Latest news with #newbooks
Geek Girl Authority
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on June 10
There are a lot of new books coming out every week. With New Release Radar, I'll help you narrow down the week's new book releases into the titles you should get excited about. This week, I have 9 great new books to share with you, including Becky Albertalli's new release and a Godfather -inspired thriller. Read on! Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli Amelia Applebaum is not in love with moderately famous, chaotically bisexual YouTuber Walter Holland. She just invited him to prom—totally ironically. (Unless he says yes.) When a surprise meet-and-greet offers a chance to finally meet Walter, Amelia convinces her best friends to hit the road for one last adventure before graduation. Even Natalie, her newly single, guitar-strumming, cynicism-fueled best friend, is in. But somewhere between the playlists, gas station snacks, and promposals, Amelia starts to wonder: what if the butterflies she's chasing aren't for Walter at all? Becky Albertalli, the queen of Pride YA, is back with a new story of a fantastic, fully-realized friend group. Amelia, If Only is perfect for anyone who's ever had a slightly parasocial relationship with a celebrity. RELATED: New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on June 3 A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena Framed for murder and imprisoned, former court dancer Vasalie Moran is offered freedom—if she spies for the king who betrayed her. But as his orders turn brutal and secrets unravel, Vasalie allies with his rival brother to stop a greater threat. Caught in a deadly game, she must choose who to trust and how far she's willing to go to survive. Brittney Arena's debut is filled with secrets, betrayal and hope. A Dance of Lies asks readers the question 'how far will you go for freedom?' Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles In 1840s England, orphaned and ostracized Orabella Mumthrope is shocked when a wealthy stranger proposes marriage—and even more surprised when she accepts. Whisked away to his crumbling estate, she finds herself trapped in a decaying manor full of locked doors, eerie dreams, and terrifying secrets. As reality blurs and her sense of self begins to unravel, Orabella must uncover the truth before she disappears entirely. Midnight Rooms is perfect for fans of Catherine House , Mexican Gothic and Crimson Peak . Donyae Coles' first novel is deeply infused with Gothic sensibilities and a creeping sense of horror. RELATED: Book Review: In the Garden of Monsters King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby When Roman Carruthers returns to his small Virginia hometown after his father's suspicious car crash, he finds his family in chaos. His brother is deep in debt to criminals, his sister is overwhelmed and their crematorium business barely is staying afloat. As danger closes in, Roman uses his financial skills to strike a desperate deal with the gangsters, all while Neveah investigates their mother's long-ago disappearance. But the criminals don't realize just how far Roman will go to protect his family—because everything burns. King of Ashes is a Godfather -inspired Black Southern crime epic and dazzling family drama. Plus, S.A. Cosby's new book release has already been picked up for a Netflix adaptation, so you know you want to read it first. We Can Never Leave by H.E. Edgmon Every day, inhuman creatures awaken across the globe with no memories—and the Caravan exists to give them sanctuary. But when five teens wake to find their entire traveling community vanished, they must work together to uncover what happened, even as each harbors dangerous secrets of their own. As truths unravel, it becomes clear: this mystery isn't just about the Caravan's disappearance, but the haunting pasts each of them is trying to outrun. Equal parts fantasy, mystery and found-family drama, We Can Never Leave is an atmospheric queer YA fantasy. H.E. Edgmon's new book release details a search for belonging in a world that fears what it doesn't understand. RELATED: 6 More Trans and Nonbinary Writers to Check Out Palm Meridian by Grace Flahive After a terminal diagnosis and with most of Florida underwater, Hannah Cardin, a resident of a queer women's retirement resort, throws one final end-of-life party. With just hours left, Hannah hopes to reconnect with Sophie, the love she lost forty years ago. But as old secrets surface, she must decide whether she's truly ready to say goodbye. Spanning one unforgettable day and a lifetime of memories, Palm Meridian is a vibrant celebration of love, aging and the wild joy of living. Grace Flahive's debut is a big-hearted story perfect for fans of Less and The Wedding People . Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race In the kingdom of Elben, six queens are said to be all that stand between the realm and ruin. But beneath the surface of duty lies a web of ambition, magic and betrayal. As clever Boleyn schemes to become King Henry's favorite, and assassin-spy Seymour uncovers dangerous secrets, the two form an uneasy alliance that threatens to unravel the throne itself. With dragons, deadly court intrigue and sapphic longing, Holly Race's epic fantasy reveals that the true danger may lie in unexpected places. Six Wild Crowns is a twist on the real life story – and tragedy – of Henry VIII's six wives. RELATED: Sapphics With Swords: 6 Books Featuring Queer Lady Warriors Ordinary Love by Marie Rutkoski Emily seems to have the perfect life—an elegant home, a loving husband, two children. Beneath the surface, however, life cracks: a crumbling marriage, strained family ties and the lingering ache of a lost love. When she reunites with Gen, her bold, once-impoverished high school best friend turned Olympic star, their unresolved past ignites into something undeniable. Ordinary Love is a sweeping, emotional queer romance about the risks of vulnerability and the enduring power of first love. While she's known for YA fantasy, Marie Rutkoski's adult romance debut is a breathtaking story of second chances. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab María, Charlotte and Alice are three women separated by centuries but united by longing, defiance and a burning desire for freedom. In 1532 Spain, María seizes a dangerous chance to escape her fate; in 1827 London, Charlotte's encounter with a mysterious widow unlocks passion and peril; and in 2019 Boston, Alice's search for identity and vengeance uncovers buried truths. Their lives echo one another in a fierce exploration of power, survival and the cost of choosing yourself. Spanning centuries and continents, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is a dark, addictive fever dream. I'll read anything V.E. Schwab writes, and this book is no exception. You can check out these new book releases at or your local bookstore. What June 10 new release are you most excited to read? Let us know below, and tune in next week to grow your TBR. 10 Books With Queer Protagonists to Read All Year Round
Geek Girl Authority
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on May 20
There are a lot of new books coming out every week. With New Release Radar, I'll help you narrow down the week's new book releases into the titles you should get excited about. This week I have eight great new books to share with you, including some atmospheric fantasy and horror and queer YA reads that will get you ready for Pride Month. Read on! The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig Sybil Delling is a Diviner, gifted with visions from otherworldly Omens and bound to a decade of service in a cathedral that promises shelter in exchange for her dreams. With her decade of service nearly complete, Sybil's future should finally be her own. But when a devil-may-care knight named Rodrick arrives – disruptive, heretical, and infuriatingly handsome – everything shifts. Diviners begin vanishing, and Sybil is forced to join forces with the last person she should trust. To uncover the truth, she must venture beyond the cathedral's walls and into a perilous world where only the gods have answers – and only a heretic might defeat one. The Knight and the Moth is a Gothic, atmospheric romantasy from a BookTok sensation and New York Times bestselling author. Rachel Gillig's new book release is a funny, eerie and high-stakes adventure. RELATED: New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on May 13 The Lost Voice by Greta Morgan In 2020, rising musician Greta Morgan lost her singing voice to a rare neurological disorder, bringing her career to a halt. The Lost Voice chronicles her journey through grief, identity and artistic rebirth. From celebrity-filled tour buses to the silent red canyons of the Southwest, Morgan explores what it truly means to create, to listen, and to find purpose beyond the voice that once defined her. Check this one out if you were a fan of Morgan's band The Hush Sound or love vulnerable memoirs. An Ethical Guide to Murder by Jenny Morris Thea has a secret: she can see how long people have left to live, and even transfer life between them. When her best friend Ruth is fatally injured, Thea instinctively steals time from the man responsible to save her, killing him in the process. Suddenly wielding a godlike power, Thea vows to use it for good, drafting an 'Ethical Guide to Murder' to help her decide who deserves more time and who doesn't. But lines blur quickly, and every choice has consequences. As Ruth's borrowed time ticks down, Thea must face the limits of her power, and the price of playing judge, jury and executioner. Jenny Morris came up with a completely unique concept in this magical realism thriller. An Ethical Guide to Murder explores life and death, morality, personal gain and self-control in a fast-paced, thought-provoking package. RELATED: Book Review: In the Garden of Monsters Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus Valerie Danners is in a cult, though she doesn't realize it. Her tightly controlled world begins unravelling when she secretly reads a queer book from the library and meets Riley, a confident, kind girl who opens her eyes to a different way of being. As they fall for each other, their bond – strengthened by shared identities as multiracial teens in a white Christian community – grows deeper and more dangerous. To the outside world, they're just close friends. But behind closed doors, their romance blooms – until they're caught. Now Valerie must make an impossible choice: stay with a family who may never accept her, or risk everything to be with the girl she loves. Gay the Pray Away is a beautiful, important story. Natalie Naudus's debut will help queer teens and heal queer adults. The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling Aymar Castle has endured six months under siege, its people starving and desperate. Everything changes when salvation appears in the form of the divine Constant Lady and her Saints. They heal the sick and refill the stores, asking only for worship in return. But their gifts come with a terrible cost. As the castle slips into a delirious, hedonistic devotion, three women remain wary. Ser Voyne, a war hero ensnared by the Constant Lady's power; Phosyne, a paranoid nun-turned-sorceress desperate to prove her innocence; and Treila, a serving girl caught between vengeance and survival. Their tangled loyalties, hidden past and growing suspicions ignite a dangerous struggle for truth and liberation, before the castle's false paradise consumes them all. Part medieval horror, part dark fantasy, The Starving Saints is an atmospheric fever dream of a novel. Caitlin Starling's new book release explores the depths of depravity with a truly unique and unnerving premise. RELATED: 9 Terrifying Stories for Fans of Sinners Behooved by M. Stevenson Bianca knows duty comes before love, so she agrees to a political marriage to Prince Aric. But her new husband is cold and distant. Even worse, an assassination attempt on their wedding night leaves him magically cursed into horse form. Bianca escapes atop her horse-husband, who returns to human form only at sunset. Framed for Aric's murder and entangled in a plot against the throne, Bianca must rely on the prince she barely knows to survive. As danger mounts and sparks begin to fly, the unlikely pair must break the curse, clear Bianca's name, and save the kingdom before their time runs out. If you're looking for a fun, easy and slightly cheesy read for the summer, check out Behooved . M. Stevenson's whimsical, romantic fantasy is perfect for anyone missing My Lady Jane . In Case You Read This by Edward Underhill Arden isn't thrilled about leaving Los Angeles and its vibrant queer community for small-town Michigan. Gabe, meanwhile, is eager to escape Shelby, Illinois, and embrace a fresh start in Pasadena where he can finally be out and proud. When the two cross paths in a Nebraska motel lobby, they instantly click, both trans, both obsessed with the same indie band, Damaged Pixie Dream Boi. After one unforgettable night, they part ways knowing only each other's first name. As they settle into their new lives, Arden and Gabe can't stop thinking about that brief, perfect connection. But is one night enough to spark something lasting, or will fate bring them back together? Edward Underhill's new book release is a trans rom-com about missed connections, chance encounters and the power of fate. In Case You Read This is a charming YA read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. RELATED: Book Review: Love at Second Sight Let Them Stare by Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy Sully can't wait to leave tiny, suffocating Hearst, Pennsylvania. With a fashion internship lined up, they're ready to trade their small-town life for big-city dreams, even selling their beloved car to Brad, the town's only other gay kid. But when the internship falls through, Sully is stuck in Hearst with no ride, no money, and no plan – until they find a stunning vintage handbag at the thrift store that could be their ticket out. One problem: the bag comes with a ghost. Rufus, a glamorous drag performer from the 1950s, has no memory of his death and is now haunting Sully's bedroom. With Rufus in tow and Brad behind the wheel, Sully sets out to uncover Rufus's past, sell the haunted bag, and maybe, just maybe, rediscover something worth staying for in the town they were so ready to leave. Queer Eye 's Jonathan Van Ness and bestselling author Julie Murphy have teamed up for a quirky and delightful YA novel. Let Them Stare is a fun journey of self-growth combining humor, and mystery into an unforgettable story. You can check out these new book releases at or your local bookstore. What May 20 new release are you most excited to read? Let us know below, and tune in next week to grow your TBR. Book Review: THE INCANDESCENT
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Book Critic: new (ish) books for children
This month's theme does what it says on the tin! All these books have been published in the last year and are definitely worth talking about according to Catherine Ross, the Director of Library at Auckland Grammar School. More details can be found on Catherine's blog. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
Geek Girl Authority
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on May 13
There are a lot of new books coming out every week. With New Release Radar, I'll help you narrow down the week's new book releases into the titles you should get excited about. This week, I have 11 great new books to share with you, including some grimdark fantasies and a few novels that will make you care about high school sports like you never have before. Read on! The Devils by Joe Abercrombie Brother Diaz arrives in the Sacred City expecting praise and a holy calling. Instead, he's handed a mission fit for monsters. His new congregation includes murderers, heretics, and horrors cloaked in human skin, bound together for a holy task that will demand unholy bloodshed. As elven warbands prowl the borders and corrupt princes rot the realm from within, Diaz must place his faith in something darker than saints. Joe Abercrombie returns with The Devils , a blood-soaked, darkly hilarious epic that mashes grimdark fantasy with campy horror. This new book release is full of the morally gray characters, sharp action sequences and witty banter that Abercrombie does best. RELATED: New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out On May 6 Home Has No Borders edited by Samira Ahmed and Sona Charaipotra From first crushes to first heartbreaks, from tangled family ties to questions of belonging, Home Has No Borders is a vibrant anthology exploring race, class, language, and the many meanings of home. Edited by Samira Ahmed and Sona Charaipotra, it features an impressive lineup of acclaimed South Asian voices in YA, including Samira Ahmed, Nisha Sharma and Fatimah Asghar. This essential collection captures the joys, struggles, and complexity of growing up South Asian today. Fitting Indian by Jyoti Chand, illustrated by Tara Anand All Nitasha's parents want is for her to be the perfect Indian daughter—something she knows she'll never be. She's not her doctor older brother, she doesn't fit in at school, and even her best friend and crush seem to be slipping away. When the pressure becomes too much, Nitasha turns to alcohol, and then to self-harm. Will she ever be enough for her family – or even herself? Fitting Indian is this powerful graphic novel exploring the weight of expectations, the realities of mental illness and the strength it takes to ask for help. Jyoti Chand and illustrator Tara Anand have created a vital story about pain, healing and the power of being seen. RELATED: Book Review: Divining the Leaves A Sharp Endless Need by Marisa Crane Star point guard Mack Morris starts her senior year reeling from two life-changing events: her father's sudden death and the arrival of Liv Cooper, a talented transfer student with whom she shares undeniable chemistry – on and off the court. In their rural, 2004 Pennsylvania town, their deepening connection sparks more than just controversy. As grief, desire and pressure mount, Mack must navigate the volatile space between who she was and who she's becoming. Is she ready to fight for the future she wants, even if it means leaving everything else behind? A Sharp Endless Need combines sharp, exhilarating sports writing with a raw, heartfelt exploration of grief, identity and the choices that shape us. Marisa Crane's new book release is both a poignant coming-of-age novel and a love letter to basketball, perfect for anyone who has struggled to find their purpose. The Devil Three Times by Rickey Fayne When Yetunde awakens aboard a slave ship, the only voice she hears is her dead sister's—until the Devil makes her an offer. In exchange for a piece of his power, he will protect her, hoping that saving Yetunde and her descendants might earn him a way back into Heaven. Over the next 175 years, the Devil visits Yetunde's bloodline: conjure women, outcasts, brothers at war, mediums and dreamers, each facing a moment of crisis, each offered a chance at salvation. But as he intervenes in their lives, the Devil must confront his own fate. Can he be redeemed, or is damnation eternal? In an ambitious debut spanning eight generations, Rickey Fayne has made a name for himself as a new voice in American fiction. Told through vignettes of each family member, The Devil Three Times is perfect for readers who enjoy Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison and Robert Jones, Jr. Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang At art school, Enka is captivated by Mathilde, a brilliant, tormented artist on the brink of fame. As their intense friendship spirals into obsession, Enka will do anything to stay close, even marrying a billionaire whose family's empathy-enhancing tech could let her literally absorb Mathilde's trauma. But as the lines between their minds blur, Enka's fixation leads to disturbing consequences that shape their entire lives. Ling Ling Huang's new book release is a chilling, genre-bending story of art, identity and the cost of devotion. Immaculate Conception combines the fiercely competitive art world with cutting edge technology, resulting in a reflection of creativity, connection and consciousness. RELATED: Book Review: Luminous Anji Kills a King by Evan Leikam When castle servant Anji assassinates the king she hated, she sets off a kingdom-wide manhunt. Soon, she's the most wanted fugitive in the kingdom. Pursued by the magical, mask-wearing mercenaries of the Menagerie, she's captured by the Hawk, an aging swordswoman with her own motives for keeping Anji alive just long enough to claim the bounty. As they flee the deadly pursuit of the other mercenaries, their uneasy alliance may shape not only Anji's fate, but that of the entire kingdom. Gritty, dark fantasy fans will love Evan Leikam's debut. Anji Kills a King is fast-paced and well written, and will leave you hungry for book two. Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala High schooler Danika Dizon has a knack for solving problems—whether it's through tarot readings or tips picked up from her PI mom and mystery writer dad. But when a classmate disappears after drawing a death card, Danika finds herself in a real investigation, one that could finally prove she's ready to join the family business. With the missing girl's younger sister by her side, Danika uncovers a web of secrets darker than she expected – ones people are desperate to keep buried. Mia P. Manansala's YA debut has all of the humor (and murder) her fans have come to expect from the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series. Death in the Cards is a cozy mystery perfect for light summer reading. RELATED: 5 Cozy Mysteries Only Murders in the Building Fans Need to Check Out The Incandescent by Emily Tesh Doctor Walden may be one of the most powerful magicians in England. She spends her days, however, as Director of Magic at Chetwood Academy, corralling chaotic sixth-formers, attending endless meetings and holding back the demonic forces that threaten the school's ancient wards. She's brilliant, composed, and trusted to keep six hundred students safe. But demons are cunning, and Walden knows all too well the danger they pose – especially when the greatest threat may be the darkness she carries within. The Incandescent is a unique work of dark academia that examines an often-unseen side of the story: what the teachers are up to. Emily Tesh does a great job of balancing the administrative side of things with a constantly evolving magical mystery. RELATED: Read Our Full Review of The Incandescent The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong On a rainy summer night in East Gladness, Connecticut, 19-year-old Hai is about to jump from a bridge when a voice calls out from across the river – Grazina, an elderly widow slipping into dementia. Her unexpected intervention changes everything. With nowhere else to turn, Hai becomes Grazina's caretaker, and over the course of a year, the two form a profound bond. As they navigate memory, loss and forgiveness, their connection transforms Hai's understanding of himself, his fractured family and a struggling town on the edge of change. Ocean Vuong's new book release is a powerful novel about found family, unexpected friendship and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. Full of heart and empathy for those on the fringes of society, The Emperor of Gladness will linger with you long after you're done reading. One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller Grace Woodhouse's senior year is going to be a struggle. After coming out as trans, she lost her friends, her girlfriend and a Division 1 football scholarship. As her last year in high school begins, Grace is navigating the complexities of early transition and finding her footing in new social circles, all while struggling to move on from football. But when her incredible kicking skills become crucial, her old teammates convince her to return to the game. As an opportunity to play college football arises, Grace faces a tough choice: how much of herself is she willing to sacrifice for the sport she loves? Whether or not you ever did before, One of the Boys will make you care about football and nostalgic for high school. Victoria Zeller's debut is powerful, funny and a perfect underdog story. You can check out these new book releases at or your local bookstore. What May 13 new release are you most excited to read? Let us know below, and tune in next week to grow your TBR. Book Review: A SHARP ENDLESS NEED
