The author’s last two releases Sadie and The Project were both focused on a girl desperately trying to uncover the truth behind her sister’s disappearance, and I’m The Girl is a variation on the same theme. This is the tale of troubled teenager Georgia Avis, an underprivileged white girl in the care of her older brother after their mother passed away. While he does his best to provide and care for her, Georgia has that feeling of invincibility that teen girls often do and winds up in one compromising situation after another, displaying zero sense of self-preservation in her unswerving ambition to work at the nearby exclusive and remote resort Aspera. This is against her brother and her late mother’s wishes, but fuelled by the need to prove herself worthy of being an ‘Aspera girl’, Georgia stubbornly pursues it nonetheless by stealing over four grand from Tyler to fund an explicit photoshoot and heading to Aspera in the hopes of securing a position there.

On the way, Georgia is struck by a car and as she struggles to make it to Aspera while injured, she is sidetracked by the discovery of 13-year old Ashley’s broken, violated body in a ditch. The prevailing presumption is that the killer knocked Georgia off her bike after abandoning Ashley’s body, which brings her older sister Nora into Georgia’s orbit. From the blurb, my expectation was that this would be a murder mystery with the two girls investigating Ashley’s death, however that turns out to be a side-plot with minimal focus so it would be a good idea to adjust your expectations accordingly to avoid disappointment.  Georgia never really shows a strong desire to work with Nora to unmask the killer, it comes off as more an excuse to spend time with her crush; the couple clues she finds are either by chance without any intention on her part to find a hint to the killer’s identity or she wilfully blinds herself to the warning sirens and withholds evidence.

The real heart of the story is Georgia’s quest to make it as an Aspera girl, which she sees as the ultimate pinnacle of achievement, again without heeding any warnings that suggest a sordid underbelly to that role at Aspera. Georgia is hardly naïve or sheltered, her ignorance appears to be deliberately self-inflicted based on the unfortunate belief that she can wield her beauty as a tool to manipulate men without realising that the worldly older men in positions of power over her are the only ones who win when she uses her body to influence them. There is a vast gaping chasm between Georgia’s perception of the abusive situations she ends up in compared to the reader’s horrified identification of the many ways in which the men (and a female accomplice) around her groom and take advantage of her.

I’m The Girl functions as an effective cautionary tale, showing how girls who are exploring their sexuality and think they’re in control can quickly get in over their head when surrounded by the immoral and depraved elite who believe they can take what they want without consequences. But it’s a very dark and depressing read that doesn’t offer much hope or any sort of silver lining; this book depicts a vulnerable overconfident teenage girl suffering one traumatic event after another without offering much in the way of insightful social commentary or a fresh deconstruction of  rape culture and the patriarchy that might provide a meaningful message.

Raw, brutal and emotional, this book is recommended for readers who aren’t looking for an escapist story to block out the real world, but those who are willing to be bluntly confronted with all the ugliness and horrors that our world can inflict on young innocent girls. Read it and weep.

I’m The Girl is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of September 13th 2022.

Will you be picking up I’m The Girl? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

The new groundbreaking queer thriller from New York Times bestselling and Edgar-award Winning author Courtney Summers.

When sixteen-year-old Georgia Avis discovers the dead body of thirteen-year-old Ashley James, she teams up with Ashley’s older sister, Nora, to find and bring the killer to justice before he strikes again. But their investigation throws Georgia into a world of unimaginable privilege and wealth, without conscience or consequence, and as Ashley’s killer closes in, Georgia will discover when money, power and beauty rule, it might not be a matter of who is guilty—but who is guiltiest.

A spiritual successor to the 2018 breakout hit, Sadie, I’m the Girl is a masterfully written, bold, and unflinching account of how one young woman feels in her body as she struggles to navigate a deadly and predatory power structure while asking readers one question: if this is the way the world is, do you accept it?

The post Review: I’m The Girl by Courtney Summers appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

A spiritual successor to the breakout hit Sadie, I’m the Girl is a brutal and illuminating account of how one young woman feels in her body as she struggles to navigate a deadly and predatory power structure while asking readers one question: if this is the way the world is, do you accept it?

1. Incredibly compelling characters

It is no secret that Courtney Summers has such a gift for creating these intensely lovable, three-dimensional and deeply flawed characters. They are often immensely vulnerable and going through traumatic events. Summers never hesitates to show their full messiness and the complexity of reactions to trauma. These are not perfect people, they are just people trying to survive in an entirely broken system. Georgia is someone clouded by naivety and the desire to pursue her dream, but this makes her all the more painfully raw and Summers drops little hints through this blurred vision.

2. A beautiful romance

For all of the stomach-churning uncomfortable scenes in this book, there is a gorgeously soft and sweet romance that provides sparks of hope and light. It evolves very naturally, with a chemistry and dynamic that just blossoms into something wonderful. As ever with Summers though, it is not without its emotional entanglements and messy nature interconnecting to other aspects of the book.

3. A primal scream of a book

There is no other way to put it – this is an extremely difficult book to read at times. Summers excels in bringing these sensitive and emotional topics to the surface and highlights them in their grimy reality. This book deals with grooming, sexual abuse and murder in brutal depictions of the reality of sexual violence and exploitation. It is intense, gritty and unflinchingly honest. With these topics comes a variety of emotions, including that guttural punch of anger and sadness that Summers conveys so well. You can viscerally feel the disgust and rage resulting from these topics and that emotional power resonates so strongly.

4. Some of the most riveting writing I have ever seen

Summers really knows how to write the most mesmeric books. You physically cannot tear yourself away, even as the whirlpool of her stories becomes even more tumultuous. This is yet another example of that, with a tightly plotted and constructed thriller story. The book is earmarked by death, blood and exploitation and the ghosts of the dead hang heavy over the central action. Every page brings the tension up that much more and hints at even deeper layers to the mystery. I also massively appreciated the occasional nods to Sadie, to which this definitely earns the title of spiritual successor.

5. It will emotionally devastate you

Summers is one of the few authors that can make me cry. I’m The Girl took me on an emotional journey that I am still reeling from. It is in the way these impeccably constructed characters endure so much and the way it reflects reality far too accurately. These monsters are not fictional, they are recognisable and they are all too human. This book will stay with me forever.

Will you be picking up I’m The Girl? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Five Reasons To Read ‘I’m The Girl’ by Courtney Summers appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hello second half of 2022 and hello to all the incredible upcoming book releases we can look forward to!

In this round up, we take a look at some of the most exciting titles to be released between the months of July and December with releases from the likes of Sarah Gailey, Ruth Ware, Alexis Hall, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Courtney Summers, and many more, along with delightful debuts from new authors you should keep on your radar!

Read on to discover just a few of our favourite July to December 2022 releases and tell us in the comments if you’re looking forward to any of them! 

JULY

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen
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A darkly enchanting fantasy debut about a morally gray witch, a cursed prince, and a prophecy that ignites their fate-twisted destinies—perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and Serpent & Dove.

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey
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Just Like Home is a darkly gothic thriller from nationally bestselling author Sarah Gailey, perfect for fans of Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House as well as HBO’s true crime masterpiece I’ll Be Gone in the Dark.

The Accidental Pinup by Danielle Jackson
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Rival photographers are forced to collaborate on a body-positive lingerie campaign, but they might have to readjust their focus when sparks fly.

Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
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The masterful story of a lifelong friendship between two very different women with shared histories and buried secrets, tested in the twilight of their lives, set across the arc of the 20th century.

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows
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The It Girl by Ruth Ware
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The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the “claustrophobic spine-tingler” (People) One by One returns with an unputdownable mystery following a woman on the search for answers a decade after her friend’s murder.

Youngblood by Sasha Laurens
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For fans of Vampire Diaries and dark academia, two queer teen bloodsuckers at an elite vampire-only boarding school must go up against all of Vampirdom when they uncover a frightening conspiracy on campus.

Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore
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From Margarita Montimore, the author of GMA Book Club pick and national bestseller Oona Out of Order, Acts of Violet is a dazzling and twisty new novel about a famous magician who disappears, leaving her sister to figure out what really happened.

The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne
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Everyone knows the story of Rapunzel in the tower, but do you know the story of the witch who put her there? Told from her own perspective, The Book of Gothel is a lush, historical retelling filled with dark magic, crumbling towers, mysterious woods, and evil princes. This is the truth they never wanted you to know, as only a witch might tell it.

What Souls Are Made Of: A Wuthering Heights Remix by Tasha Suri
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What Souls Are Made Of, British Fantasy Award-winning author Tasha Suri’s masterful new take on Brontë’s Wuthering Heights and fourth book in the Remixed Classics, will leave readers breathless.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night comes a dreamy reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Mexico.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
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New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center’s The Bodyguard is unabashedly romantic, laugh-out-loud funny, and the perfect summer read.

AUGUST

Husband Material by Alexis Hall
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Luc and Oliver met, pretended to fall in love, fell in love for real, dealt with heartbreak and disappointment and family and friends…and somehow figured out a way to make it work. Now it seems like everyone around them is getting married, and Luc’s feeling the social pressure to propose. But it’ll take more than four weddings, a funeral, and a bowl full of special curry to get these two from I don’t know what I’m doing to I do.

These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall
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The Haunting of Hill House meets Knives Out in a bid for an inheritance that will leave Helen Vaughan either rich…or dead.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
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New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace brings to life a highly romantic, Gothic-infused world of wealth, desire, and betrayal.

The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
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Sunyi Dean’s The Book Eaters is “a darkly sweet pastry of a book about family, betrayal, and the lengths we go to for the ones we love. A delicious modern fairy tale.”― Christopher Buehlman, Shirley Jackson Award-winning author

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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In this powerful novel about the cost of greatness, a legendary athlete attempts a comeback when the world considers her past her prime—from the New York Times bestselling author of Malibu Rising.

Sophie Go’s Lonely Hearts Club by Roselle Lim
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A new heartfelt novel about the power of loneliness and the strength of love that overcomes it by critically acclaimed author Roselle Lim.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
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With a wicked wink to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, Daisy Darker’s unforgettable twists will leave readers reeling.

The Art of Prophecy by Wesley Chu
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A “superb fantasy saga” (Helene Wecker) of martial arts and magic, about what happens when a prophesied hero is not the chosen one after all—but has to work with a band of unlikely allies to save the kingdom anyway, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lives of Tao

You’re Invited by Amanda Jayatissa
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What could be worse than your ex-boyfriend marrying your childhood best friend? Getting accused of her murder… From the author of My Sweet Girl comes a dangerously addictive new thriller about a lavish Sri Lankan wedding celebration that not everyone will survive.

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead
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From the author of the acclaimed In My Dreams I Hold a Knife comes a pitch-black thriller about a woman determined to destroy a powerful cult and avenge the deaths of the women taken in by it, no matter the cost.

Luck and Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
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They have a second chance at love, but there are some rough seas ahead in the new contemporary romance from the acclaimed author of Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships.

The First Binding by R.R. Virdi
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A thrilling new take on Epic Fantasy, inspired by the many culturally divergent stops along a fantastical Silk Road, that follows a storyteller and a singer on the run from their old lives and secrets. 

SEPTEMBER

I’m the Girl by Courtney Summers
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Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match by Sally Thorne
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From USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game Sally Thorne comes something a little unexpected… a historical rom-com that imagines Victor Frankenstein’s sheltered younger sister, and her attempts to create the perfect man.

Ithaca by Claire North
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This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before. Beyond Ithaca’s shores, the whims of gods dictate the wars of men. But on the isle, it is the choices of the abandoned women—and their goddesses—that will change the course of the world.

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander
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From New York Times Bestselling author Kwame Alexander comes the first book in a searing, breathtaking trilogy that tells the story of a boy, a village, and the epic odyssey of an African family.

Princess of Souls by Alexandra Christo
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From the author of To Kill a Kingdom comes Princess of Souls, a Rapunzel-inspired YA fantasy romance about a teen witch groomed to steal souls for an immortal king and the reckless, rebellious boy to whom her fate is tied.

Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
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Tamsyn Muir’s New York Times and USA Today bestselling Locked Tomb Series continues with Nona …the Ninth?

The Gathering Dark: An Anthology of Folk Horror
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Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young
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From New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young comes a deeply atmospheric story about ancestral magic, an unsolved murder, and a second chance at true love.

People Person by Candice Carty-Williams
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From an author with “a flair for storytelling that appears effortlessly authentic” (Time), People Person is a vibrant and charming celebration of discovering family as an adult.

Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends comes the first book in a captivating new duology following an ill-matched pair of spies posing as a married couple to investigate a series of brutal murders in 1930s Shanghai.

Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco
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Full of court intrigue, queer romance, and terrifying monsters—this gothic epic fantasy will appeal to fans of Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree and the adult animated series Castlevania.

Direwood by Catherine Yu
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In this velvet-clad 1990s gothic horror, Aja encounters a charming vampire who wants to lure her into the woods―just like her missing sister.

OCTOBER

Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove by Rati Mehrotra
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In Rati Mehrotra’s Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove, a young guardswoman struggles with her unwitting role as a major pawn in the deadly games between two kingdoms in a monster-infested alternate medieval India.

Sign Here by Claudia Lux
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A darkly humorous, surprisingly poignant, and utterly gripping debut novel about a guy who works in Hell (literally) and is on the cusp of a big promotion if only he can get one more member of the wealthy Harrison family to sell their soul.

A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young
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Space is the last thing an event planner and an astronaut need in this charming new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young.

Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle
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From the author of Twice Shy comes a sprightly Christmas novel, a rollicking romp through the absurdity of family holidays and the hope of new love.

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
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From the number one bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, a deeply suspenseful and heartrending novel about the unbreakable love between a mother and child in a society consumed by fear.

The Storyteller’s Death by Ann Dávila Cardinal
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From International Latino Book Award-winning author Ann Dávila Cardinal comes a gorgeously written family saga about a Puerto Rican teenager who finds herself gifted (or cursed?) with a strange ability.

Dead Man’s Hand by James J. Butcher
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In the tradition of his renowned father, James J. Butcher’s debut novel is a brilliant urban fantasy about a young man who must throw out the magical rule book to solve the murder of his former mentor.

A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo
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Award-winning author Malinda Lo returns to the Bay Area with another masterful coming-of-queer-age story, this time set against the backdrop of the first major Supreme Court decisions legalizing gay marriage. And almost sixty years after the end of Last Night at the Telegraph Club, Lo’s new novel also offers a glimpse into Lily and Kath’s lives since 1955.

Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty
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Amateur detective Mallory Viridian’s talent for solving murders ruined her life on Earth and drove her to live on an alien space station, but her problems still follow her in this witty, self-aware novel that puts a speculative spin on murder mysteries, from the Hugo-nominated author of Six Wakes.

Jackal by Erin E. Adams
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A young Black girl goes missing in the woods outside her white Rust Belt town. But she’s not the first—and she may not be the last. . . .

Lavender House by Lev A.C. Rosen
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A delicious story from a new voice in suspense, Lev AC Rosen’s Lavender House is Knives Out with a queer historical twist.

Strike the Zither by Joan He
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A dazzling new fantasy from New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He, Strike the Zither is a powerful, inventive, and sweeping fantasy that reimagines the Chinese classic tale of the Three Kingdoms.

NOVEMBER

The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix
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Love and duty collide in this richly imagined, atmospheric young adult debut about a witch whose dark powers put her at the center of a brewing war between the only family she’s ever known and the enemy who makes her question everything.

She’s Gone by David Bell
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When 17-year-old Hunter Gifford wakes in the hospital on the night of homecoming, he’s shocked to learn he and his girlfriend, Chloe Summers, have been in a terrible car accident. Hunter has no memory of the crash, and his shock turns to horror when he is told Chloe’s blood has been found in the car—but she has disappeared.

Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade
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After All the Feels and Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade once again delivers a warm and wonderful romantic comedy about two co-stars who once had an incredible one-night stand—and after years of filming on the same remote island, are finally ready to yield to temptation again…

The Luminaries by Susan Dennard
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From Susan Dennard, the New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series, comes a haunting and high-octane contemporary fantasy, about the magic it takes to face your fears in a nightmare-filled forest, and the mettle required to face the secrets hiding in the dark corners of your own family.

White Horse by Erika T. Wurth
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White Horse is a gritty, vibrant debut from Erika T. Wurth about an Indigenous woman who must face her past when she discovers a bracelet haunted by her mother’s spirit.

Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
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The author of the “swoon-worthy debut” (Harper’s Bazaar) The Charm Offensive returns with a festive romantic comedy about a woman who fakes an engagement with her landlord…only to fall for his sister.

Into the Forest: Tales of the Baba Yaga by Lindy Ryan and Christina Henry
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A collection of new and exclusive short stories inspired by the Baba Yaga. Featuring Gwendolyn Kiste, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Mercedes M. Yardley, Monique Snyman, Donna Lynch, Lisa Quigley, and R. J. Joseph, with a foreword by Christina Henry.

Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli
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A stunning and witty debut novel about a young woman’s emotional journey through unimaginable loss, pulled along by her tight-knit Nigerian family, a posse of new friends, and the love and laughter she shared with her husband. Onyi Nwabineli is a fresh new voice for fans of Yaa Gyasi, Queenie and I May Destroy You.

The Cloisters by Katy Hays
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The Secret History meets Ninth House in this sinister, atmospheric novel following a circle of researchers as they uncover a mysterious deck of tarot cards and shocking secrets in New York’s famed Met Cloisters.

Wait For Me by Sara Shepard
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Dating New York socialite Marcus Coleman, Casey has had trouble recognizing herself lately. But things only get stranger when she begins to hear a voice in her head: one that warns her of danger and leads her to the sleepy town of Avon, where she recognizes people and places she couldn’t possibly know, including a beguiling local boy who seems important to her past—and her present.

Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese
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Opposites become allies to fool their matchmaking friends in this swoony reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman
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A rich, eccentric family. A time-honored tradition. Or a lethal game of survival? One woman is about to find out if she has what it takes to join her husband’s family in this riveting, must-read thriller from the author of Something in the Water, Mr. Nobody, and The Disappearing Act.

DECEMBER

Queen of Myth and Monsters by Scarlett St. Clair
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Queen becomes conqueror in this powerful follow-up to King of Battle and Blood where Queen Isolde de Lara has come into her own as the newly coronated queen of Cordova.  She and her mate, the vampire King Adrian, battle insurrection from the Nine Kingdoms…and a mysterious plague that turns humans to monsters. But hell hath no fury like Isolde’s wrath when she discovers that one of the vassal kings has enslaved her mother’s people.

A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar
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Adiba Jaigirdar, author of one of Time‘s Best YA books of all time, gives Titanic an Ocean’s 8 makeover in this nail-biting heist set onboard the infamous ship.

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales
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A girl enters a reality dating competition to get revenge on her cheating, royal-adjacent ex-boyfriend, and ends up falling for another girl on the show—in fact, the girl he cheated on her with.

The Widowmaker by Hannah Morrissey
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A wealthy family shrouded in scandal; a detective tasked with solving an impossible cold case; and a woman with a dark past collide in Hannah Morrissey’s stunning new Black Harbor mystery, The Widowmaker.

A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko Jackson
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Sometimes two cooks in the kitchen are better than one in this swoony romantic comedy from the author of I’m So (Not) Over You.

The Last Invitation by Darby Kane
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Darby Kane, the author of the critically acclaimed and #1 International Bestseller Pretty Little Wife, has crafted another gripping and twisty suspense about an invitation to an exclusive club that comes with deadly consequences.

Acting the Part by Z.R. Ellor
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This delightfully tropey teen romance perfect for fans of Ashley Poston and Lyla Lee follows a queer teen actor navigating their gender identity—while pretending to date their co-star.  

All the Dark Places by Terri Parlato
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A savage murder rocks a quiet Massachusetts suburb, revealing the dark secrets at the center of a group of friends and setting two women – one with a traumatic past, the other a Boston police detective – on a hunt for truth in this stylish debut thriller for fans of Megan Miranda and Shari Lapena…

The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton
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For readers of Station Eleven and Where the Crawdads Sing comes a hopeful, sweeping story of survival and resilience spanning one extraordinary woman’s lifetime as she navigates the uncertainty, brutality, and arresting beauty of a rapidly changing world.

The Key to My Heart: A Novel by Lia Louis
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A heartwarming novel about hope after loss as a young widow receives mysterious messages of love from the “must-buy author” (Jodi Picoult) of Eight Perfect Hours.

The Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
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My Dark Vanessa meets The Queen’s Gambit in this new novel of suspense about the bonds of family, the limits of talent, the risks of ambition, and the rewards of revenge.

Witcha Gonna Do by Avery Flynn
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An unlucky witch and her know-it-all nemesis must team up in the first of a new, spicy romantic comedy series from USA Today bestselling author Avery Flynn.

What July to December releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Get Your Hands On These Anticipated July To December 2022 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

After coming up with book recommendations inspired by Taylor Swift’s folklore in this post, I thought it would be fitting to give evermore a similar treatment since this album is just as imaginative and evocative. These two albums were incredibly poignant and the stories they told easily made me connect them with various books that had similar themes and evoked strong emotions in me just like Swift’s music. Down below are 17 books, one for each of the songs from the deluxe version of evermore, hopefully you will find some new favourites among them.

willow – Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

Willow is a song that reminds me a lot of Percy and Annabeth because it’s mainly about soulmates finding each other and trying to overcome difficulties in order to stay together. Something that I adore about their love story was their devotion to each other—no matter how many creatures they’ve had to face, how many difficult quests and trials, they still made it work (The more that you say, the less I know/Wherever you stray, I follow/I’m begging for you to take my hand/Wreck my plans, that’s my man/Wait for the signal, and I’ll meet you after dark/Show me the places where the others gave you scars).

The marine and mythical motifs also make me think of Percy and Annabeth’s heritages, both of them having godly parents and being warriors (I’m like the water when your ship rolled in that night/Rough on the surface, but you cut through like a knife/As if you were a mythical thing/Like you were a trophy or a champion ring/And there was one prize I’d cheat to win).

champagne problems – The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Many people pointed out the similarities between Little Women and champagne problems, but I can’t attest to that because I haven’t read the second part of the book yet. But when I heard the line “This dorm was once a madhouse”/I made a joke, “Well, it’s made for me”, it instantly made me think of Esther refusing Buddy’s marriage proposal and him telling her she’s crazy for never wanting to marry.

The Bell Jar is a touching tale about mental health, the story focusing on Esther and her desire to write a novel, to be someone special, to achieve great things in life. But as she graduates and completes her internship, she doesn’t feel quite ready to face the real world. The societal pressures to get married, to have an amazing career, it all overwhelms her and her mental health worsens as a consequence (I never was ready so I watch you go/Sometimes you just don’t know the answer/’Til someone’s on their knees and asks you/”She would’ve made such a lovely bride/What a shame she’s fucked in the head,” they said/But you’ll find the real thing instead/She’ll patch up your tapestry that I shred).

gold rush – House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

Wharton’s protagonist, Lily Bart, knows the hardships and the advantages of being extraordinarily beautiful. She gets plenty of opportunities to marry rich and escape poverty once and for all due to her looks and charm. But she’s also thrown into horrendous scandals because of the same qualities.

When I listen to gold rush, I imagine this might be how Lawrence Selden sees Lily Bart (Gleaming, twinkling/Eyes like sinking ships on waters/So inviting, I almost jump in/ I don’t like that anyone would die to feel your touch/Everybody wants you/Everybody wonders what it would be like to love you/What must it be like to grow up that beautiful?/With your hair falling into place like dominoes)—a great beauty that he can’t quite stay away from even though he understands that she’s not meant for him, that they wouldn’t fit well together because she has high aspirations of becoming rich and securing her place in the high society while he’s satisfied with a quiet, not-quite-as-shiny life. Their love story is essentially a will-they-won’t-they romance and it fits Swift’s song like a glove (At dinner parties I call you out on your contrarian shit/And the coastal town we wandered round had never seen a love as pure as it/And then it fades into the gray of my day-old tea/’Cause it could never be).

‘tis the damn season – Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

Pumpkinheads is the story of Deja and Josiah who are seasonal best friends. They work together from the beginning of September until the end of October at the same pumpkin patch and they never really interact with each other after Halloween.The book starts with their last year together as they are both going away for college and deals with the nostalgic feelings they have about their friendship, their autumns spent at the patch and everything they did and didn’t. Deja is determined not to let the blues destroy their last night at the patch, so she tries to take Josiah to all the good rides, eat the most delicious sweets and help him talk to the girl he has a crush on.

Their adventure is exciting and will definitely give you happy feelings, you will also root for these two to explore the hidden feelings they harbour for each other (‘Tis the damn season, write this down/I’m stayin’ at my parents’ house/And the road not taken looks real good now/Time flies, messy as the mud on your truck tires/Now I’m missing your smile, hear me out/We could just ride around/And the road not taken looks real good now/And it always leads to you and my hometown). But even though it’s a light book, it’s also filled with wistfulness and homesickness just like Swift’s song (And wonder about the only soul/Who can tell which smiles I’m fakin’/And the heart I know I’m breakin’ is my own).

tolerate it – The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

This is my favourite song off the album, it tells the story of a strained marriage – the wife is very dedicated and loving while the husband just tolerates her. The Penelopiad is a retelling of The Odyssey from the perspective of Penelope, the faithful wife of Odysseus who waited for him to come back from Troy year after year without losing hope in him. Atwood challenges the mythical image of the loyal, patient, and uncomplaining wife and tries to dig deeper into her character showing some unseen sides of her—that she was perhaps bitter, jealous and angry with her husband for his infidelity (I greet you with a battle hero’s welcome/I take your indiscretions all in good fun/I sit and listеn, I polish plates until they gleam and glistеn/You’re so much older and wiser and I).

I also think the relationship between Penelope and Odysseus fits this song so well because they are both incredibly clever, but only Odysseus gets real recognition for his skills while Penelope ends up being known for her dedication rather than her shrewdness. She also has to trick the suitors years upon years, yet Odysseus gets the credit for dealing with them (While you were out building other worlds, where was I?/Where’s that man who’d throw blankets over my barbed wire?/I made you my temple, my mural, my sky/Now I’m begging for footnotes in the story of your life/Drawing hearts in the byline/Always taking up too much space or time/You assume I’m fine, but what would you do if I/Break free and leave us in ruins/Took this dagger in me and removed it/Gain the weight of you, then lose it/Believe me, I could do it). A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes has a very similar vibe and you should definitely check it out!

no body, no crime – The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey

There’s a whole sub-genre dedicated to marriage thrillers and probably most of those books would match Swift’s haunting and very bold song perfectly (off the top of my head, Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train could fit the bill very well). But I believe The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey is the best match for this song. At its heart, this book has a deadly love triangle with a shocking spin to it.

Evelyn’s husband has been cheating on her with her genetically cloned replica (Her husband’s actin’ different, and it smells like infidelity/She says, “That ain’t my Merlot on his mouth/That ain’t my jewelry on our joint account”/ I think he did it, but I just can’t prove it) and now Evelyn doesn’t have to face only the consequences of the affair, but also the fact that her clone had murdered her husband and they now have to cover up the whole thing (Good thing my daddy made me get a boating license when I was fifteen/And I’ve cleaned enough houses to know how to cover up a scene/Good thing his mistress took out a big life insurance policy/They think she did it, but they just can’t prove it/No body, no crime). This is a very thrilling novel that will keep you on the edge until the very end.

happiness – My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

I’ve recently read Ferrante’s highly acclaimed tetralogy and I really adored how gritty the first book is. While it tackles very important themes like violence, poverty, sexism, abusive relationships, at its very core it is about the tumultuous, long-lasting friendship between Elena and Lila (Past the blood and bruise/Past the curses and cries/Beyond the terror in the nightfall/Haunted by the look in my eyes/That would’ve loved you for a lifetime/Leave it all behind/And there is happiness). It’s fascinating to watch these two girls grow up and see how their friendship also changes and matures in time. Their connection is very complex—while they are loyal to each other to a fault, there is also an insidious envy between these two. They are always competing with each other and because of this, end up hurting one another more than once (Tell me, when did your winning smile/Begin to look like a smirk?/When did all our lessons start to look like weapons/Pointed at my deepest hurt?/ I can’t make it go away by making you a villain/I guess it’s the price I paid for seven years in Heaven).

The lyrics in happiness remind me a lot of their struggle to get out of their brutal, very poor neighbourhood and how they find solace into each other even as Elena continues to learn and seemingly has a brilliant future ahead while Lila is forced by her parents to go to work instead and marry young (But now I’m right down in it, all the years I’ve given/Is just shit we’re dividin’ up/Showed you all of my hiding spots/I was dancing when the music stopped/And in the disbelief, I can’t face reinvention/I haven’t met the new me/ There’ll be happiness after you/But there was happiness because of you/Both of these things can be true/There is happiness).

dorothea – Beautiful World, Where Are You? by Sally Rooney

Alice and Eileen were once roommates in Dublin and best friends. Now Alice is a renowned author with numerous awards and accolades, and retreated in a more secluded part of Ireland to get away from fame while Eileen is stuck in her job as a literary assistant at a literary magazine that pays her close to nothing. Despite how different their lives are, they still communicate via long emails about politics, relationships, and the (awful) current state of the world (do you ever stop and think about me?/When we were younger down in the park/Honey, making a lark of the misery/A tiny screen’s the only place I see you now/And I got nothing but well wishes for ya).

Eileen would definitely love to have Alice back in Dublin, by her side (Ooh, this place is the same as it ever was/Ooh, but you won’t like it that way/It’s never too late to come back to my side/The stars in your eyes shined brighter in Tupelo), but she knows that what Alice needs is to be in a place where nobody knows her at least for a little while (Ooh, you’rе a queen sellin’ dreams/And if you’re ever tired of bеing known for who you know/You know that you’ll always know me, Dorothea). As it’s a Rooney book, this is full of uncertainty, miscommunication, feelings of insecurity, inadequacy, and whether anything matters in the end (But are you still the same soul I met under the bleachers?/Ooh, I guess I’ll never know/Ooh, and you’ll go on with the show).

coney island – Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest book tells the story of the vibrant Riva clan – the marriage between June and Mick, the birth of their children, the many affairs, the separations and the reconciliations, and the tragedies that followed. Mick’s dream from the very start is to become a famous musician and give June the life she deserves with a beach house in Malibu and nothing to long for (And do you miss the rogue/Who coaxed you into paradise and left you there?), but as soon as those dreams come true, their relationship becomes to crumble in pieces.

Mick makes his fame and his career his centrefold, forgetting all about his family (And I’m sitting on a bench in Coney Island/Wondering where did my baby go?/The fast times, the bright lights, the merry go/Sorry for not making you my centerfold/The question pounds my head/What’s a lifetime of achievement/If I pushed you to the edge?/But you were too polite to leave me). Their relationship is full of love and they seem completely meant to be, but the mistakes he makes give their love story a bitterness that is oddly familiar to the one described in coney island.

ivy – The Absolutist by John Boyne

Forbidden love, jealousy and betrayal are important themes in this tragic and haunting tale about two soldiers who fall in love while serving the British army in the World War I (How’s one to know?/I’d meet you where the spirit meets the bones/In a faith-forgotten land/In from the snow/Your touch brought forth an incandescent glow/Tarnished but so grand). Tristan and Will have very different outlooks when it comes to war—Tristan is trying to be pragmatic about it and make peace with the fact that there’s not much to do beside fighting and hoping he’d make it out alive (I just sit here and wait/Grieving for the living) while Will is becoming more and more fascinated with pacifistic ideas to the point where he doesn’t want to fight anymore because he thinks the war is completely meaningless (I wish to know/The fatal flaw that makes you long to be/Magnificently cursed).

Besides this, the fact that Will struggles with accepting his sexuality and the constantly hiding gives their relationship this inaccessible and forbidden aura that Taylor Swift is singing about in ivy (What would he do if he found us out?/Crescent moon, coast is clear/Spring breaks loose, but so does fear/He’s gonna burn this house to the ground/How’s one to know?/I’d live and die for moments that we stole/On begged and borrowed time/So tell me to run/Or dare to sit and watch what we’ll become). Even though there’s a lot of anguish and cruel words spoken on both side, these two can’t really stay away from each other (Oh, I can’t/Stop you putting roots in my dreamland/My house of stone, your ivy grows/And now I’m covered in you).

cowboy like me – These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

These Violent Delights is a thrilling dark academia book, it has it all—twisted love story, crime and plot-twists that you will never see coming. It tells the story of Paul and Julian, two highly intelligent, kind of pretentious and very dark university freshmen. They become friends after discovering they have very similar ideas on research ethics and afterwards, they keep borrowing books from each other and discussing philosophy, literature and more. Their intellectual friendship soon evolves into obsessive love and the drama gets more and more explosive after Julian’s very rich family comes into the picture as well (Oh, I thought/This is gonna be one of those things/Now I know/I’m never gonna love again/Perched in the dark/Telling all the rich folks anything they wanna hear/Like it could be love/I could be the way forward/Only if they pay for it/You’re a bandit like me/I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve/Takes one to know one/You’re a cowboy like me/Never wanted love/Just a fancy car).

Paul’s constant self-loathing and the way he worships Julian makes their relationship feel suffocating for both of them. So, they have to do something to keep things working between them, something that will unite them forever. What they are going to come up with will definitely shock you (Never thought I’d meet you here/It could be love/We could be the way forward/And I know I’ll pay for it/And the skeletons in both our closets/Plotted hard to fuck this up/And the old men that I’ve swindled/Really did believe I was the one/And the ladies lunching have their stories about/When you passed through town/But that was all before I locked it down).

long story short – The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

I had a hard time coming up with a book for long story short because it seemed to allude to finding the right one after being through absolute hell and I couldn’t settle on one book to illustrate that theme. After much reflecting, I realised it reminds me a lot of June and Nick from The Handmaid’s Tale. June or Offred is a Handmaid in Gilead, a dystopian society where fertility rates have been going down and the regime decided to eradicate women’s rights and separate them in categories (wives, daughters, aunts, handmaids, unwomen, Marthas) with distinct roles.

Handmaids are an asset to the government only while they are fertile as their sole purpose is to give birth. On her third assignment as a Handmaid, June meets Nick who works as a driver for the Commander she’s been assigned to and they find solace and mutual understanding in each other. They are both trying to make the most out of their situations, rebelling in their own ways against a dystopian world that is very hard to escape from (Fatefully/I tried to pick my battles ’til the battle picked me/Misery/Like the war of words I shouted in my sleep/And you passed right by/I was in the alley, surrounded on all sides/The knife cuts both ways/If the shoe fits, walk in it ’til your high heels break/Long story short, I survived). Their love story is all about finding comfort in a kindred soul who can make you forget, at least temporary, about the chaos in your world (And he’s passing by/Rare as the glimmer of a comet in the sky/And he feels like home).

marjorie – Jane: A Murder by Maggie Nelson

Nelson’s Jane is a real story told in verse about the murder of her aunt who was just a student at the University of Michigan when it all happened. The author is trying to navigate both her grief and her family’s despair through the years as the search for the murderer hit a wall again and again. What’s interesting is that Nelson’s been told all her life that she’s very similar to her aunt, and as she starts to dig through Jane’s poems, correspondence, she gets a strange feeling of recognition even though her aunt was murdered a year before her birth (What died didn’t stay dead/What died didn’t stay dead/You’re alive, you’re alive in my head/ All your closets of backlogged dreams/And how you left them all to me). This is a hard-hitting read, very emotional, and definitely captures the grief that is so present in marjorie, but also those tender feelings of total admiration and longing for a loved person who is gone. 

closure – The End of the Affair by Graham Greene

This tragic story is closure on steroids, basically. As the title suggests, this book is about an affair that has come to an end which is very befitting of Swift’s song. Maurice thinks he has no tender feelings left for Sarah after they separated because of his jealousy and her refusal to divorce her husband. When Maurice meets Henry, Sarah’s husband, by chance and finds out that she might be seeing someone else, his jealousy is reignited and he soon discovers that the love or obsession he had for her might still be present. He attempts to find out whether Sarah still has feelings for him, but she maintains her position that they should stay apart despite the evident turmoil she’s going through (It’s been a long time/And seeing the shape of your name/Still spells out pain/It wasn’t right/The way it all went down/Looks like you know that now/ I know I’m just a wrinkle in your new life/Staying friends would iron it out so nice/Guilty, guilty, reaching out across the sea/That you put between you and me/But it’s fake and it’s oh so unnecessary).

There are so many twists and turns even though the story seems old as time on the first glance and Greene’s writing is incredibly powerful and beautiful (Don’t treat me like/Some situation that needs to be handled/I’m fine with my spite/And my tears, and my beers and my candles/I can feel you smoothing me over).

evermore – If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

This is the first Baldwin that I’ve read, but definitely not the last because he’s incredible and so masterful at writing poignant and emotional stories. If Beale Street Could Talk focuses on Tish and Fonny who are having a baby and want to get married when Fonny is falsely accused of rape and then imprisoned (Gray November/I’ve been down since July/Motion capture/Put me in a bad light/I replay my footsteps on each stepping stone/Trying to find the one where I went wrong/Writing letters). Tish and their families start to militate for his release, try to do anything possible to convince the jury that a racist policeman had set Fonny up for it and that the real culprit is free.

The similarities between book and song reside especially in how well they capture those opposite feelings of desperation and uselessness on one side (Hey December/Guess I’m feeling unmoored/Can’t remember/What I used to fight for/I rewind thе tape, but all it does is pause/On thе very moment all was lost/Sending signals) and then, hope and commitment on the other side that are very representative for the way Tish fights for Fonny, but also has moments when she feels like she can’t do it anymore—the pregnancy and this fight for justice, and she gets down and hopeless about the possibility of a future without Fonny in her life (Can’t not think of all the cost/And the things that will be lost/Oh, can we just get a pause?/To be certain, we’ll be tall again).

This is a hard-hitting story about love, devotion, and racism—it’s one of the most beautiful and saddest love stories I’ve ever read (And when I was shipwrecked/I thought of you/In the cracks of light/I dreamed of you/It was real enough/To get me through).

right where you left me – Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan

When Nolan’s unnamed narrator meets Ciaran at a gallery event, she instantly falls in love with him. She’s intrigued by his beauty and the way he carries himself with such ease, like he’s completely unaffected by his surroundings. She likes how cold he is and how much she has to work for his affection, his touch, everything. Their relationship is tumultuous and they break up, get back together, cheat on each other—it’s such a mess that the readers will invariably ask themselves how these two are still together. Even the narrator admits that their relationship is abusive, that if she had more self-esteem, she would give Ciaran up, but it takes very long for her to break it off once and for all and start her journey of healing and that’s mostly because of how directionless she feels after their break-ups (Help, I’m still at the restaurant/Still sitting in a corner I haunt/Cross-legged in the dim light/They say, “What a sad sight”/I, I swear you could hear a hair pin drop/Right when I felt the moment stop/Glass shattered on the white cloth/Everybody moved on, I, I stayed there/Dust collected on my pinned-up hair/They expected me to find somewhere/Some perspective, but I sat and stared/Right where you left me).

Ciaran is very handsome and all of her friends think so, way out of her league, and considering she has a dead-end job and nothing interesting going on for herself, Ciaran seems to be the only thing that matters in her life, that sets her apart (Did you ever hear about the girl who got frozen?/Time went on for everybody else, she won’t know it/She’s still twenty-three inside her fantasy/How it was supposed to be/Did you hear about the girl who lives in delusion?/Breakups happen every day, you don’t have to lose it). A hard-hitting story about abuse, toxic relationships – the monologues are so well written that you won’t be able to put this down.

it’s time to go – The Project by Courtney Summers

This haunting song reminded me a lot of Courtney Summers’ latest release that focuses on the way a cult destroys the relationship between sisters. After their parents die in a car accident, Bea is the one who’s supposed to pick up the broken pieces and look for her younger sister, Lo, who’s gravely injured in the hospital. The fear that Bea will lose her sister as well and the pressure to be a grown-up all the sudden must have been too much for her as we find out that she left Lo and joined a cult (When the words of a sister come back in whispers/That prove she was not in fact what she seemed/Not a twin from your dreams/ That old familiar body ache/The snaps from the same little breaks in your soul).

As the years pass, Lo tries to connect with her sister and convince her to come back home, but it’s to no prevail and that intrigues her in a way. It makes her wonder what is so special about Lev’s charm and beliefs that he has her sister wrapped around his little finger. This is a fascinating look into cults, what it takes to join a cult and even more, to leave one (Fifteen years, fifteen million tears/Begging ’til my knees bled/I gave it my all, he gave me nothing at all/Then wondered why I left/Now he sits on his throne in his palace of bones/Praying to his greed/He’s got my past frozen behind glass/But I’ve got me/Sometimes to run is the brave thing/Sometimes walking out is the one thing/That will find you the right thing).

What recommendations do you have? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Book Recommendations Based On Taylor Swift’s ‘Evermore’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Lo Denham blames The Unity Project for taking her sister away and she will stop at nothing to expose the organisation that the media has branded as a cult. In order to expose them, she must get close to their leader first – something that might prove more dangerous than she believes. Courtney Summer’s riveting novel, The Project is a story about cults, sisterhood and the human need for belonging.

Recently I had the opportunity to chat with Courtney about what made her write a novel about cults, whether there’s any chance of her revisiting characters from her older works, and more!

Hi Courtney! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions for The Nerd Daily. To start off, tell us a bit more about The Project, what should readers expect from your novel?

Thank you for having me! I love The Nerd Daily. The Project is a book about an aspiring young journalist determined to save her sister from a cult. It follows their individual journeys, over two periods of time, as they cross the path of Lev Warren, its charismatic, mysterious—and potentially dangerous—leader. Any reader who sits down with The Project can and should expect to be devastated by it.

What made you want to write a book about a cult?

Most people don’t believe they’d join a cult. When we hear about cults in the news and media, it’s usually when these organizations have imploded, resulting in death and destruction. When your introduction to something is the moment it all goes bad, it’s very easy to use that information to support the argument or belief that we’d never walk so willingly into such an obviously terrible situation. I think there’s an overall lack of empathy in that response and I wanted to write a book that challenges that perception and reminds readers of the very real people at the heart of these tragedies.

What did you struggle with the most in your writing process? Did you have any insecurities regarding the way the readers might perceive certain plot-lines or characters?

I constantly struggle with untangling my thoughts and getting distracted by minor details and this held true while writing The Project. Luckily, I have a great editor who helps me narrow my focus and get to the meat of what I’m trying to say.

I’m very satisfied with and proud of what I’ve accomplished in The Project, and that gives me the space to let other people receive and perceive it however they want without worrying about it. I do always hope readers feel the time the spent with my books was worth it.

Most members of the Unity Project seem to have a deep need to belong, to be seen and Lev Warren is always there for them and knows exactly how to satisfy those needs. Were those dynamics inspired by your research into real-life cults or did you know from the very beginning that this was the way you wanted to depict those connections?

I did a lot of research for The Project and a characteristic most successful cult leaders shared was their ability to be all things to all people. Once I realized that, I had to ask myself what it was that Bea and Lo needed from Lev the most. It’s really interesting to me because the same reason cult leaders are successful is the same reason most people can’t see themselves as potential victims to a cult—they’re not connecting with the individual reasons members signed up. They think that lack of specificity is in their favor. But that’s the point—a cult leader would not give you someone else’s reasons for joining. They’d give you yours.

Speaking of the research you’ve done, were you dissatisfied with the way members of cults were represented in the media and perceived by everyone else? Did that prompt you to look deeper into what it really takes for someone to join a cult?

I was heartbroken by it. Much of my research was centered on Peoples Temple and Jonestown, and after remaining members returned from Guyana—after losing everything they had and everyone they loved—the media was aggressively cruel to them and sensationalistic about life inside the cult. I think we’re so determined not to see ourselves in the choices that lead up to this kind of tragedy, we do everything we can to distance ourselves from it, even if that’s at the expense of others. In this case, the humanity of the survivors is the first thing we sacrifice to comfort ourselves with. That’s what I feel the media did to Jonestown survivors and this absolutely influenced my approach to The Project. It was important for me to write about the subject with empathy and care.

Who was the hardest character to write? And were there any characters that came alive on page almost effortlessly?

Lev Warren, the leader of The Unity Project, was difficult to pin down—but that almost seems like it should be the case. Once I realized that Lev believes everything he’s saying, he unlocked for me. Bea felt a little effortless. I really loved the poetic and dreamlike quality of her perspective.

Something I loved very much about both Sadie and The Project was that while they deal with very dark and gritty subjects, sisterhood lies at the heart of both novels. When you came up with the idea of The Project, did you know right away that it was going to be a story about sisters as much or even more than a story about a cult?

Thank you! I love to write about female relationships. I think there’s so much depth and complexity there to explore. This marks my third time writing about sisters, so I obviously feel there’s a lot there to mine. Two sisters were always at the heart of The Project, but they didn’t both have a POV until the second (and final) draft.

What do you hope your readers will take away from reading The Project?

Whatever they want! That’s the beauty of this part.

Your books are mostly standalones, do you ever think about revisiting some of your old characters?

Those characters have been through so much, I feel they’ve earned never having to deal with me again. If, one day, I’m feeling particularly cruel, they might resurface—but right now I have my eyes on new characters to destroy.

And lastly, what 2021 releases are you looking forward to?

I have had the luck of reading many of my anticipated 2021 book ahead of the year, so I’m going to pick one I haven’t and am excited about: Trouble Girls by Julia Lynn Rubin!

Will you be picking up The Project? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Courtney Summers, Author of ‘The Project’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
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A sensitive, funny, and painful coming-of-age story with a wry voice and tons of chisme, Fat Chance, Charlie Vega tackles our relationships to our parents, our bodies, our cultures, and ourselves.

The Project by Courtney Summers
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From Courtney Summers, the New York Times bestselling author of the 2019 Edgar Award Winner and breakout hit, Sadie, comes a sensational follow-up―another pulls-no-punches thriller about an aspiring young journalist determined to save her sister from a cult.

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
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The Echo Wife is a non-stop thrill ride, perfect for readers of Big Little Lies and enthusiasts of Killing Eve and Westworld­.

Make Up, Break Up by Lily Menon
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In Menon’s adult debut, two app developers and former flings butt heads as they find their offices right next to each other. 

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
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In this world, girls are outcasts by blood and warriors by choice. Get ready for battle. The start of a bold and immersive fantasy series for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
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Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano’s adult debut Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a witty, fast-paced mystery series, following struggling suspense novelist and single mom Finlay Donovan, whose fiction treads dangerously close to the truth as she becomes tangled in real-life murder investigations…

As Far as You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper
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The author of The Gravity of Us crafts another heartfelt coming-of-age story about finding the people who become your home – perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli.

A ​Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
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Sarah J. Maas’s sexy, richly imagined series continues with the journey of Feyre’s fiery sister, Nesta.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone comes an epic novel of love and heroism and hope, set against the backdrop of one of America’s most defining eras—the Great Depression.

The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood
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Following two families from Pakistan and Iraq in the 1990s to San Francisco in 2016, Bad Muslim Discount is a hilarious, timely, and provocative comic novel about being Muslim immigrants in modern America. For fans of Hanif Kureshi, Mira Jacob, and Mohammed Hanif.

A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett
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What is a Victorian lady’s formula for love? Mix one brilliant noblewoman and her enigmatic protection officer. Add in a measure of danger and attraction. Heat over the warmth of humour and friendship, and the result is more than simple chemistry—it’s elemental.

Muted by Tami Charles
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A ripped-from-the-headlines novel of ambition, music, and innocence lost, perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Jason Reynolds! Be bold. Get seen. Be Heard.

What February 2021 releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post February 2021 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Lo Denham is working at a very popular investigative magazine as an assistant and while the job had seemed like a dream come true when she was only a teenager, now she’s starting to become more and more discontented with the non-existent chances of advancing in her career. She wants more than anything to be a writer and after witnessing a tragic event, she also has the perfect story in mind. She’s going to expose the Unity Project and its charismatic leader, Lev Warren. There’s only one problem – Lev Warren hadn’t done an interview in ages after his organisation was branded a cult by the press. Lo isn’t about to give up though as her vendetta against the Unity Project is deeply personal. Her sister, Bea, left her behind in order to join the group and never looked back. Lo is determined to find once and for all whether the Unity Project is really a cult that drives people away from their families or a humanitarian organisation like their leader claims. What she will soon discover is that nothing is black and white, especially when it concerns the Unity Project.

Author Courtney Summers challenges stereotypes by not depicting cult members as a mass of broken, susceptible, weak-minded people. Instead she humanises them; most of them are idealists looking for meaning, for a good cause to follow and something that’s greater than them and the world they live in. Some of them have pasts that taught them they aren’t worthy of love and acceptance which left them with this enormous need to be seen and validated. And those traits, even though they aren’t inherently bad, make them unquestionably vulnerable to someone as charming and as good at reading people as Lev Warren. He becomes an anchor to the Unity Project members by seeing and accepting them, giving them a cause, showing them that they could have everything they ever wanted including paradise on Earth. Paradise has a price though and with time, Lev becomes more of a merciless god and less of a benefactor for those who aren’t willing to make the sacrifices he requires.

Although the book focuses heavily on The Unity Project and Lev’s personality is so intense and vibrant that it repeatedly overshadows everything else, at its core, The Project is a story about sisterhood. It starts with a promise between sisters, one that only they can break and their connection remains important even when they go on without seeing each other for years. No matter how hard Lev wants to encourage that sense of belonging within his group, there’s nothing that can replace that sisterly bond, not even a new-found family promising redemption. The parallels and the alternating perspectives between past and present leave a long-lasting impression on the reader regarding the powerful connection between Bea and Lo. The clashing perspectives Bea and Lo have on the motivations behind Lev’s project are thoroughly inspected, so much so that the readers will be able to understand where they are coming from regardless of the side they are on. Sometimes the lines blur so much that the readers will undoubtably wonder what it takes for a sceptic to turn into a believer.

This is a beautifully-written, compelling book about the lengths to which someone will go in order not to lose their sense of belonging. It’s full of twists and turns, keeping its readers guessing until the very end. The characterisation is masterfully done and so empathetic that the reader will find it almost impossible not to sympathise with the characters even if they are seemingly going down the wrong path. It’s a tour de force, unflinchingly posing uncomfortable questions and forcing its readers to dig deep into themselves in order to find the answers.

The Project is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of February 2nd 2021.

Will you be picking up The Project? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

“The Unity Project saved my life.”

Lo Denham is used to being on her own. After her parents died, Lo’s sister, Bea, joined The Unity Project, leaving Lo in the care of their great aunt. Thanks to its extensive charitable work and community outreach, The Unity Project has won the hearts and minds of most in the Upstate New York region, but Lo knows there’s more to the group than meets the eye. She’s spent the last six years of her life trying—and failing—to prove it.

“The Unity Project murdered my son.”

When a man shows up at the magazine Lo works for claiming The Unity Project killed his son, Lo sees the perfect opportunity to expose the group and reunite with Bea once and for all. When her investigation puts her in the direct path of its charismatic and mysterious leader, Lev Warren, he proposes a deal: if she can prove the worst of her suspicions about The Unity Project, she may expose them. If she can’t, she must finally leave them alone.

But as Lo delves deeper into The Project, the lives of its members, and spends more time with Lev, it upends everything she thought she knew about her sister, herself, cults, and the world around her—to the point she can no longer tell what’s real or true. Lo never thought she could afford to believe in Lev Warren . . . but now she doesn’t know if she can afford not to.

Welcome to The Unity Project.

The next pulls-no-punches thriller from New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author Courtney Summers, about an aspiring young journalist determined to save her sister from a cult.

The post Review: The Project by Courtney Summers appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

After whatever that last year was, we’re certainly hoping that 2021 will be a significant improvement! Just like every single industry, the publishing industry faced its own challenges with many 2020 releases delayed by months or even years in some cases and it caused much concern for authors with either recent or upcoming releases.

But with every year, there’s also the improvement when it comes to diversity and whilst it still unfortunately takes devastating events to invoke some kind of change or even discussion, there’s great change heading our way with 2021 releases (and even 2022 and 2023 based on book announcements made thus far).

The year promises for more #ownvoices authors to be heard with stories of fierce Black characters taking the lead role (and also killing it on their covers), queer characters and their journeys offering hope, characters embracing their bodies and their culture, and so much more. Then there’s the continuing shift in perception on genres, including romance and YA, with some incredibly great stories and offering a new take on the genres altogether.

To be honest, it’s quite exciting and refreshing, and we at The Nerd Daily can’t wait to see what comes next and cover 2021 releases!

Read on to discover just a few of our favourite January to June 2021 releases and tell us in the comments if you’re looking forward to any of them! 

Want more 2021 releases? Check out our lists for  2021 Queer Book Releases, 2021 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases, 2021 Romance Book Releases, 2021 YA Book Releases, and 2021 Queer SFF Book Releases.

JANUARY

Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An alien artifact turns a young girl into Death’s adopted daughter in Remote Control, a thrilling sci-fi tale of community and female empowerment from Nebula and Hugo Award-winner Nnedi Okorafor

Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Project Runway goes to Comic Con in an epic queer love story about creativity, passion, and finding the courage to be your most authentic self.

Lore by Alexandra Bracken
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Darkest Minds comes a sweepingly ambitious, high-octane tale of power, destiny, love and redemption.

The Push by Ashley Audrain
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A tense, page-turning psychological drama about the making and breaking of a family–and a woman whose experience of motherhood is nothing at all what she hoped for–and everything she feared.

Persephone Station by Stina Leicht
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hugo award-nominated author Stina Leicht has created a take on space opera for fans of The Mandalorian and Cowboy Bebop in this high-stakes adventure.

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, Rachel Hawkins’s The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern charm with atmospheric domestic suspense, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda.

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Public radio co-hosts navigate mixed signals in Rachel Lynn Solomon’s sparkling romantic comedy debut.

A Splendid Ruin by Megan Chance
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A spellbinding novel of dark family secrets and a young woman’s rise and revenge set against the backdrop of the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

FEBRUARY

Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A sensitive, funny, and painful coming-of-age story with a wry voice and tons of chisme, Fat Chance, Charlie Vega tackles our relationships to our parents, our bodies, our cultures, and ourselves.

A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

What is a Victorian lady’s formula for love? Mix one brilliant noblewoman and her enigmatic protection officer. Add in a measure of danger and attraction. Heat over the warmth of humour and friendship, and the result is more than simple chemistry—it’s elemental.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone comes an epic novel of love and heroism and hope, set against the backdrop of one of America’s most defining eras—the Great Depression.

The Project by Courtney Summers
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From Courtney Summers, the New York Times bestselling author of the 2019 Edgar Award Winner and breakout hit, Sadie, comes a sensational follow-up―another pulls-no-punches thriller about an aspiring young journalist determined to save her sister from a cult.

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Echo Wife is a non-stop thrill ride, perfect for readers of Big Little Lies and enthusiasts of Killing Eve and Westworld­.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this world, girls are outcasts by blood and warriors by choice. Get ready for battle. The start of a bold and immersive fantasy series for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther.

A ​Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sarah J. Maas’s sexy, richly imagined series continues with the journey of Feyre’s fiery sister, Nesta.

Do No Harm by Christina McDonald
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Behind Every Lie and The Night Olivia Fell comes an unforgettable and heart-wrenching novel about the lengths one woman will go to save her son.

MARCH

Can’t Take That Away by Steven Salvatore
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Steven Salvatore’s debut Can’t Take That Away is about Carey Parker, a genderqueer teen who dreams of being a diva like their hero Mariah Carey. When they are cast as the female lead in the school musical, they must fight against discrimination and injustice from their closed-minded school administration. 

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In Act Your Age, Eve Brown the flightiest Brown sister crashes into the life of an uptight B&B owner and has him falling hard—literally.

The Unbroken by C.L. Clark
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In an epic political fantasy unlike any other, two women clash in a world full of rebellion, espionage, and military might on the far outreaches of a crumbling desert empire.

The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Dear Martin meets They Both Die at the End in this gripping, evocative novel about a Black teen who has the power to see into the future, whose life turns upside down when he foresees his younger brother’s imminent death, from the acclaimed author of SLAY.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Huntress and The Alice Network returns with another heart-stopping World War II story of three female code breakers at Bletchley Park and the spy they must root out after the war is over.

Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Shadowhunters must catch a killer in Edwardian London in this dangerous and romantic sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Chain of Gold, from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Iron is a Shadowhunters novel.

The Bone Maker by Sarah Beth Durst
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From award-winning author Sarah Beth Durst, a standalone epic fantasy set in a brand-new world of towering mountains and sparkling cities, in which a band of ageing warriors have a second chance to defeat dark magic and avenge a haunting loss.

Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For readers of The Silent Patient – a taut, twisty, character-driven suspense novel about a famous novelist and a small-town striver locked in a struggle for fortune and fame

APRIL

First, Become Ashes by K.M. Szpara
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

K. M. Szpara follows Docile, one of the most anticipated science fiction novels of 2020, with First, Become Ashes, a fantastic standalone adventure that blends pain and pleasure and will make readers question what is real, and what is magical.

Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the USA Today  bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine comes the clever, funny, and unforgettable story of a muscular, tattooed man hired as an assistant to two old women—under the watchful eye of a beautiful retirement home manager.

Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From #1 New York Times bestselling author and rom-com queen Becky Albertalli comes a buoyant new novel about daring to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight in love, life, and, yes, theater.

The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Naomi and Ethan will test the boundaries of love in this provocative romance from the author of the ground-breaking debut, The Roommate.

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A dark, twisty modern fairytale where three sisters discover they are not exactly all that they seem and evil things really do go bump in the night.

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Perfect for fans of the Lady Janies and Stalking Jack the Ripper, the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries series is a clever retelling of Pride and Prejudice that reimagines the iconic settings, characters, and romances in a thrilling and high-stakes whodunit.

Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Deadly, fierce, magnetically addictive: this Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut is a thrilling journey where dangerous magic reigns supreme and betrayal lurks beneath every word. 

Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The New York Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Never Have I Ever builds on her success with this addictive novel of domestic suspense in which a mother must decide how far she is willing to go to protect her child and the life she loves—a chilling and thoughtful tale of power, privilege, lies, revenge, and the choices we make, ones that transform our lives in unforeseen ways.

MAY

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six . . . Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, their lives will change forever.

Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this sweeping debut, actress Asha Bromfield takes readers to the heart of Jamaica, and into the soul of a girl coming to terms with her family, and herself, set against the backdrop of a hurricane.

A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

It’s a club like no other. Only the most important women receive an invitation. But one daring young reporter is about to infiltrate this female-run secret society, whose beguiling members are caught up in a dark and treacherous business.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A lone astronaut must save the earth from disaster in this incredible new science-based thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian.

Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From one of the most exciting new storytellers in epic fantasy, the first book in the Nameless Republic trilogy is a sweeping tale of violent conquest and forbidden magic set in a world inspired by the pre-colonial empires of West Africa.

In the Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A pansexual bloodmage reluctantly teams up with an undead spirit to start a rebellion among the living and the dead, in this dark YA fantasy by A.M. Strickland, author of Beyond the Black Door, whom Richard Kadrey calls “a storyteller of both grace and power.”

The Hunting Wives by May Cobb
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Hunting Wives share more than target practice, martinis, and bad behaviour in this novel of obsession, seduction, and murder.

Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Irresistibly action-packed and full of lethal surprises, this stunning new fantasy series from Victoria Aveyard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Red Queen series, begins where hope is lost and asks: When the heroes have fallen, who will take up the sword?

JUNE

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop is a magical, sexy, big-hearted romance where the impossible becomes possible as August does everything in her power to save the girl lost in time.

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Nghi Vo’s debut novel The Chosen and the Beautiful reinvents this classic of the American canon as a coming-of-age story full of magic, mystery, and glittering excess, and introduces a major new literary voice.

Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A rich, dark urban fantasy debut following a teen witch who is given a horrifying task: sacrificing her first love to save her family’s magic. The problem is, she’s never been in love—she’ll have to find the perfect guy before she can kill him.

Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The start of an exciting new historical mystery series set in 1920s Harlem featuring Louise Lloyd, a young black woman caught up in a series of murders way too close to home…

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Tasha Suri’s The Jasmine Throne begins the powerful Burning Kingdoms trilogy, in which two women–a long-imprisoned princess and a maidservant in possession of forbidden magic–come together to rewrite the fate of an empire.

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Get Out meets The Devil Wears Prada in this electric debut about the tension that unfurls when two young Black women meet against the starkly white backdrop of New York City book publishing.

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A prim and proper lady thief must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his dangerously charming henchman in this fantastical historical romance.

Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The New York Times bestselling author of Her Last Flight returns with a gripping and profoundly human story of Cold War espionage and family devotion.

What 2021 book releases are you excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Most Anticipated 2021 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

They say the best secrets are often the most twisted and some of the best books are the ones that keep you up all night, just for that last twist. Honestly, a well written thriller definitely steals the show, so we’ve rounded up some amazing thrillers that are bound to keep you engaged and sleepless for sure!

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh | Goodreads

After a tragic accident, Jenna Gray moves to a remote cottage on the Welsh coast in the hopes of starting anew. But the ghost of past never leaves, and neither does the grief of the accident. Clare Mackintosh writes an intriguing psychological thriller that will keep you hooked to the story till the end. The twist is bound to completely leave the reader gaping. If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that is well written and has enough secrets to twist your thinking, I Let You Go is the book for you!

“I wonder briefly if I have become immune to physical pain: if the human body is not designed to handle both physical and emotional hurt.” ― Clare Mackintosh, I Let You Go

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Perkins | Goodreads

Thrillers featuring badass, savage women are a treat to read on its own. With You Are Not Alone, the writer duo takes us on a whirlwind journey of a women obsessed with numbers, and sisters who have a whole different secret life of their own.

When the quiet and shy Shay Miller witnesses a horrific suicide, she is weirdly drawn to the victim. Soon she finds herself in the midst of the victim’s friends, a place for herself and her life finally settled. But things go awry when everything takes a completely turn, leaving Shay in a dark place to fend for herself. This magnificent story will definitely draw you in right from the start, with the mystery and suspense on the perfect scale. As always, that climax totally earns a whole star for itself! Part creepy, part thrilling, You Are Not Alone will keep you guessing the truth till the end.

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison | Goodreads

I will admit, I haven’t read anything so horrific as a book like this. A crazy man is obsessed with capturing beauty. He takes girls captive and inks butterfly wings on their backs while keeping him in a place that the man calls The Garden. This is a story of survival and family, of old grudges and abandonment. When the garden is discovered, a survivor is brought in for questioning, which goes on to reveal the cruelties and insane happenings that went on inside the so called Garden.

Gritty, gut wrenching and horrifying, The Butterfly Garden is a terrific and disturbing story of unthinkable obsessions taken to far, of desires that know no humanity and of the little hope that we sometimes cling on to.

Trigger warning: This book is also highly graphic and deals with triggering themes like rape, paedophilia, sexual assault and abuse, child molestation, torture, and murder amongst others, so it can be a highly disturbing read.

“Some people stay broken. Some pick up the pieces and put them back together with all the sharp edges showing.” ― Dot Hutchison, The Butterfly Garden

Sadie by Courtney Summers | Goodreads

A missing girl on a journey of revenge. A Serial―like podcast following the clues she’s left behind. And an ending you won’t be able to stop talking about.

Sadie isn’t an easy book to read. A slow burn thriller that would set your heart thumping loudly as you near the end, it is a story of grief, revenge, and the inadequacies of justice. When Mattie dies and the police investigation is nothing but loose and botched, Sadie takes it upon herself to avenge the only family that she had. Then West McCray overhears her story, and starts his own podcast to find  the truth. Told in alternating POVs, switching between the podcast interviews and Sadie’s narrative, this story is equal parts heartbreaking and horrifying. The end is terrifying and will leave you with a hollow void long after you’ve finished the book.

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James | Goodreads

When Viv suddenly goes missing one night, no one really looks deeper into her case. Thirty five years later, Carly goes back to Fell, the place where her aunt had disappeared all those years ago, working the night clerk at the Sun Down Motel. When Carly too starts on the same job, bizarre things start to happen in the motel. As she tries to uncover the truth about her missing aunt, she also realises that the motel and the town people have secrets of their own.

Spooky and eerie, Simone St. James definitely delivers with this book. The fantastic narration will draw you into the story right from the beginning, coupled with the impending mystery and suspense of ghostly occurrences and a string of murders. True crime at its core, this is a horror thriller told in impeccable style and a storyline that is bound to break your heart. The theme of violence against women in the 1980s runs deep in this book, which is quite terrifying and horrific. With a pinch of supernatural and secrets, this book is bound to keep you up all night!

Verity by Colleen Hoover | Goodreads

A thriller like no other, Colleen Hoover takes the readers into the deepest, darkest lane of writers and insanity with her romantic thriller. When Jeremy Crawford, husband of the best-selling author Verity Crawford, offers the job of completing the remaining books in a successful series that his injured wife is unable to finish, Lowen accepts. Struggling with her own writing career, on the brink of financial ruin, she sees this as an opportunity to up her game. And besides, what’s she got to lose?

But what Lowen finds in the midst of a chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography that Verity never intended anyone to read. It harbours the chilling incidents and admissions from Verity, including the truth about what led to her daughter’s death. Caught in a whirlwind of romance and fear, Lowen’s life soon takes a drastic change as she is torn between secrets and family and her own feelings.

Bone-chilling and horrifying, Verity will leave you with an open wound at the end. Colleen Hoover has crafted a master thriller, with such twisted words and characters. 

“It’s what you do when you’ve experienced the worst of the worst. You seek out people like you… people worse off than you… and you use them to make yourself feel better about the terrible things that have happened to you.” ― Colleen Hoover, Verity

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson | Goodreads

When a white baby dies under the care of a Black woman and her nine-year-old daughter, the public convicted Mary and the jury made it official. But year after year, one question still remains: did she really do it? Mary wouldn’t say. But when years later Mary is stricken with an unborn child and the state threatens to take away her child, Mary is determined to fight for her rights. And that includes telling the truth, but what exactly happened that night?

Set in a group home, Mary’s story is bound to clench at your heart and make you want to reach out and cradle her in your arms. This is the power of Tiffany Jackson’s writing, creating immense empathy in the readers. As the state tries to understand Mary and her mental state, we uncover Mary’s story and the truth. Honestly though, Allegedly is a difficult read. With enough gut wrenching scenes, Jackson breaks our hearts and then pulls the rug out from under our feet.

The ending had me screaming at the book at midnight. Shocking and gritty, Allegedly is a thriller unlike the others. Heartbreaking, romantic, and terrifying, Allegedly needs to be on your ever long TBR list!

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides | Goodreads

Alicia’s life ends up in a forensic psych unit after tragic domestic accident. One night, when her husband returns from a fashion shoot, Alicia shoots him five times in the face and then never ever speaks a word. Her refusal to speak garners enough attention, and her last piece of painting turns this domestic tragedy into something of a murder mystery. She becomes the silent patient, hidden away from the world. That is until Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist arrives, curious to work on Alicia’s case. He is determined to unravel the mystery of that night, a secret and search for truth that consumes him.

Told from the point of view of Theo, the story unravels its threads slowly and steadily, placing together the pieces of the puzzle really well. Michaelides’s easy narration and inciting suspense in the readers is the strong point of this book. The short chapters definitely makes it a fast read, a definite page turner.

And that ending – my goodness, what a terrific shocking ending! Clever and intriguing, The Silent Patient is a story of grief and mistakes, of life turned upside down in an instant. The whole story is so very cleverly written, the climax one of its strongest suits, and the end will leave you craving for more.

Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas | Goodreads

In the spring break of senior year, Anna, her boyfriend Tate, best friend Elise, and a few others are off on a vacation trip to Aruba. But then Elise is found brutally murdered and Anna is convicted as the murdered. Stuck in a country that’s not her own, Anna fights against vile accusations as she tries to defend herself, while finding some hard truths about her friendships.

Heartbreaking and shocking, Dangerous Girls is a gritty thriller about friendship and young love. It starts with the death and then the past unravels, revealing cracks of truth as the story progresses. The depth of friendship that we see is incredible. There are layers and layers of secret’s that are revealed, and we can see what a picture and the smallest of things can sometimes land you on the wrong side of justice.

Written in heart-wrenching prose, Abigail Haas really does know how to seek the readers her characters, make the readers feel the characters’ wounds and pain. And right then drops the classic bomb on us, giving us a shocking reveal. A shocking thriller, much like Allegedly, and loosely based on a real life crime, Dangerous Girls will definitely give you sleepless nights for sure.

“Wouldn’t we all look guilty, if someone searched hard enough?” ― Abigail Haas, Dangerous Girls

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie | Goodreads

Ten strangers in a mysterious private island, their host unknown, and all of them with wicked secrets, all of them marked for murder. Then one by one, everyone sees their end, deaths following in the same way as described in a famous nursery rhyme. But who could devise such a plan? And who would survive to tell the tale?  

A classic thriller from the uber famous Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None is a book you ought to read at least once. Full of mystery and timely crafted deaths, this story is a definite page turner. And the bits of the rhyme that appears in between definitely will send a chill down your spine.

Of course, no one does thrillers and mysteries like Agatha Christie. And as usual, the end of this book is a classic shock to behold!

Have you read any of these books? Or do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 10 Exciting Thrillers You Should Read appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

From films to TV characters to food, sorting things into Hogwarts Houses has become something of a cultural norm. The notion of giving anything a magical animal identity has permeated the very fabric of society with a person’s House being a somewhat trademark telling of their characteristics and personality. But what about books? Find below a curated list of some of the best books based around those all-important House traits. Maybe dabble in another House’s reading list; after all, if Harry can choose so can you.

Hufflepuff

Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

If retellings are your jam, then this fandom inspired, comic convention novel based on the Cinderella narrative is a decadent treat. This book is bright and sparkly but doesn’t shy away from themes of loneliness and fear. It shines a light on toxic family relationships and shows the importance of equality, friendship and togetherness. There are haters to lovers, a vegan food truck, and lots of nerdy references; a perfect mixture for any Hufflepuff heart.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

“No mourners, no funerals”, one Dreg says to another. The Dregs are, of course, the rag tag band of misfits featured in this heist duology. While steeped in espionage and betrayal, one theme runs stronger than any other: loyalty. Each of the characters pull from very different backgrounds and it is in these differences that the cast find home with one and other. Even though this series is set in a high fantasy world, the characters are as real as those featured in any contemporary story.

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A young boy travels from America to Iran on a family vacation in this heart-warming novel about identify, heritage, and the loyalty of family. Darius is a bit of an outsider, enjoying watching Star Trek, and selling tea in the local store rather than exploring any real form of social life. When he lands on ancestral soil, he connects with his grandparents and befriends the boy next door, Sohrab, who challenges everything Darius thought about himself.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A year after 9/11 and Shirin, a teenage Muslim girl, is trying to navigate an extremely politically unsettled America. From her love of break-dancing to the new boy, Ocean James, this book demonstrates the very worst of humanity in order to celebrate the love and uplifting nature of its best parts.

Ravenclaw

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Lazlo Strange sets out on a quest to uncover the mystery surrounding the lost city of Weep. This book captures the intelligence and creativity often ascribed to the Ravenclaw house; Lazlo’s determination to solve the puzzle through intense learning and research is perfect for those self-sufficient Ravenclaw’s.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
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In a world where humanity has conquered everything – war, hunger, disease – apprentices Citra and Rowan are thrust into the world of the Scythes: a highly respected society of cloaked individuals who are tasked with population control. For the protagonists, navigating this tricky world is all about being inventive, learning the politics, and adapting to the environment.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North
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The title of this book screams Ravenclaw. Harry August is a man who cannot die; he lives and dies, and then comes back with all the memories and experiences of his previous lives. On top of the relationships and the jobs, the main thread through this novel is science and the intricacies involved with experimenting and investigating and exploring the scientific wonders of the world.

Sadie by Courtney Summers
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Following the mystery of her sister’s murder, Sadie sets out on a quest to uncover the culprit. The audiobook of this story is wonderfully crafted as it follows Sadie’s own perspective, as well as that of a podcast reporter searching for his own answers. Heart-breaking and harrowing, the clues build up as Sadie heads towards the final showdown.

Gryffindor

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
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Bravery comes in many forms, and this tale about lonely outsider, Eleanor Oliphant, is completely mesmerising and devastatingly heart-wrenching. Through the course of the book, the reader learns more and more about the title character; her arrogance, her judgemental attitude but most of all her absolute unflinching courage to confront her past in order to live a better present.

Circe by Madeline Miller
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This retelling of Circe the witch is all too modern. Ostracised by her peers and exiled by her father, Circe hones her occult powers on a lonely Greek island. Terrorised by sailors, the Goddess has to learn to be brave and fearless in a man’s world, showing that courage and determination come in all different forms.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
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When an altercation between the President’s son, Alex and Prince of England, Henry is exposed in the international press, the teams behind each of the high-profile individuals concoct a fake friendship plan to simmer the tension. Their relationship turns into something deeper and more intimate, and both characters have to decide whether their love is bigger than diplomacy in this novel about bravery and authenticity.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
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Starr Carter witnesses the murder of her unarmed black best friend at the hands of a white police officer. What happens next is a series of events that tackle the conversation of racism and police brutality. This is a novel about finding your voice and using it in the times that matter; the times that will make a change. It is about choice and courage in the face of overwhelming prejudice.

Slytherin

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
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Jude and her sister, Taryn, witness the murder of their parents at the hands of the Fey. Whisked to Faerie, Jude crafts her swordsmanship and aims to be as strong as the faeries that torment her mortality. Cunning and ambitious, Jude is ensnared in court politics and ends up under the gaze of wicked and vicious, Prince Cardan. This book showcases peak Slytherin traits: resourcefulness, determination and the gut-wrenching need to succeed.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
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Mia Corvere becomes embroiled in the cutthroat environment of assassin school, The Red Church as she sets out on a quest to avenge her parents’ murders and overthrow the current rulers of Itreya. Filled with danger, gore, and unrelenting action, this novel explores the lengths people will go to see their goal accomplished.

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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This vibrant tale of the rise and fall of a successful rock ‘n’ roll band is seamlessly woven together in this engaging oral history. The novel captures each of the characters voices individually and concocts a juicy, turbulent narrative of a band at their height. Spunky Daisy Jones arrives on the scene and invigorates the members of The Six, and what follows is a chaotic ride through the seventies and the ambitious goal of super stardom.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
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This near future science-fiction adventure story is brimming with the energy of the Slytherin house. From ambitious end goals to securing survival in the vicious world of virtual reality (VR), this book follows Wade Watts as he attempts to decipher the puzzle of his hero’s game. Deep inside the OASIS, a VR style world where anything is possible, deceased creator James Halliday has hidden the keys to his kingdom.

So, wear those colours with pride, pick up a book and celebrate the best traits of your house!

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Sorting Books: Hogwarts House Book Recommendations appeared first on The Nerd Daily.