If You Only Read One: July 2021

If You Only Read One: July 2021

We know that we read — and review — a lot of books. It definitely helps that there are three of us, in that regard. So with this feature, we want to tell you our favorite read of the month - if we only recommend one book to pick up, what would it be?

Moira

You’ll be seeing more of this book on the blog in the coming weeks, but I was blown away by "The Other Black Girl” by Zakiya Dalila Harris (Bookshop | Kindle). Harris’ brilliant debut combines elements of satire, horror, and sci-fi into a tight literary thriller about race and the publishing industry. It’s sort of a “Get Out” from a female perspective, and I loved every second of it.

Elizabeth

I read two of my favorite books of the year this month, and since Shannon already raved about one not once but twice, I’m going to go with “Firekeeper’s Daughter” by Angeline Boulley (Bookshop | Kindle). Y’all, when I say this book wrecked me in the best way, I mean it wholeheartedly. I laughed, I teared up, I went down several internet rabbit holes on the abhorrent treatment of native groups, and I immediately wished for the next phase of Daunis’ life. My full review is coming next week when I finally take a photo of the book, but a brief preview: run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore to grab this one. You won’t regret it.

Shannon

It was an incredibly light month of reading for me as I started a new job and took some time to find my footing. I don’t think I’ve finished a book since I started working again, which was waaaaaay back on July 7. Whoops. Before becoming gainfully employed again, though, I enjoyed “Long Division” by Kiese Laymon (Bookshop | Kindle) immensely. Although the novel was initially published years ago, it was just reissued and just recently came to my attention. Blending two different storylines (one set in post-Katrina Mississippi) that ultimately converge in a surprising way, the novel is witty and smart as it takes on topics such as celebrity, religion, and violence—and it’s ultimately a very special coming-of-age story. I loved it.

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