No subscriptions. No pressure. Just RSVP, show up, and vibe with us!
Hey Sis Reads is a growing collective of Sistas committed to building community, deepening knowledge, and uplifting Black voices one book at a time. Each meetup, we explore rich, relatable stories written by some of today’s most talented Black authors. Together, we explore thought-provoking books, engage in honest and healing conversations, and create space for connection, growth, and joy. Our meetups take place at Grassrootz Bookstore in Downtown Phoenix, a local Black-owned hub known for culture, wisdom, and deep conversations.
Come for the books. Stay for the Sistahood!
Our September 13th Selection
The Revelation of Dionne Daphne by Mara Brock Akil
Mara Brock Akil, the award-winning creator of Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane, and Love Is, pens an emotionally enthralling debut novel about enduring love, world-shattering secrets, and self-awakening.
What happens when one knock at your door sends your entire world into chaos? When a stranger becomes a lifeline? When the reality you’ve meticulously curated seems to be a mirage?
From the outside looking in, one might say that Dionne Daphne had it all: being the beauty editor at a prestigious New York magazine, a boyfriend who could have been plucked out of its model pages, the social life of the upper echelon, and a girlhood steeped in debutant balls.
But that is from the outside. When the now ex-boyfriend arrives at her Brooklyn doorstep Dionne imagines reconciliation, going back to the good life brimming with the possibility of marriage; the life her mother always wanted for her. Instead, he delivers life-threatening news that creates a crack in her picture-perfect world. A crack that grows legs and runs her right into her past, unearthing a secret that she has hidden since childhood.
What You Can Look Forward To📚:
• Monthly book selections featuring Black voices
• Thought-provoking discussions
• Local in-person meetups at Grassrootz Bookstore in Downtown Phoenix
• A welcoming community of Sistas who read, reflect, and rise together
• Social outings featuring great music and the arts
How To Join 📚:
To join, simply RSVP, pull up, and grow with us! We start each meetup with a full overview of the book, so all Sistas are welcomed to join the discussion…. even if you haven’t read it yet.
Meet Featured Local Author Cali Starr
What happens when the person you trust the most becomes the greatest mystery in your life?
Cali Starr’s first published novel What Lies Between Us is a story about broken promises and second chances—but not in the way readers might expect. It follows Serain, an esthetician and small business owner whose quiet, comfortable life changes when she meets an intelligent, charismatic man who helps her grow her business. As love blossoms, subtle cracks begin to appear, and she discovers that some promises are made to be broken and some secrets were never meant to stay buried.
Previous Hey Sis Reads
Score by Kennedy Ryan
Genre: 2nd Chance Romance
You never forget your first love. Isn't that what they say? Verity Hill knows this truth intimately. She didn't simply miss Wright "Monk" Bellamy when they parted ways in college. She's haunted by his touch. Every kiss, any lover since—it's a shadow of what they had.
Nappily Ever After by Trisha R. Thomas
Genre: Classic African-American Fiction
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of its release, Nappily Ever After is a debut novel about Venus Johnston, a woman who re-evaluates her life, relationships, and identity after her boyfriend's lack of commitment leads her to dramatically cut her long, processed hair into a short, natural style. This book explores themes of self-love, independence, and the cultural significance of hair for Black women, following Venus as she navigates the unexpected reactions from her social circle and learns to find happiness on her own terms.
The Art of Loving You by Natasha Bishop
Genre: Contemporary Romance
The Art of Loving You by Natasha Bishop is a second-chance romance novel in The Forever Falling series, featuring model-turned-influencer Dani Jenkins and artist Micah Wright, who are forced to reunite for a bucket-list road trip after their mentor's death, reigniting their past feelings amidst tropes like friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, and black joy. The story follows their journey to complete their mentor's final wishes, which involves a scavenger hunt across the U.S., as they confront their unresolved history and learn to love again.
I, Medusa by Ayana Gray
Genre: Urban Greek Mythology
I, Medusa is a Greek mythology retelling that reimagines the monster Medusa as a young woman named Meddy, exploring her journey from a mortal girl with beautiful hair to a powerful figure, focusing on themes of trauma, self-discovery, and the cruelty of the gods. The novel follows Meddy as she leaves her island to train as a priestess for Athena, only for her life to be irrevocably changed by the gods, forcing her to embrace her monstrous identity as a form of vengeance and self-creation. It's a "villain origin story" that delves into her backstory, challenging the traditional narrative and highlighting themes of injustice, power, and survival.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Genre: Afrofantasy Fiction
Children of Blood and Bone is a young adult novel about Zélie, a divîner in a world where magic has been suppressed and divîners are persecuted. Along with a rogue princess named Amari, Zélie embarks on a quest to restore magic by gathering ancient artifacts before a deadline, while being pursued by the ruthless king and his son. The story explores themes of racism, oppression, and injustice through its West African-inspired setting.
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
Genre: Psychological Suspense Thriller
Nella Rogers is an editorial assistant and the only Black employee at Wagner Books, a publishing house in New York City. When Hazel-May McCall, another Black woman, is hired as an editorial assistant, Nella initially believes she will be an ally. While Hazel seems supportive in their personal interactions, Nella soon finds herself sidelined and her relationships at Wagner strained due to Hazel's advice and interference. Nella receives anonymous notes ordering her to leave Wagner. Nella begins to suspect that Hazel is not what she seems, and searches for answers about both Hazel's and Wagner Books's dark pasts.
Plus Size Player by Danielle Allen
Genre: Urban Romance
Nina Ford doesn’t like to put all her eggs in one basket. She works multiple jobs, she enjoys multiple hobbies, she dates multiple men. In her thirty years of life, Nina has never come across a man who has all the things she’s looking for.
She loves fun and excitement—and she has a man for that.
She loves confidence and humor—and she has a man for that.
She loves intelligence and ambition—and she has a man for that.
She loves passion and romance—and she has a man for that.
She’s always been content rotating a few men in and out of her life to get her needs met. But when Russell Long, her designated “Fun Guy”, shows her that he’s good for more than just thrills, it seems too good to be true. Nina finds herself in a predicament.
Restore Me by J.L. Seegars
Genre: Forbidden Romance
Dominic Alexander is my late husband's best friend and the last man on Earth that I should want. He's arrogant, dismissive, and up until recently has only ever used those dark eyes of his to look right through me. For the last twelve years, he's taken a sick pleasure in making me feel paper thin, like my entire existence is of no consequence to him at all.
But now, things are different.
After one drunken night, and a surprisingly sexy act of heroism, he's started to be...nice. Treating me like something other than the physical embodiment of his annoyance, which would be nice if it didn't make me feel all the things I swore to never feel for another man after my husband died...
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Genre: Dystopian Fiction
Wildfires. Global Warming. Racial Violence. Drug Addiction. Desperation. The dystopian future Butler imagined is sadly ringing ever truer to life as we know it—and is an ever more visceral warning for what our future will hold if we are not mindful.
Parable of the Sower begins in the year 2023. Climate change and growing inequality have decimated the country, and the American middle class has been all but erased, with the last holdouts residing in fragile gated communities. The story centers on Lauren Oya Olamina, a young woman forced to flee her home on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Traveling north, she dreams of a redemption for humankind: Earthseed—a new religion, a new community, and a destiny to take root among the stars. With a small band of companions, she makes her way along the coast of California, fleeing wildfires and roving gangs of marauders and pyromaniacs in an apocalyptic wasteland.
Only For The Week by Natasha Bishop
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop is a steamy romance novel about Janelle, who is the maid of honor at her ex-boyfriend's wedding. She agrees to a week-long fling with the best man, Rome, who has always had feelings for her. The story explores their growing feelings, the complexities of family relationships, and the question of whether they are willing to risk everything for a lasting love.
Never Tell by Stacey Abrams
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Criminal psychologist Dr. Erin Abbott wants nothing more than to live a quiet life. That means no danger, no intrigue—and absolutely no romance. But when Erin suspects a serial killer is roaming New Orleans, her investigation throws her straight into the arms of the one man who can help her.
Journalist Gabriel Moss is hot to find his next big story—and he knows Erin is onto something that will rock the city to its core. However, Erin is also a mystery he must solve. From the moment they meet, Gabriel senses that she is hiding more than her beauty behind her boxy suits and sensible shoes. When she reluctantly agrees to work with him to uncover the most shocking story they have ever come across, explosive secrets are revealed and danger and passion begin to rise.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Their love was supposed to last forever. But when life delivered blow after devastating blow, Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone couldn’t solve or save everything. It couldn’t save their marriage.
Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart, but she is finally starting to find joy again. She and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving business together. Yet like magnets, they’re always drawn back to each other, and now they’re beginning to wonder if they’re truly ready to let go of everything they once had.
Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another…and then more. It's hot. It's illicit. It's all good—until old wounds reopen. Is it too late for them to find forever? Or could they even be better, the second time around?
