I'm finally ready to share my pics for my 2025 bookish awards! These are some of the books I was most entertained by last year and I hope y'all will give them a try.

The award for "Book I Couldn't Put Down" goes to You Should Have Been Nicer To My Mom by Vincent Tirado!

The drama was delicious and I felt so seen by the storytelling. For those who have read my previous reviews, this probably isn't surprising to you!

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The award for "Book I'm Still Thinking About" goes to A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera!

Some folks may be surprised by the fact that I chose a Romance novel for this award, but IYKYK. This Historical Romance uses the context surrounding our MC's stories in such a powerful way that you might have to sit with yourself for a little while when you finish reading it.

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I've got a three-way tie for the "Spiciest Romances" of 2025:

I Accidentally Hooked Up With A Vampire by Jessica Cage, Blood & Brujas by Mikayla D. Hornedo, and All Superheroes Need Photo Ops by Elizabeth Stephens.

This was a hard decision to make and I almost threw in I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming for good measure. These novels had me speechless (many times)!! If you haven't read anything by these authors (and Kimberly Lemming), I suggest you add their backlogs, babes.

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My indecision plagued me for my "Most Fun To Read" books of 2025, too. I ultimately went with A Man for Mrs. Claus by Rebekah Weatherspoon, A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna, and The Princess and The P.I. by Nikki Payne.

These authors had me kicking my feet, giggling, and getting butterflies all story long! They gave me mystery, yearning, and safe spaces.

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Despite that, I have to say that my choice for "Coziest Novel" of the year goes to Only Lovers in the Building by Nadine Gonzalez.

I'm a sucker for found family, but add in the location, the romance, and the beautiful writing and I'm sold. This Afro-Latina represented us so well!

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Last but definitely not least, my award for "Most Surprising Stories" of 2025 goes to:

Blood Slaves by Markus Redmond, When The Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley, Lucha of the Forgotten Spring by Tehlor Kay Mejia, and Beasts of Carnaval by Rosália Rodrigo.

These were the stories I didn't know I wanted! They were original, vivid, and kept me hooked. They may not be everyone's cup of tea but they hit just right for me.

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Thank you to all of the authors who worked so hard to write these books and get them out in the world. They've brought readers (and librarians) like me outlets to rage, feel safe, and find ourselves. Keep doing what you're doing because it matters!

It’s been a bit since a book has caught me and refused to let me go. Black history, particularly Black American history, is a snowball of triumphs and pain. It’s a story of resilience that has passed through generations like a chant: you shall overcome. Over and over again collectively we rise to the challenge amongst a country that has always tried to devalue our humanity.

I’ve read memoirs, history books, and historical fiction over the years. They all are a piece of a great puzzle, but When Trees Testify brings forth a perspective I’ve never thought of before.

I'm so happy that I had the opportunity to ask Beronda L. Montgomery about her new release.

About Beronda L. Montomgery

Beronda L. Montgomery, PhD, is a writer, researcher, and scholar who pursues a common theme of understanding how individuals perceive, respond to, and are impacted by the environments in which they exist. Her primary laboratory-based research has been focused on the responses of photosynthetic organisms (i.e., plants and cyanobacteria) to external light cues. Additionally, Beronda pursues this theme in the context of effective mentoring and leadership of individuals, and the role of innovative leaders in supporting success. To learn more and follow her blog, check out her website here.

Author Interview With Beronda L. Montgomery

What inspired you to write this book?

I was first inspired to explore the relationship between trees and African American history after encountering a more than 400-year old oak tree while visiting the site of a former plantation near Charleston, SC and realizing that the tree would have been alive and standing when ancestral African Americans had been enslaved there.

Your book touched upon hundreds of years of history. What time period do you feel like you learned the most from?

It's difficult to pinpoint exactly; however knowledge that I gained about the early 1900s in my research on Blackdom, NM in the chapter on apple trees was very new to me. Also, on a personal level, looking into the massacre in Elaine, AR in 1919 was very moving because of the connection to my maternal grandfather and family history.

I have never thought about the various trees and the symbolism they have with Black history. Was there a particular tree you encountered that has stuck with you the most? 

In terms of visiting trees, the Angel Tree outside of Charleston has been deeply impactful due to its massive size, the population of resurrection ferns that it hosts, and the fascinating history of the tree, including its link to Civil Rights activist Septima Poinsette Clark.

What was your research process like?

The process was varied in that for same chapters, including Oak, Willow, and Apple, I made a decision to travel. I also spent significant time doing traditional research of reading; yet, this project also took me into archives and deep into genealogical records for my own family connections.

What do you hope readers take away from this book?

I hope that readers may learn something new about African American history, learn about new Black botanical experts and expertise, but also walk away with increase curiousity about trees in general, including those that they share space with.

Trees and Black Americans are entwined throughout the book. What was the most surprising story you discovered that brought together the two topics? 

The most surprising was the connection with willows and family history in a massive massacre in Arkansas in 1919.

There are many types of trees, but in your book you explored seven along with cotton. How did you choose the tree species to focus on? Was there one that surprised you?

I started with trees that many might see as associated with Black history - oaks and poplar. Others such as willow, pecan and the cotton shrub were added due to connections to family history that at the same time were connected to the larger history of African Americans in the US.

How do you hope When Trees Testify influences conversations about race and the role of Black botanical history? 

I hope that it will inspire individuals to embrace a dual history of Black Americans and botanical history in the US. Many are aware of the trauma associated with chattel slavery, even as many are not aware of the depth of this trauma. Fewer are aware of the depth of agricultural expertise that enslaved Africans contributed to the success of agriculture in the US. I hope that When Trees Testify offers the opportunity to being to understand that Black botanical legacy and to celebrate it.

Thank you so much Beronda for allowing me to ask you questions about your book. If you haven't already, grab a copy of When Trees Testify. You won't regret it!

📚✨𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀?

The secret isn't magic, it's the art of the 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁. Whether you’re emailing a big publisher or a debut indie author, your pitch is your first impression!

Here is my checklist for a sending a request:

✅𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀: Include the book title and author in the subject line.

✅𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘀: Mention your platform IG, TikTok, Blog and your current reach/engagement.

✅𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗪𝗵𝘆”: Why do YOU want this book? "I'm a huge fan of dark academia" or "I loved your last series!"

✅𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀: Make it easy for them. Link your social profiles and your NetGalley/StoryGraph/Goodreads accounts.

⚠️🆃🅸🅿🆂:

For Publishers: Check their website first! Many have specific "Requesting ARCs" pages or use platforms like NetGalley or Edelweiss.

📍We also have a list of 𝟱𝟬+ 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 to influencer programs, book tours, contact emails, and much more that you can check out!

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀: Be personal and respectful. Remember, their book is their baby, show them it’s in good hands!

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸!💌 https://tinyurl.com/yebep9zc

❓️Have you requested an ARC before, or are you still nervous to hit send? Let's chat in the comments!👇

For every difficult, confusing, lonely experience in life... there's a memoir for that!

Behind every bookish post is a world of opportunity, and we’re here to help you unlock it! 📚✨

If you’ve ever wondered how your favorite creators get those early copies or land official partnerships, you’re in the right place. Working with publishers to receive ARCs is a major milestone for any bookstagrammer, blogger, or BookToker. To make it easier, we’ve compiled the ultimate go-to guide for creators.

🚀The Ultimate Publisher & Influencer Guide

We’ve gathered over 50+ links and contacts to help you navigate the industry. This list is your new best friend for finding:

• Influencer Programs: Direct applications for major houses like Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Macmillan.

• Book Tour Hosts: Organizations that coordinate specific promotional "tours" for new releases.

• Direct Contact Emails: The shot in the dark addresses for specific imprints and publicity departments.

• Audiobook ALCs: Opportunities to receive Advanced Listening Copies through platforms like Libro.fm.

📍How to Access the List

Ready to start requesting? Click the link bio to access the full list with all 50+ links! https://tinyurl.com/5fwv5hzu

🔄Stay Updated

The publishing world moves fast! We will be updating this list as new programs open and new imprints are formed.

💥Help us grow: If you know of a program or a publicist email we missed, send us an email! We’d love to add it to the master list so the whole community can benefit.

❗️SAVE THIS POST so you can come back to it when you’re ready to send your next round of pitches!

💬 Let’s Chat!

We want to know: Which publisher do you want to work with the most? Are you a die-hard Penguin Random House fan, or is there an indie press you’d love to represent? Let us know in the comments!

Happy Tuesday, mis internet amigxs!

My sincerest apologies for not getting this to you sooner! I was on vacation for the weekend with some of my best girlfriends and I had to prepare a presentation, as well as pack and get Secret Santa gifts in a busy week, medically, for my Mami and I, on top of regular work and tending to my family. It was a BUSY week. I'd thought I would work this weekend casually among friends, but instead I just soaked in the love and friendship all weekend. I then returned home yesterday to no internet and it took until about 10 minutes ago to get it back....

Before I get started with the list, though, I also want to apologize Libritos and Lectores members for not getting you early access to the newsletter. I posted a poll about it recently for you, but this week, I'll begin to post a reformatted version of my personal Latine book spreadsheet for you, beginning with January 27th releases. Not only will I update with upcoming Latine releases, but I'll update with the almost 2,000 published Latine releases I've been tracking over the past 4+ years. This spreadsheet will be available to all subscribers at the Libritos and Lectores level to peruse as you're searching for more Latine books for Latine Book Bingo. Be on the lookout for the first update of this spreadsheet later this week! And if you haven't subscribed or were thinking about subscribing at a paid level, NOW IS THE TIME!

By the way, mark your calendars for February 4th for our book club discussion with Orange Wine author Esperanza Hope Snyder! We're voting right now for when book club will discuss the book on Discord, so make sure to get your vote in before tomorrow.

Finally, LibroFM is having a great Fantasy Audiobook Sale right now through February 1st! There are almost 100 best selling and buzzy fantasy titles on this list, most for less than $5!!! (Also, you chismosas didn't hear it from me, but they will also be giving away free audiobooks on January 31st and I will send you a link when it's live).

And, now, without further ado, today's Latine releases...

TRANSLATED LITERATURE

Apparitions by Margo Glantz and translated by Ellen Jones

Eating Ashes by Brenda Navarro and Translated by Megan McDowell (Audiobook)

GRAPHIC NOVEL

Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe by David Petersen and Illustrated by Gabriel Rodríguez

Blood City Rollers: Move It or Bruise It by V.P. Anderson and Illustrated by Tatiana Hill

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Just Right by Torrey Maldonado and Illustrated by Teresa Martínez

xoxo,

Carmen

Dear Inky Phoenix members,

Courtney made our members an amazing apocalypse/THIS IS NOT A TEST companion guide as a special thank you for all your loud support. Please enjoy this whimsical guide, and share your answers and enthusiasm on our Discord! And please continue to share about her book online and with friends and family.

ACCESS YOUR Reader Preparedness Guide + Bonus Content HERE!

xo Kathryn and Courtney

Hi there Disco Dancers!

Today I wanted to share some brilliant Black sci fi with you all. Growing up, I loved sci fi. I devoured books by Brian Aldiss, Philip K Dick, Frank Herbert. But I didn’t see authors or people like me in that space. Things are thankfully different now! Here are some recent favourites:

The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden

This is a wild ride of a book set in a future South Africa, featuring:

An AI uprising

South African demigods

A crazy mutant virus

Black queer love

A trans politician

A pop star with multiple sclerosis and powers

It’s a crazy mish mash but it really, really works!

Clap Back by Nalo Hopkinson

This is a fantastic short story about an artist with uses nano technology to make ‘African inspired’ art which recounts African people’s memories, and the Black activist who suspects there’s exploitation involved.

Augmented by Kenechi Udogu

This is a YA book set in a post apocalyptic London where people live in bubbles to protect them from the heat, and some people can sing to plants to make them grow. When a girl discovers she had that ability, she must decide whether she wants to be ‘augmented’ and use her power for the state, but she doesn’t have the whole picture.

I thought this was really fun, but did end a little too conveniently for me, obviously setting it up for a sequel. Too many things happened ‘by chance’ and took me out of it right at the end. It’s worth it for the sci fi concepts though, the vision of alternative London is really captivating. I definitely want more!

Love,

Disco

Hi all! I've been thinking about what book we should read together this year. Last year, we read Psychic Witch and it took almost the whole year due to the exercises and density of the book. It is also a well known witchcraft book that a lot of people were interested in. For this year, I'm less able to pinpoint a witchcraft book that has as wide of appeal. A lot of the books I'm interested in reading personally are much more niche so they work less well for a buddy read. So I was thinking of pivoting a bit and reading another type of non-fiction book that is still witch-y adjacent in some ways (think Braiding Sweetgrass). With that, I have a few in mind that may work so please vote in the poll for what you are most interested in! I'm thinking we will read a few books together this year, instead of just the one, but we will base that on the pacing for everyone.

It’s time to vote on our February book club pick! We have three awesome options here. I’ve heard wonderful things about Red City, a new fantasy romance and the first book in an incomplete series. A few people in the book club have also requested to read Daughter of the Empire, the first book in a complete science fiction fantasy trilogy written by two widely respected authors! We can also choose to continue on with The Dandelion Dynasty series together. Full disclosure—I’ve already read Wall of Storms and I LOVED IT. It’s better than Grace of Kings and very action packed.

Happy voting everyone!! Can’t wait to see what you pick!

Red City by Marie Lu

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Blurb: The Godfather meets The Magicians in the sweeping adult debut from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu. Perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab, Red City is a dark and deadly contemporary fantasy of magical warfare, star-crossed ambition, and the pursuit of perfection at any cost, set in a glittering alternate Los Angeles.

Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. First and Janny Wurts

Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy

Blurb: Magic and murder engulf the realm of Kelewan.  Fierce warlords ignite a bitter blood feud to enslave the empire of Tsuranuanni.  While in the opulent Imperial courts, assassins and spy-master plot cunning and devious intrigues against the rightful heir.  Now Mara, a young, untested Ruling lady, is called upon to lead her people in a heroic struggle for survival.  But first she must rally an army of rebel warriors, form a pact with the alien cho-ja, and marry the son of a hated enemy.  Only then can Mara face her most dangerous foe of all--in his own impregnable stronghold.  An epic tale of adventure and intrigue.  Daughter of the Empire is fantasy of the highest order by two of the most talented writers in the field today.

Wall of Storms by Ken Liu

Genre: Silkpunk Fantasy

Blurb: Kuni Garu, now known as Emperor Ragin, runs the archipelago kingdom of Dara, but struggles to maintain progress while serving the demands of the people and his vision. Then an unexpected invading force from the Lyucu empire in the far distant west comes to the shores of Dara—and chaos results. But Emperor Kuni cannot go and lead his kingdom against the threat himself with his recently healed empire fraying at the seams, so he sends the only people he trusts to be Dara’s savvy and cunning hopes against the invincible invaders: his children, now grown and ready to make their mark on history.

Hi everyone, and happy Sunday! And of course, congratulations for those of you who have been doing some form of a time audit over the course of the last two weeks! Having done a few of these over the years, I know these can be tedious (and sometimes even stressful), and in some situations difficult to look at and realize how much time you're dedicating to certain things. But hopefully you got some good insight into your time and how you are using it.

So now comes the fun part! For this week, the goal is to analyze your results, and come up with a plan for when and how much you'll plan on reading. To analyze your results, you are going to categorize your time, and calculate average time and percentages spent in each category each day. in doing so, you can then figure out how much time you have to devote to reading, and where you can shift some priorities. If you need help, feel free to reach out. Here is what was provided previously in terms of your audit analysis:

• For your time audit, I would suggest the following categories as labels for what you are doing during your days. This will help you at the end see what proportion of your time is spent in different areas. Of course, feel free to make your own. 

  • Sleep: This is obvious I hope 🙂

  • Personal: Activities that we all have to do: eating, grooming, exercise, personal maintenance

  • Family time: Time spent with significant others, kids

  • Work: Again, hopefully obvious

  • Hobbies: Non-reading hobbies

  • Screen time: Time spent on your phone, watching TV, on a tablet

  • Reading

Once you have an idea of where you can fit in some reading time (or expand your reading time, depending on your goal), we can then pick out a book for you to read to start working on a daily reading habit. If you want, you can test some different things out this week (try some different times, see what works for you).

As I mentioned before, for each month of these reading challenges, one person gets a $25 bookshop.org gift card. To be eligible for January, you'll need to prove that you did the time audit, and share your book and reading plan.

You can share your results here in the comments, on Discord in the challenge channel, or if you don't want to share publicly, send me a DM on Discord. Excited to get to the fun part and figure out how to help you read more in 2026!

~ Bob