I hope that title gives you enough of a hint as to what today’s Riot Rec theme is! If not, keep scrolling and you’ll figure it out eventually…
Bookish Goods
MARVEL Comic Book Covers Face Mask by RockAndWolle
The pandemic is most definitely NOT over, so please continue to enjoy these (non-medical-grade) masks when you meet with others! $14+
New Releases
It Won’t Always Be Like This by Malaka Gharib
Malaka spends every summer visiting her father in Egypt. Everything changes after her father remarries, making Malaka reconsider what it means to be Egyptian, American, one of the cool kids — and herself.
Doughnuts and Doom by Balazs Lorinczi
Elena is a musician with a struggling career. Margot is a witch with a struggling potions business. Neither is in the best place when they meet, but maybe they can find what they’ve long been missing with each other. Or maybe they’re both just cursed. Who knows?
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
Today’s Riot Rec theme is: cheerleading! Yay! People have a lot of preconceptions about this sport, including the character in these comics. But they soon learn what it’s really about — and what really matters, both in cheer and in life.
The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao
The cheerleaders are the most popular girls at Christina and Megan’s middle school — so naturally, they want to join! But cheerleading is no picnic, especially when you’re the only non-white kids in school. Christina and Megan will have to figure out if popularity is worth more than their friendship.
Cheer Up!: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier and Val Wise
This comic is so cute I can’t even. Annie has no interest in being a cheerleader, but if she wants a shot at a college scholarship, she needs an extracurricular. Bebe is the squad’s rising star and a trans girl whose parents don’t fully support her transition. Can they both find acceptance, love, and support as part of their high school cheer team?
We have reached the end of another newsletter and (almost) another week. I hope you have a great Friday — I’ll be cheering you on!
~Eileen