April Book Haul
Hello and welcome to my April Book Haul! Another month of 2020 has passed and I *may* have got some more books for my TBR pile! Hooray!
Review Copies
I was lucky enough to receive a lot of really exciting review copies from publishers this month! Firstly I was lucky enough to get a proof copy of Don’t Breathe A Word by Jordyn Taylor from Harper360, one of my favourite YA publishers! This is a thrilling mystery novel set in a boarding school, which I just know I am going to love! I love boarding school settings so much. Next up is Harklights by Tim Tilley, this is Waterstones Children’s Book of the month for May, and I picked up a copy when they arrived in the staffroom! I love the look of this fairytale novel, following Wick, who is trying to escape his oppressive orphanage home and live in the forest. This is going to be perfect escapist reading. I also received a copy of Hexed by Julia Tuffs from Hachette Children’s Books. This is described as Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Sex Education, honestly what more could I want in my YA novel?
Black Water Sister by Zen Cho came courtesy of the lovely people at Pan Macmillan. This is a story of ghosts and gods set in Malaysia, and I am so excited for it! I’ve never read any of Zen Cho’s work, but I have heard only good things! The next book is The Accidental Diary of B.U.G by Jen Carney. This is a book for younger readers, following Billie, and her adventures in school! It has really fun illustrations throughout, and I think it will be a new favourite for me. David Almond’s newest release Bone Music came courtesy of Hachette Children’s Books, and this is an intriguing teen novel based in the countryside of the North of England. Packed full of spell-binding narrative, and an awesome main character, I am really excited for this novel!
My April Book Haul was definitely a month of exciting children’s book post! I also received a copy of the new Maz Evans, The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife. This looks like a really funny book for younger readers, and I think I’m going to love it! Another hilarious book I received this month was The Unbelievable Biscuit Factory by James Harris. I watched an interview with the author and he was very funny, so I have no doubts that this book will be hilarious too! A book about biscuits is always a winner with me! Next up is a complete change of pace. Triflers Need Not Apply came courtesy of the wonderful people at Penguin, and I am so intrigued by this novel! A reimagining of the first female serial killer, I think this one will be a hit with me!
Next up are three completely different books! This first book was a complete surprise, I was shocked to get a proof copy of Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff in the post in April, I did not expect it at all! I have been paying close attention to Kristoff and how he has responded to the antisemitism and racism in his previous books, and honestly I’m not impressed. I’m planning to make a decision about whether I read this book later in the year, but I did want to thank the publisher for sending it. How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie is one of my most anticipated reads of 2021, I cannot wait to read it. I love Bella’s writing and I just know this is going to be hilarious and entertaining. The Ratline by Philippe Sands is a book I have had on my Wishlist since it was published, and when copies came into the staffroom I jumped on them. This is Waterstones Non-Fiction book of the month for May, and I am so interested in it, I am going to start it soon.
The last three books I received in April are all YA. First we have Blackout. This is a collection of stories focusing on love stories between Black teenagers across New York. I am so excited for this, it looks so good! Next up is one of my most anticipated reads of 2021, Monstrous Design by Kat Dunn is the sequel to Dangerous Remedy. This is a YA fantasy set in Revolutionary Paris. I love the magic and adventure of this series, and the queer representation is perfect! The last novel I received from publishers in April was Where the Rhythm Takes You by Sarah Dass. Inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion, this is a romantic novel set in Tobago. I cannot wait to read this escapist YA novel!
Purchased / Gifts
I tried very hard not to gain too many books in April, I wanted a small April Book Haul, but as you can see that did not go all that well. The TBR is groaning at the moment its so large. I pre-ordered a copy of Witches Steeped In Gold and I am very excited for it. I had hoped to pick it up in April but I ran out of time! The cover of this YA fantasy is stunning. It was my birthday in April, and I received a book from a work buddy. The Price Guide to The Occult by Leslye Walton is not a book I’m familiar with, but judging by the cover alone it looks right up my street!
Final books! Phew, this post is a long one! I pre-ordered both these books for myself, I love the excitement of a pre-order, its like a gift to me from me! Last Night at the Telegraph Club is a super queer novel about two Chinese-American girls in 1950s America who are falling in love. I cannot wait to read this, I just know its going to be incredible! The final book on this haul is The Block by Ben Oliver. This is the super exciting sequel to The Loop. An amazing dystopian YA novel which I read and enjoyed a few months ago.
There we go! This is my April Book Haul, all the physical books I hauled last month! Have you read any?
How was your April reading? What did you haul?
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