We had so much fun picking whatever we wanted this month! There are so many great books that don't always fit a category, so we're so happy to finally share them with you. As always, we don't get to fit everything into the podcast. Below you will find some additional picks that we are looking forward to reading. Thank you for celebrating our birthday with us this month--we definitely feel the love. xo

Monstress Vol. 2 by Marjorie M. Liu, Sana Takeda (Illustrator)

I read the first volume of Monstress last year, and—oh my goodness—this comic knocks your socks off. Set in a dark and mysterious universe, our protagonist must face the results of a war-torn country, come to terms with her own mythological heritage, and try to understand a strange psychic link with an unknown monster. Though a little darker than I normally go for, Monstress gives my a new and fascinating world to lose myself in. I can't wait to get my hands on volume two. - K

The Address by Fiona Davis

It's 1884 and Sara Smythe, a housekeeper in a London hotel, gets the chance of a lifetime: the opportunity to move to New York City to manage a posh new hotel, The Dakota, at the request of famed architect Theodore Camden. Fast forward to 1985. We meet Bailey Camden a penniless interior designer and the granddaughter of Camden's ward. Though the stories of these two women, a 100 years between them, we learn about the rich history of The Dakota and the suspicious death of Theo Camden. - A

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Seeing The Hate U Give on this list probably doesn't surprise you. Since its release earlier this year, THUG has stationed itself on the NYT's bestseller list and shows little sign of moving. And for good reason. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, THUG addresses racism in America, making a difficult and complex topic more accessible for young adult readers. This is a bandwagon I'm more than happy to jump on! - K

Once We Were Sisters by Shelia Kohler

I received a copy of this book several weeks ago after winning a contest held by Reading Group Choices (which, by the way, is an excellent resource for book clubs). In this memoir, Kohler learns that her sister has died when her husband drives the car off the road. It promises to be a moving read about what it means to have a sister and how to navigate life when she's gone. - A

No One Is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts

I adore Well-read Black Girl's stellar monthly selections, so when I saw this family saga on their reading list, I knew I needed this book on my immediate TBR. When a man returns to his small hometown in North Carolina, he stirs up the town, and rumors about his reasons for returning spread like wildfire. I hope to get to this novel during vacation this summer, but I may not be able to wait until then. That's always an excellent sign. - K

Sometimes a River Song by Avril Joy

I happened upon Sometimes a River Song on twitter. Someone I follow was encouraging people to vote for the novel for the People's Book Prize. Having never heard of the book or the publisher, I started browsing the reviews. It's not often that a book has almost 5 stars on Goodreads, so I immediately stacked it. It's set in Arkansas and is apparently about a girl who is fighting the patriarchy. Sign me up! - A