Happy Thanksgiving Week to those who celebrate!

Above are books I’ve read over the past two years that I’m thankful were written. Big thank you to their authors!

Each of these books I really enjoyed reading, but more than that, I received something deeper out of them, whether it be inspiration, laughter, life lessons, political or social commentary, or representation.

Side note: links will not open a new tab

A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna spoke to my wandering nature.

Take a Hint Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert reminded me to accept real love, even when it’s scary.

A Shadow in The Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout made me laugh and smile like an idiot, while also setting the groundwork of how some rhetorics and practices that are passed down can be misguided. It also shows how easy it is to scapegoat someone for a problem and how situations can be nuanced.

Forest of the Souls by Lori Lee kept me entertained and intrigued while discussing the international politics of their world. It’ll be interesting to see where it goes.

The Blood Trials by Nia Davenport felt like a movie and reminds me to fight for what I believe in, even when there is opposition.

Although I haven’t finished Honey Girl by Morgan Rodgers yet, it’s already making me feel seen about being lost in my career and hopefully finding the way through that. It also speaks on the importance of having people close to you that can be your anchors.

Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher gave me some relief from what I was going through late last year and showed me why marriage of conveniences are so fun.

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan not only gave wise words about losing a baby, depression, and the effects of mothering through it, but also showed how imperfect we are as humans. We all cope differently and that’s why communication is so important.

Act Your Age by Eve Brown gave neurodivergent and autism representation and was another case of finding your way.

While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory gave anxiety rep and showed how, for some people, love can pop up if you’re open for it.

We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds gave lessons on family dynamics and generational trauma. Unfortunately, we can’t fix everything, especially situations between other people who have a long history

Colliding with Fate by A.E. Valdez is one of my favorite tropes, where the leads act like nothing is growing between them, but we know it is. I experienced all the emotions reading this because of everything that happens.

Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury gave futurism mixed with witches. It got me back into fantasy books and I’ve been looking for books like it.

Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen gave me an unapologetic, Black, fat woman who is loved on for being herself. It had me laughing, cheesing, and nodding my head in agreement.

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn is the only modern Arthurian legend based book I’ve read, that mixes in Black history, magic, and secret societies. It also heavily discusses grief and this one made me like the first one so much more.

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal talks about colonialism, being different (in this case vampirism), and finding family. I loved the heist aspect and the vibe.

Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton stars a morally grey lead who struggles with who she is in a world where she’s feared, and is forced to hide, to an extent.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent gave me human vampire dynamics in a tournament for power. I enjoyed the journey and how time can reveal all.

Get a Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert gave chronic illness rep and showed how she could still be loved on. The right person will care and help. It’s also a case of how impressions of others aren’t always right. It can really just be projection and you never know what’ll happen if you stay level-headed in your judgements. Maybe you’ll fall in love.

So again, thank you to these writers for their beautiful stories. Reading is something I rediscovered the past year and even though I do it for fun, books are moving and if you choose to, even the most unsuspecting book can have gems that stick.