Month: June 2020

cant wait wednesday

Can’t Wait Wednesday: Jun 10, 2020

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Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a meme where you get to flail about whatever upcoming book you’re excited to read. Though it is generally a new release, it certainly can be any book that’s on your TBR! This meme is currently hosted by Wishful Endings and it’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Hello, reader!

Another super late night post because ya girl is spending her entire days packing. You’d think I would have planned ahead and scheduled some posts for this week, but… yeah. That didn’t happen so here we are 😅 It’s still Wednesday, though, and I’m ready to talk about a book that I am dying to read. And there may be a reason I picked this one especially today. If you follow a certain children’s literature author, I’m sure you’ll figure out why soon enough.

So this book is one I’ve been hearing about since 2019. It’s a book that features:

  • Ghosts!
  • A trans main character!
  • Creepy vibes!
  • Supernatural love!

The book I’m talking about is….

Goodreads Synopsis:

“Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him.

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.

However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He’s determined to find out what happened and tie up some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.”

Publication Date: September 1st, 2020

Pre-order here: Bookshop::Indiebound::TBD::B&N::Amazon

Why I’m Excited

It just sounds like it’s going to be so cute! Creepy, but cute! I want to watch Yadriel and Julian fall in love because I just need some softness right now, okay? And I’m super curious in brujo traditions and I’m always up for a witchy/supernatural romp! The fact that it is now coming out during my birth-month just makes it that much more appealing 😉 And, of course, the cover is just gorgeous! I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.

What book are you excited to pick up? Have any of you had the pleasure to read Cemetery Boys yet? Let me know in the comments!

And, as always, happy reading!

If you have a moment, as well, considering signing this petition for Tony McDade, a Black trans man that was recently killed by police in Tallahassee. And much love to everyone in the trans community who may be hurting right now. Trans men are men. Trans women are women. And that’s that on that.

5 on my tbr

#5OnMyTBR – LGBTQIA+ Books by Black Authors

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#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook where you chose five books from your to-be-read pile that fit that week’s theme. If you’d like more info, head over to the announcement post!

Hello, reader!

This post is going up very late because ya girl has been a busy bee today. We recently purchased a house and will be moving soon, so there’s been a lot of going through stuff and packing. It’s… not fun, but I’m still so excited to get into our new place! I also fell into a book and have just emerged, lol. I’m sure you all know how it is 😉

Anyways, to the post! This week’s #5OnMyTBR theme is actually a freebie. Seeming as we are in Pride month and I’m still boosting Black voices with everything going on, I decided to focus on five LGBTQIA+ books written by Black authors! I’m so eager to pick up all five of these books!

#1. Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

Cinderella Is Dead is a YA fantasy that will be coming out in July. It sounds like it’s going to be incredible! We are thrown into a fairytale world long after Cinderella has found her prince. Now, all the eligible maidens are made to attend the Annual Ball, where they will be matched with men to marry… or mysteriously disappear. We follow Sophia, who is in love with her best friend, Erin, and wants nothing to do with the Annual Ball. She flees, only to find herself embroiled with a plot to bring down the king himself.

I mean… does that not sound amazing?! Also… the cover. We know I’m a sucker for a nice cover.

Continue reading “#5OnMyTBR – LGBTQIA+ Books by Black Authors” →
wrap up

May 2020 Wrap Up

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May Wrap Up

Hello, reader!

Before I dive into my May wrap up, I’m going to take a moment to once again share the link for the #BlackLivesMatter carrd. I know that things on the internet will eventually go back to “normal”, but this is something that we can’t afford to forget about. At least I know I can’t. We’re fighting the long fight, here, and I hope you all stay in the fight with us. That being said, don’t forget to take care of you and your mental health, as well!

Now, surprisingly, I read more last month than I have in the three previous months and I am shocked! I read seven books and I have no idea how I managed that! Well, actually, I have some idea. Mainly audiobooks, those beautiful, time-saving creations 💕 I listened to quite a few audiobooks in May and it definitely bumped up my numbers! And I read two new favorites!

But, before I get ahead of myself, let’s get into the actual wrap up 😉

Books Read

Click on the covers to be taken to the book’s Goodreads page

Continue reading “May 2020 Wrap Up” →
book blogger hop

Book Blogger Hop: Jun 5 – 11

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The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Crazy-For-Books and is currently being hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer. Every Friday, a new question is posted for book bloggers to answer in the coming week. The purpose of the hop is connection and community. You can discover new blogs to follow, new books to read, and you may end up with some new followers, as well!

This Week’s Question

Image by Coffee Addicted Writer

This week’s prompt submitted by Tabatha @ Broken Soul Reviews.

This question is calling me out. You see, I’ve been wanting to give bookish podcasts (and podcasts in general) a try for what feels like years. I also have the attention span of a gnat, so here’s how that interest usually pans out:

Me to me: “You know what we should do?”

Me: “What?

Me to me: “We should sit down and finally listen to That One Podcast we’ve been meaning to check out!”

Me: “Yeah, sure! But first, I wanna finish this book and I should think about what we’re having for dinner and I really need to get the laundry done and… what were we talking about?”

Me to me: *watching cat videos on the internet* “…What?”

So. Yeah… I have yet to actively listen to any of the bookish podcasts that have been recommended to me 😅 That being said, with everything going on in the world and trying, as a Black woman, to be more supportive of my fellow Black content creators, I decided to track down a bookish podcast that was produced by Black bookish people.

And that’s how I came across Black Chick Lit! As their website states, they are a “bi-monthly podcast that talks books by and about black women.” I’ve already listened to a sampling of their most recent episode and look forward to going through their backlog! Feel free to check out their website, where you can find all their episodes, bios on the hosts, and ways to support.

And, because #BlackLivesMatter today and everyday, considering checking out their most recent Tweet:

Are their any bookish podcasts you think I should check out? What are some of your favorites? Let me know in the comments!

As always, happy reading! Thanks for stopping by and take care of each other 💕

cant wait wednesday

Can’t Wait Wednesday: Jun 3, 2020

kerrimcbooknerd3 Comments

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a meme where you get to flail about whatever upcoming book you’re excited to read. Though it is generally a new release, it certainly can be any book that’s on your TBR! This meme is currently hosted by Wishful Endings and it’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Hello, reader.

The world is in a state, isn’t it? I mean, it’s been this way for quite some time, but with the state-sanctioned murder of yet another Black man, we have yet another hashtag (#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd) and protests worldwide. I want to believe that this is what starts a change in not only the United States, but the entire world. I want to believe that violence against another Black body will finally get people to see what we have been dealing with for centuries. It’s bleak out there right now, but I have hope that people are willing to fight to see an end to racism. Clearly, I support #BlackLivesMatter, but if you wish to, as well, or would like more information, I suggest checking out the Black Lives Matter Carrd. You’ll find links to petitions, places to donate, and a number of different resources.

With all that being said, I wanted to use my blog to celebrate a book written by a Black author that I have been anticipating for months! This is a YA fantasy that features:

  • Vengeful spirits!
  • Enemies-to-lovers!
  • Lots of dark, stabby vibes!
  • And, bonus, the cover is gorgeous!

The book I’m talking about is…

Goodreads Synopsis:

“The first in an fantasy duology inspired by West African folklore in which a grieving crown princess and a desperate refugee find themselves on a collision course to murder each other despite their growing attraction.

For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.

But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.

When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?”

Publication Date: June 2nd, 2020 (that’s right, this beautiful baby is already out!)

Buy it here: Bookshop::Indiebound::TBD::B&N::Amazon

Why I’m Excited:

I mean… look at it! I want to know more about that badass Black woman on the cover! I want to know how Karina and Malik fight through their different struggles! And I’m in the mood for some dark fantasy. This just sounds like it’s going to be absolutely incredible. All the early buzz that I’ve heard definitely reinforces that sentiment.

What book are you most looking forward to? Let me know in the comments!

Also, please take care of yourself, reader. These are tense and terrible times, but I believe we can fight for a better tomorrow. Stay safe 💕

Blog Tour: The Faith Machine by Tone Milazzo
blog tour · book reviews

Blog Tour: The Faith Machine by Tone Milazzo

kerrimcbooknerd4 Comments

Hello, reader!

I once again have the honor of participating in a blog tour run by the lovely people behind Storytellers on Tour. The book I’ll be talking about today is a little different from the books I usually read. I mean, I read sci-fi, but this has the added twist of being a spy thriller, as well! When I read the synopsis for this novel, I just had to sign up and see what it was all about. So, thank you to Storytellers on Tour, Running Wild Press, and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Of course, my blog is just one stop on this magical mystery tour! If you’d like check out the other wonderful bloggers/Bookstgrammers involved, you can find the schedule here. I’ll also be posting a graphic below.

With all that being said, let’s get to it!

Synopsis

“Welcome to the dangerous, clandestine world of ESPionage. Welcome to The Strip, where operatives on the fringe command teams of ‘Cards’: Agents cursed with subtle, specialized, and sometimes sloppy psychic powers. Dr Ken Park, Korean-American psychologist and spy, dares to lead six of these Cards. Together, they tackle esoteric threats the Department of Homeland Security cannot.

Park takes his team to Africa to retrieve the Faith Machine. Built by the Soviets to turn prayers into suffering, the psychotronic device fell into the hands of a demented warlord. Tragically, the mission fails and the madman slaughters hundreds of innocents while the machine burns.

They return to the States in disgrace, and into an ambush by the mysterious and brutal Casemen. Cut off from command and each other, the scattered agents rush to their safe house in the west. While spy agencies from around the world want retribution for the catastrophe in Africa. Park’s team outplays enemies left and right, while uncovering the true threat. There’s another Faith Machine, one destined to bring hell on earth.”

Continue reading “Blog Tour: The Faith Machine by Tone Milazzo” →