Friday, June 30, 2017

New Additions to My Netgalley Shelf

So, you'll remember that earlier this month I set myself a Netgalley reading challenge in order to clear down the 10 books I had on my Netgalley shelf.  I didn't end up doing a wrap-up post of that challenge, but I managed to read 7 of the books on my list, I DNF'd another which left me at the end of the challenge with two e-books left still to read: 4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster (an adult book and seemingly 1000 pages long which is why I keep putting it off!) and also Flight of A Starling by Lisa Heathfield, which I didn't read because the last book by her that I read (Paper Butterflies!) was such an emotional punch to the gut that I didn't read another thing for a literal month after I'd finished it.  So sure, I'm a little nervous about starting another book by her!

So, I'm pretty pleased with that result, to be honest.  I have a great review percentage ratio (94%) and I feel like two books on my shelf is pretty manageable ... so of course I've been requesting more Netgalley books to make up for all the progress I've made lately.  And just to keep myself accountable, I thought I'd share with you here the new books to my Netgalley shelf in the hopes that by admitting them, I'll get them read sooner rather than later. We shall see if this plan works.  If not, here are three amazing sounding books that I really recommend you request on Netgalley if you already haven't.  Or look out for them when they're published in August/September!


Things A Bright Girl Can Do by Sally Nicholls (7th September, Andersen)

Through rallies and marches, in polite drawing rooms and freezing prison cells and the poverty-stricken slums of the East End, three courageous young women join the fight for the vote.

Evelyn is seventeen, and though she is rich and clever, she may never be allowed to follow her older brother to university. Enraged that she is expected to marry her childhood sweetheart rather than be educated, she joins the Suffragettes, and vows to pay the ultimate price for women's freedom.

May is fifteen, and already sworn to the cause, though she and her fellow Suffragists refuse violence. When she meets Nell, a girl who's grown up in hardship, she sees a kindred spirit. Together and in love, the two girls start to dream of a world where all kinds of women have their place.

But the fight for freedom will challenge Evelyn, May and Nell more than they ever could believe. As war looms, just how much are they willing to sacrifice?



I'm not even always that keen on historical fiction like this should be and I've always thought of Sally Nicholls as a writer for younger teens/MG and this looks older, so that's interesting.  I just cannot pass up a suffragette story, especially not a suffragette story with two girls in love. I am so here for that kind of story. 


A Change Is Gonna Come by Various (10 August, Stripes)

Featuring top Young Adult authors alongside a host of exciting new talent, this anthology of stories and poetry from BAME writers on the theme of change is a long-overdue addition to the YA scene. Contributors include Tanya Byrne, Inua Ellams, Catherine Johnson, Patrice Lawrence, Ayisha Malik, Irfan Master, Musa Okwonga and Nikesh Shukla.

Plus introducing four fresh new voices in YA fiction: Mary Bello, Aisha Bushby, Yasmin Rahman and Phoebe Roy.



I've been excited about this book right from the beginning. I was amongst many at the beginning of the year who were bemoaning the lack of authors of colour being published here in the UK.  More so needs to be done but I really applaud Stripes Publishing for championing this book and giving these established authors as well as a new crop of young, unpublished authors this platform.  Plus, that is a wonderful, eye-catching cover that I adore. Heart eyes. 


Moonrise by Sarah Crossan (7th September, Bloomsbury)

'They think I hurt someone. 
But I didn't. You hear?
Coz people are gonna be telling you
all kinds of lies.
I need you to know the truth.'

Joe hasn't seen his brother for ten years, and it's for the most brutal of reasons. Ed is on death row.

But now Ed's execution date has been set, and Joe is determined to spend those last weeks with him, no matter what other people think ...

From one-time winner and two-time Carnegie Medal shortlisted author Sarah Crossan, this poignant, stirring, huge-hearted novel asks big questions. What value do you place on life? What can you forgive? And just how do you say goodbye?


I requested Moonrise before I even read what the synopsis is about.  Because Sarah Crossan is just one of those authors that I trust to deliver a well-written, emotional story.  And now that I DO know what this book is about? I'm all set for my heart to get trampled over. Bring it. 

What exciting books have caught your eye lately?

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