Reading mood: sluggish – as expected, the summer heat and increase in PhD work have led to reading fewer books than anticipated. The books I have finished have been great reads, but there have been more than a few books I started reading and felt would be better read at a later time, when I would enjoy them more, so I put them aside. I also feel like there may still be some of the reader burnout nestled in my bones that is digging its hooks into, and that has meant that free time I could have spent reading was given to other entertainment activities. All in all, it hasn’t been a big reading month for me, but there is nothing wrong with that.

Books read:

Make Your Way Home by Carrie R. Moore

This collection of short stories does wonders to encapsulate the essence of Black American experiences, showcasing perspectives from the old to the young, men and women, and incorporating many aspects of Black life to create truly engrossing stories. They are rich in detail and emotion, drawing out the deepest fears and most sincere wants left unspoken in both the characters and the reader, and will leave you thinking for days on end. Make Your Way Home is a fantastic short story collection, and one you need to get your hands on.

Heart Strings by Ivy Fairbanks

A sweet second-chance that is equal parts funny, tense, and crazy, Heart Strings expands on the world built up in Morbidly Yours and throws in more than a few more stakes. So many elements of this novel were well-incorporated and represented, and it was such a great read for the summer. If you are looking for a soft romance that isn’t too heavy on the spice, then Heart Strings is a good pick for you.

The Last Living Cannibal by Airana Ngaera

Strong, stoic, insightful, and gripping, The Last Living Cannibal brings a powerful voice and perspective to the forefront of New Zealand fiction as a whole. Airana Ngawera has such a sharp and clear style of writing, and I always find myself drawn into the realism and life of his stories. This novel is rich in detail with its historic setting and compelling characters, from the kaumatua to the mokopuna and everyone in between, making for a dramatic and moving tale. This is a novel you don’t want to skip out on.

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson

Another breathtaking read from an author who breathes life into every line, Small Worlds reads like a polished window into the lives of African-British citizens and the Black art scene as a whole – from music and dance to fashion and literature. It is a banger of a novel, unafraid of making itself seen and heard, and serving as a stellar example of the serious impact of Black literature in today’s world. Open Water and Small Worlds have forever changed me, and I beg for you to let them change you, too.

The Ex-Boyfriend’s Favorite Recipe Funeral Committee by Saki Kawashiro

Sweet, soft, homey, and heartbreaking, The Ex-Boyfriend’s Favorite Recipe Funeral Committee is a lovely read with that classic healing effect balming the raw emotions that come to the surface. There is the bonus of a handful of recipes, too, making for a fantastic addition to what is an immersive and engaging read. Now you can also cry over star pizza and butter chicken curry, just like the characters! All in all, this novel is one for those who enjoy the slower-paced, healing short stories.

1985 by Dominic Hoey

This novel encapsulates the phrase “blast from the past”, providing complex characters who are funny, mysterious, raw, and flawed in a lush, vivid setting that feels like it was only yesterday. The nostalgia and atmosphere radiate throughout the novel and make 1985 a remarkable and engaging read. This is perfect for those wanting a hit of quippy Kiwi fiction with the essence of the everyday kid at the helm, and it is a testament to New Zealand fiction.

Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross

Lyrical and emotive prose drives this novel, with gripping action and compelling characters making for incredible storytelling, tense interactions, and heartwrenching drama. This feels like the step towards adult fantasy I was looking for with the Enchanted Letters duology, and Wild Reverence includes several characters from the duology, so I highly recommend it for those wanting a really beautiful, poetic, fantasy romance read.