Caste by Isabel Wilkerson: I’m a little late to the party with this one (it seems like everyone I know has already read this), but i’m so glad I finally picked it up. Caste reads smoothly, but the subject matter is difficult. I ended up reading this in smaller chunks, taking the time to digest Wilkerson’s writing (and also allowing myself to read a few lighter, less serious things in between). If you’re interested in an in-depth look how slavery’s ripple effect impacts our country today, this is a great choice. Caste feels very academic but without a heavy-handed, overly collegiate tone – Wilkerson breaks her findings down into digestible chapters and never makes the reader feel silly or uneducated for not knowing parts of our country’s history.
Who Is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews: Phew this was a RIDE! The tone of this book is unlike most thrillers i’ve read in the past, which made it feel fresh and original. I had some theories about where this would end up (I was partially right, partially wrong) but after it hit a certain point, I couldn’t wait to find out how it ended. Thank you Novel Suspects for the finished copy!
Galatea by Madeline Miller: I’ll buy and read anything Madeline Miller writes, so I had to order this short story (which is bound in the prettiest, tiniest little book). This is only 50-ish pages long, so it won’t do me any good to give you a recap. If you’ve enjoyed Miller’s writing in the past, give this a read.
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson: Grown has been on my radar for ages. The ripped-from-the-headlines story follows Enchanted, a Black teenager with dreams of becoming a singer. Enchanted is BUSY – she’s an athlete, a high school student, and a big sister who steps in (more often than she’d like sometimes) to care for her younger siblings. A chance encounter puts her in the sights of 28-year-old R&B star Korey Fields, who immediately takes a liking to her (ick. I’m sure you can guess where this is going.) Although this was just a touch too YA for me (that’s a me problem, not a book problem – this is very clearly a YA book!) and there were a few aspects of the plot that I didn’t love, I think it’s an especially valuable book that shows young readers how easy it is for dangerous adults to manipulate and deceive teens (even when they think they’re “grown”).
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell: I have complained many times about struggling to find horror books that actually scare me. Well, thanks to The Silent Companions, I now realize that I have a splinter phobia.
Paradise Cove (Matchmaker Bay #2) by Jenny Holiday: I really enjoyed the first book in this series and found myself more interested in the side characters than the main couple, which made Paradise Cove a must-read. Jake is featured somewhat in book one, and we know he has an incredibly tragic past. Nora is new to town, and they quickly become friends. I liked this and would recommend it, but it includes a trope that I’m not particularly fond of. However, I definitely plan to pick up book three.
CURRENTLY READING: A Night to Surrender (Spindle Cove #1) by Tessa Dare
Read with Aimee 