Shalan Mitchell > Recent Status Updates

A Valentine’s Day novella (short story?) in celebration of Love Day! ❤️ This book was cute. I enjoyed the banter and puns. The ending was a little surface level and very rushed, but I expected that. I read this waiting in museum lines and while on the metro as my sister and I went all over D.C. today. 3🌟

I listened to this short story (novella?) while decorating for my Galentine’s weekend with my sister. It was a cheesy cute time. I really liked the FMC’s sweet talks with her grandma. 3🌟

It pains me to do this, but I am DNFing this book. Please don’t get me wrong because this is not a bad book by any means! These women’s stories, their contributions, and the historic records surrounding it all are extremely well researched and well written. However, the recount is so expansive that I’m drowning in the facts. The book is simply not the best format for me; I will research documentaries instead.

This book is extremely informative. So much so, that I cannot retain any of the information because I’m being overwhelmed with biographical fact upon historical fact. I’m not used to reading nonfiction or listening to historical podcasts so this all feels like being hit with a tsunami of historical records. I thought about DNFing in favor of a documentary, but I’m going to try even if I can’t remember much.

I highly recommend this one if you love women’s historical fiction inspired by true events! Martha Ballard’s story is moving in its own right, but this story does so much more to showcase the power of women’s bodies, rights, and voices. The events in this book had me raging in heartache for some of these women and crying triumphant tears for others. Please check trigger warnings. 5🌟

This book is so good!

BHM Read! Bahni Turpin’s narration is always spectacular, and she brought this story alive. I loved so much about this book that it’s hard to describe it all, but here are some of my fav themes: womanhood/motherhood, spirituality/religion, race, and the power of hair. I didn’t always agree with the generations of women in this story, but I deeply felt for them. Please check trigger warnings! 6🌟

I love multigenerational stories! I think it all started when my momma let me watch Roots with her … or maybe with the Bible stories we read each night.

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This was a nostalgic reread for me. It reminded me of my time in college both as a freshman and as a senior (when I read this book for the first time). Although it’s not a perfect book, it says the perfect things sometimes.

BHM Read - I loved Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, but I was uncertain if I would equally enjoy this one. While I don’t love it as much as her first novel, I did enjoy this one and I am happy I listened to it. I liked the honest, raw, and realistic family dynamics. I loved the exploration of religion, spirituality, mental health, and science. I would recommend this one. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I’m reading this book very slowly, so now it is an 2026 Reread.

These characters stick with me because they’re so real and complex, and aren’t we all? The writing was still compelling, but I found some translation errors and many repeat quotes from the first book that took me out of the story. I enjoyed the thematic exploration of us versus them and how binaries lead to violence and corruption masked as loyalty and community. I can’t wait to read the finale! 4.5🌟

I am more of a character centered reader, so this one just fell a little flat for me. I really wanted more from and for the female characters in this book. Honestly, I just wanted to follow Pesty and get to know her. If you love historical facts and are interested in lore around the Underground Railroad, but don’t mind surface level characters, then I recommend this one. 🌟🌟🌟

First BHM Read of 2026 - I’m starting a little early because February is too short. I loved Virginia Hamilton’s folktale, The People Could Fly, so I was hoping to feel similarly about this one too. Sadly, I didn’t love it. However, I can appreciate it for what it is and what it does well. If you’re a reader that looks for a sense of place in your books, this is a great one.

I finished this days ago, and I’m just now marking it as read. Initially, after reading it I was torn between a 3.5 and a 4.0 because I really liked the story and characters but felt it could have gone deeper somehow. Since finishing the audiobook, I haven’t really thought very much about this story, so I think I’m settling on a 3.5 🌟. I recommend this book to any book lover wanting a WWI women’s story!

I adore this book 📚❤️!

In honor of finally deciding on a library science program, I started this book! I listened to a lot on my drive to a books and breakfast school event. All the bookish things! ❤️