Synopsis: Queer Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Filipino folklore in this horror comedy about a high school stage manager who accidentally sells her soul to a demon.
Seven years ago, Cordelia Scott’s abusive father left without a word, and life has been normal ever since. The seventeen-year-old spends her days stage managing the school play (which is going great, if anyone asks), pining over her best friend, Veronica, and failing one too many pop quizzes.
I’ve been so busy finishing up my final year at college these past six months, I barely got reading done. Which explains the lack of posts from me, I missed reading and blogging terribly! But, I’m done with all of that, whew, so now I have plenty time to pay attention to my first love, books. June was a good month, I loved tackling my pride month tbr!!
Also! I’m making my bookstagram public now so follow me over @/abookandchai!! I haven’t posted anything yet and I do not know how to keep up the aesthetic but you will see somethings from me so heh.
This book is so so important for readers and it’s so emotionally real and vulnerable, I teared up and laughed and felt the love while reading it. I love that Jen decided to give us this book so it can reach the people who need to hear the message intertwined within the words. Definitely recommend! Read my interview with the author here.
The BEST debut. The gradual descent of Ren’s identity and obsession is so horrifying yet fascinating. This book is a whole lot of good things combined; athlete struggles, the compelling mindset, mermaid myths and girlhood.
Err, I don’t know what to say about this one. I couldn’t get past the first couple chapters, there’s literally no chemistry between them to fake date, nor was I sold on their friendship.
Cute, cute, cute! Noah is an awkward nerd whose narrative is just chaotic. This book is just about a trans boy existing, having fun and coming to terms with the fact that he doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone.
A debut worth reading for sure. There’s a lot to learn about Mayavati, the protagonist, an aspiring artist, activist and lesbian who’s crushing on a girl who’s opposite to her in many ways.
I finally read this (despite having an arc oops). Chaotic mc for the win, this was a light fantasy read for me!! Found family, magic, romance and everything were just the right elements to make me enjoy it.
Novellas, my forever companion while travelling. The worldbuilding here is so good for such a small story. I picked this up for the sibling dynamics and stayed for the fast pace and queernormative world.
self promo time
Making a comeback on the blog with my yearly queer Asian releases of the year!! It’s so lovely to see these vibrant and intriguing books with two most important representations to me:
And of course mandatory pride month interviews with authors of a 2024 release I’m waiting on and a 2023 release that deserves more!
posts from the blogosphere
I adore all the support I get from fellow bloggers and readers and I would love to give some back!! Check out some posts that stood out to me this month:
☕Abby from Beyond the Read put up a post after a long time so I definitely have to support ❤
☕Madeline from The Bookish Mutant reviewed If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come!! This review was fun to read as I enjoyed the book too.
☕Maddie from Inking and Thinking posted a list of LGBTQ+ releases of 2023 both Jan-June and July-Dec which can definitely help a lot with your tbrs!
☕Dead Bookish Society reviewed (5 stars!!) Chlorine, one of my fav reads this year 😀
☕Also check out this fun post from Kaya, A Fictional Bookworm xD
That’s all for this month! I hope to keep up the reading streak next month too, I have a backlog of arcs oof.
Thank you for reading! I hope you have a wonderful July! ❤
If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come is the first book I breezed through this month. It’s a story that will constantly make you feel the emotions on the page, Avery’s struggle with mental health, the love she’s given, her yearning and her eventual healing. So if you a want to read a book that’s equal parts soul shattering and tear inducing as well as hope filled and grounded, this one’s for you! I’m so glad I got to talk to the author, Jen, for deeper insights into their writing process and the characters!!
Summary: This Hindu philosophy-inspired debut science fantasy follows a husband and wife racing to save their living city—and their troubled marriage—high above a jungle world besieged by cataclysmic storms.
Today, I’m delighted to have Kamilah Cole kick off my interviews for Pride Month!! Although, we have to wait till January 2024 to experience this glorious debut, I’m gonna take up this space to get you all even more hyped for it. If I have to quote one of Kamilah’s tweets, you should be excited for So Let Them Burn if you like “sapphics, sisterhood, dragons, corruption arcs, evil gods.” While I’m especially eager to meet the sisters leading the story, this interview introduces you to them, the world of So Let Them Burn and more!!
A Book and Chai 
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