Within the last 80 or so pages of this book I gasped “oh my god!” and then sobbed my little eyes out. I absolutely loved this book. Adébáyò packed so much in these pages and although maybe sometimes it was overwhelming I was one hundred percent buckled in for the ride.

I thought it was stunning. Following the life of one married couple, unable to conceive with the Nigerian political landscape in the background I was completely sucked in and devoured this novel in two days. The characters pop off the page and I thought the way she explored toxic masculinity was unique, she alternated chapters telling the story from the husband’s perspective, which really only stretched your empathy so far, because as @readwithemilyg said “Men ain’t shit.” And in a world ruled by the patriarchy we are all losers. If you have a book club, definitely pick this one up, I’m sure it’ll cause a ruckus.

[ID: The novel Stay With Me by Ayòbámi Adébáyò lays flat on green grass. The cover is bright read with green and orange plants drawn on it.]

#Bookstagram #bookstagrammer #20booksbyblackwomen #Novels #NigerianAuthor #Fiction #GreatBooks #AlwaysReading #FilipinoBookstagrammer #readmorewomen

I really liked this story about sisterhood, family, and coming home. I was a bit surprised about the core of the plot, how one horrifying event led them to sever their bond, and how they had to find a way back to each other. I probably should’ve read the content warnings for this one, because it was kind of jarring. My only wish is I was hoping for more of the mom’s story. Overall I liked it! And it’s definitely not one I would’ve ever picked up had it not been for bookstagram.

[ID: The book Butter, Honey, Pig, Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi is held up with my hand. There is a brown fence and blue sky blurry in the background.]

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #butterhoneypigbread #booksbooksbooks #losangelesreads #alwaysreading #filipinobookstagrammer

It wasn’t until I went to therapy two years ago that I was diagnosed with PTSD. Although my story is very different than Stephanie Foo’s there are parallels that at times made me wince, but it healed me all the same. This book is one I think about all the time. I felt validated by this book and I am so thankful Foo was brave enough to share her story with us. It is one I tell everyone in my life they have to read, and here I am telling you to read it too. This is easily one of my favorite books of all time.

I made my sister read it as well, and she called me immediately after, “But it wasn’t that bad right?” to which I replied, “Does that matter?” It hasn’t been easy, but I am much better now, probably the best I’ve been.

#memoirs #whatmybonesknow #stephaniefoo #healing #PTSD #Nonfiction #Nonfictionnovember #readersofinstagram #bookseveryoneshouldread #alwaysreading #therapy #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bestof2022 #aapibooks

Hey look who discovered how to use Canva to make cool instagram templates? I’m leveling up (insert emoji with sunglasses here, because yes I am the picture of cool)

These past three months have been a doozy. Starting at a new school has been tough, I’ve been trying to keep my head down and just see how things work…and some things are just…not working. BUT! I read some really amazing books these past three months and reignited my love of graphic novels.

August: Babel is obviously the standout (@nerdtasticnoms is the best for this amazing ARC), and Nobody’s Magic was like a cool drink of lemonade on a hot summer’s day. It was a perfect way to finish my summer reading before I headed back to school. In Aixa we trust. @thatgoodgoodbook

September saw me drowning in work and escaping to different lands. Both entertaining reads. I will definitely finish the #daevabadtrilogy and I was sad to say goodbye to Boots and the rest of the #salvager crew.

October was just a ton of fun. #middlegradegraphicnovels are where it is at. I was talking to one of my besties about how books now are way better quality than when we were growing up. The stories of friendship and fun are unmatched and I am so stoked kids today get to enjoy these treasures. Grass was a standout one for the adult set though. Simply stunning, and I think everyone should read it and hear those stories. #thewayofthekings has been on my #tbr forever and I was glad to finally chew on it. I read it with my partner which always enriches any reading experience.

I’m hoping to get into some #nonfiction these next two months and I’m about to finish #anindigenouspeopleshistoryoftheunitedstates which is definitely filling in some large gaps of my education. Have you read any of these? Planning too? I feel like November is gonna shape up to be a great month, and it is almost my birthday so….giveaway coming soon. Happy Sunday folks!

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #longcaptions #readmorebooks #alwaysreading #graphicnovels #readingwrapup #filipinobookstagrammer

By far my favorite reads of the month are The Seed Keeper, Stay With Me, and Bloodmarked. Those really knocked it out of the park for me.

I was less impressed by How Much of These Hills is Gold honestly, while I appreciate the story being told, I felt like the flowery language made it so detached and it didn’t give me the emotional resonance that Stay with Me, or The Seed Keeper did. The Seed Keeper also had these gorgeous descriptive passages, but it forced you to slow down and it was so simply done, it was elegant.

Thank you to @thatgoodgoodbook for gifting me Uphill by Jemele Hill. I love the NBA and Hill is someone I have always admired. I remember when she tweeted about that awful president and how it was received, so it was interesting to hear her side of the story. She has led a very interesting life, and I thought she told her story really well. I was engaged throughout. And Indigenous Peoples History was a heavy read, and it’s meant to be a textbook. It did not have that narrative quality that makes nonfiction engaging, but again, I don’t think that is its purpose. It is to inform you of the truth laid bare, and I think it’s really important to have out in the world.

Invisible was a great graphic novel about Spanish speaking students that come from alllll over Central and South America, coming together in a common cause. A great one. Indian No More was pretty good, glad it exists in the world, and it’s an important story to tell. I can see myself using this as an anchor in social studies lessons.

Have you read any of these? What did you think?

#bookstagram #monthlywrapup #fiction #nonfiction #middlegrade #alwaysreading #readmorebooks #readers #greatbooksfor2022 #bookstagrammer

By far my favorite reads of the month are The Seed Keeper, Stay With Me, and Bloodmarked. Those really knocked it out of the park for me.

I was less impressed by How Much of These Hills is Gold honestly, while I appreciate the story being told, I felt like the flowery language made it so detached and it didn’t give me the emotional resonance that Stay with Me, or The Seed Keeper did. The Seed Keeper also had these gorgeous descriptive passages, but it forced you to slow down and it was so simply done, it was elegant.

Thank you to @thatgoodgoodbook for gifting me Uphill by Jemele Hill. I love the NBA and Hill is someone I have always admired. I remember when she tweeted about that awful president and how it was received, so it was interesting to hear her side of the story. She has led a very interesting life, and I thought she told her story really well. I was engaged throughout. And Indigenous Peoples History was a heavy read, and it’s meant to be a textbook. It did not have that narrative quality that makes nonfiction engaging, but again, I don’t think that is its purpose. It is to inform you of the truth laid bare, and I think it’s really important to have out in the world.

Invisible was a great graphic novel about Spanish speaking students that come from alllll over Central and South America, coming together in a common cause. A great one. Indian No More was pretty good, glad it exists in the world, and it’s an important story to tell. I can see myself using this as an anchor in social studies lessons.

Have you read any of these? What did you think?

#bookstagram #monthlywrapup #fiction #nonfiction #middlegrade #alwaysreading #readmorebooks #readers #greatbooksfor2022 #bookstagrammer