Hey Bookish B*s 👋🏼
What a time to be alive! We survived a lunar eclipse in Libra, followed by a solar eclipse in Aries, all while Mercury is retrograding through Aries. There’s so much Aries energy flowing through the world, if you haven’t already had eye-opening experiences that propel you into the life you want to live, then i’m not sure we’re living on the same planet. But I don’t blame you for not wanting to claim anything during this intense period. It’s scary times, shaking us awake and making us see and feel things that we’ve perhaps been trying to avoid. Personally, this time has reminded me that I need to speak up about injustices happening to me and around me, especially when it comes to work, and honestly, I feel like inciting a revolution.
Unionizing aside, I’m feeling more and more hopeful for a just world by witnessing community members create new organizations and spaces that center liberation. I think that’s why I love witchy fantasy books so much. More often than not, the MC is fighting some sort of injustice and liberating themselves or liberating others. In my heart of hearts, I am all the MCs of these books, liberating others and myself in so many ways. I’m no hero like the Baddies in the books, but I am capable of helping move along radical change. For now, I’ll do what I can do however I can. To me, that’s more than enough.
Every so often, me and my partner schedule a Barnes & Noble date to cruise the shelves and find new reads. I know it’s not ideal. It’s not a local bookstore like I often hope it would be, but the lack of BIPOC authors in any nearby bookstore is a real issue here in west Riverside county. This eclipse energy (among other things) is propelling me closer and closer to filling that gap here and opening up my own damn bookstore where BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ authors are the only authors on the shelves. It’s really frustrating to live in a world where you have to beg for scraps; I no longer wish to contribute to those systems. But here I am, shopping at B&N because they actually do carry the books from authors I want to support.
I will say this though, Bookshop.org carries all of these books online and they’re much more dedicated to helping small business thrive compared to the big box store where I purchased these books below. If you do want to read these books, I’d highly recommend checking them out at your local library to save money (and reduce consumption), and if you’d like your own physical copy, ask your local bookstore if they carry these titles or ask if they can keep some in stock for your next visit. As a last resort, click the links below and they’ll take you directly to Bookshop.org, where you can buy it in different formats, such as audio or hardcovers.
Now, let’s dive into the wonderful books I’m looking forward to reading this quarter!
MAGIC. THE 1920’S. ONE BAD-ASS B*.
BINDLE PUNK BRUJA
by Desideria Mesa
Nothing excites me more than reading a book where the MC is able to wield magic. In this story, the MC has to hide her true self, begin a new identity, and keep her family safe from violent homophobic and racist bigots, like the KKK and Al Capone. She’s a bar owner, immigrant, and apparently, badass witch! I cannot wait to stay up late turning page after page.
This reminds me of: Wynonna Earp and Charmed.
HISTORICAL ROMANCE. MAGIC. HIGH SOCIETY.
THE BEAUTIFUL ONES
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
This is one of those books I’d been putting off reading for years. I’m a huge SMG fan, but this book felt a little different than her usual stuff. Needless to say, I was wrong. It’s not different; it’s just as engaging and interesting as her other novels! The MC in this book is just as forthcoming and bold as the other MCs she writes.
It’s based in High Society in the late 1800’s (Bridgerton vibes!) and yes, the MC can wield magic. And much like the rest of SMG’s MCs, she is at odds with the world and better for it. Besides that, this book is an expose on power and manipulation. Damn, I do have a type!
MAGIC. MAGIC. AND MORE MAGIC.
RECLAIM THE STARS: 17 TALES FROM ACROSS REALMS & SPACE
Edited by Zoraida Cordova
This is another book i’ve been wanting to read since it came out! I’m also a huge fan of Miss Zoraida, and this book contains so many authors I haven’t read before. I get really attached to the authors whom I’ve read already, and I yearn for more stories in their tone and perspective. But I want to branch out. I want to discover new stories, new worlds, new ways of seeing things and I think this book will do exactly that for me. There’s stories about mermaids (peep the cover), witches, werewolves, vampire, and other worlds of wonder. I can’t wait to get lost in 17 different short stories.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Thanks for tuning into my quarterly book haul! I’m hoping that next quarter I come back with more diverse reads and perhaps even a few picks from my local library. Until then, stay tuned for reviews on these fascinating reads!
Stay Bookish, Babes! 💅🏼
the bookish b* 