Author: Erica Ezeifedi

Part 2 of July’s Must-Read Book Club Books!

Post author By Erica Ezeifedi
Post date July 11, 2023

Sponsored by

Welcome to In The Club, a newsletter of resources to keep your book group well-met, well-read, and well-fed.

As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, July has got some hot new releases, so I’m doing a two-part July books to know about/potentially have as book club books. And, if you don’t end up reading them with your book club, you can still request them early from your library (for the ones that haven’t come out yet, obviously).

In bookstore news, early July has been a raggedy, yet kind of encouraging week for indie bookstores. It’s really shown how much readers support and love indies. In Chicago, what looked like it was going to be a devastating few days for local indie Exile in Bookville because of a NASCAR event turned into the most online sales the bookstore has seen in the last two years. And, over in NYC, Yu & Me books suffered destruction by fire. They started a GoFundMe to get afloat, and what was a $150,000 goal has already risen to more than $300,000 raised (which includes a $5,000 donation by Celeste Ng). If you’d like to help out, you can donate here.

Indie bookstores are important spaces and these ones are clearly loved and supported. You love to see it.

With that said, let’s get to the books! But first make sure to check out Book Riot’s newest podcast, First Edition where BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O’Neal explores the wide bookish world. Subscribe to hear them and stay to hear Book Riot’s editors pick the “it” book of the month.

Nibbles and Sips

Crispy Parmesan Roasted Potatoes by Moribyan

This is like top-tier-level comfort food. And looks super easy to make. For exact measurements and directions, click here. For a video, click here.

You’ll need:

baby gold potatoes

parmesan

Garlic and Herb Sauce:

unsalted butter

olive oil

parsley

garlic

parmesan

salt

black pepper

dried oregano

red pepper flakes

For dipping sauce, Moribyan used Sweet Baby Ray’s chicken sauce.

More July Releases for the Club

Promise by Rachel Eliza Griffiths

Hyacinth and Ezra Kindred are two Black sisters who have a very loving upbringing in a coastal town in Maine. But in the summer of ’57, everything changes. Suddenly, it feels as though their adolescence has brought about a change in how their white neighbors — some of whom were their friends — view them. Around the country, the Civil Rights Movement is gaining steam, and the sisters have to reevaluate where they fit into everything.

Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter

The horrors of capitalism are on full display in Ripe. Cassie has gotten her dream job at a Silicon Valley startup but is also seriously regretting it. The people she works with are toxic, entitled, and downright criminal — and once her bosses start requiring she engage in illegal activity, too, the black hole that’s always been with her, that gets stronger through her depression and anxiety, feels closer than ever.

Head Above Water: Reflections on Illness by Shahd Alshammari (July 18)

In time for Disability Pride Month — and beyond, of course — Alshammari has written a memoir sharing her experiences as a Kuwati Palestinian English professor. A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis at 18 makes her come face to face with mortality, as she is told she only has a short time to live. Years, later, having outlived the lethal warning, she completes a graduate degree in the UK and returns home to become a professor. One of her students becomes a confidante and encourages her to put her experiences on the page. The result is an intimate weaving of Alshammari’s life as a professor of English in Kuwait, as a disabled person, and as a woman.

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson (July 18)

Nelson’s follow-up to the award-winning Open Water sees Stephen, a natural-born dancer, as he tries to navigate the tricky waters of being a first generation Ghanian in England. He dances to find joy — in church, with friends, in basements, with his band, and even to his father’s music as a way to bond with the man he doesn’t know. But then the dynamic between him and his father turns sour, and he has to readjust and figure out how to repair things — or not.

Suggestion Section

Book Club:

Reese’s: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang (I feel like this is going to make it to most end-of-the-year best-of lists)
Amerie’s: Of Boys and Men by Richard V. Reeves

Delighting velocireaders since 2017, Book Riot’s New Release Index will keep you in the know about all the latest books. Start your 14-day free trial today.

Bookish Good of the Week: July 9, 2023

Post author By Erica Ezeifedi
Post date July 9, 2023

A Book A Day Keeps Reality Away Waterproof Sticker by SimplyMadeByJessieB

A book a day keeps reality away—if that isn’t just the truth. If we’re being totally honest, though, a book a day also enhances reality, but it’s nice to just escape it every once in a while, too. $4

Today In Books

NASCAR Event Inadvertently Drives Book Sales for Local Indie Bookstore: Today in Books

Post author By Erica Ezeifedi
Post date July 6, 2023

Sponsored by

Red, White, & Royal Blue Trailer Drops

Prime Video has just released the official trailer for the film adaptation of the bestselling book Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. The movie stars Taylor Zakhar Perez as the son of the U.S. President, played by Uma Thurman, with Nicholas Galitzine as Britain’s Prince Henry. The royal romance will start streaming on Prime Video on August 11, 2023.

Florida School District Restricts Works by Shakespeare, Removes Books by Toni Morrison and John Milton

Florida’s Orange County Public Schools, located near Orlando, have removed more than 150 books from their shelves and restricted others as part of a review for sexual content. Among the removed are books by authors such as Toni Morrison, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Ellison, and others. Even certain works by the Bard — like A Midsummer Night’s Dream and others — are being restricted to 10th-12th grades.

NASCAR Event Inadvertently Drives Book Sales for Local Indie Bookstore

The NASCAR race in Chicago that took place July 1-2 initially cost indie bookstore Exile in Bookville around $15,000 because of street closures, construction, and other disturbances to business. After co-owners Kristin Enola Gilbert and Javier Ramirez announced on social media why they’d be closed for four days during the event, supporters — including everyone from local authors Rebecca Makkai and Daniel Kraus, to other booksellers around the country — rallied, resulting in the bookstore receiving more online orders during the four days they were closed than they have in the last two years.

2023 Hugo Award Finalists Announced

The 2023 Hugo Award finalists have been announced. This year’s selection is the most globally diverse so far.

Today In Books

Philly Protests Moms for Liberty With Dance Party: Today in Books

Post author By Erica Ezeifedi
Post date July 5, 2023

Sponsored by

Philly Protests Moms for Liberty With Dance Party

Hate group Moms for Liberty held their annual “Joyful Warriors” summit at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia this week, despite many having asked the museum to cancel the event. In response, hundreds of people gathered around the museum to join in a dance party that protested the blatantly racist and homophobic group.

Authors File Lawsuit Against OpenAI, ChatGPT Company

Authors Mona Awad and Paul Tremblay filed a lawsuit against Open AI, ChatGPT’s parent company. The lawsuit claims that the company used their books to teach its AI tool about novels, citing the fact that ChatGPT was able to come up with “very accurate summaries” of their books. Samples of the summaries were provided in the lawsuit as exhibits.

ByteDance, Owner of TikTok, Starts Publishing Company

After drastically changing the publishing world through #BookTok — which has had more than 91 billion views — ByteDance has set its sights on publishing. This past April, ByteDance filed a trademark for 8th Note Press, which it described as a publisher of books, ebooks, and audiobooks.

What is Regency Romance?

It’s the most popular historical romance sub-genres. Top romance authors talk about what it is and why we love Regency Romance so much.

In The Club

July’s Must-Read Book Club Books

Post author By Erica Ezeifedi
Post date July 3, 2023

Sponsored by

Welcome to In The Club, a newsletter of resources to keep your book group well-met, well-read, and well-fed.

I’m back from my birthday vacay where I visited my friend. It feels a little weird coming back because I didn’t work for over a week, and we’re off again for the 4th of July. My stay was refreshing, though. I’d never been to Florida before and my friend had all manner of cat and dog for me to snuggle up with. I also ~~punked~~ convinced him to get a library card, so there’s that.

Lately, I’ve liked having newsletter sends where I let you all know of what I think are the best, juiciest, book club-worthy books coming out for the month. I think this month kind of has a lot, so this may be a two-part endeavor.

Before we get to the books, riddle me this: what do S.A. Cosby, Khaled Hosseini, Sarah Bakewell, and Yahdon Israel have in common? They’ve been guests on Book Riot’s newest podcast, First Edition where BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O’Neal explores the wide bookish world. Subscribe to hear them and stay to hear Book Riot’s editors pick the “it” book of the month.

Now for the club!

Nibbles and Sips

Air Fryer Molten Lava Cakes by @mycomfortbakes and Tanya Harris

I’m late to the air frying thing, but am a total convert. I just came across this recipe, and have yet to try it, but am definitely saving for the next time I’m seriously craving chocolate. I have a short video option for you, as well as a detailed recipe.

You’ll need (courtesy of Tanya Harris at My Forking Life):

6 Tbsp butter

4 oz semi-sweet chocolate in pieces

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

3 Tbsp white sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

A pinch of salt

Books to Keep in Mind for July

Owner of a Lonely Heart by Beth Nguyen

This memoir is a reflection on motherhood, examining the author’s relationship with her mother, the surrogate mothers she’s had throughout her life, and even how her own children will remember her mothering. Nguyen was only eight months old when she was separated from her mother. Her father, grandmother, sister, and uncles fled a war-torn Saigon for the U.S., and the next time she’d see her mother was when she was 19. Since becoming an adult, her mother and she have spent no more than 24 hours together. Nguyen writes of how she dealt with this absence, how she came of age in the Midwest, and the life of a refugee.

Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead (July 18)

Pulitzer Prize-winning Whitehead’s continuation of his Ray Carney saga — which first started with the uber-popular Harlem Shuffle — is divided into three parts that see the former fence Ray reverting to his old life of crime. But he doesn’t start off with that intention. Actually, in 1971, after having sworn off his old life of moving stolen goods, he tries his best to make a legal go of things with his furniture store. That is, until his daughter starts yearning for Jackson 5 tickets, then he turns to crooked NYPD officer Munson. But to get the tickets, Munson has a favor to ask of Ray. One that will exact quite the physical toll. The second part sees Ray in 1973, teamed up with Pepper, his partner in crime, and hobnobbing with the odd world of Blaxploitation movies. Finally, in the third section, set in a burning 1976 Harlem, Pepper and Ray set out to get to the bottom of a firebombing that injured a kid.

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (July 18)

We all know Moreno-Garcia writes banger after banger, so of course I had to let y’all know of her July release — and this one sounds like so much fun. Montserrat is a talented sound editor but is at the mercy of a sexist film industry in ’90s Mexico when her friend and crush Tristán — a former soap opera star — realizes he’s neighbors with the cult horror director Abel Urueta. Urueta promises to change their lives forever if they help him finish a movie about a Nazi occultist that he was never able to finish — one that he thinks has cursed him (if ever there were a curse-causing movie, it would be one about a Nazi occultist, I think). As the two help the legendary director, Montserrat starts noticing a lingering dark presence and Tristán may be seeing a ghost. This one is full of old-school moviemaking and occultism, all set in an immersive ’90s Mexico.

The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei (July 18)

Earth is ruined and the future of humanity lies in the hands of 80 graduates of a rigorous program that began when its participants were just 12 years old. Now the graduates are on a ship heading towards a new planet where they will be expected to birth a new generation. Except halfway through their journey, a bomb goes off, killing three people and knocking the ship off course. Worse yet, Asuka is the suspect as the only surviving witness. Thing is, she never really felt like she belonged on the expedition in the first place, as the representative of Japan — a country she barely has ties to as a half Japanese person having been raised in the U.S. — and as someone who barely passed training. But as the crew turns on each other, it’ll be up to her to find out who on board is the true guilty party.

Suggestion Section

Book Club:

Erin and Dani’s Indigenous Reading Circle: Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq
Roxane Gay: Rivermouth: A Chronicle of Language, Faith and Migration by Alejandra Oliva
Jenna Bush Hager: Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
GMA: Save What’s Left by Elizabeth Castellano

Delighting velocireaders since 2017, Book Riot’s New Release Index will keep you in the know about all the latest books. Start your 14-day free trail today.

Bookish Good of the Week: July 2, 2023

Post author By Erica Ezeifedi
Post date July 2, 2023

Persephone Blooming Print by HeartinthewoodsCo

If you have gotten swept up in the love of Lore Olympus, you know how much the series lends itself to excellent merch. Here’s one of our darling girl Persephone in all her bright pink preciousness. You can get it as a sticker or a print. $3.50+

In The Club

PROFESSIONAL BOOK NERD VS. CHATGPT: WHO RECOMMENDED BETTER

Post author By Erica Ezeifedi
Post date June 27, 2023

Sponsored by

Hey Readers!

Since I’m out this week, we’ve got a little something different for today’s newsletter.

Below, Amanda, one of our TBR bibliologists, battles it out with AI to see who makes the better book recommendations. Who do you have your money on?

Looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, useful advice, and more drawn from our collective experience as power readers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and bookish professionals? Subscribe to The Deep Dive, a biweekly newsletter to inform and inspire readers, delivered to your inbox! Your first read (The Power Reader’s Guide to Reading Logs & Trackers) is on the house. Check out all the details and choose your membership level at bookriot.substack.com.

With all this chatter that ChatGPT will take over the world, those of us over at Tailored Book Recommendations (TBR) decided to see if AI is about to put us all out of work. TBR is our subscription based service that matches customers with their own professional book nerd, AKA bibliologist, who recommends three books per quarter based on the customer’s interests. When customers sign up for TBR, they fill out a short survey about their reading likes and dislikes, and let us know if there’s anything in particular they want to explore. Armed with a couple sample surveys and a ChatGPT login, I set out to see if I, an actual human bibliologist, could out-recommend ChatGPT’s algorithms.

Customer Number 1

First up, customer number one is a big fan of fantasy, sci-fi, speculative fiction, YA, and horror. They’re looking to explore more fantasy from non-Western viewpoints, enjoy books with multiple narrators, and would like to stretch a little bit outside their comfort zone. Their favorite recent reads include City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, and Feed by Mira Grant. The customer would like to avoid any books that contain violence towards animals.

Recommendation Number 1

ChatGPT picked The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang: “This epic fantasy novel draws inspiration from Chinese history and mythology, offering a gripping tale of war, politics, and a determined young protagonist.”

An excellent book! But not right for this customer since it includes graphic violence towards animals, which the customer specifically asked to avoid.

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi Book Cover

Instead, I’d go with The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi. It’s an epic fantasy that follows three interconnected characters as they navigate a society where the color of one’s blood determines their role. This one is perfect for this customer since it is told through multiple perspectives and takes its inspiration from Arabian and African mythologies, fulfilling the request for non-Western fantasy.

Recommendation Number 2

ChatGPT went with Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel: “This post-apocalyptic novel explores the interconnected lives of various characters before, during, and after a devastating pandemic. It focuses on their resilience, creativity, and the importance of art in preserving humanity.”

Another great read — one of my favorites in fact. But I wouldn’t recommend it to a TBR customer since it’s already very popular and even has a TV adaptation. One of the benefits of TBR is we avoid picking books that already have a wide readership and instead hunt for more under-the-radar reads that customers aren’t as likely to have found on their own.

We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen book cover

My pick would be We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen; a psychological horror novel set aboard a spaceship sent to colonize a remote moon. I think it’d be a good fit for the customer since they enjoy both sci-fi and horror, and the book’s futuristic setting and inclusion of android characters also pushes it into the speculative category.

Recommendation Number 3

Chat GPT suggested continuing the Daevabad Trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty since the customer loved The City of Brass: “Since you enjoyed this book, you may also want to continue with the rest of the Daevabad Trilogy, including The Kingdom of Copper and The Empire of Gold. This trilogy is rich in Middle Eastern mythology, political intrigue, and complex characters.”

Book cover of The Keeper of the Night by Kylie Lee Baker

Ah yes, because a customer who enjoyed the first book in a series definitely needs a professional to suggest they read the second. File this under, “things your bibliologist will never do.” Instead, I’d go with The Keeper of the Night by Kylie Lee Baker. Not only is it an imaginative YA fantasy that weaves British and Japanese folklore, but it also branches out some from the customer’s usual interests with its historical London setting.

Subscribe to First Edition for interviews, lists, rankings, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books.

Customer Number 2

Let’s try another one! Our second hypothetical customer wants their recommendations to include a nonfiction book by an author from a marginalized community, wants to expand their literary horizons, and would like at least one book that’s lighter in tone. They recently enjoyed The Ugly Cry by Danielle Henderson, A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark, and Front Desk by Kelly Yang. They read any genre and are eager to try a mix of recommendations, so there’s lots of room to play here.

Recommendation Number 1

ChatGPT chose Becoming by Michelle Obama: “In this memoir, former First Lady Michelle Obama reflects on her life, from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years in the White House. It offers insights into her personal journey, achievements, and the impact she has had on the world.”

Again, considering that this was one of the best selling books of 2018, I don’t think anyone needs to be reminded it exists, as good as it is.

Instead, I would go with Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H. It’s a newly released memoir by an anonymous queer Muslim woman. With some similar themes as The Ugly Cry, including coming-of-age and belonging, I think the customer will enjoy this unique perspective and be drawn in Lamya’s strong voice.

Recommendation Number 2

ChatGPT went with The Poppy War again.

I guess I can see why ChatGPT recommended this book, but since the customer is looking to try new things, let’s go for more of a hidden gem, shall we?

cover of Across a Field of Starlight by Blue Delliquanti

I’d recommend a graphic novel called Across a Field of Starlight by Blue Delliquanti. Featuring dreamy illustrations, the story follows two nonbinary characters from opposite sides of an interplanetary war who collide and form a deep friendship that may grow into more. Since the customer doesn’t mention reading graphic novels, I think this will be a great way for them to explore a new-to-them genre while keeping with the hopeful tone they’ve enjoyed in other books.

Recommendation Number 3

ChatGPT chose The House on the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: “This heartwarming fantasy novel follows a caseworker who is sent to evaluate an orphanage for magical children. It explores themes of found family, acceptance, and the power of love and kindness.”

Another missed opportunity for a hidden gem! Since this customer wants to be recommended a mix of genres, I decided to go with Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes — a cozy mystery about a food anthropologist who winds up needing to solve a murder. It hits on the customer’s request for a light read while still being outside their comfort zone.

When it comes down to it, ChatGPT isn’t awful at recommending books, it just isn’t very creative. If you ask it for sci-fi, you’ll get Brandon Sanderson and Frank Herbert. Ask for horror and it’ll churn out Stephen King and Shirley Jackson. Request literary fiction and it’ll suggest F. Scott Fitzgerald and Harper Lee. And as we saw, it tends toward recommending best sellers, and, unless you specify you’re looking for diversity, white authors. It can’t seem to figure out how to avoid books that contain certain triggers and doesn’t really grasp the request to expand literary horizons. This experiment shows that once again, AI is a useful tool that can be outdone by a real human brain. If you’re interested in seeing what a real human being recommends for your next favorite book, come check out TBR!

See you next week when we’ll be back to regular club stuff. Happy reading!

In Reading Color

A Big Announcement: We’re Expanding!

Post author By Erica Ezeifedi
Post date June 26, 2023

Sponsored by

Welcome to In Reading Color, a space where we focus on literature by and about people of color.

Firstly, we’re off next week for the Fourth of July, so there won’t be a newsletter send that day. Secondly, I’m very excited to share that we will be moving to Substack starting with the newsletter after this one.

As readers, you won’t need to do anything. We’ll move everyone over to Substack. As far as what you can expect, it will be much of the same — the best and most buzzy new books coming out by authors of color will be highlighted, and other lists of books recommended. There will be an option to pay, but it won’t be necessary in order to keep getting the In Reading Color newsletter that you’ve been getting.

What makes this move so exciting is the opportunity to reach more people and expand the ways we engage with and discuss BIPOC books. This move means a bigger audience, more community features (like book clubs, discussions, etc.), podcasts, and more. It’s all very exciting, really.

Bookish Goods

You are Made of Stars Tote Bag by QuirkyCupCo

I will forever shoutout a cute tote, and this one speaks to me. $25

New Releases

History of a Difficult Child by Mihret Sibhat

Selam Asmelash is the youngest child in a large family in Ethiopia in the ’80s. She’s also the most lively and inquisitive. As Ethiopia finds itself under a new regime, the social prestige of Selam’s once landowning-family decreases, and they find themselves at odds with their own country.

Goodbye Earl by Leesa Cross-Smith

Y’all remember this early aught song? Absolute bop! And I’m still here for Earl getting what’s coming to him. Here, we follow four friends through two life-changing summers. In 2004, Kasey, Caroline, Rosemarie, and Ada are high school seniors looking forward to starting their lives. But something happens to Kasey that makes her leave abruptly. Now, 15 years later, she’s reunited with the girls for a wedding, but starts to feel concerned for one of her friends’ safety and she’s reminded of what happened he summer of 2004. But she’s also determined to fight back to protect the people she loves.

More New Releases

The Archive Undying by Emma Mieko Candon (Science Fiction and Fantasy)

Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class by Blair L.M. Kelley (Nonfiction, History)

Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns (Cozy Foodie Mystery)

Crooked Plow by Itamar Vieira Junior, translated by Johnny Lorenz (Historical Fiction, Magic Realism)

Invisible Son by Kim Johnson (YA, Mystery) *I discuss this one on an episode of All the Books!

The Shadow Sister by Lily Meade (YA, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller)

Theo Tan and the Iron Fan by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Middle Grade, Fantasy)

For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

It’s my birthday this weekend, so I’m taking a whole week off. I’m going to be beach adjacent and only just realized I’ve never indulged in beach reading, and I want to see what the girls are talking about. I don’t do much “here’s what I’m reading” in this newsletter, so I thought to share a couple books I’m hoping to get through during this trip. (To be honest, looking at my full vacay TBR makes me go lol, but maybe I will surprise myself and actually read all of them. We’ll see.)

The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr

This award-winning book follows Baxter, not George, as he attends a sleeping car as a porter. It’s 1929, and Baxter knows that if he wants to go to dentistry school, he’ll have to grin and bear the indignity of white passengers calling him George and other indignities. When a mudslide strands the train, Baxter’s sleep deprived hallucinations, the passengers’ spilled secrets, and Baxter’s repressed sexuality all mix together and descend on him.

My Broken Mariko by Waka Hirako

Shiino and Mariko have been friends since they were kids, so when Mariko suddenly dies, Shiino is devastated and becomes determined to find out why Mariko left her. What follows is a story of grief, abuse, and the legacy of an enduring friendship.

Thanks for reading; it’s been cute! If you want to reach out and connect, email me at erica@riotnewmedia.com or tweet at me @erica_eze_. You can find me on the Hey YA podcast with the fab Tirzah Price, as well as in the In The Club newsletter.

Until next time,

Erica

Bookish Goods

Bookish Good of the Week: June 25, 2023

Post author By Erica Ezeifedi
Post date June 25, 2023

Pride Boot Rainbow Miniature Bookshelf by NappiBySony

Let’s close out Pride Month with a bang. This miniature boot bookshelf is extra and fun, and can even be customized a bit. It also comes from a small business. $50

In The Club

The Best Books Released This Year (So Far)

Post author By Erica Ezeifedi
Post date June 20, 2023

Sponsored by

Welcome to In The Club, a newsletter of resources to keep your book group well-met, well-read, and well-fed.

The middle of the year is here! Somehow. I’m excited because I’m going to see a good friend I haven’t seen in ages, but a little apprehensive because he lives in Florida. I hope I don’t drown in the humidity. I melt at certain temperatures.

Book-wise, the middle of the year is interesting, since it prompts a few book sellers and reviewers to share lists of what they think are the best books published so far. We’ve written about Amazon’s, Goodreads’, and Barnes & Noble’s lists, as well as an all queer list that Esquire did. An interesting note on Barnes & Noble’s list is that it sorts books into interesting categories — like “Best Hot Messes” (a category after my own heart) and “Best Books Starring Octopi” (another one I vibe with, if we’re being honest).

Below, I’ve listed a few books that are found in at least a couple of the lists.

Before we start talking books for real, if you’re looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, and more drawn from our collective experience as power readers, booksellers, and bookish professionals, subscribe to The Deep Dive, a biweekly newsletter to inform and inspire readers. Your first read (The Power Reader’s Guide to Reading Logs & Trackers) is on the house. Check out all the details and choose your membership level at bookriot.substack.com.

Nibbles and Sips

Strawberry Sorbet Punch by Millie Peartree

I’m still learning about certain aspects of the history of Juneteenth, and through this recipe, I first learned of the significance of red-colored drinks and food during the holiday (if you’d like to read more, here’s an interesting article). The holiday has passed, but I still plan to make this punch this summer, and will have something on the drink roster for next year.

To make it, you just need:

cranberry juice, ginger ale, pineapple, orange, and lemon/lime juice, strawberry sorbet, and some fruit to top everything off with. For amounts, click here.

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

This book showed up on Amazon’s and Goodreads’ list. It follows William, who grew up in dysfunction. That’s why the basketball scholarship that pays for school far from his parents feels like a godsend. Eventually he comes across Julia, a lively young woman who appreciates his still waters. Soon, William finds himself being incorporated into Julia’s tight-knit family, which includes her three sisters — the artist Cecelia, the dreamer Sylvie, and the steadfast Emeline. For the first time, William gets to experience what it’s like to be in a caring and warm familial environment, but this feeling is torn by a disruption that spans generations.

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

I’ve mentioned this one more recently, and I’m not surprised it’s being counted as one of the best this year so far (according to Amazon, Goodreads, and B&N). Kuang only dabbles in bangers! Athena and June were meant to be twinning. Or so June thought, since both graduated the same year from Yale and debuted in publishing the same year. But June soars into literary darling-hood, while June does not. One day, June sees Athena die in a random accident and impulsively steals her manuscript, a guaranteed masterpiece about the contributions of Chinese laborers during WWI. She edits Athena’s work, sends it to her agent as her own, and reaps the benefits. She even undergoes a rebranding, which involves her going by Juniper Song and using an ethnically ambiguous author photo. But the truth starts to creep out, even as June goes as far as she can to protect her secret.

Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby

This one popped up on Goodreads’, B&N’s, and Esquire‘s. Get ready to laugh, ki, and fall over. Irby is hilarious, and in these essays, she shares what her life’s been like since having gained even more success. She talks about Hollywood job offers, Sex and the City, as well as funky teeth problems and upset stomach. Listen, nothing is off limits, okay? Her willingness to bare it all coupled with her natural humor makes this book feel like you’re just kicking it with a friend.

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Emily Henry is just that girl when it comes to contemporary romances (and Amazon and Goodreads members agree). Here, a friend group takes their annual, weeklong retreat to a cottage in Maine. Harriet and Wyn are sharing the cottage’s biggest room since they’ve been the ideal couple since forever. Only problem is that they actually haven’t been. Not really. Not for awhile. They broke up months ago, but don’t have the heart to ruin their friends’ last getaway in the cottage before it gets sold. They’re also a teensy bit in denial about their residual feelings for each other.

Subscribe to First Edition for interviews, lists, rankings, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books.

Suggestion Section

Printable Book Club Questions

Atom-what? A Brief Introduction to the Atompunk Genre

Illinois Has Officially Banned Book Bans

The Book Club Picks of June 2023, From Roxane Gay’s to

Reese’s

Philosophical Books That Will Make You Think

2023 Lambda Awards Announced

Until next time,

Erica

Nibbles and Sips

Crispy Parmesan Roasted Potatoes by Moribyan

More July Releases for the Club

Promise by Rachel Eliza Griffiths

Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter

Head Above Water: Reflections on Illness by Shahd Alshammari (July 18)

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson (July 18)

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More To Read

A Book A Day Keeps Reality Away Waterproof Sticker by SimplyMadeByJessieB

Red, White, & Royal Blue Trailer Drops

Florida School District Restricts Works by Shakespeare, Removes Books by Toni Morrison and John Milton

NASCAR Event Inadvertently Drives Book Sales for Local Indie Bookstore

2023 Hugo Award Finalists Announced

Philly Protests Moms for Liberty With Dance Party

Authors File Lawsuit Against OpenAI, ChatGPT Company

ByteDance, Owner of TikTok, Starts Publishing Company

What is Regency Romance?

Nibbles and Sips

Air Fryer Molten Lava Cakes by @mycomfortbakes and Tanya Harris

Books to Keep in Mind for July

Owner of a Lonely Heart by Beth Nguyen

Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead (July 18)

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (July 18)

The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei (July 18)

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More To Read

Persephone Blooming Print by HeartinthewoodsCo

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Bookish Goods

You are Made of Stars Tote Bag by QuirkyCupCo

New Releases

History of a Difficult Child by Mihret Sibhat

Goodbye Earl by Leesa Cross-Smith

More New Releases

Riot Recommendations

The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr

My Broken Mariko by Waka Hirako

Pride Boot Rainbow Miniature Bookshelf by NappiBySony

Nibbles and Sips

Strawberry Sorbet Punch by Millie Peartree

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby

Happy Place by Emily Henry

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