Five Favs I Haven’t Featured

Hey Y’all! It’s been a long month and I have been ready to crash! Like the 20-21 school year felt wild disrespectful y’all! I didn’t have the energy I felt the next book I want to write about deserved so I decided to do a short post about 5 books I loved but haven’t featured…they are not ranked in a particular order but just know I loved them all! So let’s get into it, shall we?!

1. A Taste For Love by Jennifer Yen
   • First of all, this is a book with two people drinking bubble tea on the cover…that alone told me that this book was meant for me! The main character also drinks multiple bubble teas in a day & educates folks about the different types of boba…again, meant for me! I also really love rom-coms so it check off that box for me! It was really funny and the cast of characters are great! It was a nice lighthearted read that I really enjoyed while sipping on a bubble tea! I think you might enjoy it too!

• 2. Wings Of Ebony by J. Elle
  • I loved the world building and the cast. It was as rooted in reality as it was in fantasy and I could truly appreciated that. I also loved how grief played its part in this book. I was still very fresh in my grief process when I read it (I mean, let’s keep it real, I still am) and I could really connect to Rue on that tip… I also loved her best friend Bri! Another thing I liked is that romance or rather romantic interests played their part but didn’t overwhelm Rue or the storyline. We got to see a Black Girl desired by more than one Black Boy and Black Kids everywhere needed to see that (this Black Adult did too). If you are a fan of different systems of magic, you will enjoy this book.

• 3. The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore
  • I’ve been a fan of Anna-Marie’s work since I read Wild Beauty & have since read all of their books except one (only because I haven’t found it yet but trust that I will). Their work is so lyrical and soothing in its wording & settings that it almost feels like a comfort (at least to me). This book was no different in that sense but it was VERY different from their other books. It approaches trauma in a magical way that gives it *just* enough levity but doesn’t take away from the effects the trauma has on the main character and the person who shares in her trauma. It’s truly a beautiful book.

• 4. Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland
  • I’m also a big Justina Ireland fan and was so excited to hear she was writing a Middle Grade…and had been itching to get my hands on it when it was announced. This book did not disappointment. Picture it, Pittsburgh 1920s and a Black Girl who can communicate with ghosts! A Historical Paranormal Middle Grade?! This book was definitely MEANT for me! If you are a fan of historical fiction, you will enjoy the history lessons along with the social commentary that takes place within it. There was also some great banter that took place that made you feel like you were apart of the conversations, whether its something you would say or are overhearing. I would recommend this book to everyone!

• 5. Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year by Nina Hamza
  • This book is actually one I didn’t know about, for some strange reason, and I’m so glad I received an ARC of it. I didn’t know what to expect but what I got was the best, most pleasant surprise. This book was so re-donk-cu-lously funny! It gave all the comedy my Spirit wanted & needed, which is why I finished it in like 24 hours. Y’all know how sarcasm is my second language, well, Ahmed (the obvious main character), spoke it so fluently that I thought I was reading my own words… If he were a real person, I would want him to be apart of my friend group, without question! This book is up there in middle grade books that I’ve read so far. If you are in need of a good laugh, this is a book meant for you too!

I hope you all decide to go out and pick up one or all of these books. I enjoyed them all for different reasons and they helped me escape in some way, shape or form; which has been what I’ve been seeking from books especially with where I’ve been mentally & emotionally. If you have any favs by Authors of Color that you wish to share, please feel free to do so in the comments! I do love a good book rec!

Well y’all, I’mma end this here. As usual, come find me on these e-streets up on the social medias: Instagram @bookishgirlmagic, Twitter @bookishgrlmagic and Clubhouse @bookishgrlmagic where you can typically find me in book centered clubs/rooms! I’m sending you all tons of bookish love and wishing you the happiest of reading days! Until the next post, Deuces!