One of the most unique literary fantasies released in 2024. A combination of Medieval history, folklore, religious references, and myth blended with existential themes. Basically, the setting is an enormous citadel ruled by a matriarchal society that is subdivided by various boundaries that is inhabited by various classes of humans and enchanted creatures. However, internal conflicts and governing tensions fail to see the looming threat coming.

A light, feel-good read. A familial generation of women from mothers, daughters, and granddaughters ban together to save a budget apartment complex. In order to do that, they enter an amateur synchronized swimming contest while each dealing and resolving their own personal baggage. For readers who loved The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

This was an enjoyable rom com. A librarian and a former NFL player agree to fake date in order to attend and get over their crushes' upcoming wedding. Typical sparks fly but I also love the plus-size and POC representation.

This is really for those manga cat lovers! A collection of hilarious cat breeds monster style and the owners dealing with them!🤣🤣🤣

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Domestic abuse, violence, mental illness. This isn't for everyone but this has been blowing up all over social media for it's dark romance/erotic thriller category! Basic plot, a widow receives mysterious letters that lead to a torrid affair with an enigmatic stranger that results in a shocking, twist finale! Again, not for everyone but if you like this genre, this was one is definitely different!

An indie horror that has developed a cult following on social media! Author Dathan Auerbach creates an atmospheric, eerie thriller concerning an unnamed narrator who is trying to fill the gaps of childhood memories as an adult. This includes a school penpal project that leads to the disappearance of his best friend, a supernatural element, a weird stalker, and childhood traumas. Auerbach really knows how to write to our deepest fears.

This was a fun, suspense horror. Kiersten White, who is an amazing epic YA/teen author, is branching out into adult dark fantasy horror. In Hide, a group of greedy and financially strapped contestants enter a 'hide and seek' contest in an abandoned amusement park for one week for a huge cash prize. The only thing they're not aware of is that they're playing a real game of survival as a feral, evil entity is stalking them. A page turner!

There seems to be a recurring theme of doing horror books said against a horror film set. In this one set during the 80's, a frustrated and arrogant filmmaker wants to make the ultimate scary movie. Enter a cursed camera that needs a sacrifice to make that happen. Witness tropes like the supernatural, a bloody body count, fame and fortune, and, of course, a final girl this a fun ride for fans of this genre.

For those that don't know, Alexene Farol Follmuth's other pen name is Olivia Blake of The Atlas Six series. Here she writes a cute rom com YA of a nerdy, RPG playing teen girl who falls for the star jock. In this case, Viola 'Vi' Reyes is sick of toxic masculinity in the gaming world and creates a male character online in the MMORPG game Twelfth Knight. Enter injured football player Jack who joins the game and sparks fly!

A fun, light quick pace read of the slasher trope. A 90's horror film gains a cult following and is up for a modern day reboot as the surviving original cast members detail the difficult and deadly behind the scenes issues plaguing the first production. Cue a predictable twist finale and it hits all the marks of the horror clichés!

I've never DNF'ed a book so fast! I thought this was going to be a fun, informative nonfiction book about the history of Barbie. Boy was I wrong! Instead, I'm treated fictional liberties of a novel where the creator, Ruth Handler, is a foul, mouthed drunken sailor trying to peddle "hooker dolls" to children. WTF? Even if the real Ruth was this way, it besmirches the mystique of the iconic toy. Nope, not for me!

YA author breaks out of the teen demographic with her debut adult thriller! A POC family moves to the predominantly African American suburbs of the fictional Liberty, California. All things seem normal until the residents appear brainwashed by their more extremist, conservative, QAnon socio-political perspectives. As the characters investigate further into this mysterious town, it becomes a shocking mixture of Get Out meets The Stepford Wives!

The 1950's. Teenager Calvin and his family are forced to flee Chicago during the many race riots and settle in a suburban PA neighborhood where the family passes for white. The charade is kept up until the Jim Crow laws, the racism, and segregation of the time creep up not only affecting his family but the many friends he's made in this historical young adult teen novel.

Simplistic and written with a YA style, this queer novel has some good moments with some deeper meanings. College sophomore, Savannah 'Sav', proudly comes out as a bisexual cis-female and builds a supportive LGBTQ+ community. Things are going well until a toxic childhood friend comes into the picture, bringing up issues of teenage trauma and a reevaluation of her relationships in this coming of age dramedy.

A quick paced, fun read. A group of professionals and social media influencers head off to a zen retreat themed from the zodiac to enjoy some relaxation, meditation, and New Age nonsense. Secrets and lies bubble to the surface, leading to a murder. Cliché and predictable, it's obvious who the suspect is from the very beginning.

Matt Haig's exquisite words permeate these novel combining magical realism and fantasy. A retired mathematics teacher vacations on the Spanish Isles where something miraculous makes her question life's existential purpose.

A dystopian climate disaster forces three estranged sisters to deal with the end of the world, society's deterioration, family dynamics, capitalism, greed, self-interest, and their own queerness in this novel inspired by the Shakesperean play King Lear.

Set in the late 90's, early 2000's, a midwest transplant who is freshly outted moves to NYC and gets ingrained in the lives of several quirky characters. A slice of life novel of gay culture during this time, this is a story of dating, relationships, messy connections and finding yourself among the drama and baggage. Oh, and it has tips on walking dogs too! 😆

This is a very tongue in cheek! Looking at LGBTQ+ history and the community, comedian and columns, Rob Anderson, pens a textbook satire looking at all things queer in terms of hypothesis, data collecting, experimentation, and finally a conclusion.

A failed writer returns to his small hometown only to be accused in the mysterious death of a resident lawyer. As a former flame and his close friends uncover the truth, more secrets and lies are exposed in this mystery that is compared to Where the Crawdads Sings meets The Girl on the Traun.

Fantasy author Peter S Beagle pens another enchanted read of a kingdom invested with dragons and a hunter hired to exterminate the problem. Add in a frustrated princess forced to choose a suitor, a moral dilemma of epic proportions, and plenty of fairytale tropes that are satirical and fun in this adventure that is humorous and enjoyable from the author who wrote The Last Unicorn.

A reprint from the 90's and a reflection of gay literature, Love Junkie is a warped Austen-style retelling of Emma but with LGBTQ+ themes. A bored, suburban housewife and aspiring socialite has a disastrous event that leads her into a run-in with a gay male sex worker. What follows is a rabbit hole of queer subculture, community, friendships, and connections that reflect this era of AIDS, tolerance, and acceptance that is humorous and serious.

This was fun! A satirical perspective of the 'magical girl' trope of manga and anime as the protagonist is chosen to be the next fantasy superheroine of popular lore. However, reality sets in as magical girls have to deal with lackluster abilities, crippling debt, classes, and seminars while struggling with their own mental health as they are tasked to save the world.

Despite the controversial title, this is a feminist read exploring the history and attitudes of the female form and its contribution to chauvinism and misogyny in society. From breastfeeding to the sexualization of the cleavage, these series of essays comment on the usage as an occupation, the health risks like cancers and physicality, body dysmorphia, the influence of body augmentation, and the westernized attitudes compared to other cultures.

Another interpretation of The Modern Prometheus. In Victorian England, a private, isolated, queer couple creates a horticultural Galatea in the name of science. As their creation becomes sentient so does the couple's obsession over their horrific offspring. A beautifully written gothic novel focusing on ethics and arrogant, abusive knowledge.

Magic and reincarnation surround a pair of queer lovers through three eras of Chinese history, beginning with Emperor AI and his male lover, Dong Xian, an innkeeper and a kitsune during the 1700's, and a two men attending a rave in the modern world. Told with a danmei (Chinese male pairings) lyrical style but added with an extra dose of spice, this will appease M/M romance readers who want a little more.

A fun, coming of age gossipy, fictional read set in the music industry of the late 90's and early 2000's. A talented songstress from New Jersey is whisked to stardom after joining a short-lived girl group and becomes a successful solo artist but must manage the pratfalls of exploitation and abuse in the entertainment field. An homage to the Britneys, Christinas, and Rhiannas of the era, this Jeanette McCurdy style storytelling pulls you in!

Once again, I've opened Pandora's Box and went down the rabbit hole! In this series of short interviews and commentaries, author Jesselyn Cook examines several families who have lost loved ones to the QAnon conspiracy cult. From the religious fervor, socio-economics, internal hatred, and insane brainwashing that occurred after the election of 2016, this is a horrible car wreck that you can't look away.

A ballet teacher and widowed father that plays for a Canadian hockey team find serendipity and love in this second chance romance that includes fake dating, personal baggage, and healing in this rom-com style sports romance.

This may fall into light reading, but it had substance. Good guy, Brian, believed he had a happy marriage until his wife, Lily, vanished seven years ago. A hint from an online review gives him hope, and he sets himself on an adventure to find her and to have his questions answered. Flashing back and to the present, it examines their marriage and relationship as he searches for closure, a new love, and redemption in this fictional read.

This had tons of potential for a short story collection involving themes of desire, romance, friendships, the supernatural, dreams, and many others. However, the writing felt juvenile and simplistic and should've been focused more on a teen/young adult audience. The characters felt vapid and shallow, and the pretentious, superficial prose didn't help any. This was more of a beginning MFA attempt than a cohesive collection.

Writer and artist Tania De Rozario provides her perspectives on various topics as a citizen of Singapore and as a queer woman in a series of essays. Using the metaphor of monsters and femininehood, she tackles themes of family, sexuality, religion, and national politics. Such examples are her forced exorcism, Christian hypocrisy, her attraction to women, and contradictions of Singaporean society and government, this is a visceral read!

Set during the political influence of Castro in Cuba during the 70's, young Rauli struggles with their identity and the influence of Greek mythology of the character of Cassandra by secretly adopting her name. However, with their homelife in turmoil and society's pressure to serve the military, Rauli must navigate a balance of their true gender while maintaining appearances in this cultural trans fictional novel.

Raw and honest, this is an urbanized fictional perspective of an individual who grew up in the rough streets of Brooklyn, New York. Afro-Latina and trans protagonist Carlotta is released from prison on probation and tries to assimilate back into her community. However, her new identity ostracizes her from everyone as she attempts to navigate while dealing with themes of family, crime, gender, queerness and the threat of gentrification.

Such a charming delight! A UK Golden Gal named Mrs. Quinn enters a reality show baking contest (think Great British Bake-Off) and rises through the ranks while dealing with secrets of her past. Just a sweet read if you like Fannie Flagg, Fredrick Backman, and Jennifer Ryan.

Tor Publishing is now accepting extreme horror. This book is not for everyone, but if you're a fan of the genre, this is a book for you! NOTE: Tons of trigger warnings. Basically, a terrorism hate act causes a trans survivor to enter into a depraved relationship of deviant kink and fetishism that involves parasites and tons of unspeakable horrors. Again, not for the faint of heart, but if this is your thing, check it out!

The perspective of the Vietnam War has always been written by men who served, but what about the women who served as support? This is the story of Frances 'Frankie' McGrath, who assists on the battlefront as a military nurse after her brother is deployed. From her camaraderie with her fellow nurses to seeing firsthand the horrors of war, Frankie must deal with the aftermath and her torn feelings concerning the conflict.

This was a lot of fun and everything you need in a short fantasy. A badass POC female assassin is resurrected as part of a godlike ploy and has to uncover secrets, encounters with enemies, and treachery from all sides.

Inspired by the Mulan story, a corrupt nobleman's daughter is used as a political pawn, forcing the young girl to flee across China during 923 AD. Disguising herself as a male soldier, she enlists in one of the armies involved in the Three Kingdom War where she encounters magic, romance, bravery, honor, and gender politics in this epic read.

A fun, thrilling page turner from start to finish that pays an homage to action films like John Wick and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. A retired, former hitman joins a support group to redeem himself, but his old enemies come after him. With humor and pop cultural references, this is a hoot to read!

Following up Manhunt and her gory queer horror genre, author Gretchen Felker-Martin does her version of conversion camp terror. A group of LGBTQ+ teens must survive the true horrors of their gay conversion camp peoson while uncovering the macabre truth that establishment is hiding.

Humor and cultural elements are reflected in this fictionalized satire of a group of wealthy Iranian-American daughters trying to develop their own reality TV show Kardashian style. As the girls search for superficial pursuits like social media influencing, health lifestyle guru, and fame and fortune, family secrets and dysfunctional drama bubble up to the service crazy, rich Middle Eastern style.

I normally don't read political books, but this one had me going down the rabbit hole. POC political commentator and columnist Clay Cane examines the history of black conservatives and Republicans and how the political party has changed in terms of perspectives and ideals to extreme views since the 2016 election and Trump's administration. Cane also provides theories on why a marginalized group would vote and support against their own interests.

Humorous but poignant, author Brodeur focuses on the hyper-masculine ideal of the perfect physique, the issues of body dysmorphia, and the history of the famous male muscular form in art, media, and celebrity in society. Tackling issues affecting the health industry and even the queer community, these series of essays commenting on impossible beauty standards on males is a topic that is not touched upon.

Manchuria 1908, the death of young girl connects a new maid, a detective and an affluent family. Filled with magical realism and Asian mythology and folklore, secrets and retribution become the main themes in this historical literary novel.

Another dragon themed fantasy. This time in this magical universe, dragons and humans coexist and the elite control dragons. An indigenous, queer girl bonds with a dragon egg and reluctantly is recruited into an academy to raise and train dragons. As she navigates being an outcast and the prejudice of this world's colonizers, she will have to brave through the ignorance and change society's minds.

London 1888, a trans teen who is also a medium is sent to an asylum disguised as a finishing school. When the spirits inside begins to reveal the horrors inside, he will have to battle the conspiracies and corrupt males in order to free the victims being abused in this gory, horror young/teen novel.

It's the year of the dragon! YA author Matharu makes his adult fantasy debut in this palate cleanser of a novel of a corrupt kingdom, usurper conspiracies, and a rebel fugitive slave trying to free the land. Then, of course, there are dragons! For readers of Christopher Paolini, Rebecca Yarros and the classic Anne McCaffrey.

A literary debut of fiction focusing on sex workers. College age Agnes and her party ways leads her on a path desperate for money. Financially strapped, she begins a career as a 'sugar baby', offering herself to affluent older men. Eventually, this lifestyle shifts her attention to prostitution as she sells her soul and her sanity in an industry that is unflinching and unkind to workers in the industry.

A page turning psychological mystery. A sheriff's lieutenant tries to hide her past as the daughter of a known serial murderer. When a copycat killer begins to emerge using her late father's M. O., she will risk her life and her sanity to uncover the truth in this upcoming debut.