.) P.S. If you read the book, you’ll know why I picked this section of the song. 😉 [Audio: Poppy from Trolls singing: “I’m marching along I got confidence I’m cooler than a pack of peppermints And I haven’t been this excited since I can’t remember when! I’m off on this remarkable adventure Just riding on a rainbow What if it’s all a big mistake What if it’s more than I can take No I can’t think that way”] #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #SouthAsianBookstagrammer #BookReviewer #BookRecommendation #DecolonizeYourShelf #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #ReadLatinxBooks #AdultsReadYA #YAFiction #BookLaunch

#featurefriday Don't Date Rosa Santos by @ninamoreno is romance about a girl unlucky in love and caught up in identity, life changing decisions, and a curse? Check it out in the LLC! #QEreads #dontdaterosasantos #ninamoreno #ya #yaromance #readfemaleauthors #readbipocauthors

REVIEW FOR SEX, LIES, AND SENSIBILITY ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars Thank you to @netgalley and @berkleyromance for the free digital and physical books! #berkleypartner 𝕊𝕎𝕀ℙ𝔼 𝔽𝕆ℝ 𝕊𝕐ℕ𝕆ℙ𝕊𝕀𝕊 👉🏼 𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝔸𝕃𝕃 𝕋ℍ𝕆𝕌𝔾ℍ𝕋𝕊: I’m skipping my usual format for reviews because I typically list what I liked and didn’t like about a book. And for this one it’s hard because I genuinely loved every aspect of this book. Somehow I’ve read a lot of Jane Austen retellings even though I’ve never read the originals, but this is my first Sense and Sensibility one. And I hope Nikki keeps writing more as I’ll keep reading them! Like Nikki’s first novel, Pride and Protest, this book is so, so smart. Taking two disenfranchised groups of people and putting them against each other in a discussion about rightful property owner? Just 🤌🏼 :chef’s kiss:. Discussions of colonialism, class, duty…We need more of these stories that challenge the typical narrative and highlight these voices. Jane Austen was known for challenging the narrative at the time (or so I’ve read…as I said I’ve never read an original) and these books are living up to that in today’s society. Let’s chat characters. Bear is an absolute lovable f*ck boy that you just want to slap upside the head lol. His sense of duty to his family, his legacy, the Abenaki people, and their land is his primary driver, and yeah he stumbles (a lot) but ultimately gets it right in the end. Shenora Dash is a bad ass B*TCH! I knew I was going to love her from chapter 2 with the Balenciaga dress (IYKYK). Nora has been through it, but still holds her head high (maybe a little too high). Her counterbalance, her sister Yanne (Maryanne) is a free spirit to Nora’s straight and narrow. Even the supporting characters all had main character energy, and made the book that much more enjoyable. I could talk about this book all day, and in fact I’ve already attended one in person convo (thanks @eastcitybookshop) and one live event on insta. Every time I hear @nikkipaynebooks talk about this book I learn something new every time. If you like retellings, then read this- now lol. then slide into my DMs because I will be happy to talk about it 🙃

“We are in a tide, ..., in it and of it. As foolish to think we are free of history as it would be of gravity.” 🖋️ “It is almost always best to leave things be. Most problems have a habit of resolving themselves.” 🖋️ “Love is as much as miracle as it is an education” 🖋️ This book starts with Khaled parting ways with Hosam Zowa at King’s Cross station while Hosam emigrates to America. 1980 - Khaled’s first encounter with Hosam as he listened to the short story that Hosam had written. The story follows the friendship of three Libyan man (Khaled, Hosam and Mustafa) living in exile. Matar delivers a literary gem - a love letter to bookish friendships. I found this book utterly precious, as the author crafts three (main) characters, raw to its nature and relatable in several ways. Their friendship is shown like no other, which loyalty and remoteness alternate at making presence. Their stories are anchored by the country’s history - they long for the motherland, its warmth and belonging that nothing can offer. The most unique aspect is to witness book references and language shaping the relationships, tested and sharpened by time, distance and revolution. The narrative has a deep sense of disquiet that pierces through one with determination, fiercely demanding one to take their time and savor each word. With elegant prose, I thought that the pacing is flawless, yet the biggest achievement of this book is the way Matar effortlessly captures identity and sense of myself - as a political exile, as an immigrant, as someone who desires a different life most of the time. How life keeps on without a pause? How and what is to live purposely? I was emotionally attached, edging closer to incorporating the humanity and characters’ fate. The plot is multi-layered, coming in a wave of full intentionality of sorrowing moments and hopefulness that is supported by textured characters. MY FRIENDS is a touching examination of friendship in all its intimacy. I am rooting for a literary prize because this book is a singular work of literature. A must-read! { #gifted @atrandombooks @randomhouse } • buddy read with @ambershelf @ktlee.writes and we all loved this book! 🤎

February books- I suck at wrap ups so I decided to do a mid month check in instead 🤷🏼‍♀️ This month I have decided to read nothing but nonfiction by black authors. I have read 3 of the 4 so far and I'm working my way through Just Mercy now. All of them have been really good and definitely worth reading. I have also listened to Take a Hint, Dani Brown which was also really good and I am currently listening to The Three Mothers by Anna Malaika Tubbs and if you haven't read it you should. . . . . . #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #readblackstories #readdiversebooks #readdiversely #bookstack #februaryreads #readwhatyouown #readinggoals #justmercy #bryanstevenson #aftershocks #nadiaowusu #weightless #evettedionne #blackisthebody #emilybernard #nonfictionreader #blackmemoirs #readbipocauthors #midmonthcheckin #booksiread #currentlyreading #currentread #amreading #thethreemothers #annamalaikatubbs #currentlylistening

I joined the BIPOC Romance Challenge by @bookiesandtea & @booksandthemes for February. Join us and expand your reading palate. #BIPOCRomanceBookChallenge2024 #bipocromancebookchallenge #bipocromance #bookchallenge #readwithme #romancebooks #ilovetoread #wellreadblackgirl #diversespines #blackhistorymonth #dobetter #chooseempathy #empathy #diversityandinclusion #readbipocbooks #readbipocauthors #readblackauthors #readblackbooks #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #diversebooks #diverseromance #20booksbyblackwomen

Currently reading: #adropofvenom by @sajnipatelbooks #QEreads #ya #yaretelling #yafantasy #Medusa #readbipocauthors #readfemaleauthors #read #currentlyreading #sajnipatelbooks #sajnipatel

Audiobook number 5. I am really enjoying listening to The Brown Sisters series by Talia Hibbert. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this one myself or listen to it. I'm satisfied with my decision. . . . . . . #audiobookera #listentobooks #currentlylistening #amlistening #audiobooksarereading #taliahibbertauthor #takeahintdanibrown #thebrownsistersseries #listentobooks #libbyapp #havingfunisnthardwhenyouvegotalibrarycard #supportyourlocallibrary #readbipocauthors #readlgbtqstories #readblackstories

You: Hey, Rita. What review are you working on next? Me: Ummm… You: I thought you said you were behind. Me: Well. Yeah. You: You’re doing something random instead aren’t you? Me: 😊 Thanks to @lindsloveslit, I’m doing the spell your handle challenge! All but two of these books are from my physical TBR that I hope to read this year. The other two are library books I either just finished or will finish this month. And I’m very surprised by how many are nonfiction, but, oddly, my fiction physical TBR is not all that varied in first letter of titles. I am pretty happy that all but one of these books is by a BIPOC or queer author! T – Tar Baby H – Homegoing E – Evil Eye R – Rage Becomes Her I – Infused T – TJ Power Has Something to Prove A – Another Appalachia R – Reaching Through Time E – Empireland A – Auntie Rita D – Design Justice S – Smashing Serendipity Here’s hoping I read all of these this year! And while I’m not one to tag people, if you decide to also do this challenge, please tag me so I can see what you came up with! #TheRitaReads #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #SouthAsianBookstagrammer #20BooksByAsianWomen #20BooksByAsianAuthors #20BooksByBlackFolx #19Nonfiction #QueerYourYear #Toni2024 #DecolonizeYourShelf #ReadBIPOCBooks #ReadBIPOCAuthors #AdultsReadYA #IndigenousAuthor #AboriginalAuthor #AussieBooks #AussieBookstagram #AustralianBooks #AustralianBookstagram #AussieAuthor #AustralianAuthor #BookStackChallenge #BookStackLove #DiverseBookStack #SpellYourHandleChallenge

REVIEW FOR BEFORE I LET GO ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 stars 𝕊𝕎𝕀ℙ𝔼 𝔽𝕆ℝ 𝕊𝕐ℕ𝕆ℙ𝕊𝕀𝕊 👉🏼 𝕎ℍ𝔸𝕋 𝕀 𝕃𝕀𝕂𝔼𝔻: • I loved that this story was more of an established family demographic. Most romances are geared towards 20/30’s, either never having “settled down” or the “one that got away” storylines. It was nice to see a nuclear family unit going through a traumatic divorce, and being able to see the impact on all parties involved. • this book had some spice, but not in a “there’s a fire in my pants” kind of way. This was delicious tension between two people who could draw a map of each other’s bodies blindfolded. You could feel the passion between them but, more importantly, the love they still had for each other • I loved how the children and extended family were also incorporated into the story- it gave it a level of realness of how integrated families get through marriage, and the affects divorce have on everyone, not just the couple • the growth both Yasmine and Josiah went through in the story was amazing. Through the chapters that occasionally alternated timelines and narrators, you got to see both characters at their worst. It really demonstrated how far they came throughout the story. 𝕎ℍ𝔸𝕋 𝕎𝔸𝕊ℕ’𝕋 𝕄𝕐 ℂ𝕌ℙ 𝕆𝔽 𝕋𝔼𝔸: • honestly, I loved most of everything in the story. The only real complaint is that for the first 20% of the book it moved slow. Then it picked up, then slowed down again. Again, it’s a personal preference on the pace, but it’s what really kept it from 5 star for me. 𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝔸𝕃𝕃 𝕋ℍ𝕆𝕌𝔾ℍ𝕋𝕊: This is my second Kennedy Ryan book and won’t be my last. The depth and layers that she injects into her characters is incredible. Honestly second chance romance is NOT my favorite trope, but this book is making me a believer. I can’t wait until The Could Be Us comes out in March. I read this as a buddy read with a few folks and I really enjoyed our discussions. If you haven’t read any of her books, you are doing yourself a disservice.

#SundaySeries The Shatter Me series by @tahereh has been a favourite of teenagers everywhere. It's angsty, romantic, action-packed, and has unique stylistic choices. Check it out inbthd library and check out tiktok for fan art ;) # #qereads #ya #shatterme #yadystopian #series #readfemaleauthors #readbipocauthors #taherehmafi #aaronwarner

#twobooktuesday When one book is not enough, but you don't have time for a series!The Athena Protocol and The Shadow Mission by Shamim Sarif are a Sapphic, adventure duology where female spies take down human traffickers. Check it out in the LLC! #QEreads #duology #ya #yaadventure #read #theathenaprotocol #theshadowmission #shamimsarif #readfemaleauthors #readbipocauthors

I’m so blessed and super grateful to be a part of the #BookstagramCommunity. Let’s continue to lift each other up. 💗📚🍾💐📖🎊🥂 #dobetter #chooseempathy #melanatedreader #empathy #diversityandinclusion #readbipocbooks #BookstagramCommunity #DiversifyYourBookshelf #blackreadersofinstagram #readbipocauthors #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #diversebooks #diverseromance