I‘m still honestly a shook I took this all in with curiosity and appreciation. I think about the why of it and what I think is to blame is the writing! It‘s accessible & grabbing while not being overly punishing.

FAVORITE BOOK OF THE YEAR HANDS DOWN! GOOD TALK is a graphic memoir of complex conversations that the author has had with her son, strangers, family, and friends about what it's like to be a queer brown woman in the world. It‘s a book everyone should own & read!!!

Patsy tells the story of a queer woman that leaves Jamaica, and her daughter Tru, to pursue what she believes to be the love of her life that lives in the USA. Told in a shifting narrative from her daughter Tru & Patsy we get a rare view & raw description on what it‘s like to be a Mother that leaves a child behind while also feeling what it‘s like to be a child that gets left behind. This is only one theme/layer of this complex novel.

Stunning short story collection about women of all shapes and forms. Bad women, sick women, good women, queer women! Definitely one of my fave of the year. A perfect mash up of genres & almost impossible to label- this is one to read.

YES- it‘s been forever since I logged into LITSY! But NO I haven‘t forgotten about this amazing community!!! Life might get in the way but I‘ll always find my way back. How‘s everyone doing?!

This novel reminded me of how much I enjoy Murakami‘s writing. From his sublet & repetitive description of a character lunch‘s to analysis of deep philosophical questions regarding humanity- such as who are we without ties to others? This novel definitely reminded me that I have much more Murakami to read & enjoy & I absolutely can‘t wait. For new readers to Murakami I‘d suggest starting with an earlier work of fiction by him.

Loved this book so much I bought a physical copy after listening to the audiobook. These essays are so incredibly powerful! Jerkins is a voice to be heard and read.

This book completely shocked me! This was my first book by Celeste Ng and my goodness I have to admit I wasn‘t expecting to like it as much as I ended up liking it. The plot is genius and the characters are so well developed. I‘ve heard that her first novel was much better but I can‘t speak to that just yet. Looking forward to reading her first novel. Anyone read both and have a preference?!

Grief is a monster that‘s never been rawly explored- this novel attempts that and does so much justice to the human soul. I loved this! Making it one of my favorites of 2018. Strange, eerie yet so very beautifully written.

#BooksandBeers #BooksandBooze

I can not recommend Girls Burn Brighter enough! That said it isn‘t an easy read, it isn‘t a fun read. It‘s a read that will push you to feel and will ask you to always hope. It‘s a story about a powerful friendship and personally pushed me to look at the way I value and prioritize female friendships! So incredibly happy I had the opportunity to chat with the author and @spinesvines with our #LITonHSt book club! This is one of my faves of 2018!

Have you ever read a novel and literally felt like your mind was blown? This one for me fits in that category. It‘s incredibly timely and strangely beautiful. It‘s also one of those books that could go over your head. But if you just follow the story and let yourself get swept in, the reward is a novel that lingers long after you‘ve set it down.

Queen Sugar hit me in all my feels. When you pick up the book you stick with it for the plot not typically connecting with an specific character immediately but when you get to the end! Holy smokes! TEARS! In all honesty though- I really want to rate this book a “so-so” because I hated the ending. But that isn‘t fair LOL! Read it and then dive into the TV series which is SO GOOD!

I was so excited to chat with Camille Perri about When Katie Met Cassidy that I neglected to snap a photo of the actual book! Which I absolutely loved and found incredibly fun and refreshing. It‘s a “sit by the beach with a margarita” type of read. Yet don‘t underestimate its potential to get you in your feelings and make you laugh out loud!

This was incredibly interesting! Id call it less a memoir about polygamy and more a memoir about the exploration of Love and how one human loves. Although I enjoyed this I did at times find it repetitive. The illustrations were a nice touch but I wouldn‘t pick this up if you are looking for a graphic novel type of memoir. The illustrations are just an added touch!

The great thing about having moderating a book club is that you get to occasionally select the books & do a deep dive into said books. This one came out of no where for me though. I‘ve seen it listed often but decided it could stay on my #TBR list until I had the time. I am so glad #LITonHSt decided to read this. It‘s become one my favorite books I‘ve read this year and I‘d urge everyone to pick it up ASAP.

Memoirs are slowly becoming one of my fave genres. But they can be so hit or miss. If it‘s a miss it feels like your listening to someone talk about themselves over and over again. If it‘s a win- like this one! You feel open & refreshed & connected to someone‘s experience that although may be very different from your own; you manage to connect with. This #booksandbeers post is brought to you by #MonsoonMansion and #FleshandBloodIPA by #DogFishHead

I must admit I have always had a deep love for short stories. So I can give this one a so-so even though maybe not every story was out of this world. There was a particular story that has still stuck with me. Have you read this? And if so is there a specific story that sticks out to you? Cheers to another #bookandbeer post!

I‘ve come across so many great #YAreads that I wish were around when I was a youngster lately. This is one of them. What I‘m find though is that I need these books now as much as I needed them when I was young. This particular book hits so close to home! So many moments of “that‘s me”! And also topics that were taboo to talk about growing up. This not perfect MEXICAN daughter definitely recommends you pick this one up ❤️

Another #bookandbeer post! This one is brought to you by MEM & Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA! MEM is incredibly strange in a very good way. It‘s hard to describe but it‘s the type of fiction I crave more of! Definitely one to add to your list this year!

Another #bookandbeer post! This one is brought to you by 3 Stars Brewing Company & Back Talk! On another note, have we talked about what I like to call literary mic drops? It‘s when you come across a sentence or paragraph that literally feels like a mic drop and if often shakes you to your core. This book, man this book, has powerful mic drops that I felt helped me even heal a little bit! #Literarymicdrop

Making #bookandbeer Litsy posts a thing! This one is brought to you by #MarriageofAThousandLies & #GoldenMoneyTriple brewed by @victorybeer. I came across it after @roxanegay74 provided her review on @goodreads. Not even two sentences into her review I said- I NEED TO READ IT! Don‘t miss out on reading this book. My only complaint is that I want more! More Lucky! More Nisha! More brown queer love!.

Hi #Littens! It‘s been too long! And I am so sorry I‘ve been away for so long this time. I‘ve been busy reading a ton & recently started a book club with @spinesvines out of DCs newest Indie Book Store! We are on our third meeting and having tons of fun. But enough about me! How is everyone doing?! What‘s new?! I see some new accounts on here! If you can introduce yourself in the comments. Where you are reading from & ur fav genre!

Happy Friday! My Friday started off so well! Digging this #book! #Scribd has me winning again!

Finished my first audiobook with #scribdunlimited! However I‘m not sure I want or need to provide a rating to this! This memoir is deeply touching and what Paul gave the world is a beautiful doctor turn patient perspective that is very much needed! I will add that I‘m not sure the audio version of this book does it justice. If you feel like checking it out I‘d recommend the physical book.

Building my “saved” list on #Scribdunlimited! You still have time to enter the #giveaway on my instagram (Lupita.reads) to win a Scribd Reading Kit, which includes a one year subscription to the “Spotify of books and audiobooks” and some bookish swag 😍❤️📚

Hi Litsy Friends! Didn‘t want y‘all to miss out on a #GIVEAWAY I am running on my bookish instagram account (Lupita.Reads). I‘ve partnered with Scribd, “the Spotify of books and audio books” to giveaway a Scribd reading kit. The reading kit includes a one year membership to Scribd along with the swag pictured above. Head over to my Instagram to enter 😘 Unsure of Scribd? Check them out! They are offering a free 30 day trial- http://scr.bi/2FPO39F

Definitely a page turner, plot is immensely interesting and unique. The characters are memorable. Only issue with it is that some parts of it needed a bit more. By more, I mean they lacked the depth other parts had. It appears from speaking with others that the Simon section was everyone‘s favorite. Completely agree with them and feel she could have written a whole book on his life alone. Definitely recommend picking this one up!

This is a book that folks will either love or hate. For me, I found it moving and so well written. It‘s a story that needs discussion with an end that will frustrate you LOL. On my end I felt that after I read it, I had a renewed thirst for ALL the books and it‘s rare for me to come across a book that for some reason, reminds me I have a strong passion for reading ALL the books 🤣 Definitely add this to your 2018 must read list.

Not sure if I‘ve posted about this before but Chantel from the Reading Room DC weekly selects an author or novel as inspiration for #bookishcocktails. This week the inspiration is #TheUndergroundRailroad and I totally want to go! I plan to go this Saturday February 3rd at 7pm. If anyone is interested in joining comment below. I‘ve extended this on IG as well and some bookstagram friends will coming along :) who‘s up for a Litsy meet up?!

If you follow me on IG, you‘ve heard the news! @spinesvines and I are teaming up with DC‘s newest bookstore- Solid State Books. We will be hosting our very own book club: LIT on H St. We are super excited for this and have picked #SingUnburiedSing as our first read. If you are in the #DC area join us Feb 25 at Solid State Books to discussion this amazing read and follow us on IG :)

Failing at 2018 resolutions already 🤣 but here‘s my problem! I set too many bookish ones. I said I‘d spend less time on social media, that I‘d actually write reviews on Goodreads and that I‘d be more interactive on Litsy. 2 of the three are some what accomplished but that third- I have failed deeply.Here I am again though, with the same old story! I‘m going to keep trying. I should also add that I‘ve been busy w/ something special- sharing soon!

Happy New Year Littens! First and foremost, I have a New Years resolution to spend more time on Litsy- I love this community so much and feel like I haven‘t been as committed as I need to be. That being said I started 2018 with this read! It‘s a page turner for sure so please don‘t take my “so-so” as an indication not to read this. I just wanted a bit more from the novel. I‘d say more but don‘t want to spoil anything. Definitely add it to ur 2018!

I‘ve said this before and I‘ll say it again- 2017 is the year for poetry! Or at least for me ☺️! This collection was very special to me. Not only did it not go over my head, I felt connected to it in a deeper way. There‘s nothing like seeing yourself reflected in words in print. Thank you Erika Sanchez for writing these!

WHOA- my brain was definitely not ready for this novel. Don‘t let the page number amount fool you, this short novel packs so much you‘ll ask yourself at the end if you missed something. I know I missed several things. Definitely going to need to read this one again.

Ever pick up a book and wonder “Why am I just reading this?! How come this wasn‘t in the news or all over #bookstagram?!” That‘s how I feel about this book! I‘m not sure where I was when this was first published but I‘m so glad to finally pick it up thanks to @flatironbooks ! It is such a powerful read! Exploring the depth of what makes us human- our connections to each other. Definitely one to add to your life TBR list.

I feel like this year I‘ve read nothing but amazing short stories AND I love it! For me short stories give me a hunger for reading that sometimes novels crush because their endings kill me LOL that being said this collection was fantastic! Some stories did go over my head and I didn‘t seem to be in the head space at the time to try and figure the stories out but it feels good for my brain to want to say “Whaaaa?! Huh?! Did I miss something-WOW”

I ignored many people that told me A Man Called Ove was worth the read. Thanks to #Offtheshelfbookclub I finally sat down and read the darn book! And let me tell you- I was so wrong! This book plucked at all my heart strings even when I didn‘t want to give in. I know understand all the hype and love for Ove and this lovely book. Thanks #Offtheshelf

Geez! This book! The theme and character depth is amazing. However definitely a slow read, one that takes time and concentration. As with many books I‘ve read, I often find that picking up a book at the right time is a sort of special magic that comes once in a while. Not sure I picked this up at the right time but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Not best of 2017 but definitely one to read in fiction this year!

A sweet story with a lovely plot and great message. This is the type of fiction Id recommend gravitating towards when you need a feel good read that doesn‘t necessarily challenge or provoke you.

I‘m not a poetry person. Don‘t often know how to read it or if I‘m reading it the right way! So to find a collection of poems that one can truly connect with, without the concern of “getting it” or not, is truly special. These poems are special and are meant to be read and re-read and used as daily mantras. Best of 2017 in my book!

Not sure what to say about this memoir. While reading it, it was easy to overlook the bravery it must have taken to write it. I finished it months ago and passages from it still linger in my brain. It was so up front, unapologetic, genuine, bare..my brain in an effort to explain its depth, it's grasping at every word and it's making it difficult for me to write about this book! Gay has my admiration always for tackling such an intimate topic.

THE TOM HANKS wrote a book y‘all!!!! And it‘s pretty decent too! Would I say it‘s groundbreaking and soul moving and all that jazz? not so much BUT the short stories are funny, entertaining and I might even add there‘s some character depth there. If your a fan or Tom Hanks or even a bit curious to about this, definitely check it out. You won‘t be disappointed you did.

Normally when I come across an author I love, I‘ll read everything and anything they have written as quickly as possible. However with Jhumpa, I‘ve tried to slow myself down and read tiny bits at a time to truly enjoy all her brilliance. In every one of her stories I‘ve found myself at home and there‘s nothing more or less I can say about her work. I never tire of her themes or characters- her words just speak to my soul.

Thought provoking novella that comes to life with beautiful photographic images. It can be read from front to back or in a “choose your own path” style. It was definitely helpful to read this prior to Thanksgiving 😂. Would totally recommend checking out this unique piece of fiction! Did I mention it‘s a quick read too?!

What can I say that hasn‘t already been said about Jesmyn Ward? Her poetic and descriptive prose is like no other. Believe the hype when it comes to reading a novel written by her. I‘d suggest starting with Salvage the Bones 💫🙌🏾

Hi Litsy! Took a short break but I‘m back! What‘s new?! Who‘s new?! What‘s everyone reading?! Excited to catch up!

Hosting a #giveaway for one of my favorite books of the year! Check out my IG page to enter: Lupita.Reads. Might I add this is a collection of poems that truly moved and touched this non-poetic person.

Recently longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, American Street is a beautifully written story that echoes the struggles many young adults face migrating to America. Being neither from here (America) nor there (in Fabiola's case Haiti) and that is just the base of a book that tackles many more relevant issues. One to definitely read this year. YA is killing 2017!

Hi Litsy friends! Happy Saturday! Love that every time I log into Litsy, the community has grown. Big Litsy community means endless connections to amazing books! With that in mind- a friend of mine is looking for book recs for her sons 7 and 10 years old. Any recs would be much appreciated. Specifically diverse reads :)

Let the cover of this book talk you into picking it up. You will certainly not be disappointed. A story of a group of friends that starts with their deaths and works through the group. Extremely interesting look into friendships, relationships and life in general. Another great one set in Brazil!