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You can start and finish this challenge whenever you like!
notes will include release date and the bookseller blurb :D
Challenge Books
1
The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye
Briony Cameron
June 4th
“The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is an action-packed pirate story full of adventure, and all things that pirates do. I can see Jacquotte on the boat deck, sword in hand, bravely protecting her crew and most of all the beautiful Teresa. Debut author Briony Cameron did a marvelous job of writing a buccaneering novel that will keep you reading late into the night.”
“The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is an action-packed pirate story full of adventure, and all things that pirates do. I can see Jacquotte on the boat deck, sword in hand, bravely protecting her crew and most of all the beautiful Teresa. Debut author Briony Cameron did a marvelous job of writing a buccaneering novel that will keep you reading late into the night.”
—Kelly Evert, Village Books & Paper Dreams, Bellingham, WA
2
Swift River
Essie Chambers
June 4th
“In gorgeous and fiery language, Chambers invites us into Diamond Newberry’s world. The only Black person left in Swift River after Pop’s mysterious disappearance. Diamond thinks she stands out for all of the wrong reasons. Getting her license will solve one of those problems, but it's also one more thing Diamond and her mother disagree on. As Diamond gains confidence through driving and learns more about the history of her family and Swift River, she begins to imagine something different for herself. Where will that imagination take her now?”
“In gorgeous and fiery language, Chambers invites us into Diamond Newberry’s world. The only Black person left in Swift River after Pop’s mysterious disappearance. Diamond thinks she stands out for all of the wrong reasons. Getting her license will solve one of those problems, but it's also one more thing Diamond and her mother disagree on. As Diamond gains confidence through driving and learns more about the history of her family and Swift River, she begins to imagine something different for herself. Where will that imagination take her now?”
—Lisa Swayze, Buffalo Street Books, Ithaca, NY
3
The Stars Too Fondly
Emily Hamilton
June 11th
“A super fun and queer space opera that follows a group of late twenty-somethings on a journey they never anticipated. This was a fun, engaging, and quick read. Any queer person out there will be able to see the roots of a found family in Cleo’s group — and the U-Haul lesbians U-Hauling at light speed. This was the book I needed to get out of a reading slump, so thank you Emily Hamilton for that and the group of queers that will be living rent free in my head for a while.”
“A super fun and queer space opera that follows a group of late twenty-somethings on a journey they never anticipated. This was a fun, engaging, and quick read. Any queer person out there will be able to see the roots of a found family in Cleo’s group — and the U-Haul lesbians U-Hauling at light speed. This was the book I needed to get out of a reading slump, so thank you Emily Hamilton for that and the group of queers that will be living rent free in my head for a while.”
—Arden Harris, A Seat at the Table Books, Elk Grove, CA
4
Zan: Stories
Suzi Ehtesham-Zadeh
June 11th
“A beautiful and complex look at Iranian women and their struggles on the day-to-day, in their varied and full lives. With its poignant writing, this collection is moving and deep.”
“A beautiful and complex look at Iranian women and their struggles on the day-to-day, in their varied and full lives. With its poignant writing, this collection is moving and deep.”
—Arden Harris, A Seat at the Table Books, Elk Grove, CA
5
Masquerade
O.O. Sangoyomi
July 2nd
“O.O. Sangoyomi’s debut is a fast-paced page turner set in 15th century West Africa, featuring a young woman who finds herself undergoing extreme changes in her social status in a short time. Òdòdó is kidnapped and thrown into a fraught environment where she has to deal with politics, intrigue, and finding her place. It’s riveting and fascinating — a great piece about women finding their power.”
“O.O. Sangoyomi’s debut is a fast-paced page turner set in 15th century West Africa, featuring a young woman who finds herself undergoing extreme changes in her social status in a short time. Òdòdó is kidnapped and thrown into a fraught environment where she has to deal with politics, intrigue, and finding her place. It’s riveting and fascinating — a great piece about women finding their power.”
—Preet Singh, Eagle Eye Bookshop, Decatur, GA
6
Midnight Rooms
Donyae Coles
July 2nd
“For lovers of Mexican Gothic, Midnight Rooms is your next historical gothic thriller. It will sweep you away into 1840s England and a crumbling mansion full of twists and turns. Donyae Coles drags you into a world of supernatural magic, haunting dreams, and uncertainty about what is real.”
“For lovers of Mexican Gothic, Midnight Rooms is your next historical gothic thriller. It will sweep you away into 1840s England and a crumbling mansion full of twists and turns. Donyae Coles drags you into a world of supernatural magic, haunting dreams, and uncertainty about what is real.”
—Kristin Saner, Fables Books, Goshen, IN
7
DallerGut Dream Department Store
Mi-Ye Lee 이미예
July 9th
“The Dallergut Dream Department Store is a sparkly, fun, and engaging read. Full of whimsy, wonder, a light-hearted debut. Definitely a book that’s like walking into a dream.”
“The Dallergut Dream Department Store is a sparkly, fun, and engaging read. Full of whimsy, wonder, a light-hearted debut. Definitely a book that’s like walking into a dream.”
—Matt Aragon - Shafi, West Side Books & Curios, Denver, CO
8
The Truth According to Ember
Danica Nava
August 6th
“An Indigenous romance, written by an Indigenous author, featuring Indigenous characters? Yes, please! Danica Nava's debut is not to be missed. I don't know who I loved more — Ember or Danuwoa. I related to both, but Danuwoa is swoon-worthy and I wanted to be Ember’s BFF. The two together set the page on fire. Danica gives us a workplace romance that seamlessly incorporates difficulties Indigenous people face in a book I loved. Easily one of my favorite reads of 2024!”
“An Indigenous romance, written by an Indigenous author, featuring Indigenous characters? Yes, please! Danica Nava's debut is not to be missed. I don't know who I loved more — Ember or Danuwoa. I related to both, but Danuwoa is swoon-worthy and I wanted to be Ember’s BFF. The two together set the page on fire. Danica gives us a workplace romance that seamlessly incorporates difficulties Indigenous people face in a book I loved. Easily one of my favorite reads of 2024!”
—Preet Singh, Eagle Eye Bookshop, Decatur, GA
9
Only Here, Only Now
Tom Newlands
November 12th
“This debut is the thunderous announcement of a brilliant novelist. Tom Newlands gives us Cora Mowat, a teenage protagonist with undiagnosed ADHD, whose singular voice and humor are absolutely unforgettable. Like Derry Girls done by Dave Eggers, Only Here, Only Now is fiercely original, unabashedly Scottish, heartrendingly poignant, and hilarious to the point of tears. I can’t wait to see what Tom will come up with next.”
“This debut is the thunderous announcement of a brilliant novelist. Tom Newlands gives us Cora Mowat, a teenage protagonist with undiagnosed ADHD, whose singular voice and humor are absolutely unforgettable. Like Derry Girls done by Dave Eggers, Only Here, Only Now is fiercely original, unabashedly Scottish, heartrendingly poignant, and hilarious to the point of tears. I can’t wait to see what Tom will come up with next.”
—Steve Iwanski, Charter Books, Newport, RI
10
American Teenager: How Eight Trans Kids are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Age
Nico Lang
October 8th
“Nico Lang provides needed insight into the lives of trans teens. Following eight trans and nonbinary teenagers, American Teenager shows us that there is no one way to look or be trans — or a teen. We also see that at their heart, these trans teens dream of what’s after high school, gossip, dread tests and class assignments, and try to figure out life.”
“Nico Lang provides needed insight into the lives of trans teens. Following eight trans and nonbinary teenagers, American Teenager shows us that there is no one way to look or be trans — or a teen. We also see that at their heart, these trans teens dream of what’s after high school, gossip, dread tests and class assignments, and try to figure out life.”
—Kristin Saner, Fables Books, Goshen, IN
11
The Spindle of Fate
Aimee Lim
June 4th
“It’s a real drag when your mom gets kidnapped and dragged to the Chinese netherworld, and you have to fight through the levels of hell to retrieve her. Especially when your mom is like Evie’s and always on your case. Evie can’t help it if she constantly falls short of her perfect mom’s high expectations, or that her sister inherited all the sewing talent. But beneath the spats, Evie’s real worry is that her mother doesn't know she loves her — and the further she descends into Dìyù, the more determined she is to bring her back. Chinese folklore drives this funny, supernatural quest that examines destiny, grief, and self-forgiveness, with a heroine who’s undoubtedly the master of her own fate.”
“It’s a real drag when your mom gets kidnapped and dragged to the Chinese netherworld, and you have to fight through the levels of hell to retrieve her. Especially when your mom is like Evie’s and always on your case. Evie can’t help it if she constantly falls short of her perfect mom’s high expectations, or that her sister inherited all the sewing talent. But beneath the spats, Evie’s real worry is that her mother doesn't know she loves her — and the further she descends into Dìyù, the more determined she is to bring her back. Chinese folklore drives this funny, supernatural quest that examines destiny, grief, and self-forgiveness, with a heroine who’s undoubtedly the master of her own fate.”
—Emmy Widener, Changing Hands, Tempe, AZ
12
Breaking into Sunlight
John Cochran
June 18th
“This moving story of a family dealing with the complexities of addiction is told with incredible sensitivity, compassion, and hope. These wonderful young characters — Reese, Meg, and Charlie — and the rich friendship they develop will stay with you long after the last page is turned. A book that is heartbreaking and heart-filling.”
“This moving story of a family dealing with the complexities of addiction is told with incredible sensitivity, compassion, and hope. These wonderful young characters — Reese, Meg, and Charlie — and the rich friendship they develop will stay with you long after the last page is turned. A book that is heartbreaking and heart-filling.”
—Holly Weinkauf, The Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, MN