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LitFic

Book Reviews · Horror · LitFic · TBR

The Ugly Truth Behind Yellowface by R.F. Kuang: Book Review

March 12, 2025March 12, 2025

Stealing a story is one thing. Stealing a whole identity? Now, that takes a special…

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DIARY OF A READER

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I'm Dominique. As an avid reader and book lover, my job is to inspire you to read my favorite books. So, grab your favorite drink, and stay a while. We hope you find a new love.

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Dominique Florence | Book Blogger

diaryofthereader

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What happens when the fake it till you make it m What happens when the fake it till you make it mantra goes just a little too far? 🎭  The Grand Scheme of Things is a blistering debut that pulls back the velvet curtain on the theater world, where racism, clout-chasing, and ambition collide. Eddie, a Black aspiring playwright, and Hugo, a white corporate dropout, hatch a risky scheme: her words, his name. Their goal? To expose the industry’s bias. But as success comes knocking, so does betrayal. Fame or friendship—what would you choose? ✨✨ If you love messy friendships, morally gray ambition, and the intoxicating allure of making it big, this one’s for you. 🔥 Would you risk your friendship (or your reputation) to expose an industry’s corruption? Or would you stay behind the scenes? #Hashtags: #TheGrandSchemeOfThings #Bookstagram #BookLovers #BookReview #BookishFriends #DebutNovel #TheaterBooks #FictionLovers #BooksToRead #NewBookAlert #MustRead
My TBR and I? Yeah, we’re in a toxic relationshi My TBR and I? Yeah, we’re in a toxic relationship. I keep adding books like we’re building a dream library together, and all it gives me in return is crippling heartache and the haunting reminder that I’ll never have enough time. It’s fine. I’m fine. 😭📚 But let’s be real—there’s no quitting this messy love affair. So, tell me: what book did you impulsively add to your TBR knowing full well you won’t get to it for months? 👀💀 ✨ Because denial is a reader’s love language. ✨ #BookishHeartbreak #TBRProblems #ReadingAddict #BookLoverStruggles #BookshelfConfessions #TBRStack #Bookstagram #BookWormLife #NeverEndingTBR A digital graphic with bold, moody text that reads: “My TBR and I are in a toxic relationship. I keep adding books and all it gives me is heartache.”
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang Review 📖✨ Stealing Yellowface by R.F. Kuang Review 📖✨ Stealing a story is one thing. Stealing an entire identity? Now, that takes a special kind of audacity. From the moment June Hayward swipes Athena Liu’s manuscript off her still-warm desk, you know you're in for a ride. A cringe-worthy, rage-inducing, can't-look-away kind of ride. Because June doesn’t just steal Athena’s words—she rewrites history, rebrands herself, and dares the world to call her out. And oh, does the world respond. 🔪 With biting humor, razor-sharp social commentary, and an almost too-real take on literary theft, Yellowface isn’t just a book—it’s a reckoning. It’s uncomfortable. It’s infuriating. And it’s absolutely brilliant. 📚 The writing? Seamless. Addictive. Like slipping into a conversation you didn’t realize you desperately needed to have. Kuang doesn’t just tell a story—she projects one, frame by vivid frame, forcing you to witness June’s descent into a stolen legacy. Every lie, every excuse, every stomach-dropping moment of oh no, she did NOT just do that. And let’s talk about that ending. Because the book may end, but June’s unraveling? That lingers. Like an ink stain on your hands. Like a shadow in the corner of your mind whispering: “What makes someone truly guilty?” And, more importantly, who gets to tell the story? ⭐️ Should you read it? Absolutely. Just be prepared to scream, throw your book, and question the entire publishing industry by the time you're done. 🔥 Now, tell me: What’s a book that left you feeling unsettled in the best way? Drop it in the comments—I need to know. 👀👇 — 🔖 Flatlay of Yellowface by R.F. Kuang,with an air of mystery. — 📌 #Yellowface #RFKuang #Bookstagram #MustRead #DarkBooks #LiteraryFiction #PsychologicalThriller #ReadingCommunity #BooksToRead #UpcomingReleases #BookRecommendations #ReadersOfInstagram #TBR #DarkAcademia #PublishingIndustry #BookishThoughts #BookReview #BookDiscussion #SpineTinglingReads #HypedBooks
Stack Saturday is here, and so is the undeniable t Stack Saturday is here, and so is the undeniable truth: my TBR is a monster, and I am but its loyal servant. Look at these stacks—teetering towers of books that will wreck me. Am I scared? A little. Am I adding more? Absolutely. The real question is: which of these would destroy you first? Are we talking soul-crushing fantasy? Unhinged dark romance? Or one of those books that lures you in with a pretty cover before emotionally sucker-punching you? Drop a title in the comments—what book did you think you’d survive but ended up emotionally wrecked instead? Let’s compare book trauma. ⬇️ ✨ Save this for when you need an excuse to buy more books. Tag a fellow book hoarder. Follow for dangerously good reader recommendations. Hashtags: #StackSaturday #TBR #MustRead #BookLover #FantasyBooks #GothicFiction #DarkRomance #BooksToRead #ReaderGoals #ReadingEscape #BookishAesthetic #UpcomingReleases #WorldsToGetLostIn #EmotionallyWrecked An aerial view of multiple book stacks, their spines hidden, leaving only the top books visible—an irresistible mystery for any book lover. The covers hint at dark fantasy, gothic fiction, and emotionally gutting reads, their edges crisp and inviting. Soft, moody lighting adds a touch of the dramatic, as if these books know they hold the power to ruin you. A coffee cup lingers at the edge, the only witness to the chaos of an ever-growing TBR.
WOLVES OF CRESCENT CREEK COVER REVEAL We have the WOLVES OF CRESCENT CREEK COVER REVEAL We have the stunning covers for @tessahalewrites new fantasy, why choose series, Wolves of Crescent Creek. Crescent Kingdom, book 1, releases April 23rd! 🔥 Fated Mates 🔥 Merciless Wolves 🔥 A Heroine in Hiding  🔥 An evil who will stop at nothing to have her Pre-Order Now or head over to @tessahalewrites profile for more details! SYNOPSIS: Never stop running. Never let the world know who you really are. I thought I was safe, hidden in the shadows of Crescent Creek. Until them. Five wolves with secrets as dark as mine—protective, ruthless, and impossible to resist. They see through my carefully built walls, and for the first time, I feel like I belong. But trust? That’s dangerous. And when they find out who I really am… I might not survive their truth. Tessa Hale’s The Wolves of Crescent Creek is the current obsession you need on your TBR. A gripping Crescent Kingdom tale packed with tension, danger, and chemistry so electric it’ll leave you breathless. Kindle readers, dark romance lovers, and series binge-readers—this one’s calling your name. Would you rather be the hunted or the hunter? Drop your answer below! ⬇️⬇️ ✨ Save this if you love intense, found-family romances. 🐺 Tag a fellow reader who devours wolf pack stories. 📚 Follow for more bookish obsession-worthy finds. Alt Text: A moody, atmospheric cover reveal for The Wolves of Crescent Creek by Tessa Hale, featuring a dark forest backdrop, glowing embers, and an air of mystery.  #wolfshifters #CoverReveal #TheWolvesOfCrescentCreek #TessaHale #CrescentCreek #CrescentKingdom #WolvesSeries #ParanormalRomance #FantasyRomance #WhyChoose #ReverseHaremBooks #BookLover #Bookstagram #Bookish #KindleUnlimited #DarkRomance #MustRead #FantasyReads #BookCommunity #BookishReels #BooksOfInstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #BookRecommendation #UpcomingReleases #SpicyReads #RomanticFantasy #WolfPack #FoundFamily #EnemiesToLovers #BookTok
✨ So you’ve conquered every fantasy world on y ✨ So you’ve conquered every fantasy world on your TBR, and now you’re staring at your Kindle Unlimited shelf like it’s a portal to the unknown. Where do you go next? Enter the fantasy books on KU—the hidden treasures, the burn romance slow burns, the magic-infused series that will ruin your life in the best way. If you’ve been hunting for your first book on KU (or your next 50), here’s a tip: ✔ Sort by ‘Ratings’—High rating + fantasy = a solid bet. ✔ Check the ‘Chronicles’ tag—Epic series often lurk under this keyword. ✔ Stalk the reviews—A person who compares a book to your favorite author is your best friend. ✔ Follow KU rec lists—Like this one (obviously). So, are you ready to find your next obsession? Drop your favorite KU books in the comments—bonus points if it has a brooding king, morally gray author, or people who wield swords like poetry. ❓ Bookish Question: What’s the best KU fantasy book you’ve ever read—and how would you rate it? Hashtags: #KindleUnlimited #FantasyBooks #BurnRomance #Magic #FantasySeries #BookLover #ReadersOfInstagram #BookRecommendations #TBRList #KindleReads #FantasyChronicles #EpicReads #BookishCommunity #BookshelfAesthetic #BookishRecs #BookObsessed #ReadingAddict #KindleUnlimitedBooks A graphic carousel offantasy books available on Kindle Unlimited, featuring magical, dark, and romantic covers. The background is moody and atmospheric, with soft lighting and a hint of mystical energy.
THE PERSIANS BY SANAM MAHLOUDJI Have you ever won THE PERSIANS BY SANAM MAHLOUDJI Have you ever wondered what happens when family traditions, long-buried secrets, and an infamously large nose collide in the heart of New York City?  The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji is a debut novel following five women from the illustrious Valiat family — a sweeping American family saga that dives headfirst into love, identity, and the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution. From sitting in New York City eating pancakes to confronting the weight of their family name, this book masterfully explores what happens when expectations go wildly awry. If you're a fan of rich storytelling with unforgettable characters (and maybe a little chaos), this is one to add to your TBR! 📚 What’s a book that made you rethink your family dynamics or cultural identity? #ThePersians #SanamMahloudji #IranianFamilySaga #DebutNovel #January2025Release #BookReview #FamilyDrama #IranianStories #AliKhanValiat #LawStudentLife #NewYorkCityBooks #TBRList #BookishCommunity  A captivating shot of The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji surrounded by warm lighting, with a pair of headphones sitting with the book.
In this day and age, we all need to find some free In this day and age, we all need to find some free reads (without pirating because duh). So here’s where you can grab some romance books without spending a dime: 📚 Your Local Library App – Libby, Hoopla, and even Kindle Unlimited sometimes have gems with their free trials. 💻 Project Gutenberg – For those classic, swoony romances that deserve a second chance. 📖 BookFunnel & Prolific Works – Indie authors LOVE to share freebies here, and some of those hidden gems will haunt you in the best way. 🖤 Wattpad & Radish – If you love messy, chaotic, why-am-I-still-up-at-3AM kind of romance, these platforms are gold. Because let’s face it, nothing feels better than scoring a steamy read without breaking the bank. 💬 Where’s the best place you’ve discovered a romance book for free? Drop your finds below! #ReadRomanceBooks #RomanceBooks #BooksRead #ReadRomance #BooksOnline #Romance #Books #BookishLife #FreeBooks #OnlineNovels #RomanceReads A graphic carousel displaying where you can read books for free no pirating required.
When I opened my door and saw Our Infinite Fates b When I opened my door and saw Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven sitting there, I just… stood. Shocked. Frozen. Like fate itself had decided that this moment — on my very own doorstep — was the first place this book belonged. WHAT!!! Huge thanks to @wednesdaybooks (because they are that girl) for sending this deluxe limited edition beauty. One of my most anticipated reads — and now it's in my hands. If you’re into heart-wrenching love stories that span past lives, impossible choices, and fate’s cruel games, Our Infinite Fates is calling your name. Think The Invisible Life Addie LaRue — a tale that lingers like a whisper long after the final page. 📚 What book has you counting down the days until its publication date? #OurInfiniteFates #LauraSteven #WednesdayBooks #PenguinRandomHouse #DeluxeLimitedEdition #MostAnticipatedRelease #TBR #InfiniteFates #LoveStory #Books #Reading #Review #MustRead #BookishMail #ReaderGoals #BookLovers #PastLives
There’s something magical about a book that’s There’s something magical about a book that’s not just pretty on the inside, but stunning on the outside too. An Heir Comes to Rise by @thebookishbox is an absolute showstopper—the naked hardcover is a masterpiece in itself, with stunning foiling details that make it feel like you're holding a treasure. 🤩✨ Can we just take a moment to appreciate how much effort goes into making these editions? I may have spent hours admiring the art before I even opened the pages. 📚💖 So, what's the prettiest book YOU own? Does it have foil? A naked hardcover that leaves you in awe? Or maybe it’s a secretly stunning special edition that you just can’t put down? Tell me all about your favorite bookish beauties below. 🖤👇 Hashtags: #Bookstagram #BookishBeauty #SpecialEditions #HeirComesToRise #PrettyBooks #FoiledBooks #NakedHardcover #BookLovers #BookCollecting #ReaderGoals #BookishCollection #TBR #MustRead #BooksWithFoil #CollectorEdition #TheDiaryOfAReader The Bookish Box editions of An Heir Comes to Rise, featuring beautiful foiling on the naked hardcover.
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