Can’t Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings. I get to show off intriguing upcoming book releases. Check them out and tell me which new books you’re excited to read.
*This post contains affiliate links. I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
September 2020 Book Releases
CEMETERY
BOYS BY AIDEN THOMAS
Young adult fantasy
September 1, 2020
When his traditional Latinx family has problems
accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo.
With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual
himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it
free.
However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He’s determined to find out what happened and tie up some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.
However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He’s determined to find out what happened and tie up some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.
Why I’m excited: The early reviews have been extremely
positive. People are going nuts for this book. After listening to the author
speak at BookCon, I can understand why. It sounds like a unique story that’s
full of humor and love (and witches).
ANXIOUS
PEOPLE BY FREDRIK BACKMAN
Adult mystery
September 8, 2020
A bank robber on the run locks himself in with
an over-enthusiastic estate agent, two bitter IKEA-addicts, a pregnant woman, a
suicidal multi-millionaire and a rabbit. In the end the robber gives up and
lets everyone go, but when the police storm the apartment it is . . . empty.
In a series of dysfunctional testimonies after the event, the witnesses all tell their version of what really happened and it's clear we have a classic locked-room mystery on our hands: How did the robber manage to escape? Why is everyone so angry? And: What is WRONG with people these days?
In a series of dysfunctional testimonies after the event, the witnesses all tell their version of what really happened and it's clear we have a classic locked-room mystery on our hands: How did the robber manage to escape? Why is everyone so angry? And: What is WRONG with people these days?
Why I’m excited: I’m an “anxious people!” This book is for
me; it says so right on the cover. I’ve read a few Backman books and enjoyed
them all. They’re funny and sweet without being gag-inducing. His characters
are usually quirky outcasts with memorable personalities. I’ve laughed out loud
many times while reading Backman books.
THE
INVISIBLE BOY BY ALYSSA
HOLLINGSWORTH
Middlegrade contemporary fiction
September 8, 2020
Nadia finds adventure in the pages of her
Superman comic books, until a mysterious boy saves her dog from drowning during
a storm and then disappears. Now she finds herself in the role of Lois Lane,
hunting down the scoop of the Invisible Boy, and suddenly she’s in a real-life
adventure that’s far more dangerous than anything in her comic books.
Why I’m excited: Supposedly,
this book is about child labor trafficking. It seems like a tough topic for
middlegrade. Goodreads says “Like Katherine Applegate, author of Crenshaw and Wishtree, Alyssa
Hollingsworth takes difficult subject matter and makes it accessible for
middle-grade readers.” I wonder how intense it’s going to be? I’m
interested to find out. I have never read a book about child labor trafficking.
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
Young adult mystery
September 15, 2020
Korey Fields is dead.
When Enchanted Jones wakes with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night, no one—the police and Korey’s fans included—has more questions than she does. All she really knows is that this isn't how things are supposed to be. Korey was Enchanted’s ticket to stardom.
Before there was a dead body, Enchanted was an aspiring singer, struggling with her tight knit family’s recent move to the suburbs while trying to find her place as the lone Black girl in high school. But then legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots her at an audition. And suddenly her dream of being a professional singer takes flight.
Enchanted is dazzled by Korey’s luxurious life but soon her dream turns into a nightmare. Behind Korey’s charm and star power hides a dark side, one that wants to control her every move, with rage and consequences. Except now he’s dead and the police are at the door. Who killed Korey Fields?
All signs point to Enchanted.
When Enchanted Jones wakes with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night, no one—the police and Korey’s fans included—has more questions than she does. All she really knows is that this isn't how things are supposed to be. Korey was Enchanted’s ticket to stardom.
Before there was a dead body, Enchanted was an aspiring singer, struggling with her tight knit family’s recent move to the suburbs while trying to find her place as the lone Black girl in high school. But then legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots her at an audition. And suddenly her dream of being a professional singer takes flight.
Enchanted is dazzled by Korey’s luxurious life but soon her dream turns into a nightmare. Behind Korey’s charm and star power hides a dark side, one that wants to control her every move, with rage and consequences. Except now he’s dead and the police are at the door. Who killed Korey Fields?
All signs point to Enchanted.
Why I’m
excited: Normally, I’d stay far away
from stories about music. I’m profoundly uninterested in music. But, this book is
written by Tiffany D. Jackson! Her contemporary mysteries will blow your mind.
I loved her other novel, Allegedly,
because it’s full of twists and untrustworthy characters. I hope this book’s
plot is just as gritty and surprising.
These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever
Adult thriller
September 15, 2020
When Paul and Julian meet as university freshmen in early
1970s Pittsburgh, they are immediately drawn to one another. A talented artist,
Paul is sensitive and agonizingly insecure, incomprehensible to his
working-class family, and desolate with grief over his father’s recent
death.
Paul sees the wealthy, effortlessly charming Julian as his sole intellectual equal—an ally against the conventional world he finds so suffocating. He idolizes his friend for his magnetic confidence. But as charismatic as he can choose to be, Julian is also volatile and capriciously cruel. And admiration isn’t the same as trust.
As their friendship spirals into an all-consuming intimacy, Paul is desperate to protect their precarious bond, even as it becomes clear that pressures from the outside world are nothing compared with the brutality they are capable of inflicting on one another. Separation is out of the question. But as their orbit compresses and their grip on one another tightens, they are drawn to an act of irrevocable violence that will force the young men to confront a shattering truth at the core of their relationship.
Paul sees the wealthy, effortlessly charming Julian as his sole intellectual equal—an ally against the conventional world he finds so suffocating. He idolizes his friend for his magnetic confidence. But as charismatic as he can choose to be, Julian is also volatile and capriciously cruel. And admiration isn’t the same as trust.
As their friendship spirals into an all-consuming intimacy, Paul is desperate to protect their precarious bond, even as it becomes clear that pressures from the outside world are nothing compared with the brutality they are capable of inflicting on one another. Separation is out of the question. But as their orbit compresses and their grip on one another tightens, they are drawn to an act of irrevocable violence that will force the young men to confront a shattering truth at the core of their relationship.
Why I’m
excited: It’s been compared to The Secret History by Donna Tartt.
(Someday I’ll find a book that actually lives up to that comparison. I’m crossing
my fingers that this novel really is the next Secret History.) The abusive friendship is giving me vibes of The Wicker King by K. Ancrum, which is
one of the best books I’ve read so far in 2020.
Which upcoming
releases are you looking forward to reading?
I’m looking forward to reading Anxious People.
ReplyDeleteI have been seeing RAVES for Backman's new book. Has me curious. I love Jackson too. She is so good at the twisty-turvy story. Both Allegedly and Let Me Hear a Rhyme was great.
ReplyDeleteAnxious People sounds a really quirky read - and I love the sound of Cemetary Boys, too. I hope you enjoy these, AJ:)
ReplyDeleteDid you say witches? Cemetery Boys is new to me, but I do like the sound of it. And Anxious People and The Invisible Boy are already on my wish list. I can't wait to read them! I'm with you on Grown. It sounds really good. I haven't tried the author before, but given I like mysteries, I will have to look for her other books. I hope you get a chance to read some, if not all, of these. Have a great week, and Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteI'm also looking forward to Crown! It's actually on my most anticipated books for this week! Great picks!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my WoW!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog
I think these are all new to me, but Cemetery Boys sounds really fun!
ReplyDeleteThese Violent Delights has been really grabbing my eye lately. There are so many great books coming in September!
ReplyDeleteI am so so so excited for Grown!! I have yet to meet a Tiffany Jackson book that I do not like.
ReplyDeleteAnxious People and Grown sound so good. Adding them to my TBR list now. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteI just picked up Cemetery Boys. I can't wait to start it! Hope you enjoy all of these!!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of These Violent Delights, but I'm intrigued. I'm a big fan of The Secret History:-)
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, don`t know which one to choose or read first. So I guess I would end up getting all of them and read them as they get published or something like that *looks at her TBR*
ReplyDeleteOkay Anxious People sounds HILARIOUS. It had me at "anxious IKEA addicts" hahaha. I am like you, also profoundly uninterested in music, but if you say it's worth it then I am in!
ReplyDeleteI am SO excited for These Violent Delights. It really does have a bit of a Wicker King vibe, which I also loved. I have ARCs for The Invisible Boy and Cemetery Boys, and obviously I'm behind on my ARCs, but I hope to read both this month.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I am thinking about adding Anxious People to my tbr list. Cemetery Boys also sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Anxious People this weekend and thought it was pretty good. Definitely full of quirky characters as I've come to expect from this author. I hope you enjoy it too!
ReplyDeleteGreat picks! I'm looking forward to Cemetery Boys and Anxious People. Hope you enjoy them all!
ReplyDelete