It has been almost 250 years since the United States of America has existed. This all depends on whether we are counting from 1776 or from the end of the Revolutionary War. Since 1776, it has been 248 years, but since 1783 [aka the end of the war] it’s been 241 years. Which sounds like a long time until you consider that England has been a country for over a thousand years. But since it is the 4th of July, let’s talk about some amazing books with red, white, and blue covers.
Red
Ellen Hopkins has one of the most unique and distinct styles of any author I’ve ever read. Her books were the first books that made me like poetry. Her books tackle difficult topics that affect teens. This one deals with prostitution.
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This book has such a great premise. The world-building is top-tier. It does a brilliant job of blending together the history of this world with the plot-relevant story in a way that doesn’t feel like paragraphs of pointless exposition.
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This story deals with connections and bonds you make with people and how they never truly leave you. It deals with confronting your fears and embracing who you are. The author explores the horrors of bullying and how so many people make excuses for it or try to minimize its effects.
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When I think of cozy fantasy, I think of fantasy that is just plain fun. The kind of fantasy that you can read aloud without having to hide your grandmas. Where you can grab a blanket and a cup of cocoa and just relax with a great story. Discworld definitely fits the bill. An absolutely hilarious series that feels like a big comfy sweater that probably has a pun on the front.
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White
There is a reason this series has won so many awards. It is a well-woven fantasy inspired by West African culture and mythology. We have four main characters: Zelie, Amari, Tzain, and Inan. It is rare that a story manages to get you equally invested in this many characters.
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Somehow this author manages to make this an absolute, edge of your seat, page-turner reminiscent of horror’s early days. What I mean by that is that nothing absolutely terrifying happens for about 85% of the book. While there are not any significant scares, the tension is built so beautifully.
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From the shy and aloof Garbo to the strategic and seductive Dietrich to the absolute insane in the best of ways Bankhead, these vibrant women leap off the page. Their shared lovers are just the tip of the iceberg. From their childhoods, their anxieties, their love of the arts, they actually had a lot in common.
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Little Badger does a great job of incorporating real life issues into her fantasy world. This book tackles issues of colonization, exploitation of minorities (especially in the medical field), land ownership, revenge versus justice, and grief. Despite incorporating all of these serious topics, Elatsoe manages to maintain its humor.
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Blue
Whether it’s making their own clothes (out of leathers and handmade needles) or hunting animals (and skinning them for the aforementioned leathers), these women kick some serious butt. The thought of living in a cave with no running water or plumbing is not appealing. The fact that these women just roll up their sleeves and get to work is pretty damn cool.
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There is so much going on in this story that you wouldn’t think that it would work. But Ryka Aoki manages to pull it all together in a way that feels believable. You feel invested in these characters despite, or often because of, their flaws.
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The main character, Nora, comes across as the disgruntled business woman in a Hallmark movie who just needs to find love with a sexy and conveniently rich Christmas tree farmer. But she is completely unapologetic about it. She is a badass, a boss babe who excels in her life and is happy about it.
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There is something about a family saga. Reading a family’s journey through life, through the trials and tribulations that accompany it, is one of the most powerful forms of fiction. When that story focuses on a particular group of people whose voices and stories have been suppressed, it is even more powerful.
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These are just a few of the books with red, white, and blue covers. Be sure to check out these reviews and many more!
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