OK Then Miss Ayesha!

 A fresh, interesting, and entertaining novel.

I really liked Ayesha. Watching her wrestle with duty to her family and her wanting to pursue her art is a familiar tale; but Jalaluddin breathes new life into this trope with the details from the Muslim religion and various cultures.  It was eye opening. The author does a great job tackling topics such as arranged marriages and Islamaphobia, and She made it very interesting.  I loved having non-white characters as the main love interests.  The other characters were Great and the plot was interesting.

Great debut!

Slay All Day!

 Slay was amazing!  Excellent debut from Brittney Morris! She perfectly captured the dual role that Black students play when they are the minority in schools. That same feeling translates to towns, workplaces, and tons of other scenarios. You have to operate on various Blackness levels to fit in. So deep and so true. 

This book was so relatable and personal for me. The creation of the Slay universe was so cool. I want a novel set in The Slay universe. This book was timely, creative, and smart.  Excellent job!

You Are Cordially Invited...

Jasmine Guillory just keeps getting better. I absolutely adored this book! It was fun, smart, and sexy. Maddie and Theo were amazing. I laughed with them, I cried with them, I was all in my feelings with them.  It was so much fun watching them grow.  

It was great seeing all the people from the first 2 books. I wanted to get dressed and attend the wedding. I was 100% invested in this story. Yes Ms. Guillory! I can't wait to see what else you write.

The Nickel Boys

This is probably the most devastatingly beautiful book I've ever read. Following Elwood and his unfortunate stay at the Nickel, is so heartbreaking, yet you can't look away. 

The depictions of the abuse these boys suffered is not grusome; yet Whitehead is so meticulous with his language that he engages all of your senses within this 210 page novel. The images he conjured up are forever burned into my brain.

Absolutely outstanding!

Queenie...Ohhh Girl!

Wow!

Queenie is a fabulous read...absolutely amazing. This book took me through the paces. There was laughs and tears; I was sad and angry; I wanted to shake some sense into Queenie and fight for her...just so many emotions. I understood Queenie because I know her. She is my sisters, cousins, and friends; and at times she is me. She embodies the emotional roller coaster that so many women ride every day. Mental health is important, even for the strongest of women. I fell in love with her friends and family.

 An wonderful debut!

When You Read This...

Grief is a complicated and fickle monster, no wonder so many of us have trouble moving past it.  Mary Adkins handles the complications of losing a love one with grace, compassion and humor.  I love the creativity of epistolary novels.

I am totally impressed by an author's ability to tell a story through letters, and now in the 21st century; blog posts, e-mails, and texts.  I felt and understood all the emotions of the characters who were missing Iris.  My heart went out to Iris for how honest and raw she was about her situation.  Carl and Phil kept me in stitches! 

Well done Ms. Adkins!

Katherine Howe is a Smart Ass Witch!

I was a big fan of "The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane". I became a bigger fan once I met Katherine Howe at a book signing. I was thrilled to see that she write a follow-up. I was not disappointed. 

"The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs" was delightful.  This book was full of subtle, yet powerful magic that you feel in the past, present, and future. I felt like we picked up right where we left off with Connie, Sam, and Grace. I loved the introduction of Zazi. The ended was perfect and I hope it means there is more to come!