Out in May…

30Apr
by Sarah - SWB

Today I’m sharing some of the books due to be released into the wild during May. Not going to lie, this is a longer post that I was expect because apparently May is going to be an epic month for books! I’m apologising in advance to my bank balance!

Clicking the title will take you to the Goodreads page. Clicking on the retailers name will take you to the book on their site, these are not affiliate links just me enabling you all to buy more books!

Middle Grade

For May I’m featuring a mystery, a non-fiction and a fantasy book. Elly Griffiths is well known in the adult crime and mystery world as the author behind the Ruth Galloway and Stephens & Mephisto Mystery series. I have an e-ARC of A Girl Called Justice and I’m looking forward to seeing how she manages the transition to Middle Grade fiction. I spoke about The Stonewall Riots in a recent Six for Sunday post it’s an important topic I’d like to learn more about and I think this will be a great introduction. Finally a book I only heard about very recently And Then I Turned Into A Mermaid, Egmont have confirmed that Laura Kirkpatrick is the MG pen name for Laura Steven; famous for her Izzy O’Neill books, so I’m looking forward to seeing how she writes MG, a second book in the series has already been confirmed for 2020.

A Girl Called Justice – Elly Griffiths

Release Date: 2nd May 2019

lMissing maids, suspicious teachers and a snow storm to die for… For a fearless girl called Justice Jones, super-smart super-sleuth, it’s just the start of a spine-tingling first term at Highbury House Boarding School for the Daughters of Gentlefolk. For fans of Robin Stevens, Katherine Woodfine and Enid Blyton.

When Justice’s mother dies, her father packs her off to Highbury House Boarding School for the Daughters of Gentlefolk. He’s a barrister – specialising in murder trials – and he’s just too busy to look after her alone.

Having previously been home-schooled, the transition is a shock. Can it really be the case that blondes rule the corridors? Are all uniforms such a charming shade of brown? And do schools normally hide dangerous secrets about the murder of a chamber maid?

Justice takes it upon herself to uncover the truth. (Mainly about the murder, but perhaps she can figure out her new nemesis – the angelic Rose – at the same time.) But when a storm cuts the school off from the real world, the body count starts to rise and Justice realises she’ll need help from her new friends if she’s going to find the killer before it’s too late …

Pre-Order

Amazon UK // Amazon US // Waterstones // Book Depository

The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out In The Streets – Gayle E. Pitman

Release Date: 14th May 2019

rThis book is about the Stonewall Riots, a series of spontaneous, often violent demonstrations by members of the gay (LGBTQ+) community in reaction to a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The Riots are attributed as the spark that ignited the LGBTQ+ movement. The author describes American gay history leading up to the Riots, the Riots themselves, and the aftermath, and includes her interviews of people involved or witnesses, including a woman who was ten at the time. Profusely illustrated, the book includes contemporary photos, newspaper clippings, and other period objects. A timely and necessary read, The Stonewall Riots helps readers to understand the history and legacy of the LGBTQ+ movement.

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Amazon UK // Amazon US // Waterstones // Book Depository

And Then I Turned Into A Mermaid – Laura Kirkpatrick

Release Date: 30th May 2019

Molly Seabrook’s dull seaside life is turned upside down when she turns 13 and is let in on the family secret: she’s PART-MERMAID! While this does explain why her bonkers Mum is always skinny-dipping, Molly isn’t exactly thrilled. She already has to dress as a haddock to promote the family fish ’n’ chip shop, and now this? Growing up is hard enough without sprouting a fish tail in Double Maths, or disguising your gills from the cute boy at the ice cream kiosk.

Join Molly as she navigates the stormy sea of social awkwardness, best friend fallouts and the World’s Most Embarrassing Family – all while attempting to hide her (Very Weird) new double identity. Will she sink or swim? You’ll have to wait and SEA . . .

The first in a hilarious new series about family, friendship and one BIG fishy secret.

Pre-Order

Amazon UK // Amazon US // Waterstones // Book Depository

Also publishing in May…

  • Spies in St. Petersburg by Katherine Woodfine – Published: 2nd May 2019
  • The Fearless Five by Bannie McPartlin – Published: 2nd May 2019
  • Up For Air by Laurie Morrison – Published: 7th May 2019
  • Solving for M by Jennifer Swender – Published: 28th May 2019
  • Rumblestar by Abi Elphinstone – Published: 30th May 2019
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Young Adult

With 24 YA books on my radar for May picking out just three to feature was difficult! The Gifted, The Talented and Me sounds brilliant, William Sutcliffe isn’t an author I am familiar with but I love a bit of satire so I’m hopeful! Can Everyone Please Calm Down? also sounds like a really interesting read, I’ve listened to Mae Martin’s GrownUpLand podcast and really enjoyed it so I have high hopes for this book. Finally Going Off Script, again Jen Wilde isn’t an author I’m familiar with but the blurb sounds really interesting so I’m hoping I can pick it up, although I think it might end up being an Amazon purchase as it’s not currently showing on Waterstones’s website.

There are some fabulous books in my also publishing list so be sure to click on the title to find out some more about them!

The Gifted, The Talented and Me – William Sutcliffe

Release Date: 2nd May 2019

bLaugh-out-loud funny and instantly recognisable – not since The Inbetweeners has a coming of age story been so irreverent and relatable.

Fifteen-year-old Sam isn’t special. He’s not a famous vlogger, he’s never gone viral, and he doesn’t want to be the Next Big Thing. What he likes most is chatting to his friends and having a bit of a kick about.

None of which was a problem until Dad got rich and Mum made the whole family move to London. Now Sam is being made to go to the North London Academy for the Gifted and Talented, where every student is too busy planning Hollywood domination or starting alt-metal psychedelica crossover bands or making clothes out of bathmats to give someone as normal as him the time of day. Can Sam navigate his way through the weirdness and find a way to be himself?

A brilliant modern satire about fitting in, falling out and staying true to your own averageness.

Pre-Order

Amazon UK // Amazon US // Waterstones // Book Depository

Can Everyone Please Calm Down? – Mae Martin

Release Date: 16th May 2019

Hello, I’m Mae Martin, a Canadian comedian with an encyclopaedic knowledge of Harry Potter trivia. Aside from this, though, if there’s one area that I’m 100% anecdotally and personally qualified to tackle, it’s sexuality. If there is a ‘sexuality spectrum’, then I’ve probably existed at every point on it at some stage in my life. This book is my attempt to demystify sexuality by narrating my own, often humiliating adventures in sex, dating, gender identity, etc. and to get everyone to Just. Calm. Down.

We’ll talk about the pros and cons of labels, and why history contains no stories of gay people living long, happy, successful lives. Also included: sexual fluidity, gay genes, Lady Gaga and bisexual monkeys.

My dream is that we get to a point where we don’t even need to discuss sexuality at all. Where it’s a total non-issue, and everyone’s falling in love with everyone all over the place. Seeing as we’re not there yet, however, I think it is incredibly important to talk about it. Openly, and without embarrassment. I hope this book is a step in that direction. ENJOY.

Pre-Order

Amazon UK // Amazon US // Waterstones // Book Depository

Going Off Script – Jen Wilde

Release Date: 21st May 2019

bA TV writer’s room intern must join forces with her crush to keep her boss from ruining a lesbian character in this diverse contemporary YA romance from the author of Queens of Geek.

Seventeen-year-old Bex is thrilled when she gets an internship on her favorite tv show, Silver Falls. Unfortunately, the internship isn’t quite what she expected… instead of sitting in a crowded writer’s room volleying ideas back and forth, Production Interns are stuck picking up the coffee.

Determined to prove her worth as a writer, Bex drafts her own script and shares it with the head writer―who promptly reworks it and passes it off as his own! Bex is understandably furious, yet…maybe this is just how the industry works? But when they rewrite her proudly lesbian character as straight, that’s the last straw! It’s time for Bex and her crush to fight back.

Jen Wilde’s newest novel is both a fun, diverse love story and a very relevant, modern take on the portrayal of LGBT characters in media.

Pre-Order

Amazon UK // Amazon US

Also publishing in May

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Adult

The Farm is a book I featured in my 2019 debuts post at the beginning of the year. I get a hint of The Handmaid’s Tale vibes from this so I’m intrigued and looking forward to getting my hands on it. As you probably know I love a good mystery so Your Deepest Fear appealed to me when I spotted it in Bonnier Zaffre’s catalogue at the beginning of the year. The final book I’m featuring is Bold Lies by Rachel Lynch, I ADORE the DI Kelly Porter series and having read the blurb I’m really excited that we might be getting some back story, I’ve been wondering what drove her back to the Lake District ever since I read the first book!

The Farm – Joanne Ramos

Release Date: 7th May 2019

Nestled in the Hudson Valley is a sumptuous retreat boasting every amenity: organic meals, private fitness trainers, daily massages—and all of it for free. In fact, you get paid big money—more than you’ve ever dreamed of—to spend a few seasons in this luxurious locale. The catch? For nine months, you belong to the Farm. You cannot leave the grounds; your every move is monitored. Your former life will seem a world away as you dedicate yourself to the all-consuming task of producing the perfect baby for your überwealthy clients.

Jane, an immigrant from the Philippines and a struggling single mother, is thrilled to make it through the highly competitive Host selection process at the Farm. But now pregnant, fragile, consumed with worry for her own young daughter’s well-being, Jane grows desperate to reconnect with her life outside. Yet she cannot leave the Farm or she will lose the life-changing fee she’ll receive on delivery—or worse.

Heartbreaking, suspenseful, provocative, The Farm pushes our thinking on motherhood, money, and merit to the extremes, and raises crucial questions about the trade-offs women will make to fortify their futures and the futures of those they love.

Pre-Order

Amazon UK // Amazon US // Waterstones // Book Depository

Your Deepest Fear – David Jackson

Release Date: 16th May 2019

‘Sara! Remember! Victoria and Albert. All I can say. They’re here. They’re-‘

These are the last words Sara Prior will ever hear from her husband. 

As DS Nathan Cody struggles to make sense of the enigmatic message and solve the brutal murder, it soon becomes clear that Sara is no ordinary bereaved wife. Taking the investigation into her own hands, Sara is drawn into a world of violence that will lead her in a direction she would never have suspected. 

For Cody, meanwhile, things are about to get personal in the darkest and most twisted ways imaginable . . .

Pre-Order

Amazon UK // Amazon US // Waterstones // Book Depository

Bold Lies – Rachel Lynch

Release Date: 27th May 2019

An investigation leads Kelly back to her former command… and the ex who betrayed her

A brutal murder in the Lake District.

A double assassination in a secret lab in London’s west end.

Seemingly unconnected, unexpected links between the gruesome crimes emerge and it’s up to DI Kelly Porter to follow the trail – all the way to the capital.

Back amongst old colleagues and forced to work alongside her calculating ex, DCI Matt Carter, Kelly must untangle a web of deceit that stretches into the highest echelons of power. A place where secrets and lies are currency and no obstacle is insurmountable.

Pre-Order

Amazon UK // Amazon US

Also publishing in May

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I’d love to know if any of these have piqued your interest! Are there any other books I should be looking out for this coming month? Let me know in the comments!

4 thoughts on “Out in May…”

  2. Pingback: The Sunday Post – 6th May 2019 – Sarah Withers Blogs

  3. Pingback: Added To My TBR In April – Sarah Withers Blogs

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