I've been very much enjoying the 23 for 23 Reading Challenge.
The challenge has a simple premise: in 2023, read (& discuss online) 23 books written by BIPOC authors with BIPOC characters. (BIPOC is Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.) The challenge was created at Steamy Lit Con this summer, and seeks to amplify and elevate marginalized voices in publishing. I encourage you to join me!

Since it began, I've been cataloging my challenge books on TikTok, as well as, of course, keeping my usual reading spreadsheet up to date. I read SO MUCH, so I'm only counting the books I've read since I found out about it. I'm at 13 so far; 10 to go!

A Ghost in Shining Armor by Therese Beharrie
Along for the Ride by Mimi Grace
Full Moon Over Freedom by Angelina M Lopez
Goal by Alexandria House
Just a Few Fake Kisses ... by Jayci Lee
Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up by Charish Reid
Play to Win by Jodie Slaughter
Tell Me Something Good by Jamie Wesley
The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan
The Secret to a Southern Wedding by Synithia Williams
To Have and to Heist by Sara Desai
When Tara Met Farah by Tara Pammi
Wings Once Cursed & Bound by Piper Drake

But before the challenge started, I read 42 other romances by BIPOC authors featuring BIPOC characters. (I mean, I've read loads more than that, but that's my count in 2023 based on a cursory scan of my annual book list.) You'll see a ton of repeat names here: Naima Simone, Jayci Lee, Sophia Singh Sasson, Jeannie Chin, and Kennedy Ryan, among others. But there's much to recommend from all of them!

A Kiss to Remember by Naima Simone
All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim
An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera
Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa
Christmas in Rose Bend by Naima Simone
Counterfeit Courtship by Synithia Williams
Crushing on You by Jen Trinh
Full Exposure by Thien-Kim Lam
Her Good Side by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Her Perfect Affair by Priscilla Oliveras
Highly Suspicious and Unfarily Cute by Talia Hibbert
Jana Goes Wild by Farah Heron
Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat by Sonya Lalli
Marriage by Arrangement by Sophia Singh Sasson
Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin
One Night Only by Jayci Lee
Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne
Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Running Away with the Bride by Sophia Singh Sasson
Say Yes by Kennedy Ryan
Scoring with the Wrong Twin by Naima Simone
Slamdunked by Love by Jamie Wesley
Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni
The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson
The Build Up by Tati Richardson
The Do-Over by Suzanne Park
The Five-Day Reunion by Mona Shroff
The House on Mulberry Street by Jeannie Chin
The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan
The Love List by Naima Simone
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope
The Rachel Experiment by Lisa Lin
The Rebel King by Kennedy Ryan
The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann
The Valentine's Do-Over by Michelle Lindo-Rice
The Year of Cecily by Lisa Lin
Three Months to Forever by Hudson Lin
Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse
Trouble for Hire by Naima Simone
With Love from Rose Bend by Naima Simone
Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Zora Books Her Happy Ever After by Taj McCoy