Tag: YA

Podcast 13 Show Notes

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 For episode 13 we read Bethany Morrow’s A Song Below Water

About the Author

Bethan C. Morrow is a California native, she graduated from University of California with a Bachelor’s in Sociology. Morrow is an accomplished writer with several other books, and the sequel to A Song Below has been released, and is titled A Chorus Rises. 

Book Look

A beautiful and eye-catching book cover. The book cover played into the fantastical and fun theme the sisters were looking to read around Halloween.

Bookmark

  • “My voice is power. Awaken” p. 277
  • “I’m talking about things like illumination and warmth – things that help me see more clearly and feel more comfortable in my own skin and he’d talk about how those are things that bring “growth” p. 30

POV

Sam and Felicia enjoyed the overarching theme of Black women as magic in A Song Below. Although a fantasy novel, there are common themes that an everyday Black girl would identify with such as natural hair and sisterhood.

Deep Dive

In A Song Below Water, mythical creatures are known to the human world. However, sirens are considered dangerous and they are exclusively Black women. There is something mysterious going on in the lives of Tavia and Effie. Tavia is realizing her true power as a Siren. Effie is learning about the truth of her mythical powers. Even in a mythical world racism is alive and well and the girls will have to learn who is truly on their side and recognize they can accomplish far more than they think.   Ultimately the sisters felt like something was missing and there wasn’t enough for them to go off of to really fall in love with the story. 

Podcast 12 Show Notes

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 For episode 12 we read Laura Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate

About the Author

Laura Esquivel is a Mexican novelist, politician, and screenwriter.  Laura has a passion for children which is why she trained to be a teacher, founded a children’s theater workshop, and has written/produced many dramas for children. After Laura’s father’s death she was inspired to write. Like Water for Chocolate was her first novel and it became a best seller in Mexico and the U.S.

Book Look

This book was a work of art from the inside out. Uniquely this is a story presented as a cookbook and family history.  At its core this novel was a historical fiction filled with magical realism. The cover immediately draws you in with the colors and women cooking.

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  • “My grandmother had a very interesting theory; she said that each of us is born with a box of matches inside us but we can’t strike them all by ourselves; just as in the experiment, we need oxygen and a candle to help. In this case, the oxygen, for example, would come from the breath of the person you love; the candle could be any kind of food, music, caress, word, or sound that engenders the explosion that lights one of the matches. For a moment we are dazzled by an intense emotion. A pleasant warmth grows within us, fading slowly as time goes by, until a new explosion comes along to revive it. Each person has to discover what will set off those explosions in order to live, since the combustion that occurs when one of them is ignited is what nourishes the soul. That fire, in short, is its food. If one doesn’t find out in time what will set off these explosions, the box of matches dampens, and not a single match will ever be lighted.” pg 115

POV

Sam and Felicia both enjoyed the character ,Nacha, who was the family cook and the real mother figure the main character could connect to. In addition, Sam loved John, a doctor who was uniquely kind to Tita, the main character and was always there to support Tita. Without a doubt the least favorite character was Mama Elena who was the source of abuse and trauma in Tita’s life. Sam also was not a fan of any other characters whose motives seemed a bit unsupportive and undesirable.

Deep Dive

Like Water for Chocolate was a fantastical folk tale that incorporated family, food, love and life into a book. Sam and Felicia discuss how the magic realism in the book kept things intriguing. The story was filled with ghosts and a few other unknown elements that keep a reader engaged. The novel also includes great Latina representation in the characters, history, and writing style. The words on each page flowed in a beautiful and unique way. Sam and Felicia also go over the darker elements in the book and how it takes a bit of strength to finish the novel but it is worth it in the end.

Podcast 11 Show Notes

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 For episode 11 we read J. Elle’s debut novel Wings of Ebony.

About the Author

J. Elle is a former educator and first-generation college student. She has a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in Journalism with a minor in Rhetoric & Writing. She also has a Master’s in Educational Administration. J. Elle became a published author by winning DVPit in October 2018 (DVPit is a Twitter pitch contest literary agents and publishing professionals peruse to scout for talent). When she’s not writing, Elle can be found mentoring aspiring writers, binging reality TV, loving on her three littles, or cooking up something true to her Louisiana roots. 

Book Look

This book has a beautiful fantasy-esque cover and is reminiscent of other fantasy book covers the sisters have read such as Legendborn. The representation of the natural hair on the cover is a beautiful touch.

Bookmark

  • And for you reader, there is an amber in you that’s hungry to burn. That is your magic. Let it. (dedication)
  • You don’t get it. I see you trying to work through it, but I can’t let you keep hurting me or anyone in the process. p. 593

POV

Felicia’s least favorite character was the General, his character and motives ultimately didn’t really add up to her. In a world of magic – he still hates Black people. Sam was questioning throughout the novel, who can she trust? Sam’s least favorite character was the Chancellor, and hated that he ruled as a dictator but was treated as a God. Sam also didn’t like “The Gray People” or basically all the white people in the magic world. The sisters agreed on their favorite character being the grandmother figure, Ms. Iyelola, she was a courageous boss! Sam also was found of Jamal and Bati, who were from the tribe of true magic wielders. They came through for the main character, Rue.

Deep Dive

A major theme of the book was Black identity, giving back to your neighborhood, and showing up for your family and closest friends – As Rue would put it your ride or dies. For a fantasy novel, the back and forth timeline came off as confusing for Sam at some points. Rue had to navigate friendship and family to get to the truth of the magic inside of her. The story is based in magic, but it speaks to larger themes based on the Black experience. The sisters talk through and recognize the parallel between circumstances in the book and the reality/ramifications of slavery, racism, and white privilege. Sometimes, it seemed contradictory how much Rue wanted to put on for her hood and talked about “the block” supporting each other but, Rue couldn’t really get over the idea that she had to do everything her self or save the community herself until the end, when she realized that a victory would require everyone’s help. Although the sisters did comically disagree about how much Tasha could help. In Sam’s mind, with no magic Tasha had no business trying to help and jeopardize the mission while Felicia suggested she be the lookout (or something!). It wasn’t either sisters favorite read, but they both found the message to be beautiful, sister, family and knowing that your magic can’t be put out or dimmed by others, it’s forever inside of you.

Podcast 10 Show Notes

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In honor of Pride month  The Bootleg Book Club read You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson 

About the Author

Leah Johnson was raised on the west side of Indianapolis, Indiana. While in college at Indiana University Bloomington, she interned at the Wall Street Journal, WFIU, and WPLN. Johnson received her MFA in fiction writing from Sarah Lawrence College. Leah currently lives in Brooklyn, her debut novel helped her with accepting her queer identity,  it was a Stonewall Honor Book, the inaugural Reese’s Book Club YA pick, and named a best book of the year by Amazon, Kirkus, Marie Claire, Publishers Weekly, and New York Public Library.

Book Look

This book has a vibrant purple background with the profile image of a young black girl with natural hair, a crown on her head, and a smile on her face. This cover immediately showcases the wonderful joy and happiness a Black girl can embody.

Bookmark

  • “The place in which I’ll fit will not exist until I make it” James Baldwin 
  • I’m sorry I never told you to slow down when I saw how hard you were pushing yourself. … my little star. I never want to tell you not to burn as fast and as bright as you can”  246
  • “I never needed this race or a hashtag or the king to be a queen. I was born royalty. All I had to do was pick up my crown.” p.390
  • “Just because it could be worse doesn’t mean you don’t get to acknowledge how much it sucks, you know.” p. 474

POV

Samantha’s favorite character/group was how the main character’s ,Liz’s, family unit worked together. Felicia’s favorite character was the band teacher and Mack. Both individuals were great people who truly supported Liz and ensured she knew her worth. Both Sam and Felicia agree that the obvious least favorite character choice is Rachcel the main villain in the story. 

Deep Dive

This novel was a great coming of age, young adult romance story. Leah Johnson writes with charisma and a unique tone that immediately gets readers interested in the book. Sam and Felicia dive into how this novel made them think about their high school memories and what it felt like to lack confidence in yourself. In addition, the co-host talked about how race, class, and sexual orientation impact the main character’s journey.

Podcast 8 Show Notes

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A Retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice 

About the Author

Ibi Zoboi was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and now lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family. She has an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is well known for writing American Street, a National Book Award Finalist. 

Book Look

This was the shortest novel Sam and Felicia have read but it packed a punch. A retelling of Pride and Prejudice with a great modern edge added. Even the cover shows historical style with a new and vibrant graffiti effect on the top. 

Bookmark

  • “We were not supposed to be proud. We were not supposed to love these things so hard: the chipping paint, the missing floorboards, the gas stove we have to light with matches, the cracks in the windows, the moldy bathroom tiles, the mice and the roaches. But I’ve never known anything else. These broken things all spell home to me.” p. 444
  • “I wanted to write a love story filled with sweetness, joy, and beauty. But our current political situation was a constant noise and distraction. So much was happening in the world, and at times, it was hard to focus on the magic of first love […] I needed an anchor-a structure to hold on to, something that would guide this love story toward healing and reconciliation, if not for the characters themselves, then for me.” p. 472

POV

Overall Sam and Felicia’s favorite part is the poetry the main character writes all throughout the novel. Felicia loved the Janael Sisters as a whole; they were great characters to read. Felicia’s least favorite character was Zuri. She had a good heart but she came off a bit too judgmental and unwilling to be open to change. From Sam’s point of view she didn’t have much attachment to these characters. She appreciated the effort written to develop them but they can’t compare to the original. 

Deep Dive

Set in Brooklyn, New York Ibi Zoboi creatively uses the rich history of the city as the backdrop for a current and diverse new version of Pride and Prejudice. For the most part Pride follows the original storyline of Pride and Prejudice but this time around it follows an Afro-Latina family dealing with a few more issues such as gentrification in their neighborhood. 

Podcast 7 Show Notes

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The 7th book is Charming as a Verb by Ben Phillipe

About the Author

Elise Bryant was born and raised in Southern California. She graduated from California State with a B.A. in Africana studies. She also has a Masters in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to her writing career, she was a special education teacher. Happily Ever Afters is her debut novel and her follow up One True Loves has also been published (our next read!).

Book Look

Sam and Felicia discuss how this book cover is bright and creative just as the main character Lenore. It showcases her vibrant art and readiness to go on vacation. We also love another natural hair style being showcased with Lenore’s beautiful locs.

Bookmark

  • “But maybe caring for ourselves is the ultimate celebration of how they’ve raised us. Having options you know? Not just surviving in this world..but living.” p. 134

POV

This time around Felicia and Sam had the same favorite character Etta. Etta was the youngest child but her personality shined bright. As a child genius, Etta had some funny lines and was a great advocate for her older sister Lenore. On the other hand, Lenore’s parents in the novel were two characters who ended up putting too much pressure on their kids. Even though the parents embodied Black excellence we got to see the consequences of taking the demands of Black excellence too far.

Deep Dive


There were many topics discussed in this week’s deep dive from Black excellence, heartbreak, to college decisions. Sam and Felica both agreed that they could relate to Lenore’s struggle to meet the Black Excellence expectations from parental influence and society. They further discuss how heartbreak impacts a young girl and the difficulty with moving forward. Lenore’s journey is quick but Sam and Felicia still understand how hard it is to decide what to do with your future. Overall, Sam and Felicia  are looking forward to the next novel by Elise Bryant.

Podcast 6 Show Notes

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The 6th book is One True Loves by Elise Bryant

About the Author

Elise Bryant was born and raised in Southern California. She graduated from California State with a B.A. in Africana studies. She also has a Masters in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to her writing career, she was a special education teacher. Happily Ever Afters is her debut novel and her follow up One True Loves has also been published (our next read!).

Book Look

Sam and Felicia discuss how this book cover is bright and creative just as the main character Lenore. It showcases her vibrant art and readiness to go on vacation. We also love another natural hair style being showcased with Lenore’s beautiful locs.

Bookmark

  • “But maybe caring for ourselves is the ultimate celebration of how they’ve raised us. Having options you know? Not just surviving in this world..but living.” p. 134

POV

This time around Felicia and Sam had the same favorite character Etta. Etta was the youngest child but her personality shined bright. As a child genius, Etta had some funny lines and was a great advocate for her older sister Lenore. On the other hand, Lenore’s parents in the novel were two characters who ended up putting too much pressure on their kids. Even though the parents embodied Black excellence we got to see the consequences of taking the demands of Black excellence too far.

Deep Dive


There were many topics discussed in this week’s deep dive from Black excellence, heartbreak, to college decisions. Sam and Felica both agreed that they could relate to Lenore’s struggle to meet the Black Excellence expectations from parental influence and society. They further discuss how heartbreak impacts a young girl and the difficulty with moving forward. Lenore’s journey is quick but Sam and Felicia still understand how hard it is to decide what to do with your future. Overall, Sam and Felicia  are looking forward to the next novel by Elise Bryant.

Podcast 5 Show Notes

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The 5th book is Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant

About the Author

Elise Bryant was born and raised in Southern California. She graduated from California State with a B.A. in Africana studies. She also has a Masters in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to her writing career, she was a special education teacher. Happily Ever Afters is her debut novel and her follow up One True Loves has also been published (our next read!).

Book Look

Felicia and Sam talk about how the cover of Happily Ever Afters captivated them right away. They wanted to know what the girl with the cute mini afro was thinking and loved all the stickers on her laptop. The sisters love beautiful black hair on display and the foreshadowing that all the designs provided for. 

Bookmark

Most of their favorite quotes came at the end of the book, but Sam did share a sweet moment between the main character Tessa and her new friend as he tried to help make sure the cream from her wash and go was properly worked in. 

  • “Don’t worry, I won’t touch your hair, I know that’s not kosher” pg. 50 
  • “You need to get out of this mindset that you don’t deserve to be here. You’re here for a reason. As a writer, an artist, you belong here. And nothing, not some mean girl, or even your own inner critic, can take that away from you.” pg. 303
  • “I thought I needed a real-life love story of my own to start writing again… but what I really needed, to find my own words and my voice again was to love myself. And I do” pg. 373 

POV

Sam’s favorite character was – Sam (the character). How fitting! She loved how he made an effort to be an ally without overstepping. He was a great listener and a great friend – Felicia completely agreed. They both also really liked Lenore who was a helpful friend to Tessa starting on day 1 at the art school. 

Their least favorite characters were Nico and Poppy. Poppy was clearly set up to be the mean girl and easy to dislike. Poppy’s distaste for Tessa was understandable, but Poppy just took it too far in Sam’s opinion. Nico just wasn’t the one and was never the one (Felicia’s words!). He was your typical bad boy and was clearly self absorbed. 

Deep Dive


Sam and Felicia absolutely adored Elise Bryant’s debut novel. The story was charming, funny, and took them back to their own high school days in some ways. The novel touches on young romance, friendship, and family. The book reminds the main character and you that your creativity has always been inside you and you are right where you belong – you just have to believe and be open to it! Happily Ever Afters is about self-love as much as it is about falling in love for the first time. This book is for every romance lover and should be on your TBR if you haven’t read it already.  Watch the full video to get more details on their thoughts or read Felicia’s book review. The sisters can’t wait to read One True Loves!