Welcome to Issue #3!
Hello, everyone! This weekend, June started which means it’s Pride month! Happy pride month to the beautiful and diverse LGBTQIA+ Community! I hope this month and all months go great for you and your friends and family! ❤
It’s that wonderful time of the week where Xiaolong and I put together an issue of book news just for you! I’ve been reading the lovely comments you lovelies left last week and they’re so lovely and make me so happy! Thank you so much! Last week we had some really amazing releases and I can’t wait to share all the beautiful books coming out this week!
❤ Stella
Book Releases This Week [June 3rd – June 9th]
I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest
When Chloe Pierce’s mom forbids her to apply for a spot at the dance conservatory of her dreams, she devises a secret plan to drive two hundred miles to the nearest audition. But Chloe hits her first speed bump when her annoying neighbor Eli insists upon hitching a ride, threatening to tell Chloe’s mom if she leaves him and his smelly dog, Geezer, behind. So now Chloe’s chasing her ballet dreams down the east coast―two unwanted (but kinda cute) passengers in her car, butterflies in her stomach, and a really dope playlist on repeat.
I read the first sentence and my first thought was “FlAsHdAnCe!!” I don’t know why my brain went down that route? But, here we are. Let’s just embrace my odd thoughts.
I’m really in love with the plot of this book it sounds absolutely adorable and I need it now!
Reasons I need this book: Flashdance-dancing-school-type plot? UGH YES! An annoying but adorable neighbour who will definitely be the love interest and they’re stuck in a car for hours and hours? UGH, YES! A beautifully illustrated cover that deserves to be in an art museum? UGH, YES!
So, basically, I really am excited about the release of ‘I Wanna Be Where You Are’ and I hope you are too!
Released on the 4th of June 2019. Add this book on Goodreads.
If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann
High school finally behind her, Winnie is all set to attend college in the fall. But first she’s spending her summer days working at her granny’s diner and begins spending her midnights with Dallas—the boy she loves to hate and hates that she likes. Winnie lives in Misty Haven, a small town where secrets are impossible to keep—like when Winnie allegedly snaps on Dr. Skinner, which results in everyone feeling compelled to give her weight loss advice for her own good. Because they care that’s she’s “too fat.”
Winnie dreams of someday inheriting the diner—but it’ll go away if they can’t make money, and fast. Winnie has a solution—win a televised cooking competition and make bank. But Granny doesn’t want her to enter—so Winnie has to find a way around her formidable grandmother. Can she come out on top?
I am absolutely pumped to read ‘If It Makes You Happy.’ It sounds so, so good! I love the fat rep and as a fat girl myself, I can connect to hearing peoples’ opinions when they’re not needed and feeling like I’m not perfect in any way or being subconscious about the smallest things. I sometimes feel like that now but, I found that it was a waste of time thinking in such a negative way and to just be as healthy and happy as I can at this moment because I have a great body that doesn’t deserve to be hurt (and no other bodies do). I love the message this book sends and I can’t wait to dive into this story and its beautiful-ness. I need this book now!
Released on the 4th of June 2019. Add this book on Goodreads.
Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian
It’s 1989 in New York City, and for three teens, the world is changing.
Reza is an Iranian boy who has just moved to the city with his mother to live with his stepfather and stepbrother. He’s terrified that someone will guess the truth he can barely acknowledge about himself. Reza knows he’s gay, but all he knows of gay life are the media’s images of men dying of AIDS.
Judy is an aspiring fashion designer who worships her uncle Stephen, a gay man with AIDS who devotes his time to activism as a member of ACT UP. Judy has never imagined finding romance…until she falls for Reza and they start dating.
Art is Judy’s best friend, their school’s only out and proud teen. He’ll never be who his conservative parents want him to be, so he rebels by documenting the AIDS crisis through his photographs.
As Reza and Art grow closer, Reza struggles to find a way out of his deception that won’t break Judy’s heart–and destroy the most meaningful friendship he’s ever known.
*slams the door open and starts disco dancing to sad classical music* “I’m going,” *is still disco dancing* “to be hurt by this book with all of the feels,” *jumps and lands in the splits while crying* Okay, my disco dancing is done now. But, wow. I’m not ready to read this. I started reading the synopsis and nearly started crying. I’m a mess.
This sounds like a really enjoyable coming of age story and the vibe this book radiates is definitely similar to ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower* and I am so pumped! I loved that film (I know I’m terrible, I haven’t read the book yet.) so much and I hope I’ll enjoy ‘Like A Love Story’ just as much!
Released on the 4th of June 2019. Add this book on Goodreads.
Not Your Backup by C.B. Lee
Emma Robledo has a few more responsibilities that the usual high school senior, but then again, she and her friends have left school to lead a fractured Resistance movement against a corrupt Heroes League of Heroes. Emma is the only member of a supercharged team without powers, she isn’t always taken seriously. A natural leader, Emma is determined to win this battle, and when that’s done, get back to school. As the Resistance moves to challenge the League, Emma realizes where her place is in this fight: at the front.
Not Your Back Up’ is the third installment to the ‘Sidekick Squad’ Series and I haven’t read it yet! I’ve seen quite a few people on book twitter talk about how it’s really good and more people should read it. I can’t wait to get my hands on this series. I think I’m going to really enjoy it! ah!!
Released on the 4th of June 2019. Add this book on Goodreads.
This Time Will Be Different by Misa Sugiura
Katsuyamas never quit—but seventeen-year-old CJ doesn’t even know where to start. She’s never lived up to her mom’s type A ambition, and she’s perfectly happy just helping her aunt, Hannah, at their family’s flower shop.
She doesn’t buy into Hannah’s romantic ideas about flowers and their hidden meanings, but when it comes to arranging the perfect bouquet, CJ discovers a knack she never knew she had. A skill she might even be proud of.
Then her mom decides to sell the shop—to the family who swindled CJ’s grandparents when thousands of Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps during WWII. Soon a rift threatens to splinter CJ’s family, friends, and their entire Northern California community; and for the first time, CJ has found something she wants to fight for.
This sounds absolutely adorable and I need it now! If someone were to ask me if they should combine flowers, family drama and a beautiful cover? I think yes.
I love the sound of the book and how they’ve focused on the family. Of course, I haven’t read the book so I’m guessing it not just about family but I like that the subject of family is the selling point. I love books about family since I’m very close to mine. So reading about dynamics that are extremely different or the same as my experience with family.
I love the cover of this book it really reminds me of an Asian drama or a Telenovela poster. It’s really gorgeous and I can’t wait until I can get a copy!
Released on the 4th of June 2019. Add this book on Goodreads.
Book News
Book Announcement: Who I Was With Her by Nita Tyndall
I am so excited for the release of Who I Was With Her! I’m going to be such an emotional blob after reading this but it’s going to be so worth it! A definite must add to my Goodreads TBR!
Cover reveal: Girls of Storm And Shadow by Natasha Ngan
I’ve been seeing this book all over twitter at the moment. and it sounds amazing! Queer love, Dark Magic and saving the world? yes, please! I hope Asian queer girls get most of the arcs for Girls of Storm and Shadow because it’s a story that represents them so it’s only fair they get the first peek at it. I can’t wait to read this!
Graphic Novel Cover Reveal: Shadow of the Batgirl by Sarah Kuhn, Nicole Goux & Sara Phoebe Miller
This looks and sounds amazing! An Asian Batgirl? Yes, I love that so much! It’s going to be so amazing and I can’t wait to read this comic!!!!! Shame we have to wait for the release! 😦
Graphic Novel Cover Reveal: The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp & Manuel Preitano
AH! Manuel is a really amazing artist and I love his illustrations so I am so excited for the release of The Oracle! I also love that there’s Disability rep which is so great because the book world definitely needs more disability rep! I can’t wait!
Book Community Spotlight!
Book blogger: Michelle from Magical Reads
Michelle from Magical Reads is a wonderful book blogger who regularly reviews diverse books and makes excellent book recommendations! Her reviews are always in-depth, detailed, and brilliantly articulated. If you’re looking for books about Vietnamese characters, look no further: Michelle has a list of books with Vietnamese protagonists!
You can also follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Bookstagammer: thebookishcourt
Kavanaugh is an extremely talented bookstagrammer who hasn’t got the same recognition as other bookstagrammers out there. I love her insightful story and instagram posts and spread so much joy on bookstagram. She has a such a talent for photography and I just love them all. You should definitely give her a follow if you haven’t already!
Booktuber: theatricalreader
Jessica is still quite new to booktube and is such an amazing booktuber 
already who puts a lot of love into her channel and is just an overall amazing person. She also read so much and I don’t understand how she does but it’s and amazing super power. Her latest video was her April Wrap Up and you can check it out here. You can also follow her on her Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads.
The Quiet Pond 
Yay, another installment of this great series!!! I love that more illustrated covers are coming out in ya. Their so cool and before a few years ago I only saw them in middle grade. I hope this trend sticks I love having illustrated people on the cover.
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I hope they stick to the illustrated style, too! They always come out so gorgeous and it’s really nice to see the different styles of the individual artists! Thank you so much for reading this issue! ❤
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Thank you for these wonderful posts and for keeping me up to date with all of these releases and news! I can’t wait to read This time will be different, it sounds so, so, SO good and I love that cover! 🙂 I also ADORE the cover of I Wanna Be Where You Are and honestly can’t wait for you to read it, I got lucky enough to read it and I loved it soooooooo much. I hope you will too 🙂
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Thank YOU so much for reading our book news! It really means a lot to me that you enjoy reading them! I can’t wait to read This Time Will Be Different & I Wanna Be Where You Are they sound so, so good and I think I will probably have all the feels when I read them! I absolutely have to pick up IWBWYA the cover is so gorgeous! ❤
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There are so many incredibly diverse books being published this week (and in the next year) and it makes my little heart SO HAPPY.
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I know right? It’s so wonderful it makes my heart happy too!
Thank you for reading issue #3! ❤
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Stella, wow, this news is all wonderful! I forgot that Claire’s book was coming out tomorrow and now I’m feeling a little better about it. 🙂
That cover for Natasha’s next is SO GOOD. ❤
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Thank you so much for reading Issue #3! I’m so glad I could remind you about Claire’s book!
That cover is amazing, right? ❤
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