This book was definitely unique.  A homoerotic telling of Dracula's voyage to England.  Definitely overboard with metaphoric imagery that I got lost in it too much and would get confused of what was going on. This is definitely not my type of story.  I did enjoy the captain wanted to lick the salt off the sailors though. 

Beautiful book for little brown girls to learn they can aspire to greatness. Beautiful images, great, but simple details and great for little readers to spark the conversation

The Obelisk Gate feels like a filler story for series.  You get lots of back story of the obelisks and the stone eaters.  You also get introduced to an Nassun's side of the story and insight into another character I thought was gone.  It is slow at times, especially on Essun's end, but you do get action and violence.  Definitely some shockers. I enjoyed the story and looking forward to the last book. 

This beautiful story is one I would have loved to read in school.  I am all for different ways of learning. Not only does this book have a good story through diary entries, but has a mini history lesson in the back. As an adult, I was entertained and informed.  I loved Patsy and felt her angst. Her world has been turned upside down and she is trying to find her identity and a home.  I loved how she teaches others in the process.  I love the resilience and honor of my ancestors.  This book had some moments where they could have taken a spiteful turn, but held their head high and did not.  That is beautiful. 

When the Reckoning Comes us haunting tale that tackles failing school systems, racism, slavery, violence, rape, and coming face to face with the past.  I don't think you can ever escape it.  It was poetically told at times and hard o stomach at others.   It did not hold back with the atrocities of violence inflicted upon blacks on this old plantation.  This book is a great reflection of how racism is still alive and well in American in the 21st century.  I did feel it tried to incorporate many themes so while they were fleshed out, it was almost like a check point (ie. school system and mom's bitterness of black men).  I would have liked to know more about Celine, Jessie and the groom.  Good book, enjoyed it a lot. 

Riot Baby is a deep dive into the systemic racism that has plagued this country for centuries, and what will continue to get worse if intervention does not occur.  I loved the historical story line starting with the LA riots in response to Rodney King beating.  This story touches on so much.  It was written beautifully from 2 POVs.  I almost cried hearing about the incarceration parts, due to knowing someone that has braved this system several times. The sci-fi/fantastical parts were utilized very well to tell this story in many time frames.  Fantastic story that packs so much in such a short book.

Bingo Love is a beautiful story of black queer grandmas finding second change love after 50 years.  I loved the illustrations and the story itself; however, them repeatedly saying second chance love was redundant and annoying. And the husband…I just felt this book was doing too much to prove a point.  The anthology at the back to fill in mini stories of the characters was cool.  That way the main story doesn’t go off on a tangent.  Overall, a great book with vibrant realistic illustrations and dialogue.

Passing is a cautionary tale of letting women come around your house too much or unannounced. Clare is a bit too curious and pushy. Besides the interesting plot, this book details the racism so prevalent during that time. Interesting to see people’s love/hate relationship with black people. Book also features lots of elitism and sexism. Good plot, well written, challenging, and bold. Unrealistic at times, but still fun. Short, but says a lot. Sparks some good discussion. I had a good time with my online discussion.

Wake was a lot to take in. The illustrator does an amazing job of showing the pain, angst and struggle.  At first I was put off by the black and white illustrations, but a few pages in, I think they are perfect. The details and depth are outstanding. That is the main reason I am giving this book 5 stars. The powerful storyline of studying not only women led slave revolts (not a lot depicted, disappointed in that), but the history and story of slavery in general. I learned many things I had not known before. I commend Rebecca Hall for taking the journey to study about slavery and the perseverance to uncover details people want to keep hidden, like insurance companies that became successful by insuring slave ships. This book should be talked about in schools. “History written by the victors always erases resistance.”

Make a Scene was just OK for me. I like my romance to be realistic and this was a bit lame. I mean, she had options for other men, and her and Duncan were actually doing stuff.  Not to mention who’s trifling cousin gonna date your ex and no hands get thrown. This book had a few things missing for me, but for a surface level cutesy story then there you go.  But there are some other characters you can tell are a set up for another story. Which would probably be more interesting.