Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi
4.25 ️

If you joined in my #DecolonizeYourBookshelfChallenge, we just added a book subscription box to the shop!

Each month you will receive a mystery book around a prompt and a small gift. This month’s prompt is “African American Author”.

Read more about our subscription box here: https://paperbacksandfrybread.com/products/decolonize-your-bookshelf-challenge-box-subscription

#DecolonizeYourBookshelf What an excellent book!!! #toddler

Looking for a South Asian rec for the #DecolonizeYourBookshelfChallenge?

This was one of my favorite reads of 2022. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna was fun, emotional, and the perfect cozy fantasy.

Take Bewitched, add in the antics of a Ryan Reynolds rom-com, and spice it up with diverse and inclusive characters.

5/5️

If you’re joining my #DecolonizeYourBookshelfChallenge and prefer a printable checklist or would like to digitally track your progress:

I created a mini journal kit to help you! Comes with a b&w printer friendly version too. Link is in my bio

Huge thanks to Scribner Books for reaching out and sending me this ARC. 1/31/2023

“Stolen” by Ann-Helén Lasestadius is a #Sámi story out of Sweden.

It takes place in the Arctic Circle addresses hatred & violence against the Sámi.

This is based on actual events, which isn’t a surprise as violence against #Indigenous peoples happens on every continent.

This will be my first Sàmi novel and I look forward to sharing my thoughts soon!

Being a bookstore owner means I’m a sucker for any book that features a bookstore.

Duh.

The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin had me laughing and crying the whole way through.

Shop owner loses wife and finds an abandoned baby dropped off inside his store.

This story will stick with me for a long time. It was a cozy, emotional, and heartwarming read that I think is perfect for just about anyone.

#repost

I don’t own a Peloton. I had never even heard of Tunde before reading her book.

I was given an ARC of the audiobook and this STUNNING cover sucked me in. I’m so glad I read this.

Tunde touches on some really hard subjects like grief & loss but gives all of us hope for the other side.

This book is PERFECT to read/listen to for #NewYear encouragement!

I was exposed to cozy fantasies in 2022 and I can’t get enough.

This very sweet queer cozy fantasy was a blast to listen to! Gave me all the vibes of doing those side quests in Elder Scrolls.

Highly recommend the audiobook as it’s read by the author. Not a super long book, but just enough to be an amazing palette cleanser after an intense or heavy read.

Up next for the #DecolonizeYourBookshelfChallenge, here are #SouthAsian book recommendations!

Many of these could across multiple categories!

-Dating Dr. Dil
-The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
-Salaam, With Love by
-A Time to Dance
-Jukebox
-The Stationery Shop
-The Jasmine Throne
-Kaikeyi

What are some of your recommendations for this category?

I don’t plan to do a ton of self-promotion but bills also need to occasionally be paid

If you’re looking for an alternative to your audiobook subscription that funds space travel, I encourage you to check out Libro.FM.

They partner and support indie bookstores like mine. They have a ton of sales each month too!

This link supports my shop:

https://libro.fm/?bookstore=paperbacksandfrybread

Here’s a PSA:

This challenge is NOT exhaustive. It is NOT representation of every single community we should be reading about.

This is a catalyst challenge to get people reading things other than the majority. It’s merely a starting point.

A community not on the graphic doesn’t mean I believe you shouldn’t read them.

(And yes, I HAVE to make this disclaimer)