I've started reading some books nearly as soon as I get them, in an effort to keep kicking the ass of last year's reading slump, so the first five here are ones I've already read; the next six are ones I'm about to read (hopefully.)
Are You Watching? by Vincent Ralph - Strong debut thriller with an excellent MC and a great hook - girl becomes a YouTube star in order to try and catch the serial killer whose first victim was her mother. Super-tense with plenty of unexpected twists. Full review here.
Max Kowalski Didn't Mean It by Susie Day - Outstanding MG from one of my two favourite authors for that age range (along with Katherine Rundell) which sees Max, whose father disappears and asks him to look after his sisters, decide to save his family by taking them to Wales to search for the hoard of gold he's heard a dragon protects. In turns sweet and tense, with wonderfully portrayed characters, this is brilliant. Full review here.
My Type On Paper by Chloe Seager - Very fun YA contemporary about a girl unexpectedly dumped by her boyfriend, who finds three guys - all perfect for her in different ways - are suddenly interested in her. Lots of laugh out moments, as ever from the hilarious Chloe Seager. Full review coming.
The Queen of Ieflaria by Effie Calvin - Brilliant romantic fantasy about a princess who agrees to marry another princess after the prince she was initially engaged to died. The two are incredibly different, with the grieving sister having never taken an interest in the realm as she wasn't expecting to have a chance of inheriting the throne - but they're quickly attracted to each other, and fall hard, while also having to deal with the problem of dragons attacking the country. Full review coming.
Going Off Script by Jen Wilde - TV writer's room intern and her crush have to work together to stop her boss from turning a lesbian character she wrote into a straight girl. Sounds like a very cool take on LGBTQ+ rep in media, while Wilde's Queens of Geek was so awesome that she's an absolute must read author for me.
Internment by Samira Ahmed - Set in the very near future US, this follows Layla Amin as she's forced into an internment camp for Muslim-Americans along with her parents. Layla sets out to fight for freedom and lead a revolution. Strongly recommended by numerous people I'm folowing on Twitter, this was one I meant to get last year but my slump hit so hard I wasn't really getting any books - very pleased to rectify that now.
I'll Catch You by Farrah Rochon - Bad boy NFL player Cedric Reeves is dropped by his agent and needs a new one, while struggling sports agent Payton Mosely needs a star, being taken less than seriously in the male-dominated industry. The two could be perfect for each other professionally, but could the sparks that fly between them ruin things? This is the second in Farrah Rochon's New York Sabers series and I LOVED book 1, Huddle With Me Tonight, so I'm super-excited for this one.
Somewhere Only We Know by Maureen Goo - K-Pop's biggest star falls for a tabloid reporter in what sounds like a super-cute rom-com. Again, lots of strong recommendations from various people on Twitter had me excited for this one a while ago but I've only just picked it up. Can't wait to read it though!
Thornbound and Moontangled by Stephanie Burgis - I said to my wife yesterday that if I was on a desert island and could take the entire works of two authors, adult crime writer Lawrence Block would be one of them; Stephanie Burgis would be the other. Whether she's writing fabulous MG books with brilliant heroines, like the Kat Stephenson series or The Dragon With A Chocolate Heart, gorgeous short stories, or wonderful novellas, she is always amazing. I've just reread Snowspelled, first in the Harwood Spellbook series, and it's even better second time around - her fabulous world-building stands out here as she creates a world where women are politicians and men are magicians, until one woman defies expectations. I'm so excited for books 2 and 3 - many thanks to Stephanie for sending me both. (Also on a side note those covers are BEAUTIFUL.)
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