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Laëtitia's avatar

Hi everyone,

So happy to join this book club :) As I just registered, I'm answering here though it's quite hard to choose between all those gems and I'll be happy with any choices made. So here is my top 5 :

The Serviceberry + Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

Climate Optimism by Zahra Biabani

We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

I hope you all have a peaceful resting weekend

Laëtitia

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Juliet Diaz's avatar

Welcome to the Book Coven, Laetitia! 🖤

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Samantha's avatar

I agree it was hard to pick just the top 5!! They all seem like important reads. Here are my top five:

1. The Serviceberry + Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer

2. We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance

3. Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

4. Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science

5. We Will Not Be Saved by Nemonte Nenquimo

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Juliet Diaz's avatar

I know they are all so good. We can always move those left to next year 😌

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Abby 💕's avatar

Here are my top 5, in no particular order:

-Yellowface

-Martyr!

-Real Americans

-Fresh Banana Leaves

-The Serviceberry

Thank you!

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Juliet Diaz's avatar

Thank your for taking the time to vote 🖤

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Mary Sandstrom's avatar

1. Yellow face

2. Wandering stars

3. The serviceberry + gathering moss

4. We refuse: a forceful history of black resistance

5. We will not be saved

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Juliet Diaz's avatar

Thank your for taking the time to vote 🖤

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Libélula Bruxa's avatar

My top five (random order)

1. We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance

2. Wandering Stars

3. Fresh Banana Leaves

4. Yellowface

5. We Will Not Be Saved

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Juliet Diaz's avatar

Thank your for taking the time to vote 🖤

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Christie's avatar

1. Fresh Banana Leaves

2. The Serviceberry + Gathering Moss

3. Martyr

4. We Will Not Be Saved

5. Real Americans

I think that’s my top 5 anyway!

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Juliet Diaz's avatar

Thank your for taking the time to vote 🖤

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Mel C's avatar
7dEdited

*Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous

*We Will Not Be Saved by Nemonte Nenquimo

*Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

*Kingdom of No Tomorrow by Maud Newton

*The Serviceberry + Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Bundle: Two short reads for one month)

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Juliet Diaz's avatar

Thank your for taking the time to vote 🖤

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Eadi Dahlia's avatar

Hi Book Covern! I’ve only just joined and it is so great to be here, thank you for this community 😊 I’m based in the UK and use my local library and so it’s not always possible for me to follow what you’re reading (but I check the reading list for alternative ones that I can - really hoping the library can source me a copy of In My Mother’s Footsteps instead of this months Not a National of Immigrants).

Without checking if I can source them and in no particular order my top 5 would be

Fresh Banana Leaves

Climate Optimism

Martyr

Real Americans

Wandering Stars

We Will Not Be Saved is incredible, absolutely incredible. I borrowed the book from the library and then had to buy myself a copy as soon as I finished it. I haven’t put WWNBS on my list above (because I’ve read it already) however, I bought it because I intend to re-read it again (and again and agin!) and so I’d love to hear what you guys think of it too.

Once again thank you for having me, it’s really lovely to be here and to be offered such interesting literary recommendations. Lots of love 📖🩵

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Juliet Diaz's avatar

Hi Eadi! Welcome to Book Coven, I am so happy you are here with us. Thank you for your selections. I do realize that some books may not be available in the UK -this is why I try to find free PDF's or ebooks provided by the author, publisher, or universities. I will list it in the book guides if I do find any available. xo

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Eadi Dahlia's avatar

Ahh that’s awesome! I’m sorry, I didn’t realise you did that 😍 I’m rubbish with technology! My phone is my only “gadget” and quite a lot of the time I’d rather not even have that! 😂 Amazing, thank you. 🤗💜🩵📖

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Juliet Diaz's avatar

Oh no worries! I didn’t expect you to know that. Just wanted to share that I do whenever possible -always shared in the book guides if available. 🖤💋

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Maria Lourdes Nocedal-Geaga's avatar

1. We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance

2. Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science

3. We Will Not Be Saved by Nemonte Nenquimo

4. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

5. Kingdom of No Tomorrow by Maud Newton

This will be my first time joining this book coven. I am excited for participating in it.

I have questions:

1) Will I get information about when I have to start reading the book?

2) Deadlines on what chapters to read

3) Preparing materials for our virtual coven gatherings

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Juliet Diaz's avatar

Hi love! I just emailed you =)

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Sarah Jackson's avatar

1. The Serviceberry + Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer

2. We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance

3. Climate Optimism by Zahra Biabani

4. Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science

5. We Will Not Be Saved by Nemonte Nenquimo

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Luz Rodriguez's avatar

1. We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance

4. Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science

5. We Will Not Be Saved by Nemonte Nenquimo

7. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

9. Real Americans by Rachel Khong

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julia's avatar

Hi Coven! Casting my votes for:

1. The Serviceberry + Gathering Moss

2. We Will Not Be Saved

3. Martyr!

4. Fresh Banana Leaves

5. Real Americans

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Fran's avatar

Hard to keep it to 5! Here is my list:

1) Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science

2)We Will Not Be Saved by Nemonte Nenquimo

3)Climate Optimism by Zahra Biabani

4)Real Americans by Rachel

5)The Serviceberry + Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer

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Jessi Cornett's avatar

I am reading Fresh Banana leaves right now. Even the intro is just so beautiful to take in. I have learned and are looking at many things differently already! Just wanted to share that.

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Juliet Diaz's avatar

Thank you for sharing, Jessi! It’s number one so far, most everyone had chosen it 🖤

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Maria Jaquez's avatar

1,2,4,6,7

although I’ll attempt to read all! also thank you so very much for inspiring me with your reading lists, writing, and presence! i love reading but i go through cycles where i cant seem to. keenly aware that right now reading is essential for our creative thinking and self-care. Im happy theres a balance of novels w NF. 💚

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Juliet Diaz's avatar

Hi Maria! I appreciate your words so much. I totally get it, it’s hard to do the thing we most want to do when life pulls us all over the place. It’s why I LOVE this book club -keeps me consistent and excited reading with all of you. I am grateful to be in community with you love 🖤🙏🏽

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Kristy Labardee's avatar

They’re all so good!

Here’s my list:

1. We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance

2. Climate Optimism by Zahra Biabani

3. Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science

4. The Serviceberry + Gathering Moss

5. Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

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