Recs if you like Before I Let Go...

Are you currently not crying to the point of vomiting, but you want to be? Need to conduct a science experiment to find out if you are in fact the ugliest crier in all of Pagebound? Well, do I have the list for you! Brought to you by the fine, very sad, folks of Pagebound! These books have been frequently suggested or upvoted in PB club posts about sad books! Suggestions in any genre, and extra tissues, are welcome!

this is your reminder to read books by Black authors all month, all year, every year— not just during Black History Month. it’s crucially important to be able to diversify your reading and your bookshelves. expand your mind, your perspectives, your knowledge, and your taste. if you don’t know where to start, here are some recommendations!

Big vibes and big hair cover art books. (It's not a f*ckin 'cloud bob' Vogue).

Books in this list are in at least two quests. Thus helping to earn more badges. Books will span different genres. Once I scan through all the quests, I plan to further organize the list. I am thinking of creating a seperate list and moving the books with three or more quests to the new list and keeping the two badge books in this list. Are there other ways you would organize a list this big?

| 2026 | verity: october 2 sense & sensibility: october 16 sunrise on the reaping: november 20 dune messiah: december 18

| 2027 | children of blood & bone: january 15 the nightingale: february 12 beach read: may 7

| 2028 | cinder: november 3

Black girls deserve their happily ever after as well!

Black people falling in love written by Black people

Tongue in cheek list inspired by the book titled above, here is a list of all the romance books I have read with my IRL book club!

Having a space that embraces the love story and all tropes/themes/sub genres has been so wonderful and is what got me back into my reading journey, so I hope this does that for you!
Books range from YA to 4️⃣🌶️

This is a judgement free zone and some of these books weren't my personal fave but they could be yours 🤗

2 new books are added each month

books that were better on audio

basically every memoir is also going to be better on audio, especially if the author narrates it, but I have a separate list for those

Book with main characters that are disabled. Both physical and mental included. Eg chronic/terminal illness, physical disabilities, mental illness, neurodivergance, addiction, injury and injury recovery, symptoms causing health issues etc. Doesn't have to be a diagnosed condition. Not necessarily by authors with shared experiences. Books any be any genre. Added only 1st book of series unless there are different characters.

Feel free to leave suggestions in the comments! No "magic cure" books.

Romance books with characters and a romance that feels mature. There is no or very low drama in the romance itself. It's often a slowburn, sometimes medium burn and feels very natural. The characters are either emotionally aware, possess a decent level of emotional intelligence, or are actively trying to communicate even if it's hard. Aside from the romance there is ample time for the characters to have growth on their own.

Keywords; Mature, slow/med burn, no drama, steady, emotional security.

The book girlies are seeing their favourite characters on screen this year so if you didn’t know or want to be ahead of the game and prep, this list is here. This list includes tv adaptations and movies so if you’re curious make sure to see if it’s streaming or theatre release.

P.s. I’m including books whose adaptations already came out this year so far

From sweet & swoony to undeniable heat, these books will have you kicking your feet and blushing at all the right moments. Banter, longing, tension, and MMCs who mean it — prepare for maximum squealing.

Literary and contemporary fiction with Black FMCs that will make your heart break into a million pieces and then knit itself back together (hopefully). Specifically wanted to curate books that all also come with tough topics and hefty doses of warnings for major possible triggers. Check the comments for specific warnings tagged to individual books (mostly major stuff, recommend doing some research before diving in if there are other things you don't want to read about no matter how minor).

kind of struggling with books where the MC's instantly get together or hook up, so here are some book recs where the couple waits until at least 50% of the book to get together

For when love didn’t work out the first time, but maybe… it deserves another shot. Perfect if you love emotional, swoony, sometimes painful but oh-so-worth-it romances.

my list of books on 2+ quests, continued!

While the journey to love may not always be easy, it is always worth it. Black MMCs. Black FMCs. Black love. Happy Endings always!