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Last year we were fed up with all the other book choice awards, so we decided to host our own to celebrate the books that made their way into our shelves.
We took nominations from our community of readers and opened up voting to the public. We received over 100 votes and now it’s time to announce the Feminist Book Club Choice Awards winners of 2023.
Fiction: Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
Yellowface by R. F. Kuang was one that we could not stop talking about.
Listen to a discussion between Alana and Sam as they deep dive into the book here!
Coming in second is Maame by Jessica George and in third is Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs.
Mystery & Thriller: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Looking for a little mystery? Why not read Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders by Jesse Q. Sutanto.
Jesse Q. Sutanto has been featured on the blog twice! Check the posts out here:
Jesse Q Sutanto on Flipping the trope written by Claudia Neu
Dial A For Aunties Author Interview with Yasi
Coming in second is I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai and in third is Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy
Historical Fiction: Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas
Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas was put in multiple categories… Must be good.
Coming in second is Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward and in third is Did You Hear About Kitty Karr by Crystal Smith Paul.
Fantasy: Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland was one of our October picks of the month!
Coming in second is Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs and in third is VenCo by Cherie Dimaline.
Romance: Happy Place by Emily Henry
In the mood for a beach read? Happy Place by Emily Henry is here for you.
Want to dive a little deeper? Check out this podcast episode where our team discuss this book.
Coming in second is Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola and in third is Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez.
Science Fiction: Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Yes, we know that this is Feminist Book Club and that this book wasn’t written by a woman. Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah has just taken our community by storm and landed a spot on this list.
Go a little deeper by listening to this discussion by our team.
Coming in second is Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang and in third is System Collapse by Martha Wells
Horror: Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. is technically considered dark fiction, but has a home in the horror category. Prepared to be horrified.
Coming in second is Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas and in third is Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno Garcia
Humor: Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby
If you’re in need for a laugh, please read Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby.
Listen to what Renee had to say about it in this video:
@feministbookclub This Barbie likes poop jokes #disabilitypride #booktok #feministtiktok #samanthairby ♬ original sound – Feminist Book Club®
Coming in second is America the Beautiful? by Blythe Roberson and in third is Leslie F*cking Jones by Leslie Jones.
Non-Fiction: Unlikeable Female Characters by Anna Bogutskaya
Our September pick of the month made it to this list! If you were ever curious about the nine archetypes that “make women unlikeable” read Unlikeable Female Characters: The Women Pop Culture Wants You to Hate by Anna Bogutskaya
Go a little deeper by listening to this podcast with the author, Anna Bogutskaya.
Coming in second is America the Beautiful? by Blythe Roberson and in third is Opinions by Roxane Gay
Celebrity Memoir: Pageboy by Elliot Page
Pageboy by Elliot Page was one of many celeb memoirs that came out in 2023, but this one really stuck out.
Need a few reasons to read this memoir? Check out this post about why we’re fans.
Coming in second is The Woman in Me by Britney Spears and in third is Leslie F*cking Jones by Leslie Jones.
Memoir: Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H
Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H is one of those memoirs that will have you in your feelings.
Coming in second is Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby and in third is How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair
History & Biography: Octavia E. Butler: The Last Interview
Octavia E. Butler is an icon. Read this collection of interviews in Octavia E. Butler: The Last Interview.
Check out this video Renee made talking about this book.
@feministbookclub Back to school reading necessities! Required reading for bell hooks and octavia butler readers #feministbooks #booktok #sponsored ♬ Pop beat BGM / long version(1283324) – nightbird_bgm
Coming in second is The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts by Loren Grush and in third is Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close by Hannah Carlson
Graphic Novel: Lore Olympus Vol 5 by Rachel Smythe
Graphic Novels count as reading! Lore Olympus Vol 5 by Rachel Smythe took the top spot this year.
Coming in second is Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying and in third is Mimosa by Archie Bongiovanni.
Poetry: Rose Quartz by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe
Rose Quartz by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe was our April book of the month!
Coming in second is A “Working Life” by Eileen Myles and in third is God Themselves by Jae Nichelle
Debut Novel: Maame by Jessica George
Coming in second is Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah and in third is Your Driver is Waiting by Priya Guns.
YA Fantasy: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Looking for a little YA Fantasy to share with the younger folks in your life? Why not pick up Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross which took number 1 in this category.
Coming in second is Transmogrify! edited by G. Haron Davis and in third is A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
YA Fiction: Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley is technically a follow up to Firekeeper’s Daughter but will standalone well! You’ll just have a more rounded experience if you read both titles.
Coming in second is Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert and in third is Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa
Feminist Book Club Favorite Read: What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo
What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo really hit a chord with our community and is a book we’ll consistently recommend.
See what Renee had to say about it in this video:
@feministbookclub This book is also great for a book club – we know from experience! It was our May book of the month. #disabilitypride #booktok ♬ original sound – Feminist Book Club®
Coming in second is Our Missing Hearts by Celsete Ng and in third is The Sentence by Louise Erdrich.
Please consider adding an Anthology/Collection category for next year!