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melanielocke · 1 year

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Book recommendations - Queer POC books

Some more book recommendations, this time I'm focusing on Queer PoC books, all by authors of color. All the books shown in the picture are UK editions. I generally like it when books have a UK paperback edition because they're a lot cheaper than US hardcovers, usually also cheaper than US paperbacks, and release the same week as the US hardcover. I don't think these editions are always available if you live in North America, but to those living in Europe, buying UK editions can save you a lot of money. Other parts of the world I honestly don't know which editions are easiest to come by. Only downside for UK editions is that sometimes there are some with a redesigned cover that is very ugly. Of the books shown here, only the Witchery has a different cover than the US edition but in this case I like both.

Starting with this Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

This is a duology, the second and last book was released last June and so this is a complete series. It is inspired by Greek mythology, and specifically, the myth of Medea, and follows Briseis, who was adopted and inherits an estate from her aunt whom she never met. Briseis has always been able to make plants grow, and is immune to poisonous plants, and at the estate she discovers her birth family had these same gifts, and they keep a garden with some of the most poisonous plants in the world. This book has some great characters, and Briseis was adopted and raised by two sapphic Black mothers, who also play a big role in this series. This series has also served as inspiration for the Lightwood's magic garden in Flowers Bloom

Also by this author: Cinderella is Dead, which I'd also recommend, the Vanquishers, a MG which I did not read

Upcoming books: My Dear Henry, a Jekyll & Hide retelling (3-2023); You're not Supposed to Die Tonight, a slasher horror (6-2023)

Next up is Afterlove by Tanya Byrne

This is a sapphic love story with a MC of Indian decent. At New Years's Eve, just before midnight, Ash is hit by a car and dies instantly. She gets the offer to become a reaper, who guide the city's dead to their afterlife. But Ash can't forget Poppy, her girlfriend, and will do anything to get to see her again.

I haven't seen a lot of people talk about this book, but I really enjoyed it. The main focus is the romance here, and it's more romance with a fantasy aspect to it than fantasy.

Other books by this author: there are several other older books, none of which I've read

Upcoming books: The Mermaid of Black Rock (9-2023), a sapphic book about a girl with no memory found in the sea and a girl who falls in love with her

The Jasmine Throne is the only adult series I put in this list (the rest is YA), and is a fantasy trilogy set in an India inspired world. Book 1 and 2 are out now.

Malini is a princess who is imprisoned in an old temple by her dictator brother, an emperor obsessed with religious ideas revolving women gaining purity and immortality by being burnt alive. Malini refused to burn for his sake.

Priya is a maidservant who travels to the temple every night to clean Malini's chambers. Before her land was conquered by Malini's family, Priya was a temple child, and she had passed through the magical deathless waters once, but all the temple children were murdered except a few who survived and she has to hide her past.

Malini and Priya eventually start working together, with the goal of restoring the throne to Malini's other, oldest brother who'd abandoned the throne to become a priest.

Other books by this author: The Books of Ambha duology, adult fantasy, and What Souls are Made of, a YA Wuthering Heights retelling

Upcoming books: Book 3 of the series, scheduled for 2023, currently no release date known

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas is one of my personal favorites of this year. It's the first book in a YA fantasy duology set in a world inspired by Mexican culture. In this world, the sunbearer trials are held every ten years to replenish the energy of the sol stones and keep the sun alive and evil gods at bay. Ten demigods (called semidioses) are chosen by Sol to compete in a set of trials. The winner becomes the Sunbearer and gets to replenish the sol stones. The loser becomes a human sacrifice that is necessary to replenish said stones.

Semidioses are divided in gold and jade categories, depending on if their parent is a gold or jade god. Gold gods are the most powerful gods, ruling over things like the earth, the seas, fire etc, while jade gods are considered less powerful and their children too. There haven't been any jade competitors in the Sunbearer trials in over a century, but that year, two are chosen.

Teo is the transgender son of Quetzal, the goddess of birds, and he never expected to be chosen for the trials. The other jade is Xio, the son of Mala Suerte, god of bad luck. The other 8 competitors are all gold semidioses, including Teo's best friend Niya, daughter of Tierra, god of the Earth and the twin children of the fire goddess, Aurelio and Auristela. Compared to many of the others, Teo does not have a lot of powers and will have to fight with everything he has to survive.

The fantasy world in this book is modern second world, so while everything is different from this world, there are equivalents of instagram and tiktok for example, and they have trading cards featuring different semidiose heroes.

Other books by the author: Cemetery Boys, Lost in the Never Woods, I've read both and they're very good

Upcoming books: book 2 of the sunbearer trials (expected in 2023), companion/sequel to Cemetery Boys (fall 2024), untitled book pitched as gay titanic in space (2024), Just Max (a contemporary set in college, 2024).

I don't think it's likely there'll be 3 books coming out in 2024 but that's the information I currently have

The last book in the picture is the Witchery by S. Isabelle

This book features four witches and two human boys. Logan only recently found out she's a witch and transferred to a school for witches, and so far she's no good at it. But she's taken under the wing by the Red Three, three Black witches and the most powerful witches at the school. Thalia, a greenwitch, Iris, a deathwitch and Jailah, the most powerful witch at school, want to end the curse that's plaguing their town, and want Logan's help to do it.

Every year, there's a Haunting Season during which wolves come out of the swamp and kill people. The witches can protect people, to some extent, but the Red Three want to end the Haunting Season once and for all.

This book has a total of 6 POV's, which can make it confusing but I think it worked well. All the characters were interesting, but there wasn't enough space to flesh them all out as much as I would have liked. Still, I think the story was great, and would recommend it. There's not much focus on romance, but Jailah is a lesbian which is why I included it on this list.

Other books by this author: The Witchery is her first book

Upcoming books: another book is expected to be released in 2023. I have no idea what this book is about

Let me know if there are specific recommendations you'd like me to cover next time, I think I'll make more posts like these because it's lots of fun. Also, if you've read any of the books I recommend and want to talk about it, let me know, because I don't have a lot of people to talk about my favorite books with

@alastaircarstairsdefenselawyer @life-through-the-eyes-of @astriefer @justanormaldemon @ipromiseiwillwrite @a-dream-dirty-and-bruised @amchara @all-for-the-fanfiction @imsoftforthomastair @ddepressedbookworm @queenlilith43 @wagner-fell @cant-think-of-anything @laylax13s @tessherongraystairs @boredfangirl16 @artist-in-soul @bottomdelioncourt @ikissedsmithparker

#book recommendations #queer books #poc books #qpoc books #This Poison Heart #This Wicked Fate #Kalynn Bayron #The Jasmine Throne #the Oleander Sword #Tasha Suri #The Witchery #S Isabelle #the Sunbearer Trials #Aiden Thomas #Afterlove #Tanya Byrne

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veridium · 4 years

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7 comfort movies

I was tagged by my dear friend @sowingtheseeds to share 7 comfort movies. Thank you! In turn, I tag @bitchesofostwick, @dickeybbqpit, @apostatetabris and invite them to share!

These are seven of many films that have had a huge impact on me throughout my life -- ones I go back to for solace and familiarity, but also sometimes just an unorthodox pep talk. I’ve watched them a million times and likely have tattoo plans inspired by most (or all), haha.

I’m listing them in more depth under the cut because I have brief comments about them, so, don’t want to clog up people’s dashboards. :)

1. The Prince of Egypt.

The older the get the more I love this film. Not only is it an artistic and narrative marvel, but it’s an example of one of the most powerful parts of the Bible and its stories: the humanity underlying tales of intense, divine heroism. It’s an amazing story about human courage, fortitude, and also the nature of grief and anger. And the soundtrack? Name a better soundtrack. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

2. Ever After: A Cinderella Story

Ever After is a movie I could watch over and over and never fall out of love with. It is one of the most well-done romances ever, and at the same time, you cheer Danielle on for who she is, not just the love she stands to have with Prince Henry. I love the way the story expands on her experiences with abuse, the complex toxicity of her Stepmother (played by the legend Anjelica Huston) and the class politics in France at the time. Yes, it’s one of my favorite love stories that I always sigh longingly for, but it’s so much more than that.

3. Steel Magnolias

This is one of the movies my Mom and I would watch all the time. I absolutely adore it. It’s heartbreaking, hilarious, clever, and joyful. The speech M’lynn does at the end makes me tear up every damn time. I don’t know very many movies that pull off having so much fun and so much sadness at the same time. Also, you can’t beat the ensemble cast: Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley McClain...the list goes on. Just an amazing movie about women, their love for each other and their families, and their resilience.

4. Dirty Dancing

So, this film has a special place in my heart because my late grandmother watched it with me when I was a little girl (much to the chagrin of my Mom, who thought it was too mature for me). Then, when I was older, I would watch it with my best friend Emily and practice dancing in her living room. It was one of my first exposures to women’s sexuality and autonomy and even though it isn’t perfect in its delivery, I really appreciate how the writers cared about those messages. I love the music, I love the aesthetic...it’s just great.

5. The Mummy (+ The Mummy Returns)

This one is a pretty big no-brainer; it’s probably one of the most widely loved film(s) in the last few decades. You can’t beat it when it comes to combining comedy, drama, historical fantasy, magic, adventure, romance...this one’s got it all. Also Rachel Weisz with both books and sharp weapons was a pivotal inspiration in my queer awakening so, thank you Ms. Weisz. Thank you so much. I might just say I prefer the sequel if only for Evie’s eyebrow evolution.

6. Sabrina (1995)

This version and the 1960s version are both divine when it comes to fashion and aesthetic; both Audrey Hepburn and Julia Ormond take your breath away. I just prefer the 1995 version because it was the first I watched and I love Harrison Ford. Besides that, I’ve always loved the sardonic wit in this movie, and of course the unexpected and endearing romance. It’s a sweet movie for dreaming about one’s life transformed and unexpectedly changed for the better. Also, PEAK slacks-and-shirt fashion here. Peak.

7. Practical Magic

If you haven’t gathered the fact that I’m a big sapphic sucker at this point in the list, well, here you go. Practical Magic is a long-time favorite. Now it is extra bittersweet because as I’ve grown up, my love of it has, too. The relationship between Sally and Gilly mirrors mine and one my best friends as we navigate adulthood. Also, once again, I just love the way women’s lives and complexities are centered. I mean, they literally kill, cast, and defy death for each other. Also, like several others on this list, this cast is A++.

#7 comfort movies #comfort movies tag #not DA #<33 #thank you!

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