Magical/Realism: Essays on Music, Memory, Fantasy, and Borders

Magical/Realism: Essays on Music, Memory, Fantasy, and Borders 

By Vanessa Angelica Villareal 

Tiny Reparations Books, 2024. 370 pages. Nonfiction. 

In Magical/Realism, Vanessa Angélica Villarreal offers us an intimate mosaic of migration, violence, and colonial erasure through the lens of her marriage and her experiences navigating American monoculture. As she attempts to recover the truth from the absences and silences within her life, her relationships, and those of her ancestors, Vanessa pieces together her story from the fragments of music, memory, and fantasy that have helped her make sense of it all. Each chapter is an attempt to reimagine and re-world what has been lost. In one essay, Vanessa examines the gender performativity of Nirvana and Selena; in another, she offers a radical but crucial racial reading of Jon Snow in Game of Thrones; and throughout the collection, she explores how fantasy can provide healing when grief feels insurmountable. She reflects on the moments of her life that are too painful to remember--her difficult adolescence, her role as the eldest daughter of Mexican immigrants, her divorce--and finds a new way to archive her history and map her future(s), one infused with the hope and joy of fantasy and magical thinking. By engaging readers in her project of rebuilding narrative, Vanessa broadens our understanding of what memoir and cultural criticism can be. Magical/Realism is a wise, tender, and essential collection that carves a path toward a new way of remembering and telling our stories. 

I loved this collection of essays! As a huge fan of fantasy, I loved seeing how she connected fictional narratives to her real-life experiences and explored how metaphorically they are similar. One of the amazing things about fiction and fantasy is how people across cultures and backgrounds can find deep connections in the same story. Vanessa is candid about her experiences and her history, it truly feels like as much of a memoir as it is an essay collection on media analysis. 

If you like Magical/Realism, you might also like: 

Wannabe: Reckonings with the Pop Culture that Raised Me 

By Aisha Harris 

Harper Collins, 2023. 280 pages. Memoir. 

In nine lively essays, critic Aisha Harris invites us into the wonderful, maddening process of making sense of the pop culture we consume. Aisha Harris has made a name for herself as someone you can turn to for a razor-sharp take on whatever show or movie everyone is talking about. Now, she turns her talents inward, mining the benchmarks of her nineties childhood and beyond to analyze the tropes that are shaping all of us, and our ability to shape them right back. In the opening essay, an interaction with Chance the Rapper prompts an investigation into the origin myth of her name. Elsewhere, Aisha traces the evolution of the "Black Friend" trope from its Twainian origins through to the heyday of the Spice Girls, teen comedies like Clueless, and sitcoms of the New Girl variety. And she examines the overlap of taste and identity in this era, rejecting the patriarchal ethos that you are what you like. Whatever the subject, sitting down with her book feels like hanging out with your smart, hilarious, pop culture-obsessed friend--and it's a delight. 

The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality 

By Amanda Montell 

Atria Books, 2024. 257 pages. Nonfiction 

'Magical thinking' can be broadly defined as the belief that one's internal thoughts can affect unrelated events in the external world: Think of the conviction that one can manifest their way out of poverty, stave off cancer with positive vibes, thwart the apocalypse by learning to can their own peaches, or transform an unhealthy relationship to a glorious one with loyalty alone. In all its forms, magical thinking works in service of restoring agency amid chaos, but in The Age of Magical Overthinking, Montell argues that in the modern information age, our brain's coping mechanisms have been overloaded, and our irrationality turned up to an eleven. Montell delves into a cornucopia of the cognitive biases that run rampant in our brains, from how the 'Halo effect' cultivates worship (and hatred) of larger than life celebrities, to how the 'Sunk cost fallacy' can keep us in detrimental relationships long after we've realized they're not serving us. As she illuminates these concepts with her signature brilliance and wit, Montell's prevailing message is one of hope, empathy, and ultimately forgiveness for our anxiety-addled human selves. If you have all but lost faith in our ability to reason, Montell aims to make some sense of the senseless. To crack open a window in our minds, and let a warm breeze in. To help quiet the cacophony for a while, or even hear a melody in it.

LA

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion

 The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion

by Beth Brower

Rhysdon Press, 2019. 107 pages. Fiction

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian's. But Emma's plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian's. Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

If you're a fan of Pride and Prejudice, you’ll definitely want to immerse yourself in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Bower. This book is a delightful blend of clever wit and charming prose.

The novel is structured around the intriguing journals of Emma M. Lion, whose observations and experiences provide a window into her world. This is a wonderful read for those who appreciate a blend of classic charm and modern storytelling. Whether you’re in it for the character development, the witty narrative, or the unfolding mystery, this book promises a delightful literary journey. 

Luckily, the story doesn’t end on page 107. With more volumes in this series, there’s plenty of adventure and intrigue to look forward to. Just so you know, this book was also just added to our book club set collection, so grab a set and enjoy it with your friends!

If you like The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion you might also enjoy:

A Useful Women

by Darcie Wilde

Berkley Prime Crime, 2016. 357 pages. Mystery 

The daughter of a baronet and a minor heiress, Rosalind Thorne was nearly ruined after her father abandoned the family. To survive in the only world she knew, she began to manage the affairs of some of London society's most influential women, who have come to rely on her wit and discretion. So when aristocratic wastrel Jasper Aimesworth is found dead in Almack's, London's most exclusive ballroom, Rosalind must use her skills and connections to uncover the killer from a list of suspects that includes Almack's powerful patronesses--and her own former suitor Devon Winterbourne, now Lord Casselmaine. Torn between her old love and a growing attraction to a compelling Bow Street runner, Rosalind must not only unravel the mysteries surrounding Jasper's death, but the mysteries of her own heart as well.

Cotillion

by Georgette Heyer

Sourcebooks, 2007. 355 pages. Romance

The three great-nephews of cantankerous Mr. Penicuik know better than to ignore his summons, especially when it concerns the bestowal of his fortune. The wily old gentleman has hatched a typically freakish plan for his stepdaughter's future and his own amusement--his fortune will be Kitty's dowry. But while the beaux are scrambling for her hand, Kitty counters with her own inventive, if daring, scheme--a sham engagement should keep wedlock at bay.

Edenbrooke; and, Heir to Edenbrooke

by Julianne Donalson

Shadow Mountain, 2017. 264 pages. Romance 

Edenbrooke: When Marianne Deventry receives an invitation to spend the summer with her twin sister in Edenbrooke, she has no idea of the romance and adventure that await her once she meets the dashing Philip Wyndham.

Heir to Edenbrooke: When Philip Wyndham's older brother dies, leaving Philip heir to Edenbrooke, he is thrust into an unexpected role as London's most sought-after bachelor; but everything changes when he meets Marianne Deventry. This novella tells much of the same story as Edenbrooke, from the point of view of Philip.

BWW

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Simon & Schuster. 2022. 359 pages. YA Fiction

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all with an unusual way of viewing the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. It is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

This beautifully written coming-of-age story is both thought-provoking and emotionally rich. The authentic portrayal of family and friendships makes it relatable. The humor woven into Aristotle’s struggles adds balance to his journey of self-discovery. For an added treat, the audiobook, narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda, brings the story to life with his unique flair.

If you like Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe you might like…

Pedro and Daniel
By Federico Levine Querido
2023. 425 pages. YA Fiction

PEDRO & DANIEL is a sweeping and deeply personal novel about two brothers who are there for each other when no one else is. Pedro and Daniel are Mexican American brothers growing up in 1970s Ohio. Their mother resents that Pedro is a spitting image of their darker-skinned father, that Daniel likes dolls, that neither boy plays sports. Life at home is rough, but the boys have an unbreakable bond that will last their entire lives. Together, the brothers manage an abusive home life, coming out, first loves, first jobs, and the AIDS pandemic, in a coming-of-age story unlike any other.

The Edge of Anything
By Nora Shalaway Carpenter
Running Press Teens, 2020. 362 pages. YA Fiction

Len is a loner teen photographer haunted by a past that's stagnated her work and left her terrified she's losing her mind. Sage is a high school volleyball star desperate to find a way around her sudden medical disqualification. Both girls need college scholarships. After a chance encounter, the two develop an unlikely friendship that enables them to begin facing their inner demons. But both Len and Sage are keeping secrets that, left hidden, could cost them everything, maybe even their lives. Set in the North Carolina mountains, The Edge of Anything explores the transformative power of friendship and how it can help you find yourself and the goodness in life, even when everything feels broken.

BWW

I Hope This Doesn't Find You

I Hope This Doesn't Find You

By Ann Liang

Scholastic Press, 2024. 309 pages. Young Adult

Channeling her frustrations into email drafts--ones that she'd never send--seemingly perfect Sadie Wen finds her carefully crafted, conflict-free life turned upside down when the email is sent out accidentally, and the only person growing to appreciate the real Sadie is the only boy she's sworn to hate.

This is a funny, high drama high school romance.  The characters are lovable and flawed, and the enemies to lovers trope is well constructed with satisfying dialogue and character interactions to support the shifting feelings.  

If you like I Hope This Doesn't Find You you might also like:

To All The Boys I've Loved Before
By Jenny Han
Simon & Schuster BFYR, 2014. 355 Pages. Young Adult

Lara Jean writes love letters to all the boys she has loved and then hides them in a hatbox until one day those letters are accidentally sent.

My Mechanical Romance
By Alexene Farol Follmuth
Holiday House, 2022. 266 pages. Young Adult

Basically forced to join the robotics club due to her talent for engineering, Bel must work side-by-side with Mateo Luna, and soon the two realize they've built much more than a robot for the national championship.

RBL

The New York Times Cooking: No-Recipe Recipes

 The New York Times Cooking: No-Recipe Recipes
By Sam Sifton

Ten Speed Press, 2021. 242 pages. Nonfiction. Cookbooks

Cooking without recipes is a kitchen skill, like cutting vegetables into dice or flipping an omelet. Sifton makes improvisational cooking easy. Each recipe uses ingredients you have on hand or could pick up on a quick trip to the store.

Are you tired of the endless cycle of recipes, grocery lists, and specific ingredients? I was too. I found myself overwhelmed by the demands of finding recipes, shopping for every single item, and ended up burned out from the whole process. My kitchen was a source of stress rather than joy.

That’s where "No-Recipe Recipes" by Sam Sifton comes to the rescue. This book is a game-changer for anyone who wants to simplify their cooking without sacrificing flavor. Sifton's approach is all about harnessing the power of your pantry and using the staples you already have. As I flipped through the pages, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement at the thought of experimenting with what I had on hand.

One of the best parts? The book offers adaptable ideas for when you’re missing an ingredient, with handy suggestions for substitutions. It’s like having a cooking buddy who knows exactly what you’re working with and helps you make the most of it. This cookbook is exactly what I needed to take my no-recipe cooking to the next level and truly enjoy the freedom of the kitchen.

If you like The New York Times Cooking: No-Recipe Recipes you might also like...

Fast & easy five-ingredient recipes: a cookbook for busy people
by Philia Kelnhofer
The Country Man Press, 2016. 240 Pages. Nonfiction. Cookbook

Cooking can sometimes involve mile-long ingredient lists and require more time than one cares to spend in the kitchen after a busy day. With Fast and Easy Five Ingredient Recipes you'll find over 100 recipes that only require five ingredients (or less) and use simple ingredients in unique ways.

Good enough : a cookbook : embracing the joys of imperfection & practicing self-care in the kitchen
By Leanne Brown
Workman Publishing, 2022. 298 pages. Nonfiction. Cookbook

Good Enough is a cookbook, but it's as much about the healing process of cooking as it is about delicious recipes. It's about acknowledging the fears and anxieties many of us have when we get in the kitchen, then learning to let them go in the sensory experience of working with food. It's about slowing down, honoring the beautiful act of feeding yourself and your loved ones, and releasing the worries about whether what you've made is good enough. It is. A generous mix of essays, stories, and nearly 100 dazzling recipes, Good Enough is a deeply personal cookbook.

BWW

Sky's End

Sky’s End  

By Marc J. Gregson 

Peachtree Teen, 2024. 403 pages. Young Adult 

Exiled to live as a Low, 16-year-old Conrad refuses to become heir to his murderous uncle. But Meritocracy is a harsh and unforgiving rule on the floating island of Holmstead, and when his ailing mother is killed by monstrous gorgantauns, Conrad cuts a deal to save the only family he has left. To rescue his sister from his uncle's clutches, Conrad must enter the Selection of the Twelve Trades. Hunter, the deadliest of all the Trades, gains a fresh recruit with Conrad. Now he must endure vigorous training, manipulative peers, and the Gauntlet--a brutal final test that yields riches and status to whichever skyship crew kills the most gorgantauns. Forced to serve in the lowest of stations and unseen by all, Conrad overhears whispers of rebellion in the dark. Conrad had never known anything existed below the toxic black clouds of the Skylands... until now. 

This book has been on my to-read list for a while because of it’s multiple positive professional reviews, but by the time I’d started it I had entirely forgotten the premise so I went into this book not knowing what it was about. There was a lot of backstory in the beginning so it took a little while for me to get into it… but as soon as the action started I was sucked in. It was suspenseful, action-packed, fast-paced, had witty characters, the world was fascinating, and overall was just a fantastic read and hard for me to put down. If you like YA sci-fi/fantasy that really packs a punch and keeps you turning pages, I can’t recommend this one enough. 

If you liked Sky’s End, you might also like: 

 

Monsters Born and Made 

By Tanvi Berwah 

Sourcebooks Fire, 2022. 343 pages. Young Adult 

To ensure her family's survival, sixteen-year-old Koral cheats her way into the Glory Race, a dangerous chariot tournament using sea monsters meant for the ruling elite. 

The Sunbearer Trials  

By Aiden Thomas 

Feiwel and Friends, 2022. 405 pages. Young Adult 

Chosen to participate in The Sunbearer Trials, where the loser is sacrificed to refuel the Sun Stones, Teo, the 17-year-old trans son of the goddess of birds, must compete against more powerful and better trained opponents for fame, glory and his own survival. 

ACS

Into the Sunken City

Into the Sunken City 

By Dinesh Thiru 

Harperteen, 2024. 347 pages. Young Adult 

In the slowly sinking city of Coconino, Arizona, the days are long, the money is tight, and the rain never stops. For Jin Haldar, this life is nothing new—ever since her father died in a diving accident, she's barely made ends meet for her and her younger sister, Thara. Enter Bhili: a drifter who offers Jin and Thara the score of a lifetime—a massive stash of gold hidden in the sunken ruins of Las Vegas. Jin knows it's too dangerous. She stopped diving after her father's accident. But when her sister decides to go, Jin's left with only one choice: to go with her. A high-stakes heist ensues that's beyond even Jin's wildest fears. Crumbling ruins, sea beasts, corsairs, and a mysterious figure named João Silva all lie in wait. To survive, Jin will have to do what she promised herself she'd never do again: dive. 

I really loved the world building in this novel, and the diving (particularly in Las Vegas) reminded me of the video game HOIRZON: FORBIDDEN WEST (not to mention the theme of climate change apocalypse). This novel was action-packed, fast-paced, and kept the tension high throughout. I felt like it was a really nice genre blend of action, adventure, apocalypse fiction, heist, and a bit of romance. 

If you liked Into the Sunken City, you might also like: 

Atlantia 

By Ally Condie 

Dutton Books, 2014. 298 pages. Young Adult 

Rio has always dreamed of leaving the underwater city of Atlantia for life in the Above; however, when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, Rio is left stranded below where she must find a way to unlock the secrets of the siren voice she has long hidden and save Atlantia from destruction. 

Fable

By Adrienne Young 

Wednesday Books, 2020. 353 pages. Young Adult 

Seventeen-year-old Fable joins the young, motley crew of the Marigold to escape the island where her father abandoned her, but she quickly realizes life off the island is more dangerous than she imaged. 

ACS

Silver Nitrate

Silver Nitrate 

By Silvia Moreno-Garcia 

Del Rey, 2023. 318 pages. Fiction. 

Montserrat has always been overlooked. She's a talented sound editor, but she's left out of the boys' club running the film industry in '90s Mexico City. And she's all but invisible to her best friend, Tristán, a charming if faded soap opera star, though she's been in love with him since childhood. Then Tristán discovers his new neighbor is the cult horror director Abel Urueta, and the legendary auteur claims he can change their lives--even if his tale of a Nazi occultist imbuing magic into highly volatile silver nitrate stock sounds like sheer fantasy. The magic film was never finished, which is why, Urueta swears, his career vanished overnight. He is cursed. Now the director wants Montserrat and Tristán to help him shoot the missing scene and lift the curse . . . but Montserrat soon notices a dark presence following her, and Tristán begins seeing the ghost of his ex-girlfriend. As they work together to unravel the mystery of the film and the obscure occultist who once roamed their city, Montserrat and Tristán may find that sorcerers and magic are not only the stuff of movies. 

Silver Nitrate is a good introduction to weird horror. It’s not so horrific you’ll want to sleep with the lights on, but it’s spooky and weird enough to make you question whether or not magic could be real. This novel blends supernatural mysticism, occultism, Nazi ghosts, and interesting film history. There are moments in the book that get a little too weird and convoluted even for me, especially towards the end of the book. It was very engaging and left me thinking about the story even when I wasn’t reading it. Montserrat and Tristan are characters that play off of each other well, and each has their own flaws and strengths that add a lot to the story. Overall, a fun read that I would recommend to fans of cursed films and books about the occult. 

If you like Silver Nitrate, you might also like: 

The Invention of Sound 

By Chuck Palahnuik 

Grand Central Publishing, 2020. 228 pages. Fiction. 

Private detective Foster Gates is a father in search of his missing daughter, and sound engineer Mitzi harbors a secret that may help him solve the case. It's Mitzi's job to create the dubbed screams used in horror films and action movies. She's the best at what she does. But what no one in Hollywood knows is the screams Mitzi produces are harvested from the real, horror-filled, blood-chilling screams of people in their death throes--a technique first employed by Mitzi's father and one she continues on in his memory--a deeply conflicted serial killer compelled beyond her understanding to honor her father's chilling legacy. Soon Foster finds himself on Mitzi's trail. And in pursuit of her dark art, Mitzi realizes she's created the perfect scream, one that compels anyone who hears it to mirror the sound as long as they listen to it--a highly contagious seismic event with the potential to bring the country to its knees.  

Curse of the Reaper 

By Brian McAuley 

Talos Press, 2022. 323 pages. Fiction. 

Decades after playing the titular killer in the 80s horror franchise Night of the Reaper, Howard Browning has been reduced to signing autographs for his dwindling fanbase at genre conventions. When the studio announces a series reboot, the aging thespian is crushed to learn he's being replaced in the iconic role by heartthrob Trevor Mane, a former sitcom child-star who's fresh out of rehab. Trevor is determined to stay sober and revamp his image while Howard refuses to let go of the character he created, setting the stage for a cross-generational clash over the soul of a monster. But as Howard fights to reclaim his legacy, the sinister alter ego consumes his unraveling mind, pushing him to the brink of violence. Is the method actor succumbing to madness or has the devilish Reaper taken on a life of its own? 

Horror Movie 

By Paul Tremblay 

William Morrow, 2024. 275 pages. Fiction. 

In June 1993, a group of young guerilla filmmakers spent four weeks making Horror Movie, a notorious, disturbing, art-house horror flick. The weird part? Only three of the film's scenes were ever released to the public, but Horror Movie has nevertheless grown a rabid fanbase. Three decades later, Hollywood is pushing for a big budget reboot. The man who played "The Thin Kid" is the only surviving cast member. He remembers all too well the secrets buried within the original screenplay, the bizarre events of the filming, and the dangerous crossed lines on set that resulted in tragedy. As memories flood back in, the boundaries between reality and film, past and present start to blur. But he's going to help remake the film, even if it means navigating a world of cynical producers, egomaniacal directors, and surreal fan conventions--demons of the past be damned. But at what cost?

LA

The Blood Years

The Blood Years 

By Elana K. Arnold 

Balzer + Bray, 2023. 390 pages. Young Adult 

Set in 1939 Romania, Frederieke Teitler and her older sister, Astra, live in a house, in a city, in a world divided. Their father ran out on them when Rieke was only six, leaving their mother a wreck and their grandfather as their only stable family. He's done his best to provide for them and shield them from antisemitism, but now, seven years later, being a Jew has become increasingly dangerous. And when Astra falls in love and starts pulling away from her, Rieke wonders if there's anything in her life she can count on. Then-war breaks out in Europe. Almost overnight, Rieke and Astra's world changes, and every day becomes a struggle: to keep their grandfather's business, to keep their home, to keep their lives. 

I appreciate that this novel highlights the effects of the Holocaust and WWII in an area outside of Germany. It’s a very thought-provoking and emotionally intense read as Rieke sees her neighbors gradually disappear, and starts to pick up on what’s happening around her and how her world has changed. At the same time, she’s dealing with her own physical changes as she’s going through adolescence, but her mother hasn’t provided any sort of guidance on what to expect or do for something as common as a period. Rieke feels like a realistic early teen girl, and I appreciate that authenticity. 

If you liked The Blood Years, you might also like: 

I Must Betray You

By Ruta Sepetys 

Philomel Books, 2023. 319 pages. Young Adult 

Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren't free to dream; they are bound by rules and force. Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He's left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves--or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe. Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom? 

Girl in the Blue Coat 

By Monica Hesse 

Little, Brown and Company, 2016. 301 pages. Young Adult 

In 1943 Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, teenage Hanneke--a 'finder' of black market goods--is tasked with finding a Jewish girl a customer had been hiding, who has seemingly vanished into thin air, and is pulled into a web of resistance activities and secrets as she attempts to solve the mystery and save the missing girl. 

ACS

Bright Red Fruit

Bright Red Fruit 

By Safia Elhillo 

Make Me a World, 2024. 368 pages. Young Adult 

Samira is determined to have a perfect summer filled with fun parties, exploring DC, and growing as a poet--until a scandalous rumor has her grounded and unable to leave her house. When Samira turns to a poetry forum for solace, she catches the eye of an older, charismatic poet named Horus. For the first time, Samira feels wanted. But soon she's keeping a bigger secret than ever before--one that that could prove her reputation and jeopardize her place in her community. 

This was such and emotionally intense book, full of believable characters and realistic situations. Samira struggles to find her own place in the world under the watchful eye of her mother, so when she retreats to an internet forum and finds someone who expresses appreciation for her work, it’s no wonder she latches onto that approval. Yet, the reader sees the red flags. I really appreciated this thought-provoking coming-of-age novel. It reminded me of some of my own teen years and situations I could have fallen into, but managed to avoid, not fully recognizing the red flags in my own life. Very well done. 

If you liked Bright Red Fruit, you might also like: 

The Poet X

By Elizabeth Acevedo 

Harper Teen, 2018. 361 pages. Young Adult 

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook. when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems, because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent. 

Dear Medusa 

By Olivia A. Cole 

Labyrinth Road, 2023. 377 pages. Young Adult 

Sixteen-year-old Alicia Rivers has a reputation that precedes her. But there's more to her story than the whispers that follow her throughout the hallways at school--whispers that splinter into a million different insults that really mean: a girl who has had sex. But what her classmates don't know is that Alicia was abused by a popular teacher, and that trauma has rewritten every cell in her body into someone she doesn't recognize. To the world around her, she's been cast, like the mythical Medusa, as not the victim but the monster of her own story. Alicia was abandoned by her best friend, quit the track team, and now spends her days in detention feeling isolated and invisible. When mysterious letters left in her locker hint at another victim, Alicia struggles to keep up the walls she's built around her trauma. At the same time, her growing attraction to a new girl in school makes her question what those walls are really keeping out. 

 ACS

The Black Queen

The Black Queen

By Jumata Emil

Delacorte Press, 2023. 392 pages. YA Fiction

When Nova, Lovett High School's first Black homecoming queen, is murdered on the night of her coronation, her best friend, Duchess, unexpectedly teams up with her prime suspect—Tinsley, the white rival nominee for queen—in her quest to find the killer.

Readers who appreciate mysteries will be captivated by the twists and turns in The Black Queen. The novel delves into themes of social justice, emphasizing the importance of listening to diverse voices. This perspective encourages deep reflection and understanding. Through the distinct voices of Duchess and Tinsley, we gain insight into two sides of a complex story. With its fast-paced, intricately plotted narrative, this suspenseful mystery keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

If you like The Black Queen you might also like:

This is my America

By Kim Johnson

Random House, 2020. 406 pages. YA Fiction

This story follows the story of Tracy Beaumont, a 17-year-old Black girl whose father has been wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Determined to prove his innocence, Tracy writes letters to a popular podcast, seeking justice and attention for her father's case. As she navigates the challenges of being a Black teenager in America, Tracy confronts systemic racism, the impact of police brutality, and the complexities of her own identity.

As she digs deeper, she uncovers disturbing truths about her community and the justice system. With the support of her friends and family, Tracy's fight becomes not just about her father, but about the broader struggle for justice and equality. The novel blends a gripping mystery with themes of resilience, hope, and the importance of activism.

Just Mercy: adapted for young adults: a true story of fight for justice

By Bryan Stevenson

Delacorte Press, 2018. 277 pages. YA Biography

In this young adult adaptation of the acclaimed bestselling Just Mercy, which the New York Times calls "as compelling as To Kill a Mockingbird, and in some ways more so," Bryan Stevenson delves deep into the broken U.S. justice system, detailing from his personal experience his many challenges and efforts as a lawyer and social advocate, especially on behalf of America's most rejected and marginalized people. In this very personal work--proceeds of which will go to charity--Bryan Stevenson recounts many and varied stories of his work as a lawyer in the U.S. criminal justice system on behalf of those in society who have experienced some type of discrimination and/or have been wrongly accused of a crime and who deserve a powerful advocate and due justice under the law. Through the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), an organization Stevenson founded as a young lawyer and for which he currently serves as Executive Director, this important work continues. EJI strives to end mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, working to protect basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.

The Murder of Mr. Ma

The Murder of Mr. Ma

by John Shen Yen Nee and SJ Rozan

Soho Crime, 2024. 300 pages. Mystery

London, 1924. When shy academic Lao She meets larger-than-life Judge Dee Ren Jie, his quiet life abruptly turns from books and lectures to daring chases and narrow escapes. Dee has come to London to investigate the murder of a man he'd known during World War I when serving with the Chinese Labour Corps. No sooner has Dee interviewed the grieving widow than another dead body turns up. Then another. All stabbed to death with a butterfly sword. Will Dee and Lao be able to connect the threads of the murders—or are they next in line as victims?

This modern twist on a Sherlock Holmes-type novel has a lot to enjoy. As our Watson, Lao is loveable and smart, if a little oblivious. Our Sherlock, Dee, is enigmatic and clever and willing to have a little fun at others' expense, while also determined to do right by his fellow soldiers and countrymen. What makes this duo even better is that the characters of Lao and Dee are based on real-life people, although they didn't live during the same time.

The mystery itself is fast-paced, with new suspects and motivations frequently introduced. And the fight scenes in this book were actually choreographed by a kung fu master! This book will be a refreshing read for those who enjoy modern takes on classic mysteries.

If you like The Murder of Mr. Ma you might also like:

The Bangalore Detectives Club

by Harinni Nagendra

Pegasus Crime, 2022. 287 pages. Mystery

When clever, headstrong Kaveri moves to Bangalore in 1921 to marry handsome young doctor Ramu, she's resigned herself to a quiet life. But that all changes the night of the party at the Century Club, where she escapes to the garden for some peace and quiet—and instead spots an uninvited guest in the shadows. Half an hour later, the party turns into a murder scene. When a vulnerable woman is connected to the crime, Kaveri becomes determined to save her and launches a private investigation to find the killer, leading her into a hotbed of danger, sedition, and intrigue in Bangalore's darkest alleyways.

Dead Dead Girls

by Nekesa Afia

Berkley Prime Crime, 2021. 317 pages. Mystery

Harlem, 1926. Following a harrowing kidnapping ordeal when she was in her teens, Louise is doing everything she can to maintain a normal life. She spends her days working at Maggie's Café and her nights at the Zodiac, Harlem's hottest speakeasy. When a girl turns up dead in front of the café, Louise is forced to confront something she's been trying to ignore—two other local black girls have been murdered over the past few weeks. After an altercation with a police officer gets her arrested, Louise is given an ultimatum: She can either help solve the case or wind up in a jail cell. Louise has no choice but to investigate and soon finds herself toe-to-toe with a murderous mastermind hell-bent on taking more lives, maybe even her own.

MB

Check & Mate

Check & Mate

By Ali Hazelwood 

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2023. 352 pages. YA Fiction. 

When eighteen-year-old Mallory begrudgingly agrees to return to chess in one last charity tournament, her surprise upset against Nolan Sawyer, the reigning world champ and bad boy of the chess world, sets her on a whirlwind adventure as she rediscovers her passion for the game. 

As someone who doesn’t read a lot of YA or romance, this YA romance was a pleasant surprise! Ali Hazelwood is best known for her adult romance novels, with this being her first young adult novel. However, I did not know it was young adult until I was later informed and I don’t think I could have guessed it was even after reading. The line between YA and Adult is sometimes blurry, which can be frustrating for some readers who have preferences for certain content. I always recommend readers to check content warnings if there are certain topics that want to be avoided. There are adult themes throughout the book. All in all, I think it was a very fun read! The romance was sweet, although our main protagonist is pretty flawed which can be frustrating at times. I have never paid attention to the world of chess (and I still won’t), but it was fun to take a peak behind the curtain and experience a whole new world of competition and strategy. 

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Debating Darcy

By Sayantani DasGupta 

Scholastic Inc., 2022. 303 pages. YA Fiction. 

It is a truth universally acknowledged that there are two types of people in the hypercompetitive world of high school forensics competitions: speakers and debaters. Nobody knows this better than Leela Bose, a life-long speech competitor. When she meets Firoze Darcy, an incorrigible debater, Leela has no choice but to try and tolerate him. But why simply tolerate Firoze when Leela can one-up him? She decides to switch into the debate category of the competition to prove that women are just as capable as men. But the situation is more complicated than Leela anticipated, and her participation in the tournament reveals that she might have tragically misjudged the debaters in the forensics league -- including Firoze Darcy. Leela will have to confront her assumptions, not only about other people, but about herself, if she's to have any hope of deciphering her complicated feelings for Darcy or succeeding in the forensics competition. 

My Mechanical Romance 

By Alexene Farol Follmuth 

Holiday House, 2022. 266 pages. YA Fiction. 

High school senior Bel Maier has an aptitude for engineering and teams up with robotics team captain, Mateo Luna, but after a rough start together the nights of after-school work lead to romance. 

You Don’t Have A Shot 

By Racquel Marie 

Feiwel and Friends, 2023. 376 pages. YA Fiction. 

Seventeen-year-old Valentina jeopardizes her future when she gets into an altercation with her rival, Leticia, during a soccer game, so the two girls must co-captain a soccer team to redeem themselves and what starts as a shaky alliance of necessity blossoms into something more.

LA

Nightwatching

Nightwatching

By Tracy Sierra

Pamela Dorman Books/Viking, 2024. 355 pages. Fiction 

A footstep on the stairs. A second to react. What happens next will determine everything. Home alone with her young children during a blizzard, a mother tucks her son back into bed in the middle of the night. She hears a noise—old houses are always making some kind of noise. But this sound is disturbingly familiar: it’s the tread of footsteps, unusually heavy and slow, coming up the stairs. She sees the figure of a man appear down the hallway, shrouded in the shadows. Terrified, she quietly wakes her children and hustles them into the oldest part of the house, a tiny, secret room concealed behind a wall. There they hide as the man searches for them, trying to tempt the children out with promises and scare the mother into surrender. In the suffocating darkness, the mother struggles to remain calm, to plan. Should she search for a weapon or attempt to escape? But then she catches another glimpse of him. That face. That voice. And at once she knows her situation is even more dire than she’d feared, because she knows exactly who he is and what he wants.

This heart-pounding thriller is a page turner. Sierra immediately throws you into a life-or-death situation told through the perspective of a mother trying to save her children. I was blown away by Sierra's storytelling and she really excelled at walking you through the narrator's thought process in such dire circumstances. It was extremely relatable and incredibly frustrating at the same time. I was also thoroughly impressed with the direction the story takes at the midway point. I thought the book was about one thing and then it completely turned itself on its head. The ending is truly a work of art and a testament to Sierra's craftmanship. Overall, if you love action-packed thrillers, then Nightwatching is for you! 

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None of This is True

By Lisa Jewell

Atria Books, 2023. 370 pages. Fiction

Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summers crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins. A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix's children's school. Josie has been listening to Alix's podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life. Josie's life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can't quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realize that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix's life-and into her home. But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family's lives under mortal threat. Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?

Listen for the Lie

By Amy Tintera

Celadon Books, 2024. 336 pages. Fiction

What would you do if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thinks so too? What if the truth doesn't matter? As Lucy Chase's Texas hometown begins to tell versions of what happened and who Lucy is to a nationwide, true crime obsessed audience, at the bequest of her grandmother, she returns to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend's murder, even if she is the one that did it.

BW