Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
I am combining CWW with Books From the Backlog hosted by Carole at Carole's Random Life in Books. This will allow me to feature some newly "rediscovered" books, which I plan on reading, alongside a new release.
This week I can't wait for:
Nora Shalaway Carpenter
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mental Health
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Release Date: March 21, 2020
Goodreads
A vibrant #ownvoices debut YA novel about grief, mental health, and the transformative power of friendship.Why I want to read this book
Len is a loner teen photographer haunted by a past that's stagnated her work and left her terrified she's losing her mind. Sage is a high school volleyball star desperate to find a way around her sudden medical disqualification. Both girls need college scholarships. After a chance encounter, the two develop an unlikely friendship that enables them to begin facing their inner demons.
But both Len and Sage are keeping secrets that, left hidden, could cost them everything, maybe even their lives.
Set in the North Carolina mountains, this dynamic #ownvoices novel explores grief, mental health, and the transformative power of friendship.
I guess I was on a mental health kick this week, because this book, like my backlog book, puts mental health issues front and center.
I like that the focus of this story is friendship, and its power to pull you through those tough situations. The idea, that these two very different young women, are both in similar situations, sounds like a wonderful basis for their relationship, and I am more than eager to see how it takes root and grows.
Jasmine Warga
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mental Health
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: 2015
Goodreads
Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.Why I want to read this book
There’s only one problem: she’s not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel’s convinced she’s found her solution: a teen boy with the username FrozenRobot (aka Roman) who’s haunted by a family tragedy is looking for a partner.
Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other’s broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together. Except that Roman may not be so easy to convince.
I always say, if I have the book, I will read the book, but it's just not true. I added this book to my TBR in December of 2014, and I purchased it early in 2016. Yet, here we are, four years after purchase, still unread.
This is a book, that I often still hear good things about. Because of my lifelong mental health issues, I do find I have a special interest in books that feature mental health issues. I like the idea of two people, who were bent on dying finding some sort of desire to keep fighting. Sounds like it will be emotional, but hopeful.
What are you waiting on?
Any backlog books you want to read soon?
Let us know in the comments!
Any backlog books you want to read soon?
Let us know in the comments!
The Edge of Anything sounds interesting, great pick!
ReplyDeleteAnika | chaptersofmay.com
I think it will definitely keep my attention
DeleteOh my, My Heart and Other black b
ReplyDeleteHoles is a striking, heartbreaking blurb.
It is heartbreaking, but I love the way Aysel is starting to see things in a different way
DeleteI really enjoy mental health novels that tackle the issues well. The Edge of Anything does sound like one that I should add to my TBR. I am sure it will leave me sobbing. ;)
ReplyDeleteA little sobbing is cathartic. Fingers crossed it's also very hopeful
DeleteI have so many books on my TBR pile, some from BEA in 2012 that I still haven't read. So I get it. Both of these sound good!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my Wednesday post.
My BEA stacks mock me every day, but I am quicker to read a eBook than a physical book
DeleteI've been wanting to try some books that delve into the issue of mental health. Both of these sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think the way Warga describes the depression is done really well, and there were times in the book, where the character was like reading me mind and describing my feelings to a tee
DeleteI had that blackholes book on my TBR back when it was released. It's one I took off my TBR because of lack of time. I hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteIt's short. I started it yesterday, and am almost finished. It's really great actually
Deletei have books from 2012, when i first started blogging, that i haven't read. i hope to read all the books i own, whether physical or on my kindle, but...hope you enjoy them when you get a chance to read them
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
One book at a time. I am working slowly, but I hope to get some of those shelf books read
DeleteReading backlist books, particularly ones from my own shelves, makes me all kinds of happy.
ReplyDeleteThe science aspect in My Heart and Other Black Holes sounds right up your alley.
Yes! She's a physics nerd, and those parts are the best for me
DeleteThE EDGE OF ANYTHING sounds like a good one, although its cover is giving me heart palpitations. Be careful, girls!
ReplyDeleteThat does look scary. I am interested in seeing how Carpenter weaves these two girls' lives together
DeleteNice picks! Both are totally new to me ones. I hope you love them once you get to read them!
ReplyDeleteHere's my WoW
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
Thanks! I really enjoyed the Warga book
DeleteI like the focus of friendship and mental health, and am curious about what secrets the characters are hiding in The Edge of Anything. Ny Heart and Other Black Holes sounds like a very emotional read, especial because the female lead needs to convince the male lead to live, when he is so set on dying.
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
Black Holes was emotional, but it had some very lovely moments and watching Aysel's perspective change was very gratifying
DeleteFriendship and mental health are always draws for me so both of your picks sound great. I'm also right there with you on buying the books and then sitting on them for years before finally reading them, lol.
ReplyDeleteI am reading at least one backlist book a week, and I am very proud of myself.
DeleteI love the sound of the Edge of Anything. Sounds like that could be an inspirational kind of read.
ReplyDeleteI know it will be emotional, but like you, I feel like it will be uplifting overall
DeleteThe Edge of Everything sound like it will be both an emotional and inspirational read. My Heart and Other Black Holes is a new one to me, it sounds really good too.
ReplyDeleteBlack Holes was great. I finished it this morning and really liked it
DeleteI remember really liking My Heart and Other Black Holes. The Edge of Anything is new to me but I absolutely love that it is a YA book with a focus on friendship! I hope you get the chance to read these books!
ReplyDeleteBlack Holes was great. I loved all the physics stuff, but I really liked seeing Aysel discovering things about herself.
DeleteThe North Carolina mountains setting really intrigues me on The Edge of Anything!
ReplyDeleteWe don't see rural settings much, so that is a definite draw for me
DeleteI should really begin to do this kind of post too Sam as I have so many books unread on my TBR!
ReplyDeleteDo it! I just saw another person I follow do a Books from the Backlog post. It's my way of committing to reading the book.
DeleteOh my! My Heart and Other Black Holes sounds like it will be an emotional one! I hope it has a happy ending. I'm super curious as to what you think of it when finished. I think I'd be too scared to read it!
ReplyDeleteIt was really beautiful. Sad, at times, but it was really about seeing your situation from a different point of view, and overall, it was hopeful.
DeleteI have owned My Heart and Other Black Holes since forever. It is still to this day one of my favourite titles and the title was the reason I got it. I so need to pick it up!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great title, and Warga uses a lot of physics metaphors in the book, which I loved
Delete