You Should See Me in a Crown

By Leah Johnson,

Book cover of You Should See Me in a Crown

Book description

Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed mid-western town. But it's okay-Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.But…

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Why read it?

4 authors picked You Should See Me in a Crown as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

You Should See Me in a Crown is such a cute sapphic romance story, set around the fact that both the main character, Liz, and her love interest/new girl, Mack, are both running for homecoming queen to win a scholarship.

This book was a breath of fresh air because there were also real problems and insecurities brought up that sometimes are overlooked, making it the characters seem so real. 

When Liz Lighty’s financial aid for college falls through, she agrees to compete for her school’s scholarship prize.

It’s awarded to the prom king and queen. I think calling this a rom-com might be a bit of a stretch since the love story is more of a subplot to the competition, but Liz and Mack’s cute moments together were a highlight of the book.

Not to mention, there were more than a few laugh-out-loud moments.

From Sarah's list on YA rom-com to make you laugh.

You Should See Me in a Crown is a book that showed me how intersectionality impacts everything, even over-achieving. Liz Lightly, a Black lesbian from a poor family, faces more hurdles than my character, Alison, who has grown up in a middle-class neighbourhood. Alison works hard, but she doesn’t have as much on the line as Liz. Still, I think they’d be good friends if they met. The world may not be the meritocracy we want it to be, but when a character works as hard as Liz does, you want them to succeed.

From Dani's list on for over-achievers.

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Book cover of Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor's Unlikely Adventure

Tap Dancing on Everest by Mimi Zieman,

Tap Dancing on Everest, part coming-of-age memoir, part true-survival adventure story, is about a young medical student, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor raised in N.Y.C., who battles self-doubt to serve as the doctor—and only woman—on a remote Everest climb in Tibet.

The team attempts a new route up…

This book has one of my favorite romances in recent memory. Liz and Mack have amazing chemistry and I looked forward to their interactions. Oh, man, and the ending of this book? My serotonin levels skyrocketed. I hope Hollywood makes this into a film because it has so many fantastic cinematic moments. Liz Lighty is a character you really root for. This book is a delight! 

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Book cover of Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor's Unlikely Adventure

Tap Dancing on Everest by Mimi Zieman,

Tap Dancing on Everest, part coming-of-age memoir, part true-survival adventure story, is about a young medical student, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor raised in N.Y.C., who battles self-doubt to serve as the doctor—and only woman—on a remote Everest climb in Tibet.

The team attempts a new route up…

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