We are officially halfway through 2022 and I am a bit stressed by how fast this year is going. I am a little behind on my reading goal, but I am determined to get back on track this summer. At this moment in time, I have read 38 books of the 100 I plan to read this year. I have read a lot of great books, but also lots of duds. Those duds have led to many reading slumps, which is why I am behind on my goal. I am staying positive for a better reading year and have curated a list of books that I have truly loved this year so far. Enjoy!
Ain’t Burned All The Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin
Jason Reynolds has created another masterpiece that will stick with me for a long time. This timely three-sentence poem with stunning art has brought our shared experiences to life. The symbolism is absolutely gorgeous and just brings tears to my eyes. It’s an experience that none of us thought we would live through and yet, we did.
This poem brings to light the fact that we were all suffocating, some mentally, others were sadly actually suffocating at the hands of a cop with a bias against an innocent black man or at the hands of a disease that we are slowly learning to control.
I believe this book will be used to describe the past two years to those who come after us. It will be words that those of us who had to live through this unbelievable time, will look back on and feel comfort. We will look back on this story and know that it was not just a story, it was our lives and we can finally breathe out for our sake and for those who will never get to breathe out again.
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Love doesn’t have to have a future for it to matter.
This is not your typical love story. It is about true friendship and the lengths you would go to for your best friend. This is also a book about self-love and doing what is best for you. You should not have to force a future that you do not want.
In Five Years, tells the love story of Dannie and Bella. It is not about David or Aaron, or any other man mentioned in this book. It is truly about figuring out the important things in life and not taking life too seriously. It’s about taking the scenic route and making your life as wonderful as possible. It is about being there for the people you love when times get rough. This is a book about feeling your emotions and speaking them aloud. This is about taking your life into your own hands because you never know how many days you have left.
Aces of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide
This book is an actual masterpiece! This was a 5 star prediction for me so I went in expecting to absolutely love this book and it sure did deliver.
Off the bat, give me a scandalous private school and I am in! With inspirations of Gossip Girl throughout this novel, it was bound for greatness. It held onto the bitchy insecure rich girl trope while continuing down a plot that spoke on racism, homophobia and classism. It gave me exactly what I needed in life, a Gossip Girl with a black main character POV.
We didn’t only get to see POC in this book but some gay icons. Terrell, Dre and obviously, Devon are powerful gay black boys. They may not be out and proud at all times or to certain people, but damn, they represent so much in this novel. They are proof that you may not come out unscathed as a black gay man, but you can become something great. Although this is not true for all characters within this book and the look at race and classism and how they usually go hand in hand is made very apparent. Not every black character in this novel gets a happy ending simply because of the institutional racism that is set in place in America. It was built to keep the POC down and out. Just because some black people succeed does not mean everything is equal between POC and white people.
Lastly, I have to talk about this beautiful way in which Faridah created a story that is in their words, reminiscent to the black experience. Faridah says in her author’s note (highly recommend a read) that this book was written during their time in college. They did not feel welcomed. They felt like they were always being watched because there were very few black people on campus. This brilliant plot that Faridah created was stunning to watch unfold and the truth behind Aces felt like real life. I believe there are institutions out there that Aces is real and terrorizing the very few black students. This book might be filled with a fun plot and for those of us who love Dark Academia, but this is real life. Systemic and Institutionalized Racism exists in 2022, it is running rampant and forcing black students out of an education that they deserve just as much as white people.
Overall, I think this book deserves every award there is. This deserves to be read in schools (I know it will get banned). Every book that reveals the truth about racism, homophobia, classism, or shares any type of social commentary gets banned because the education system wants to continue to lie to the future generations about what is going on in America. This is a book that I will promote nonstop, because I think every white person, every teacher, and every administrator should be required to read this. Educators and people within the education system need to know and begin to understand how their black students feel within a system that was never created for them.
Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor
What a beautifully written novel!
I found this book to be intriguing from the start. It is a retelling of The Great Gatsby with a hint of Agatha Christie mystery. I loved that this retelling delved into the lives of the women in Jay Gatsby’s life and how he played a role in each of their downfalls. It was also nice to see women although beaten down by men around every corner could still have drive and want to have a better future even if they were unsure of how to get there.
Daisy was obviously a great character. She was more fleshed out in this novel and was given a true backstory that brought her to life. She felt like a real person to me. Kind of gave me Evelyn Hugo vibes.
Then there was her best friend, Jordan, that was an absolute queen! Jordan definitely had to be my favorite perspective because she did her own thing and even when life kept pulling her down she was the badass I wish I could be in every situation.
Lastly, Catherine, she had a very interesting relationship with Gatsby and I truly felt for her. I am pretty sure her perspective was the one that I got most emotional with because she was just drug through the mud for no reason.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It talked about almost every form a woman is treated like less than. Whether that is through abuse (verbal, physical, sexual), slander, not given the same opportunities, etc.
Survive The Dome by Kosoko Jackson
From the very beginning this book blew me away. The writing is stunning and honest. The execution of the dome technology and entire story was impeccable!
I found this book to be a true definition of a found family story. It truly explains how close people can become when their backs are against the wall. Jamal, Catherine and Marco are all amazing characters that are multifaceted. I loved each of them in their own way even when they did things I thought were stupid. (we all know that the story can’t go on if they don’t try to risk their lives around every damn corner.)
I can truly say this book took me back to my love of dystopian circa 2012. It followed the dystopian trope, but made it relevant to today’s generations. It was well done and really showed the ugly truth of our politicians and police departments. Both have been rotten from the beginning. I just love how easily Kosoko Jackson was able to weave in and out the important messages that needed to be said within this book. I tabbed so many quotes throughout the book.
I also cannot forget about the amazing LGBTQ+ rep in this book. Jamal identifies as gay and it is not even questioned throughout the book. He does not waver from that identity and it isn’t his whole personality either. Most of the time in YA, being LGBTQ+ is the whole reason for the story. It is the only personality trait of the main character, but it was very refreshing to see it just be a part of Jamal and that he was much more than who he loved.
The only reason I am giving it four stars is because I hated the ending. I think it sets it up for a sequel, but I don’t think this book really needs one. It is perfect as a standalone. I won’t spoil the ending but I found it truly unnecessary.
Overall, Survive the Dome was a masterpiece. It does not steer away from the blatant motives of the Dome and the silencing of minority protestors. I know this book will be banned in a matter of months from school libraries, but just know it’s because it shows the ugly truth of America.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
What the hell did I just read!
This was a wild ride and I had so many opinions throughout. My disdain for Verity was so immense that I just couldn’t help but feel sick when reading about her. My feelings for Lowen were mixed because she was a little bit off her rocker, yet I didn’t have any real reason not to trust her. Lastly, Jeremy. I have to say I had mixed feelings about him as well. He seemed like a good enough man, but he was a little off at times too.
None of these characters are what they seem to be at first glance. They all have a past and as the past reveals itself you begin to fall down a rabbit hole of what is right and what is wrong.
I buddy read this book and I can say this is probably one of the best books to buddy read. Each day there were so many theories to talk about and so much craziness happening. In the end, all of our theories were wrong but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Colleen Hoover just decided to use her brilliant mind to give a twist that no one will see coming.
The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney
The Girl Before is a perfect eerie thriller! It shows the power dynamics that men hold as well as how they react when they do not receive what they have asked for. Both Jane and Emma are layered characters with trauma enveloping them. They are at their most vulnerable when they decide to rent out the same house three years apart.
After contracts are signed, readers are taken on a whirlwind of a roller coaster with emotions and mystery around every corner. The perfection and passion that this novel lives in, is wonderfully done. With every word dripping with mystery and the desire for more, not only from the sensual relationships in this novel, but from the reader and the need to solve the mystery.
This book perfectly shows how power and perfection can ruin something beautiful. It shows that sometimes lying is the only way out and maybe sometimes desire can make you crazy especially when it is one-sided.
TW: child-loss, grief, domestic violence, sexual themes, talk of rape, burglary, abuse
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
A raw look into how white feminism effects politics, education, and the patriarchy for women of color. White feminists continue to brush off racism just so they can maybe get a seat at the table. In doing so, they push women of color aside to deal with the effects of white women’s actions. Whether that be through who they voted for (which in turn effects housing, and education for people of color), the way they speak to women of color about their parenting style, or the way they speak to women of color about their appearance.
This book dives into the many different ways in which white feminism is a lending had in helping the patriarchy along. I believe this is a book that everyone should read. It is refreshing to hear this perspective because we are so often left with the white feminist viewpoint in the media. As a white woman, I learned a lot and will be taking into account a lot of the information I learned as well as relearned as I make decisions in politics, society and in my own home.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
This is the exact book I needed to get out of my reading slump!
Mateo and Rufus are both characters you can’t help but fall in love with. They have flaws and it just makes this whole idea of death-cast and how it would effect people feel so much more real. I also loved getting to hear the thoughts of the people that Rufus and Mateo interact with throughout the day. Their perspectives felt pivotal to the story and created an even more heartbreaking air to the gloomy environment of this novel. This book is not all gloomy because the relationship that Mateo and Rufus build is absolutely stunning but the title definitely loomed over me the entire time. The journey that this book takes the reader and Mateo on is just proof that someone can grow when they find the right person.
On the other hand, this book is a little terrifying to read just because it makes you think about your own mortality, but I also think that is why this book is important. You never know when your end day is, so you might as well live life the best you can.
Reed My Life 
Leave a comment