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Pet

Akwaeke Emezi

Save to Your Books

[Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/84139/9780593175446)

100% of affiliate revenue supports Celestial

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • STONEWALL BOOK AWARD WINNER • ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by The New York Times • Time • Buzzfeed • NPR • New York Public Library • Publishers Weekly • School Library Journal.

A genre-defying novel from the award-winning author NPR describes as “like \[Madeline\] L’Engle…glorious.” A singular book that explores themes of identity and justice. Pet is here to hunt a monster. Are you brave enough to look?

There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up with this lesson all their life. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature made of horns and colors and claws, who emerges from one of her mother's paintings and a drop of Jam's blood, she must reconsider what she's been told.

Pet has come to hunt a monster, and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption's house. Jam must fight not only to protect her best friend, but also to uncover the truth, and the answer to the question—How do you save the world from monsters if no one will admit they exist?

A riveting and timely young adult debut novel that asks difficult questions about what choices you can make when the society around you is in denial.

> “\[A\] beautiful, genre-expanding debut” –The New York Times.

> “The word hype was invented to describe books like this.” –Refinery29

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Posts about this title from Celestial

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Jun 20](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[🏳️‍🌈🔮look into my eyes …. i know what you want to read.](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/QYzqVZBBMGZ2z5hQKQ1U/)

🏳️‍🌈🔮look into my eyes …. i know what you want to read.

here are some mind reader queer book recs for pride!

📚 books mentioned:
\- Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
\- Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
\- Fawn’s Blood by Hal Schrieve
\- The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
\- Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
\- Station Six by S.J. Klapecki
\- An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
\- The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez
\- Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi
\- Dauntless by Elisa A. Bonnin
\- On Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah-Yah Scholfield
\- This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
\- In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
\- The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
\- Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino
\- Blood Orange by Yaffa As
\- Bless the Blood: A Cancer Memoir by Walela Nehanda
\- Death’s Country by R.M. Romero
\- Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart: And Other Stories by GennaRose Nethercott
\- Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic: An LGBTQ+ Young Adult Fantasy Anthology of Unforgettable Adventures edited by g. haron davis
\- Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction edit by Joshua Whitehead

#pridemonth #pridemonthbookrecs #lgbtqbooks #nycinfluencer #bookstagram
.
queer books • queer book stack • Pride Month 2026 • books to read for pride • trans books • nonbinary books • sapphic books • achillean books • memoir book recs • literary fiction books recs • fantasy book recs • fantasy book recs • horror book recs • sci fi book recs • unique books • diverse books

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21 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Feb 10](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[fantasy creatures!](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/X3f0BdIMSThosAKIJkv3/)

💭 what magical creatures do you wish you saw more of in fantasy books?

give me a unique beast any day of the week!

📚 books mentioned:
\- Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
\- When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
\- The Devourers by Indra Das

👗💄:
\- dress is from Amy Jane London (rented from Nuuly) and corset is from Scarlet Darkness
\- eyeshadow is The Spring Symphony Palette from Dandy Lion Cosmetics
\- eyeshadow shimmer is eyeshadow single (Sparkle Puff) from Half Magic
\- lip combo is Suede Matte Lip Liner (Moonwalk) from NYX Cosmetics and Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump (Dragonfruit) from Tarte Cosmetics
\- (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)

thank you to Tor Books for the gifted copy!

#fantasybooks #fantasycreatures #fantasybookrecs #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @knopfyoungreaders @torbooks @delreybooks @amyjanelondon @scarletdarkness\_brand @scarletdarkness\_official @dandylionsco @halfmagicbeauty @nyxcosmetics @tartecosmetics

.

fantasy books • fantasy creatures • fantasy beasts and monsters • books with mythology • unique fantasy books • fantasy book recs • diverse books • Knopf Books for Young Readers • Del Rey

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3 books

4

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Jul 26 2025](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[speak up about every instance of book banning as much as you can, please!!](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/ub7tU7JASfnXULKNCtVK/)

speak up about every instance of book banning as much as you can, please!!

📚 books mentioned:
\- Otherworldly by F.T. Lukens
\- Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
\- Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman
\- All Out edited by Saundra Mitchell
\- Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

Thank you to Simon Teen for the gifted copy!

#bookbannings #readbannedbooks #supportbannedbooks #stopbanningbooks #fantasybooks #horrorbooks #romancebooks #historicalfictionbooks #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram #nycbookstagram @simonteen @peachtreeteen @hachettechildrens @inkyardpress @harpercollins @faberbooks.us

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4 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Jul 19 2025](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[✨ here are some young adult fantasy books by trans authors that i’ve read and loved!](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/xtcp5EP2vOGpaUKERQp2/)

✨ here are some young adult fantasy books by trans authors that i’ve read and loved!

📚 books mentioned:
\- Ring of Solomon by Aden Polydoros
\- Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
\- The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
\- Lucha of the Night Forest by Tehlor Kay Mejia

thank you to Jupiter for the gifted t-shirt! @jupiterrisingshop

thank you to Inkyard Press, Fierce Reads, and Get Underlined for the gifted copies!!

#transbooks #fantasybooks #youngadultbooks #yafantasy #youngadultfantasybookrecs #fantasybookrecs #fantasyreviews #GetUnderlinedPartner #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram #nycbookstagram @inkyardpress @harpercollins @faberbooks.us @fiercereads @getunderlined

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4 books

1

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Mar 9 2025](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[30+ trans & nonbinary book recs \| trans rights readathon 2025 prep!](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/2R9lRBsd146BIun8UfBo/)

feel free to recommend your favorite trans book in the comment section (or pitch your own if you're an author)!!

let's fill these comments with love so this video doesn't end up on the scary side of the algorithm.

☆ featured links ☆
official trans rights readathon website (with TONS of resources): https://transrightsreadathon.carrd.co/
PLEASE sign up here to be included in the data: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/2025-trans-rights-readathon
💫 join me on bindery (celestial - exclusive content, discord, book club, and more): https://celestial.binderybooks.com/

☆ everything I mentioned (in order) ↓
\- Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
\- Dear Senthuran by Akwaeke Emezi
\- Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
\- Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi
\- The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
\- You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
\- Content Warning: Everything by Akwaeke Emezi
\- Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi
\- The Deep by Rivers Solomon
\- Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
\- An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
\- Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
\- The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
\- Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
\- The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros
\- Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros
\- Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros
\- Ring of Solomon by Aden Polydoros
\- The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
\- Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey
\- Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
\- The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
\- Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas
\- Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
\- Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness by Da’Shaun L. Harrison
\- Heavyweight by Solomon J. Brager
\- The Seep by Chana Porter
\- The Devourers by Indra Das
\- The First Bright Thing by J. R. Dawson
\- The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia
\- Feed Them Silence by Lee Mandelo
\- Station Six by S.J. Klapecki
\- Junker Seven by Olive J. Kelley
\- Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto

↓ find me in more places ↓
🎵 tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starrysteph
📸 insta: https://www.instagram.com/starry.steph
🦋 bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/starrysteph.bsky.social
📚 storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/starrysteph
📖 goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/147956803-steph-starrysteph
💌 email: starrystephbooks@gmail.com
more: https://beacons.ai/starrysteph

☆ resources ☆
🇵🇸 learn more about the history of Palestine: https://decolonizepalestine.com/
🇨🇩 learn more about what's happening in the DRC: https://friendsofthecongo.org/
🇸🇩 Sudan Solidarity Collective: https://sudansolidarity.com/

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34 books

1

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Feb 9 2025](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[book recs for the mental space you need](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/IxnwOxKIOB5Sp4QBrso0/)

however you most want to engage with reading right now - I’ve got you covered. 💕

📚 books mentioned:
\- Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby
\- Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
\- Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi
\- Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
\- Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler

#funnybooks #fantasybooks #horrorbooks #dystopianbooks #bookrecommendations #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @faberbooks @faberbooks.us @randomhousekids @grandcentralpub

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5 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Jan 25 2025](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[trans book recs](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/3xa2rpvoOEER7fWslYBN/)

queer voices and stories matter and these ones (just a tiny selection of trans and nonbinary books i’ve read & loved) are phenomenal!

📚 books mentioned:
\- Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto
\- Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde
\- Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
\- The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
\- Junker Seven by Olive J. Kelley
\- Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
\- The Undetectables by Courtney Smyth
\- An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
\- Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
\- The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
\- The Stars Undying by Emery Robin

#horrorbooks #scifibooks #fantasybooks #transbooks #nonbinarybooks #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #nycbooktok #bookstagram @harpervoyagerus @riverheadbooks @peachtreeteen @fiercereads @torbooks @titanbooks @akashicbooks @randomhousekids @faberbooks.us @tornightfire @orbitbooks\_us

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11 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Sep 28 2024](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[recommending banned books](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/i1AgtVePWwpZzf8NFxpc/)

there’s only one day left in Banned Books Week, but please continue to read books that have been removed from schools & libraries and support the freedom to read!

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3 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Aug 3 2024](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[paring looks and books](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/yovpo1OU6TmFqc3vKBbK/)

had the MOST fun pairing nuuly looks with some amazing books! which cover is calling to you the most? 👀

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6 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Jun 8 2024](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[queer supernatural books](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/nRuL3G9n2FXECPBZ0iAz/)

👻 some SPECTACTULARLY spooky supernatural queer book recs for your pride (and year-round) TBR!!

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5 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Mar 19 2024](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[one star reviews of books i loved!](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/kg1L1O4H9lN6b752pxFX/)

which one convinced you the most? 😈 part seven of one star goodreads reviews of books i enjoyed! Trans Rights Readathon edition!

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7 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Mar 17 2024](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[trans\* fantasy books](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/KqNZdFHdjjNZhCbh7M3y/)

⚔️ it’s fantasy time! if you’re also always down for an adventure, tell me all about your favorite trans\* fantasy books in the comments!

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3 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Nov 30 2023](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[she's a 10, but ...](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/tTjI3SzLjo9RjtSxnYtF/)

drop your messiest book rec down below. 👀 she’s a 10, but she likes reading about …

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9 books

Posts about this book from across Bindery

[Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)\\
\\
Alex (he/him/his)\\
\\
• Jun 28](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[50+ trans book recommendations 🏳️‍⚧️](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/item/rX4As1PWOvuVhHN7Gsus/)

Over 50 trans book recommendations for the Trans Rights Readathon and Trans Reading Challenge ranging from memoirs, nonfiction, romance, contemporary, YA and middle grade, and some SFF.

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69 books

1

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Jun 20](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[🏳️‍🌈🔮look into my eyes …. i know what you want to read.](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/QYzqVZBBMGZ2z5hQKQ1U/)

🏳️‍🌈🔮look into my eyes …. i know what you want to read.

here are some mind reader queer book recs for pride!

* * *

21 books

[Queer as Books\\
\\
José\\
\\
• Mar 31](https://queerasbooks.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

\\
\\
Join for free or login](https://queerasbooks.binderybooks.com/item/TVz8wynkKCqWg1axSvBr/)

[🏳️‍⚧️ 30 Trans Books to Read All Year 📚](https://queerasbooks.binderybooks.com/item/TVz8wynkKCqWg1axSvBr/)

Because every story matters. 🩵🩷🤍

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30 books

6

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Feb 10](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[fantasy creatures!](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/X3f0BdIMSThosAKIJkv3/)

💭 what magical creatures do you wish you saw more of in fantasy books?

give me a unique beast any day of the week!

📚 books mentioned:
\- Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
\- When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
\- The Devourers by Indra Das

thank you to Tor Books for the gifted copy!

.

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3 books

4

[chronicallybookish\\
\\
Kaley\\
\\
• Jan 25](https://chronicallybookish.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[February is almost upon us! If you’re participating in the Read Disabled 2026 challenge, you may be planning what to read for February’s prompts, so I wanted to tell you a bit about the books I’m planning to read, and recommend some other books I’ve loved that fit next month’s prompts! \\
\\
**February Main Prompt: A Book by a Black Author** \\
\\
**_What I’m Reading:_ King of the Neuro Verse** by Idris Goodwin (ADHD representation, lived experience)\\
\\
February is Black History Month here in the U.S., and I wanted to honor that with this month’s prompt. For much of American History, Black voices and their role in our country’s history was silenced. The aim of Black History Month is to uplift those previously suppressed stories and the impact that the Black community has had on America, as well as continue to strive for racial equality and justice.\\
\\
Because Black History Month celebrates Black History, specifically, I originally wanted to prioritize a historical fiction book by a Black author for this prompt. However, because I am choosing to read only books by disabled authors for this challenge, I was unable to find a book that fit those prompts.\* I will be prioritizing books about Black history in my reading outside of this challenge, and decided to instead choose a book about Black disabled joy with _King of the Neuro Verse_ by Idris Goodwin. This is a YA coming-of-age novel in verse following Pernell as he finds his self-expression and first love while working to catch up on his classwork during summer school. \\
\*There are not _no_ books by Black disabled authors that are historical fiction! In my searching I found Sorrowland (set in the 20th century ft. low vision rep) and An Unkindness of Ghosts (technically this is futuristic scifi, but the society that the MC lives in is based on the Antebellum South ft. lived experience autism rep) by Rivers Solomon, however these books are also horror novels, which is a genre that I personally cannot read. Alternately, Octavia E. Butler’s works all heavily metaphorize disability in their themes and worldbuilding according to modern disability scholars, which makes them eligible for this prompt as well–I just chose to go with a literal representation of disability in my choice for this prompt. I intend to also read _Kindred_ in February, just not specifically for this challenge.\\
\\
**_My Recommendations:_**\\
\\
**Pet** by Akwaeke Emezi (non-verbal representation)\\
\\
I do not know how to pitch this book, but bear with me–it feels high concept literary-fantasy to me, while still being accessible to read, as it is a YA novel written with teens in mind. Our main character Lucille lives in a utopian world in which monsters no longer exist, but when her blood seems to accidentally summon Pet, a winged and horned creature, she is forced to reconsider what she has always been told. Pet says that he is here to hunt a monster, and Lucille must learn what monstrosity really is, and save the world from the monsters that no one else will admit exist.\\
\\
_My Rating:_ 3.75 stars (circa 2024)\\
\\
**Act Your Age, Eve Brown** by Talia Hibbert (autism representation, lived experience)\\
\\
If you have not read _Get a Life, Chloe Brown_, start there–but since our book club already read books 1 and 2 in this series, I thought I’d skip straight to book 3 for this recommendation. Eve Brown is the youngest of the Brown sisters, and she’s also kind of a hot mess. Desperate to prove herself, Eve interviews for a job at a bed and breakfast…and then proceeds to run over the owner with her car. Now Jacob is in a cast and Eve has taken the job and committed herself to taking care of him as he heals. Though Eve and Jacob could not be more different on the surface, the more time they spend together, the more the animosity between them grows into something else.\\
\\
_My Rating:_ 5 stars (circa 2022)\\
\\
**Icarus** by K. Ancrum (EDS representation, lived experience)\\
\\
Another YA book that reads like literary fiction, though this one pitches itself as a contemporary romance. Our titular character Icarus is a thief who steals priceless artefacts and replaces them with his father’s forgeries. When Icarus is caught by the son of the man he is stealing from, he expects to be turned in, but Helios has been under house arrest by his father, and he gives Icarus something far more dangerous in exchange for freedom: friendship that grows into something more, something that could damn them both.\\
\\
_My Rating:_ 3.75 stars (circa 2024)\\
\\
**February Bonus Prompt: A Romance Novel** \\
\\
**_What I’m Reading:_ A Love Song for Ricki Wilde** by Tia Williams (unsure of representation)\\
\\
February is, of course, also the month that features Valentine’s day, and as such a romance prompt is all but required. The book for this prompt does need to be capital-R _Romance_, aka genre romance–and not just romantic fiction. Paranormal, historical, and even (arguably) fantasy romance all count, so long as the romance storyline is the A-plot and the book ends in a Happily Ever After (or a Happily For Now).\\
\\
I decided to go with _A Love Song for Ricki Wilde_ for this one because I adored _Seven Days in June_ and finally snagged myself a copy of this one back in November. It’s also set in February, which makes this the perfect time to read it. I’ve seen this one on disability recommendation posts with a mixture of vague disability categories assigned to it (“mental health”, “invisible illness”, “chronic pain”), but have been unable to ascertain specifics. If it turns out there isn’t disability representation I’ll end up using the Chronically Romantic book club’s February pick ( _Dukes and Dekes_ by Torie Jean) but I’m trying to push myself to read additional books alongside the book club selections to push myself to read even more books by disabled authors.\\
\\
I know very little about this book except that it follows our main character Ricki as she moves to Harlem to chase her dream of opening a flower shop, and on one February evening meets a mysterious man who turns her life upside down. There is a magical realism bent to this one as well, and I believe it involves time travel/blurring between the present day and the Harlem Renaissance.\\
\\
_My Recommendations:_\\
\\
**Two Wrongs Make a Right** by Chloe Liese (anxiety and autism representation, both lived experience)\\
\\
Chloe Liese is a master of disability representation, and Two Wrongs Make a Right is no exception. This is a Much Ado About Nothing retelling following Jamie and Bea, who could not be more wrong for each other, as they join forces to concoct a plan for revenge on their meddling, matchmaking friends: They’re going to fake date, and then they’re going to fake a disastrous break-up. But the longer they pretend, the less they feel like they’re faking, and they can’t help but wonder if their friends were so off the mark with their matchmaking.\\
\\
_My Rating:_ 4.75 stars (circa 2022)\\
\\
**You Don’t Have a Shot** by Racquel Marie (anxiety, lived experience)\\
\\
Vale’s life revolves around soccer, but when she starts a fight with her long-time rival Leticia, everything she’s been working towards becomes suddenly out of reach. Her only hope for redemption? Winning the tournament at her summer soccer camp. But when she arrives, she learns she will be co-captaining the team with none other than Leticia herself.\\
\\
_My Rating:_ 4.75 stars (circa 2023)\\
\\
**Finding Gene Kelly** by Torie Jean (endometriosis representation, lived experience)\\
\\
If I have the opportunity to recommend Torie’s books, I will be doing so. She writes what is, truly, some of the best chronic illness representation I have ever read. When Evie needs a fake date to bring home to keep her overbearing mother at bay, she last person she wants it to be is Liam Kelly, her childhood friend turned nemesis, but when he unexpectedly turns up in Paris, it appears he’s her only hope. But in order to make this farce convincing, Liam insists on practice dates that ignite long-suppressed sparks in Evie.\\
\\
_My Rating:_ 5 stars (circa 2022)\\
\\
**Both Prompts: A Romance Book by a Black Author** \\
\\
I know for some people, reading two books per month for a reading challenge can be too much of a stretch, but if you’re interested in being a completionist: here are books that count for _both_ prompts simultaneously!\\
\\
**Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling** by Elise Bryant (migraine representation, lived experience and dyslexia representation)\\
\\
This YA contemporary romance follows Reggie and Delilah when they first meet on New Year’s Eve, and then continue to connect through chance meetings on subsequent holidays (Valentine’s, St. Patrick’s Day, etc)--as if the universe itself is pushing them together. I _loved_ this book, and I don’t want to say more for risk of spoiling things, but it’s one of my favorite YA contemporaries.\\
\\
_My Rating:_ 4.75 stars (circa 2023)\\
\\
**Before I Let Go** by Kennedy Ryan (depression representation, lived experience)\\
\\
This is one of the (if not _the_) best books I have ever read in my entire life. It will tear your heart out of your chest, crush it into a million pieces, and stitch it back together in a way that makes you believe in love like never before. After the devastating loss of a stillbirth, Yasmin and Josiah’s marriage fell apart. Now, they are finding a new rhythm, coparenting their children and learning to find joy again. But they are drawn to each other, even know, and as they heal they begin to reconnect–but doing so reopens old wounds, and they must find out if it is too late for them to find forever.\\
\\
_My Rating:_ 5 stars (circa 2024)\\
\\
**Outdrawn** by Deanna Grey (anxiety representation, lived experience, and carpal tunnel representation)\\
\\
Noah has finally gotten her foot in the door to achieving her dream–her viral web comic scored her a job at a legendary comic company. There’s nowhere for her to go but up, if not for the fact that Sage is standing in her way. Sage and Noah have been rivals since art school, and now they’re assigned to work as a team on a career-defining comic release. The more they butt heads and are forced to spend time in close proximity, the more sparks begin to fly.\\
\\
_My Rating:_ 4.5 stars (circa 2024)\\
\\
**What will you read?** \\
\\
I love how much people show up for the Read Disabled challenge every year, and I love seeing what everyone reads--if you've decided what you're reading for either prompt, leave a comment! \\
\\
And if you have Storygraph but haven't officially joined the challenge yet, you can do so _HERE_.\\
\\
While reading books by disabled authors is not required for this challenge, it is encouraged, and all of the authors featured here are disabled, though they may not have the specific disabilities represented.\\
\\
Thank you all so much for participating--I hope you enjoy your February reads!\\
\\
Join for free or login](https://chronicallybookish.binderybooks.com/item/hOFAQosKpiETqZ64axW4/)

[February READ DISABLED Prompts and Recommendations!](https://chronicallybookish.binderybooks.com/item/hOFAQosKpiETqZ64axW4/)

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16 books

1

[Fairly Queer Books\\
\\
Fareeha\\
\\
• Jan 14](https://fairlyqueer.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[Book Club is Back !](https://fairlyqueer.binderybooks.com/item/rFe785XGeyllhzghaS37/)

Comic Cove Book Club 2026 Calendar

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12 books

1

[Basement Books\\
\\
Kaitlyn\\
\\
• Jan 7](https://basementbooks.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[Welcome to my Syllabus Series. I was a high school English teacher for over five years and nothing gives me more joy than to help others learn something new. As someone who also reads a large amount of non-fiction, I wanted to create a new series where I pick a singular topic that you might want to learn more about. **This edition is all about resistance.** In my exploration of the self-help industry, I often talk about how the solution is actually community-help and systemic change. If you’ve wanted to learn more about this, this is where to start.\\
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First, I’ll take you through books to read through various genres and the order you should read them in to scaffold and layer your learning. But learning isn’t all about reading, so I’ll also share video resources, shorter articles, and give you a list of people to follow on social media in order to stay up to date well beyond today. Finally, learning means nothing without action, so I will also provide you ways that you can do something with what you’re learning.\\
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This isn’t meant to be overwhelming and is laid out in a way that it’s learning you have time for. Therefore, the list isn’t extensive and manageable. Of course, there’s always more learning to be done.\\
\\
 ****Books to read**** \\
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A collection of books read to read. For the best learning experience, try to read the books in this order.\\
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_(\*note: this section contains affiliate links)_\\
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- **Fiction**\\
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**“Pet” and “Bitter” by Akwaeke Emezi** \\
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In order to best understand resistance and revolution and the role you could play through your talents, I highly recommend these two books by my favorite author. They’re short and easily accessible and while they explore themes in a magical realism setting, the ideas are easily applicable to our own lives.\\
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- **Non-fiction**\\
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**”Mutual Aid” by Dean Spade**\\
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This is _the_ book to help begin to understand the importance of mutual aid and the role and change it plays in our world. It’s great to not only understanding how mutual aid works, but how to effectively create mutual aid networks and participate in them.\\
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- **Essays**\\
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**“Freedom is a Constant Struggle” by Angela Y. Davis**\\
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A collection of essays, interviews, and speeches that explores struggles against state violence around the world and how they’re connected. It’s also a call to action for a collective movement towards liberation. This is a nice book to get a brief overview of various topics.\\
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- **Non-fiction**\\
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**“We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance” by Kellie Carter Jackson**\\
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If you enjoy “Freedom is a Constant Struggle” and want to dive deeper into the history of Black resistance, pick this up. It’s important that we reframe the narratives surrounding the history and present of Black resistance and this book does just that.\\
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- **Non-fiction**\\
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**“Let This Radicalize You” by Kelly Hayes**\\
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After you understand the history and basics surrounding resistance, this book all about sustaining organizing and activism as the systems you are resistance are built to break you down. This is to help you keep going.\\
\\
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****Other media to consume**** \\
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- **Video**\\
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“What is Mutual Aid (Classroom Version) by Dean Spade\\
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A super clear explanation of what Mutual Aid is, if you don’t have time to read Spade’s book from above.\\
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\\
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- **Case study**\\
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**“** Farm-to-Community: Critical Elements of a Successful Farm Mutual-Aid Program” by Chris Newman\\
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A breakdown of what a successful mutual aid effort where a farmer started a mutual aid fund to help bring his food to individuals facing food insecurity.\\
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- **Article**“The co-option of mutual aid” by Regan de Loggans\\
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If you don’t have time to read any of the books above, this article is a great primer on mutual aid and how it differs from charity. It also explores the dangers of white people co-opting the term “mutual aid” when talking about charity.\\
\\
- **Keynote speech**\\
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“Designing Rest as Practice” by Tricia Hersey\\
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Hersey wrote a book called “Rest is Resistance” which focuses on the importance and revolutionary act of rest in our capitalistic society. Here’s a speech where she talks about this idea.\\
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- **Podcast**“Movement Memos”\\
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A podcast that connects experts, activists, and journalists around the world who are on the front lines of movements and mutual aid networks.\\
\\
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****Who to follow**** \\
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When learning about a subject where community is key it’s important to find people to help you along the way. Here are a few people and organisations I encourage you to follow:\\
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- Sam @expertbooksmuggler: In my opinion, Sam is one of the best examples of how to use social media as a tool for mutual aid. She has consistently been sharing resources and opportunities for you to participate in mutual aid by donating money directly to families currently experiencing genocide around the world.\\
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- JM Heatherly ‘s Substack: A substack dedicated to focusing on community organizing and mutual aid topics.\\
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- Dean Spade: The author of “Mutual Aid” listed above, I would honestly go to Spade’s linktree and read all his articles/interviews.\\
\\
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****Take action**** \\
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**Donate** A large part of mutual aid is supporting members of your community (including your global community). One way to do this (if you’re able) is to financially help. There’s a million ways to do this.\\
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I would recommend finding a cause or community you care about (Palestine, Sudan, natural disaster relief, etc) and search for mutual aid and that community on social media. I find Instagram to be the best place to search for these opportunities.\\
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**Start a mutual aid project** This might seem like a daunting task, but there are resources to help you. Big Door Brigade has a toolbox for starting a mutual aid project depending on what type of mutual aid you’re interested in.\\
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A good place to start might be through creating a neighborhood pod or create a pod within your local community. Some resources on how to do that can be found here.\\
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**Protest** If you are able, protesting helps make our voices louder. It’s a tool meant to disrupt and force those in charge to take action. Make sure that you continue to make your voice heard on the issues you care about.\\
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As I mentioned earlier, learning is an ongoing practice. If you would like more resources, don’t hesitate to reach out. **And if you have any resources to add to this list, please add them to the comments below.**\\
\\
* * *](https://basementbooks.binderybooks.com/item/O9EbcU2QvuBLbl0NOWXG/)

[Your resistance syllabus](https://basementbooks.binderybooks.com/item/O9EbcU2QvuBLbl0NOWXG/)

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6 books

[Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)\\
\\
Alex (he/him/his)\\
\\
• Oct 15 2025](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

\\
\\
Join for free or login](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/item/vl9LCNPA61ICSv2qeqXB/)

[Autumn Book Recs! 🎃🍂📚](https://pucksandpaperbacks.binderybooks.com/item/vl9LCNPA61ICSv2qeqXB/)

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38 books

4

[Alyssa’s Library\\
\\
alyssa\\
\\
• Sep 29 2025](https://alyssaslibrary.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[in honour of a certain book coming out and just the state of the world, here are some books with trans, non-binary, and genderqueer characters that you should read. it’s so incredibly important to continue to uplift these voices and i hope you all enjoy these and feel free to comment some more recommendations!\\
\\
**fantasy & sci-fi**\\
\- the spirit bares its teeth / compound fracture by andrew joseph white\\
\- the unbroken by c. l. clark\\
\- the blighted stars by megan e. o’keefe\\
\- pet by akwaeke emezi\\
\- faebound / the final strife by saara el-artifi\\
\- these burning stars by bethany jacobs\\
\- she who became the sun by shelley parker-chan\\
\- lakelore by anna marie-mclemore\\
\- hammajang luck by makana yamamtao\\
\- the witch king by h. e edgmon \\
\- the city beautiful by aden polydorous\\
\\
-her majesty’s royal coven by juno dawson\\
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-light from uncommon stars by ryka aoki\\
\- a bone in his teeth by kellen graves\\
\\
-brighter than scale swifter than flame by neon yang\\
\\
-mistress of lies by k m enright\\
\\
-cemerety boys / the sunbearer trails by aiden thomas\\
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-sorrowland by rivers solomon\\
\\
-seven devils by laura lam and elizabeth may\\
\\
**romance**\\
\- a gentlemans gentleman by tj alexander \\
\- make room for love by darcy liao\\
\- love & other disasters by anita kelly\\
\- i wish you all the best by mason deaver\\
\\
-felix ever after by kacen callender](https://alyssaslibrary.binderybooks.com/item/xvcngUfXw6yPpEccQhga/)

[TRANS BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS](https://alyssaslibrary.binderybooks.com/item/xvcngUfXw6yPpEccQhga/)

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27 books

9

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Jul 26 2025](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[speak up about every instance of book banning as much as you can, please!!](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/ub7tU7JASfnXULKNCtVK/)

speak up about every instance of book banning as much as you can, please!!

Thank you to Simon Teen for the gifted copy!

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4 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Jul 19 2025](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[✨ here are some young adult fantasy books by trans authors that i’ve read and loved!](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/xtcp5EP2vOGpaUKERQp2/)

✨ here are some young adult fantasy books by trans authors that i’ve read and loved!

thank you to Jupiter for the gifted t-shirt! @jupiterrisingshop

thank you to Inkyard Press, Fierce Reads, and Get Underlined for the gifted copies!!

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4 books

1

[Left Unread Books\\
\\
Michael LaBorn\\
\\
• Jul 18 2025](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[Excerpt of Cry, Voidbringer!](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/EwMnrSDFkTkWHqDujPLA/)

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5 books

11

[3](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/EwMnrSDFkTkWHqDujPLA/#comments)

[Wanderland Reads\\
\\
Sayer\\
\\
• Apr 7 2025](https://wanderlandreads.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[Banned and Challenged Books](https://wanderlandreads.binderybooks.com/item/bfNDaqCOUHSl3WxY2lsQ/)

📚✨ Join me as I kick off our ongoing series on Banned Books!

These are must-read titles that challenge censorship and spark meaningful conversations. These books often face banning for their themes of social justice, sexuality, and political dissent.

Let’s celebrate our freedom together! What’s your favorite banned book? Share your suggestions for our library!

#BannedBooks #FreedomToRead #LiteraryAwareness #representationmatters #wanderlandreads

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65 books

[Written Reveries\\
\\
Krystal\\
\\
• Mar 21 2025](https://writtenreveries.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[Trans Rights Readathon 2025 Recs & TBR](https://writtenreveries.binderybooks.com/item/MMqHwbxBRNPhhXWqJW66/)

Trans Rights Readathon 2025
Recs: A Psalm For the Wild Built & A Prayer for the Crown Shy by Becky Chambers
Pet & Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi
Light From Uncommon Stars Ryka Aoki
Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi
House of Frank by Kay Synclaire
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez
TBR: Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi
Model Home by Rivers Solomon
She Who Became the Sun and He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me by Jamison Shea
Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto
The Unbroken by C. L. Clark

#bookrecommendations #bookish #bookstagram

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21 books

4

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Mar 9 2025](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[30+ trans & nonbinary book recs \| trans rights readathon 2025 prep!](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/2R9lRBsd146BIun8UfBo/)

feel free to recommend your favorite trans book in the comment section (or pitch your own if you're an author)!!

let's fill these comments with love so this video doesn't end up on the scary side of the algorithm.

* * *

34 books

1

[Bookish AfroLatina's Library\\
\\
Gabby\\
\\
• Feb 20 2025](https://bookish-afrolatina.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[Black History Month: Still Black. Still Here.](https://bookish-afrolatina.binderybooks.com/item/MxSfpWsmM5jARbd0zFsB/)

Black History Month is still going to be observed this month by the new administration but we all know that we would continue to celebrate regardless of what the government chose to do.

Why? Because it's important to remember: We existed in the past. We exist now. And we will continue to exist in the future.

The following book recommendations depict this for us:

Black Past
-Midnight by Beverly Jenkins is about a Faith Kingston, a rebel spy in Revolutionary War era Boston, who falls in love with a free Black man with a passion for justice.

-The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History by David F. Walker & Marcus Kwame Anderson depicts the history of the Black Panther Party from its beginnings to its untimely end due to the U.S. Government's involvement.

Black Present
-The Dead Don't Need Reminding: In Search of Fugitives, Mississippi, and Black TV Nerd Sh\*t by Julian Randall is a collection of essays on the author's journey to learn more about an ancestor who passed for white, experiences in academia, and struggling with mental health.

-Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler was published in 1993 and takes place in 2024-2026. It's a work of speculative fiction following a teen named Lauren Olamina who sees the destruction around her community and country and strives to survive through faith in her vision for the future.

Black Future
-The Memory Librarian and Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monae & More is an anthology of Sci-Fi stories that imagine a future where Black, Indigenous, and People of Color resist and survive the censorship of their brutal government.

-Pet by Akwaeke Emezi is a YA Magical Realism novel about a girl named Jam who lives in a future without police where the comfort of a utopian society makes her community reluctant to remember their past.

I found each of these books incredibly powerful and I hope they lend you perspective as well as strength for the fight we are now in.

#BlackHistoryMonth #BlackFuturesMatter #Books #Bookstagram #BookRecommendations

ID in comments

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6 books

[Left Unread Books\\
\\
Michael LaBorn\\
\\
• Feb 17 2025](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[Black Authors Who I Think History Will Remember](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/BNJS4ONf1A0G0SAyXrwf/)

I started this post as a Bluesky thread a few days ago, but I realized I needed more space than a social media post would allow. So here are some of my favorite Black authors! Enjoy!!!

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27 books

16

[2](https://leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com/item/BNJS4ONf1A0G0SAyXrwf/#comments)

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Feb 9 2025](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[book recs for the mental space you need](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/IxnwOxKIOB5Sp4QBrso0/)

however you most want to engage with reading right now - I’ve got you covered. 💕

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5 books

[Mareas\\
\\
Marines\\
\\
• Feb 1 2025](https://mareas.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[Happy Black History Month](https://mareas.binderybooks.com/item/nZ2IYMDziV2n6fzo2MfA/)

In 2025, celebrating Black History Month isn't just about honoring Black legacies—it's an act of defiance against an administration that seeks to erase Black voices, downplay our struggles as a direct consequence of white supremacy, and deny our progress.

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5 books

27

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Jan 25 2025](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[trans book recs](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/3xa2rpvoOEER7fWslYBN/)

queer voices and stories matter and these ones (just a tiny selection of trans and nonbinary books i’ve read & loved) are phenomenal!

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11 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Sep 28 2024](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[recommending banned books](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/i1AgtVePWwpZzf8NFxpc/)

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3 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Aug 3 2024](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[paring looks and books](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/yovpo1OU6TmFqc3vKBbK/)

had the MOST fun pairing nuuly looks with some amazing books! which cover is calling to you the most? 👀

* * *

6 books

[All Shades\\
\\
Sera\\
\\
• Jun 21 2024](https://allshades.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

\\
\\
Upgrade for $5 or login](https://allshades.binderybooks.com/item/KhWNAKAzuVpirnCkhRTZ/)

[BOOK HAUL + SHELVES AND THE CITY RECAP](https://allshades.binderybooks.com/item/KhWNAKAzuVpirnCkhRTZ/)

Had my first bookish brand trip this weekend and it was a WHIRLWIND!! Let me tell you all about it!

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3 books

5

[2](https://allshades.binderybooks.com/item/KhWNAKAzuVpirnCkhRTZ/#comments)

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Jun 8 2024](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[queer supernatural books](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/nRuL3G9n2FXECPBZ0iAz/)

👻 some SPECTACTULARLY spooky supernatural queer book recs for your pride (and year-round) TBR!!

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5 books

[Written Reveries\\
\\
Krystal\\
\\
• Jun 2 2024](https://writtenreveries.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[13 Young Adult Books Worth Reading as an Adult](https://writtenreveries.binderybooks.com/item/yg9ucO7WKuBm2XHV0qQg/)

These books will may an impact no matter your age.

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13 books

[Written Reveries\\
\\
Krystal\\
\\
• Apr 16 2024](https://writtenreveries.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

\\
\\
Upgrade for $5 or login](https://writtenreveries.binderybooks.com/item/q712YOhj7C3lQTuxReKj/)

[Five Auto-buy Authors](https://writtenreveries.binderybooks.com/item/q712YOhj7C3lQTuxReKj/)

I love all of these authors, and will buy anything they write.

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11 books

2

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Mar 19 2024](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[one star reviews of books i loved!](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/kg1L1O4H9lN6b752pxFX/)

which one convinced you the most? 😈 part seven of one star goodreads reviews of books i enjoyed! Trans Rights Readathon edition!

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7 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Mar 17 2024](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[trans\* fantasy books](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/KqNZdFHdjjNZhCbh7M3y/)

⚔️ it’s fantasy time! if you’re also always down for an adventure, tell me all about your favorite trans\* fantasy books in the comments!

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3 books

[Celestial\\
\\
Steph\\
\\
• Nov 30 2023](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/)

[she's a 10, but ...](https://celestial.binderybooks.com/item/tTjI3SzLjo9RjtSxnYtF/)

drop your messiest book rec down below. 👀 she’s a 10, but she likes reading about …

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9 books

[Fantasy & Frens\\
\\
Zoranne\\
\\
• Apr 5 2023](https://fantasyandfrens.binderybooks.com/)

Join for free

[Every Book I Read in March](https://fantasyandfrens.binderybooks.com/item/8DFD8UcQLmqwaM1hFHnc/)

Hi frens! Today’s video covers all of the book I read in March!

I AM NOW ON PATREON!! this project has been what feels like a year in the making and i am so excited that i finally made the leap! if you want to join my patreon to support me or be a part of a monthly bookmark and sticker club, you can join at the link below! ☺️

patreon.com/user?u=34433419

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIALS!
📖 goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/39913560-zoranne-host
📸 instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoranne\_/
🎵 tiktok: http://tiktok.com/@zoranne\_
🐦 twitter: http://twitter.com/zoranne\_
☕️ buy me a coffee: http://ko-fi.com/zoranne\_
⚔️fantasy book recs master list: https://amzn.to/3Z3Nty8

JOIN THE FANTASY & FRENS COMMUNITY!
📚fable book club: http://l.fable.co/zoranne
👾discord: https://discord.gg/A3MPX5vEHX
🌟patreon: patreon.com/user?u=34433419

AFFILIATE CODES
ZORANNE10 - Caffeine & Legends https://legendarybox.com/
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BUSINESS INQUIRIES
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\*Some of these links are affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase a product from one the links!\*

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7 books