They Can’t Kill Us All: The Story of Black Lives Matter by Wesley Lowery

⭐️🧠

I have been actively working on educating myself, as I hope everyone has and this book was such a valuable resource in order to understand the history of Black Lives Matter and how the movement has evolved and grown. It raises so many impactful topics and is a must-read, educational and brilliant resource.

Who Put This Song On? by Morgan Parker

⭐️🧠

As much as I love a character-driven book, unfortunately this one fell a bit flat for me, as it just felt like the book meandered and didn’t really go anywhere. I thought the exploration of mental health, microaggressions and being a Black person navigating a predominantly white world was brilliant though.

Majesty by Katharine McGee

⭐️

This was such frothy, bingeable and wholly entertaining fun, but it also delivered some biting social commentary that left me thinking. Come for the salacious gossip and romantic entanglements, stay for the discussion of media manipulation & how it’s influenced by sexism and racism.

Full review here.

Every Little Piece of My Heart by Non Pratt

⭐️🏳️‍🌈💙🧠

I really loved this YA contemporary, with its threads of friendship, family and complex relationships. The premise and representation was just fantastic and I just felt like Pratt gets teenagers. Their voices always felt authentic and wouldn’t be out of place amongst my friendship groups. The inclusion of disability representation also meant a lot to me, as it is sadly lacking from the vast majority of YA. I loved where our characters ended up, with all that possibility lying ahead of them and the start of some heart-warming relationships.

Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D Jackson

⭐️🧠

It’s no secret that I absolutely adore Jackson’s work and how her characters always feel so complex and tangible. Let Me Hear a Rhyme was no different, providing me with a heartfelt story that explored grief and the power of music. It’s the latter that underpins the story, making it feel so vibrant and immersive. The central mystery thread provides ample opportunity for yet more of Jackson’s excellent plot twists.

Punching The Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

⭐️🧠

Trust me when I say that you need this book in your life. It’s an emotionally devastating, incredibly impactful and it needs to be shouted about from the rooftops.

Full review here.

I’m Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal

⭐️

This was an incredibly quick read and I feel like that was to its detriment, as I just finished the book and wanted more. Both of the protagonists were so interesting and had so much room for growth & change. I really wanted to see what the long-term impact of that night would have on them and their wider community.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

⭐️

This was such an incredible and meticulously plotted YA mystery that left me desperate to read the next book immediately. I loved the Knives Out vibes I got, while also feeling like I was immersed in a wholly original and endlessly tricksy story.

Full review here.

Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles

⭐️

Where Dreams Descend was such a compelling and entrancing fantasy tale, with hints of mystery and intrigue that expertly laid the groundwork for what promises to be a spectacular sequel. It’s everything I wanted from a magical, spell-binding YA fantasy.

Full review here.

Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

I have not stopped this about this ethereal, haunting and majestic Southern Gothic tale since I put it down. Its exploration of grief was so nuanced and beautiful that it really resonated with me. Then, to top it off, it has an intriguing mystery at its heart with plenty of twists and turns to it.

Full review here.

Iron Heart by Nina Varela

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

This was just the perfect sequel and conclusion to this phenomenal duology. It’s packed full of world-building, character development and enriched lore. I’m simply blown away and honestly Varela has left me speechless.

Full review here.