The Best BIPOC Books Out This Week

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Erica Ezeifedi, an Associate Editor originally from Nashville, TN, has now made her home in the North East. Besides writing, she has experience as a victim advocate and in public libraries, focusing on creating safe spaces for queer teens, mentorship, and offering free test prep instruction to students. When not working, she spends much of her free time searching for her next favorite book and planning her next snack. You can find her on Twitter at @Erica_Eze_.

The winner of the Aspen Words Literary Prize has been announced. Tommy Orange won for his latest novel, Wandering Stars, beating tough competition from finalists such as JamesBefore the Mango RipensThere Is a Rio Grande in Heavenand The Safekeep. A notable aspect of this year’s award is the significant representation of BIPOC writers on the shortlist, which is truly inspiring.

Let’s now take a look at some of the standout BIPOC books released this week. They include a dark social media thriller, a peculiar horror/mystery, a romance featuring a Ghanaian heiress, and a historical merman romance (!).

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang tells the story of Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier who steps into her twin sister’s life after finding her dead, leading to unexpected challenges and discoveries.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker is a chilling mystery/horror blend following Cora, who must navigate through gruesome crime scenes and unexplained deaths while confronting her own past trauma.

Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone revolves around Ofosua Addo, a Ghanaian heiress caught between tradition and true love when she meets Cole Drake at a publishing party.

When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley is a captivating romance set in 1910s New York City, exploring love, captivity, and sacrifice between an artist and a captured merman.

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This week, we’re showcasing an article highlighting the literary events you should mark on your calendar for the remainder of 2025. From awards ceremonies to iconic authors’ birthdays to Banned Books Week, these are the dates bookworms should keep an eye on. Read an excerpt below and upgrade to an All Access membership for the full post.

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