Tag: contemporary

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2010-2019 English Fiction Novel

Amal Unbound

Summary:

Amal dreams of becoming a teacher, but as the eldest daughter, she must stay home to care for her siblings. After an accident involving the corrupt landlord’s son, Amal is forced to work as a servant to pay off her family’s debt. Life at the Khan estate is difficult, especially with an enemy and growing awareness of the family’s wrongdoing. Amal must find allies to change the status quo and achieve her dreams.

Year of Release: 2018

Author(s): Aisha Saeed

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ISBN: 9780399544682

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2010-2019 English Fiction Novel

Such a Fun Age

Summary:

Such a Fun Age is a debut novel that explores issues of race and privilege through the story of a young black babysitter and her employer. Alix Chamberlain, a confident woman who has built a brand around empowering women, is shocked when her babysitter, Emira Tucker, is accused of kidnapping while shopping with Alix’s toddler. Alix sets out to make things right, but Emira is skeptical of her intentions. When a video of the incident surfaces, it sets off a chain of events that will challenge their understanding of themselves and each other. The novel offers social commentary on transactional relationships, family, and the complexities of adulthood.

Year of Release: 2019

Author(s): Kiley Reid

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ISBN: 9781526612168

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2010-2019 English Fiction Novel

Americanah

Summary:

Ifemelu and Obinze leave Nigeria as young lovers to start new lives in the West. Ifemelu goes to America and confronts being black for the first time despite her academic achievements. Obinze ends up in London, living an undocumented life after being unable to join her in post-9/11 America. After fifteen years, they meet again in a democratic Nigeria, rekindling their love and passion for each other and their country.

Year of Release: 2013

Author(s): Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie , Jashar Awan (Illustrator)

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ISBN: 9780007356348

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2020-today English Fiction Novel

Firekeeper’s Daughter

Summary:

Daunis Fontaine is a biracial, unenrolled tribal member who has never felt like she belongs in her hometown or on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. When tragedy strikes her family, Daunis puts her dreams on hold to care for her mother and finds solace in meeting Jamie, a charming new recruit on her brother’s hockey team. But when she witnesses a shocking murder and agrees to go undercover, she realizes the deceptions and deaths are too close to home. Daunis must decide how much she is willing to sacrifice to protect her community, even if it means upending her world.

Year of Release: 2021

Author(s): Angeline Boulley

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ISBN: 9783570166017

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2020-today English Fiction LGBTQI* Novel

Clap When You Land

Summary:

Camino Rios eagerly awaits her father’s annual summer visit to the Dominican Republic, but upon arriving at the airport to greet him, she’s met with a crowd of weeping people. Meanwhile, in New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office and receives the devastating news that her father has died in a plane crash. The two sisters, who were unaware of each other’s existence and already separated by their father’s secrets, must confront a new reality in which he’s gone and their lives are changed forever. Despite this, they eventually discover each other and find some solace in their shared loss.

Year of Release: 2020

Author(s): Elizabeth Acevedo

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ISBN: 9780062882769

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2010-2019 English Fiction

Dear Martin

Summary:

Justyce McAllister is a high-achieving student with plans to attend an Ivy League school, but none of it matters as he is put into handcuffs by a police officer. Although he has moved away from his rough neighborhood, he still faces criticism from former peers and new classmates. Seeking guidance from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings, Justyce begins writing a journal addressed to him to seek answers. One day, while driving with his friend Manny, they draw the ire of an off-duty white cop, leading to an argument and gunshots being fired, putting Justyce and Manny in danger. As a result, Justyce becomes the target of criticism in the media.

Year of Release: 2017

Author(s): Nic Stone

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ISBN: 978-1101939529

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2010-2019 English Fiction Novel

Wonder

Summary:

Auggie Pullman was born with a severe facial abnormality that has prevented him from attending a regular school. However, in 5th grade, he finally starts attending Beecher Prep, hoping to be treated like any other child. Unfortunately, his new classmates are unable to look beyond his extraordinary face, leaving Auggie feeling ostracized. The story is initially told from Auggie’s perspective but later includes the viewpoints of his classmates, sister, her boyfriend, and others. These various perspectives come together to depict a community grappling with differences and encourage readers of all ages to contemplate the true meaning of empathy, acceptance, friendship, and kindness. Auggie is a timeless hero who demonstrates that standing out is inevitable when you were born to be unique.

Year of Release: 2012

Author(s): R.J. Palacio

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ISBN: 9780375869020

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2010-2019 English Fiction LGBTQI* Novel

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Summary:

Simon Spier, a 16-year-old who hasn’t fully disclosed his homosexuality, would rather keep his personal issues separate from his involvement in the school musical. However, his hidden identity is now in danger of being exposed after an email containing confidential information is discovered by the wrong person. Simon is presently facing blackmail and must act as wingman for class clown Martin, or else his sexual orientation will become public knowledge. Even more concerning is the fact that the privacy of the boy he has been communicating with under the alias Blue is also at risk of being compromised.

Year of Release: 2015

Author(s): Becky Albertalli

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ISBN: 9780062348678

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2010-2019 English Fiction LGBTQI* Novel

I was Born this Way

Summary:

Angel Rahimi’s entire focus in life is on The Ark, a highly popular teenage pop-rock band that has taken the world by storm. Her membership in The Ark’s fanbase has provided her with everything, including friendships, aspirations, and a sense of belonging.

Similarly, Jimmy Kaga-Ricci, The Ark’s lead singer, attributes his success and fulfillment to the band. Playing in a musical group has always been his lifelong dream. Unfortunately, his life has recently taken a turn for the worse, and his dreams seem to be falling apart.

Dreams have a tendency to collide with reality, and this is precisely what happens when Angel and Jimmy unexpectedly come together. As they confront the challenges of the real world, they will learn how strange and unpredictable life can be.

Year of Release: 2018

Author(s): Alice Oseman

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ISBN: 9780008244095

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2020-today English Fiction Novel

In Every Mirror She’s Black

Summary

As they establish their new lives in Stockholm’s most open society, ruled by its most private citizens, three Black women discover unexpected connections to the same powerful white man.

Jonny von Lundin, CEO of the largest marketing business in the country, recruits successful marketing professional Kemi Adeyemi from the United States to Sweden in order to assist in resolving a PR crisis regarding a racially tone-deaf campaign. Kemi’s action is a desperate attempt to recapture her social life as she’s a powerhouse at work but a failure in love.

Brittany-Rae Johnson, a former model turned flight attendant, is thrust into a world of riches, luxury, and privilege. A life she’s not certain she wants, as she becomes the target of Jonny’s pathological fixation after a chance encounter with him in business class on a flight to the United States.

Muna Saheed, a refugee who lost her entire family, struggling to prove her residence in Sweden, obtains a job cleaning the restrooms at Jonny’s workplace. However, above all, she is looking for a connection and a place to call home.

In Every Mirror She’s Black is a fast-paced, richly nuanced, yet approachable contemporary novel that is told from each of the perspectives of the three women. It touches on significant social issues like racism, classism, fetishization, and tokenism as well as what it means to be a Black woman navigating a white-dominated society.

Year of Release: 2021

Author(s): Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström

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ISBN: 9781728240381

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