Ruthu Mavnur & Julia Kary
Since quarantine started, people have been getting bored of their daily tasks, or are unable to do them at all, ourselves included. That’s why we’ve delved into books to create more interest in our lives. After a year and a half of reading, here is our list of favorite books. Keep in mind there are plenty more amazing stories we’ve read so far, however, the following take the cake.
Julia: Starting with the cinematic masterpiece, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. “An aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life…From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and great forbidden love” (blurb from book). The plot of Evelyn Hugo is well-written and heartbreaking. I read this book on the ride home and sobbed for 40 minutes. I then unpacked the car and continued to cry for another 30 minutes.
Ruthu: However, one critique of the novel is that it is clearly written from the perspective of a white woman. While the book does have People of Color, Evelyn Hugo is a pitiful attempt at representation. Here is a collaborative document where everyone can add their queer POC book recommendations.
The next book on our list is Last Night at the Telegraph Club. It is a historical fiction book featuring a Chinese-American lesbian main character. It is set in 1950s San Francisco and deals with heavy topics such as racism, sexism, and homophobia.
Julia: It explores the life of drag kings and queens along with the “Red Scare” hysteria in America. It was a beautiful read and truthfully portrayed what San Franciscowas like for diverse groups of people in the past.
Ruthu: However, we didn’t like the ending; it makes you grasp for more and leaves you unsatisfied. On the other hand, some would really appreciate the ending; it depends on the reader!
Julia: Now, we’re going to present Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. The first Mexican female president’s son (Alex) messed up international relationships with the prince of England and somehow, they fell in love.
Ruthu: Unfortunately, it was very predictable, but Alex’s sister and his friend were my favorite characters because they had some depth and weren’t boring personalities. While it was a nice read, I think that’s all it is. In my opinion, it is overhyped and excessively popular. There was not much POC representation either; although the main character is half Latino, it’s not mentioned much and most likely inserted for diversity credits. Red, White, and Royal Blue, although bland, demonstrates what occurs when white authors are put on a pedestal. Overall, the book was nicely written, and I considered the ending enjoyable. Ultimately, it was a formulaic love story, and while sweet, it was somewhat boring.
Next up on our list, we have Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar. This book has positive and inclusive diversity, featuring a lesbian Muslim Bangladeshi and a mixed Black/Brazilian bisexual. This book is also set in our modern time period. Jaigirdar brings culture and the importance of intersectionality into the conversation in a unique and culturally diverse way. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. . I felt genuinely similar to the main character as she experiences racism, discrimination, and much more as she goes through life. It’s also a very wholesome love story about two Women of Color, which is rarely represented but very appreciated. In closing, I really enjoyed the representation in this book, and hope many others read it!
Another recommendation is The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri, and it is absolutely incredible. Starring morally gray South Asian lesbians, this is one of the few books that makes me laugh. It’s a fantasy novel, about a princess and bodyguard love story. There are multiple diverse characters, and yet you get to know all of them through Suri’s detailed character development. However, it is one in a trilogy, and Jasmine Throne came out recently, so be prepared to wait. It is also a longer book, being 500 pages long, so you might need some stamina! Tasha Suri jam-packs her novel with details and has written such a page-turner. I genuinely can’t wait for the second book.
Following that, we have The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. It is so beautifully written. I kept going back to sections of this book because I didn’t want to finish it, and it caused me to cry a bit. I also felt rather attached to the characters. But beware, it is a tragedy. I guess now we know where the term “Achilles Heel” comes from. However, one thing that didn’t make sense was that it’s a book about two men in love, yet it’s written by a woman. In my opinion, it is a little bit odd and could possibly be considered fetishization.
Julia: Next is Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. What do a talented, quiet, musician and the perfect girl of the school have in common? They are both being publicly blackmailed by an unknown person who goes by Ace. As they both try to figure out who Ace is, they uncover the school’s dark secrets and hidden past. This is a great book that is hard to put down, and it deals with heavy topics like racism and homophobia. The main characters are both black, Abike-Iyimide showing that diversity has a place in the white-dominated mystery genre. I would highly recommend it. Luckily, it is carried by the school library!
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone is a futuristic book, entailing an intergalactic war between two sides. Each opposing side has a time machine and is constantly rewriting time to best fit their agendas. Two time travelers are at the center of a time-warping rivalry and leave taunting letters to each other. Be careful with this book, it’s only about 180 pages, but the authors are able to insert many metaphors and it can take a while for the reader to adjust to their style of writing. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful story told in a beautiful way. The ending might cause one to cry tears of joy. I cried my eyes out on a plane while sitting between a lady and her son; let’s just say it was a little awko taco.
Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon is set in a fantasy world that is on the brink of an apocalypse. It follows 4 main characters and their interlinking stories as they try to stop the Nameless One from rising again. It has queens, alchemists, guards, lovers, dragons, and their tamers. Personally, I think the book is quite boring; the plot moves on at a decent pace, but unfortunately, it was very predictable and at times it felt too slow. The ending felt slightly rushed compared to everything else that happened in the book. The ending also left me unsatisfied and feeling glad that it was over. It is a sapphic novel with a royalty and bodyguard love story so if that’s an interest of yours, there is a chance you might like this book. It definitely seems like it could have been written in half the length it is(800 pages). I like long books, however, I would like the hours I spent reading this book back. There is also a bit of the “chosen one” trope which made me want to bang my head against the wall. All in all, this book was not worth my time.
TW: pedophilia, rape, sexual assault
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell is a very dark and disturbing book. I would be very careful reading this and don’t be afraid to put it down. Warning: this is absolutely not a romance and it was very disturbing, there is pedophilia, rape, and sexual assault. The book deals with a girl who was sexually assaulted when she was 15 and is now reflecting on it when she is 30. It deals with people who don’t believe they have been victims of sexual assault and the reality of being a victim. It explains why some people come out about their sexual assault years later. This book made me physically sick and I can’t even rate it because I am still conflicted on how to feel. While it is a powerfully written story, it is the most disturbing book I have ever read. My favorite line from Russell’s devastating novel is “I can’t lose the thing I’ve held onto for so long, you know? I just really need it to be a love story, you know? I really, really need it to be that. Because if it isn’t a love story, then what is it? It’s my life. This has been my whole life.”
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is a science fiction book that deals with the crazy story of Arthur Dent. It is a very light-hearted, entertaining, and quick read. (The joke “What’s the answer to life?” “42!” comes from this book.)
Ruthu: The book Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron is – you guessed it – a take on Cinderella, with more diversity and representation than the original, but is also set in a much more misogynistic world. There is also a bone-chilling twist, but there are no spoilers here! It’s about the main character going on a quest with another girl after they both escape the prince, and they fall in love while saving the world. It’s a quick read but it definitely made me think about how similar some aspects of our world are today when compared to the unique structure of Bayron’s interpretation of the fairytale. In closing, it is a very thoughtful and adventurous read.
If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan is a beautiful book about two best friends in love. This book is set in Iran, a dangerous place for two girls in love. Sahar is willing to fight for their love, but Nasrin’s marriage date has been set. How far is Sahar willing to go for Nasrin? This book was very interesting to read, especially all of the facts woven throughout the story. Also, if you’re interested in a friends-to-lovers trope then this is the book for you! It is a short and bittersweet read, one to hold in your heart forever.
These are our book recommendations. If you want to add a queer POC book recommendation go to this link. If you have any questions or suggestions, email the Journalism Club. We hope you enjoyed our list of book recommendations!