British Books Challenge: What I'm Hoping To Read

I'm super-excited to be signing up for the British Books Challenge, hosted by my awesome friend Chelle at Tales of Yesterday, one of my favourite blogs. I'm going to do a page to keep track of what I'm reading and reviewing, but thought I'd post here with some of the things I'm hoping to get around to this year.

Huge thanks to Debbie for the brilliant spreadsheet which is where I found out about a lot of these, and to Cora Linn who added a bunch of these to Goodreads for me when I found they weren't on there! Click on the title to get to Goodreads, by the way.

These aren’t the only UK books on my ‘wants list’ by any means, and there are lots of others I’m incredibly excited for – I thought I’d try and give a selection of things across various genres though. I've also tried to stick to 2017 releases (although there are a couple when I've included a 2016 book if I'm excited for a sequel.)

  

Royal Tour and Going Viral by Amy Alward (Simon & Schuster) 

This is a series I’m behind on but reading the short story included in the Winter Magic collection – which was completely adorable – reminded me what a great writer Amy is, so again I want to catch up!

You Don’t Know Me But I Know You by Rebecca Barrow (HarperTeen – despite Rebecca being a UK author, not 100% sure this has a UK deal yet)

Debut novel about a pregnant girl reading a seventeen year old letter from the birth mother she never met sounds really incredible.

Following Ophelia by Sophia Bennett (Stripes) 

Sophia’s a fabulously consistent author and this book about a girl trying to become the new face of the London art scene sounds awesome!

Open: A toolkit for how magic and messed up life can be by Gemma Cairney (Pan Macmillan) 

It was great hearing from Gemma as part of a brilliant YALC panel last year and this non-fiction debut book of hers sounds like a really awesome read!

Waiting For Callback: Take Two by Perdita and Honor Cargill (Simon & Schuster) 

Perdita and Honor’s debut Waiting For Callback has some of the best dialogue I’ve read in ages and is a really fabulous contemporary novel – this sequel is one I’m incredibly excited to read.

The Liar’s Handbook by Keren David (Barrington Stoke)

Barrington Stoke published one of my favourites of last year, Non Pratt’s Unboxed, and their backlist shows what an incredible record they have of publishing great books which can be loved by everyone but which are also vital at getting reluctant readers to try a book. Keren, of course, is an incredible author whose When I Was Joe series was stunning and who has followed that up with some excellent stand-alones.

The Gender Games by Juno Dawson (Two Roads)

Juno’s non-fiction books are always superb, this one – part memoir, part diary of her transition – sounds especially brilliant.

Untitled book by Beth Garrod (Scholastic)

Look, who needs a title when Beth’s debut, Super Awkward, was one of the most hilarious books I’ve read in recent years? You could even describe it as Super AWESOME. (And I feel I have. Probably so often that even Beth’s bored of me saying it!!) Whatever her next book is about, I can’t wait to read it.

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James (Walker) 

Lauren’s debut duology, The Next Together and The Last Beginning blew me away; this book about two teens in space, each the sole occupant of their ship, communicating via e-mail sounds wonderful!

Blade And Bone by Catherine Johnson (Walker) 

I got sent this late last year but can’t read out of order so had to wait until I’d got my hands on Sawbones and read that first. I am VERY glad I did as it was utterly brilliant, excited to see what happens next!

Masquerade by Laura Lam (Tor) 

I have been waiting SO LONG for the end of Micah Grey’s story, which started in Pantomime and continued in Shadowplay – both are incredible, two of my favourite fantasies for many years.

Indigo Donut by Patrice Lawrence (Hodder Children's Books)

I have heard SO MANY amazing things about Patrice Lawrence's Orangeboy and fully intend to read it soon! However I'm also very excited for her upcoming stand-alone, about two teens living in London who meet at sixth form, where sparks fly.

The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas (Macmillan Children's Books) 

There are times I’m slightly dubious about adult authors writing YA but there are some who are clearly very passionate about it – and Rachael Lucas’s excitement over her #ownvoices book about an autistic girl is plain to see! It’s rubbing off on me as I can’t WAIT to read this.

Out of Heart by Irfan Master (Hot Key)

Irfan Master’s MG A Beautiful Lie is one of my 5 favourite MG novels of the last decade. I am incredibly excited for this new YA!

Truth Or Dare by Non Pratt (Walker) 

Non’s one of the most brilliant authors around so ANYTHING by her is bound to be great! Excited to read about YouTubers while the news of an asexual character makes me very happy.

The Jungle by Pooja Puri (Black and White Publishing)

This story of a boy in the Calais refugee camp The Jungle sounds important and probably heartbreaking.

The Forever Court by Dave Rudden (Puffin) 

Knights of the Borrowed Dark mixed action and humour in a way I haven’t seen done this well since Skulduggery Pleasant. I’m super-excited for the sequel!

Crongton Knights and Straight Outta Crongton by Alex Wheatle (Atom)

I need to read Crongton Knights first – I’ve fallen behind with this series! But Liccle Bit was an impressive YA debut for the established adult author and everything I’ve heard about CK says it was even better, so I’m looking forward to catching up and then reading this third book.

Bonus 21^st which I’m currently reading and is INCREDIBLE!

The Good Immigrant edited by Nikesh Shukla (Unbound)

Stunningly powerful book of essays from BAME authors which is an absolute must-read. I especially loved my awesome friend Wei Ming Kam’s, Daniel York Loh’s, and Chimene Suleyman’s, but everything I’ve read so far has been wonderful.


Bonus 22nd announced yesterday when I'd already written this post!

A Change is Gonna Come by various (Stripes)

Stripes are publishing an anthology of stories and poetry by authors from BAME backgrounds which is such a stunning idea - and it's got an incredible list of contributors, including favourites of mine like Tanya Byrne and several of the authors mentioned above - Nikesh, Irfan, Patrice and Catherine are all involved! Perhaps even more excitingly, they're seeking contributions from unpublished and unagented authors from BAME background - if that's you, check out details here!