Happy Thursday! New to the Queue is a new feature on Kait Plus Books, inspired by Jamie’s New to the Queue and Lauren’s On My List, where I talk about books and shows I’ve recently decided to read and watch!
Sometimes I just want to talk about books I want to read, and that’s what today’s post is all about! And now without any further ado, here’s what I’ve recently added to my queue!
A History of What Comes Next by Sylvain Neuvel Series: Take Them to the Stars #1
Also in this series: A History of What Comes Next
Published on February 2, 2021 by Tor.com
Genres: Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 304
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Even before our kind started using tools, the Kibsu have been with us, guiding humanity, teaching us, molding us.
As long as we follow the rules.
The Kibsu had five rules to guide the gradual elevation of our species:
1. Preserve the knowledge.
2. Survive at all cost.
3. Don’t draw attention to yourself.
4. Don’t leave a trace.
5. There can never be three for too long.
But when their enemy got too close, the Kibsu add one more:
6. Fear the Tracker: always run, never fight.
But now, during the terrors of the Great War, the Trackers are closing in, and for Mia and Sarah, running might no longer be an option.
How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason Series: The Thorne Chronicles #1
Also in this series: How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse, How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge
Published on October 8, 2019 by Daw Books
Genres: Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Multiverse
Pages: 408
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Author Links: Website, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram
Rory Thorne is a princess with thirteen fairy blessings, the most important of which is to see through flattery and platitudes. As the eldest daughter, she always imagined she'd inherit her father's throne and govern the interplanetary Thorne Consortium.
Then her father is assassinated, her mother gives birth to a son, and Rory is betrothed to the prince of a distant world.
When Rory arrives in her new home, she uncovers a treacherous plot to unseat her newly betrothed and usurp his throne. An unscrupulous minister has conspired to name himself Regent to the minor (and somewhat foolish) prince. With only her wits and a small team of allies, Rory must outmaneuver the Regent and rescue the prince.
How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse is a feminist reimagining of familiar fairytale tropes and a story of resistance and self-determination--how small acts of rebellion can lead a princess to not just save herself, but change the course of history.
Tune It Out by Jamie Sumner Published on September 1, 2020 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary, Neurodivergent
Pages: 288
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Lou Montgomery has the voice of an angel, or so her mother tells her and anyone else who will listen. But Lou can only hear the fear in her own voice. She’s never liked crowds or loud noises or even high fives; in fact, she’s terrified of them, which makes her pretty sure there’s something wrong with her.
When Lou crashes their pickup on a dark and snowy road, child services separate the mother-daughter duo. Now she has to start all over again at a fancy private school far away from anything she’s ever known. With help from an outgoing new friend, her aunt and uncle, and the school counselor, she begins to see things differently. A sensory processing disorder isn’t something to be ashamed of, and music might just be the thing that saves Lou—and maybe her mom, too.
Turning Point by Paula Chase Published on September 15, 2020 by Greenwillow Books
Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary
Pages: 384
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Distance threatens to tear apart a friendship. That is, of course, if a secret doesn’t ruin it first.
Told in dual perspectives, this provocative and timely stand-alone companion to Paula Chase’s So Done and Dough Boys will resonate with fans of Jason Reynolds, Rebecca Stead, and Renée Watson.
Best friends Rasheeda and Monique are both good girls. For Sheeda, that means keeping her friends close and following her deeply religious, Bible-quoting aunt’s every rule. For Mo, that means not making waves in the prestigious and mostly White ballet intensive she’s been accepted to. But what happens when Sheeda catches the eye of Mo’s older brother, and the invisible racial barriers to success as a ballerina turn out to be not so invisible?
Paula Chase continues to explore the lives of African American middle school characters from the Cove, a low-income housing project, in this stand-alone companion to So Done and Dough Boys. Both universal and specific, Turning Point is rich with thematic threads such as racism, body image, poverty, creativity, religion, Me Too, friendship, and family running through it. A rewarding and thought-provoking read for the older middle grade audience.
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black Series: The Folk of the Air #4
Published on November 24, 2020 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genres: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 200
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Author Links: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, Pinterest
An illustrated addition to the New York Times bestselling Folk of Air trilogy, that started with The Cruel Prince, from award-winning author Holly Black.
An irresistible return to the captivating world of Elfhame.
Once upon a time, there was a boy with a wicked tongue.
Before he was a cruel prince or a wicked king, he was a faerie child with a heart of stone. #1 New York Times bestselling author, Holly Black reveals a deeper look into the dramatic life of Elfhame's enigmatic high king, Cardan. This tale includes delicious details of life before The Cruel Prince, an adventure beyond The Queen of Nothing, and familiar moments from The Folk of the Air trilogy, told wholly from Cardan's perspective.
This new installment in the Folk of the Air series is a return to the heart-racing romance, danger, humor, and drama that enchanted readers everywhere. Each chapter is paired with lavish and luminous full-color art, making this the perfect collector's item to be enjoyed by both new audiences and old.
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel by Sheela Chari Published on October 6, 2020 by Walker Books Us
Genres: Middle Grade, Thriller, Mystery, Science Fiction
Pages: 304
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Mars Patel's friend Aurora has disappeared! His teachers are clueless. His mom is stressed out about her jobs. But Mars refuses to give up--after all, his own dad disappeared when Mars was a toddler, before he and Ma moved to Puget Sound from India. Luckily, Mars has a group of loyal friends eager to help--smart Toothpick, strong and stylish JP, and maybe-telepathic Caddie. The clues seem to point toward eccentric tech genius (and Mars's hero) Oliver Pruitt, whose popular podcast now seems to be commenting on their quest! But when the friends investigate Pruitt's mysterious, elite school, nothing is as it seems--and anyone could be deceiving them. Slick science, corporate conspiracies, and an endearingly nerdy protagonist make this a fresh, exciting sci-fi adventure.
A Thousand Questions by Saadia Faruqi Published on October 6, 2020 by Quill Tree Books
Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary
Pages: 320
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Set against the backdrop of Karachi, Pakistan, Saadia Faruqi’s tender and honest middle grade novel tells the story of two girls navigating a summer of change and family upheaval with kind hearts, big dreams, and all the right questions.
Mimi is not thrilled to be spending her summer in Karachi, Pakistan, with grandparents she’s never met. Secretly, she wishes to find her long-absent father, and plans to write to him in her beautiful new journal.
The cook’s daughter, Sakina, still hasn’t told her parents that she’ll be accepted to school only if she can improve her English test score—but then, how could her family possibly afford to lose the money she earns working with her Abba in a rich family’s kitchen?
Although the girls seem totally incompatible at first, as the summer goes on, Sakina and Mimi realize that they have plenty in common—and that they each need the other to get what they want most.
Summer and July by Paul Mosier Published on June 9, 2020 by HarperCollins
Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary
Pages: 320
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Twelve-year-old Juillet is preparing for the worst summer ever. She and her mom are staying in the seaside neighborhood of Ocean Park, California, for a month, where her mom will be working at the local hospital and Juillet will be on her own, like always.
Her dad is off in Europe with his new girlfriend, and her best friend, Fern . . . well, Juiller isn’t allowed to talk to Fern anymore. Fern took the blame for Juillet’s goth-girl clothes and “not-real” fears, like sharks and rip currents and the number three.
Then Juillet meets Summer, a local surfer girl who knows the coolest people and places around town. With free-spirited and adventurous Summer, Juillet begins to come out of her shell and face the things weighing her down. But when Summer reveals her own painful secret, it’s Juillet’s turn to be the strong and supportive friend.
Gimme Everything You Got by Iva-Marie Palmer Published on July 14, 2020 by HarperCollins
Genres: YA, Historical Fiction
Pages: 400
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Love. Lust. Soccer. Acclaimed author Iva-Marie Palmer returns with a fresh, funny, feminist coming-of-age comedy about learning to take your shot on the things that truly matter.
It's 1979--the age of roller skates and feathered bangs, Charlie's Angels and Saturday Night Fever--and Susan Klintock is a junior in high school with a lot of sexual fantasies . . . but not a lot of sexual experience. No boy--at least not any she knows--has been worth taking a shot on.
That is, until Bobby McMann arrives.
Bobby is foxy, he's charming . . . and he's also the coach of the brand-new girls' soccer team. Sure, he's totally, 100 percent, completely off limits. Sure, Susan doesn't stand a chance. But that doesn't mean she can't try out for the team to get closer to him, and Susan Klintock has always liked a challenge.
Between the endless drills and grueling practices, Susan discovers something else: She might actually love soccer. But being a part of the first girls' team at school means dealing with other challenges.
As friendships shifts, she finds her real passions might lie in places she didn't expect when the season began--and that discovering who she is will mean taking risks, both on and off the pitch.
The Fell of Dark by Caleb Roehrig Published on July 14, 2020 by Feiwel & Friends
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
Pages: 336
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The only thing August Pfeiffer hates more than algebra is living in a vampire town. Located at a nexus of mystical energy fields, Fulton Heights is practically an electromagnet for supernatural drama. And when a mysterious (and annoyingly hot) vampire boy arrives with a cryptic warning, Auggie suddenly finds himself at the center of it. An ancient and terrible power is returning to the earthly realm, and somehow Auggie seems to be the only one who can stop it.
What books have you recently added to your tbr? Let me know in the comments and have a splendiferous week!
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