May & June Diverse YA & Middle Grade Releases! Hey guys! So as I'm writing this it's currently the 27th May, so it is a bit late to be talking about May releases. However, so many great diverse books came out this month that I just had to include them in someway, so I'm going to merge them into this post with some June releases as well. For some reason, most of the books I found happen to be coming out on the same day (quite a few on the 4th May), so please just ignore that. As always, if there are any other diverse books coming out in these two months that I've missed, let me know below and I'll add them in. The same goes I you think any of the information I'm sharing is incorrect. Without further ado, let's get into the new (ish) releases! May Noteworthy by Riley Redgate - Bisexual Main Character Synopsis: A cappella just got a makeover. Jordan Sun is embarking on her junior year at the Kensington-Blaine Boarding School for the Performing Arts, hopeful that this will be her time: the year she finally gets cast in the school musical. But when her low Alto 2 voice gets her shut out for the third straight year—threatening her future at Kensington-Blaine and jeopardizing her college applications—she’s forced to consider nontraditional options. In Jordan’s case, really nontraditional. A spot has opened up in the Sharpshooters, Kensington’s elite a cappella octet. Worshipped…revered…all male. Desperate to prove herself, Jordan auditions in her most convincing drag, and it turns out that Jordan Sun, Tenor 1, is exactly what the Sharps are looking for. Jordan finds herself enmeshed in a precarious juggling act: making friends, alienating friends, crushing on a guy, crushing on a girl, and navigating decades-old rivalries. With her secret growing heavier every day, Jordan pushes beyond gender norms to confront what it means to be a girl (and a guy) in a male-dominated society, and—most importantly—what it means to be herself. Release Date: 2nd May 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31447601-noteworthy?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Noteworthy/9781419723735 Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig - Autistic main character Synopsis: Meet Ginny. She’s fourteen, autistic, and has a heart-breaking secret… Ginny Moon is trying to make sense of a world that just doesn’t seem to add up…. After years in foster care, Ginny is in her fourth forever family, finally with parents who will love her. Everyone tells her that she should feel happy, but she has never stopped crafting her Big Secret Plan of Escape. Because something happened, a long time ago – something that only Ginny knows – and nothing will stop her going back to put it right… Release Date: 3rd May 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34078013-ginny-moon?from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Ginny-Moon/9780778330165 Release by Patrick Ness - Gay Main Character Synopsis: Inspired by Mrs Dalloway and Judy Blume's Forever, Release is one day in the life of Adam Thorn, 17. It's a big day. Things go wrong. It's intense, and all the while, weirdness approaches... Adam Thorn is having what will turn out to be the most unsettling, difficult day of his life, with relationships fracturing, a harrowing incident at work, and a showdown between this gay teen and his preacher father that changes everything. It's a day of confrontation, running, sex, love, heartbreak, and maybe, just maybe, hope. He won't come out of it unchanged. And all the while, lurking at the edges of the story, something extraordinary and unsettling is on a collision course. Release Date: 4th May 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31194576-release?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Release/9781406331172 Noah Can't Even by Simon John Green - Questioning/Gay Character - Biracial Secondary Character - Secondary Character with Dementia Synopsis: Poor Noah Grimes! His father disappeared years ago, his mother's Beyonce tribute act is an unacceptable embarrassment, and his beloved gran is no longer herself. He only has one friend, Harry, and school is...Well, it's pure HELL. Why can't Noah be normal, like everyone else at school? Maybe if he struck up a romantic relationship with someone - maybe Sophie, who is perfect and lovely - he'd be seen in a different light? But Noah's plans are derailed when Harry kisses him at a party. That's when things go from bad to utter chaos. Release Date: 4th May 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33961524-noah-can-t-even?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Noah-Can-t-Even/9781407179940 The Lines We Cross by Randa Abdel-Fattah - MIna is a refugee from Afghanistan. - Mina & her family are Muslims. Synopsis: A remarkable story about the power of choosing tolerance from one of the most important voices in contemporary Muslim literature, critically acclaimed author Randa Abdel-Fattah. Michael usually concerns himself with basketball and hanging out with his friends, but every once in a while, his parents drag him to meetings and rallies with their anti-immigrant group. And it all makes sense to Michael. Until Mina, a beautiful girl from the other side of the protest lines, shows up at his school, and turns out to be funny, smart -- and a Muslim refugee from Afghanistan. Suddenly, his parents' politics seem much more complicated. Mina has already had a long and arduous journey leaving behind her besieged home in Afghanistan, and the frigid welcome at her new school is daunting. She just wants to settle in and help her parents get their restaurant up and running. But nothing about her new community will be that easy. As tensions increase, lines are drawn. Michael has to decide where he stands. Mina has to protect herself and her family. Both have to choose what they want their world to look like. Release Date: 4th May 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35087567-the-lines-we-cross?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Lines-We-Cross/9781407173474 The Way Back Home by Allan Stratton - Secondary Character with Alzheimer's - Transgender Secondary Character Synopsis: Zoe Bird is going nowhere fast. She’s angry and lonely, and her only true friend is her granny, whose Alzheimer’s is worsening. When her parents put Granny in a home, Zoe decides now is the time to break free. She smuggles Granny out and together they hit the tracks on a cross-country trip to find Zoe’s long-lost uncle. But there will be some home truths along the way. . . An emotional story about family, surviving school and being true to yourself for fans of The Art of Being Normal and Unbecoming. Release Date: 4th May 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31348272-the-way-back-home?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Way-Back-Home/9781783445219 I Have No Secrets by Penny Joelson - Main Character with Cerebral Palsy Synopsis: Jemma knows who did the murder. She knows because he told her. And she can't tell anyone. Fourteen-year-old Jemma has severe cerebral palsy. Unable to communicate or move, she relies on her family and carer for everything. She has a sharp brain and inquisitive nature, and knows all sorts of things about everyone. But when she is confronted with this terrible secret, she is utterly powerless to do anything. Though that might be about to change... A page-turning thriller seen through the eyes of a unique narrator, this is a truly original, heart-rending and compulsive book for young adult readers. Perfect for fans of Wonder, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and Looking for JJ. Release Date: 4th May 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34042519-i-have-no-secrets?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/I-Have-No-Secrets/9781405286152 Countless by Karen Gregory - Main character with an eating disorder Synopsis: When Hedda discovers she is pregnant, she doesn’t believe she could ever look after a baby. The numbers just don’t add up. She is young, and still in the grip of an eating disorder that controls every aspect of how she goes about her daily life. She’s even given her eating disorder a name – Nia. But as the days tick by, Hedda comes to a decision: she and Nia will call a truce, just until the baby is born. 17 weeks, 119 days, 357 meals. She can do it, if she takes it one day at a time … Heartbreaking and hopeful by turns, Karen Gregory’s debut novel is a story of love, heartache and human resilience. And how the things that matter most can’t be counted. Perfect for fans of Lisa Williamson, Non Pratt and Sarah Crossan. Release Date: 4th May 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34299826-countless?from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Countless/9781408882504 June Truth or Dare by Non Pratt - Biracial Character (half-Turkish, half-welsh) - British Pakistani Character - Secondary Character with a neurodisability (from a brain injury) Synopsis: A powerful and moving novel about bravery from the Guardian's "writer to watch" Non Pratt, perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell, John Green and Holly Bourne. How far is too far when it comes to the people you love? Claire Casey hates being the centre of attention. But if it means getting Sef Malik to notice her, it’s a risk she’s happy to take. Sef is prepared to do anything to help his recently disabled brother. But this means putting Claire’s love – and life – on the line. Because when you're willing to risk everything, what is there left to lose? Release Date: 1st June 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25458747-truth-or-dare?from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Truth-or-Dare-Non-Pratt/9781406366938 Troublemakers by Catherine Barter - Gay Secondary Character Synopsis: In three years I will be able to vote and I will still have less power than I did at the moment that I saw that email, which was such a tiny thing but look what happened. Fifteen-year-old Alena never really knew her political activist mother, who died when she was a baby. She has grown up with her older half-brother Danny and his boyfriend Nick in the east end of London. Now the area is threatened by a bomber who has been leaving explosive devices in supermarkets. It is only a matter of time before a bomb goes off. Against this increasingly fearful backdrop, Alena seeks to discover more about her past, while Danny takes a job working for a controversial politician. As her family life implodes, and the threat to Londoners mounts, Alena starts getting into trouble. Then she does something truly rebellious. A searing, heartbreaking coming-of-age tale for fans of Lisa Williamson, Jenny Downham and Sarah Crossan. Release Date: 1st June 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31817307-troublemakers?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Troublemakers-Catherine-Barter/9781783445240?ref=grid-view&qid=1495978250530&sr=1-2 This Is Just A Test by Madelyn Rosenberg & Wendy Wan-Long Shang - Chinese secondary character - Jewish characters Synopsis: David Da-Wei Horowitz has a lot on his plate. Preparing for his upcoming bar mitzvah would be enough work even if it didn't involve trying to please his Jewish and Chinese grandmothers, who argue about everything. But David just wants everyone to be happy. That includes his friend Scott, who is determined to win their upcoming trivia tournament but doesn't like their teammate -- and David's best friend -- Hector. Scott and David begin digging a fallout shelter just in case this Cold War stuff with the Soviets turns south... but David's not so convinced he wants to spend forever in an underground bunker with Scott. Maybe it would be better if Hector and Kelli Ann came with them. But that would mean David has to figure out how to stand up for Hector and talk to Kelli Ann. Some days, surviving nuclear war feels like the least of David's problems. Release Date: 27th June 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30053510-this-is-just-a-test?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/This-Is-Just-Test-Madelyn-Rosenberg-Wendy-Wan-Long-Shang/9781338037722 All The Things That Could Go Wrong by Stewart Foster - Character with OCD Synopsis: The unforgettable new novel from the award-winning author of THE BUBBLE BOY. Dan is angry. Nothing has been the same since his big brother left, and he’s taking it out on the nearest and weakest target: Alex. Alex is struggling. His severe OCD makes it hard for him to leave the house, especially when Dan and his gang are waiting for him at school... When the two boys’ mums arrange for them to meet out of school and finish building the raft that Dan started with his brother, it seems like the end of the world. But could it be the start of an unlikely friendship? Release Date: 29th June 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34728992-all-the-things-that-could-go-wrong?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/All-the-Things-That-Could-Go-Wrong-Stewart-Foster/9781471145421
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Diverse March & April YA Releases Hi guys! I didn't end up posting my March releases post because stuff happened, but I'd already come up with a list of books to include. I was going to leave it and move on but when I was looking for diverse YA releases for April, I couldn't really find any. I didn't want to miss out two months in a row, so I thought I'd just mash them together for this post. The March ones don't really count as new anymore, but I thought some of you might find some you're interested in still. I used numerous different sites to fin these books and the info about them. If any info is incorrect, please let me know below, so I can edit it. Anyway, here are some diverse YA & Middle Grade releases from March and April. Amina's Voice by Hena Khan - Pakistani-American Muslim protagonist Synopsis: A Pakistani-American Muslim girl struggles to stay true to her family’s vibrant culture while simultaneously blending in at school after tragedy strikes her community in this sweet and moving middle grade novel from the award-winning author of It’s Ramadan, Curious George and Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns. Amina has never been comfortable in the spotlight. She is happy just hanging out with her best friend, Soojin. Except now that she’s in middle school everything feels different. Soojin is suddenly hanging out with Emily, one of the “cool” girls in the class, and even talking about changing her name to something more “American.” Does Amina need to start changing too? Or hiding who she is to fit in? While Amina grapples with these questions, she is devastated when her local mosque is vandalized. Amina’s Voice brings to life the joys and challenges of a young Pakistani American and highlights the many ways in which one girl’s voice can help bring a diverse community together to love and support each other. Release Date - 14th March 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30312547-amina-s-voice?from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Amina-s-Voice/9781481492065 Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner - Protagonist with anxiety and panic attacks. Synopsis: What if you could spend one last day with someone you lost? One day Carver Briggs had it all—three best friends, a supportive family, and a reputation as a talented writer at his high school, Nashville Academy for the Arts. The next day he lost it all when he sent a simple text to his friend Mars, right before Mars, Eli, and Blake were killed in a car crash. Now Carver can’t stop blaming himself for the accident, and he’s not the only one. Eli’s twin sister is trying to freeze him out of school with her death-ray stare. And Mars’s father, a powerful judge, is pressuring the district attorney to open a criminal investigation into Carver’s actions. Luckily, Carver has some unexpected allies: Eli’s girlfriend, the only person to stand by him at school; Dr. Mendez, his new therapist; and Blake’s grandmother, who asks Carver to spend a Goodbye Day with her to share their memories and say a proper goodbye to his friend. Soon the other families are asking for a Goodbye Day with Carver, but he’s unsure of their motives. Will they all be able to make peace with their losses, or will these Goodbye Days bring Carver one step closer to a complete breakdown or—even worse—prison? Release Date - 7th March 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30649795-goodbye-days?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Goodbye-Days/9781783445516 The Inexplicable Logic of my Life by Benjamin Alire Saenz - All Mexican-American main characters except white protagonist. - Gay character. Synopsis: The first day of senior year: Everything is about to change. Until this moment, Sal has always been certain of his place with his adoptive gay father and their loving Mexican-American family. But now his own history unexpectedly haunts him, and life-altering events force him and his best friend, Samantha, to confront issues of faith, loss, and grief. Suddenly Sal is throwing punches, questioning everything, and discovering that he no longer knows who he really is—but if Sal’s not who he thought he was, who is he? Release Date - 7th March 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23447923-the-inexplicable-logic-of-my-life?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Inexplicable-Logic-of-My-Life/9780544586505 You're Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner - Deaf, Indian main character Synopsis: When Julia finds a slur about her best friend scrawled across the back of the Kingston School for the Deaf, she covers it up with a beautiful (albeit illegal) graffiti mural. Her supposed best friend snitches, the principal expels her, and her two mothers set Julia up with a one-way ticket to a “mainstream” school in the suburbs, where she’s treated like an outcast as the only deaf student. The last thing she has left is her art, and not even Banksy himself could convince her to give that up. Out in the ’burbs, Julia paints anywhere she can, eager to claim some turf of her own. But Julia soon learns that she might not be the only vandal in town. Someone is adding to her tags, making them better, showing off—and showing Julia up in the process. She expected her art might get painted over by cops. But she never imagined getting dragged into a full-blown graffiti war. Release Date - 7th March 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25701463-you-re-welcome-universe?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/You-re-Welcome--Universe/9780399551413 Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly - Character with impaired hearing - Japanese and Filipino main characters Synopsis: In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his loud and boisterous family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister Gen is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just act normal so that he can concentrate on basketball. They aren’t friends -- at least not until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find the missing Virgil. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms. Release Date - 14th March 2017 GR -https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30653713-hello-universe?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Hello-Universe-Erin-Entrad-Kelly-Isabel-Roxas/9780062414151?ref=grid-view&qid=1492360482375&sr=1-1 Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde - Queer WOC Main Character - Main Character on the Autism-Spectrum Synopsis: When BFFs Charlie, Taylor and Jamie go to SupaCon, they know it’s going to be a blast. What they don’t expect is for it to change their lives forever. Charlie likes to stand out. SupaCon is her chance to show fans she’s over her public breakup with co-star, Reese Ryan. When Alyssa Huntington arrives as a surprise guest, it seems Charlie’s long-time crush on her isn’t as one-sided as she thought. While Charlie dodges questions about her personal life, Taylor starts asking questions about her own. Taylor likes to blend in. Her brain is wired differently, making her fear change. And there’s one thing in her life she knows will never change: her friendship with Jamie—no matter how much she may secretly want it to. But when she hears about the Queen Firestone SupaFan Contest, she starts to rethink her rules on playing it safe. Release Date - 14th March 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28245707-queens-of-geek?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Queens-of-Geek/9781250111395 A Crown of Wishes (The Star-Touched Queen #2) by Roshani Chokshi - Indian - inspired fantasy Synopsis: An ancient mystery. An unlikely union. For one young princess in a state of peril, a dangerous wish could be the only answer… She is the princess of Bharata—captured by her kingdom’s enemies, a prisoner of war. Now that she faces a future of exile and scorn, Gauri has nothing left to lose. But should she trust Vikram, the notoriously cunning prince of a neighboring land? He promises her freedom in exchange for her battle prowess. Together they can team up and win the Tournament of Wishes, a competition held in a mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor. It seems like a foolproof plan—until Gauri and Vikram arrive at the tournament and find that danger takes on new shapes: poisonous courtesans, mischievous story birds, a feast of fears, and twisted fairy revels. New trials will test their devotion, strength, and wits. But what Gauri and Vikram will soon discover is that there’s nothing more dangerous than what they most desire. Release Date - 28th March 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939047-a-crown-of-wishes?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/A-Crown-of-Wishes/9781250156099 The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi - Mostly Muslim characters. Synopsis: A trio of friends from New York City find themselves trapped inside a mechanical board game that they must dismantle in order to save themselves and generations of other children in this action-packed debut that’s a steampunk Jumanji with a Middle Eastern flair. When twelve-year-old Farah and her two best friends get sucked into a mechanical board game called The Gauntlet of Blood and Sand—a puzzle game akin to a large Rubik’s cube—they know it’s up to them to defeat the game’s diabolical architect in order to save themselves and those who are trapped inside, including her baby brother Ahmed. But first they have to figure out how. Under the tutelage of a lizard guide named Henrietta Peel and an aeronaut Vijay, the Farah and her friends battle camel spiders, red scorpions, grease monkeys, and sand cats as they prepare to face off with the maniacal Lord Amari, the man behind the machine. Can they defeat Amari at his own game…or will they, like the children who came before them, become cogs in the machine? Release Date - 28th March 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29346880-the-gauntlet?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Gauntlet-Karun-Riazi/9781481486965?ref=grid-view&qid=1492362189662&sr=1-1 The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas - Character with Asperger's Syndrome Synopsis: Sometimes I feel like everyone else was handed a copy of the rules for life and mine got lost. Grace has Asperger's and her own way of looking at the world. She's got a horse and a best friend who understand her, and that's pretty much all she needs. But when Grace kisses Gabe and things start to change at home, the world doesn't make much sense to her any more. Suddenly everything threatens to fall apart, and it's up to Grace to fix it on her own. Whip-smart, hilarious and unapologetically honest, The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas is a heart-warming story of one girl trying to work out where she fits in, and whether she even wants to. Release Date - 6th April 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32187354-the-state-of-grace?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/The-State-of-Grace/9781509839551 The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli - Secondary Character is gay. Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love. No matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can’t stomach the idea of rejection. So she’s careful. Fat girls always have to be careful. Then a cute new girl enters Cassie’s orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly’s cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly's totally not dying of loneliness—except for the part where she is. Luckily, Cassie's new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. If Molly can win him over, she'll get her first kiss and she'll get her twin back. There's only one problem: Molly's coworker, Reid. He's a chubby Tolkien superfan with a season pass to the Ren Faire, and there's absolutely no way Molly could fall for him. Right? Release Date - 11th April 2017 GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30653853-the-upside-of-unrequited?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Upside-of-Unrequited/9780141356112 Like I said above, if you know any info above that's wrong please let me know, so I can go back and edit it. Also, if you know any more diverse releases for April or for next month then please leave them below, so I can add them in.
BYE! Spoiler-Free Review: Forever Geek (#6) by Holly Smale Title - Forever Geek (Geek Girl #6) Author - Holly Smale Release Date - March 9th 2017 Synopsis: My name is Harriet Manners and I’ll be a geek forever… Harriet Manners knows almost every fact there is. Modelling isn’t a sure-fire route to popularity. Neither is making endless lists. The people you love don’t expect you to transform into someone else. Statistically, you are more likely to not meet your Australian ex-boyfriend in Australia than bump into him there. So on the trip of a lifetime Down Under Harriet’s to-do lists are gone and it’s Nat’s time to shine! Yet with nearly-not-quite-boyfriend Jasper back home, Harriet’s completely unprepared to see supermodel ex Nick. Is the fashion world about to turn ugly for GEEK GIRL? It’s time for Harriet to face the future. Time to work out where her heart lies. To learn how to let go… *I was sent an e-arc copy through Netgalley for review* *All opinions are honest and my own* Review I'm going to try my best to keep this review as spoiler free (about the series on a whole) as I can, but if there are any spoilery parts, I will leave warnings! As many of you will know, I'm a huge fan of the Geek Girl series, so when I heard that Forever Geek was on Netgalley for request, I instantly went and requested it. I really didn't think I'd be accepted for it, but luckily I was! At the end of Head Over Heels, we are left with the knowledge that Harriet is going on a trip to the other side of the world (Australia) with her Grandmother, Bunty, and her bestfriend Nat. So it makes sense for Forever Geek to begin on their flight there. It'd been quite a while since I'd read Head Over Heels and I couldn't remember as much of it as I hoped, but the beginning of Forever Geek made it easy for me to just jump straight back in and luckily there were some links back to the previous book(s), making it a lot easier for me to get into. I feel that whenever I read these books, I almost forget I'm not there. The characters as always were so vivid and when starting Forever Geek, it felt like I was back with old friends. All the characters were as I remembered and this series is quite a comforting read for me. I loved the different characters involved in this book, many of which I wasn't expecting to be involved. There was more of a focus on Harriet's and Nat's friendship which I enjoyed, and also a big feature on the growing bond between Harriet and her grandmother. OId faces from previous books were reintroduced, many of whom haven't always got along with Harriet, but it was all a lot of fun! It felt like the perfect timing in the series to reintroduce old characters to end the series with and I was happy to see that Holly did relate back to how Harriet knew those characters and what had happened previously as I had forgotten about some of them. It was nice to see some more of Nick and also of Yuka and to find out more about what had happened since Harriet had stopped speaking to them. It was really interesting to read and see how those experiences had changed the way they acted. As this is the last book in the series, it was a sad read for me, but I honestly enjoyed it so much that I forgot that it was the last book until I'd finished it and realised that I was on the verge of tears. A lot happens in this book, some things sad and others good, but it was the perfect ending and I couldn't have wished for a better ending to to such a spectacular series. Overall, it was an emotional read, but it was one that I loved and will continue to love. Though this series may be over, it will forever hold a place in my heart and I just want to thank Holly for giving us such real characters to love and for continually outdoing each book with the next. I hope to read more books by you in the future! Rate - 5/5 BYE! GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32288152-forever-geek?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Forever-Geek/9780007574698 Amazon (UK) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forever-Geek-Girl-Book-ebook/dp/B01LXDQRPG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1487884725&sr=1-1&keywords=forever+geek Diverse February YA Releases! It's that time of month again where I share with you 5 YA books coming out this month. However, this month there is so many amazing diverse books coming out that I couldn't help but go a bit overboard. I've tried to include a mix of different diverse books. I've spent a few hours going through numerous sites and lists to find a good mix of books to show you. Some are more about LGBT+ and others features diversity in race, skin colour and more. Hopefully, this will help some of you find more diverse books to read this month. As some of you may know from my last new releases post, I'm trying to show more diverse books coming out each month. So, if you're wondering why some popular books aren't on this post, it's because of that. Anyway, let's get into the new releases! All About Mia by Lisa Williamson Release Date: February 2nd 2017 Synopsis: One family, three sisters. GRACE, the oldest: straight-A student AUDREY, the youngest: future Olympic swimming champion. And MIA, the mess in the middle. Mia is wild and daring, great with hair and selfies, and the undisputed leader of her friends – not attributes appreciated by her parents or teachers. When Grace makes a shock announcement, Mia hopes that her now-not-so-perfect sister will get into the trouble she deserves. But instead, it is Mia whose life spirals out of control – boozing, boys and bad behaviour – and she starts to realise that her attempts to make it All About Mia might put at risk the very things she loves the most. GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34103516-all-about-mia BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/All-About-Mia/9781910989104 Nowhere Near You (Because You'll Never Meet Me #2) Release Date: February 7th 2017 Synopsis: Following up her acclaimed debut, Because You'll Never Meet Me, Leah Thomas continues the stories of Ollie and Moritz in another heart-warming story of unique friendship. Ollie and Moritz might never meet, but their friendship knows no bounds. Their letters carry on as Ollie embarks on his first road trip away from the woods--no easy feat for a boy allergic to electricity--and Moritz decides which new school would best suit an eyeless boy who prefers to be alone. Along the way they meet other teens like them, other products of strange science who lead seemingly normal lives in ways Ollie and Moritz never imagined possible: A boy who jokes about his atypical skeleton; an aspiring actress who hides a strange deformity; a track star whose abnormal heart propels her to victory. Suddenly the future feels wide open for two former hermits. But even as Ollie and Moritz dare to enjoy life, they can't escape their past, which threatens to destroy any progress they've made. Can these boys ever find their place in a world that might never understand them? GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30038977-nowhere-near-you?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Nowhere-Near-You/9781408885376 Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza Release Date: February 7th 2017 Synopsis: Empress Rhee, also known as Crown Princess Rhiannon Ta’an, is the sole surviving heir to a powerful dynasty. She’ll stop at nothing to avenge her family and claim her throne. Fugitive Aly has risen above his war refugee origins to find fame as the dashing star of a DroneVision show. But when he’s falsely accused of killing Rhee, he's forced to prove his innocence to save his reputation – and his life. Madman With planets on the brink of war, Rhee and Aly are thrown together to confront a ruthless evil that threatens the fate of the entire galaxy. A saga of vengeance, warfare, and the true meaning of legacy. GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30269126-empress-of-a-thousand-skies?from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Empress-of-a-Thousand-Skies/9780451478177 We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan and Brian Conaghan Release Date: February 9th 2017 Synopsis: From two acclaimed authors comes an emotional story told in verse about friendship, love, and overcoming unbeatable odds. Authors Brian Conaghan and Sarah Crossan have joined forces to tell the story of Nicu and Jess, two troubled teens whose paths cross in the unlikeliest of places. Nicu has emigrated from Romania and is struggling to find his place in his new home. Meanwhile, Jess's home life is overshadowed by violence. When Nicu and Jess meet, what starts out as friendship grows into romance as the two bond over their painful pasts and hopeful futures. But will they be able to save each other, let alone themselves? For fans of Una LaMarche’s Like No Other, this illuminating story told in dual points of view through vibrant verse will stay with readers long after they've turned the last page. GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25310356-we-come-apart?from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/We-Come-Apart/9781408878859 Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson Release Date: February 14th 2017 Synopsis: Jade believes she must get out of her neighborhood if she’s ever going to succeed. Her mother says she has to take every opportunity. She has. She accepted a scholarship to a mostly-white private school and even Saturday morning test prep opportunities. But some opportunities feel more demeaning than helpful. Like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for “at-risk” girls. Except really, it’s for black girls. From “bad” neighborhoods. But Jade doesn’t need support. And just because her mentor is black doesn’t mean she understands Jade. And maybe there are some things Jade could show these successful women about the real world and finding ways to make a real difference. Friendships, race, privilege, identity—this compelling and thoughtful story explores the issues young women face. GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25566675-piecing-me-together?from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/Piecing-Me-Together-Renee-Watson/9781681191058?ref=grid-view American Street by Ibi Zoboi Release Date: February 14th 2017 Synopsis: On the corner of American Street and Joy Road, Fabiola Toussaint thought she would finally find une belle vie—a good life. But after they leave Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Fabiola’s mother is detained by U.S. immigration, leaving Fabiola to navigate her loud American cousins, Chantal, Donna, and Princess; the grittiness of Detroit’s west side; a new school; and a surprising romance, all on her own. Just as she finds her footing in this strange new world, a dangerous proposition presents itself, and Fabiola soon realizes that freedom comes at a cost. Trapped at the crossroads of an impossible choice, will she pay the price for the American dream? GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30256109-american-street?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/American-Street/9780062473042 The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera Release Date: February 21st 2017 Synopsis: Pretty in Pink comes to the South Bronx in this bold and romantic coming-of-age novel about dysfunctional families, good and bad choices, and finding the courage to question everything you ever thought you wanted—from debut author Lilliam Rivera. THINGS/PEOPLE MARGOT HATES: Mami, for destroying my social life Papi, for allowing Junior to become a Neanderthal Junior, for becoming a Neanderthal This supermarket Everyone else After “borrowing” her father's credit card to finance a more stylish wardrobe, Margot Sanchez suddenly finds herself grounded. And by grounded, she means working as an indentured servant in her family’s struggling grocery store to pay off her debts. With each order of deli meat she slices, Margot can feel her carefully cultivated prep school reputation slipping through her fingers, and she’s willing to do anything to get out of this punishment. Lie, cheat, and maybe even steal… Margot’s invitation to the ultimate beach party is within reach and she has no intention of letting her family’s drama or Moises—the admittedly good looking but outspoken boy from the neighborhood—keep her from her goal. GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26594801-the-education-of-margot-sanchez?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Education-of-Margot-Sanchez-Lilliam-River/9781481472111?ref=grid-view The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Release Date: February 28th 2017 Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping YA novel about one girl's struggle for justice. Movie rights have been sold to Fox, with Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games) to star. GR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32075671-the-hate-u-give?ac=1&from_search=true BD - https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Hate-U-Give/9781406377286 Anyway, those were just some of the diverse books coming out this month. If you know of anymore, then please comment them down below so I can add them in. Also, if you know any that are coming out in future months then please let me know also, so I can include them in the next new releases posts.
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AuthorHello and welcome to Books With Beth! I'm Beth and on this blog I share a mix of all my bookish thoughts through reviews, book tours and hauls. Have fun! Categories
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