Like any other good book bloggers, Amber and I love reading and promoting diverse books! Some of my favourite recent reads have been by Latinx authors, and I have plenty more on my TBR that I want to get to soon, so I figured I’d share some of them on here, as well as finding a few more! Let me know your favourite book by a Latinx author, or if you loved any of the books on here… let’s go!

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo she can’t trust, but who may be Alex’s only chance at saving her family. I had the opportunity to ask Zoraida Cordova a few questions about her latest book, Incendiary, if you want to check it out!

Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibanez

I absolutely adored this luscious, rich fantasy. It was breathtaking and beautiful and everything YA fantasy should be. Taking inspiration from Bolivian politics and history, Isabel Ibañez has woven a striking story of revolution, magic and romance in a stunning and cultural world.

Nocturna by Maya Motayne

Nocturna is one of my favourite YA fantasy books, and I really think it deserves ALL THE HYPE! Starring a badass, streetwise heroine and a soft, bookish prince, the only thing that stood out more than the characters was the gorgeous theme of cultural magic. Nocturna was full of friendship, adventure and banter as an approaching darkness threatens our heroes… I’m SO excited for book two, Oculta, which I think is out in Autumn!

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

One of my favourite books all year, this gorgeous story, written in poem, had me crying so much at the ending! When their father dies on a plane crash, two girls from different sides of the world discover that they have a secret sister their father never told them about. This book was absolutely stunning, lyrical and breathtaking. I adored Camino and Yahaira and I can’t wait to read more from Elizabeth Acevedo!

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

They Both Die at The End is a gorgeous and heartbreaking story of love and loss, in a world where you are told the day you’ll die so you can make the most of it. I’ve read 3 of Adam Silvera’s books and this has been my favourite, but I really want to get to his most recent one, Infinity Son, soon!

We Didn’t Ask for This by Adi Alsaid

This one just came out a month ago, and my review is up here 🙂 It’s a powerful and witty story that discusses climate change and the power teenagers hold! There’s not a white cishet in sight but there is a f/f mutual pining storyline so clearly, this book is doing things right.

Cemetery Boys by Aidan Thomas

I probably shouldn’t include too many books that won’t be out for a while, but I am SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK. A trans main character, ghosts, m/m romance, and I’ve heard there’s a kickass queer girl in there too. I plan to preorder this very soon.

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

A MUST READ!! Such a powerful and beautiful story about two girls who marry the same man and have to work past their differences and come together to bring equality to the town they live in. And of course, they fall in love in the process 😉

Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore

Summer, 1518. A sickness sweeps through Strasbourg: women dance in the streets, some until they fall down dead. Five centuries later, a pair of red shoes seal to Rosella’s feet, making her dance uncontrollably. They draw her toward Emil, whose family was blamed for the fever five hundred years ago, discovering the truth may decide whether Rosella survives the red shoes.

The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring

A gripping mystery-thriller about a school that curses everyone who enters. A student goes missing, and suddenly both teachers and students are acting possessed, while our MC Mavi, must figure out what’s going on.

The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante

This book is about Marisol, who will do anything to keep her and her sister in America after they immigrate to escape danger in their home town. Marisol becomes a grief keeper in a bargain that will keep them both in America, and although she’s not meant to meet the girl who’s heartbreak she has to now handle, they end up meeting and falling in love ❤

The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera

A bold and romantic coming-of-age novel about dysfunctional families, good and bad choices, and finding the courage to question everything you ever thought you wanted. After “borrowing” her father’s credit card to finance a more stylish wardrobe, Margot
Sánchez suddenly finds herself grounded and she’s willing to do anything to get out of this punishment. Lie, cheat, and maybe even steal…

Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno

Rosa Santos is cursed by the sea-at least, that’s what they say. Dating her is bad news, especially if you’re a boy with a boat. But Rosa feels more caught than cursed. Caught between cultures and choices.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

Perfect Mexican daughters do not go away to college. And they do not move out of their parents house after high school graduation. Perfect Mexican daughters never abandon their family. But Julia is not your perfect Mexican daughter. That was Olgas role.

Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older

Sierra Santiago was looking forward to a fun summer of making art, hanging out with her friends, and skating around Brooklyn. But then a weird zombie guy crashes the first party of the season. Sierra’s near-comatose abuelo begins to say “Lo siento” over and over. And when the graffiti murals in Bed-Stuy start to weep… Well, something stranger than the usual New York mayhem is going on.

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera

Juliet Milagros Palante is leaving the Bronx and headed to Portland, Oregon. She just came out to her family and isn’t sure if her mom will ever speak to her again. But Juliet has a plan, sort of, one that’s going to help her figure out this whole “Puerto Rican lesbian” thing. She’s interning with the author of her favorite book: Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women’s bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff.

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

In this electric and provocative debut, Machado bends genre to shape startling narratives that map the realities of women’s lives and the violence visited upon their bodies.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And 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.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

He is trying to poison me. You must come for me, Noemí. You have to save me. After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find — her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.

You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria

After a messy public breakup, soap opera darling Jasmine Lin Rodriguez finds her face splashed across the tabloids. When she returns to her hometown of New York City to film the starring role in a bilingual romantic comedy for the number one streaming service in the country, Jasmine figures her new “Leading Lady Plan” should be easy enough to follow—until a casting shake-up pairs her with telenovela hunk Ashton Suárez.

Anger is A Gift by Mark Oshiro

Six years ago, Moss Jefferies’ father was murdered by an Oakland police officer. Along with losing a parent, the media’s vilification of his father and lack of accountability has left Moss with near crippling panic attacks. Now, in his sophomore year of high school, Moss and his fellow classmates find themselves increasingly treated like criminals by their own school.

Diamond City by Francesca Flores

Aina Solís is an assassin living in Diamond City. It’s a place ruled by tyrants with maze-like cities full of diamond mines. Blood magic like Aina’s is illegal, but she’ll do whatever it takes to protect it. When she’s assigned a new mission, Aina discovers that she’s the one who’s become a target.

The New David Espinoza by Fred Aceves

David Espinoza has been picked on for being skinny his whole life. But after a viral video of his beat-down by a bully gets turned into a meme, he vows to change his life. He spends the summer doing whatever it takes to bulk up. The New David Espinoza is an honest conversation about body dysmorphia and toxic masculinity.

This Train is Being Helf by Ismée Williams

Alex and Isa are both Latinx, but their families and lives could not be more different. After several chance-encounters on the New York City subway, they start seeing each other for real. With themes of privilege, mental health, and diaspora, this love story is bound to pack a punch.

Tigers Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry

The Torres sisters dream of escape. Escape from their needy and despotic widowed father, and from their San Antonio neighborhood, full of old San Antonio families and all the traditions and expectations that go along with them.

A Breath Too Late by Rocky Callen

Seventeen-year-old Ellie had no hope left. Yet the day after she dies by suicide, she finds herself in the midst of an out-of-body experience. She is a spectator, swaying between past and present, retracing the events that unfolded prior to her death.

Santiago’s Road Home by Alexandra Diaz

The coins in Santiago’s hand are meant for the bus fare back to his abusive abuela’s house. Except he refuses to return; he won’t be missed. His future is uncertain until he meets the kind, maternal María Dolores and her young daughter, Alegría, who help Santiago decide what comes next: He will accompany them to el otro lado, the United States of America.

Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From by Jennifer de Leon

First-generation American LatinX Liliana Cruz does what it takes to fit in at her new nearly all-white school. But when family secrets spill out and racism at school ramps up, she must decide what she believes in and take a stand.

Where We Go from Here by Lucas Rocha

An absorbing debut novel about three gay young adults in Brazil whose lives become intertwined in the face of HIV, perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Bill Konigsberg.Ian has just been diagnosed with HIV. Victor, to his great relief, has tested negative. Henrique has been living with HIV for the past three years.

Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez

A picture book in which a girl who is asked where she’s really from turns to her abuelo for the answer.

Camp was an entertaining, colourful and important book about pride, love and toxic masculinity in the gay community. It was a story of making mistakes and learning from them to become better people, it was full of teenagers who were proudly gay, who didn’t let it define them, who found romance and friendship and acceptance at Camp Outland. Camp was part pure queer fun, part angst and part important discussion.

Camp was fun and easy to read, with a casual writing style. I loved the atmosphere of Camp Outland, and I would love to go there. The Camp was a really great backdrop for the story that allowed all of the characters to be LGBTQ+. Not a cishet in for 95% of the book, and it was wonderful. There was a diverse range of LGBTQ+ characters which was great as even if they’re small, it’s always great for every reader to have someone they can emphasise and relate to! The Camp was just so colourful, enjoyable and lighthearted, adding a lot of fun to the story.

Randy was a layered and real character, with flaws and traits that made him relatable and 3d. He did annoy me just a little at first, I could emphasise with him but he was also frustrating. However, this was part of his character arc and by the end of the book I really liked him and so this wasn’t a problem. 

I really liked the secondary characters, especially my girl Ashleigh, probably just cause she’s a sapphic :). They were all full of personality and supportive of Randy and his endeavours, though not afraid to tell him when he went too far. I think his friends really contributed to his positive character arc.
A central topic in Camp is that of toxic masculinity in the gay community. The love interest, Hudson, often projects toxic masculinity and Randy must change himself to win his attention. At first, this aspect was quite uncomfortable, and I was just glad I knew it would get deconstructed. I didn’t love Hudson but really hoped he got better – when he was vulnerable he seemed really nice and his affection for Randy was clear. I really liked both Randy and Hudson’s character arcs and the theme of learning from your mistakes – they both made them, Randy by lying to Hudson and Hudson in his toxic masculinity, but they both acknowledged and explained this and became better people for it. 

The storyline was full of tension and I was kept on the edge of my seat as I waited for the truth to come out! 

Camp was a story of romance and learning from our mistakes, against a backdrop of fierce and unapologetic queerness and friendship full of laughs, angst and fun. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved everything it stood for, as well as how it allowed gay people to be the centre of the story, with their own romance, drama and flaws. 

All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban was a fun mystery thriller that kept me hooked to the end. It was enjoyable, twisty and surprised me at every turn.

I really enjoyed this book, I’m glad I read it and I would recommend it. I had a lot of fun reading it. The problem is that now I’ve finished it, I don’t really care. All Your Twisted Secrets is an amazing thriller. I picked it up one evening, and I stayed up half the night finishing it. I tried to put it down to sleep several times, but I just couldn’t. It was too  intriguing. It’s not a good YA novel, though. The thing I love most about YA is how character focused the entire genre is, and the characters of All Your Twisted Secrets are just not memorable. It’s not that they’re bad characters, they’re not. They’re well fleshed out with clear personalities and I don’t dislike them. The thing is, I didn’t like them either. They had clear personalities and were key to the plot, but they had no heart. None of them spoke to me in any way, none of their emotions pierced my heart and made me love them. They didn’t make me annoyed, they didn’t make me sad or happy or pleased. They just existed. 

The structure of this book was incredible. Every time I told myself “here’s a good place to stop, the end of a chapter.” I was wrong. There were no good places to stop until the end. The present was amazingly interlinked with the timeline that led up to the current events in a flawless and hooking way. There was just no way I could have put this down without having a burning question in my mind. And just as my question was answered, a new one was raised until I found myself at the end of the book. 

The writing was clear and simple, perfect for keeping me hooked on the plot, but a little lacking in the emotive area. As the structure speaks to, All Your Twisted Secrets was very well written to keep the plot moving and the book unputdownable, but as I’ve said of the characters, it lacked anything that made me feel deeply, and I always go to YA to feel something. Happiness, sadness, fluffy books, powerful books . YA is all about emotions. 

I’d like to reiterate, I really liked this book. It was so much fun, an enjoyable and fast-paced read with twists that surpassed everything I would have guessed. I had a great time reading it. But when I think back, all I remember is the plot line, and the characters are mere outlines that move it forward, not people that I can feel for and relate to. 

This book is absolutely what it pitches itself as. If you love thrillers that keep you hooked with burning questions, are full of plot twists that will keep you turning the pages and an ending that will make you gasp and doubt every perception you had of the story, this is the book for you. All Your Twisted Secrets is a ticking time bomb, both literally and structurally, leading up to an explosive ending that will blow your mind.

All the Pretty Things is an exciting, twisted and dark thriller about family and lies, set against the chilling background of a funfair. 

The plot of this book was super intriguing! From the first few chapters, there was a lot of open ends and aspects that drew in my curiosity, making me want to know more! It’s written with a light style that keeps you reading. The slow build of tension was perfectly paced and super creepy. There’s a certain character that from about 50 or so pages in was sketchy and as a few things started to get revealed, I was getting properly scared, like shivers! As the plot moved on, I was questioning what I thought I knew or had assumed about the characters and the plot, I was constantly curious about what was going to happen and be revealed!

The plot twists were amazing and interesting – the exciting, slow build of tension led up to a jaw dropping and heart wrenching reveal. 

The low-key unreliable narration was also a great aspect of the book, making the narrative slightly clouded and the reveals even more shocking.

Ivy, our main character, was quite likeable at first, but for some of the middle of the book I found her a little dislikable, as some of her behaviours were annoying and seemed shallow, but as we found out more about her I can understand this and pity her. Ivy was a realistic character, overall she was likeable though there were moments she wasn’t, however, we do pity her. For first person POV I do feel some moments could have gone more into her emotions, but there were other moments that did so it was fine. 

I did feel the ending of the book was a little rushed, and needed to be a bit longer for proper closure and to show that Ivy had properly renounced a certain bad person. Just a chapter or two more with a few more details of the aftermath of the big reveal would have been great. 

The funfair background and sweltering heat of summer gave the book a real atmospheric feel, really adding to the tension and creepiness! It made the book feel more sinister, and I think it would make an amazing movie especially because of the way the atmosphere of the background could be transferred into wonderful cinematography!
Overall All the Pretty Things was a deeply enjoyable thriller full of plot twists and surprises, with some dark and twisted aspects – it was atmospheric, creepy and emotional and I gave it an overall of 4.5 stars!

Hey everyone! Today Sasha and I are bringing you a joint review on ‘The Girl Next Door by Chelsea M. Cameron’. We hope you enjoy! – Sasha and Amber

This story is a light-hearted, sweet, small-town romance. Iris Turner has found herself living back where she swore she never would again. After failing to pay rent and find a steady job in Boston, she’s forced to move back to her hometown, in her childhood home, living with her parents. Her spirits get a much-needed lift, though, at the sight of the sexy girl next door.
No one knows why Jude Wicks is back in Salty Cove, and that’s just how she likes it. Jude never imagined she’d be once again living in her parents’ house, never mind hauling lobster like a local. But the solitude is just what she needs—until Iris tempts her to open up.
A no-strings summer fling seems like the perfect distraction for both women. Jude gives Iris the perfect distraction from her tangled mess of a life. But come September, Iris is still determined to get out of this zero-stoplight town.
That is, unless Jude can give her a reason to stay…

Amber’s Thoughts

This book was SO CUTE. I’m a huge fan of Chelsea M. Cameron’s ‘Marriage of Unconvenience’ and have thoroughly enjoyed lots of her other books, so when Sasha and I got approved for this book on Netgalley, I was so excited to jump right into it!

This book is classic Chelsea M. Cameron f/f romance, fluffy, insta-love cuteness; and it’s just the kind of book that I love. Although I will always have an issue with insta-love and the pacing that usually surrounds it, I find it very easy to just block it out in Cameron’s books due to the gorgeous characters and the chemistry that is SO obvious between them.

I loved the dual-POV in this book, I think it really added to the feel of the romance created and made it very easy for me to fall in love with these two girls and their stories. I loved Iris, my chaotic lesbian daughter who didn’t really know what to do with her career and was desperate to prove that she can take care of herself. Her dog, Dolly, was super precious and brought out such a sweet, loving side to Iris which I adored exploring. Jude is my badass, leather jacket, motorcycle-riding girl, who I instantly adored. Her story and the small bits of it we slowly get to see really pulled at my heart and just solidified my love for her as a character. These two together fit so well, they’re both trying to fight against their developing feelings, especially Jude, but of course, that doesn’t last long.

Special shout out to Iris’ parents, especially her father. These two are so supportive and loving; her mother is hard-working and will do anything to see her family happy. She also cares so much about Jude, even more than it seems her own parents do. IRIS’ FATHER. SIR. I LOVE YOU. He’s seriously such a cutie. He reads books, some of which Sasha and I were brainstorming the names of and we’re certain one of them was Ash by Malinda Lo!! He’s also so supportive and for that, I truly admired his character.

Everything about this story was so enjoyable for me. It’s fluffy, cute, fast-paced and adorable. I think the story-line, especially learning about Jude’s past, was written so nicely, and I was left itching for more. I read this book in one sitting and now there is a small void in my heart now that it is over 😦

Sasha’s thoughts

I pretty much agree with everything Amber said, it’s hard to add to that! I binge read this in one day, which I so rarely do. It was fun, sexy and sweet but also full of feels and a little bit of heartbreak.

I loved the dual POV, which I actually wasn’t expecting, but it was perfect because of MUTUAL PINING aka the best romance trope in the universe. Both of these two were non stop admiring and pining the other one. If the book had been longer, I might not have been able to handle how long they held off from making a move, but I knew it was coming soon 🙂

I loved both Iris and Jude, and how clearly they were made for each other. Jude is your typical bad boy – leather jacket, motorbike-, except that she’s actually really vulnerable underneath it all and also likes cliché motivational quotes. Her past and how it reveals itself added a lot of emotion and depth to her character that quickly made me love her.

Iris is smart and caring, she’s hit a bad point in life but she’s ever sure she can achieve her dreams one day. I loved how alight she came when she was helping Jude redesign her house, it was so clear how she was meant for that role. Iris was such a cute, lovely person I couldn’t help but love her. These two fit together so well, and it was so so clear how much they liked each other that the cuteness was bursting out of the pages. Their romance was the most adorable thing.

Like Amber noted, insta-love is a terrible trope, but here I didn’t seem to mind it at all, especially as though they immediately liked each other it took quite a bit of pining and angst for them to get together.

I was saying to Amber how I want Iris’ parents, please. They’re so sweet and supportive, her dad loves reading YA and is so enthusiastic about it – I feel like he would totally have a slightly awkward and messy bookstagram but be loved for it – and her mum was so kind and hardworking. It was clear how much Iris was their daughter and the parts of them you could see in her, which I really liked!

The Girl Next Door was the perfect mix of tropes and cliches, fluff and angst, emotions and vulnerability. I loved it.

Julia Drake, the author of the absolutely wonderful The Last True Poets of the Sea, was kind enough to answer a few questions about her, her book and writing! I read The Last True Poets of the Sea as the April book with my Sapphic Book Club, and we all shared our thoughts here if you want to check it out! I absolutely adored this book with all of my heart and would really recommend you check it out! Sasha ❤

Hi Julia, thanks so much for joining me! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hello and thank you so much for having me, and for having written such beautiful things about TLTPotS! About me: I’m a writer living in Philadelphia, and I have a rabbit named Ned who’s currently flopped beside me. He says hi!

If you were to describe The Last True Poets of the Sea in one sentence, what would it be?

It’s family story, a love story, and an adventure story all centered around the hunt for a long lost shipwreck — and it’s full of fish puns.

What was your initial inspiration for The Last True Poets of the Sea?

The original inspiration for this book was Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which I first encountered through my high school theater program. I played Viola, and every night a friend dumped a bucket of water on me before I went on stage so I’d appear “shipwrecked.” The play has been a favorite ever since – it’s hilarious but also melancholy, silly as well as profound, and Viola is such a witty and sensitive character. When I started writing more seriously in graduate school, I thought it might be fun to revisit the play through a queer lens, which is where I began.

Can you possibly talk about the themes of grief and mental health and how they appear in The Last True Poets of the Sea?

The book opens with Violet’s brother Sam’s suicide attempt, and we quickly learn that Sam’s long struggle with his complicated mental health diagnoses has been a defining feature of their family’s life. In Violet’s understanding of their family dynamic, Sam needs help, and Violet and the rest of her family must help him. That dynamic, though, gets challenged and questioned over the course of the book, especially as Violet begins to research her family history and understand some of her own behavior through a new lens. She begins to better understand what she’s inherited, and has to come to terms with how the genetic component to mental illness will shape her and Sam’s lives. It’s a big moment for her to understand that there won’t be magic healing for her and her brother, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t live full lives. In my own experience, taking care of mental health is ongoing and often arduous, so I resisted as much as I could easy answers for these characters. Instead, the characters learn to search for joy in tiny, small moments, and let those small pleasures comfort and sustain them.

Violet is an amazing and unique protagonist, she is so raw, real and relatable. Can you talk a little bit about your journey in writing her?

Thank you so much! Writing Violet was such a delight. Her voice came fairly naturally to me from the beginning, but how she’d act in certain situations wasn’t always clear to me. Then one morning I woke up and thought: Violet should shave her head. Instantly, I understood her so much better – impulsive and theatrical, trying her best but also lacking insight how she’s coming off. She shaves her head because she doesn’t want anyone to notice her, but ultimately she just stands out more. She thinks she knows everything, but still doesn’t quite see herself clearly. In general, I love writing characters who’ve made mistakes, and Violet has made a ton before the story begins – and she continues to make them over the course of the book. But watching her reckon with her past behavior and really work through the hard parts means that we see her grow tremendously a lot as a character.

What was your biggest struggle in writing The Last True Poets of the Sea, and what did you enjoy the most?

Getting through the middle of the first draft was so challenging for me that I actually put the book away for a year and worked on other projects. I just couldn’t figure out how to go forward. Then I had the thought – as I mentioned above – that Violet should shave her head, and it was like a switch flipped. I finished a draft within three months. As far as what I enjoyed most, I always loved building out the setting and imagining the ins and outs of Lyric: the aquarium, Toby’s coffee shop, even the rag-tag pop up thrift store — the special things that make a small town a small town.

As a bisexual girl myself, I absolutely loved the sapphic representation we see in this book. Can you talk a little about this, and on writing Violet and Liv’s relationship?

I’m so glad this spoke to you because their relationship is where I started writing! I say Twelfth Night was my way into the book, but specifically, it was Viola and Olivia: the scenes between those characters crackle with heat and chemistry, and I always thought it would be fun to explore that relationship in a modern queer context. Violet’s openly queer and has been with both boys and girls, though at the beginning of the book she’s sworn off romance. Rather inconveniently, she then meets a very nice boy and very nice girl. On one hand, it was important for me to see a bisexual girl choose to be in a relationship with another girl, because that’s not a story I’ve often seen. This love triangle, though, is less about boy versus girl, and more about how hard it is to really be intimate with somebody. Violet realizes fairly quickly that she and Liv have a deep connection, and I wanted to write about how wonderful and scary and earth-shattering it can be when you finally let yourself, regardless of gender or sexuality.

What are five books that have inspired or impacted you as an author?

From my childhood: Absolutely Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech (all her books, really!); Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson; In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord. Recently I have loved and admired Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo and Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden.

What’s a piece of writing advice you would give to any aspiring authors reading this?

Not only should you write, but you should FINISH things! It’s great for morale and it’ll position you closer toward revision. Start short: you will learn more in finishing a two-page story than you will imagining a seven-volume epic.

Can you possibly give us any details on what you’re working on right now or what we might see from you in the future?

I am a very slow writer, but I’m working on my second book! It’s another YA contemporary novel that centers on a girl’s relationship with her eccentric father. Beyond that, you’ll have to stay tuned 🙂

Hiya guys! A few weeks ago on Twitter, I (Sasha) asked people to tell me their favourite tropes and I’d recommend them a sapphic book! I answered a few, with Amber’s help, but soon enough my followers were taking over, recommending each other books. I think we all added several books to our TBRs, especially me! Anyway, I thought it would be fun to turn it into a quick blog post! – Sasha and Amber

Massive thank you to Amy @bookish_heights, Lawrence @lawrenceschimel, Mads @sapphic_files, Liza @qarasuren for helping me and Amber recommend books, and thanks to everyone who suggested a trope. 

If you’re looking for Enemies to Lovers, we recommend Crier’s War by Nina Varela, Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins, Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst and The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie.

If you’re looking for Mutual Pining, we recommend We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia, The True Queen by Zen Cho, Crier’s War by Nina Varela, Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran, We Didn’t Ask for This by Adi Alsaid and The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon.

If you’re looking for Friends to Lovers, we recommend Marriage of Unconvenience by Chelsea M Cameron, The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake, Wilder Girls by Rory Power and The True Queen by Zen Cho.

If you’re looking for There Was Only One Bed, we recommend Crier’s War by Nina Varela and Anyone But Her by Erica Lee.

If you’re looking for Found Family, we recommend Dangerous Remedy by Kat Dunn, Not Your Sidekick by C. B. Lee, On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden and Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O’Neill.

If you’re looking for Already Established Romance, we recommend Dangerous Remedy by Kat Dunn, Orpheus Girl by Brynne Rebele-Henry and Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo.

If you’re looking for Mental Illness Rep, we recommend Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan, What Kind of Girl by Alyssa Sheinmel, The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake and The Space Between by Megan Grehan.

If you’re looking for Battle Couples, we recommend Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan and We Unleash The Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia

If you’re looking for Partners in Crime, we recommend Goldie Vance by Hope Larson, Not Your Sidekick by C. B. Lee, The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters and Stage Dreams by Melanie Gillman.

If you’re looking for a Murder Mystery/ Detective Protagonist, we recommend Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey, Far From You by Tessa Sharpe, The Killer Wore Leather by Laura Antoniou, Bury the Lede by Gaby Dunn and Goldie Vance by Hope Larson.

If you’re looking for Grief/Bereavement Rep, we recommend The Meaning of Birds by Jaye Robin Brown, We Are Okay by Nina LaCour and Far From You by Tess Sharpe.

If you’re looking for Fake Dating/ Marriage, we recommend Marriage of Unconvenience by Chelsea M Cameron, Just Married? by Natasha West and Dating Sarah Cooper by Siera Maley.

Hi everyone! Today I am bringing you a post with some tips on how to read more! This is a question I get asked quite a lot, so I thought, why not throw together some pointers that have helped me and can hopefully help someone else? – Amber ❤

It is only within the past 3 or so months that I have been reading a lot more. Throughout last year and January this year, I would read an average of 9-11 books per month, and that may seem like LOTS to some people, while to others it may seem like barely anything. Anyway, I now read an average of 32ish books per month, which is obviously a big improvement, and here are a couple of tips which I know work for me, along with some others that I have found which seem to be very popular!

Finding your format

I really think that the format in which you read a book can not only impact your enjoyment of a book but also the rate at which you read it. I used to only ever read physical books, which is not only super expensive, but also not very practical for when I’m at school or on the go and don’t want to bring a heavy book with me. Trying out ebooks is really what boosted my reading progress, and it’s now my main reading format. Audiobooks can be great for people who have super busy lives and don’t have time to sit down and read.

Finding your genre(s)

This is something I recently made a post on, and it’s something that has impacted my enjoyment of reading and also consumption of books a lot. Finding genres and books that you actually enjoy rather than ones that are seen as popular will make reading much more exciting and enjoyable. You can read my full blog post on this here.

Reading environment

Creating a cosy, safe space for you to go and read – if you can- is one way to make reading much more fun, rather than feeling like something you have to force yourself to do. Finding somewhere quiet or away from distractions can really help you to focus fully on a book, without your mind wandering to other things.

Reading time

Figure out how long you can read for before getting restless, or feeling like you need to scroll through social media or put the book down. Once you figure out how long you can read for in one sitting, you can schedule reading into a busy day or plan tasks to do in between reading.

Buddy reads

Buddy reads are an awesome way to be motivated when reading and to make it exciting! Sasha, Emily (@ashortbooklover) and I do buddy reads all the time, and it’s super fun to have someone to share your thoughts about a book with as you’re reading it. It also loosely holds you accountable for reading as you don’t want to get behind and let the other person down xD

Reading sprints

Sasha, Emily (@ashortbooklover) and I do reading sprints quite often! Reading sprints are super fun and a great way to get some reading in! You can set any amount of time to sprint with friends, or alone, and then just completely focus on a book and get as much reading done during that time!

Reading on the go

Something that has really helped me to read more is always having a book on hand! Whether that’s a physical book, eBook or audiobook, having it there to read whenever I find that I have time to is great, even if I only get a chapter or so in!

Find people with similar tastes

Having friends or knowing people who have a similar reading taste to you can be a great way to get recommendations, and therefore have more books to read! While for some people, their TBR may be crushing them, sometimes it can be difficult to find books that you’re actually interested in and excited for. Looking for people on twitter, instagram or any social media, or having friends around you or a reading group is a great way to get recommendations and read more.

Keep it fun

Reading should be fun and enjoyable! Don’t feel pressured to read a certain amount of books or to read certain books. Read what you want, at your pace! If reading isn’t fun for you anymore, and feels like a chore, find ways to make it exciting again; for example, rereading old favourites or finding a new book that’s super exciting for you. Reviewing, having deadlines for reading and feeling pressured to read all the time can be really pressuring, try to keep it fun!

Don’t be afraid to DNF

If you’re not enjoying a book, don’t be afraid to DNF a book! I know lots of people feel guilty when DNFing a book, but if you’re not enjoying it, that’s okay! Some books can be one person’s favourite of all time, while others may feel like it’s just not for them, and that’s totally fine! Forcing yourself through a book that you’re not enjoying can end up with you being in a reading slump.

I hope this post helps in some way! Happy reading ❤