The first book I picked up in the month of June was Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi which was a reread from last year. I wanted to give the series another try to see if I would continue on with it. I enjoyed reading from Juliette and Adams perspectives. The characters were great and the story line is intriguing. I really enjoyed the book and gave it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating.

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi #1.5- This is the novella that follows Shatter me. This was different reading from Warner’s perspective. He’s just as crazy as I thought he was, the story dives into Warner’s childhood and his background. I’m hoping to continue on with the series but I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read up to this point! I rated this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ as well.

The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison was by far my least favorite read of the month. I got this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really just did not enjoy this at all really. I like to go into books not knowing, I was unaware this was a Sherlock Holmes retelling. I do like mystery/thriller/suspense novels but this just wasn’t it for me. I felt as though this as extremely long for no reason and it just kept going in circles. I really wanted to DNF. I know there’s a lot of people that like this book already but it wasn’t for me. I rated this book ⭐️⭐️.

The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert was my favorite read of the month. I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This book is one that everyone should read.. every black person can relate to this book in some way. I couldn’t put this down I finished it in a matter of a few sittings. I loved how firm of a believer Marva was in advocating for women’s rights and black rights. Her being black and in an interracial relationship with someone who was white and privileged opened her eyes to the differences in there lives. I loved the different POVs in this book, I loved Duke and how awesome of a big brother he was to his little sister. The way this book talks about “the police talk” all black kids get was relatable. The way Marva felt when the police officer pulled her over is how I’ve felt many a times. There’s just so many take a ways and things to be learned from this book. I loved all the characters, I loved the premise and importance or black people making sure their voices are heard. We have to vote and do our part so it’s one less way than can silence us. I felt so many different emotions while reading this, I teared up quite a few times. When Duke’s father was talking about Julian’s baby picture and how he lost his baby boy I almost lost it. These are things that happen in the black community daily, someone’s son, brother, nephew, uncle, or father is arrested or shot and killed. This book really brings light too a lot of issues in the black community that very important. This is the first work I’ve read by Brandy Colbert but I definitely can’t wait to read more and recommend this book to everyone I know! I rated this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ you should not be surprised.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang I had very mixed feelings about this book. Things that I loved the history and the world building were great to me. If I was rating the book just based off that it would be five stars. What I didn’t like was Rin the main character, Rin was too obsessed with getting revenge and wanting power for me. I felt like she was so consumed with power she wasn’t listening to the smart advice of the warnings of others. Some of my favorite characters were Kitay and Tutor Jiang. I really enjoyed the book the plot and worldbuilding is what kept me going. This book does have trigger warnings so I would definitely check them out if it’s possible for you to become triggered. I still loved it and can’t wait to read the Dragon Republic. I also received the ARC for the Burning God so I’ll definitely be picking this up soon. I rated this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

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Black Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown this book triggered so many emotions. Every little black preteen-young adult girl/woman should read this book. This book made me cry it inspired me as well as told a sad but beautiful story. I loved reading from Echo’s POV, being able to relate to so much that happened in this story made me fall in love. The love she had for her brothers, how naive she was a young girl in love, growing up feeling ugly because you’re uncomfortable in your skin. There are so many struggles being black and a young girl. We need black queens uplifting our little black girls. This book should be on every little black girls bookshelf. I rated this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

You Should See me In a Crown by Leah Johnson. I really loved this book, were following Liz and her trials and tribulations trying to get into the college of her dreams. I could relate to Liz in a lot of ways, which I love as a reader. Throughout the book there was a lot of good character growth. Between school, family her friends and trying to win prom queen to get into the school of her dreams. Liz has huge dreams and she’s stepping out of her comfort zone, as well as being queer and black. This was a great read and I would definitely recommend it. I rated this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust. I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a Sleeping Beauty with the concept of a poisonous girl in a garden from “Rappaccini’s Daughter” and mythology. When I first picked up Girl Serpent Thorn I wasn’t invested in the characters, even at the end I’m not really caring about picking up the next book. I’m not in love with this in anyway it wasn’t terrible because I read the whole thing. I liked the themes of the book finding your purpose and loving yourself among others. This was also the first book I picked up from this author. Honestly reading this it seemed like every other typical fantasy love triangle story. There’s BI rep in this book the main character Soraya as well as Azad. I like how they discuss not labeling and not but sure of their sexuality, just how it’s pretty much okay not know exactly who you are. There were very few things I liked about this book but it’s for someone out there just not me. I rated this ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Historically Innacurate by Shay Bravo. I received this ARC from Netgalley, I want to thank the author Shay Bravo as well as the Publisher. This book was unique in the fact that the story was set in a History club in a college. I think that’s a different perspective and just a unique twist to the story. I didn’t like the “hazing” aspect. I enjoyed reading from the perspective of Soledad who’s mom was deported. Seeing what they go through in a daily life and the struggles of trying to keep your family together at such great distances. I loved reading about the close relationship between Carlos and Soledad. Soledad’s character really reminds of myself in some ways with her fiery attitude. This book had some slow parts but the story was very interesting. I rated this ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Daughters of NRI by Reni K. Amayo. I wish I had more to say about this but I just really didn’t love this. I feel like it could’ve been so much better. The pacing for the story was off and slow. There were times when I would be reading and put the book down and not pick it back up because I wasn’t interested. I loved following the dual perspectives of Naala and Sinai, I hated the fact that they didn’t meet until more than 90% of the book. I was really anticipating the twins meeting and how they would react and what would happen but really nothing did. I’m not sure what book two would even be about because even at the end nothing really happened after they met. I liked the characters and the world building of this story but there’s more cons than pros for me. I think this book is setting up for book two but it doesn’t make me want to pick up the second book unfortunately. I rated this ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo. This was amazing as I expected it would be, I’ve read every single work by Elizabeth Acevedo. I own all of her works. This book especially tugged at my heart strings more the grief these sisters experienced. The growth of them growing as a family and learning who the other is. I loved Yahira and Camino they were amazing characters, hearing both sides and how they felt about the situation. The story was beautiful and I loved every minute of it, this story also brought awareness to an event that not many know about. I would absolutely recommend this book! I rated this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

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Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn I loved this book, I listened to it via audio and it had me on the edge of my seat. The story was great it was full of suspense it had deep meaning too it. At first I thought I knew who the killer was I, I was wrong. I was so shocked and surprised at the end. There’s definitely tw in this soo if you plan on picking it up I’d definitely check them out. This story is gripping and definitely keeps you pulled in. I’m so glad I decided to randomly pick this up. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by Gillian Flynn!! I rated this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

It is Wood, It is Stone by Gabriella Burnham. I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I want to thank the publisher and the author Gabriella Burnham. This is an LGBTQ contemporary romance, this was a quick read that I actually really enjoyed. I was unaware that this book was heavily romance based when I was approved for it. The book follows 3 women through São Paulo. The story follows Linda who’s spending a year in Brazil while her husband teaches university. She’s coming to terms of whether or not she should leave her husband as well as looking back at the choices she’s made up to that point. Marta the maid and Celia. There’s relationship struggles, lesbian relations, family drama and struggling with not knowing who you are. I’m glad the ending turned out the way that it did, i was glad the things were resolved. I recommend this if you’re interested in LGBTQ contemporary romance. I loved that this book took place in Brazil, even though they came from the U.S. It put a unique twist on the story. I rated this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

This is My America Kim Johnson. I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I want to thank The publisher, and the author Kim Johnson. This book is one of my top reads of the year. I’m so happy I got the opportunity as a young black women to read this book. I was able to relate to this in a lot of ways. This is a story that you don’t read about often. People being wrongly imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit. Tracy as a young girl in high school is trying to find a way to prove her father’s innocence, and defend her family. I loved reading about Tracy she was such a strong fearless character she was passionate about speaking out about injustices against black people. Tracy is torn between her family and relationships and has to make so many crucial decisions. This book talks a lot about family values, experiencing extreme racism, growing up with a parent incarcerated, as well as privilege and influence . So many young adults and teens should read this book. It’s so important that we stress the importance of Black Lives Matter. There’s so many black men falsely accused and imprisoned because of crimes they didn’t commit and that don’t receive a fair trial. There’s so much betrayal, secrets and suspense in this book, it kept me on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t able to put this book down or put my attention to anything else. I can’t wait to get a finished copy of this. I rated this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

The Black Kids Christina Hammonds Reed. This is my least favorite book of probably the year. I just couldn’t get through it, I hated the main characters Ashley and Kimberly. After reading so many books with strong female black leads. I was struggling to read this I feel as though if the roles of the Ashley and Jo were switched and their was more history told early in the story it would be better. The story just wasn’t what I was expecting whatsoever. It fully disappointed me, one of my most anticipated reads. I didn’t give this book a rating because I didn’t finish it but I didn’t enjoy it at all.

So You Want to Talk About Race Ijeoma Oluo. This is a nonfiction book that I listened too via audio. I finished this book in one sitting that’s how much I enjoyed it. I could relate too so many of the micro-aggressions and things that happened within the story. When I finished the audiobook I was thoroughly satisfied and definitely recommend this to any and everyone. I rated this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

The Fifth Season N.K. Jemisin. This was nothing short of amazing, the beginning was a little confusing just because of the multiple perspectives. Shortly after that I began to understand and this started coming together. I loved the way this book was written, the characters, the events and world building were great. I don’t think there was anything I didn’t like because it was just that great for me. This is a book that you have to really read and like understand to know what’s going on. A lot of people read this and say they were so confused after. If you love sci-fi/fantasy and black authors with amazing writing. Please pick this book up it’s soo good!! I rated this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. This book was everything I didn’t know I needed in my life and it ripped out my heart in the end.. I don’t think it gets much better than that. This book has made it too my top favorites for sure. The world building, characters and necromancy was amazing. I have a new favorite trope!! This was absolutely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

I hope you guys enjoyed this recent reads post! Comment below some of your favorite books you’ve read recently. Keep reading 🦋💕