Happy Thursday, everyone! In case you haven’t heard, LSQ is now open for submissions! Our theme this year is the circus, so we put together a little reading list to help get those creative juices flowing. Get them from a Black-owned bookstore, find an independent bookstore in your neighborhood, or see if your local library has them available in digital format!
Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter
Follows the story of Sophie Fevvers, an acrobat who’s part woman, part swan. She’s followed by American journalist Jack Walser, who wants to know if she really is part swan, or just a sham. A dreamy, whirlwind adventure through turn-of-the-century Europe, with a dash of societal commentary that’s expected from Carter.
Harley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman
You’ve heard of the running-away-to-the-circus trope, but what about running away to the circus from another circus? Enter Harley Milano, a budding trapeze artist, who joins a rival circus after a fight with her parents. This is realistic fiction, but gives readers a good idea of what circus life is really like.
Pantomime by Laura Lam
The first book in the Micah Grey series, it tells the story of Micah, an intersex genderfluid aerialist who discovers circus life isn’t as glamorous as it might at first appear. Rife with steampunk and magic, this book is a treat for the imagination.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Of course this one would make the list! The story of two talented magicians pitted against each other, set against a vibrant and magical circus, with a dollop of romance plopped in. If you’re a fan of dreamy prose, this one’s for you. And we just so happen to have a review of it in our blog archives if you’re looking to find out more.
What’s your favorite circus story? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to submit; you have until August 22!