Goodreads Update June 2019
I believe there are a significant number of new books on my TBR this month. On the other hand, I did have a bit of a purge, so there are fewer books on the list overall. Maybe.
The Queen: The Forgotten Life Behind an American Myth by Josh Levin - This is a brand new non-fiction book about the woman behind the "welfare queen" story. In the 70's this woman swindled the government out of a boatload of money while she wore furs and drove a Cadillac.
Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly - It's not exactly a retelling. Well, maybe. It's the story of the evil, ugly, mean stepsister of Cinderella who tried to steal the Prince. It sounds like it's a bit feminist as she is tired of trying to fit into a world that values beauty and sweetness.
The River by Peter Heller - Heller was a big deal when his first book came out because he is the son of Joseph Heller, who wrote Catch-22. I hadn't heard much about him since then, but apparently he's been publishing more novels and gaining a pretty big fan base. This new book is about some kids that go on a canoe trip and then realize that the woods near the river are on fire.
She Who Dares: Ten Trailblazing Society Women by Lyndsy Spence - First, please note that the author's first name has no vowels. Then I'll tell you about this book. It's about 10 women between the two World Wars who were upper crust society types who had thoughts and influence on the major points of history in that era.
Better With Books: 500 Diverse Books to Ignite Empathy and Encourage Self-Acceptance in Tweens and Teens by Melissa Hart - I found this at Magic City a couple of weeks ago. It's officially work reading, but I'm interested to see what she has to say.
Naturally Tan by Tan France - I'm pretty stoked about this one. It's the memoir by the style and fashion expert for the Queer Eye TV show. I love that show, and the guys are fascinating.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo - I am quite late to the Leigh Bardugo bus. I have yet to actually read one. This is about a girl from the barrios of L.A. who drops out of school to sell drugs and do thuggy stuff, but then lives through a multi person homicide. When she wakes up, Yale admissions is telling her she's been admitted to Yale and they want her to spy on the 8 social clubs on campus to see what's really up.
The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White - In this one, Guinevere is a fairy changeling chosen by Merlin to be Arthur's wife. Everything that happens after that is through her machinations.
The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Fedorovna by C. W. Gortner - She was the mother of the last Tsar of Russia. My fascination with those people knows no bounds.
Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis by Jared Diamond - I really liked Guns, Germs, and Steel that I read a few years ago. Diamond is an anthropologist and I am interested in his take on what's going on these days.
Hey, Kiddo by Jarett J. Krosoczka - I have to read this graphic novel for a Sequoyah presentation in October. I kind of dread it because it's not going to be an easy assignment.
Middlegame by Seanan McGuire - I'm not entirely sure what this is really about. Roger and Dodger are twins. Roger is all about words. His sister is all about numbers. Their creator, Reed, wants to make them into Gods. That's all I got. Seems creepy.
Recursion by Blake Crouch - I actually ordered a book from Book of the Month this time because I wanted to get the tote bag they were offering for free. This is the book I ordered. I have his first one that I haven't read, but lots of people rave about it.
So that's what's new on my TBR this month. What do you think?