This was an absolutely amazing, gripping and phenomenally researched work of historical fiction. My hyper-fixation of several years ago was the Mongol Empire, including its colonization of China as the Yuan Empire and ultimate downfall. This queer twist on the rise of the Ming Dynasty, with its morally grey protagonist, a very satisfying and deeply explored antagonist, a beautiful, queer romance, and brilliantly colorful cast of supporting characters was everything I could have hoped for.

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

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adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Definitely a new favorite: this was a beautifully layered fairytale retelling about the importance of words, names, and the stories we tell ourselves. It included multiple POVs, which did get a bit confusing over audio at times, but for the most part each of the characters had such a distinct voice that it was easy to follow (and easy to see why we were witnessing the story from their perspective). Novik seamlessly stitches together Jewish traditions, prayers, and customs, with Slavic deities, and the framework of the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale. Anti-Semitism exists in this world, and pushes the plot along, but is not the central plot line. Instead, centered is the brilliance of women, who learn to navigate each and every set of rules presented to them, who often have nothing else on their side, yet consistently use their wit to save, not only themselves, but their people: their families, their communities, and their kings. Absolutely loved this and would 100% reread and recommend.

When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was phenomenal: think Good Omens, but so very delightfully and hilariously Jewish. Deeply satisfying: also on my #transrightsreadathon list, but snuck into #Jewishhistorymonth reading. It has a kind of humor that can transcend cultural barriers, but is also uniquely Jewish in a way that enriched and deepened my enjoyment of the story. The backdrop of this book incorporates themes of both immigration and labor rights. While rooted in historical context, it also felt highly and pressingly relevant. This author also explores questions of Jewish spirituality with both respect and irreverance. Easily one of my new favorites.

Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Kit Heyam

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challenging funny hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

“The truth is much more complicated.” My best friend actually recommended this a month earlier and the Trans Rights Readathon felt like the perfect opportunity to read it. Dr. Heyam traces the roots of trans history with the care of tracing a family tree: identifying where trans history shares lineage with other lgbtqia history and navigating the intersection of marginalizations across cultural lines. Dr. Heyam’s area of expertise is primarily set in the UK, but they start and end the book with political and spiritual gender history in indigenous Africa, India and the Americas. While they are cautious about speaking over voices, they consciously choose to use this platform to call in members of the global minority with a reminder that trans identities have siblings, not ancestors, in multiple cultures across the globe.
One of the most valuable lessons I took from this was the way the journey of gender identity has always been complicated and unique to each individual. Just because two or more people present in similar ways does not mean their path to that point was the same or even slightly adjacent.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough! This was an easy, sometimes funny, sometimes poignant read in uncomplicated language with a truly necessary perspective.

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is a love song to music, to violins, and to the connections and relationships that make us human. I’m not usually super interested in sci-fi but Aoki laces these elements with humor (“One did not have to be a rocket scientist to make a donut. But that didn’t mean it didn’t help”) and finds the perfect balance between the science fiction and fantasy, aliens and demons. Each piece felt absolutely necessary to the overall story.
Everything about this world was unfamiliar to me, and I’m thankful to the author for allowing me to be a guest in these spaces—the ugly, the beautiful, the unique and the universal.

Content Warnings

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

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challenging hopeful inspiring

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book was absolutely gripping: it was “just one more chapter, and then I’ll go to bed.” I went to bed listening to it, woke up with half of it still to go, and lied to myself: “I’ll just listen to a chapter and then do other stuff.” I did not do other stuff. I listened to this book until it was done.
Much of the book is set within a Native community, but the unique experiences of what it means to be Native is portrayed through a wonderfully diverse cast of characters that each experience what that means in a different, but equally real and authentic way.
Fire Keeper’s Daughter masterfully navigates the struggles and tensions of wanting to honor heritage in a modern world that leaves little room for history or indigenous tradition. We see this immediately in our MC, who is constantly trying to balance facts, science and the scientific method that she has a deep seated passion for and the community and tradition that she loves and finds immeasurable comfort in. Figuring out how to make room for both, learning that they do not have to be in opposition, but learning not to let one blind her to the other is our character’s journey, beautifully executed.
Also had a lot of respect for the very real examination of how society at large consistently damages and hurts marginalized communities, even after making demands on members of those communities.
Definitely be aware of CWs: I would say this is a mature YA. (Additional props for showing respect, communication and consent as sexy, ongoing and working both ways.)
But if you want a book that is going to absolutely suck you in and give you a new perspective on everything, I cannot recommend this highly enough. I cannot wait for the author’s upcoming Warrior Girl Unearthed.

Content Warnings

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alybwrites's reviews 18 reviews

alybwrites's reviews
18 reviews