Love in Color, by Bolu Babalola

Babalola, a self-proclaimed “romcomisseur,” breathes fresh air into ancient myths with her debut, a collection of short stories that have love and fully-realized heroines as their focal points. The myths she adapts are not the largely familiar Greek and Roman tales, but rather draw on the beautiful lore of Ghana, Nigeria, China, and many others. A true expert in romance and its tropes, Babalola writes with charming playfulness; her characters are witty, and their dialogue will have you rooting for their love. Her prose takes the readers into sunny, colorful places where warmth and magic abound. Reminding us that love is always something to celebrate, Love in Color is simply a joy to read.