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22 Book Recommendations for my 22nd Birthday

Read More 22 Book Recommendations for my 22nd Birthday

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If you're looking for diverse and fun reads, you've come to the right place.

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🌊Tall Water by SJ Sindu, Illustrated by Dion MB

🌊Tall Water by SJ Sindu, Illustrated by Dion MBD —08/12/25🌊

Tall Water was such a good book. Between the story and the art style, I was completely immersed in Nimmi’s journey and struggles.

I appreciated the author’s note about the real-life events that influenced the novel, like the 2004 tsunami that hit Sri Lanka and Sindu’s childhood during Sri Lanka’s civil war.

The book never shied away from the harsh realities of war and devastation, but there was still hope and reunification and healing laced throughout the pages.

Nimmi was definitely a passionate protagonist, but that passion also progressed the narrative and opened the door for some tough conversations. This book does a great job of highlighting what it can look like to feel abandoned by a parent and to discover yourself.

I would definitely recommend this book, but maybe keep a couple of tissues nearby because I almost cried a few times.

*Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.*

#BookishEnds #Bookstagram #TallWater #HarperAlley #GraphicNovel

🔥This Kind of Trouble by Tochi Eze — 8/5/25🔥

#TinyRepBooksPartner @tinyrepbooks

I love literary fiction and alternating timelines and perspectives, so this book quickly pulled me in. I think it’s best read in a short amount of time because my memory could not hold onto who in the present timeline was related to who in the past timeline, but I thoroughly enjoyed how those connections further deepened the storyline and characterization. The past timeline might have been my favorite because there was so much going on between the mysterious virgin pregnancies, colonization, and the limits of community.

Benjamin had an air of cynicism to him, and he definitely was never winning husband or father of the year, but his flaws really enhanced the story and are partially what got him and Margaret into the position they were in in the first place. A lot of Margaret’s actions and thoughts were clouded by her paranoia, but she was also dismissed by family a lot even when she was speaking lucidly, so I had way more empathy for her than Benjamin. Seeing their relationship in the past also helped explain how they got to where they were.

This book really highlighted the way generational secrets and curses can have an impact, whether you believe in them or not. There was also great conversation around belief itself, through religion and spirituality and culture and customs, especially depending on what you believe the origins of Margaret’s mental illness were. Overall, this debut really worked for me and lends itself to some really interesting conversations.

*Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.*

#BookishEnds #Bookstagram #ThisKindOfTrouble

🌻August TBR🌻 My July reading went really we

🌻August TBR🌻

My July reading went really well, so I’m back to be ambitious in my August TBR. There’s a lot I’m trying to knock out from books publishers sent me to past TBR picks to old Netgalley ARCs. Aiming for the stars this month, but I’ll be happy wherever I land.

•Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon
•Roommating by Meredith Schorr
•Being Ace Anthology ed. Madeline Dyer
•The Underwood Tapes by Amanda DeWitt
•Climate of Chaos by Cassandra Newbould
•The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
•Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue
•The Dry Season by Melissa Febos
•Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross
•Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley
•10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall
•Kill Me Quick by Josie Jaffrey

#BookishEnds #Bookstagram #TBR

📚July Reading Wrap-up📚 It’s August (how d

📚July Reading Wrap-up📚

It’s August (how did that happen?), which means it’s time for my July Reading Wrap-up. This month went surprisingly well, so I’m hoping I can keep the same energy in August.

In total, I read seventeen books in July. Five of the books I read were books on previous TBRs this year, and after the next month or two, I should have read every book that was on my TBR this year.

I had nine books on my July TBR, and I read five of them. Two of them (Guardian and This Kind of Trouble) I’m currently reading but didn’t finish before the month was up.

I read three nonfiction books this month, which I’m proud of. Principles of E(motion) and The Wedding Party I read as potential comps for my book, and I really liked them. The latter was also my first Jasmine Guillory book. Out There was a Netgalley ARC I’d had since 2021, so I’m so glad to have that out the way. Slowly going to be chipping away at my old ARCs for the rest of the year.

Reviews for everything are on my blog and/or StoryGraph. Did you read anything good in July?

#BookishEnds #ReadingWrapup

🌸This Could Be Forever by Ebony LaDelle —05/2

🌸This Could Be Forever by Ebony LaDelle —05/20/25🌸

The way Ebony LaDelle writes young love needs to be studied. This Could Be Forever had me cheesing so hard and feeling all the feels. I feel like a lot of interracial romances involve a white person, and since whiteness is so prevalent in the US, there’s usually not the same clashing of cultures that was portrayed in this book with a Black FMC and a Nepali MMC.

I loved how much the story highlighted how sometimes there are forces stronger than love that can keep people apart, but there’s also freedom and strength in loving who you want to love without bending to others’ wills. Deja and Raja were different, and yet they fit together so well, and I loved their instant connection. I also loved how they fought for each other, even when it was hard and even when it required going against their family’s wishes.

The story worked really well with it being right before the characters started college because it’s a time when you’re getting to make so many choices for yourself, and it allowed the characters to really dig deep into what they wanted, not just what would make their families happy. And that applied to more than just a relationship.

While this book didn’t shy away from the struggles of interracial and intercultural dating, it also shone a light on how to stand up for yourself and the people you love, have hard conversations, and share your culture with others. I need another romance book from Ebony expeditiously.

Thank you to @coloringbooks and @simonteen for the finished copy. All opinions are my own.

#BookishEnds #SimonTeenInfluencer #ThisCouldBeForeverBook #YARomance

Have you read any debut authors this year? I alwa

Have you read any debut authors this year?

I always enjoy finding out about new authors, so I was excited when Leilani reached out to me about her debut, After the Burn, that was published last year. Sounds like my type of carrying on, so I’m looking forward to diving in.

Description:

Leilani Garrett’s debut novel about a successful Black woman finding the courage to trust herself above all else is a rallying cry for modern women.

Devoted single mom and corporate badass Elle Grace Rollins is crushing it. Despite growing up “hood poor,” Elle has built a rewarding life. With a teenage son, a vibrant circle of “sistah” friends, and a man she adores, Elle has it all. Or so she thought. After more than a decade with the love of her life, Darien, another woman threatens to upend their relationship. As a rift grows between them, she unexpectedly finds herself in the arms of a younger man. And as if a love triangle wasn’t enough, Elle discovers a rival colleague is trying to cheat her out of a big payday. With her career at stake, Elle isn’t willing to take it lying down. In a final showdown, she has one last move to make. But will she come out on top?

In After the Burn, Garrett pushes the boundaries of cultural norms, redefining what it means to be a successful woman. Drawing from her experiences as an African American woman in technology sales in corporate America, as well as her adventures as a mother, friend and lover, she contemplates what happens when we allow ourselves to consider what we want first. Written from the perspective of a Black woman, the book speaks specifically to Black women. Yet its message will resonate with women of all ages and races, teaching them that it’s okay to create your own view of success in life and in love.

#BookishEnds #AfterTheBurn #DebutAuthor

I’ve loved every F.T. Lukens book I’ve read, s

I’ve loved every F.T. Lukens book I’ve read, so I was excited to read Love at Second Sight, especially because of the premise of a normal teen gaining powers and trying to navigate faction politics while also having to contend with school, new friends, and a potential murder.

This one didn’t pull me in as much as their other books, but I still enjoyed it. I loved the effect Cam’s new group of friends had on his understanding of his abilities and what it looks like to not depend on one person for all his friendship needs. There was some good tension between Cam’s old life and new life, especially since his parents were not fans of the paranormal. Cam had to toe the line with how much to be honest and express his true self while also not trying to fan his parents’ disdain. By the end of the book, it became even more clear that Cam’s abilities were also an allegory, and I loved how the author used that to draw attention to problems in real life.

Overall, I always enjoy the way Lukens writes about the paranormal and fantastical, and this book is a good read for those who enjoy high-stakes drama and budding romance.

*Thank you to the publisher for sending an ARC. All opinions are my own.*

#BookishEnds #SimonTeenInfluencer #LoveAtSecondSightFTLukens

The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter was an encouragi

The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter was an encouraging read. Although I hate insects with a passion, I liked that Bunny was so passionate about them and making sure they were able to thrive. Her appreciation of bugs combined with her anxiety made for a bumpy road of adjusting to a new school and making friends though.

Bunny goes about things the wrong way for a lot of the book, which causes strain between her and her classmates and teachers, but when her mindset shifts, beautiful things are able to happen and her relationships are able to deepen. I loved the conversations around adoption and how Bunny processed her place in her family, especially when others didn’t understand it.

This book does a great job at showing a realistic way to make amends and is a great read for kids experiencing bullying, for kids with unpopular interests, and kids who are adoptees.

*Thank you to the publisher for the finished copy. All opinions are my own.*

#BookishEnds

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