First Class Post - because this post is first class!
Books Purchased:
Physical copies:
Female Chauvinist Pigs by Ariel Levy (3rd OCtober 2006)
I've wanted to read this book for quite a while now, and although it was interesting, it was a little disappointing (see review below). Looks into raunch culture, and how it's actually sexist rather than liberation.
The Lost Book of Salem by Katherine Howe (9th June 2009)
I bought this in a charity shop for £1.49, and it's in such good condition! It sounds so interesting; a family curse, and a link to the Salem witch trials! I'm really excited to read it!
The Dream Thieves and Blue Lily, Lily Blue (21st August 2014) by Maggie Stiefvater
I really enjoyed The Raven Boys (See review below), so I bought The Dream Thieves to continue reading. And although I was a little disappointed with The Dream Thieves (see review below), I'm still enjoying the series over all, so bought Blue Lily, Lily Blue!
The Power by Naomi Alderman (6th April 2017)
I don't read much in the way of general fiction, but this one sounds like it's quite a feminist story. Teenage girls discover they have a the power to cause pain or even death with the flick of a hand, and it's about how this affects the four central characters. Sounds so good!
Books Received for Review:
Books with an * are reading copies I received as a book seller.Proofs:
Project Semicolon: Your Story Isn't Over by Amy Bleuel (5th September 2017)
Created by the woman behind Project Semicolon - to help people with mental illness carry on when suicidal - this book shares the stories of people with mental illnesses, and how they kept going. I think this is going to be very powerful, though bittersweet, knowing Bleuel lost her battle with depression earlier this year.
Finished Copies:
Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy (9th August 2017)
I am so happy to have this! I've been wanting to read this ever since I first heard about it. Not only is it by Julie Murphy, but it's also a book that looks at the fluidity of sexuality. Up until now, Ramona has been into girls, but with the return of her childhood friend, Freddie, and her growing feelings for him, she begins to question her sexuality.
Tangleweed and Brine by Deirdre Sullivan* (7th September 2017)
Ok, so I know I included this in last month's recap, but the rep who sent me the manuscript came into my bookshop with a finished hardcover copy for me! It was such a surprise, I wasn't expecting a physical copy as I was sent a manuscript. And it's beautiful! I'm so looking forward to reading it!
Boy2Girl by Terence Blacker (5th October 2017)
I am really intrigued by this! Though I'm also nervous about how the topic will be dealt with, but if done well, I think this could be really interesting!
The Wrong Train by Jeremey de Quidt (7th September 2017)
This was unsolicited, but sounds pretty good, if you're in to horror. A collection of short scary stories. I'm not big on horror, so I'm not sure if I'll read this one.
It's All In Your Head: A Guide to Getting Your Sh*t Together by Rae Earl (10th August 2017)
This is a non-fic book about mental illness for teens by an author who has a mental illness. As someone with a mental illness, I'm really looking forward to reading this.
This Is Not a Sex Book by Chusita Fashion Fever (13th July 2017)
So really, this pretty much is a sex book. Written by Youtuber Chusita Fashion Fever, it's a book for teens that talks about sexuality, sexual orientation, kissing, sex, and more, with real honesty. Seriously, I flicked through this book and was amazed at the topics it covers. It also has illustrations and little comic sections to illustrate certain situations. I think it's going to be incredible, and I'm looking forward to reading it.
The Girl Guide by Marawa Ibrahim (1st June 2017)
This is an honest book about growing up and puberty for girls from world breaking hula-hooper and circus performer, Marawa Ibrahim. Another one that deals with topics in such honesty, and normalising issues. I think this is going to be awesome.
eARCs:
36 Questions That Changed My Mind About You by Vicki Grant (19th OCtober 2017)
This sounds so intriguing! Two teens take part in an experiment to see if they can fall in love by asking each other 36 questions.
Rules of Rain by Leah Scheier (5th December 2017)
This one sounds intriguing, but I'm also a little wary. About the relationship between Rain and her twin brother Ethan, who has Autism. She's always cared for Ethan, but now she's finding he doesn't need her as much, and after making a mistake, she realises that this time she needs him.
Thank you to Harper 360, Little Island Press, Anderson Press, David Fickling Books, Wren and Rook, Head of Zeus, Frances Lincoln, and Hot Key Books, Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley for the review copies.
Check out mail memes: The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Stacking the Shelves on Tynga's Reviews.
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On the blog:
Reviews:
- Demon Lord of Karanda, Sorceress of Darshiva and Seeress of Kell by David Eddings - The last three books in the Malloreon series. Problematic at times, sometimes not much happened, but overall, I really enjoyed them!
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart - This book is incredible! I did not see the twist coming at all. So, so clever! So, so good!
- The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - Slow to start, but once it did, I was hooked! Loved it!
- Because You Love to Hate Me: 13 Tales of Villainy anthology, edited by Ameriie - I was disappointed with this. Some great stories, but most were forgettable, and wasn't keen on the pieces by Booktubers.
- The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater - I loved seeing Ronan and Adam's individual storylines develop, but not much happened in this one. A little disappointed, but looking forward to the next book!
- Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture by Ariel Levy - Interesting, with history of the American Women's Movement, but with a problematic chapter on lesbians and trans men. Also didn't say as much as I was hoping. (Reviewed on my lifestyle blog, Jo Scribbles.)
What I've Been Reading Online:
Cover reveals:
- Exclusive: Here's a sneak peek at Sabaa Tahir's new book 'A Reaper at the Gates' (plus new covers for whole series, and a Q&A with Tahir) on Mashable.
- My New Book - Things Jolie Needs to Do Before She Bites It by Kerry Winfrey.
- Favourite Graphic Novels for Middle Grade Children on BookTrust.
- 5 SFF Stories Similar to Every Heart a Doorway, Deaturing Asexual Characters on LGBTQ Reads.
- 100 Must-Read Inclusive YA SFF Books on BookRiot.
- Here's What Happens When Stores Carry Books by Women, People of Color - And No One Else on Good.
- Tanya Byrne: 'BAME Writers Must Tell Their Own Stories - and We Have to Be Disruptive' on The Guardian.
- Nicola Yoon: 'We Don't Make Princesses in Those Colours': Words I Didn't Expect to Hear in 2017 on The Guardian.
- V.E. Schwab Signs $1M Deal With Tor Books on Entertainment Weekly.
- Jenny Han Shares Her Movie Set Diary From To All The Boys I've Loved Before on Entertainment Weekly.
- David Tennant and Michael Sheen to Star in Good Omens as Angel and Demon Duo on Nerdist.
- You Guys, There Might Be More "Twilight" and "Hunger Games" Movies Coming Out on Buzzfeed. (My opinion: Ugh. It's all about the money.)
- Matthew Goode, Teresa Palmer to Headline A Discovery of Witches Adaptation on Entertainment Weekly.
- Dear YA: Where Oh Where is the Love for Black Hair? on Endless Yarning.
- A Marvel Editor is Being Harrassed Because She Posted a Selfie With her Coworkers on The Mary Sue.
- Young Adult Literature Convention Under Fire Over Disabled Facilities on The Guardian.
- How YA Twitter Is Trying to Dismantle White Supremacy One Book at a Time on Bustle (in response to The Toxic Drama on YA Twitter on Vulture).
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