Jesse Q. Sutanto’s book Dial A for Aunties is not your average murder mystery novel. If you are looking for your next terrifying whodunnit thriller, then it’s best to continue looking—Dial A for…
‘The Cost of Knowing’ review: Brittney Morris uses speculative fiction to explore coming-of-age for Black boys in America
Brittney Morris’ new book The Cost of Knowing is a speculative fiction novel that sheds light on our contemporary reality, and most especially the reality for Black people living in America. A beautif…
‘American Betiya’ review: Anuradha D. Rajurkar’s book calls attention to gaslighting, manipulation, and fetishization
Anuradha D. Rajurkar’s American Betiya is an OwnVoices novel about Rani Kelkar, an Indian American teen who enjoys photography, volunteering to work with kids, and intends to pursue pre-med in her goa…
‘Yolk’ review: Mary H.K. Choi’s timely novel about grief, illness, and authenticity in collective experience
In her newest young adult #ownvoices novel, Mary H.K. Choi writes about two Korean-American sisters struggling to cope with individual illnesses. As Choi discusses in a Refinery29 interview, Yolk delv…
‘A Phở Love Story’ review: Loan Le crafts a romance between two teens whose families own rivaling phở restaurants
Loan Le’s debut novel A Phở Love Story is an #ownvoices romantic comedy about two Vietnamese-American teens whose parents own competing phở restaurants. A book about identity and family at its heart, …
‘Fat Chance, Charlie Vega’ review: Crystal Maldonado’s beautifully diverse debut about unconditional self-love
Crystal Maldonado’s debut novel blends body positivity, friendship, romance and an effortlessly diverse cast in a captivating contemporary young adult novel. Fat Chance, Charlie Vega is a book young a…
‘When You Look Like Us’ interview: Pamela N. Harris on crafting realistic characters and the impact of stereotypes in her debut novel
Pamela N. Harris, a former school counselor turned writer, blends together elements of mystery and social justice to create the compelling, young adult novel, When You Look Like Us. Set in her hometow…