Tuesday’s Treats – May 7th

Tuesday’s Treats is a weekly blog post dedicated to newly released books that I’m most excited for.
(Books are in no particular order.)

All books featured this week will be released: MAY 7th

1. Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me: Mariko Tamaki & Rosemary Valero O’Connell (goodreads) (book depository)

Laura Dean was Frederica’s dream girl, but she may not be the greatest girlfriend. After a heartbreaking break up, Freddy’s best friend, Doodle, takes her to the Seek-Her, a medium, who’s only word of advice is “break up with her.” But Laura Dean comes back, no matter how many times they break up. So much so that Freddie starts to think it might be her that’s the problem because it’s not just Laura Dean that she’s losing, but Doodle too, even when they need each other the most. Lost, she turns to some new friends and Anna Vice, an advice columnist, to help her and may discover what happens when you leave toxic relationships to embrace healthy ones.

YA Graphic Novel, LGBTQIA+; First Second/Macmillan, Paperback (US)

2. Finale (Caraval: 3): Stephanie Garber (goodreads) (book depository)

IT’S HERE! I’ve been in love with the Caraval series from day one, and I can’t believe it’s over. If you’re looking for an atmospheric fantasy series with a twisting plot, great characters, and steamy romance, I highly suggest this series.

YA Fantasy; Flatiron Books/Macmillan, Hardcover (US)

3. Again, But Better: Christine Riccio (goodreads) (book depository)

When Shane gets the opportunity to study abroad during college, she sees it as an chance to live her life how she wants. She plans to make friends, catch the eye of a cute boy, and break out of her comfort zone. But life is never that easy, and when self-doubt creep in and things do go according to plan, Shane’s perfect semester starts to slip through her fingers. But, if given the chance, what would she do differently? 

YA Contemporary Fiction, Romance; Wednesday Books/Macmillan, Hardcover (US)

4. With the Fire on High: Elizabeth Acevedo (goodreads) (book depository)

Even though she’s a senior in high school, Emoni’s life isn’t just her own. She has to help her abuela and take care of her daughter. The one place where she can just be is in the kitchen where she can create dishes for people that have that little something extra; some would say magical. Emoni dreams of being a chef once she graduates, despite how much she knows it’s a bit out of her reach. But, it’s had for her to stay out of the kitchen.

I’ve heard nothing but great things about Acevedo’s writing, so I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of this book.

YA Contemporary Fiction; HarperTeen/HarperCollins, Hardcover (US)

5. Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale: Lauren Myracle [writer] & Isaac Goodhart [illustrator] (goodreads) (book depository)

Let’s be real, I’ll read any story where Catwoman is the main character. Give me my favorite anti-hero, Selina Kyle, because there isn’t enough of her in this world.

YA Graphic Novel, Superhero; DC Ink, Paperback (US)

6. Last Things: Jacqueline West (goodreads) (book depository)

In his Minnesotan hometown, Anders and his band, Last Things, are legends. With his epic guitar skills, Anders is at the center of the band’s love and admiration. When one of his admirers, Thea, moves into town, she seems to be everywhere Anders is. And then strange things start to happen to Anders — his cat disappears, then his girlfriend, then his talent — and Thea seems to be at the center of his problems. But how? Is she the cause, or is she trying to save him from whatever is harming him?

Last Things intermingles two of my favorite things — fantasy and music — so I cannot wait to read this.

YA Fantasy; Greenwillow/HarperCollins, Hardcover (US)

7. Dark Shores (Dark Shores: 1): Danielle L. Jensen (goodreads) (book depository)

Inspired by Ancient Rome, Dark Shores follows Teriana, second mate of the Quincense and heir to the Maarin Triumvirate, and Marcus, the commander of the Thirty-Seventh legion that has conquered the entire east for the Celendor Empire, as their worlds collide. When an Empire senator discovers the existence of the Dark Shores, he captures Teriana’s crew and threatens to reveal a secret that Marcus will do anything to hide forcing them to sail to discover the new land. Faced with a choice, Teriana and Marcus must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice in order to save their families.

YA Fantasy; Tor Teen/Macmillan, Hardcover (US)

8. Somewhere Only We Know: Maurene Goo (goodreads) (book depository)

Lucky is at the top of her game: she is the biggest K-pop star currently and, even though she’s in Hong Kong, she’s about to make her American debut on The Tonight Show. But while searching for a hamburger, she meets Jack, who seems to not recognize her at all. Taking this as an opportunity to be “normal” for once, Lucky and Jack go on a bit of an adventure in Hong Kong. Jack, though, does know exactly who Lucky is, and how much she can help further his journalistic career.

YA Contemporary Fiction, Romance; Farrar, Straus and Giroux/Macmillan, Hardcover (US)

9. The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient: 2): Helen Hoang (goodreads) (book depository)

Khai thinks he has no feelings, no intense ones anyway like grief and love. But in reality, it’s just his autism and his need to process emotions differently. Even still, he avoids relationships. So, his mother decides to take matters into her own hands and travels back to Vietnam to find him a bride perfect for him.

Living in Ho Chi Minh City, Esme has always felt out of place because of her mixed race heritage. So, when Khai’s mother presents her the opportunity to travel to America and meet a potential husband, Esme jumps at the chance. But seducing Khai doesn’t go as planned, and Esme actually finds that the love lessons are only working on herself. But, as Esme’s time in America starts to run out, Khai starts to realize that he may be capable of more than he thinks.

I absolutely loved Hoang’s previous novel, The Kiss Quotient, and have been itching to read another romance from her since then. Now that it’s finally here, I can’t wait to read this one as soon as humanly possible.

Contemporary Fiction, Romance; Berkley/Penguin, Paperback (US)

10. Her Royal Highness (Royals: 2): Rachel Hawkins (goodreads) (book depository)

After Millie finds out that her best friend/sort-of-girlfriend has been kissing other girls, Millie wants to be anywhere else than Houston. So she applies to boarding school and is actually accepted to a school in Scotland, one of the world’s most exclusive schools. She’ honestly can’t believe her luck…that is, until she meets her roommate Flora who is a princess, both in the literal and figurative sense of the world. But as the two girls spend more time together and get closer, Millie can’t believe her luck. Maybe fairytales can be reality.

YA Contemporary Fiction, Romance, LGBTQIA+; Putnam/Penguin, Hardcover (US)

11. Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens: Tanya Boteju (goodreads) (book depository)

Nima is bored with her life, but isn’t really sure how to change it. But, after a fateful encounter at a local festival, Nima finds herself pulled into the drag scene on the other side of her town. There, she is able to free herself, but also find herself.

YA Contemporary Fiction, LGBTQIA+; Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster, Hardcover (US)

12. Hope and Other Punchlines: Julie Buxbaum (goodreads) (book depository)

Abbi Hope is like any teenager, with the one exception that she has a famous alter ego known as Baby Hope. On September 11, 2001, a picture of her in a birthday crown with a red balloon while the South Tower collapsed behind her circulated the globe and “Baby Hope” was born. Now, fifteen years later, she hopes to spend her last summer before turning seventeen completely anonymous and takes a job as a counselor at Knights Day Camp. But that plan comes crashing down when Noah, who’s life was shattered that day, also takes a job as a counselor. He thinks their meeting is fate, whereas she thinks it’s a disaster. But as the summer continues, the two start to ask questions about that day, that photo, and the history that has lead them to where they are, even if the answers may be difficult to hear.

YA Contemporary Fiction; Delacorte Press/Random House, Hardcover (US)

13.  Nocturna (A Forgery of Magic: 1): Maya Motayne (goodreads) (book depository)

Finn’s entire life is magic: if she’s not using it to fight, she’s using it to hide as a faceshifter. When she’s caught by a powerful mobster, she’s given a mission to steal from the royal palace. If she doesn’t, she’ll be stripped of her magic.

Prince Alfehr wasn’t originally supposed to rule Castallan, but after his older brother’s death, that’s exactly where he finds himself. Alfie knows he can never live up to his brother, so he’s willing to do anything to bring his brother back, including forbidden magic.

When Finn and Alfie meet, the two accidentally release an ancient power that will destroy the entire world if they don’t stop it.

There aren’t enough Lantinx-inspired fantasies, so I cannot wait to read this one.

14. How it Feels to Float: Helena Fox (goodreads) (book depository)

Biz’s dad died when she was six years old, but she still sees him every day. To keep her secret, she doesn’t tell anyone anything — not how she kissed her friend Grace, or how she thinks the new boy Jasper is interesting, or how her thoughts sometimes turn to a dark place. She’s fine; she floats through life.

But when an accident on the beach causes her dad, and all the comfort he gave her, disappears, Biz’s carefully crafted world starts to collapse around her. And maybe it’ll be easier to just float away.

YA Contemporary Fiction, LGBTQIA+; Dial/Penguin, Hardcover (US)

15. Nexus (The Androma Saga: 2): Sasha Alsberg & Lindsay Cummings (goodreads) (book depository)

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Zenith, however the book ended on a huge cliffhanger that did leave me wanting more. The story follows Androma, more commonly known as the Bloody Baroness, and her crew as they go on missions, run from bounty hunters, and try to save the Mirabel Galaxy from an oncoming war. The second half of the book was stronger than the first, so I’m interested to see where Alsberg and Cummings takes their story.

YA Science Fiction; Inkyard Press/Harlequin, Hardcover (US)

16. Middlegame: Seanan McGuire (goodreads) (book depository)

Roger is good with words. Dodger is good with numbers. It’s through these avenues that they understand the world and how it works, the only way. Because Roger and Dodger are not quite human…they’re not quite gods either. Reed, their creator, plans to change all that.

Fantasy; Tor.com/Macmillan, Hardcover (US)

17. Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle: 1): Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman (goodreads) (book depository)

Tyler is the best cadet at Aurora Academy. But, when he should be getting first pick at squad and mission assignments, he misses the ceremony due to his need to be a hero and ends up with last picks. And his new squad isn’t his biggest problem. That award would go to the girl who made him miss the ceremony: Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, a girl out of time; recently rescued from interdimensional space after being trapped in cryo-sleep for two hundred years. A girl who may just be the catalyst to start a galactic war.

Aurora Rising is one of my favorite reads of 2019. If you have any interest in science fiction in a similar vein of Star Trek, I urge you to check this one out. 

YA Science Fiction; Knopf/Random House, Hardcover (US)