Rachel Reads & Reviews

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Tag: #melatilum

  • We Need Diverse Books

    I know I missed We Need Diverse Books week or Banned Books week, but it took a while to compile this list of all the contemporary YA I’ve read over the years. Some overla since no one can be fit into one label, but I labeled some of them as many are #OwnVoices. Since it’s…

  • Reading Log 2025

    I know, I know, I said earlier this year I’d cut back on the reading. I didn’t reach a thousand, but I clearly didn’t stick to my goal. I blame the economy for not giving me a job to fill my time. Currently stands at 839 Any who, reading is better than drugs and I…

  • Book Highlight: Ayesha Dean Mysteries

    It took me awhile to get my hands on this Australian series, but I’m very glad I did. Ayesha Dean is vibrant new heroine in the teen sleuth genre, following in the vein of Nancy Drew. That is if Nancy Drew knew taekwondo and found mysteries at every vacation spot. Obviously, she’s not an exact…

  • Melati Lum Interview

    Melati Lum is a lawyer specializing in criminal law whose work helps her craft the Ayesha Dean Mysteries. She kindly took the time answer my questions about writing one of the few female Muslim heroines in middle grade fiction, travel and what’s coming next from her pen. 1. Can you share a bit about your…