Hello and welcome to the second part of my stop for the Miss Meteor blog tour hosted by Karina @ Afire Pages. I’ve curated a short playlist inspired by the book. As with my previous playlists, I’ll add some commentary and lyrics translations where appropriate. I also have a few book recommendations based on Miss Meteor. If you missed my review with all the details about the book, you can read it here.

Book Playlist

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1. Dreams – Alysha

2. I Will Show You – Ailee

This song is actually about bouncing back from heartbreak/being dumped, but it’s also about a makeover and getting revenge, so I felt like the vibe fit this story about empowerment.

3. Watch Me Shine – S.H.E

This song is a remake of a song by the same name originally sung by Joanna Pacitti and was apparently featured in Legally Blonde, but I was exposed to this remake sung by this popular Taiwanese girl group first. The lyrics of the Chinese version are much more poetic and include a lot of starry imagery. I’ve translated some of the lyrics below (please do not repost):

Your heart that flashes light and dark still wavers
I can only feel a faint electricity
If you want a bright, hot love, then you cannot hesitate
Sincerity demands that you have confidence in yourself

Even if there’s a great distance from me to you
Love is a star that can be plucked

No matter how many light-years separate my love
As long as you concentrate, you will see it
There’s such an intense hint in my eyes

No matter how many light-years remain in forever
As long as we start, it can be realized
If you want to know how dazzling love is
Watch me shine

4. Makin’ My Way (Any Way That I Can) – Billie Piper

5. Explosive Remix – Bond

Book Recommendations

Miss Meteor is a story about underdogs joining a competition and growing into themselves. Here are three other YA novels featuring queer girls of color who challenge the preconceived notion of stardom and prove their detractors wrong. I read all of these back in June and they were all amazing.

I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee

I’ll Be the One follows the story of bisexual Korean American Skye Shin, who goes against her mother by entering a kpop competition. She passes her audition and becomes part of an internationally broadcast elimination contest. Unfortunately, the industry is not welcoming of fat girls, so she must find a way to win without compromising herself. Along the way, she also falls for her rival Henry Cho.

If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann

Winnie was expecting to pass her summer uneventfully working at her Granny’s diner and hanging out with her ungirlfriend (kind of like a queerplatonic partner), but the universe has other plans. When she is crowned Misty Haven Summer Queen, she’s thrust into the spotlight and a newfound friendship-with-attraction with her Misty Haven Summer King. Brimming with humor and heart, If It Makes You Happy is a story about learning to assert your desires and draw your boundaries with the people you care about.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

In order to attend her dream college, Liz Lighty makes the decision to campaign for prom queen with its promise of a scholarship. Winning a popularity contest as a poor Black girl in a very rich white town isn’t the easiest thing to do, though. She finds a bit of solace in the new girl Mack, who knows what it’s like to be a misfit, but falling for her rival could spell disaster for Liz’s goals.