Top Ten Tuesday | June 15, 2021

Happy Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday is a Bookish Meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, and this week’s theme is SUMMER 2021 #TBR!

Happy Tuesday! I love making #TBRs. And then I almost always immediately read something else and completely change them. Today’s #TBR was fun to make, and I’m excited to see how long I can stick to it before I change it up! I surprised myself by actually reading most of the books on my Spring #TBR this year! Out of 10 books, I read 7, which might actually be a record for me! Of the three that I didn’t get to in the spring, one makes its way onto today’s list and it’s my next book so I’ll definitely read it this time!

And now without any further ado, here’s this week’s Top Ten Tuesday!

(I absolutely cannot figure out why it thinks this book belongs to the Camelot Rising series. It does not.)

Kind of Sort of Fine by Spencer Hall
Published on June 22, 2021 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Genres: Contemporary, Queer, Romance, YA
Pages: 288
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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?

What We Devour by Linsey Miller
Published on July 6, 2021 by Sourcebooks Fire
Genres: Fantasy, Queer, Aspec, YA
Pages: 336
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Lorena Adler has a secret—she holds the power of the banished gods, the Noble and the Vile, inside her. She has spent her entire life hiding from the world and her past. She’s content to spend her days as an undertaker in a small town, marry her best friend, Julian, and live an unfulfilling life so long as no one uncovers her true nature.
But when the notoriously bloodthirsty and equally Vile crown prince comes to arrest Julian’s father, he immediately recognizes Lorena for what she is. So she makes a deal—a fair trial for her betrothed’s father in exchange for her service to the crown.
The prince is desperate for her help. He’s spent years trying to repair the weakening Door that holds back the Vile…and he’s losing the battle. As Lorena learns more about the Door and the horrifying price it takes to keep it closed, she’ll have to embrace both parts of herself to survive.

Speak for Yourself by Lana Wood Johnson
Published on June 1, 2021 by Scholastic Press
Genres: Contemporary, Neurodivergent, Queer, Aspec, Retellings, YA
Pages: 352
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Girl meets boy. Girl likes boy. Girl gets friend to help win boy. Friend ends up with crush on boy...
Skylar's got ambitious #goals. And if she wants them to come true, she has to get to work now. (At least she thinks so...) Step one in her epic plan is showing everyone that her latest app is brilliant. To do that, she's going to use it win State at the Scholastic Exposition, the nerdiest academic competition around.
First, she'll need a team, and Skylar's not always so good with people. But she'll do whatever it takes to put one together ... even if it means playing Cupid for her teammates Joey and Zane, at Joey's request. When things get off to an awkward start for them, Skylar finds herself stepping in to help Joey. Anything to keep her on the team. Only, Skylar seems to be making everything more complicated. Especially when she realizes she might be falling for Zane, which was not a #goal. Can Skylar figure out her feelings, prove her app's potential to the world, and win State without losing her friends--or is her path to greatness over before it begins?

The One True Me and You by Remi K. England
Published on March 1, 2022 by Wednesday Books
Genres: Contemporary, Queer, Romance, YA
Pages: 304
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One small fandom convention. One teen beauty pageant. One meet cute waiting to happen.
Up and coming fanfic author Kaylee Beaumont is internally screaming at the chance to finally meet her fandom friends in real life and spend a weekend at GreatCon. She also has a side quest for the weekend:
• Try out they/them pronouns to see how it feels
• Wear more masculine-presenting cosplay
• Kiss a girl for the first time
It’s… a lot, and Kay mostly wants to lie face down on the hotel floor. Especially when her hometown bully, Miss North Carolina, shows up in the very same hotel. But there’s this con-sponsored publishing contest, and the chance to meet her fandom idols… and then, there’s Teagan.
Pageant queen Teagan Miller (Miss Virginia) has her eye on the much-needed prize: the $25,000 scholarship awarded to the winner of the Miss Cosmic Teen USA pageant. She also has secrets:
• She loves the dresses but hates the tiaras
• She’s a giant nerd for everything GreatCon
• She’s gay af
If Teagan can just keep herself wrapped up tight for one more weekend, she can claim the scholarship and go off to college out and proud. If she’s caught, she could lose everything she’s worked for. If her rival, Miss North Carolina, has anything to do with it, that’s exactly how it’ll go down.
When Teagan and Kay bump into one another the first night, sparks fly. Their connection is intense—as is their shared enemy. If they’re spotted, the safe space of the con will be shattered, and all their secrets will follow them home. The risks are great… but could the reward of embracing their true selves be worth it?

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
Series: Camelot Rising #1
Also in this series: The Guinevere Deception, The Camelot Betrayal
Published on November 5, 2019 by Delacorte Press
Genres: Alternate History, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology, Queer, Retellings, Romance, YA
Pages: 342
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There is nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.
Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom's borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution -- send in Guinevere to be Arthur's wife... and his protector from those who want to see the young king's idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere's real name -- and her true identity -- is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.
To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old -- including Arthur's own family -- demand things continue as they have been, and the new -- those drawn by the dream of Camelot -- fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur's knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.
Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?

The Camelot Betrayal by Kiersten White
Series: Camelot Rising #2
Also in this series: The Guinevere Deception, The Camelot Betrayal
Published on November 10, 2020 by Delacorte Press
Genres: Alternate History, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology, Queer, Retellings, Romance, YA
Pages: 400
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Everything is as it should be in Camelot. King Arthur is expanding his kingdom’s influence with Queen Guinevere at his side. Yet every night, dreams of darkness and unknowable power plague her.
Guinevere might have accepted her role, but she still cannot find a place for herself in all of it. The closer she gets to Brangien, pining for her lost love Isolde, Lancelot, fighting to prove her worth as Queen’s knight, and Arthur, everything to everyone and thus never quite enough for Guinevere–the more she realizes how empty she is. She has no sense of who she truly was before she was Guinevere. The more she tries to claim herself as queen, the more she wonders if Mordred was right: she doesn’t belong. She never will.
When a rescue goes awry and results in the death of something precious, a devastated Guinevere returns to Camelot to find the greatest threat yet has arrived. Not in the form of the Dark Queen or an invading army, but in the form of the real Guinevere’s younger sister. Is her deception at an end? And who is she really deceiving–Camelot, or herself?

The Excalibur Curse by Kiersten White
Series: Camelot Rising #3
Also in this series: The Guinevere Deception, The Camelot Betrayal
Published on December 7, 2021 by Delacorte Press
Genres: Alternate History, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology, Queer, Retellings, Romance, YA
Pages: 368
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While journeying north toward View Spoiler »the Dark Queen, Guinevere falls into the hands of her enemies. Behind her are Lancelot, trapped on the other side of the magical barrier they created to protect Camelot, and Arthur, who has been led away from his kingdom, chasing after false promises. But the greatest danger isn’t what lies ahead of Guinevere—it’s what’s been buried inside her.
Vowing to unravel the truth of her past with or without Merlin’s help, Guinevere joins forces with the sorceress Morgana and her son, Mordred—and faces the confusing, forbidden feelings she still harbors for him. « Hide Spoiler When Guinevere makes an agonizing discovery about who she is and how she came to be, she finds herself with an impossible choice: fix a terrible crime, or help prevent war.
Guinevere is determined to set things right, whatever the cost. To defeat a rising evil. To remake a kingdom. To undo the mistakes of the past...even if it means destroying herself.
Guinevere has been a changeling, a witch, a queen—but what does it mean to be just a girl?

The Marvelous by Claire Kann
Published on June 8, 2021 by Swoon Reads
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery, Queer, Aspec, Thriller, YA
Pages: 336
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Everybody knows Jewel Van Hanen.
When Jewel inherits a not-so-small fortune, she decides to throw a party to celebrate at her new estate. Except she isn't hosting an ordinary high school party: she's hosting a bash with an exclusive guest list of her most loyal "friends" and a life-changing cash prize awarded at midnight.
Once the party begins, her friends embark on an unforgettable game solving cryptic clues, confessing their darkest secrets, and conquering fear-based dares. But as the game grows tougher and intensely more personal, they all begin to wonder: Who exactly is Jewel Van Hanen and why would she put them through this?

Girls Save the World in This One by Ash Parsons
Published on May 25, 2021 by Philomel Books
Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy, Paranormal, Queer, Science Fiction, YA
Pages: 448
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Mega-fan June Blue's whole life has been leading up to this moment: ZombieCon! The Ultimate in Undead Entertainment has finally come to her hometown. She and her two best friends--gorgeous, brilliant Imani and super-sweet, outrageously silly Siggy--plan on hitting all the panels and photo ops, and meeting the heartthrob lead of their favorite zombie apocalypse show, Human Wasteland. It's going to be the best time of their lives--and one of their last adventures before they all split up for college.
And when they arrive, everything seems perfect. June's definitely not going to let anything get in the way of the flawless con experience--even though she's endlessly anxious about the SATs and college admissions, and she can't seem to avoid her ex-best friend Blair, whose VIP badge lets her walk straight to the front of every single line. No matter what, June is determined to make the best of her dream day at ZombieCon!
But something's not quite right at the con--there are strange people in hazmat suits running around, enthusiastic cosplayers taking their shambling a little too far, and someone actually biting a cast member. Then, at a panel gone wrong, June and her friends discover the truth: the zombie apocalypse is here.
Now June, Imani, and Siggy must do whatever it takes to survive a horde of actual flesh-eating zombies--and save the world. A hilarious and heartfelt horror comedy, that is an ode to zombies, friendship, and girl power.

Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach
Published on September 14, 2021 by Katherine Tegen Books
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, YA
Pages: 384
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Eliza Quan is the perfect candidate for editor in chief of her school paper. That is, until ex-jock Len DiMartile decides on a whim to run against her. Suddenly her vast qualifications mean squat because inexperienced Len—who is tall, handsome, and male—just seems more like a leader.
When Eliza’s frustration spills out in a viral essay, she finds herself inspiring a feminist movement she never meant to start, caught between those who believe she’s a gender equality champion and others who think she’s simply crying misogyny.
Amid this growing tension, the school asks Eliza and Len to work side by side to demonstrate civility. But as they get to know one another, Eliza feels increasingly trapped by a horrifying realization—she just might be falling for the face of the patriarchy himself.

What books are on your Summer #TBR? Let me know in the comments below and have a splendiferous week!