by Ashley Dickson-Ellison (@teachingtheapocalypse)
Here are three books coming out today that I'm excited to read!
Karen McManus's You'll Be the Death of Me (Libro.fm | Bookshop.org)
Description from Publisher: "From the author of One of Us Is Lying comes a brand-new pulse-pounding thriller. It's Ferris Bueller's Day Off with murder when three old friends relive an epic ditch day, and it goes horribly—and fatally—wrong.
"Ivy, Mateo, and Cal used to be close. Now all they have in common is Carlton High and the beginning of a very bad day. Type A Ivy lost a student council election to the class clown, and now she has to face the school, humiliated. Heartthrob Mateo is burned out from working two jobs since his family’s business failed. And outsider Cal just got stood up . . . again.
"So when the three unexpectedly run into each other, they decide to avoid their problems by ditching. Just the three of them, like old times. Except they’ve barely left the parking lot before they run out of things to say. . .
". . . until they spot another Carlton High student skipping school—and follow him to the scene of his own murder. In one chance move, their day turns from dull to deadly. And it’s about to get worse. It turns out Ivy, Mateo, and Cal still have some things in common...like a connection to the dead kid. And they’re all hiding something.
"Could it be that their chance reconnection wasn’t by chance after all? "
Why I want to read it: Although I don't often read mysteries, I did find One of Us is Lying very compelling, and I loved the development of the characters and the way each of their own experiences wove together with the other characters in the book. I'm definitely interested in reading more of McManus's work, and this one sounds really compelling!
Kirthana Ramisetti's Dava Shastri's Last Day (Libro.fm | Bookshop.org)
Description from Publisher:
"Dava Shastri, one of the world's wealthiest women, has always lived with her sterling reputation in mind. A brain cancer diagnosis at the age of seventy, however, changes everything, and Dava decides to take her death—like all matters of her life—into her own hands. "Summoning her four adult children to her private island, she discloses shocking news: in addition to having a terminal illness, she has arranged for the news of her death to break early, so she can read her obituaries. "As someone who dedicated her life to the arts and the empowerment of women, Dava expects to read articles lauding her philanthropic work. Instead, her 'death' reveals two devastating secrets, truths she thought she had buried forever. "And now the whole world knows, including her children. "In the time she has left, Dava must come to terms with the decisions that have led to this moment—and make peace with those closest to her before it's too late. "Compassionately written and chock-full of humor and heart, this powerful novel examines public versus private legacy, the complexities of love, and the never-ending joys—and frustrations—of family."
Why I want to read it: The premise of this book sounds captivating! The idea of faking one's death to read the obituaries seems both absurd and fascinating, and I love books that explore the ties to family and the secrets we keep. I'm definitely interested in reading this one!
Therese Beharrie's And They Lived Happily Ever After (Amazon | Bookshop.org)
Description from Publisher:
"One unexpected kiss . . .
"Successful romance author Gaia Anders has a secret: anything she dreams at night is magically written into her bestselling novels. After a lonely childhood in foster care, her dream life is the only one she trusts. Gaia’s waking life just can’t compare—until she gets caught in one utterly surprising, crazy-passionate, real-life kiss . . .
"One near-perfect guy . . .
"Workaholic businessman Jacob Scott has had a crush on his brother’s best friend, Gaia, since forever—but he never expected to literally share her dreams. Living out their magical nighttime fantasies is explosive, but it’s their waking desire turning his single-minded ways upside down. It’s making him want a future he didn’t think was possible . . .
"One dream that could come true . . .
"But Gaia has secrets from her past she won't reveal. And Jacob's attempts to keep the peace in his own fractured family puts him up against her deepest fears. Soon, they’re facing hard truths about who they are and what they’re running from. And the only way to break this curse is realizing true love's real-life power . . ."
Why I want to read it: I love books that explore the power of dreams and the way they can connect to our waking life, and this one sounds like a fascinating romance that also explores some important social issues. Yes, please!
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