Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Can't-Wait Wednesday!


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:
What I Carry
Jennifer Longo
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: January 21, 2020
Goodreads
For readers of Robin Benway's Far From the Tree, a powerful and heartwarming look at a teen girl about to age out of the foster care system.

Growing up in foster care, Muir has lived in many houses. And if she's learned one thing, it is to Pack.
Light.
Carry only what fits in a suitcase.
Toothbrush? Yes.
Socks? Yes.
Emotional attachment to friends? foster families? a boyfriend? Nope!
There's no room for any additional baggage.
Muir has just one year left before she ages out of the system. One year before she's free. One year to avoid anything--or anyone--that could get in her way.

Then she meets Francine. And Kira. And Sean.

And everything changes.
Why I want to read this book

I won't lie, and say they didn't have me by name-dropping Far From the Tree. I LOVED that book, and if I can have more of that? I say, YES, please. I am also all about taking this emotional journey with Muir. The foster care system can be a complicated and inhospitable place, and sometimes it's nice to read the more hopeful stories dealing with this topic.

Taming of the Drew
Stephanie Kate Strohm
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Release Date: April 5, 2016
Goodreads
Cass McKay has been called stubborn, temperamental, difficult, and that word that rhymes with “witch” more times than she cares to count. But that’s all about to pay off. She has finally landed the role she was born to play—Kate, in The Taming of the Shrew—in the summer apprentice program of a renowned Shakespeare theater company in the forests of Vermont.

But Cass can barely lace up her corset before her troubles begin. Her leading man, Drew, is a complete troll, and he’s going to ruin Cass’s summer. Even worse, Cass’s bunkmate Amy has somehow fallen head over heels for Drew. Cass can’t let Amy throw herself at a total jerk, so she comes up with a genius plan to give Drew the personality makeover he so desperately needs: they’ll tame Drew just as Petruchio tames Kate! But as Shakespeare’s classic plays out offstage, Cass finds it harder and harder to resist falling for Drew herself.

The best kind of entertainment, The Taming of the Drew is smart, funny, fresh, and original. You’re going to love this badass heroine and her friends. You might even end up liking Drew, too.
Why I want to read this book

You all know I love Stephanie Kate Strohm. She knows how to write a funny book, and you know who loves funny books? This girl! This is also the last book in her backlist, which I have not read. So,  I will get the great satisfaction of having read her entire catalog, once I read this book. I also am doing a hard push to read YA Shakespeare retellings. This is Strohm's take on Taming of the Shrew (I'm sure you struggled with figuring that out 😉), and I am curious to see how she spins the tale.


What are you waiting on?
Any backlog books you want to read soon? 
Let us know in the comments!

24 comments:

  1. Looove the cover of what I carry. And it sounds amazing. The comparison to Far from the Tree doesn't hurt, either!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know I love Far from the Tree, and if this book is anything like that, it is sure to be a hit for me

      Delete
  2. I haven't read The Taming of the Shrew, but I'm always up for a good retelling!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have only seen movie versions of Taming of the Shrew and its various movie retellings, but I am still all about reading this book simply because it's by Strohm

      Delete
  3. Both of these covers are so eye-catching! I loved Far From the Tree so I'm intrigued by Longo's book especially!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adore a good family-centric story - blood related, found family, or otherwise, and I agree, the cover is beautiful.

      Delete
  4. What I Carry has a beautiful cover! I will have to check both of these out. Great picks!
    Check out my Wednesday Post

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The color and graphics definitely caught my interest.

      Delete
  5. They both sound good. And some great covers too. I hope you enjoy them:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Strohm I wanted to read based on past positive experiences, but the cover of What I Carry definitely attracted me to that book

      Delete
  6. Ahh What I Carry sounds SO good, definitely adding it to my TBR! Thank you for sharing :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. A Taming of the Shrew retelling!! How neat is that?! And I love the cover of What I Carry and the foster care system... two neat, neat premises. Thanks for sharing Sam!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was trying to pair it with another Shakespeare retelling, but I didn't have access to most of the books, but there are a lot of fun Bard retellings out there.

      Delete
  8. The cover for What I Carry is mesmerising and the blurb so captivating! I can't w2ait to see what you think of it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Such a pretty cover, and I like a good underdog, feel-good type story.

      Delete
  9. I've not heard of either of these books and even the name dropping for What I Carry did nothing as I haven't read that either! I do love the cover for What I Carry, though. It's very in your face but it grabs your attention.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I fell in love with Robin Benway via Far From the Tree. It so, so good, and the other Benway books I have read have been equally good.

      Delete
  10. Can I just say that both of these books have gorgeous covers?! I love the sound of them as well. I hope you enjoy both of them, Sam!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know I am a cover-ho. I am always pulled in by a good cover. I really enjoyed the Strohm book. She never fails to make me laugh. And, the Longo book sounds so, so good

      Delete
  11. Good picks Sam! What I carry sounds like a really good story. I enjoy reading books like this, and I like that it has a hopeful quality to it with the main character having people that will mean a lot to her coming in to her life.

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can deal with sad parts in books as long as there is a good dose of hope therein.

      Delete
  12. Oh, I will be very curious about The Taming of Drew as well seeing as you know I am a huge Shakespeare fan! I am always eager to get my fingers on all the retellings I possibly can.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Drew was fun, which is what I expect from Strohm. It had a lot of the Bard in there too.

      Delete