mecireads's reviews
53 reviews

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

First book getting into James Baldwin catalog and this really hit me right in the heart😭. If Beale Street Could Talk is raw, emotional, and painfully real. Through Tish and Fonny’s love story, Baldwin captures the struggles of Black families, the heartbreak of wrongful incarceration, and the deep, unwavering love that refuses to break—even under the weight of systemic racism. His writing is both tender and brutally honest, shining a light on police corruption, racial injustice, and the lengths Black women go to for the men they love.

One part that really stuck with me was Baldwin including the lyrics from My Man by Barbra Streisand—a song all about a woman’s undying love and loyalty. That made this even more emotional for me, especially because it’s one of my favorite songs of all time. It made Tish’s devotion to Fonny feel even more real and heartbreaking.

And the ending😢.Absolutely gut-wrenching, but it had to be.  And it is what I expected. The sad truth. A phenomenal story. 

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

Once again, Nnedi Okorafor proves she is a literary genius. While I enjoyed this book, I didn’t love it—simply because I don’t gravitate toward contemporary stories. This leans more toward contemporary literary speculative fiction than sci-fi, so if you're expecting dominant Africanfuturism themes, know that sci-fi is just a sprinkle in the mix.

I loved Zelu as a character—she’s disabled yet refuses to conform to societal norms. The story is beautifully crafted, and as always, I will continue to read anything Nnedi writes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy

Lethal Souls by Shanora Williams

adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

This series has been incredibly entertaining and enjoyable. I particularly loved Willow and Caz. It was refreshing to read an adult fantasy where the FMC  and MMC act like actual adults. The characters felt like real people, and their conversations were so authentic. I appreciated that Willow, as a black FMC, stood out in a genre where such representation is rare. I also loved that she wasn’t portrayed as the typical “badass” FMC; instead, she was soft, gentle, and needed protection, which added depth to her character.  

There were some shocking and intriguing moments that truly surprised me, and I admire how the author isn’t afraid to take risks and explore bold events. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the series. It’s completely underrated, and I’ll definitely be promoting it going forward!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Murder, and Pregnancy

Wicked Ties by Shanora Williams

5.0

Vicious Bonds by Shanora Williams

5.0

Longshadow by Olivia Atwater

4.5

Ten Thousand Stitches by Olivia Atwater

4.0

Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

4.75

This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

This book masterfully blended Greek mythology with urban fantasy, creating a world filled with relatable, well-rounded characters. The FMC, Bri, was funny, brave, and made choices that felt genuine and grounded. I’ll admit, I’m always a sucker for Black witches, and this story delivered! The adorable sapphic romance was the cherry on top, making my heart flutter in all the best ways. The representation throughout the book was truly beautiful, and it left me feeling seen and inspired.