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In Reading Color

7 of the Most Exciting New Books by BIPOC Authors Out This Week

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Danika Ellis

Associate Editor

Danika spends most of her time talking about queer women books at the Lesbrary. Blog: The Lesbrary Twitter: @DanikaEllis

Erica is out on some well-earned days off, so I’m here to share with you some of the most exciting new releases by BIPOC authors out this week! I usually write the Our Queerest Shelves newsletter, so I’ve also included some bonus new BIPOC sapphic romance recommendations at the end. They’re perfect for packing in your beach bag or reading on an airplane.

But first, let’s talk about the new books out this week! We have some thought-provoking literary fiction, a horror book with a cover to give you the shivers, a highly anticipated fantasy sequel, and more. Let’s dive in!

The Liquid Eye of a Moon cover

The Liquid Eye of a Moon by Uchenna Awoke

This is being called a Nigerian Catcher in the Rye. It follows 15-year-old Dimkpa, a Nigerian teenager counting down the days until his father is made village head. Their family is the lowest Igbo caste, and this will be their chance to have an easier life. But instead, Dimkpa’s father is passed over for a younger man, breaking many years of tradition. Dimkpa decides to set off on his own to make a name for himself — but he soon learns that’s easier said than done.

The Lions' Den cover

The Lions’ Den by Iris Mwanza

Grace Zulu is a rookie lawyer who has just taken on her first pro bono case. She’s defending Bessy, a young queer dancer who has been arrested by corrupt police. When he shows up to their meeting with fresh injuries from being beaten, Grace protests — and loses all contact with Bessy. Now, he’s disappeared, and Grace is gathering a coalition of students, lawyers, unions, and more to take on this administration to save him.

My Name Is Sita cover

My Name Is Sita by Bea Vianen, translated by Kristen Gehrman

This story was originally published in 1969 and is considered a Dutch classic, but this is a new English translation. It’s set in a Caribbean Dutch colony in the 1950s and follows Sita, an Indian young woman trying to help raise her brother after their mother died. When her best friend moves away and she is faced with an unwanted pregnancy, her options narrow even further.

the eyes are the best part book cover

The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

This one has to be one of the most unsettling cover and title combos of the year. It follows Ji-won, who is reeling from her family’s dissolution after her father had an affair and then left. Even worse is her mother’s new white boyfriend, who seems to see Ji-won and her sister as competition for their mother’s attention. She begins to have endless dreams about strangely tantalizing eyes until she knows just how she can get her revenge on George. But she won’t stop there…

Cover of Saints of Storm and Sorrow by Gabriella Buba

Saints of Storm and Sorrow by Gabriella Buba

María Lunurin’s goddess is not happy with her. Despite being a stormcaller for the Aynilan goddess Anitun Tabu, she has to pretend to be a nun serving Aynila’s Codicían colonizers by day. This is the only way she can keep her family safe: her lover Catalina, and Cat’s younger sister Inez. When a shocking discovery upends the delicate balance of her life, she reaches out to the powerful Alon Dakila for help, but he’s been in love with her for years, and she’s soon caught between Alon and Catalina — and a vengeful goddess.

children of anguish and anarchy book cover

Children of Anguish and Anarchy (Legacy of Orisha #3) by Tomi Adeyemi

Fans of Children of Blood and Bone, it’s finally time to get all your questions answered in this concluding book in the trilogy. Zélie thought she was at the happy ending of her story after the monarchy fell — instead, she’s trapped in a cage on a foreign ship. King Baldyr, leader of the Skulls, will stop at nothing to harness Zélie’s power for himself. Zélie and her allies will have to face and defeat him before the Skulls destroy Orïsha.

sleep like death book cover

Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron

The author of Cinderella is Dead and This Poison Heart is back with a new fairytale-inspired YA fantasy. Princess Eve has been training her whole life to defeat the Knight that tore apart her family and so many others. Her magic allows her to draw weapons from nature, and her training has made her prepared for the fight. But just as she turns 17 and is about to set out on her life’s mission, her mother begins acting strangely, speaking to a mirror, and a messenger from the Knight claims to have a secret about Eve that will make her rethink everything.

3 New Sapphic BIPOC Romances to Read This Summer

It’s officially summer in the northern hemisphere, and it’s still Pride month, which means it’s the perfect time to pick up some queer romance novels. These make for ideal summer reads, and they all are about two sapphics of color falling in love. What could be better?

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Which of these are you planning to read first, and what’s on your summer TBR? Let me know in the comments!

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