“A Woman is No Man” by Etaf Rum

Every character was lovingly crafted and revealed as imperfect and real. The author described Arab Muslim culture in America as deeply conflicted and mostly unwilling to adapt. This story will stay with me a long time, likely in the form of nightmares. 

“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins

This book is a prequel, but I think it will resonate best with readers who read the Hunger Games series first.
This prequel takes readers back to the youth of Coriolanus (President) Snow and Tigris Snow. We are invited to bear witness to the events and defining moments that shaped adults who would change the world in the Hunger Games Trilogy.
Sometimes, backstory is everything. 

BONUS: This will be getting a film adaptation! No date of release yet.

“The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd

This novel explores the experience of women and slaves during the mid 19th century through the perspectives and friendship of an aristocratic southern woman and one of her female slaves. The association begins in their youth; a semi-friendship which bears the weight of time and injustices. Sarah and Handful were held down by the men ruling their society and homes as well as by higher ranking women who would exact their own injuries to bite at the smallest crumbs of power in their own lives. Sarah and Handful grew strong despite oppression, and both find their voices and the inner strength to make a bid for their freedom.

This book is based on the life of Sara Grimke, and many of the events and characters were real. Reading the author’s notes just made me love the story more, so make sure you take the time to read those pages at the end. For the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage and the current climate of race relations in America: this book will educate you and give you hope.

“Shadow and Bone” by Leigh Bardugo

This book is top shelf young adult fantasy. Leigh included all the elements of a “stay up until you finish it,” story. There’s some Russian folklore and mythology which gives the story both an element of familiarity and a completely foreign feel and scene of characters. There is plenty of adventure and enough mystique to have any reader chomping at the bit for the rest of the series. Do yourself a favor and just check out or purchase all three in this series at the same time.

BONUS! Netflix is developing this series as a Netflix series in April 2021. I. CAN’T. WAIT!

“The Book Woman of Troublesom Creek“ by Kim Michele Richarson

The thing about good historical fiction is that, as a reader, I’m introduced to actual events and eras in the past about which I knew very little or nothing at all – without feeling like I am ready a dry history text. That was absolutely the case with this book.

Kim Richardson paints Troublesome Creek in the most scenic and terrifying way. The landscape is beautiful, colorful, unyielding, treacherous and brutal. The characters in the story are much the same as the landscape. Yet, out of such hostile conditions, some of the most inspiring events and kindnesses take place. This story also highlights the struggles of women during that time to have a voice, or any rights. It’s astonishing to see how far women have come in the last 100 years. Thank goodness for the women who pushed the lines, and fought for more.

Also: Blue people are real, and I’m suspicious that their existence inspired The Smurfs.