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A Song Below Water
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
The Originals meets Nic Stones Dear Martin in Bethany C. Morrow's debut YA, A Song Below Water, about two best friends discovering their magical identities against the challenges of todays racism and sexism Tavia is already at odds with the world, forced to keep her siren identity under wraps in a society that wants to keep her kind under lock and key. Nevermind she's also stuck in Portland, Oregon, a city with only a handful of black folk and even fewer of those with magical powers. At least she has her bestie Effie by her side as they tackle high school drama, family secrets, and unrequited crushes. But everything changes in the aftermath of a siren murder trial that rocks the nation; the girls favorite Internet fashion icon reveals she's also a siren, and the news rips through their community. Tensions escalate when Effie starts being haunted by demons from her past, and Tavia accidentally lets out her magical voice during a police stop. No secret seems safe anymoresoon Portland wont be either. I love this book so, so much! Bethany C. Morrow delivers a blistering modern classic with this gorgeous tale of friendship and power. A Song Below Water somehow manages to be intensely happy and sad at the same time and all in the balance of great, riveting storytelling. The best YA novel I've read all year. Daniel Jos Older, New York Times bestselling author of Shadowshaper
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MaggieCarr
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Mehso-so

Is it weird that I love mermaid storylines but fantasy is one of my least favorite genres? I've had this book shelves since before it came out and even had an ARC but never read it. Just like in Kiera Cass's Siren I loved that sign language representation used when voice isn't an option. The current event themes don't go unnoticed. Everyone deserves a voice!

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Posh_Salad..AKA..LazyLimaLife
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

This book. OMG. So good. The magical world is layered so seamlessly over our current world and the characters deal with all the stupid crap we deal with today in spite of their abilities. But it‘s also a story about becoming and how that can be a painful process. It‘s a world of sirens, gargoyles, elokos (that last one I had to look up!) I can‘t recommend this one enough.

Kristy_K Wonderful review and I love that cover! 9mo
8 likes1 comment
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DimeryRene
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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I really liked this in print a few years ago. Listening on audio now so that I can read the sequel.

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sarahgreatlove
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

This one did take me a while to read. I felt the pace picked up around halfway through. I am however really enjoying fantasy‘s written by black people that interweave the challenges in the ‘real world ‘ with the challenges the characters are facing in their magical worlds. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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RebL
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Before I went on vacation (NOLA aquarium pictured), I edited a booklist of African mythology inspired mermaid tales. I was surprised that the post author found a dozen of these, so I thought I‘d read a few. This is a fun one in terms of the author‘s imagination.

14 likes1 stack add
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Keauna
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow

In this book, there is a paragraph that says, “The inside of her throat must be burning. It must feel tight and tense, like a rubber band stretched too far. She told me once that it‘s like choking on a rock of fire that refuses to melt down, and that must be why she‘s teary-eyed.” This creates a mood of sadness for the reader and the tone the author was going for is a sense of dread.

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Zoe-h
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Mehso-so

I don‘t know how I feel about this one. On one hand, I was totally hooked and loved the characters, but on the other, I was confused half the time and didn‘t know what was going on. I didn‘t understand why Effie was living with Tavia for a ridiculously long time. The ending felt wack and rushed, even though it was like 50 pages. It just seemed like the characters wanted to just take everything that happened to them as it was and call it good. 3⭐️?

Zoe-h Also I was not into the whole twist with Gargy. It was super weird how the author wanted us to think it was her dad when it was actually her boyfriend. It felt gross. 3y
14 likes1 comment
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holarosarita
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow

Also, pretty rude not to ask your gargoyle‘s name.

holarosarita You‘re a supe and you‘re a person, he‘s a supe and he‘s a person. You can‘t just call him Gargy! 3y
holarosarita To his face! 3y
1 like2 comments
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holarosarita
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow

I don‘t think I agree with Book Riot‘s assessment that this book is not about Black pain.

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VeraNyx
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

I loved the lore of this book and the way mythical creatures were integrated into the modern world. The author put her own creative twist on mythology.

Karisa That cover is gorgeous! 3y
VeraNyx It is! I completely judged this book by its cover when I got it. 🙂 3y
4 likes2 comments
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Merethebookgal
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Mehso-so

The concept is really cool, and I like how mythology was interwoven with timely social justice issues, but I feel like the story could have benefitted from more worldbuilding/ info on the magical beings.

Smrloomis Darn. Sorry to hear it was a bit disappointing! 4y
DimeryRene I felt the same. Liked it but didn‘t love it. Wasn‘t mad I read it but wanted a bit more. 4y
34 likes2 comments
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Sharanya
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Mehso-so

The way this book layered in social commentary with magical realism was quite lovely. I really liked Tavia & Effie as narrators. I thought the family relationships were dynamic. I was confused by the girls‘ relationship to each other at first, which tangled with my confusion about the world-building. I felt I was always a step behind until well past the 50% mark. & that‘s about where the story seemed to start too. An intriguing but slow read.★★★☆☆

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Melismatic
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

YA fantasy meets contemporary reality/anti racism. Two teenage best friends: one is secretly a Siren (& the other really loves Renaissance faires). The plot gets a little convoluted but the story is unique and full of literal Black Girl Magic. Such a smart concept.

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HoneyBeeLee
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

This was such a good coming of age book. The only thing that threw me was the Magical Realism aspect. I don‘t read a lot of them so it takes me a good chapter or two to get into the story the book fully. But once I was hooked I was hooked, I loved how the writer was able to weave in the #blacklivesmatter movement and protest without it being cheesy and making it relatable. I loved Tavia and her sister throughout the whole book.

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sebrittainclark
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

4/5

This book was so good. It imagined a world where humans with magical gifts live among everyone else, but Sirens must hide as their gifts are universally feared. It's a wonderful story about sisterhood and finding your voice.

Aida_Nam The cover illustration looks so whimsical!! 4y
61 likes6 stack adds1 comment
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sebrittainclark
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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1. A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow and Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz

2. Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

3. Aloe Vera. I have 2 big ones I've had for 4 years and the many tiny ones they've produced and I just love them.

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

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DimeryRene
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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The most beautiful cover. Ever.

16 likes1 stack add
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mdemanatee
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

I generally consider myself a pretty astute reader but it took me to like *right* before the reveal to figure it out. This book is as good as everyone says. Loved, loved, loved the relationship between Tavia and Effie

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alecia3dixie
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Mehso-so

I was really excited for this one because I love creature fantasy! But I really wished it would have talked more about the whole magical realm. This book just fell flat, the whole beginning of the book just felt like it went on forever! I almost DNF this book 3 times. The ending was alright, I did like the magical elements of the ending. But other than that, the message just kind of got lost. I wish it would have gone more into the bigger issues.

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LouBeth
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐
It took me a while to get into this book but in the end I really enjoyed it. I love anything having to do with mythology.
There is kind of a mystery about one of the girls and when I figured it out I was surprised it took me so long because it seems so obvious now.

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LouBeth
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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A warm breakfast, Harry Potter ambiance video on tv, and an audio book is a good Saturday morning.😊

VioletBramble This book sounds good.. stacking. I love the cover. 4y
44 likes1 comment
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SLibrarian5
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Mehso-so

I enjoyed the first half, but was underwhelmed by the end. I wanted more explanation of the magic system and better pacing. I loved the relationship between the two main characters, as well as the timely aspects and allegories on racism and Black Lives Matter. I think this would have been better as a duology and I highly recommend the audiobook-the two narrators were excellent.

#booked2020

#YANovelbyaPOC

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DuskAngelReads
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Join us on discord!!

discord.gg/sj2s2J7

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SLibrarian5
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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#weeklyforecast:

I‘ll probably finish “Home Before Dark” and “Dreamland” this week. Would like to get to 50% of “A Song Below Water,” as well.

I also want to start a title for another #booked2020 prompt, before the month is over. Can you guess what the prompt will be? 😜

@Cinfhen

Cinfhen Hmmmmmm, #WhineOrWine 😂🍷🥂 4y
Cinfhen ♥️🙌🏻❣️ 4y
10 likes2 comments
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TaraTLK
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Oh gosh, I tore through this book. Such a wonderful story about how we treat power based on who has it. But also a great story about play sisters who support each other as they try to figure out their own truths.

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Skygoddess1
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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How‘s everyone‘s Saturday going? Im currently spending mine finishing up my audiobook of the tagged book and making some jewelry. I love the way Morrow uses mythical creatures like Sirens and Mermaids to examine racial discrimination and take a unique look at being Black in the US and Black Lives Matter. #audiorcrafting #currentlylistening

MallenNC I have this in print! It‘s making its way up my to read stack. 4y
14 likes1 comment
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Godmotherx5
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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“I‘m not a monster because I live in a world that gives me impossible choices.” - Bethany C. Morrow

Godmotherx5 Really interesting comments and quotes in this book. Yet, it took a look time to reach it‘s point. Better pacing would have made it more effective. 4y
41 likes1 stack add1 comment
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NicoleCeBallos
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Bailedbailed

I was really excited about this one, but ended up bailing on it. The pacing was just so freaking slow that the message got lost. This was being billed as a mermaid story, but none of the characters in it are mermaids. This has been my biggest letdown of the year so far.

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StaceyKondla
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

Finished this audio while taking care of the pets and some household tasks. It‘s a cool twist on mythological creatures like sirens, sprites, mermaids, gorgons, etc, in a modern day contemporary west coast Portland setting addressing systemic racism and the power of protest. Message driven but I liked it and will check out Bethany C. Morrow‘s next book for sure.

Tianarose This book was awesome! 4y
68 likes1 stack add1 comment
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rachelsbrittain
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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1. The Henna Wars, My Calamity Jane, and How to be an Antiracist

2. A Song Below Water

3. Depends. Sometimes I want a light fun read like a great romance (Take a Hint, Dani Brown for instance) but I've also been known to take a chunky classic of nonfiction book to really focus in

rachelsbrittain And shout out to @sebrittainclark for helping me come up with this week's questions when I was too sick to think if any last night 4y
sebrittainclark Always happy to help 4y
37 likes2 comments
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hes7
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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#IntegrateYourShelf

I‘ve only tackled fiction titles so far, like The Vanishing Half and A Song Below Water (and a whole lot of romance). I do have plans to pick up more nonfiction, too, including So You Want to Talk About Race, White Fragility, White Rage, Why I‘m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, Stamped, and many more.

ChasingOm So many good books!!! 4y
57 likes1 comment
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Godmotherx5
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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I am reading the tagged book. Published as Young Adult, it addresses racism head-on. I‘d love it if I could get my nieces to read it. #IntegrateYourShelf @Emilymdxn @ChasingOm #JudgementFreeZone #BlackLivesMatter

45 likes2 stack adds
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JoScho
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Some of us are going to focus on books by Black authors this month. Super low key-no stress-no forms-just reading and sharing. Please join in if you would like to and use #ReadBlackAuthors🖤
I am going to try to post a book a day to highlight black authors.
#BlackLivesMatter #BLM

sprainedbrain I‘m excited, both about the books I‘m going to read this month and all of the new ones I‘m sure will be added to my list. 😃 4y
JoScho @sprainedbrain me too Jenni! 4y
Melismatic 💪🏻 I‘m finishing up Such A Fun Age right now! 4y
See All 8 Comments
JoScho @Melismatic yay! My library hold just came in for that one. 4y
Sharpeipup I just stocked at the library today... 4y
JoScho @Sharpeipup awesome! 4y
PaperbackPirate Great idea...I think I need to redo my tbr for the month! 4y
91 likes8 comments
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rachelsbrittain
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

Tavia & Effie are sisters by all but blood. Effie is the only one Tavia can communicate with in ASL when she doesnt trust her siren voice. And of course Effie keeps her secrets. Because being a siren is even more dangerous than just being a black woman--which is dangerous enough. An excellent YA novel about being a young black woman in America, with an wonderfully parallel system of mythical creatures. Plus love the sisterhood / best friendship!

46 likes2 stack adds
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Tianarose
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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I am in love with this story so far. #blackvoices

42 likes2 stack adds
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Lindy
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

The addition of magical beings like sirens, sprites & living gargoyles add freshness & whimsy to this moving & powerful YA novel set in contemporary Portland. “Keep Portland weird!” Viewpoint alternates between two best friends & the #audiobook uses narrators Andrea Laing & Jennifer Haralson to good effect. The underlying issue of misogyny and, in particular, the silencing of Black girls‘ voices, resonates strongly with today‘s reality. #ownvoices

47 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Lindy
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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“I‘ve been asked more than a few times whether I agree with the destruction of public property […]. I‘m not sure I‘m allowed to speak. The question is always framed so that bringing up the destruction of human bodies sounds like a deflection.”

(Internet photo)

36 likes2 stack adds
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JoScho
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

This book is moving and magical. It could not be more relevant with our current climate touching on racism and police brutality. It is Black Lives Matter with a heavy dose of fantasy. The story is centered around two black girls-Tavia and Effie-as they try to navigate being a teenager with hidden powers, family secrets, and the injustice and fear of being themselves. This book is powerful and needed more now than ever.

97 likes9 stack adds
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Merethebookgal
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Isn‘t this cover gorgeous?!? 😍 I got to listen in on a chat with the book‘s author last night, and it made me even more excited to read the book. A Contemporary Fantasy with Black Sirens set in an alternate Portland with cool mythology and deals with social justice? Sign me up!

ju.ca.no Love the cover😍 4y
Aswenson Just added this to my purchase list for my school‘s HS library. Looks amazing! 4y
Merethebookgal @ju.ca.no it really is an amazing cover! 4y
Merethebookgal @Aswenson Yay!!! I hope your students love it! 4y
53 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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JoScho
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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This!
#blm #blacklivesmatter ✊🏼

58 likes2 stack adds
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Cailey_Mac
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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I am uber excited about this mermaid-esque siren novel! Besides a stunning cover and intriguing plot, I love that the novel is more about the power of friendship and told from a viewpoint different from myself😊📖 #tbr #BGM #mermaids

27 likes1 stack add
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silentrequiem
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Free pins for book preorders are a surefire way to get me to preorder the book. I mean I was gonna buy it anyway since black mermaids, so 🤷🏻‍♀️. 🧜‍♀️

Godmotherx5 Wow, that pin is gorgeous. 4y
27 likes1 comment
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JoScho
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Up next on audio 💙🎶🧜🏾‍♀️

StaceyKondla I got this as an ALC from Libro.fm- looking forward to hearing what you think of it 😊 4y
madams421 So excited for this one! 4y
JoScho @madams421 @StaceyKondla so far it is pretty great and so relevant right now. 🧜🏾‍♀️ 4y
89 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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LibrarianRyan
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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This is out TODAY and part of a pretty great twitter campaign. I believe it is currently sold out on amazon (or almost is) so get your copy from a Black owned book store, or from Bookshop.org to support indie book stores.

YA

#CoverLove
#BlackLivesMatter
#BlackAuthors
#BlackoutTuesday

42 likes2 stack adds
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gibblr
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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I don‘t know how I happen to be reading this advanced copy of a book that releases today at this very appropriate moment in time, but I am. I don‘t have adequate words to say all I want to say, but this is exactly it. Exactly.

Book: “A Song Below Water” by Bethany C. Morrow

#blacklivesmatter #nojusticenopeace #justiceforgeorgefloyd

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SoManyBooksNotEnoughTime
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

"...?????? ???????? ??? ?????????? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ??????? ??? ????."⁣

⁣I was originally drawn in by the gorgeous cover and talk of magic and mermaids, but I absolutely stayed for the strong, realistic, young black women. Morrow has written a novel that is extremely, timely and relevant. A must read.

63 likes2 stack adds
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Addison_Reads
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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Pickpick

Another ARC win that I enjoyed and would like to #PayItForward if someone is interested. US only right now please. First to comment below will receive the book. 💚

This YA fantasy novel was great! We're introduced to a world similar to our own but with hidden mythical creatures, such as sirens/mermaids. This book does an excellent job of addressing serious issues involving race while also delivering an entertaining story.

CaliforniaCay This looks awesome! My rec would be Queen of the Conquered. I haven't read it myself but it's also on my list, another cool looking fantasy featuring characters of color. 5y
39 likes1 stack add2 comments
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rachelsbrittain
A Song Below Water: A Novel | Bethany C. Morrow
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1. A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
2. The Doll People
3. I've only heard the Jim Dale versions, and I have many fond roadtrip memories so I'm going to have to go with that

#sundayfunday @ozma.of.oz

BookmarkTavern 1. I love that title! ❤️ and 3. I listened to them on road trips too! 5y
30 likes1 comment