Welcome to Litsy!

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!

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.

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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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.

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.

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⭐️?

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

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

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.

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.

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.★★★☆☆

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.

A warm breakfast, Harry Potter ambiance video on tv, and an audio book is a good Saturday morning.😊

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

Join us on discord!!

discord.gg/sj2s2J7

#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

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.

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

“I‘m not a monster because I live in a world that gives me impossible choices.” - Bethany C. Morrow

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.

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.

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

#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.

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

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

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!

I am in love with this story so far. #blackvoices

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

“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)

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.

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!

This!
#blm #blacklivesmatter ✊🏼

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

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 🤷🏻‍♀️. 🧜‍♀️

Up next on audio 💙🎶🧜🏾‍♀️

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

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

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

⁣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.

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.

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

It's always a good day at work when an ARC unexpectedly shows up. Bonus joy when it's a book I was really looking forward to reading.

This particular #CatsOfLitsy is Gizmo, one of the shop cats.

This is beautiful!!!

Sign me up for anything that includes black mermaids & sirens! 😍🧜🏾‍♀️