Wednesday, February 10, 2021

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:
American Betiya

Anuradha D. Rajurkar
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Knopf
Release Date: March 9, 2021
Goodreads
Fans of Sandhya Menon, Erika Sanchez and Jandy Nelson will identify with this powerful story of a young artist grappling with first love, family boundaries, and the complications of a cross-cultural relationship.

Rani Kelkar has never lied to her parents, until she meets Oliver. The same qualities that draw her in--his tattoos, his charisma, his passion for art--make him her mother's worst nightmare.

They begin dating in secret, but when Oliver's troubled home life unravels, he starts to ask more of Rani than she knows how to give, desperately trying to fit into her world, no matter how high the cost. When a twist of fate leads Rani from Evanston, Illinois to Pune, India for a summer, she has a reckoning with herself--and what's really brewing beneath the surface of her first love.

Winner of the SCBWI Emerging Voices award, Anuradha Rajurkar takes an honest look at the ways cultures can clash in an interracial relationship. Braiding together themes of sexuality, artistic expression, and appropriation, she gives voice to a girl claiming ownership of her identity, one shattered stereotype at a time.
Why I want to read this book

Name dropping goes a long way with me, and I have really been missing Jandy Nelson's writing. Therefore, comping a book to one of her's is a draw for me. I also gravitate towards these emotional coming-of-age stories. I am looking forward to getting to know Rani and am THRILLED that the story will bring me to India. This one seems to promise something really powerful. 
 

Where the Stars Still Shine

Trish Doller
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Goodreads
Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.
Why I want to read this book

I had had all of Doller's books on my TBR for a long while, and then finally I read one! I read Something Like Normal last year, and I ran out and bought a few more books in her backlist. With her adult debut coming out soon, I thought it was be nice to read one of those backlist books. I selected this one, because I seem to really like stories like these. The idea of someone being taken from their family, and then returning after many years later stirs my emotions. It's like being a stranger in your own life, and you have to find a way to fit back into it. Stories such as these never fail to work for me, and I have no doubt Doller will do a fantastic job with it. 


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

26 comments:

  1. These are new to me books, but they both sound like they will be emotional reads. I can't wait to hear what your thoughts are after you've read them. :)
    Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I started the Doller book this morning, and it's so good. I love her books.

      Delete
  2. Definitely looking forward to American Betiya too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am seeing so much good buzz for it, so I'm excited.

      Delete
  3. Wow, what a premise on Where The Stars Still Shine! Definitely sounds like it's going to be an emotional read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The whole parental kidnapping on the run thing was enough on it's own, but she is dealing with finding out about her mother's mental illness too. It's really good so far.

      Delete
  4. American Batiya seems like a powerful read. That blurb! Plus, you're right about name dropping. It gets me more than it should.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So guilty of falling for the name drop, but HEY! Sometimes it's dead-on

      Delete
  5. The first one is on my TBR for sure. The second one is by an author that I keep telling myself I need to read. Great picks! Thanks for stopping by my Wednesday post at Lisa Loves Literature earlier too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I finished Doller's adult debut and started this one right away. So good! I love her storytelling

      Delete
  6. Well two more books to add to my never ending TBR!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doller's book is excellent. Started it this morning and really enjoying it.

      Delete
  7. Nice picks! Both are new to me ones. Hope you enjoy both of them! Glad you're liking Doller's so far!


    Here's my WoW

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's really good. The emotion is ramping up again too. I love it

      Delete
  8. I see for fans of Sandhya Menon and I am clicking to add to GR! American Betiya sounds fantastic and that cover is super pretty. I hope that we both love it. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The cover is super pretty. I think this will be a good one

      Delete
  9. I always fall for those name drops too, haha. American Betiya sounds pretty amazing though. I've not read anything by Doller so I'll be looking forward to reading your review for this one once you finish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Two Doller books in a row made for a great few reading days. I need more of her books

      Delete
  10. These both sound great! They both sound really emotional. I can't wait to see what you think of Where the Stars Still Shine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stars did bring a lot of emotion, but it was very hopeful

      Delete
  11. I remember having Where the Stars Still Shine on my TBR years ago but finally removed it thinking I would never likely get to it. I’ll be interested to see what you think of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved it, Tanya. Callie was a messy character, but her upbringing and what she experienced attributed greatly to that.

      Delete
  12. I read Where The Stars Shine a few years ago Sam and fell in love with her books. She's such an underrated author and looking forward to seeing what she brings out next. Looking forward to seeing your thoughts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was wonderful! I am so happy I started reading Doller's books, and her adult debut was stupendous!

      Delete
  13. American Betiya has such a beautiful cover, happy reading when you get to them.

    ReplyDelete