Hey pals,
I have gathered quite the stack of new books recently, I bought a few books when I was away on my holiday, picked up a random on in a local charity shop, one was a giveaway win, and then the rest were birthday presents! I’m making some changes to the content I make and where it goes. My views on my channel for the majority of my bookish content has been severely low. The odd one will accumulate decent views or even amazing views like over 1k. but they tend to be reading vlogs which I just don’t really have the energy to do for EVERY single book I read. So whilst I will do them occasionally, I will mainly post about books on here and my IG and also all top secret stuff (maybe videos I never finished on books) are available to see on my kofi tier 2 membership of £1.50 a month, so if you enjoy hearing what I think about books semi-regularly, then I highly recommend becoming a member! So this will be my first Bookish blog post in a while solo and not a review post, I just want to acknowledge all these amazing books I’ve received and give you all links to purchase them yourself if they sound good to you. Now on with the 31 books I’ve added to my shelves!
this post includes affiliate links with Bookshop. if you use my links to purchase any of the below listed books, you will be supporting me and indie bookshops with your purchase!
After Love by Tanya Byrne
“THE LESBIAN LOVE STORY YOU’VE BEEN DYING TO READ. Ash Persaud is about to become a reaper in the afterlife, but she is determined to see her first love Poppy Morgan again, the only thing that separates them is death. Car headlights. The last thing Ash hears is the snap of breaking glass as the windscreen hits her and breaks into a million pieces like stars. But she made it, she’s still here. Or is she? This New Year’s Eve, Ash is gets an RSVP from the afterlife she can’t decline: to join a clan of fierce girl reapers who take the souls of the city’s dead to await their fate. But Ash can’t forget her first love, Poppy, and she will do anything to see her again… even if it means they only get a few more days together. Dead or alive… NOT EVEN DEATH CAN TEAR THEM APART.” GR. Buy here to support me.
How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi
“Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew coming out to his Muslim family would be messy–he just didn’t think it would end in an airport interrogation room. But when faced with a failed relationship, bullies, and blackmail, running away to Rome is his only option. Right? Soon, late nights with new friends and dates in the Sistine Chapel start to feel like second nature… until his old life comes knocking on his door. Now, Amir has to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth to a U.S. Customs officer, or risk losing his hard-won freedom. At turns uplifting and devastating, How It All Blew Up is Arvin Ahmadi’s most powerful novel yet, a celebration of how life’s most painful moments can live alongside the riotous, life-changing joys of discovering who you are.” GR. Buy here to support me.
The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Mentioned in my Mental Health book recs post. Buy here to support me.
Ace Of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
“An incendiary and utterly compelling thriller with a shocking twist that delves deep into the heart of institutionalized racism, from an exceptional new YA voice. Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now. Because anonymous texter, Aces, is bringing two students’ dark secrets to light. Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals, but he can’t escape the spotlight when his private photos go public. Head girl Chiamaka isn’t afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power. Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they’re planning much more than a high-school game…” GR. I mentioned Ace of Spades in these videos, A Little Spooky A Little Gay Reading and Books By Black Authors. Buy here to support me.
Running Upon The Wires by Kate Tempest
This is one I picked up totally randomly in a charity shop when I was returning some suit trousers that didn’t fit. I’m glad I picked it up as it turned out to be a very queer poetry chapbook, and has been helpful for me to see for my own chapbook WIP. “Calling in its title upon the classical poet’s harp, the technological wires of communication, and the neural wires of feeling, Tempest’s electrifying new verse weaves interpersonal struggle into a cathartic and memorable work of art about joy and despair, confusion and clarity, self-destruction and revival. Explosively lyrical and pulsing with feeling, Running Upon the Wires is frayed yet powerful in its pain, determined to speak and find love in a human community of terrifying beauty.” GR. Buy here to support me.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
This book and the following two were charity shop purchases when I was away on holiday in Bournemouth and Bristol. I am a regular charity shop and general second hand book buyer. “Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.” GR. Buy here to support me.
Check out my YouTube Bookish Playlist to catch up!
Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes
Book one mentioned in my last Book Haul post. “Joe came to Los Angeles to start over, to forget about what happened in New York. But in a darkened room in Soho House everything suddenly changed. She is like no one he’s ever met before. She doesn’t know about his past and never can. The problem is, hidden bodies don’t always stay that way.” GR. Buy here to support me.
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
“A boy comes to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teen – then at university he finds his wings as a drag artist, The Black Flamingo. A bold story about the power of embracing your uniqueness. Sometimes, we need to take charge, to stand up wearing pink feathers – to show ourselves to the world in bold colour.” GR. Buy here to support me.
Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz
This was mentioned by one of my collaborators on the Disabled, Neurodivergent and Chronically ill writers blog post. “Isabel has one rule: no dating. It’s easier– It’s safer– It’s better–for the other person. She’s got issues. She’s got secrets. She’s got rheumatoid arthritis. But then she meets another sick kid. He’s got a chronic illness Isabel’s never heard of, something she can’t even pronounce. He understands what it means to be sick. He understands her more than her healthy friends. He understands her more than her own father who’s a doctor. He’s gorgeous, fun, and foul-mouthed. And totally into her. Isabel has one rule: no dating. It’s complicated– It’s dangerous– It’s never felt better–to consider breaking that rule for him.” GR. Buy here to support me.
Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee
“Noah Ramirez thinks he’s an expert on romance. He has to be for his popular blog, the Meet Cute Diary, a collection of trans happily ever afters. There’s just one problem—all the stories are fake. What started as the fantasies of a trans boy afraid to step out of the closet has grown into a beacon of hope for trans readers across the globe. When a troll exposes the blog as fiction, Noah’s world unravels. The only way to save the Diary is to convince everyone that the stories are true, but he doesn’t have any proof. Then Drew walks into Noah’s life, and the pieces fall into place: Drew is willing to fake-date Noah to save the Diary. But when Noah’s feelings grow beyond their staged romance, he realizes that dating in real life isn’t quite the same as finding love on the page. In this charming novel by Emery Lee, Noah will have to choose between following his own rules for love or discovering that the most romantic endings are the ones that go off script.” GR. Buy here to support me.
May the Best Man Win by Z. R. Ellor
This was a birthday present from my friend Anniek, they bought me Even If We Break for Christmas last year and I loved it. We generally have very similar book tastes, and even though I hadn’t heard of this book when they suggested they buy this for my birthday, I gave it a quick search to read the synopsis and am very ready and excited to read it! “Jeremy Harkiss, cheer captain and student body president, won’t let coming out as a transgender boy ruin his senior year. Instead of bowing to the bigots and an outdated school administration, Jeremy decides to make some noise—and how better than by challenging his all-star ex-boyfriend Lukas for the title of Homecoming King? Lukas Rivers, football star and head of the Homecoming Committee, is just trying to find order in his life after his older brother’s funeral and the loss of his long-term girlfriend—who turned out to be a boy. But when Jeremy threatens to break his heart and steal his crown, Lukas kickstarts a plot to sabotage Jeremy’s campaign. When both boys take their rivalry too far, the dance is on the verge of being canceled. To save Homecoming, they’ll have to face the hurt they’re both hiding—and the lingering butterflies they can’t deny.” GR.
Love Is For Losers by Wibke Bruggemann
“In this wry and hilarious queer romantic comedy, fifteen-year-old Phoebe realizes that falling in love is maybe not just for losers Did you know you can marry yourself? How strange / brilliant is that Fifteen-year-old Phoebe thinks falling in love is vile and degrading, and vows never to do it. Then, due to circumstances not entirely in her control, she finds herself volunteering at a local thrift shop. There she meets Emma . . . who might unwittingly upend her whole theory on life This is a laugh-out-loud exploration of sexuality, family, female friendship, grief, and community. With the heart and hilarity of Netflix’s critically-acclaimed Sex Education, Wibke Brueggemann’s sex positive debut is required reading for Generation Z teens. Think of this as Bridget Jones’ Diary, if it were written by Bridget’s daughter.” GR. Buy here to support me.
Check out my IG where I will still be posting short book reviews.
I Am Out With Lanterns by Emily Gate
Listed on my Sapphic books I want to read list! This one is super vague ir I just can never remember what it is supposed to be about. I have expectations of it being spooky and tense. “One of us is in the dark. One of us is a bully. One of us wants to be understood. One of us loves a girl who loves another. One of us remembers the past as if it just happened. One of us believes they’ve drawn the future. But we’re all on the same map, looking for the same thing. Year Ten begins with a jolt for best friends and neighbours Wren and Milo. Along with Hari, Juliet, Ben and Adie, they tell a story of friendship, family, wild crushes, bitter feuds, and the power of a portrait. As their lives intertwine, images could bring them together, and tear them apart.” GR. Buy here to support me.
Harley Quinn: Eat Bang Kill Tour #1 #2 #3 BY Tee Franklin
Comic 1 I mentioned in these videos, A Little Spooky A Little Gay Reading and Books By Black Authors. Also mentioned on Disabled Writers Book Recs post. This has been a really fun first dip into the comic book world. I have never read any comic books and I’m gad this series is my first. It has a very ME flavour. “Harley and Ivy on the road trip of the century! Following the wedding disaster of the decade, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy end up on the run from Commissioner Gordon and the GCPD! But as fun as all that sounds, Ivy still worries over leaving Kite Man at the altar…Luckily, Harley’s got the perfect scheme to shake her out of her wedding-day blues!” GR.
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
I have already read this one, wasn’t a fan. Didn’t like the art style at all. “Terror is born anew in this dark reimagining of Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s origin. On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, the young sorceress finds herself at a crossroads, having to choose between an unearthly destiny and her mortal boyfriend, Harvey. But a foe from her family’s past has arrived in Greendale, Madame Satan, and she has her own deadly agenda. Archie Comic’s latest horror sensation starts here! For TEEN+ readers.” GR. Buy here to support me.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
“Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases—a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old. It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice—with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan—from foreplay to more-than-missionary position… Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he’s making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic… ” GR. Buy here to support me.
Diary of a Confused Feminist by Kate Weston
“Kat wants to do GOOD FEMINISM, although she’s not always sure what that means. She also wants to be a writer, get together with Hot Josh (is this a feminist ambition?), win at her coursework and not make a TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT of herself at all times. But the path to true feminism is filled with mortifying incidents and when everything at school starts to get a bit too much, Kat knows she’s lost her way, and the only way forward is to ask for help . . .” GR. Buy here to support me.
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
“Luc O’Donnell is tangentially–and reluctantly–famous. His rock star parents split when he was young, and the father he’s never met spent the next twenty years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad’s making a comeback, Luc’s back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything. To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice, normal relationship…and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He’s a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and he’s never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. In other words: perfect boyfriend material. Unfortunately apart from being gay, single, and really, really in need of a date for a big event, Luc and Oliver have nothing in common. So they strike a deal to be publicity-friendly (fake) boyfriends until the dust has settled. Then they can go their separate ways and pretend it never happened. But the thing about fake-dating is that it can feel a lot like real-dating. And that’s when you get used to someone. Start falling for them. Don’t ever want to let them go.” GR. Buy here to support me.
You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero
“In this refreshingly entertaining how-to guide, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author and world-traveling success coach, Jen Sincero, serves up 27 bite-sized chapters full of hilariously inspiring stories, sage advice, easy exercises, and the occasional swear word. If you’re ready to make some serious changes around here, You Are a Badass will help you: Identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want, blast past your fears so you can take big exciting risks, figure out how to make some damn money already, learn to love yourself and others, set big goals and reach them – it will basically show you how to create a life you totally love, and how to create it now.” GR. Buy here to support me.
Gossip Girl books 8-11 + prequel
I read the first half of the series last year, so I’m glad I’m reading the rest soon! With many a giftcard to use, I had no choice. I did a reading vlog of the first half of the series if you want to see it, and I do want to film a second half for the channel. “Welcome to New York City’s Upper East Side, where my friends and I live, go to school, play, and sleep—sometimes with each other. S is back from boarding school, and if we aren’t careful, she’s going to win over our teachers, wear that dress we couldn’t fit into, steal our boyfriends’ hearts, and basically ruin our lives in a major way. I’ll be watching closely . . . You know you love me, gossip girl” GR. Buy here and support me too.
Mary-Kate and Ashley: Two Of A Kind books 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
“Ashley can’t wait to go back to school. The new school year means shopping for new clothes, meeting boys…shopping for more new clothes! Her twin sister, Mary-Kate, thinks she’s crazy. Mary-Kate would much rather hit a softball than hit the mega-mall. But they do agree on one thing: They’re way too old for a baby-sitter! Too bad their dad doesn’t see it the same way. Now the twins need a plan–a plan to show Dad just how right they are!” GR.
A big thank you for my friends Anniek, Zoe and Molly who bought a bunch of these books for me. As well as my Kofi member Ross who was so so kind and absolutely spoiled me for my birthday with books as well as other fun things. And thank you to the family members who gifted me gift cards to spend on even more books!
If you do want to watch any of my booktube videos, the full playlist can be found here. I will keep adding to it if I post any further ones, and still respond to comments so feel free to! My main focus there will now be Disability content (including Chronic Illness and Neurodivergence) and Media analysis like my Dawson’s Creek series or my MAFSUK video. If you enjoy content like that, then definitely subscribe! I really appreciate everyone hanging in there whilst I took a break with my blog to figure some things out. I do also plan to move some current blogs and make new content on Medium only in the future (that is the current plan anyway) and be a bit more article/personal essay based. So if you use Medium, follow me there too! I’ve been updating some of my site pages recently so if you’d like to remind yourself of who I am, what I do, etc. You can view my Contact Page and my Portfolio Page, as well as my Support The Creator Page.
See you next time !
~ Artie
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