Let's get into one of my best reads of 2023 so far: ON AIR WITH ZOE WASHINGTON by Janae Marks, which is the sequel to From the Desk of Zoe Washington. Zoe grows so much during this book and become smore open-minded. Marks does an excellent job with Zoe's personal growth as she dissects her prejudice towards those incarcerated and/or previously incarcerated, especially those guilty of the crimes of which they're accused. Zoe is determined, passionate, and ambitious, but she also dives headfirst into plans with such gusto and she has to navigate how to best manage this passion. Alongside Zoe's intrapersonal troubles, there's a great balance of Zoe and Marcus's dream hunt. There's a real appreciation of friendship and a discussion about how personal relationships alter over time and how this isn't necessarily a negative.

DELICIOUS MONSTERS by Liselle Sambury was truly a wild ride. A YA thriller following dual timelines a decade apart and two Black girls just trying to survive, DELICIOUS MONSTERS is both atmospheric and gripping. It has excellent pacing that kept me reading and wanting to know more. For most of th enovel, I was both intirgued and slightly confused but in the best way possible. This is a novel that forces you to take your time becoming fully immersed in the story. Daisy and Brittney's traumas are a part of who they are; it informs their decisions but does not control them, which is an intricate balance Sambury was able to strike throughout the novel. Daisy is not an easily likeable protagonist, and we truly need more unlikeable Black girl protagonists! I do wish we got more of Brittney and was able to see more of her growth as a character. Overall, a very satisfying read that was hard to put down; I'll definitely be reading more from Liselle Sambury.

MY DEAR HENRY by Kalynn Bayron is the Black queer Jekyll and Hyde retelling I didn’t know I needed. This YA gothic novel kept me wanting to know what’s going to happen next. It’s atmospheric, eerie, and chilling. MY DEAR HENRY deals with the issues of respectability politics in marginalized communities, survival, and self-worth vs. self-hate.