Have you Read...

How are ya now, book buddies? Enjoying the month so far? I sure do hope so! I have some book recommendations for you, specifically highlighting Black authors. For me, it's been important to discover more black literature and authors. I wasn't exposed to much of it growing up. I make sure that I do from now on. I have discovered some beautiful works of art.

Let me share:

Children of Blood and Bone- Tomi Adeyemi: YA fantasy

The Last Black Unicorn- Tiffany Haddish: Memoir

The Hate U Give-Angie Thomas: YA Contemporary/social justice

My Sister, the Serial Killer- Oyinkan Braithwaite: Mystery thriller

Binti series #1-3- Nnedi Okorafor: Science Fiction

The Poet X- Elizabeth Acevedo: Poetry

The Sun is Also a Star- Nicola Yoon: YA romance

Ties That Tether-Jane Igharo: Romance/contemporary

Helium-Rudy Francisco: Poetry

Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America-Michael Eric Dyson: Nonfiction/social justice

The Fire Next Time-James Baldwin: Nonfiction/essays/social justice

The Library of the Dead & Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments(Edinburgh Night Series) -T.L Huchu: YA Fantasy

Iyanu, Child of Wonder vol. 1- Roye Okupe: Graphic Novel/comic

I have enjoyed these books so much over the last few years. These authors have taken me on many emotional rides. Journeys that take place in magical lands, filled with rich culture, and beautiful characters. Some stories that have been heartbreaking and sorrowful. Bringing up uncomfortable conversations about racism and black lives. Stories that are needed to understand the injustices that plagues the black community. The prejudice and hate the lingers and spreads throughout so many communities that are not white. It’s hard to hear BUT it’s imperative to read or listen to. But there have been stories and characters that have made me smile endlessly! As all books should do. I hope you add these books to your collection.

I did a thing because the obsession for white haired characters is real. I likely won’t do this every day, but I’ll have some fun with some character portraits nevertheless! And also I’ll use less ink bc white hair 😭 #inktober #inktober2022 #inktoberprompts #bookish #acotar #shadowandbone #sorceryofthorns #childrenofbloodandbone #gameofthrones #witcher #throneofglass #whitehaired #bookcharacters #sarahjmaas #witchlands #lotr #elisekova #serpentanddove #poppywar #inktoberchallenge #drawing https://www.instagram.com/p/CjG-01TpU0c/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Come through #SecretSanta !!! Mine did well and I am pleased. 😊 #tomiadeyemi #childrenofbloodandbone #childrenofvirtueandvengeance #goodreads #books #readingrainbow🌈 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl8xFFvg14e/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We think Nubia: The Awakening is perfect for fans of #BlackP.anther and #ChildrenofBloodandBone, but you don't have to take our word for it! Anthony Anderson and Sherie are also super excited about this new title from Clarence A Haynes and Omar Epps! Reposted from @netgalley Sherie C. 5/5 stars - "What an amazing debut! I can already see a series or at least a sequel. Omar Epps brought all the heat with this new #dystopian novel. In post apocalyptic NY, displaced Nubian immigrants awaken to superpowers. Will they use it for good and the betterment of the whole Lower Quarter or will they use it to their advantage and seize power? In the battle of the haves and have nots, we are reminded of the phrase "with great power comes great responsibility." Absolutely loved this book. Its giving #Wakanda vibes and I love the #Afrofuturism featured here. And can we talk about the cover? Stunning!" Reposted from @anthonyanderson (from @blackishabc ) My brother and friend @omarepps has something new for you! Check out and read his new book Nubia The Awakening! Dropping November! #jusakidfromcompton #huskyandhandsome #AnthonyAnderson #sistahscifi #NubiaTheAwakening #omarepps @penguinrandomhouse @delacortepress @clarenceahaynes @yung.yemi (at Sistah Scifi) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkdZoz9LtMb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

📚😍 #bookcrush / #whatareyoureading? Are you looking for something new to read? Add these @whatisjasreading suggestions to your #TBRlist: 1. #YOUMADEAFOOLOFDEATHWITHYOURBEAUTY by #AkwaekeEmezi [ig: @azemezi] 2. #YELLOWWIFE by #SadeqaJohnson [ig: @sadequasays] 3. #CHILDRENOFBLOODANDBONE: #THEORISHALEGACY by #TomiAdeyemi [ig: @tomiadeyemi] Tune in to #THEAUTHORSHOUR to discover #newauthorstoread then #shopscribesandvibes for your #whatisjasreading suggestions. 📚😍 curated by #theblerdandthebeautiful for the #scribesandvibes #bookstagramtobookstore collection. (#linkinbio) ・・・ #authorshour • #bookscomeinallcolors • #weallneeddifferentbookstolove • #findyourtribe • #theauthorsroom https://www.instagram.com/p/CfIYBuIr9Og/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Reading Children of Blood and Bone

Only on page 172 and I already love everyone!

Zélie is such a reletable main character, I can emphatize with her and understand her anger which is rare for an MC.

Tzain is even more lovable, he lives not only for his father and sister but to protect everyone, even a total stranger of a noble whose family killed his mom.

I can relate to Amari the most. She is from a privileged position but she doesn’t want to put other people down or to hurt someone who is less fortunate. She makes honest mistakes but always tries to correct them.

Inan for some reason reminds me of Zuko (I hope he will have a similar development) and I just love his “curse”.

December 2020 'As Thick As Thieves' Fairyloot Unboxing.

December 2020 ‘As Thick As Thieves’ Fairyloot Unboxing.

It’s that time of the month where I unbox Fairyloot! This month’s theme was ‘As Thick As Thieves. Here is what Fairyloot had to say: Welcome to Day 3 of Fairy Treasure reveal week! We are so excited to reveal the December theme for our monthly box and it is… THICK AS THIEVES!No expression can describe real close friendships better than ‘thick as thieves’ and this theme is all about stories with…

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Have you read any books lately that you absolutely LOVED?? Recommend some of your favorite recent reads! . . . I don’t know about you guys, but I feel like I didn’t really a lot of books that WOW-ed me in 2019. Don’t get me wrong, there were a few that I adored, and a lot that were great, but only a handlful that I LOVED. 🙈 I am hoping that I will read a lot more books in 2020, both new and old, that will just completely blow me away. (We shall see!) 🤓 . One book that I really enjoyed was *Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi, which was awesome. (If you have the opportunity to check out the book in audio format, then I recommend it even more! The narrator, Bahni Turpin, is amazing. I have listened to quite a few books she has narrated so far, and she’s super great. 🥰) . Now, what about you?? Care to recommend any recent favorites?? . . . 📚 Recommend a Recent Favorite. #AlltheBooksJan20 📚 Best Family of 2019. #BooksofJan20 📚 Cold Characters. #BooksCoasttoCoastJan20 . . . #tomiadeyemi #childrenofbloodandbone #newbook #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #booksbooksbooks #currentlyreading #yabooks #bookstack #shelfie #booklove #bookcommunity . . . https://www.instagram.com/p/B7DmxSeJurh/?igshid=1xtssdv99w4p4

Speculative Fiction 

Taking place in Orisha we follow an unlikely duo as they battle an entire kingdom and fight for justice. Zellie, a diviner, is a Maji, meaning in the past her people had magic powers.  The king condemned magic and in order to keep his power he found a way to take away magic from all Maji.  Amari, is a princess.  She has lived her whole life in the palace. It is not until her handmaid disappears that she is made aware of the atrocities the kingdom has committed against the Diviners. Zellie and Amari meet up and combine forces, hoping to take down the monarchy and bring powers back to the Diviners once and for all.

I loved this book so much I immediately checked out the second book, which was a terrible idea since I had so many other books to read for this class, but I’m not too sorry about it.  I watched a few interviews with Tomi Adeyemi after reading these novels and her passion is palpable in her writing.  The world that she created is such a brilliant mix of fantasy, magic and realism that will allow readers to feel like they belong and understand this fantastical place.  This story is violent and parallels a lot of modern day issues such as racism, police brutality and colonialism.  There are many times when you want to give up along with the main character, but somehow they always push through and I think that will resonate and inspire many readers. A huge plus is that the two main characters are Black women and to say that they are amazing would be an understatement.

This book would be an excellent addition to a high school history or English class. In history could be used as a parallel to teach current events. For English, it could be used as an example in creative writing for how to create characters and a new world. 

Tzain: you ever wanna talk about your emotions Zélie?

Zélie:mm..no-

Amari: I do

Tzain: I know Amari

Amari: Im sad

Tzain: I know Amari

Children of Blood and Bone coloring page! I’m slowly learning how coloring pages work, and it’s actually a lot of fun! #childrenofbloodandbone #reaper #tomiadeyemi #coloringpage #zelie #childrenofvirtueandvengeance #bookish #fanart #cobab #legacyoforisha #orisha https://www.instagram.com/p/CghT6ybuLmP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The fact that no one has drawn Inan is a crime

Ok yell at me for liking him but he's a soft boi.

According to Buried_UnderBooks, if you enjoyed Children of the Blood and Bone by @tomiadeyemi you will love The Gilded Ones and it's sequel The Merciless Ones @namina.forna! PS: Did you know there was an exclusive African version of the book? What does that mean? How do we get one, @penguinrandomhouse // @penguinteen ??? Reposted from @buried_underbooks Happy Saturday booklovers❤️ So, I was book shopping yesterday and when my eyes landed on The Gilded Ones, my soul literally left my body cause I've wanted to read this duology for so long... Ahhhh... 😲 The last time I was this hyped about a duology was when I read The Children of Blood and Bone duology back when it came out, and I absolutely loved it! But yeah, I am halfway the first book, and so far, I love every single thing, the writing, characters, the plot, perfection. I don't know if I'm saying this cause it really is this way or I'm just a fan girl of African Fantasy with teenage girls as the main characters but yeah, I'm thoroughly enjoying myself. Review coming in a couple of hours. So far it has been established that Deka is my Zelie, the candidates for Amari keep changing and there are two people up for Inan, Ionas and Recruit Keita. Am I pairing Children of Blood and Bone characters with The Gilded One's, yes... 🤓 Anyway, Happy Reading 🌹 Tags. #bookstagram #bookphotography #booklover #bookish #bookinstagram #bookstagramsouthafrica #bookedandbusy #thegildedones #childrenofbloodandbone #naminaforna #tomiadeyemi #WestAfricanYAFantasy #yafantasybooks #YAFantasy #SIstahScifi https://www.instagram.com/p/Cip6vHMpQCK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

i just finished reading CVV (Children of Vengence and Virtue) and all i want  to say is 

SCREW NEHANDA SCREW ZELIE SCREW ZELIE AGAIN!

S C R E W  N E H A N D A 

SCREW AMARI x10000

omg what the hell 

omg wtf 

no

wait 

huh?

dang.....

Nope

I am on page 400 of Children of Blood and Bone and my only reaction is: nope. No no no no nope.

I see where this is going and I don’t like it. What happened to Inan?

It also doesn’t help that I accidentally read the back of the second book.

No.

No-no-no-no-no. Nope.

Just: nope.

This can’t happen.

No.

Reality told us we would fail. But again and again, we fought. We persevered. We rose. - #TomiAdeyemi #ChildrenOfBloodAndBone https://www.instagram.com/p/CE5cCK1g2UiGgLtR7vI0WePS5tVjbE_PIUpMDE0/?igshid=1itpplzsxew77