Category: Debut Author

Books, Debut Author, Food, History, Non-Fiction, Outdoors, Queer, Resources, Travel

The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide by Alicia Valenski and Lonely Planet has great recommendations for queer-friendly places all over the world (5/5 stars)

Ashleah

The LGBTQ+ Travel Guideby Alicia Valenskiand Lonely Planet(post may contain affiliate links) The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide by debut author Alicia Valenski and Lonely Planet has great recommendations for queer-friendly places all over the world. In fact, there are over 50 suggestions for the world's most queer-friendly destinations! Suggestions span from Cape Town and Johannesburg in… Continue reading The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide by Alicia Valenski and Lonely Planet has great recommendations for queer-friendly places all over the world (5/5 stars)

Asian Author, Books, Debut Author, Fantasy, Fiction, Folklore, Mythology, Novel, Queer

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan is a fantasy debut and the first book in the Drowned Worlds duology (3.5/5 stars)

Ashleah

FathomfolkDrowned World, #1by Eliza Channarrated by Emily Woo Zeller(post may contain affiliate links) Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan is a fantasy debut and the first book in the Drowned Worlds duology. The semi-submerged city if Tiankawi is home to both humans and those known as fathomfolk--sirens, sea-witches, kelpies, and kappas. However, the humans tend to live… Continue reading Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan is a fantasy debut and the first book in the Drowned Worlds duology (3.5/5 stars)

Books, Debut Author, Fantasy, Fiction, Queer, Romance, Trans

Blood Beneath the Snow is a fun and twisty debut romantasy by Alexandra Kennington (4.25/5 stars)

Ashleah

Blood Beneath the SnowBlood & Souls Duology, #1by Alexandra Kennington(post may contain affiliate links) Blood Beneath the Snow is a fun and twisty debut romantasy by Alexandra Kennington. Revna's parents consider her to be their biggest disappointment, as she is the only royal family member without a magical ability. To save the lives of her… Continue reading Blood Beneath the Snow is a fun and twisty debut romantasy by Alexandra Kennington (4.25/5 stars)

Adult, Asian Author, Books, Debut Author, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary, Novel, Queer, Retelling

The Chosen and the Beautiful is a queer literary fantasy retelling of The Great Gatsby and Nghi Vo’s debut novel (3.5/5 stars)

Ashleah

The Chosen and the Beautifulby Nghi Vo(post may contain affiliate links) The Chosen and the Beautiful is a queer literary fantasy retelling of The Great Gatsby and Nghi Vo's debut novel. I'm a huge fan of Nghi Vo's work, and I am almost caught up on her entire back catalogue. I think all I have… Continue reading The Chosen and the Beautiful is a queer literary fantasy retelling of The Great Gatsby and Nghi Vo’s debut novel (3.5/5 stars)

Adult, Books, Contemporary, Debut Author, Fiction, Folklore, Mythology, Poetry, Retelling

Helen of Troy, 1993 by Maria Zoccola is a debut poetry collection that reimagines the eponymous Helen as a disgruntled housewife in 1990s Tennessee (4/5 stars)

Ashleah

Helen of Troy, 1993by Maria Zoccola(post may contain affiliate links) Helen of Troy, 1993 by Maria Zoccola is a debut poetry collection that reimagines the eponymous Helen as a disgruntled housewife in 1990s Tennessee. I did a blended read where I followed along in the physical book while listening to the audiobook, which was narrated… Continue reading Helen of Troy, 1993 by Maria Zoccola is a debut poetry collection that reimagines the eponymous Helen as a disgruntled housewife in 1990s Tennessee (4/5 stars)

Books, Debut Author, Fantasy, Fiction, Indigenous Author, Novel, Paranormal, Queer, Romance, Trans, YA

The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon is a queer ya fantasy debut featuring a trans witch who must face his traumatic past and the royal fiancé he left behind (3.25/5 stars)

Ashleah

The Witch KingWitch King, #1by H.E. Edgmonnarrated by Dani Martineck(post may contain affiliate links) The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon is a queer ya fantasy debut featuring a trans witch who must face his traumatic past and the royal fiancé he left behind. I thought the worldbuilding here was pretty cool, especially the presentation of… Continue reading The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon is a queer ya fantasy debut featuring a trans witch who must face his traumatic past and the royal fiancé he left behind (3.25/5 stars)

Adult, Books, Contemporary, Debut Author, Fiction, Neurodivergence, Novel, Queer, Suspense/Thriller

This Girl’s a Killer is a fun debut thriller from Emma C. Wells (4.5/5 stars)

Ashleah

This Girl's a Killerby Emma C. Wellsnarrated by Stefanie Kay(post may contain affiliate links) This Girl's a Killer is a fun debut thriller from Emma C. Wells. Cordelia Black is many things: an ambitious pharma rep, a godmother, a best friend. But she's also a vigilante, a female Dexter who lives by her own code… Continue reading This Girl’s a Killer is a fun debut thriller from Emma C. Wells (4.5/5 stars)

Adult, Debut Author, Memoir, Non-Fiction

In Gad We Trust is a celebrity memoir by comedic actor Josh Gad (5/5 stars)

Ashleah

In Gad We Trustnarrated by the authorby Josh Gad(post may contain affiliate links) In Gad We Trust is a celebrity memoir by comedic actor Josh Gad. I borrowed the audiobook from my local library while following along in my physical review copy. Unsurprisingly, Gad narrates the book himself and does a phenomenal job. There are… Continue reading In Gad We Trust is a celebrity memoir by comedic actor Josh Gad (5/5 stars)

Books, Debut Author, Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade

The Song of Orphan’s Garden is a debut middle grade fantasy written in verse by Nicole M. Hewitt (4.5/5 stars)

Ashleah

The Song of Orphan's Gardennarrated by Esther Wane & Keval Shahby Nicole M. Hewitt(post may contain affiliate links) The Song of Orphan's Garden is a debut middle grade fantasy written in verse by Nicole M. Hewitt. I bought the audiobook version from LibroFM (there was a great sale!) and listened to that while I followed… Continue reading The Song of Orphan’s Garden is a debut middle grade fantasy written in verse by Nicole M. Hewitt (4.5/5 stars)

Black Author, Books, Debut Author, Memoir, Non-Fiction

Growing Up Urkel is a memoir by Jaleel White, who portrayed one of the most beloved icons of nineties television (3.5/5 stars)

Ashleah

Growing Up Urkelby Jaleel Whitenarrated by the author(post may contain affiliate links) Growing Up Urkel is a memoir by Jaleel White, who portrayed one of the most beloved icons of nineties television. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author, while following along in my physical review copy. There are several photos includes in… Continue reading Growing Up Urkel is a memoir by Jaleel White, who portrayed one of the most beloved icons of nineties television (3.5/5 stars)