The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins - 528 pages

Ambition will fuel him.
Competition will drive him.
But power has its price.

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined—every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

Opinion: I enjoyed this book, though not as much as the original trilogy. It was still a great book that is well written, I'll just always have a special place in my heart for Katniss's and Peeta's story. It was interesting to get some of the history of the games, though, and to see practices forming that were standard in the original trilogy. I don't know if anyone else was on social media back when this book/the movie came out--where people started to lowkey have a crush on Snow--but after (and before, but especially after) I don't know how anyone could?? I was constantly rolling my eyes because he sucks as a person. I don't know how anyone could read it and land on sympathizing with him. 

Black Clover Volume 1 by Yuki Tabata

 Black Clover Volume 1

192 Pages | 2016

Summary: In a world of magic, Asta, a boy with anti-magic powers, will do whatever it takes to become the Wizard King!

Asta is a young boy who dreams of becoming the greatest mage in the kingdom. Only one problem—he can't use any magic! Luckily for Asta, he receives the incredibly rare five-leaf clover grimoire that gives him the power of anti-magic. Can someone who can't use magic really become the Wizard King? One thing's for sure—Asta will never give up!

Young Asta was born with no magic ability in a world where magic is everything. In order to prove his strength and keep a promise with his friend, Asta dreams of becoming the greatest mage in the land, the Wizard King!

Review: To start with, this manga and the anime would fall into the Shonen genre category which tends to include exciting battles, high-stakes situations, overcoming adversity, emphasizing the importance of team work, additions of light-hearted humor, and in this case, fantasy based world building due to the magic systems of this world. I have watched the entire anime before going back to read through the manga in order to spot any differences, and to look through the original work. Black Clover Volume 1's first page showcases a high stakes moment in the past of the Clover Kingdom in which instated the position of "Wizard King." With that one page alone, its clear that earning this title is a heavy commitment and furthermore a difficult achievement, given that the first Wizard King saved Humankind from being decimated by demons. Based on the summary, it's clear this will be the title our main character, Asta, strives for. We learn about Asta's hometown and his rival, Yuno, and it quickly becomes clear that they are opposites for each other. Asta is magicless, rather loud and boisterous. Yuno is gifted in magic, and is quiet and "cool." This leaves a good dynamic, because even though from an outsider's perspective, Yuno's talent is unreachable to Asta, Yuno respects Asta just as much as Asta respects him. They both take their goal to become the wizard king seriously and motivate each other to improve by their own means. This volume has in total what I would consider three highest stakes moments. Not to mention, the third is Asta's first encounter, unknowingly, with the major antagonist that will be building in the background for many volumes to come. We are left off in the middle of this highest stakes moment as an incentive to pick up the next volume, which is a good strategy for keeping readers going.

This book sets up the setting, the character's starting points, and even sets up the antagonists early on. It's a great volume 1, and if you or someone you know is wanting to get into a new Shonen manga, I would highly recommend giving the series a try.

When The Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb

 

When The Angels Left the Old Country

2022 | 408 Pages

Summary: For fans of “Good Omens”—a queer immigrant fairytale about individual purpose, the fluid nature of identity, and the power of love to change and endure.

Uriel the angel and Little Ash (short for Ashmedai) are the only two supernatural creatures in their shtetl (which is so tiny, it doesn't have a name other than Shtetl). The angel and the demon have been studying together for centuries, but pogroms and the search for a new life have drawn all the young people from their village to America. When one of those young emigrants goes missing, Uriel and Little Ash set off to find her.

Along the way the angel and demon encounter humans in need of their help, including Rose Cohen, whose best friend (and the love of her life) has abandoned her to marry a man, and Malke Shulman, whose father died mysteriously on his way to America. But there are obstacles ahead of them as difficult as what they’ve left behind. Medical exams (and demons) at Ellis Island. Corrupt officials, cruel mob bosses, murderers, poverty. The streets are far from paved with gold.

Review: I can absolutely see why this book is recommended to fans of "Good Omens." Overall I really enjoyed this read, I found myself excited to see what would happen next once I got into it. It uses a lot of Jewish phrasing in a way that someone who isn't familiar with it might not understand, but after some quick google searches and even just in reading the book I gained more natural clarity on them.

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare

 Sword Catcher

2023 | 624 Pages

Summary: In the vibrant city-state of Castellane, the richest of nobles and the most debauched of criminals have one thing in common: the constant search for wealth, power, and the next hedonistic thrill.

Kel is an orphan, stolen from the life he knew to become the Sword Catcher—the body double of a royal heir, Prince Conor Aurelian. He has been raised alongside the prince, trained in every aspect of combat and statecraft. He and Conor are as close as brothers, but Kel knows that his destiny is to die for Conor. No other future is possible.

Lin Caster is one of the Ashkar, a small community whose members still possess magical abilities. By law, they must live behind walls within the city, but Lin, a physician, ventures out to tend to the sick and dying of Castellane. Despite her skills, she cannot heal her best friend without access to forbidden knowledge.

After a failed assassination attempt brings Lin and Kel together, they are drawn into the web of the mysterious Ragpicker King, the criminal ruler of Castellane’s underworld. He offers them each what they want most; but as they descend into his world of intrigue and shadow, they discover a conspiracy of corruption that reaches from the darkest gutters of Castellane to the highest tower of its palaces.

As long-kept secrets begin to unravel, they must ask themselves: Is knowledge worth the price of betrayal? Can forbidden love bring down a kingdom? And will their discoveries plunge their nation into war—and the world into chaos? (Courtesy of Goodreads)

Review: Reading this a second time was definitely a great way to recap the story before I dive into the sequel that recently came out. Its that sort of story where you still find more details on each reread and it really emphasizes the author's attention to the world building and characters. I highly recommend this story to fantasy lovers out there!

Warriors: The Prophecies Begin: Forest of Secrets by Erin Hunter

 

Warriors: Forest of Secrets

2004 | 368 Pages

Summary: Allegiances are shifting among the Clans of warrior cats that roam the forest. With tensions so delicately balanced, former friends can become enemies overnight, and some cats are willing to kill to get what they want. Fireheart is determined to find out the truth about the mysterious death of brave ThunderClan warrior Redtail. But as he searches for answers, he uncovers secrets that some believe would be better left hidden. (Courtesy of Amazon)

Review: I am very glad to see that this series is still very popular with kids. I figured it would be fun to go back through the series as an adult to notice the things I didn't as a kid. It's a relaxing read for me, and is definitely a great book for getting kids into chapter books. This series was one of my first when I was younger, and I couldn't recommend it enough!

Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 3: Masters of History by Yuval Noah Harari

 

Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 3: Masters of History

2024 | 288 Pages

Summary: This third volume of the illustrated adaptation of the internationally bestselling phenomenon, Sapiens: A Graphic History—The Masters of History, tackles the question of the driving force of humanity’s fate: is it empire, money, religion—or something else entirely—that unites us?

Sometimes history seems like a laundry list of malevolent monarchs, pompous presidents and dastardly dictators. But are they really the ones in the driving seat? Sapiens: A Graphic History—The Masters of History takes us on an immersive and hilarious ride through the human past to discover the forces that change our world, bring us together, and just as often... tear us apart.

Grab a front-row seat to the greatest show on earth, and explore the rise of money, religion and empire. Join our fabulous host Heroda Tush, as she wonders: Which historical superhero will display the power to make civilizations rise and fall? Will Mr. Random prove that luck and circumstance prevail? Will Lady Empire convince us of the irrefutable shaping force of conquerors? Or will Clashwoman beat them all to greatness by reminding us of the endless confrontations that seem to forever plague our species?

In this next volume of the bestselling graphic series, Yuval Noah Harari, David Vandermeulen and Daniel Casanave continue to present the complicated story of humankind with wit, empathy and originality. Alongside the unlikely cast of new characters, we are rejoined by the familiar faces of Yuval, Zoe, Professor Saraswati, Bill and Cindy (now Romans), Skyman and Captain Dollar. As they travel through time, space and human drama in search of truth, it's impossible not to wonder: why can’t we all just get along?

This third installment in the Sapiens: A Graphic History series is an engaging, insightful, and colorful retelling of the story of humankind for curious minds of all ages, and can be browsed through on its own or read in sequence with Volumes One and Two.

Review: Even though I did read all of the volumes, I can definitely see how they could be read as standalones as well which is such a nice perk if your historical interests are centered on certain subjects. My own interests had me more fascinated in volume one and three than in two even if all were highly enjoyable reads and I've learned a lot from them all. Volume three does a fantastic job in getting the reader thinking differently about some of the topics we learned about in history class in a much more entertaining and endearing way than an old textbook could. I highly recommend the whole series of these graphic novels for any history enjoyers out there! Its got so much to say.

Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 2: The Pillars of Civilization by Yuval Noah Harari

 

Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 2: The Pillars of Civilization

256 Pages | 2021

Summary: This second volume of Sapiens: A Graphic History, the full-color graphic adaptation of Yuval Noah Harari’s #1 New York Times bestseller, focuses on the Agricultural Revolution—when humans fell into a trap we’ve yet to escape: working harder and harder with diminishing returns.

What if humanity’s major woes—war, plague, famine and inequality—originated 12,000 years ago, when Homo sapiens converted from nomads to settlers, in pursuit of the fantasy of productivity and efficiency? What if by seeking to control plants and animals, humans ended up being controlled by kings, priests, and Kafkaesque bureaucracy? Volume 2 of Sapiens: A Graphic History–The Pillars of Civilization explores a crucial chapter in human development: the Agricultural Revolution. This is the story of how wheat took over the world; how an unlikely marriage between a god and a bureaucrat created the first empires; and how war, plague, famine, and inequality became an intractable feature of the human condition.

But it’s not all doom and gloom with this book’s cast of entertaining characters and colorful humorous scenes. Yuval, Zoe, Prof. Saraswati, Cindy and Bill (now farmers), Detective Lopez, and Dr. Fiction, all introduced in Volume 1, once again travel the length and breadth of human history, this time investigating the impact the Agricultural Revolution has had on our species. The cunning Mephisto shows them how to ensnare humans, King Hammurabi lays down the law, and Confucius explains harmonious society. The origins of modern farming are introduced through Elizabethan tragedy; the changing fortunes of domesticated plants and animals are tracked in the columns of the Daily Business News; the story of urbanization is portrayed as a travel brochure, offering discount journeys to ancient Babylon and China; and the history of inequality unfolds in a superhero detective story; with guest appearances by historical and cultural personalities throughout such as Thomas Jefferson, Scarlett O'Hara, Margaret Thatcher, and John Lennon. (Courtesy of Amazon)

Review: Just like volume 1, volume 2 was a very mind opening take of early human history as we learned to build civilizations and move away from the hunter-gatherer phase of our existence. The author makes you consider both the advantages and disadvantages to human kind moving forward in this way with the knowledge of how we live today naturally on your mind. If you want a different take to history as it is (and a more fun one), this book is the one for you!

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

609 Pages | 2022

Summary: 

In the first book of a visionary fantasy trilogy with its roots in the mythology of Africa and Arabia that “sings of rebellion, love, and the courage it takes to stand up to tyranny” (Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree), three women band together against a cruel empire that divides people by blood.

“A game-changing new voice in epic fantasy . . . There are no Chosen Ones here, only bad choices and blood.”—Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Oprah Daily, Autostraddle

Red is the blood of the elite, of magic, of control.
Blue is the blood of the poor, of workers, of the resistance.
Clear is the blood of the slaves, of the crushed, of the invisible.

Sylah dreams of days growing up in the resistance, being told she would spark a revolution that would free the empire from the red-blooded ruling classes’ tyranny. That spark was extinguished the day she watched her family murdered before her eyes.

Anoor has been told she’s nothing, no one, a disappointment, by the only person who matters: her mother, the most powerful ruler in the empire. But when Sylah and Anoor meet, a fire burns between them that could consume the kingdom—and their hearts. 

Hassa moves through the world unseen by upper classes, so she knows what it means to be invisible. But invisibility has its uses: It can hide the most dangerous of secrets, secrets that can reignite a revolution. And when she joins forces with Sylah and Anoor, together these grains of sand will become a storm. 

As the empire begins a set of trials of combat and skill designed to find its new leaders, the stage is set for blood to flow, power to shift, and cities to burn. (Courtesy of Amazon)

Review: The main character, Sylah, is an extremely flawed character from the start. This creates the possibility for a lot of unreliable story telling at first, which while done, is not done to the point where we are left extremely confused. It's a very fun literary technique to dabble in. I enjoy the aspects of worldbuilding we are given: How you're viewed in society is determined by your blood color, a tournament called an aktibar is done to help select "a disciple" of four different categories that will be extensively trained to become a "ruler/leader". The characters aren't inherently written to be likable (especially right off the bat) and the writer didn't shy away from expressing their flaws. Nor other character's flaws.

Regarding some of the relationship building, via my own opinion, I don't like the relationship between Sylah and Jond very much. A lot of this relationship is built before the story starts, and once they reunite there is a lot of secrecy on Jond's side that I don't quite enjoy for their level of intimacy (Though in their defense, this secrecy is very important to a major background organization within the story). The main character certainly understands more than me, so it's more of a personal opinion. I do adore the relationship between Sylah and Anoor. We get to experience the moment they meet, and there are points where there relationship is rough, but its not rushed and it feels natural. Both characters have their own reasons for sticking together and they inevitably grow closer the more time they spend together, even if things aren't always perfect. I'm proud of both of these characters because even in their fights, they truly help each other become better versions of one another. As a reader, we get to experience this first hand.

I can't say this book is for everyone, but if it peaks your interest, I would recommend giving it a try! 

 

woke up no light: Poems by Leila Mottley

128 Pages | 2024

Summary:

A poignant, rousing debut book of poetry, full of life, from the former Youth Poet Laureate of Oakland, California

woke up no light is a Black girl’s saunter turned to a woman’s defiant strut. These are the hymns of a new generation of poetry. Young, alive, yearning. A mouth swung open and ready to devour. A quest for home in a world that knows only wasteland and wanting.

Moving in sections from “girlhood” to “neighborhood” to “falsehood” to, finally, “womanhood,” these poems reckon with themes of reparations, restitution, and desire. The collection is sharp and raw, wise and rhythmic, a combination that lights up each page. From unearthing histories to searching for ways to dream of a future in a world constantly on the brink of disaster, this young poet sets forth personal and political revelation with piercing detail.

woke up no light confirms Leila Mottley’s arrival and demonstrates the enduring power of her voice—brave and distinctive and thoroughly her own.

Review: There are a lot of different poems with different structures throughout. The level of imagery to metaphor is fantastic for carrying across a message of strength even in her weakest moments. One of my favorite poems in this book was "Birthday lists through the ages" because with so few words, the author was able to relate the emotion of herself in those times of her life. Very specifically the heavy loneliness she experienced without explicitly using the word. Loved the word play in this one and highly recommend to fellow poetry lovers!

 

Magic Enuff: Poems by Tara M. Stringfellow

 

 112 Pages | 2024

Summary: “Gorgeous poetry” (People) that celebrates Black Southern womanhood and the many ways magic lives in the bonds between mothers, daughters, and sisters, from the bestselling author of Memphis.

“These are lush poems full of radical love and strength.”—Warsan Shire, author of Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head

“God can stay asleep / these women in my life are magic enuff”

An electrifying collection of poems that tells a universal tale of survival and revolution through the lens of Black femininity. Tara M. Stringfellow embraces complexity, grappling with the sometimes painful, sometimes wonderful way two conflicting things can be true at the same time. How it’s possible to have a strong voice but also feel silenced. To be loyal to things and people that betray us. To burn as hot with rage as we do with love.

Each poem asks how we can heal and sustain relationships with people, systems, and ourselves. How to reach for the kind of real love that allows for the truth of anger, disappointment, and grief. Unapologetic, unafraid, and glorious in its nuance, this collection argues that when it comes to living in our full humanity, we have—and we are—magic enough. (Courtesy of Amazon)

Review: Not only do I love the direction they went with the cover, but I could really create images in my head as the poems clearly brought me through the writer's thoughts and feelings on the above subjects of relationships (of various kinds) and the black experience. One of my favorite lines was in the poem "Picking No. 2" due to the satisfying alliteration used: 

"elaborate as the cobbler
complicated crisscross of crisp
and crushing correctness"

About Magic Enuff

“Gorgeous poetry” (People) that celebrates Black Southern womanhood and the many ways magic lives in the bonds between mothers, daughters, and sisters, from the bestselling author of Memphis.

“These are lush poems full of radical love and strength.”—Warsan Shire, author of Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head

“God can stay asleep / these women in my life are magic enuff”

An electrifying collection of poems that tells a universal tale of survival and revolution through the lens of Black femininity. Tara M. Stringfellow embraces complexity, grappling with the sometimes painful, sometimes wonderful way two conflicting things can be true at the same time. How it’s possible to have a strong voice but also feel silenced. To be loyal to things and people that betray us. To burn as hot with rage as we do with love.

Each poem asks how we can heal and sustain relationships with people, systems, and ourselves. How to reach for the kind of real love that allows for the truth of anger, disappointment, and grief. Unapologetic, unafraid, and glorious in its nuance, this collection argues that when it comes to living in our full humanity, we have—and we are—magic enough.

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

 

The Reformatory Tananarive Due, 576 pages, ⭐⭐⭐1/2 

Gracetown, Florida

June 1950

    Twelve-year-old Robbie Stephens, Jr., is sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys, a reformatory, for kicking the son of the largest landowner in town in defense of his older sister, Gloria. So begins Robbie’s journey further into the terrors of the Jim Crow South and the very real horror of the school they call The Reformatory.

    Robbie has a talent for seeing ghosts, or haints. But what was once a comfort to him after the loss of his mother has become a window to the truth of what happens at the reformatory. Boys forced to work to remediate their so-called crimes have gone missing, but the haints Robbie sees hint at worse things. Through his friends Redbone and Blue, Robbie is learning not just the rules but how to survive. Meanwhile, Gloria is rallying every family member and connection in Florida to find a way to get Robbie out before it’s too late.

Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky

 Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky-80 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is an interesting, thought-provoking collection of poems. It tells a story of a town being ravished by war and bombardment. The town goes deaf and deafness is seen as an illness. Many townspeople are killed and some fight back against the soldiers. Some soldiers are killed, but those who resist them are killed in retaliation. I picked this up because of a line in the book "The deaf don't believe in silence. Silence is the invention of the hearing." The entire collection of poems provokes pondering the meaning of being hearing and being deaf and what it means to resist oppression. 

The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere 226 pages This book was so sweet and even though I predicted what would happen, it had a great story and ending. Great story of foster care and second chances. Thirty-two-year-old Amy Denison volunteers at Glory's Place, an after school program where she meets seven-year-old Maddie, a precocious young girl who has spent her childhood in foster care. Unbeknownst to Amy, Maddie is a mini-matchmaker, with her eye on just the right man for Amy at Grandon Elementary School, where she is a student. Amy is hesitant - she's been hurt before, and isn't sure she's ready to lose her heart again - but an unexpected surprise makes her reconsider her lonely lifestyle. As Christmas nears and the town is blanketed in snow and beautiful decorations, Maddie and the charming staff at Glory's Place help Amy to see that romance can be more than heartache and broken promises.

 

Lightlark by Alex Aster 

Rating - 🕮🕮🕮🕮

Lightlark follows the story of six rulers, each from a different realm. Every 100 years the island of Lightlark appears for only 100 days, so they may try to break the curses placed on each realm. The catch is one ruler must die to save them all. 

I was genuinely excited to read this book. 

I for some reason needed two weeks to read it, as it moved slowly. Then bam in the last five chapters the pace picks up. I also wished for more of a backstory on Azul and Cleo as they played a role but it felt more like a filler. It seemed most of the book focused on Celeste, Isla, Grim, and Oro. Which is fair as they are the main characters, but still. 

Maybe that will play into the second book if/when it releases. As the ending left you dangling off a cliff for a second. 

If that happens, I will probably still read it because I need to know what happens to Lightlark after everything. 

Thank you!! 

Pages-416