Diversity Spotlight

This meme is from Bookshelves and Paperbacks and it is designed to highlight a diverse book you have read, as well as promote other diverse books (released and not released)! I am so happy to be participating and will do so as much as I can!!

I read and enjoyed:

Spirits Abroad by Zen Cho

Do you want to read a delightful collection of short stories that is profound while at the same time funny? Who doesn’t! Spirits Abroad is a fantastic bunch of tales that mix genres, are wonderfully crafted, and incredibly imaginative.

This batch of stories combines east and west, old and the new, preconceptions and judgements into stories that deal with serious and universal issues, all while maintaining a wonderful air of fantasy. There were numerous individual stories that were remarkable and, for me, those are what puts this collection over the edge. Short stories can always be a little bit of a hit a miss. Often you won’t love every single one. That was the case with this, but it is almost a condition of its existence.

But one short technical point to mention, Cho puts in trigger warnings and it is fantastic to see and experience. They do not give the plot away, but are respectful and I wish more short story collections did this.

My favorite stories were the one about the young sister who resembles a pineapple, no actually a real pineapple (read it to find out!) and the story with the wish granting fish. I almost forgot the moon rabbits! That was one of my favorites too.

The diversity:  There are diverse characters, bisexual, immigrants (sometimes even to the moon) and minority representation that makes you appreciate the characters. Give this a read, it is quick, but you will not regret it. If you love fantasy, enjoy different characters, or want to read a short story, check this out.

Also, a quick mention to Terracotta Bride as well, also by Cho, which was a great novella that features an automaton in hell with the demons and the dead. That premise is unique enough, but it is all told from a great perspective. My only complaint with it was that the romance was not developed enough and kind of came out of nowhere for me. The genre mixing was phenomenal, but it lacked time for the character and the romance to develop

A book out, but haven’t read is:

When the Moon Was Ours by Anne Marie McLemore

I bought the book and even posted some beautiful photos for Instagram, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it! When I am through my advance reads, this is first on my list!

From goodreads: To everyone who knows them, best friends Miel and Sam are as strange as they are inseparable. Roses grow out of Miel’s wrist, and rumors say that she spilled out of a water tower when she was five. Sam is known for the moons he paints and hangs in the trees, and for how little anyone knows about his life before he and his mother moved to town. But as odd as everyone considers Miel and Sam, even they stay away from the Bonner girls, four beautiful sisters rumored to be witches. Now they want the roses that grow from Miel’s skin, convinced that their scent can make anyone fall in love. And they’re willing to use every secret Miel has fought to protect to make sure she gives them up.

A book that is not yet released is:

The Library of Fates by Aditi Khorana

First off, the cover is gorgeous. Secondly, it sounds fantastic and I can’t wait to read it! I am also giving away a preorder of this book on my twitter!

From goodreads: No one is entirely certain what brings the Emperor Sikander to Shalingar. Until now, the idyllic kingdom has been immune to his many violent conquests. To keep the visit friendly, Princess Amrita has offered herself as his bride, sacrificing everything—family, her childhood love, and her freedom—to save her people. But her offer isn’t enough.

What books are you looking forward to?

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If you like diverse books, check out this review of Lucky Boy!

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