When I decided to read the longlist for the Women's Prize for Fiction, I didn't realize how many I'd have already read and loved! That confirms my commitment to read the rest (most of which haven't been published in the US, or at least not yet). Here are my thoughts on those I've already read. I think that every one of these has earned it's placed on this list, and has important things to say about our world today.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy 5/5 Stars This was my first Charlotte McConaghy. I loved the balance between an intriguing plot and well-drawn characters.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 5/5 Stars One of my favorite books I've read so far this year. The characters really come to life through this epistolary novel.

Heart the Lover by Lily King 5/5 Stars This made me ugly cry. I love Lily King's writing.

Moderation by Elaine Castillo 4.75/5 Stars This one I was most surprised to be on this list, but it's a very pleasant surprise. I need more people to read this dystopian book on the future of content moderation. It also has a lot to say about immigrant labor.

A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar 4.5/5 Stars I'm still thinking about this one. This is not a happy read, but a necessary one.

Audition by Katie Kitamura 4/5 Stars Katie is one of my favorite authors but this is actually my least favorite of hers. This one is unique and will leave you thinking.

Flashlight by Susan Choi 3.75/5 Stars This is a well-written book with a plot that is a little clunky. Not surprised it's on this list.

Dominion by Addie E. Citchens 3.5/5 Stars I'm happy to see this book on this list, though it was a hard read for me with my background in the evangelical church.

A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang 3.25/5 Stars I think I read this at the wrong time for me. I did enjoy the discussion of living with memory loss.

As I was perusing the Women's History Month 20% sale on bookshop.org (as one does on a book buying ban), I saw that included is Good People by Patmeena Sabit, our April Leans Literary book club pick! If you want to pick up a personal copy, now would be a great time to do so, saving 20% with code WHM26.

Good People is the story of an Afghani immigrant family...told entirely from the outside. Because everyone has an opinion on how immigrants should live their lives.

You can pick it up from my bookshop . You may also see our May and June book club picks.

I came from a family of readers, and I’m excited to be raising a new one.

Over dinner last night, my mom was talking to my beginner reader about the books she could request from her school librarian. “You could ask for a Junie B. Jones book.”

Without skipping a beat, my daughter responded, “No, I would ask for a Harry Potter book.”

I hope this comes as no surprise, but I’m anti-JKR and her band of TERFs. I had no intention to introduce my daughter to Harry Potter, though I dreamed of doing so back in the day (I’m a good Millennial, after all).

I’m also anti-censorship and believe strongly in letting my kid read what they choose.

So what is a parent to do? I’ll tell you what I will do.

I won’t be telling my daughter she can’t read Harry Potter (or any other book).

I will approach with curiosity her desire to read these books. I’ll share why I chose to stop reading them, talking through the harm that has been caused in an age-appropriate way. If she still wants to read them, we’ll get them from the library and read and discuss together.

To me, this is far more useful to raising a kind, critically-thinking child than any book ban.

I've already announced that the Leans Literary book club (which you're a part of if you are reading this...if you want to be!) will be reading Good People by Patmeena Sabit in April.

But I know how hard it can be to get your hands on books sometimes, so I want to go ahead and make up a calendar for the rest of the year.

Taking a look at my shelves, the below titles are books I think would be a good fit that I have already read. Feel free to suggest other titles as well.

The Leans Literary book club will focus on genre fiction (sci fi, horror, dystopian, dark academia, etc) written by marginalized authors that has literary character-development and/or themes. We'll probably shy away from fantasy, as it's not generally my favorite, and I feel like there are already a lot of good book clubs out there focused on fantasy.

I've always wanted to be someone who followed the book awards, but so often the books that win have me shaking my head.

Well, this year, I decided I'm going to do it. But I'm going to be specific: the 2 book awards I am going to follow are the International Booker Prize and the Women's Prize for Fiction.

I enjoy high-brow literature, but focusing on these prizes will help me lean in where I have the greatest interest: fiction by women and other marginalized authors. Because I don't think I want to read any more books by pretentious white men.

The International Booker Prize attracts me as it is for fiction translated to English. The Booker judges often have me scratching my head, but I want to read all of the 13 longlist titles releasing on Tuesday and make up my own mind as to which I think is most worthy.

This is my first time doing it, so we'll see if I struggle to get my hands on any (the timing is based on releases in the UK so they may or may not release in the US in similar timing). I plan on utilizing my library, which has always been super helpful in getting more obscure titles in my hands.

I will also be reading the long list for the Women's Prize that announces March 4th. There were 16 books on the long list last year, many of which I read and loved, including last year's winner, The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden.

As this is my first year attempting this, I'm not exactly sure how it'll go. But I know that I will keep you updated on my thoughts. Have you ever attempted such a challenge?

Here are some February 17th and 24th releases on my radar (and should be on yours!). First, the ones I've had a chance to read:

Weavingshaw by Heba Al-Wasity 4.5/5 stars

Put this on your TBR if you enjoy diverse fantasy. This book is inventive and intriguing, drawing me in from page one (rare for a fantasy book). This is going to make a lot of best-of lists this year.

The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by Katrina Kwan 4/5 stars

Put this on your TBR if enjoy dark fairytale retellings, even if you're not familiar with the underlying folklore. Our main characters are a demon and a demon hunter, brought down to hell together and forced to work together to get through.

Where the False Gods Dwell by Denny S. Bryce 2.5/5 stars

Put this on your TBR if you enjoy learning history through historical fiction. This one didn't work for me as it had too many POVs, but those who enjoy action-packed historical fiction should check it out.

And the three I'm still waiting to get my hands on:

Rebel English Academy by Mohammed Hanif

Why it interests me: set in Pakistan, it centers an English-language school in perilous times.

Bad Asians by Lillian Li

Why it interests me: it centers a friend group of overachievers who now find themselves unemployed and living at home during the great recession.

I Give You My Silence by Mario Vargas Llosa

Why it interests me: translated from Spanish, this Peruvian novel by the late author explores loving your people and culture in spite of violent history.

Good People by Patmeena Sabit! I’ll be posting this publicly next week, but so excited for this to be our first book club read! I hope you’ll join us for discussion on Discord (coming soon!) throughout April.

This book couldn’t be more timely: a community commentating on what brown immigrants should/shouldn’t be doing? Plus it may challenge some preconceived notions you have about the Muslim community (especially if you lived through 9/11 in an evangelical church like I did).