A quick dive into the books I’m giving priority to right now (plus three bonuses)
The next month-ish is going to involve a lot of buddy reads. I’m excited but also a little overwhelmed. I’m hoping I didn’t overbook (pun intended) myself here but I guess we shall see! I’m for sure hoping to get through the first four books and have some hopefuls on deck in the event that I have time for more. Also, I didn’t realize until I started writing this post just how many series I am committing myself to this month. Because, really, who just abandons a series?!? Not I. Which is exciting but also a teeny bit daunting, if I’m honest.
1. Wicked Fox (Gumiho #1)
by Kat Cho
Publish Date: June 25, 2019
Rep in this book: Korean protagonists, Own voices
Real talk, I had actually never heard of this book before my book BFF Amanda suggested reading it together. Ever since I have started seeing this cover EVERYWHERE! Which is a pretty good sign, I’d say. Don’t you just love when that happens??
[Image Description: the cover of the book Wicked Fox by Kat Cho. Featured on the cover is a young Asian woman in a school uniform. She is standing before a young Asian man. Behind them a pink moon rises over purple-tinted trees while leaves blow about dramatically.]
2. Dread Nation (Dread Nation #1)
by Justina Ireland
Publish Date: April 3, 2018
Rep in this book: Black protagonist, Queer character, Own voices
I have a feeling that this will be one of those books that I kick myself for not having picked up sooner. There’s just a lot of strong elements at play here; own voices depictions of historical fiction with a WOC at the helm. PLUS, rumor has it this book sets things up for a glorious Sapphic romance. So sign me the heck up for that, plz & ty.
[Image Description: the cover of the book, Dread Nation by Justina Ireland. On the cover, a young Black woman faces away from us with her head turned to the side. She wears a long military style jacket and is holding what appears to be a scythe in her left hand. An American flag hangs draped from the wall just beyond.]
3. The Mermaid The Witch and The Sea
by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Publish Date: May 5, 2020
Rep in this book: LGBTQ, Japanese-coded character, Androgynous
Ok, I admit it, I actually have no idea what this book is supposed to be about. Like, absolutely none at all. But my good friend asked if I wanted to buddy read it and I can never say no to anything (book related, that is) and so I, of course, agreed. Buuuut based on the cover alone I’m preparing myself to fall head over heels for this story. I mean, just look at that thing! There’s just so much to it!
[Image Description: The cover of the book The Mermaid, The Witch and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall. The cover depicts a large ship on the ocean. At the bow of the ship a couple of Asian descent stand and look off to the left. In the background, what appears to be wind has woven into the shape of a face. Beneath the bubbling blue waves of water is another looming face which gazes up at the boat above it.]
4. A Pho Love Story
by Loan Le
Publish date: February 9, 2021
Rep in this book: Vietnamese protagonists, Own voices
Rom-coms are my jam. But like… how cute is this cover!? Come onnnn! Also, Loan Le is Vietnamese and Vietnamese authors are horribly under-represented in fiction so I was PUMPED when I saw this book. Plus… my book bff is ALSO Vietnamese (she gets all the shout outs today). And have I mentioned how cute the cover is!?!?
[Image Description: The cover of the book A Pho Love Story by Loan Le. The backdrop of the cover is purple and features a young Vietnamese man and woman on either side of the title. He is leaning an arm against the word “pho” and holding a bowl of vegetables. She balances large soup bowls with chopsticks sticking out of them that teeter on serving trays. They are both wearing aprons.]
5. The Wolf of Oren-Yaro (Chronicles of the Bitch Queen #1)
by K.S. Villoso
Publish date: February 18, 2020
Rep in this book: Filipino protagonist, Own voices
This book has been generating a lot of buzz with the folx I follow on social media. But naturally, whenever I plan to read it something comes up last minute and I have to postpone! But, alas! I am determined to get to the thing soon. Also, I’m at the ready to Stan absolutely anyone referred to as “the bitch queen.”
[Image Description: The cover of the book The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K.C. Villoso. The cover depicts a Fillipino woman with long dark hair and who is resting a sword on her shoulder. There is a gash on her cheek and she is wearing battle leathers as if she is ready for war.]
6. A Blade So Black (Nightmare-Verse #1)
by L.L. McKinney
Publish date: September 25, 2018
Rep in this book: Black protagonist, Own voices
Alright you caught me; I picked this book 100% because of the cover and then stayed for the Alice in Wonderland retelling. Because, really, that killer premise with a Black protagonist!? Sign me the heck up.
[Image Description: The cover of the book A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney. The cover features a Black woman with medium-long length natural hair and wearing a black tank top and red zip-up sweatshirt. Her body is outlined by the shape of a spade with red and white roses inside. She wields a dagger in each hand]
7. The Kiss Quotient (The Kiss Quotient #1)
by Helen Hoang
Publish date: June 5, 2018
Rep in this book: Neurodiversity (Asperger’s), Mixed-race character, Own voices
I’m really shooting for the stars with this one because, really, I don’t think I’m going to get to it. But in the even that – fingers crossed – I finish EVERYTHING else and have time, I really can not express how much I am looking forward to this book. And about 125% of the reason for that is I heard there’s some killer sex scenes and this girl is always down for that. Woo!
[Image Description: The cover of the book The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. The background of the cover is turquoise with various math equations lightly doodled on it. At the top right, two people, – a white woman and a mixed-race man – embrace while standing on a long division symbol.]
If you’ve read any of these (or plan to read them) I would love to chat about it in the comments. Wishing you all a whimsical Wednesday!
Best,
Sarah
Girl on Books 
YAY! Thanks for the shout outs, I’m excited to read….. Basically ALL of these with you! ❤❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh, I have so many of these on my list, I’m not a Pisces though haha
LikeLiked by 2 people
Which ones are on your list?? I’m not either. I just organise my reading by seasons because it’s fun. It actually really helps me keep things straight? And it is not lost on me how odd that x probably is 🙈
LikeLike
I haven’t read any of these yet but A Pho Love Story and The Kiss Quotient are on my list! Happy reading ☺️
LikeLike
I’ve only read Wicked Fox, but A Pho Love Story (the title is so cute) is on my tbr!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is SO cute! And I loved Wickd Fox!!!!!
LikeLike