June 2021 TBR

Hello hello and welcome or welcome back to my little corner of the internet. How can we be approaching June already? It seems unbelievable, and yet the year feels like it’s gone on forever as well. It’s been a strange two years.

I’ve been into a book shop twice since things reopened now, and it’s been utter bliss to feel a touch of normal. I even sat inside a Starbucks the second time, which is something I’ve been having dreams about since things started. Being high risk, being disabled, it’s been a long time since “normal” even entered into my mental activities.

This month I’ve got a few books planned that I’m really excited about, and, while I might say that every month, it isn’t any less true. I’ve been really lucky with birthday gifts, blog tours, my own purchases, and NetGalley approvals, and with all of those balanced out, June is looking to be a good month.

The Bone Witch
“Tea can raise the dead, but resurrection comes at a price…“
I’ve been so excited to read this one and it’s finally on my list. It’s been raved about by so many people, and I can’t wait to dig into it. Just reading the synopsis makes me want to fast-forward and pick it up. I’m on a reading schedule to fit in the last few books I need to finish the end of this month but this will be one of the first I pick up when June is fully underway.

In my post about Five Books With… Unique Magic Systems, you might find some other witchy books to interest you!

House of Salt and Sorrows
“In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.
Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last–the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge–and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who–or what–are they really dancing with?”

I’m really looking forward to this one. This is one I’ll be listening to as an audiobook, and the production is incredible. I always listen to the first chapter ahead of starting it properly to decide what kind of mood I need to be in to listen to it, and I think this is a “as soon as you can” type book!

Kind of Sort of Fine
This is a book that I’m on a blog tour for towards the end of June, so I’ll be jumping on in. It’s only been this year or so that I’ve read any young adult contemporary fiction, so it’ll be fun!
“Senior year of high school is full of changes.
For Hayley Mills, these changes aren’t exactly welcome. All she wants is for everyone to forget about her very public breakdown and remember her as the overachiever she once was—and who she’s determined to be again. But it’s difficult to be seen as a go-getter when she’s forced into TV Production class with all the slackers like Lewis Holbrook.
For Lewis, though, this is going to be his year. After a summer spent binging 80s movies, he’s ready to upgrade from the role of self-described fat, funny sidekick to leading man of his own life—including getting the girl. The only thing standing in his way is, well, himself.
When the two are partnered up in class, neither is particularly thrilled. But then they start making mini documentaries about their classmates’ hidden talents, and suddenly Hayley is getting attention for something other than her breakdown, and Lewis isn’t just a background character anymore. It seems like they’re both finally getting what they want—except what happens when who you’ve become isn’t who you really are?“

The Yearbook
I’ve been so excited for the release of this one, and I treated myself to a copy when I spent my birthday vouchers in Waterstones. I’ll be doing a seperate post about my haul soon!
“Most likely to…be forgotten
Working on the school newspaper, Paige is used to dealing with fake stories. How popular girl Grace is a such an amazing person (lie). How Laura steals people’s boyfriends (lie). How her own family are so perfect (lie).

Now Grace and friends have picked their “best” high-school moments for Paige to put in the all-important Yearbook. And they’re not just fake. They’re poison.

But Paige has had enough of all the lies in her life. And with the help of Elijah – the only boy who could ever understand her – she’s going to reveal the truth.“

This Poison Heart
I absolutely loved the author’s first book, Cinderella Is Dead, and I’m super excited for this second one. I’ve found a real love for twisted and dark takes on fairy tales, and Kalynn Bayron has a real talent. Combining the two makes for a brilliant book. Briseis also happens to be my favourite girls name out there, and I’m so excited to see it in a book!
“Ever since she can remember, Briseis has had power over plants. Flowers bloom in her footsteps and leaves turn to face her as though she were the sun. It’s a power she and her adoptive mothers have spent her whole life trying to hide. And then Briseis inherits an old house from her birth mother and suddenly finds herself with the space and privacy to test her powers for the first time.

But as Briseis starts to bring the house’s rambling garden back to life, she finds she has also inherited generations of secrets. A hidden altar to a dark goddess, a lineage of witches stretching back to ancient times, and a hidden garden overgrown with the most deadly poisonous plants on earth. And Briseis’s long-departed ancestors aren’t going to let her rest until she accepts her place as the keeper of the terrible power that lies at the heart of the Poison Garden.“

Ace of Spades
I’ve treated myself my first ever book box for the special edition of Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s debut novel, Ace of Spades. Plus side: very excited, new pin for my collection, brilliant book. Down side: it says “shipping in June” rather than anything more specific. So I’m on countdown for this very highly anticipated YA mystery.
“Hello, Niveus High. It’s me. Who am I? That’s not important. All you need to know is…I’m here to divide and conquer. – Aces
Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now. Because anonymous texter, Aces, is bringing two students’ dark secrets to light.
Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals, but he can’t escape the spotlight when his private photos go public.
Head girl Chiamaka isn’t afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power.
Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they’re planning much more than a high-school game…“

So there we are. A few of my planned reads in June. I’m sure there will be a few more, or hopefully at least, depending on how the month goes, but fingers crossed I get through this awesome selection! Thanks for stopping by, and let me know what you think of my choices below!