Latest Book Releases. Dellybird top picks

2nd August 2019

August 2019 Book Releases

August has crept up so quickly! I am thrilled that it is here however because it means that my most anticipated release of the year is FINALLY here. There are also a lot of other excellent books making their way onto shelves this month. Here are my top August 2019 book releases to help you to decide what to pick up next:

To Be Taught, If Fortunate

Title: To Be Taught, If Fortunate

Author: Becky Chambers

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Published: 8th August 2019

Genre: Science Fiction

Synopsis: Goodreads link

I am a huge Becky Chambers fan as any of my social media followers will know. The Wayfarers series has a special place in my heart as The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet was the first book I picked up by myself after going through a very difficult time in my life. I talk a little about it in another post on Why Books are My Safe Space. One day soon I will actually write a full review for it but it is one of those books where I feel like my words will never explain how it made me feel. It is a book about acceptance of who you are.

To Be Taught, If Fortunate is a novella set in the Wayfarers universe and I cannot wait to read it! It promises another character driven narrative as Ariadne, a space explorer on a mission to survey habitable worlds light years away, chronicles her journey hoping that her planet won’t have forgotten her and that someone back home is listening.

Ever Alice

Title: Ever Alice

Author: H. J. Ramsay

Publisher: Red Rogue Press

Published: 1st August 2019

Genre: YA Fantasy, Retelling

Synopsis: Goodreads link

I find it very hard to resist a retelling and Alice in Wonderland lends itself to so many different stories. The basis of this version is the Alice has landed herself in an asylum after sharing her stories of Wonderland. Desperate to leave, she agrees to an experimental procedure but escapes with the White Rabbit instead. This time however she ends up in the court of the Queen of Hearts and is under orders to take her out. Maybe she has just traded on mad house for another…. I think it sounds great as we have all of the usual elements but with court politics and intrigue thrown into the mix.

House of Salt and Sorrows

Title: House of Salt and Sorrows

Author: Erin A. Craig

Publisher: Delacorte

Published: 6th August 2019

Genre: YA Fantasy, Retelling

Synopsis: Goodreads link

The ARC of this book has been a high priority read for a lot of book bloggers, which in itself always gets me a little bit excited. It is a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses and I love that the author has chosen to write a retelling of a less well known Grimm fairy tale. The isolated manor with its empty halls give a very Gothic vibe, which really peaks my interest. Annaleigh lives a quiet life with her sisters, father and stepmother in a manor by the sea. Her sisters begin to die suspicious deaths and Annaleigh is convinced they are not accidental. She is torn between trying to stop her other sisters from sneaking out to the glamorous balls and dances, or whether to go with them to find out who they are dancing with. Will she be able to solve the mystery before she is next?

How the Light Gets In

Title: How the Light Gets In

Author: Katy Upperman

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Published: 6th August 2019

Genre: YA Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis: Goodreads link

You know when you have been recommended a book but can’t for the life of you remember who by? This is one of those books for me. I know I have heard wonderful things about this book so it is my contemporary pick for August. Callie Ryan is grieving for her sister and, understandably, her life is crumbling away around her. A year on from the tragic death she decides to stay with her aunt for the summer, throwing herself into home renovation. What she doesn’t expect are the strange, haunting dreams. Could her sister be trying to communicate with her? Callie’s nights may be dark but her days are slowly being brightened by a local boy. Tucker may be her sunshine in this tiny coastal town.

Ziggy, Stardust and Me

Title: Ziggy, Stardust and Me

Author: James Brandon

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Published: 6th August 2019

Genre: YA, LGBTQIAP+, Historical Fiction

Synopsis: Goodreads link

Historical fiction is not generally very high on my preferred genres. I guess I have read too many stuffy novels in the genre to put me off unless I am specifically drawn to the synopsis. This coming-of-age book however deals with so many different issues such a bullying, mental illness, alcoholism and homophobia. Set in the 1970s the story focuses on Johnathan Collins, who copes with life by escaping into his imagination. His alternate reality and friends within it, including Ziggy Stardust help him navigate the real world. When Web stumbles into his life and is not ashamed of being gay, he gives Johnathan another escape. Maybe he doesn’t have to be “fixed” after all.

Honorable Mentions

As always there are a lot of great books to pick from this month, including a couple of exciting sequels! Other books you might want to check out include: