The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighbourhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. So when she is… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism
  • Misogyny & slut-shaming
  • Fatphobia & body shaming
  • Sexual harassment
  • Child abuse & abandonment mentioned
  • Cheating
  • Panic attacks
  • Recreational drug use
  • Alcohol abuse recounted
  • Minor physical injuries
  • Infertility & difficult childbirth mentioned
  • Bullying

Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch

Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch

It begins with a dead body at the far end of Baker Street tube station, all that remains of American exchange student James Gallagher—and the victim’s wealthy, politically powerful family is understandably eager to get to the bottom of the gruesome murder. The trouble is, the bottom—if it exists at all—is deeper and more unnatural than anyone suspects . . . except, that is, for London constable and sorcerer’s apprentice Peter Grant. With Inspector Nightingale, the last registered wizard in England, tied up in the hunt for… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism & racial slurs
  • Sexism
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Physical injuries
  • Hospitalisation & mentions of surgery
  • Murder & attempted murder
  • Gun violence
  • Death by train

Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch

Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch

Amina has never been comfortable in the spotlight. She is happy just hanging out with her best friend, Soojin. Except now that she’s in middle school everything feel. A mutilated body in Crawley. Another killer on the loose. The prime suspect is one Robert Weil; an associate of the twisted magician known as the Faceless Man? Or just a common or garden serial killer? Before PC Peter Grant can get his head round the… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism & antiziganism (g slur)
  • Sexism
  • Disfigurmisia
  • Suicide and coerced suicide by train discussed
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Blood & gore depiction including dead bodies
  • Murder & attempted murder
  • Bombing
  • Gun violence
  • Building collapse
  • Loss of autonomy (mind control)
  • Animal fight rings mentioned

Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey

Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey

“That girl’s got more wrong notions than a barn owl’s got mean looks.” Esther is a stowaway. She’s hidden herself away in the Librarian’s book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her–a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend. Her best friend who she was in love with. Her best friend who was just executed for possession of resistance propaganda. The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and queer librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Period-typical misogyny & sexism
  • Period-typical queerphobia & internalised queerphobia
  • Attempted nonconsensual arranged marriage
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a friend recounted
  • Murder
  • Gun violence
  • Hanging recounted (off-page)