What You Should Read Based on the Winners of the 91st Academy Awards
The Oscars were Sunday night. This year’s ceremony was a host-less affair with some surprise winners. Being a connoisseur of award shows, I had a blast. The fashion! The speeches! The drama! Which winner was your favorite? Which are you most excited to see? Tell us and we’ll give you a book rec to go with your choice!
Best Actress – The Favourite
Rule by Ellen Goodlett
DID YOU JUST LOOK AT ME? LOOK AT ME! HOW DARE YOU! I just want to surround myself with clever women scheming for the power behind a throne. Is that too much to ask?
Best Supporting Actress – If Beale Street Could Talk
Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
A young woman struggles agains the injustice of a system that works against her happiness and potential future. Read Mary’s story. Read Tish’s story.
Best Visual Effects – First Man
We Rule the Night by Claire Eliza Bartlett
Neil Armstrong could take a few pointers from Revna and Linné. In the words of Shangela via Ariana Grande: “This is one small step for woman, one giant leap for woman-kind.”
Best Costume Design – Black Panther
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
I want to go to Wakanda. I want to go to Orïsha. Zélie and the Dora Milaje would be BFFs (or at least comrades-in-arms). You can fight me about that (or rather, fight them).
Best Animated Short – BAO
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
Do you feel like crying all of the tears? Do you have unresolved issues with your mother? Are you prepared to smile through those tears in a blissful catharsis of epic proportions? Same.
Best Director – Roma
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
Tradition. Family. Change. Independence. Secrets have a way of coming to light whether you want them to or not; both Cleo and Julia know this well.
Best Animated Feature – Spider-man: Into The Spider-verse
Miles Morales by Jason Reynolds
Everybody wins when we have more Miles Morales content in the world. (Could use more Spider-Ham tbh, but that’s a minor quibble.)
Best Documentary Feature – Free Solo
No Summit out of Sight by Jordan Romero
Sure, free climbing El Capitan is legit. Climbing Everest at thirteen, though? That’s legendary. (Even if he did use ropes.)
