Book Recommendations
Book Recommendations
The following books have all been featured in my newsletter. Some have "discussion posts" from the All I'm Asking "Minnesotans for Comeback Candy" Bookclub. Others just have my "what I loved" comments. Enjoy!
The following book recommendations contain affiliate links to Bookshop dot org, which means if you make a purchase using that link, I get a tiny percentage of that sale. NOTE: This does NOT take away from profits or royalties for that author in any way. I promise!
Pick-Up by Nora Dahlia
What I loved about it: second-time around romance, multi-POV, great chemistry, authentic personal issues, great character twist
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Sarah Van Pelt
What I loved about it: Lovely characters, emotionally engaging, gentle storytelling, found family (in all the ways)
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
What I loved about it: dual POV of two women in very different circumstances, protagonists that I 100% rooted for the entire time, a difficult history, yet an important one with a hopeful ending
James by Percival Everett
What I loved about it: Fanfiction for Jim from Huckleberry Finn, code-switching at its finest, great characters and characterization, skillful writing to ease the reader into painful history (which is probably very white of me to say, I admit–yet I still valued it)
Everything We Thought Was True by Lisa Montanaro
What I loved about it: Multi-POV, coming-out story in more than one way, complex family dynamics, a family you’ll love
When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson
What I loved about it: stories within stories, magical children, quirky characters, found family, love, compassion, and acceptance
Freedom Is a Feast by Alejandro Puyana
What I loved about it: multi-POV and multi-generational, political activism backdrop, complex characters, immersive writing
The Secrets That They Keep by T.M. Lore
What I loved: intense dive into the world of sex trafficking (okay, I don’t love sex trafficking, obviously, but I loved Lore’s ability to snake us into the trappings and better understand the world), a protagonist caught, who also knows what she needs to do, intrigue
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
What I loved about it: magical children, quirky characters, found family, love, compassion, and acceptance
True Biz by Sara Nović
What I loved about it: Deaf culture, a touch of mystery/secrets, historical tidbits share throughout, multi-faceted issues and characters
Axiom’s End by Lindsay Ellis
Click here to read a discussion board about this book from the characters of All I'm Asking!
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
What I loved about it: a look inside Lipan Apache culture, an alternate universe (same Earth, but supernatural beings exist without question), realistic fantasy, asexual rep, strong family and friendship relationships
Secrets of the Blue Moon by Jan Heidrich-Rice
What I loved about it: ghosts without it being a "scary" book, a protagonist who knew her own mind and what she wanted, mystery
The Great Divide by Christina Henríquez
Click here to read a discussion board about this book from the characters of All I'm Asking!
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
Click here to read a discussion board about this book from the characters of All I'm Asking!
WE COULD BE SO GOOD by Cat Sebastian
Click here to read a discussion board about this book from the characters of All I'm Asking!
UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR by TJ Klune
Click here to read a discussion board about this book from the characters of All I'm Asking!
RELEASING THE REINS by Catherine Matthews
What I loved about it: beautiful Alaska setting, rich details for ranch life, multi-POV, mystery/intrigue, complex characters and best of all, a kickass protagonist you can totally root for
VALLEY VERIFIED by Kyla Zhao
What I loved about it: a female protagonist who had doubts about herself at times, but mostly, she knew her own mind, plus-sized protagonist, fun juxtaposition of the tech and fashion worlds, great secondary characters, authentic plot and characterization
UNDER THE TAMARIND TREE by Nigar Alam
What I loved about it: dual timeline (but same character), the setting location (Karachi, Pakistan), secrets with a great, unique angle, and the characters who are strong, compassionate, and layered
NEENA LEE IS SEEING THINGS by Sheila Athens
What I loved about it: Second act story, authentic look at grief and mental health, JFK Jr.'s ghost!
TEX MILLER IS DEAD by Kelly Elizabeth Huston
What I loved about it: Author MC, character (Tex) who seems to have come to life (interactions with him are a hoot), great friendship, sexy romantic interest
BEAST MOM by Kim Imas
What I loved about it: website tagline: a funny story about angry women, laugh out loud lines and situations, highly relatable, themes of learning to be an ally, Incredible Hulk, except better, female friendships, mother-daughter relationship
FAMILY LORE by Elizabeth Acevedo
What I loved about it: An adult novel of Acevedo’s! What could be better?, multigenerational stories, broad diversity of personalities and lifestyle impact, magical realism, Dominican culture, characters with agency, family relationships
ALL THAT IT EVER MEANT by Blessing Musariri (YA)
What I loved about it: excellent narration by the audiobook narrator, a family road trip, sixth sense sort of vibe, great pacing as the story unravels the secrets/unknowns
BIG GAY WEDDING by Byron Lane
What I loved about it: it’s a bit over the top, a somewhat unique setting/situation, kind characters, animals!
WISHING ON WINTER by Brenna Bailey
What I loved about it: queer, “older” characters, romance. If you love Hallmark movies and always wished they were queer, this book is for you!
A MERCY OF WIDOWS by Marcy Lane
What I loved about it: clever, witty voice, quirky characters, but also a sensitive touch on death and grief with a focus on Canada’s assisted dying laws
THE LONG WAY TO A SMALL AND ANGRY PLANET by Becky Chambers
What I loved about it: Space opera, aliens!, queer aliens!, adventure, some interesting science that seems sound, overall inclusive with extremely likable characters
A MILLION QUIET REVOLUTIONS by Robin Dow
What I loved about it: Written in verse, both main characters are trans, emotional juxtaposition of supportive vs non-supportive home environments, great treatment of complex emotions and behaviors
THE WORLD WE MAKE by N.K. Jemison
What I loved about it: (sequel to The City We Became…also, I highly recommend listening to these books if you enjoy audiobooks. The narrator, Robin Miles, does an exceptional performance.) Modern world sci-fi, excellent characters, clever concept of city avatars, wide-ranging, diverse representation, multi-POV, a touch (very very light touch) of romance/love
PART OF YOUR WORLD by Abby Jimenez
What I loved about it: Another audiobook rec: Julia Whelan, who is a rock star audiobook performer. Romance, dual POV, small town-Big city w/o standard tropes or major stereotypes, devotion and loyalty, sensitive treatment of serious issues such as gaslighting and abuse, Minnesota setting
THE DO OVER by Suzanne Park
What I loved about it: Back to school as an adult, impostor Syndrome, great characters of all ages, second chance romance (minor plot), Asian American rep
SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE by Tia Williams
What I loved about it: Black and bi-racial rep, second-time around romance, chronic pain rep, mature treatment of relationships and post-treatment addiction
WORDS WE CANNOT SAY by Sita Romero
What I loved about it: Pregnancy and childbirth, in many shapes and circumstances, friendship among three women, relatable situations and emotions, diverse, well-portrayed relationships, love
RED THREAD OF FATE by Lyn Liao Butler
What I loved about it: Adoption, friendship, mother-daughter relationships, immigrant experience, grief and healing
NATALIE TAN’S BOOK OF GOOD LUCK AND FORTUNE by Roselle Lim
What I loved about it: Mouth-watering food + recipes, characters to love, magic, second chances, love
THE STARS AND THE BLACKNESS BETWEEN THEM by Junauda Petrus (YA)
What I loved about it: Lyrical writing, Minnesota setting, cross-cultural, characters to love, spiritualism? Magic? You decide, love
LOVE AND OTHER DRAMAS by Ronali Collings
What I loved about it: Characters with Pakistani roots, mother-daughter relationship, friendship, love, rediscovering oneself
FLYING SOLO by Linda Holmes
What I loved about it: Friendship, a sexy librarian, focus on independence and finding happiness within, a heist!, great take on romantic relationships
A DOOR BETWEEN US by Ehsaneh Sadr
What I loved about it: Iranian setting, hard decisions, family, love, complex characters and perspectives, interconnectivity
YINKA, WHERE IS YOUR HUZBAND by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
What I loved about it: Fabulous friendships, family and cultural norms/expectations, grief, growth, self-love
DOCTORS AND FRIENDS by Kimmery Martin
What I loved about it: Book about a pandemic, but not about our current pandemic, valuable female friendships, tears, but also laughter, love
THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA by T.J. Klune
What I loved about it: Magic, many great characters, love, deep sense of goodness, an interesting vagueness of time period/setting, hope
LITTLE PIECES OF ME by Alison Hammer
What I loved about it: Dual timeline POV, DNA surprises, great characterization, authentic emotional reactions, mother-daughter relationship, Jewish rep
THE CHARM OFFENSIVE by Alison Cochrun
What I loved about it: Full cast of queer characters, reality TV show setting, relatable representation of mental health issues, swoon-worthy romance
STARFISH by Lisa Fipps (MG)
What I loved about it: Middle Grade, written in verse, plus-sized character, friendship goals,an awesome dad, will make your heart hurt, but hopeful
HELL OF A BOOK by Jason Mott
What I loved about it: Adult fiction, national Book Award winner, fabulous opening pages, main character is an author, spot on commentary about human nature, racism, and U.S. society, kept my brain churning as I read to figure things out
THE TIGER MOM’S TALE by Lyn Liao Butler
What I loved about it: Dual settings - New York and Taiwan, complicated family relationships (one of my favorite things), characters to love and relate to, food!, a light dash of romance
THE RULES OF ARRANGEMENT by Anisha Bhatia
What I loved about it: Smart professional (MC) who doesn’t have to prove herself to co-workers, plus-size MC who isn’t trying to lose weight (hallelujah!), Mumbai setting steeped in Punjabi culture and norms, independent while still trying to conform for the sake of family, side-story romance with a fabulous love interest