Sponsored by Solaris, an imprint of Rebellion Publishing.
A chilling feminist novel set in a near-future dystopia, for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Road. Anna explores the conflicts between selfhood and expectations, safety, control, and the sacrifices we make for the sake of protection.
Happy Tuesday, book lovers! It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and the air is crackling with the excitement of new books. We are blessed with five Tuesdays this month, which means an extra new release day in June! Is that the best news or what?!? I mean, sure, I have a lot of books at my house I still haven’t read, but half the fun is in acquiring books! *dives into TBR pile and swims around like Scrooge McDuck* *gets 8 million paper cuts*
Moving on to today’s books: I’m looking forward to a lot of today’s new releases, such as Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir by Akwaeke Emezi, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian, and The Plague Year: America in the Time of Covid by Lawrence Wright. And let’s not forget that the sequel to The Golem and the Jinni, The Hidden Palace, is finally out today! And speaking of today’s great books, for this week’s episode of All the Books! Vanessa and I discussed some of the wonderful books that we’ve read, such as Ten Low, The Marvelous, The Ugly Cry, and more.
And now, it’s time for everyone’s favorite gameshow: AHHHHHH MY TBR! Here are today’s contestants:
¡Hola Papi!: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons by John Paul Brammer
John Paul “JP” Brammer is a popular LGBTQ advice columnist and writer, called the “Chicano Carrie Bradshaw” of his generation. This is his hilarious, heartfelt essay collection about his experiences growing up a queer, mixed-race kid in America’s heartland. He began writing about his experiences with love and sex after spending time on the hookup app Grindr, after he realized he had a lot to say about how he was raised, who he was, and who he wanted to be. It’s not only a wonderful memoir, it’s an advice book told through Brammer’s own life lessons, such as hooking up with your grade school bully now that he’s out of the closet. It’s a great book for everyone.
Backlist bump: We Are Never Meeting in Real Life.: Essays by Samantha Irby
The Jasmine Throne (The Burning Kingdoms Book 1) by Tasha Suri
And this is a fabulous epic fantasy inspired by the history and stories of India. Malini is a princess held captive in a decaying temple by her dictator brother. Priya is a maidservant with a secret, who tries to keep a low profile while hiding her true nature. When Malani becomes privy to Priya’s true self, it sets them off on a journey to take down her brother and save the empire, while dealing with their feelings for each other along the way. Priya and Malani have an electric connection and it’s fun to watch them go after the patriarchy. This is a fantastic entry into a new trilogy and I can’t wait to read more!
Backlist bump: Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri
Rabbits by Terry Miles
So, you know how sometimes I mention reading a book that didn’t quite make sense to me but loving it anyway? This is such a book. It might have to do with the fact that I haven’t listened to the podcast this is based on, but no matter, because I thought it was great fun.
It’s about a game called Rabbits. It was started in 1959 and has ten iterations with nine anonymous winners so far. K is a Rabbits obsessive, determined to be the tenth winner. And he thinks he has the tools to do it, now that a billionaire (and rumored sixth winner of the game) is backing him. But it’s hard to win a game that no one really understands, or can fully explain—and let’s not forget the people who have died trying to play it. Oh, and it also seems to be altering reality, so there’s that. Is K going to be able to win Rabbits, or will he be lost to the world? Whatever Rabbits may or may not be, I thoroughly enjoyed the book!
Backlist bump: The Vorrh by B. Catling (I don’t really understand this one either but I LOVED it.)
Thank you, as always, for joining me each week as I rave about books! I am wishing the best for all of you in whatever situation you find yourself in now. – XO, Liberty