The Bookish Mindset

Well, what a title! When researching some content ideas, I found so many of my favourite titles have this brilliant them running through so let’s get stuck in. Starting with my most recent read:

Remember, Remember – Elle Machray. Set after the failed Gunpowder plot, Delphine has already fought her way out of slavery and her brother is on track to do the same, albeit in a slightly different manner.. But plans do not run smooth and Delphine takes matters into her own hands.

Chain-Gang All-Stars – Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. Have I talked about this book enough? The limit does not exist. Set in a dystopian world of incarceration fight to the deaths, this is easily one of the best books I’ve read all year and I know I won’t forget it anytime soon. Do me a favour and get to it quickly.

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven – Juno Dawson. Witches set in the north with incredible feminist rep and incredible women. The government is still run by mere humans but of course the witches have their own department. The first in a series, the second is out now, third next summer and a prequel out this year.

Sing Me to Sleep – Gabi Burton. Corrupt governments and species that shouldn’t exist anymore centre in the first of this duology. Saoirse is a siren in disguise, the best of her class and now selected to be part of the Prince’s guard. Very excited to get my hands on the follow up later this year.

The Last Bloodcarver – Vanessa Le. Another duology and another fierce woman read to take on the world and fight for what’s right. Bloodcarvers are a dying breed and are only ever called on in desperate measures. Nhika’s story will grab you and keep you until the very end.

Hunt on Dark Waters – Katee Robert. If you’re looking for romantasy in this list then look no further. Robert is queen of spice and I’ll hear no different. This is the first of a series and set around pirates and magic in a twisted world of rules.

Pet – Awaeke Emezi. I will never not recommend this book. Easy short read about good people, bad people and bad people pretending to be good. Clever social commentary and brilliant writing, which is obviously standard for Emezi.

Warrior Girl Unearthed – Angeline Boulley. Another book(/series – the first is Firekeeper’s Daughter) that I adore. The second in a series but can be read as a standalone, we follow Perry as she uncovers the horrors her grandparents and elders had to face.

The Gilded Ones – Namina Forna. For YA fantasy, I think this series is perfection. These are the books my younger self would have loved to read and honestly, probably needed too. Throughout this trilogy (second and third are The Merciless Ones and The Eternal Ones), Deka and her friends go on quite the journey. Just trust me and get started on them.

A Tempest of Tea – Hafsah Faizal. I found a new favourite author in this book. If you follow my Instagram page (and why don’t you?), then you’ll know I’m a big tea fan. This one is set in a tea shop and has so many beautiful tea references (the burn of over brewing jasmine? I cackled!) but is also a brilliant heist novel, with magic and vampires too.

That Same-Self Metal – Brittany N. Williams. One of my favourites from last year and one that I cannot wait for the sequel for. Set in Shakespeare’s own play company, we have the characters of A Midsummer Night’s Dream reeking havoc over London.. too ready for the rest of this series!

Faebound – Saara El-Arifi. More romantasy for you lovers out there (and if you’ve read this, I need to talk to you about this aha!), Faebound is set in a world of three races, one of which was wiped out by greed of the other two years ago. The remaining are at war, but what if that last race weren’t totally wiped out..? The first of a series and I’ll definitely be picking up the rest.

The Principle of Moments – Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson. Another book I know I would have loved if it was out when I was younger. If you loved Star Wars as a kid with the planet hopping, space travel and adventure, then this is the book for you. I’m obsessed and I can’t wait for the second of the trilogy.

Babel – R. F. Kuang. Set in historical Oxford University in the translation department, Babel is a brilliant reflection on society and it was such an easy five star read for me. The first third is a little slow, but then BANG, and it feels like a fever dream hit you! The perfect fit for the taking down the establishment theme.

The Night Ends with Fire – K. X. Song. A new addition to the list. This is a Mulan retelling with the grit and determination of a woman told she can’t do something. And it was glorious. This is Mulan’s older and grittier sister that is kicking and screaming into her war against society. It’s the epitome of female rage.

I’ve had so much fun re-living these reads writing this, so make sure you leave a comment below if any of these catch your eye!

You can find all these recs and more in my Bookshop.org store here.

Last updated 09/10/2024