4th Quarter Reading Roundup
Hi, folks,
Yes I mean 4th quarter that ended like a bit over a month ago. January is a lot.
Anyway, here's some great things I read. Bookshop links.
Batter Royale by Liesl Adams - We know I'm a sucker for baking. This graphic novel about two teens who join a baking competition is adorable.
Wildseed Witch by Marti Dumas was amazing. Middle schooler discovers she's magic and gets enrolled in a kind of magic charm camp. There's comportment and decolonization classes. Wildseed is what they call non-legacy witches so there is a lot of classism. But I enjoyed it.
How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy - The teacher who runs the scholarship she wants strongly encouraged her to try out for the musical. Except she's better at singing than dancing or acting. Her nemesis is also there, and us great at dancing. Her nemesis is maybe also cute. Magical world that contains many of the same racism as ours, just with magic.
Content Note: There is some magical coercion too.
Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne- Did you say modern day Pride and Prejudice set in DC? I'm so there. He's a developer, she's trying to fight back against gentrification. Mr. Collins is a politician who wrote a bootstrap memoir. Love it!
Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey - I read in text form and then thought to myself, this person is a minister, do they read the audio, and went and grabbed it in audio too, so I could listen to parts with my eyes closed. A look at how capitalism and white supremacy try to make us think we need to deserve rest.
Season of Love by Helena Greer starts with death, but is a fun, and emotional look at inheritances, family both blood and found, and also a giant we must save the tree farm thing.
It Sounds Like This by Ana Meriano - I have been describing as fake dating for instruments. Hear me out. (Unintentional pun!) Yasmin is going to conquer this year in band, including unseating her bestie as top flute. But it’s fine, their relationship is stronger than that. And then Yasmin kinda accidentally gets the low brass section kicked out of band. And so they need volunteers to switch instruments for the semester or they can’t band.
Siren Queen and Home Field Advantage I talked about here.