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wyn-n-tonic · 3 months

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Books by Black Authors for Black History Month!

I wanted to share a list of books I love and books that I'm looking forward to reading that are by Black authors in acknowledgement of Black History Month. I feel like a lot of my fellow readers (especially my fellow white readers) always go into a, kind of, reading slump in February and I don't know if that's because the month of January is just ten years long that February feels like a hangover or if it's because they feel the desire to read books by Black authors but then the majority of what is marketed is usually books that are steeped in trauma or nonfiction books. And, like, yeah, nonfiction books are so important but when they're the only kind of book marketed it can make finding the other kinds of books that much harder but I believe that if you read the fun books and the happy books and the fantasy books it will make you want to seek out the nonfiction resources. I'm blabbering so long story short, I thought I would make a little list to do some of the legwork for my fellow readers to find stories that they can check out.

I used GoodReads links (and one StoryGraph) link, you can choose who to purchase from yourself (although I will suggest BookShop.org as your purchase does go towards indie bookstores, I also really like the Libby App which is just your library and it works with your Kindle/Nook/Kobo/iPad). All authors that I have included in this are American or have strong ties to the USA which is why I did not include authors such as Bolu Babalola, Talia Hibbert, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie but I do highly recommend checking them out if you haven't because they do write gorgeously.

Kennedy Ryan has an extensive backlog and beautiful writing, beautiful prose. She had a book called Before I Let Go (Skyland #1) come out in November 2022, it is a second chance romance between a married couple. It has been on my shelf forever, the cover is beautiful and I've heard nothing but truthfully incredible things. I have listened to snippets of the audiobook but keep putting off getting the actual audiobook because Kennedy is the kind of author I want to read the grammar, syntax, wording of everything from. This book actually got optioned to be adapted into a television show and there's a second Skyland book coming out in March called This Could Be Us that has the ARC readers going wild.

Jasmine Guillory is one of my favorite authors. She is a Bay Area native and has a law degree from Stanford. Not only do I think that she writes beautifully but I cannot even describe to you the way that I kick my little feet and twirl my hair. I feel like my favorite of hers changes. Up until a few weeks ago, I would've told you that Olivia Monroe in Party of Two was my favorite Jasmine girly but I listened to Royal Holiday to kick off my reading for January and Vivian Forest is such a beautiful character. She's a 56 year old Black woman who is a veteran social worker who thinks it's too late for her on several fronts and then she gets swept off her feet while on a vacation with her daughter AND THE ROYAL FAMILY. What?! I also think that Jasmine writes, like.... character appropriate sex scenes if that makes sense. Like, Vivian's scenes are more reserved than Olivia's were, Vivian's more closed door than Olivia's were. She also has a Beauty and the Beast inspired book called By The Book and I kept texting my friend the entire way through and then made her buy a copy so she could text me right back with all her thoughts. Amazing. I love her.

You want cozy fantasy romance with monsters and happy Black women being loved by their hot monster lovers? Kimberly Lemming has GOT YOU COVERED.

Plugging my new author friend P.J. Leigh and her book Olawu. She actually responded to my request for some indie author recs on Threads and sent me a copy of Olawu that will be here on Friday and I'm so excited. She describes it as: "Set in precolonial East Africa with romance, action, sisterhood, found family, and a feisty but flawed female lead." I cannot wait to dig into this one.

Another author who messaged me is indie author Quiana Glide. Her bio is that she is an unabashed fangirl and her books feature pregnancy trope, cosplay, professional wrestlers and cafe owners solving murders. Her books sound fucking great and they are available on Kindle Unlimited for my KU girlies (gender neutral).

Celestine Martin messaged me as well and she writes paranormal romance with Black witches, emo mermen and fae princes. I tripped over myself running to my Libby app to place a hold on the audiobook.

25 to Love! by Joye Johnson is another one available on Kindle Unlimited for my KU girlies (gender neutral). The synopsis is: "TV's hottest dating show is '25 to Love!'. To nab a guy from her past, Lola signs on as the token girl of color. All's fair in love and ratings--can a week on TV get Lola closer to the one that got away?" You know what I love? Second chance romances, besties, that's right.

Splinter by Jasper Hyde was another I was recommended. Jasper writes paranormal, LGBTQ+ books. Jasper Hyde is a pen name for Georgina Kiersten who also goes by Rian Fox. The pen name denotes the subgenre that they write. Georgina does go by they/them pronouns and writes plus sized rep and neurodivergent rep too.

Kelly Cain. That's it. That's the tweet. THE EVERHEART BROTHERS SERIES????? If you know anything about me, you know that I have a hearing issue and so I've used audiobooks before but I never really clicked with them or got the hype. Turns out I had boring ass narrators (look I did the audio version of a lot of nonfiction books I had to read about old dead white guys in college so of course I had that feeling). THE EVERHEART BROTHERS AUDIOBOOKS ARE WHAT CHANGED ME. Deanna Anthony, the narrator, is so engaging and I didn't feel like I was listening to an audiobook, I felt like I was sitting across the table at brunch having a gossip session with my bestie. If you read it and you didn't like it, that's fine, but I didn't lie to you and enjoyment of art is subjective but also you're wrong and argue with a wall.

I've been seeing a lot of talk lately about Pride & Protest by Nikki Payne. This is a Pride & Prejudice and one of the reviews says, "If you ever wanted P&P to feel more like watching a swoony, steamy episode of Insecure, this is the book for you."

Currently, I am reading You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi. It deals with themes of grief and romance and also bisexual representation. Absolutely beautiful prose. Akwaeke is Nigerian and has been in the USA since college. They are non-binary and go by they/them pronouns.

I also cannot end this list without mentioning Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow. This follows three generations of a southern Black family in the neighborhood of Douglass in Memphis, TN (I was born a couple miles away in Raleigh) . Now, this book does have quite a few trigger warnings that I won't put here but I do encourage you to READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS before you purchase this book as it does deal with some pretty heavy subject matter.

I'm also going to end this by saying to keep an eye out for anything done by my best friend, the person who I have shared so many amazing, beautiful, life changing experiences with ALL OVER THE WORLD for the last fourteen years: Isana Skeete (Isana does not use pronouns). If you look at the GoodReads account for Isana that I linked, you'll see lists made with recommendations of books with queer POC rep and asexuality representation.

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writeturnlove · 2 years

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True Love Is Delicious

A Review of “Tastes So Sweet” by Kelly Cain By Valencia Jermaine In exchange for my honest review, I received an ARC copy of Kelly Cain’s “Tastes So Sweet,” which is the third book in her Everheart Brothers Series. I have become engrossed in contemporary romance as of late, and I must say that “Tastes So Sweet” is a good choice for romance readers. I will issue one warning: stay away from…

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#Book Reviews.#Books #Bookstagram #BookTok #Entertainment #Everheart Brothers #Kelly Cain #Love #Love Stories #Reviews #Tastes So Sweet

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basicallyyjustdogs · 4 months

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I wanna be roadkill Find me a mile up ahead Lying there on the roadside Say, don’t worry now, it’s already dead

series 1: roadkill/longing

roadkill, searows // cyanotypes, emilio hernandez martin // hard times, ethel cain // child wearing a red scarf, eduoard vuillard // empty stomach, rachel sabini // thirstiness is not equal division, kaveh akbar // salvage, hedgie choi // ‘deer at night’, george shiras III // kinder than man, athea davis // best barbarian, roger reeves // ‘johannes land, suite no.2’, simon bang // my photograph // postcolonial love poem, natalie diaz // the dislocated room, richard siken // the moon rose over the bay. I had a lot of feelings, donika kelly // abstract (psychopomp), hozier // miniatures, cassandra de alba // from collected poems; between aging and old, jack gilbert // the favourite (2018), dir. yorgos lanthimos // unidad (oneness), pablo neruda // least of all, natalie wee

#series 1: roadkill/longing #web weaving #this completely took over my mind for the past two days #and it's far too long and somewhat non-cohesive to anyone but me #but I am my own audience #searows #ethel cain #kaveh akbar #richard siken #natalie diaz #donika kelly #hozier #pablo neruda

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shyjusticewarrior · 5 months

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King Shark calling Cass "everyone's favorite Batman" is so real of him

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xxfoulplayxx · 7 months

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Ok so like in a universe where Bruce is a good dad... he's still not perfect, he's human. So I like to imagine that once every father's day... they Batkids get together to discuss who's going to give him a "World's okayest father cup."

He has an entire cupboard full of them and receiving the cup is like the highlight of the day.

#dcedit #batfamily #dick grayson #incorrect quotes #dcau #richard grayson #dc fanart #bruce has too many kids #tim drake #duke thomas #stephanie brown #damian wayne #cassandra cain #jason todd #carrie kelly #bruce is a good dad

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majingojira · 6 months

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Birds of Prey #3 by Kelly Thompson, Leonardo Romero, Jordie Bellaire, Clayton Cowles

You heard it here, people. Cassandra Cain IS Batman!

#Kelly Thompson #Leonardo Romero #Jordie Bellaire #Clayton Cowles #Birds of Prey #Cassandra Cain #King Shark #Batman #Batgirl #Black Bat

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khakilike · 8 months

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Birds of Prey #1, Kelly Thompson and Leonardo Romero

#Birds of Prey #Kelly Thompson #Leonardo Romero #Batgirl #Cassandra Cain #Big Barda #Comic books #Birds of Prey 2023 001

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texaschainsawmascara · 11 months

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American Teenager - Ethel Cain / Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023)

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dailydccomics · 4 months

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Big Barda by Arist Deyn Birds of Prey #5 (2023-)

#big barda #barda free #dc comics #diana of themyscira #dinah lance #birds of prey #tuesday spoilers #dc #cassandra cain #black canary #wonder woman #batgirl #comics #arist deyn #my edit #kelly thompson #i miss leo where is leo #arist's art is fun tho

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drbatsponge · 3 months

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Via hellsite, Kelly Thompson has confirmed that Cass is pretty much in BoP indefinitely until someone tells her to take her off the book.

I can only see that happening if Cass ever gets a solo or a Batgirls relaunch happens, so... she's probably in BoP indefinitely. 😭

We still haven't seen DC's announcements for AAPI month which also conveniently falls on Cassandra's anniversary, but my guess is at most she could get another miniseries, I don't know if that would constitute taking her off BoP, lol.

#cassandra cain #batgirl #dc comics #birds of prey #kelly thompson

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ultrameganicolaokay · 8 months

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Birds of Prey #3 by Kelly Thompson and Leonardo Romero. Variant cover by W. Scott Forbes. Out in November.

"The covert first mission of the re-formed Birds of Prey has established their beachhead… in Themyscira! What could be so important to Black Canary that she’d risk the wrath of the greatest warriors on Earth?!"

#birds of prey #black canary #dinah lance #cassandra cain #big barda #harley quinn #zealot #dc comics #kelly thompson #leonardo romero #w. scott forbes #variant cover #comics

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medusamagic · 26 days

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So you want to know more about Big Barda

As Tumblr's resident expert on all things Barda, and as Kelly Thompson's Birds of Prey run brings far more attention to the character, I figured it was high time someone stepped in and gave the tumblr world a primer on DC's biggest and boldest heroine.

The Basics:

Introduced in Mister Miracle #4 by Jack Kirby, Big Barda was once the leader of Apokolips' premier death squad, the Female Furies. Trained from birth for a life of violence by Granny Goodness, Barda spent the first 250 years of her life as a living weapon. This all changed when she met Scott Free, a gentle Parademon-in-training with a mysterious past and a knack for escapes. Eventually, she and Scott both escaped to Earth, where they fell in love with both the Earth and each other. She's a lover, she's a fighter, she's a Pokémon card expert, but most of all, SHE BIG.

Barda's signature defining attribute is her raw strength. Her raw muscle allows her to keep up with heavy hitters like Wonder Woman. This isn't to suggest that she's a simple-minded brute, however-- Barda has centuries of military experience under her belt as leader of the Female Furies. She's mastered multiple weapons, including spears, swords, and her signature Mega-Rod.

Below are some reading recommendations for anyone interested in Big Barda:

Essential Runs:

Mister Miracle Vol. 1 #4-18 by Jack Kirby (1971-1974)

This was the run that introduced the world to Big Barda, as well as the Female Furies. If you want to know the basics of Barda, there's no better place to start. This run is collected in a trade, as well as a part in The Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1.

(NOTE: Even though Barda doesn't appear until issue #4, I suggest you start with Issue #1. It'll help you get acquainted with the rest of the mythos.)

Justice League International #14-24 by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis (1988-1989)

Big Barda was on the JLI! She plays off the other characters as well as ever, and a lot of what's great about her in Jack Kirby's original run is still here! Definitely check this one out if you want to see her in another team setting. This has been collected in this omnibus.

(NOTE: Once again, I recommend you start from issue #1.)

Popular Runs:

Mister Miracle Vol. 4 #1-12 by Tom King and Mitch Gerads (2017-2018)

Yeah, I know.

Listen, Tom King is a writer with... idiosyncrasies to put it nicely. The characters in the periphery of his stories tend to act really out of character, and his dialogue can be clunky at times. That being said, The Scott/Barda dynamic in this book is excellent, and this book has some of the best art that the Fourth World has seen since the 80s. The series has been collected in a trade.

(NOTE: Did you know that the CIA has over 2003 files on Tom King? Look up "Tom King CIA 2003" for more info!)

Mister Miracle: The Great Escape by Varian Johnson and Daniel Isles (2022)

If you're at all interested in the idea of a Young Adult reimagining of Mister Miracle and Big Barda's origin story with an all-black cast, this book was made for you. It's a bit heavy on the YA tropes, but the Scott/Barda dynamic is really solid. It was released as a standalone graphic novel.

Birds of Prey Vol. 5 #1-??? by Kelly Thompson and Leonardo Romero (2023-)

Admit it, this is the reason you're here. The Cassandra Cain & Big Barda is so instantly iconic, I'm surprised no writer has paired them up sooner. It also helps that this book has the single best Barda look since Jack Kirby's original run. Plus, she gets to throw down with Wonder Woman! What's not to love? This run is still ongoing, but the first 6 issues should be getting a trade pretty soon.

(NOTE: I started writing this before BOP #8 dropped, I had no idea about that thing that happens in the newest issue.)

Stories to Avoid:

Action Comics #592-593 by John Byrne (1987)

This is not a comic book-- it's an infohazard designed to cause pain and suffering to anyone who knows of its existence. Its premise is vile and disrespectful on the surface, and it becomes more insidious when you learn the context of its creation. This pair of issues is profoundly evil, rivaling even Avengers #200 in terms of loathsomeness.

For those who dare to investigate this, Content Warnings for rape, mind control, and human trafficking.

Anyway, let's end on something a bit lighter, shall we?

Remember that Mister Miracle YA graphic novel I mentioned earlier? Barda is getting a graphic novel of her own this summer! It's not out at the time of writing, but the preview pages look promising!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed that introduction to one of my favorite superheroes ever. Please get back to me on this, I have no one else to talk to about Fourth World stuff.

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call-me-oracle · 1 month

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barbara gordon in birds of prey #7

bonus:

#dc comics #barbara gordon #batgirl #oracle #dinah lance #black canary #cassandra cain #comic panels #birds of prey #written by: kelly thompson #art by: javier pina #colours by: jordie bellaire #birds of prey (2023)#issue 7 #people liked the last long one so here's another!#queue

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shyjusticewarrior · 4 months

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Same Energy

"You got everyone's favorite Batman on board here."

Birds of Prey (2023) #3

"Are you alright, Bat...girl?"

Detective Comics #1079

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heysanrio · 11 months

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this gay bitch LOVES Ethel Cain. but he doesnt understand the music is like sad and poetic he thinks it's just church music and church music is Just Like That. and what does mac love? the Church.

#mac mcdonald #iasip #its always sunny in philadelphia #iasip 16 #dennis reynolds #charlie kelly #ethel cain

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wwprice1 · 8 months

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Cassandra Cain and Dinah Lance by Kelly Thompson, Leonardo Romero, and Jordie Bellaire!

#dc comics #dc heroes #dc women #birds of prey #cassandra cain #batgirl #batgirls #black bat #dinah lance #black canary #leonardo romero #kelly thompson #jordie bellaire

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