We’re back again with another month of recommendations! Our Discord members have shared their thoughts on some stand-out books from this month and our read-a-thon event (fun fact, we collectively read over 30 books in those 24 hours!). If a genre or premise interests you, why not add it to your TBR?
Recommended by Yasmine
Genre: Bildungsroman / Classic
CW: death, domestic abuse, guns, homophobia, racism, rape (mentioned), sexism, slavery, violence
Comments: Considered a classic of the Harlem Renaissance, Their Eyes Were Watching God is an American novel published in 1937 by Zora Neale Hurston. Hurston endeavours, through Janie Crawford’s three marriages, to highlight the evolving selfhood Janie experiences throughout her suffering. Hurston continues to engage the audience through phonetic dialect, drawing in on Janie’s struggle for independence and captivating the audience till the sad but satisfying conclusion.
Recommended by Erin
Genre: Mystery / Coming of Age / Romance / Historical
CW: sexism, racism, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse
Comments: Where the Crawdads Sing is a gripping novel that draws you in, not only with the murder mystery at hand but through the story of Kya Clark. Kya is an enchanting character who is able to grow and evolve and stay true to herself despite external judgement. Kya is the epitome of independence and commands your attention throughout the whole book. Owen’s setting of the marsh also becomes a source of tranquillity and joy for the reader, and it takes us into a whole new world. I cannot recommend this book any more!
Recommended by Nicole
Genre: Mythology / Retelling
CW: abduction, violence, sexual abuse, murder
Comments: This book takes the well-known stories of Greek mythology, starting right from the beginning with Chaos, and retells them with a captivating sense of humour and wit. I found it very enjoyable, and the story-telling approach of this novel is suitably entertaining for both beginning introductions to Greek mythology and those already well-versed in these myths. Definitely a fun and vibrant read.
Recommended by Melissa
Genre: Fantasy / Magical Realism
CW: death, homophobia (mentioned), overdose (mentioned)
Comments: I was immediately captivated by the language of the first few chapters. It reminded me of when one first reads Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or has to suspend their disbelief at the magic of Mary Poppins. I was not expecting how well this story explores different types of grief – the loss of people, opportunities and time – but that is what made it a five star read for me. It doesn’t shy away from the trials arising from social norms and expectations but shows that there is still a way forward. If you’re looking for something that covers the bases of whimsicality and poignancy, this is a book for you.
Recommended by Katy
Genre: Fantasy / Historical Fiction
CW: arson, abduction, rape threats, slavery (mentioned), violence, gore
Comments: When accusations of witchcraft leave Vasya with a difficult choice between life in a convent or marriage, she chooses a third option – disguising herself as a boy and adventuring into the forests of Russia during a dangerous and unforgiving winter. This book was magical, atmospheric, occasionally dark and beautifully written. While I enjoyed Arden’s first novel, The Bear and the Nightingale, this was even better. There was a faster pace, more action, amazing character growth, gripping plot twists and even a bit of romance. The protagonist, Vasya, was more mature, and I loved the development in her relationships, especially her slow-burning romance with the winter demon, Morozko. I would give 4.5/5 stars to this enchanting medieval Russian fantasy.
Recommended by Caitlin
Genre: Fantasy / LGBT Fiction
CW: child labour, death, domestic abuse, executions, grief, gun violence, hanging (mentioned), homophobia, murder, physical abuse, possessiveness, transphobia, violence
Comments: This book is everything I didn’t know I needed, and now I want more. This queer western dystopia follows Esther after she stows away in a Librarian’s book wagon. She’s on the run after her best friend, whom she was in love with, was executed for possession of resistance propaganda. This was a fast-paced read with incredible world-building, and the only problem I had was that it wasn’t long enough.
Recommended by Caitlin
Genre: Künstlerroman / LGBT Fiction
CW: death, gun violence, homophobia, hunting, racism, slavery (mentioned), suicide, war
Comments: Written in 1928 and promptly banned in Britain until 1949, The Well of Loneliness follows the life of Stephen Gordon as she navigates the world as a butch lesbian. This ground-breaking novel asserts the right of 'sexual inverts' (LGBT people) to exist in the context of a society that rejects them. 'If our love is a sin, then heaven must be full of such tender and selfless sinning as ours.'
Recommended by Caitlin
Genre: Non-fiction / Literary Criticism
CW: body horror (mentions of human leather), death, murder, mentions of slavery, medical malpractice, mentions of medical procedures, gun violence, mentions of cadavers, mentions of war/violence, executions
Comments: Anthropodermic Bibliopegy is the term for books bound in human skin. While there are only a handful of confirmed cases of this practice, the science and mythology behind it is fascinating. Rosenbloom examines the history and ethics of this macabre subject in a well-researched and respectful way. This is definitely one of my favourite non-fiction books now.
Recommended by Katherine
Genre: Fantasy / Young Adult / Retelling
CW: attempted rape, adult-minor relationship, alcohol consumption
Comments: For fantasy Naomi Novik is good – Uprooted is my favourite . . . [it’s] sort of a fairytale retelling I suppose, but I don’t really think of [it] in that way.
Recommended by Katherine
Genre: Fantasy / Young Adult / Retelling
CW: death, physical abuse, rape (mentioned), sexual assault, murder, violence
Comments: Spinning Silver is good too . . . [it’s] sort of a fairytale retelling [of Rumpelstiltskin] I suppose, but I don’t really think of [it] in that way.
Recommended by Katherine
Genre: Dystopian / Historical Fiction / Fantasy
CW: sexism
Comments: Not high fantasy, but I do like alternate historical fiction, and it’s got magic and flying and does interesting things with the role of women.
