Author: Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

15 bookstagrammers to follow for children’s book recommendations, and 15 picture book recommendations

Whether the kids are heading back to school or learning from home, August always brings back fond memories of the smell of sharpened pencils, and a sense of new adventures and opportunities. One of the ways I learned best as a kid was through reading, so we’ve compiled a list of bookstagrammers who always have amazing new kids’ books to recommend! 

1. Michelle (@the.book.report) is a mother of six who has great book recommendations for every age. She also shares fun, easy recipes to keep everyone fed and happy! 
2. Megan (@ihaveabook4that) champions getting diverse books into schools, and is hosting an #augustkidlitchallenge encouraging people to share their favorite children’s books.
3. Rosemary (@librarymombooks) is a former school librarian who curates fabulous lists that ensure you’ll be able to find a book your child will love. 
4. Rosie (@diverse_kids_books) recommends books about people from all backgrounds and life experiences with the goal that every child will see themselves represented, and to spread inclusivity and kindness.
5. Sarah (@picturebooksblogger) is a picture book expert. The photos of the book covers really pop in her feed–swipe to see more details from each book!
6. Lauren (@happily.ever.elephants) shares books of course, but also quotes and lists that are fun and so helpful.
7. Kelly (@deliahandtilly)  has a feed full of rainbows and smiles, and shares some amazing books and tips on home education.
8. Charnaie (@hereweread) aims to help adults make the most out of their kids’ reading time, and promotes inclusive and beautiful books. 
9. Shruthi (@thebookprivy) writes thoughtful captions that will inspire parents to talk with their kids about the books that they’re reading.
10. Vera (@thetututeacher) is a kindergarten teacher who has tons of online resources for kids of all ages, and book recommendations to fit any need. 
11. Nate (@mr_lyon_4th) led a Here and Queer educator series this summer to create space for LGBTQ+ storytelling, provide actionable steps for inclusion, and create space for queer storytelling. And of course, the book recs are top notch.
12. Evie Sophia (@evieslearninglibrary) encourages literacy and love of reading by sharing creative activities and books for all different ages.
13. Malorie (@rhetty.set.rea) has a colorful feed full of bright books that are sure to entertain kiddos.
14. Lauren (@picturebookplaydate) manages to find the perfect background for each book she’s recommending to make them even more tempting! 
15. Anna (@whatshouldireadtomykid) is a K-12 literacy specialist and has two young kids, which means her book recommendations come from experience!

And of course, I have LOTS of recommendations! Being a mom to a 3.5 year old means we are always on the lookout for fun new books. Here are some of our favorite picture books:

1. The Big Bed by Bunmi Laditan, illustrated by Thomas Knight: No kids book has ever made me laugh as hard as this one. In this story, a little girl makes a persuasive argument to be able to sleep in her parents’ bed. 
2. Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Steve Lewis: An updated version of the  old-fashioned tale of the knight rescuing the princess.
3. Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin, illustrated by Ebony Glenn: For anyone who has been told they can’t succeed because they’re too much or not enough.
4. Because by Mo Willems, illustrated by Amber Ren: A cool way to teach kids how a small incident (a little girl’s uncle gets sick, so she gets to go to the symphony) can have long-term effects (she becomes a composer).
5. Big Boys Cry by Jonty Howley: A gentle lesson dismantling down toxic masculinity.
6. Windows by Julia Denos, illustrated by E.B. Goodale: Relying mostly on illustrations, this book offers a great view on exploring the worlds within our own neighborhoods.
7. The Little Red Stroller by Joshua Furst and Katy Wu: A great story sharing many versions of what different families look like.
8. Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love: Who hasn’t wanted to be a mermaid? Julián’s grandmother encourages him to embrace and celebrate his identity.
9. Over There by Steve Pilcher: Beautiful illustrations from the Pixar Animation Studios Artist Showcase tell the tale of a little shrew who wondered if he might find something better outside his comfort zone.
10. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees: Everyone makes fun of Gerald’s dancing, but a little cricket teaches him to find his own rhythm and joy. 
11. Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival: When Norman sprouts wings, he tries to keep them hidden, but keeping a huge secret weighs on him. 
12. Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth: The kids in a family each learn a small lesson from a panda who is well versed in Zen tales.
13. Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison: An empowering ode to a young Black girl’s hair, and the love her father has for her. 
14. Ladybug Girl by David Soman and Jacky Davis: A spunky little girl finds adventure with her trusty dog sidekick in their own backyard.

A Big Guy Took My Ball (or really any Elephant and Piggie story) by Mo Willems: A smart lesson about including people, even if they’re different from you — but they are all wonderful!

Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers. 

Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

booksforward.com/about-us/ellen-whitfield/

Take a virtual vacation and get some book recommendations, too!

Vacation season looks a lot different this year, with most of us spending more time in backyard kiddie pools than at the beach. We put together a list of ten bookstagrammers who make you feel like you’re traveling, and asked them what books transport them! So grab your passport and check out these accounts if you need a break from quarantine life. 

Paige (@paigerragerreads) frequently posts photos of her books at the beach in Maui, and honestly, what more can you ask for? She’s also a great advocate for libraries and thrifted books!She recommends Siracusa by Delia Ephron: “It’s a classic tale of people behaving badly (very badly) on vacation. Two couples, one of them joined by their precocious young daughter, Snow, decide to vacation together in Siracusa, a coastal Sicilian town. Their dream vacation quickly unravels as tensions surge to the surface, transgressions are revealed, and precious Snow is not at all who she seems. Mystery and mayhem unfold in this quick and delicious novel set under the Sicilian sun. Best enjoyed with a glass of chilled Vermentino.”

Cindy (@bookofcinz) describes herself as a Jamaican girl living in Trinidad & Tobago, and her love of the islands shines through her photos and extends to literature — she encourages people to diversify their TBR through #readcaribbean. And her glimpses into Carnival are amazing! She recommends Everything Inside: Stores by Edwidge Danticat: “I have a huge affinity for Haiti so I am always interested in reading stories set in Haiti and written by Haitian authors. When I read Edwidge Danticat’s collection of short stories Everything Inside, I felt like I got a very realistic look into what life is like for some Haitians. Danticat’s ability to write layered Haitian characters makes reading her collection truly enjoyable.”

Emily (@literaryviews) will make you feel like you’re in the middle of downtown Miami with her bright, aqua-themed feed. We can’t get enough of the bright skies and tall buildings in her photos! She said: “Born A Crime by Trevor Noah took me all the way to South Africa. In his memoir, Noah balances his witty humor with the realities of growing up during apartheid and gives us a glimpse of the experiences that defined the comedian we know from The Daily Show.”

Alix (@alix.k.reads) is a wonderful host to take you to the mountains and landscapes throughout Utah with her frequent hiking trips — though she freely admits adding books to her hiking bag is weighing her down a bit (#bookstagramlife). She recommends Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: “I actually read it while it was in Scotland and the scene descriptions of the beautiful hills and cliffs really makes you feel like you’re there. Plus you get to travel in time as well so another type of travel!”

Kiki (@ifthisisparadise) gives us glimpses into living in Jamaica, and seeing the beautiful beaches and lush flora makes it hard not to jump on a plane and travel there right now. She also reads a wide range of books, going well beyond what’s trendy, and has thoughtful and engaging captions. She said: “I could not think of another publication more transporting than the Arab Lit Quarterly. Each issue features short stories, poetry, interviews, essays, literary playlists—everything you could want and more than you could ever expect, which is a mark of the best journeys.”

Mel (@melannrosenthal) fills her stories with perfectly idyllic scenes from Connecticut — she even has daily views highlights if you need to ignore your current location and pretend to be somewhere else! She recommends: These Ghosts Are Family by Maisy Card. “Card’s debut proves she has a brilliant mind. Each chapter represents a different member of the extended Paisley clan as they grew up in and then fled Jamaica. The POVs change again and again, jumping backward and forward through time finding several characters at different life stages. At first, it seems like Abel, of the first chapter, is the protagonist and the family patriarch, but his life choices make for a much more complicated dissection of the plot. This is a perfect book to read with others because there is so much to discuss.”

Sara Lynn (@saralynnburnett) is a writer in Turks & Caicos Islands, and a self-proclaimed “beach snob” (we would be too if we lived somewhere that beautiful)!  She takes her followers from the beach to the pool, along with her books, and you can almost feel the breeze blowing off the ocean through her pictures. She said: “Since I live and work in a Caribbean resort I always recommend Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn. It’s a story about the Caribbean that weaves in the influence of hotels on islands in the most realistic way.”

Shavonna (@smb_reads) features books with gorgeous backdrops — often the beach in Cape Cod, but also highlighting rocky paths, flowers and mossy forests. She said: I highly recommend The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern as a wonderful escape from reality. I have always been drawn to fantasy worlds that are based on our own, if only we could find the right door. It renews the childlike sense of wonder that first drew me into reading, and makes me want to go looking for magic or fairies in the woods again, as I did so often growing up after losing myself in a book. 

Heidi (@butthebooksarebetter2) will take you on a tour of the craggy cliffs and sandy coasts of Western Australia. Her posts frequently feature her cute pup and well-thought out reviews. She said “my favourite armchair travel book this year would be Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin, which is set in rural France. It features the unusual locale of a small French cemetery run by Violette, a young woman with a tragic past. Brimming with a rich cast of interesting and well rounded characters, it broke my heart but also filled me with love and hope, which was especially welcome during this tumultuous year.”

Sarah (@booklempt.gyal) features bright, sunny beaches and stellar books — often examining them through a scholarly lens. She also is a tireless advocate for Caribbean lit. She recommends Beloved by Toni Morrison: “When we think of books that transport us we often speak with a measure of fondness and awe about distant, unfamiliar locales. We don’t often talk about the books that take us inward to a part of ourselves we’ve closed off for self-preservation. Reading this book was a painful but cathartic journey, not only to a past that bleeds into the present, but also to the innermost part of ourselves where healing is possible.”

Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers. 

Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

booksforward.com/about-us/ellen-whitfield/

Pride is traditionally marked each June to honor the Stonewall Uprising in 1969. We asked 20 LGBTQ+ bookstagrammers to recommend a book that holds meaning for them. Many of them are also involved in #BookstaPride, a project donating funds to Lambda Literary and the LGBTQ Freedom Fund. And we also included 10 queer reads that we’ve loved and 10 books that are on our TBRs this month!

1. Allison Reads DC: Nobody actually reads those intimidating books that everyone talks about and loves to reference, right? Allison does! Her picks often center on social justice and equality. She’s smart and funny, and frequent appearances of her “Bae” in her stories are always a highlight. She recommends Fire Shut Up in My Bones by Charles M. Blow: “It is one of the most moving nuanced portrayals of the complexity of sexuality I have ever read, not to mention the other topics he covers — trauma, brotherhood, poverty, race, and coming of age. Blow is a phenomenal writer, and the writing in how he relayed his coming-of-age affected me deeply.”
2. Shelf By Shelf: We are missing Hunter’s #yogadrama stories while in quarantine but not to worry — the whisper stories he films from his office are just as entertaining. Bonus, he’s a talented writer and artist and sometimes shares his work. He recommends The Light Years by Chris Rush: “It’s a memoir about being a young gay artist in the ’60s, and it’s filled with drugs and unusual coming-of-age experiences, told in sharp prose. I couldn’t put it down!”
3. Bowties & Books: Jesse is the founder of the Enby Book Club, which seeks to highlight nonbinary books and readers. They’ve also recently been on the front lines in Minneapolis, amplifying the voices of the protestors. They recommend Pet by Akwaeke Emezi: “This dazzling showcase of imagination where a trans girl awakens a monster was a much welcome escape.”
4. Read Molly Read: Molly started the #queerliteverymonth hashtag to encourage allies to remember that queer books aren’t just relevant in June. She recommends Mean by Myriam Gurba: “This is a collection of sharply-written essays about coming of age in the ’90s as a queer Mexican-American woman. Gurba’s writing doesn’t shy away from her experiences with misogyny, homophobia, racism, and sexual assault but rather attacks them head-on with brutal, biting humor.”
5. Paris Perusing: Paris is open, honest and kind, and his reviews are incredibly well-thought out and descriptive. He recommends The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels: “It is a poignantly urgent novel that depicts the ways homophobia and ignorance can turn a family — and a town — against each other in cruel ways. How Sickels renders a gay man’s tragic fall from grace did nothing but leave me trembling with tears.”
6. What’s Jenna Reading: An avid reader of romance, SFF, and everything in between, Jenna is a warm presence on Bookstagram who will (gently) try to make you read ALL the books. She recommends The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon: “Queer representation is still relatively uncommon in genre fiction like science-fiction and fantasy. I love seeing characters like me in any stories, but it is especially delightful when they’re wielding magic or leading an intergalactic heist. The Priory of the Orange Tree is an epic fantasy full of magic, intrigue, assassins, and dragons and it features a beautiful love story between two courageous heroines. It’s one of my all time favorites, and I cannot recommend it enough.”
7. Case Bounder: You know those people whose posts you just look forward to? Casey is one of those people — his genuine good nature and well-written reviews keep us coming back for more. He recommends The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne: “It is one of my all-time favorite reads — it’s clever, heartbreaking, and hilarious. Spanning 70 years, the story covers a lot of recent history through one gay Irish man’s life. I love what this book has to say about biological family vs. found family, and I still think about some of these characters years after reading.”
8. Books Tea n Henny: Come for the books, stay for the tea. Oscar is hilarious and not afraid to get real. He can also teach you the best way to find your light for book photos. He recommends We The Animals by Justin Torres: “This book, while tackling many different themes, captures perfectly what it means to be queer during childhood. There aren’t many books out there that talk about queerness and childhood so Justin Torres’ book with breathtaking language instantly pulls you in to illustrate what it feels like growing up feeling different from the rest. This is a heartbreaking story yet at the same time so gentle and beautiful.”
9. Eloise Reads: Her #readingitqueer readathon incorporates nine wonderful prompts to help readers incorporate different stories into their June TBRs. She recommends Everything Leads to You by Nina Lacour: “Everything about it is just pure magic — from the description to the characters, it’s a book that always fills my heart with joy and the sapphic relationship is portrayed so beautifully too.”
10. Scared Straight Reads: His profile kind of says it all: “The NYC HBIC.” Dennis’ stories never fail to make us laugh, and he truly is the king of memes. He recommends A Beautiful Crime by Christopher Bollen: “… A Beautiful Crime is not only a thriller, but it also is a great character study; infused with love, romance, and deception. This may be the first time ever that I’ve fallen in love with all the characters. Everyone was so multifaceted and deep — it was hard to hate on anybody! … It’s 2020, and I want to see more mainstream novels feature homosexuality in a ‘nonchalant’ and ‘matter of fact’ type of way. I loved that A Beautiful Crime was centered around a gay couple, and it wasn’t portrayed in a taboo fashion. … I really appreciated how the author portrayed the gay community with respect and gave readers a voyeuristic opportunity into that reality. Overall, A Beautiful Crime is a beautiful story about love, conflict, sexuality, and desperation. Go into the story with an open mind and an open heart.”
11. Booked By Tim: Tim’s inventive photos will draw you in immediately, and he’s a total artist with matching makeup with a book cover. He recommends Tinderbox by Robert Fieseler: “It’s nonfiction and tells the story of the largest mass killing of gay people in the U.S. before the Pulse nightclub shooting: an arson in New Orleans. These people have had their names erased from history; most queer people aren’t even familiar with this event. Together, we can honor their legacy and eliminate their erasure by reading their story.”
12. Casey the Reader: Her clean feed is a thing of beauty and is often filled with cute cats and cozy spots. She recommends Magic For Liars by Sarah Gailey: “Their books effortlessly incorporate a wide spectrum of queer identities. Magic For Liars is their magical murder mystery, blending tropes from noir and YA fantasy into an entirely unique novel.”
13. BKLN Books: Larissa is a midwife who provides wonderful info on women’s health, and she just had her own baby! Look no further for any rec you may need on literary fiction. She recommends Cantoras by Carolina De Robertis: “It is a beautifully written ode to chosen family and the importance of finding your people.”
14. Stax on Stax: She lives in a treehouse! She champions body positivity and loving yourself, and will make you laugh at least once a day. She recommends Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera: “It is about a queer Latinx from the Bronx who is faced with white privilege, love in its many possible ways, and what feminism truly is. Loved loved loved this book.”
15. It’s A Bookish World: Jimalion has somehow mastered the art of taking a good ebook picture — teach us your ways! She’s also a total ray of sunshine who wears her emotions on her sleeve, and we just want to give her a hug. She recommends Like A Love Story by Abdi Nazemian: “It covers being gay during the height of the AIDS crisis, and it highlights the fact that love while feared during an uncertain could still be beautiful.”
16. Books N Blazers: The blazers have been alternating with pajama pants during quarantine, but Megan rocks both looks. She also shares some fun behind-the-scenes looks at what it’s like to work as a social media associate for Penguin Random House. She recommends Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett: “I love this book because it is so unabashedly queer, but it’s a complicated, messy, icky kind of queer that feels so much organic and true than other queer narratives. The blend of complex family dynamics, the main character’s emotional unavailability, queer unrequited love and taxidermy (yes, taxidermy) somehow makes for a perfect queer slice-of-life book.”
17. Read Run Sea: A talented writer, Sarah often provides reviews that make you stop and think, and she highlights books beyond popular frontlist titles. She recommends Abandon Me by Melissa Febos. “Febos is a north-star writer for me; her work is intricate, rich with imagery, cerebral and yet so smooth to read. I love how queerness informs her worldview in her writing, even when she’s not explicitly writing about it. Abandon Me is one of those books that changed my reading and writing DNA, one of very few books I re-read every year. It’s so complicated and gorgeous.”
18. The Book Advocate: We always look forward to Alex’s reviews, especially when they come with a photo of the book in front of her gorgeous library. She reads a diverse selection across genres, so everyone will find a recommendation here! She recommends How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake: “This was the first book I read with diverse queer representation that made me feel seen. It helped me on my own coming out journey and will always hold a special place in my heart.”
19. _perpetualpages_: Adri’s bright and colorful feed is truly a joy, and their emphasis on so many different and wonderful queer voices is a bright spot in Bookstagram. They recommend You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson: “This is a triumphant and joyful queer YA book that is set to deliver readers the queer prom rom-com of their dreams! It’s a realistic look at the deeply systemic disadvantages that a poor, Black, queer girl in a small town might face, but it’s also about family, friendship, and realizing who has always been there and who will always be there to pull you through when you need it most. Liz Lighty is determined to succeed in her own way, on her own terms, which is exactly what young readers need to see right now.”
20. Esoterica Reads: Erica is the QUEEN of thrifting books — you won’t believe the awesome finds she comes across! She even has a shop where you can browse through her discoveries. She recommends High School by Sara Quin and Tegan Quin: “It is an autobiographical look at the famous musician duo Tegan & Sara and their experiences coming of age in the ’90s. The queer twin sisters came together through music even while they were fighting to distance themselves from each other.”

And in case that didn’t provide you with enough books to read, here are 10 of our favorite queer reads that would be perfect for June (and beyond!), and 10 more we’ll be tackling this month.

1. Real Life by Brandon Taylor
2. The House In the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
3. Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu
4. To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
5. Here For It by R. Eric Thomas
6. Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
7. Tin Man by Sarah Winman
8. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
9. This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
10. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
11. We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samatha Irby
12. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevado
13. American Dreamers by Adriana Herrera
14. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
15. Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden
16. How We Fight For Our Lives by Saeed Jones
17. How to Write An Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee
18. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
19. Kings, Queens and In-Betweens by Tanya Boteju
20. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers. 

Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

booksforward.com/about-us/ellen-whitfield/

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month. My dad is a psychiatrist, so I grew up in a household where talking about mental health was normalized and even encouraged (thankfully). And yet when I struggled with anxiety and depression later in my 20s, I still had trouble confronting what was going on. For me, reading books (fiction and nonfiction!) has been and still is an important coping mechanism for confronting issues that I face, understanding situations others are going through, and sometimes escaping the turmoil of my own mind. 

Recognition of how important it is to take care of yourself mentally as well as physically has grown in recent years; however, mental health is still an issue that some people don’t feel comfortable discussing. With some help from Bookstagram, we’ve put together a list of people who never shy away from talking about tough topics, and who encourage you to take care of yourself and look out for others. We asked them what books they recommend for learning more about mental health, as well as what stories they turn to when they’re struggling.

Jenna, Stop Reading recommends Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, Turtles All the Way Down by John Green, and It’s Kind of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Mama’s Reading Corner recommends Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Books of Every Size recommends The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown, Mindset by Carol Dweck, Eating in the Light of the Moon by Anita Johnson, Beyond Beautiful by Anuschka Rees, and Health At Every Size by Linda Bacon

Shelf Made Woman recommends The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wung and Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

LPM Reads recommends Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace by J.P. Moreland, A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis, Rising Strong by Brené Brown, Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend, Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst, The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery, Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton, The Keeper of the Bees by Gene Stratton Porter, the poetry of T.S. Eliot and Mary Oliver, and anything by Sarah J. Maas

Shelf Help recommends Just Peachy by Holly Chisholm, Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come by Jessica Pan, Supper Club by Lara Williams, and Severance by Ling Ma

Marvelous Geek recommends Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig and An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison

Worlds Within Pages recommends Rabbits For Food by Binnie Kirshenbaum, Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig and The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

The Literary Heroine recommends Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Read With Kat recommends Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb, Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig, Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh and Broken Open by Elizabeth Lesser

The Roaming Reader (Insta: @theroamingreader) recommends The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, Normal People by Sally Rooney and The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer

The Book She Elf recommends Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

Sweating Till I Make It Too recommends Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig, Welcome To My World by Curtis Bunn, Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks On Me by Charlamagne Tha God, The Mother of Black Hollywood by Jennifer Lewis, Everything Is An Emergency by Jason Adam Katzenstein

Megh’s Bookshelf recommends Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot, I Never Said I Loved You by Rhik Samadder, Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson,  Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh, and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Our Lady of Sorrows Reads recommends The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, and The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

For more resources, please visit the National Institute on Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help/index.shtml

Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers. 

Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

booksforward.com/about-us/ellen-whitfield/

We’ve gathered some of our favorite bookstagrammers and books for API Heritage Month to diversify your feed and your TBR in May and beyond!

May is Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, and we asked some of our favorite bloggers and bookstagrammers to share their recommendations to diversify your reading this month and beyond! And of course we included 20 of our own recommendations, because you can never have a TBR long enough!

Sachi Reads | Insta: @sachireads

Have you met Sachi and Yuki? Sachi reads and reviews a variety of books, focusing on women of color, and Yuki is the goodest pup around. Sachi is also a cohost of Reading Women and Words Between Worlds Book Club. Her May recommendation: Whiter: Asian American Women on Skin Color and Colorism edited by Nikki Khanna.

Asha Reads | Insta: @ashareads | Website

She’s the host of #OCbooksandbrunch and her posts from sunny California will brighten up your feed and your day! Her May recommendations: Frankly in Love by David Yoon, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, and Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri.

Definitely RA | Insta: @definitelyra

RuthAnn is a huge advocate for #dressember, and works tirelessly to raise awareness and funds to combat human trafficking. And feel free to ask her about Madeline L’Engle… but prepare for a long conversation. Her May recommendation: The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu.

Simone and Her Books | Insta: @simoneandherbooks | Website

You’ll look forward to keeping up with Simone — she takes detailed notes on what she’s reading (we love her SFF recs), and she loves to discuss them with fellow book lovers. And her living room dance parties will raise your spirits on even the gloomiest day. Her May recommendation: Warcross by Marie Lu.

Owl’s Little Library | Insta: @owlslittlelibrary

Diana’s feed is filled with cozy, fancy hot chocolate vibes. She focuses on uplifting and promoting diverse voices, and her stories are filled with delicious food and her adorable dog, Belle. She’s also a co-creator of Words Between Worlds. Her May recommendations: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim, The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay, and The Secrets Between Us by Thrity Umrigar.

Reading Is Magical | Insta: @readingismagical

Some people just make your day brighter, and Christine is one of those people. She shares the ins and outs of working at a bookstore (the dream, right?) as event coordinator for BookBar in Denver, and hosts #bookstaboops to give bookstagram pets the virtual boops they deserve! Her May recommendation: America Is Not the Heart by Elaine Castillo.

Where the Reader Grows | Insta: @wherethereadergrows | Website

If you want to read a good thriller but don’t know where to start, look no further. Chandra is queen of speed reading, and she has something for everyone on her blog, from horror to mystery to crime fiction! Her May recommendations: Miracle Creek by Angie Kim, The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida by Clarissa Goenawan, and Please Look After Mom by Kyung Sook-Shin.

Anna and the Books | Insta: @anna.andthebooks

One of the most creative people on bookstagram, Anna’s thoughtful posts are full of honesty and heart. And don’t miss the tiny crochet animals! Her May recommendations: The Magical Language of Others by E.J. Koh and The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See.

Well Read Human | Insta: @wellreadhuman

Cherise’s reviews dig deep into books, and she highlights a variety of diverse authors in her feed. This is one of our go-to accounts when we’re looking for YA books! Her May recommendation: Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong.

Bookish Behavior | @bookish.behavior

Is there anything Poonam doesn’t read? She even tackled (and loved) the behemoth that is Ducks, Newburyport. And her focus on intersectional feminism and mental health makes her a can’t-miss bookstagrammer. Her May recommendation: What We Carry by Maya Lang.

Some more book recommendations from the Books Forward team:

1. Know My Name by Chanel Miller
2. A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
3. All You Can Ever Know by Nicole Chung
4. The Perfect Escape by Suzanne Park
5. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
6. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
7. The Ninja Daughter by Tori Eldridge
8. Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier
9. The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini
10. Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob
11. Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden
12. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
13. Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
14. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
15. Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee
16. Cravings by Chrissy Teigen
17. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy
18. Brown White Black: An American Family at the Intersection of Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Religion by Nishta J. Mehra
19. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
20. Fresh Off the Boat by Eddie Huang

– –

Books Forward is an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers. 

Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers. 

Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

booksforward.com/about-us/ellen-whitfield/