Tag: Book Reviews

Bookish Brains Issue 19

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Letter from the editor:

Hello! How has your summer reading been so far?

If you’re not already, consider checking out what summer reading programs are happening at your local library! I am helping to run the summer reading challenge at my library job, but I’m also participating in another local library’s challenge. There’s something about the summer that makes me greedy (er, greedier) for reading. But I also say the same thing in the winter, so I guess it’s a moot point.

I’ve been even more wrapped up into reading this month than last month. This Bookish Brains features book reviews of Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow, Loveless by Alice Oseman, Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hill, Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin by Nadia Shammas, and more! Plus, upcoming new book releases in July that look awesome!

Cheers,
-B.C.

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Bookish Brains Issue 18

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Letter from the editor:

I finished my second semester of grad school! The beginning of May marked the end of the spring semester for me, and I gladly turned in my final projects in exchange for a blissful month of break. My summer classes will begin in June, and I am unfortunately dreading them.

May has carried a lot of emotional turmoil and depression for me, as I have grappled with various upsetting events that have transpired in the world. Always there for company, books have embraced me.

This newsletter features reviews of books I read this month such as The Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohamed, The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh, Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani, Moonwalking by Zetta Elliott and Lyn Miller-Lachmann, and more! Plus, a list of new upcoming June book releases. Check it out!

Cheers!
-B.C.

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Bookish Brains Issue 17

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Letter from the editor:

Greetings, dear readers! April was my first full month in the youth services department at the library I work at, so I have been reading a lot of children’s literature! I also got to lead two storytime sessions for preschoolers, which was a lot of fun. My first theme was Flowers, and my second theme was Gardening. Let me know if you’d be interested in me sharing my storytime plans with you!

April is also National Poetry Month, so this month I read a couple books written in verse. Altogether, I read 22 books this month, 14 of which were picture books. I’ve been busy!

This edition contains eight book reviews and a list of awesome upcoming book releases to look forward to next month.

Hoping you are having a lovely spring so far and wishing you a gorgeous May.

Cheers!
-B.C.

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Bookish Brains Issue 15

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Letter from the editor:

February’s just about over already, and even though it was a short month, I read quite a bit! In the first two weeks of February, I read six amazing books, and then my reading came to a screeching halt with the beginning of my third graduate class on February 14. Not only did I then have a third class’s worth of work added onto my plate, but projects started ramping up in classes I had begun in January. Sufficed to say, things got a little stressful real quickly and I’ve been a bit burnt out lately.

Like I said though, the six books I managed to read at the beginning of February were amazing reads. I discuss them all in this edition of Bookish Brains, including Assembly by Natasha Brown, Pet by Akwaeke Emezi, None But the Righteous by Chantal James, The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, and Don’t Cry for Me by Daniel Black. Plus, I share a list of upcoming March book releases you don’t want to miss!

Hope you’ve been taking care and reading well. We’re one day closer to spring!
-B.C.

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Bookish Brains Issue 14

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Letter from the editor

Happy 2022! It’s been a couple of months since I last published an issue of Bookish Brains, though I did put out my Favorite Books of 2021 list a few weeks ago. (Peruse the previous issue of Bookish Brains from November here.) But Bookish Brains is back now, and with an all-new design!

This issue features book reviews of the nine books I read in January, including Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim, The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna Malaika Tubbs, The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré, Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds and illustrated by Jason Griffin, My Solo Exchange Diary by Kabi Nagata, The Tea Dragon Festival and Aquicorn by Kay O’Neill, and several others! Plus, I discuss what I’m currently reading and what’s on my TBR.

And you especially won’t want to miss the list of upcoming February book releases at the end of this issue!

Hope you enjoy and take care readers~
B.C.

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Bookish Brains Issue 13

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Letter from the Editor:

November always passes so quickly, but then again, most months feel like that. This November, I turned 26, and Slanted Spines hit its SIX-YEAR ANNIVERSARY! I’ve officially been posting to this site every Friday for over six years, and I’d like to thank you all for your readership. So far, 2021 has been the best year for Slanted Spines in terms of stats, and it seems like viewers are really enjoying the shift towards book reviews. It’s incredible to have an outlet for my creativity and reading habits, one which I get to share with others.

Cheers to another year!
-B.C.

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Bookish Brains Issue 12

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Letter from the Editor:

Greetings! October has been a month of abundant beauty and life, despite the dying nature of our region’s foliage. As the semester has proceeded, most of my attention has been on school work, though I have carved out more and more time to read because this time of year compels me to cozy up with a book. Moreover, I proposed to Bryant at the beginning of this week, and he said yes! We have been together nearly five years and I am so excited he is my fiancé now–cheers to a long and glorious engagement!

This edition’s Bookish Brain features mini book reviews of Princess Princess Ever After by Kay O’Neill, Burning Girls and Other Stories by Veronica Schanoes, The Times I Knew I Was Gay by Eleanor Crewes, The Heartbeat of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, How to be Ace by Rebecca Burgess, and Everything is Beautiful and I’m Not Afraid by Yao Xiao. Plus, a very long list of upcoming November book releases you will definitely want to check out! Hope you enjoy-

Cheers!
-B.C.

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Bookish Brains Issue 11

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Letter from the Editor:

Salutations, dear reader! September went so rapidly, and now autumn is settling upon us. My reading month was more sparse, as my classes are quite demanding. I suppose it’d be more accurate to explain that I’ve been reading heavily all month, but rather than leisurely reading, my time has been spent on academic reading. Likely, October will be much of the same for me as well, until November when my semester comes to a close. However, I did manage to read a few books, which I’ll discuss in this issue: Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri and When the Tiger Comes Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo. I’ve also got a great list of upcoming October book releases that you won’t want to miss!

Hope you had a lovely month (whether you read anything or not) and enjoy your October!

Cheers!
-B.C.

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Bookish Brains Issue 9

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Letter from the Editor:

Lo and behold, it is nearly August! Hoping you fared well this July and enjoyed at least one quality book.

July brought many changes to my life, most notably my recent employment at a local library! After a year of time off and re-evaluating my career direction, I became a part-time circulation clerk at a gorgeous community library. Spending my time there has been lovely, and consequently I have taken home quite a number of stray books with me! Because of this tremendous resource, I’ve been able to indulge in more new release books and “sample” books I may be interested in.

Though I’ve been fostering a decent stack of books, I’ve only had time enough to read five books so far this month, including two short story collections and one brief manga. Compared to my ravenous reading habits of June, this is a decrease in quantity for me, though I’m perfectly satisfied with the literature I have managed to read. I’ve gotten in the habit of reading for an hour or two every morning during my cup of tea, which has helped me keep up with the books on my TBR despite the changes to my schedule. Plus, it’s the most pleasant way to start the day!

In this month’s issue of Bookish Brains, I share my reviews of Filthy Animals by Brandon Taylor, Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia, Are You Enjoying? by Mira Sethi, Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi, and Junji Ito’s Cat Diary. Plus, what I’m currently reading, what I’d like to read next, and some new releases to keep an eye out for! Hope you enjoy!

Cheers!
-B.C.

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Bookish Brains Issue 8

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Letter from the Editor:

Greetings and salutations! Hopefully June has treated you well, both in reading and life. This month I have received some good news, which I look forward to sharing with you soon!

This month I managed to read seven books, and I am attempting to read at least a couple more before July. By my standards, seven is a lot though! I really enjoyed the variety of fiction and non-fiction I selected to read this month, and I recommend many of them!

This issue of Bookish Brains features mini-reviews of Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi, When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka, Feelings by Manjit Thapp, Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Just Kids by Patti Smith, Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto, and The Miracle of Water by Masaru Emoto. Additionally, I comment on some of the books I’m currently reading and some I plan to read going into the next month. Make sure you read until the end to catch what new releases are being published next month!

What was your favorite read from June? Let me know in the comments!

Cheers!
-B.C.

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