I know you have been seeing The Vanishing Half all over instagram and I know you have seen the raving reviews, but YOU NEED TO DROP WHATEVER BOOK YOU ARE READING NOW AND READ THIS BOOK!

This was my first read by Brit Bennett and before the end of the first chapter, I already ordered The Mothers as one of my picks for #blackpublishingpower. The Vanishing Half is an incredible and moving story which looks at identity and how people with seemingly the same identities live out their lives in different ways. I loved how this book spanned over the years, specifically within the Vignes family’s generations. Desiree and Stella were such developed and multifaceted characters which I really enjoyed reading about and I felt I learned so much from them. That being said, my absolute favorite characters were Jude and Reese. They were both so unexpected in who they are and where they went in the book and I loved every second I spent with them as a reader. I want to read another book dedicated solely to them.

With all of this in mind, Brit Bennett not only writes amazing characters but she also explores racism from many viewpoints such as colorism within the Black community. The Vanishing Half also shares beautiful relationships both romantically and in friendship that leave you wanting more. Also for all of those who are interested, The Vanishing Half includes queer characters which make your heart swoon.

I am so glad I picked up I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter this month after having it on my shelf for the past year. I was pushed to pick this book up after seeing so many bookstagrammers recommend it as an amazing #ownvoices pick. I completely agree with everyone’s love for this book because IANYPMD is a beautiful story that follows a strong and complex character named Julia. I really enjoyed Julia’s story because she exposes herself to the reader with her deepest emotions surrounding her family and her identity. IANYPMD is an amazing book for anyone who enjoys Young Adult books about a teenager finding herself while navigating her Mexican identity and it’s importance to her and her family. This is a book that takes emotional energy to read because it deals with topics of death, immigration, sexual abuse, and mental health so make sure to take care of yourself while reading.

I picked up They Both Die at the End after reading What if it’s Us because I really loved the style that Silvera writes with. I really enjoyed this book which tells the story of two boys who are told they are going to die that day because although they have different pasts, their stories overlap to create beautiful last memories together. The story has beautiful moments that give you goosebumps and are memorable, however, I gave this three stars because I found myself having to motivate myself to read in the middle because it seemed to drag on a bit. I love how Silvera includes characters that are similar to himself by adding diverse Puerto Rican lgbt characters. Overall, this is a great book with an interesting concept of knowing the day you will die and how each individual spends their last day differently.

I’m not crying you are. This is the sweetest and most heartfelt story that I have read in a long time and it was just so beautifully written that it was hard not to adore. This book although YA has won numerous awards such as the Stonewall Book Award while also being a Printz Honor book. This incredible coming of age story follows two Mexican American teenagers who are discovering themselves and the secrets of the universe that they hold inside themselves. Ari struggles with his own anger and being able to express himself while Dante is trying to balance being unapologetically himself with social norms. The friendship these two create is so beautiful and heartwarming because they truly care about one another and make sacrifices for each other. Additionally, both of Ari and Dante’s parents are incredible secondary characters with layers of their own struggle that is perfectly woven into this intersectional novel. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is perhaps one of the best representations of LGBT characters who are diverse beings in more ways than one which creates this highly influential and impactful book.