We live in a world of spectrums and differences. All of it, every single one, should be depicted in art, media, news, books, everything. The world cannot grow into a better one if we ignore all the people who do not fall in the category of cishet, white people/men because cishet, white women hold minority status too, though with marked privileges.
I have always, especially since the inception of this blog’s first iteration, tried to read diverse books written by diverse voices and as few white dudes as manageable. My mind and heart can’t grow, evolve, or be challenged if I’m not exposed to ideas, views, and the realities of others. It’s easy to get caught in a bubble, and I try really hard to not get stuck in one specific bubble for too long.
This photoshoot was done as a surprise for a friend, but I also turned it into a gay book stack photo when I grabbed a bunch of queer books. Soccerwomen is not inherently queer, but have you seen women’s soccer? It’s real gay. Some of these books I’ve read; some I’ve not. Either way, it’s Pride. So if you’re looking for something queer to read, try one of these. If you’ve read all of these, read them again, or DM me so I can give you more options.
I read these books too long ago to actually review them. So I’m not going to. I also took the picture with these for a roundup so long ago I not only had bangs, long hair, I was also blond, and in a skirt. So enjoy the flashback.
I do remember reading all these books. So I’ll give a brief: here’s what I remember thinking while I read this because my memory is still good enough for that. I’ll thank the gym because that’s why I’m going now that I’m creeping ever closer to decrepitude. Anyways, I have loads more books that will go uncriticized because I was lazy for years and don’t feel like going back. So I’ll work my way back into being a book critic, kind of.
Destination WeddingDiksha Basu I don’t remember loads about this one, but I do remember it being fun and witty. I read it on vacation, and it triggered all my Indian wedding jealousies. I liked this one.
A great pool read.
Djinn Patrol on the Purple LineDeepa Anappara This was heartbreaking as it dives into the endemic problem of the multitudes of missing children in India along with the ever-present and ever-growing wealth disparity in India. A social commentary told with equal parts mysticism and realism. I just want to hug and save all the kids.
God Spare the GirlsKelsey McKinney I hate how authentic this felt. Set in small town Texas, the pastor’s two daughters are faced with life-altering decisions when their father’s secrets are revealed. It’s a story about womanhood and sisterhood and finding one’s truest self in the face of patriarchal society.
Do you not read like this?
Little GodsMeng Jin The plot of this book is an absolute mystery to me even after googling it. I don’t remember anything about this other than it exists on my bookshelf, there are in fact notes in it, so all evidence points to I did read it. So that’s telling.
Men, Women & ChildrenChad Kultgen Written by a Chad, strike one. Though, that might be why it was so cringingly realistic about the horrible way men talk about women and sex and how that affects those men’s sons vernacular, which all affects the women they supposedly love. I just remember hating the men in this one.
Native SonRichard Wight Ooof! It’s a classic for a reason. It is a truly remarkable and gut wrenching story. Layered and nuanced, it’s one of those books that makes you think. There’s a reason it’s taught in curriculums: fantastic discussion piece.
So We Meet AgainSuzanne Park Typically, rom-com books don’t call to me, but every once in awhile, I’ll crack their spine. I love that it’s about two Asians just doing life and falling in love. There really does need to be more inclusion and representation in the books we publish and advertise.
The HeiressMolly Greeley Who doesn’t love a weird Pride & Prejudice spin off. This is done fine. I remember not hating it. It was cute, but I wouldn’t call it a social critique to rival the original.
The Sinful Lives of Trophy WivesKristin Miller There’s murder and jealousy and mystery and wives in expensive clothing. That’s all I remember. I’m sure they figure out who done it at the end; I just don’t remember.
The VegetarianHan Kang Incredibly moving and well written. It also made my skin crawl during a great many moments. I loved it in the I didn’t like it at all kind of way. Beautifully written. Absolutely art. I hated the content, which is exactly the icky feeling it’s supposed to give off.
Transcendent KingdomYaa Gyasi A bit disappointed by Gyasi’s second novel. She wrote one of my favorite books on her first try, and this one fell flat in comparison. A great book, but it’s hard to love when you know what the author is capable of creating.
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I started out niched solely as a book blogger in the Insta-sphere. Even though that’s not the only thing I was writing about way back when, it was what I became known for. I rebranded so I had more freedom to talk about all the things without any push back and unfollows because travel, dogs, social justice, opinion pieces, etc were not on brand.
The books topping my reading list this fall.
When COVID hit, my life became wrapped up in the puppies and staying home. I’ve lost a great deal of motivation. Before 2020, I was extremely self-motivated and would often work ten or more hours a day seven days a week between my writing for work and content creating for the blog. I have found a complete loss of self-motivation in ALL things. Not just blog content.
A book part of this blog has been and will be book critiques. I love reading and expanding my world views. I have not fallen off the wagon when it comes to reading…. Although, I’m Netflixing more than I used to. My reading quotas are still being met. The book critique quotas are not, however. I’m getting back to it… Probably.
Bear really wanted to let you all know he’s super excited to be involved too.
Anyways. Publishers are still sending me books. I am still reading them. I’m just not posting them—or anything else—lately. But I wanted to give you a little sneak peek into eleven books I’m excited to read this fall. My reading taste is pretty focused. As a book critic, I like to vary it more than I would if I were solely reading for pleasure, so I aim for half nonfiction and half fiction on a wide range of topics, views, authors, and more. There is always a lean towards social justice, inclusion, representation, and progress. Even in my light reading, I choose female point of views and authors as well as finding POC writers because even when it’s a cute novel, women of color speak to things I may not immediately think of as a white woman.
Here are the eleven books on the top of my reading list right now:
Charged Emily Bazelon
Harlem Shuffle Colson Whitehead
Sister Outsider Audre Lorde
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
My Broken Language Quiara Alegría Hudes
Girl, Woman, Other Bernardine Evaristo
The Testaments Margaret Atwood
The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals Becky Mandelbaum
Slaughterhouse Five Kurt Vonnegut
Entitled Kate Manne
Ghost Forest Pik-Shuen Fung
Fingers crossed I publish book critiques of what should be some amazing books in a relatively soon time frame. We shall see.
anbisous und обьятий, RaeAnna
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