BD Energy, Reading Slumps, and more In Reading Color

Let me holla at you one more time about this one since it’s out today.

This is one of the most anticipated books of the year and one I’ve been more than looking forward to. It’s also a book that really tells the publishing industry about itself. When June Hayward, a young white writer, and Athena Liu graduated from Yale, they were meant to rise together. At least in June’s mind. Instead, Athena became the literary It Girl, and June remained on the sidelines. But then June sees Athena die right in front of her and she steals her manuscript. Once she edits the novel about the contributions of Chinese laborers during WWI, she passes it off as her own and is catapulted to book fame. She, a white woman, even gets a rebranding as Juniper Song and an ethnically ambiguous author picture. But she can’t shake the feeling that someone out there knows the truth, and she is down to do what she has to do to protect her secret. 

Interestingly enough, the premise of someone pretending to be another race for clout in academia or publishing has actually happened. A couple times, I might add. I’m pretty sure more cases will be revealed, and I feel like like there will be more of these scathing critiques of the publishing and academic fields by authors of color. I’m ready to receive each and every last one of them. 

*Also, Kuang just won and Nebula Award for Babel.* Flowers. Give her all of them.

Samantha Irby has a blog titled “bitchesgottaeat,” so you know any and everything by her slaps. And slap this one does. Much like in previous collections, Quietly Hostile has Irby getting into the nitty gritty of her life. She’s getting calls from Hollywood, tries therapy, and maybe likes things other people judge her for. She also may have some digestive issues…Her writing is seriously funny, while also having moments of insight and tenderness.