Just brilliant. Brilliant.

Harmless Like You follows Yuki, whose parents have moved to New York in the mid-60s, and her son Jay, in the present day, intertwining two narratives of love, belonging, friendship, art, identity and family.
I found this a beautifully written, moving and assured debut - I really loved it.

I have a week off work and I've put together an ambitious reading list, including Harmless Like You but also six of the Man Booker "dozen" and lots more besides! Looking forward to getting stuck into these...

A lovely picture book - perfect for potential mini-medalists inspired by the Olympics! Can't wait to see if Mo defends his 5000m title...

Published in the UK by new imprint Fleet, I've heard this is garnering huge praise in the US. It sounds like there are some similar themes to Homegoing, and I'm really looking forward to reading...

A really fun read, beginning a new set of stories and quests in "the world of Percy Jackson", with the God Apollo - now mortal and banished to Earth - at its centre.
Really enjoyed this, and I appreciated the way Rick Riordan used it as an opportunity to introduce more LGBTQ elements to Camp Halfblood, too.

I have a soft spot for these books, full of myth and legend - seems appropriate for Sunday evening in front of the Olympics!

A fantastic story with its own roots in Eastern European fairytale which follows Agneishka as she is taken from her village by local wizard the Dragon and discovers not only her own power but the origin of the sinister corruption at the heart the Wood encroaching on her home.
Sexy, powerful... I did feel at times that I shouldn't be enjoying it as much as I was but this was a riproaring adventure which all comes back to a series of powerful women.

Just starting Uprooted by Naomi Novik - heard so much about this one - and wanted to share a detail of the gorgeous UK paperback cover... Wish me luck!

I really enjoyed Today Will Be Different - the way Semple manages to show the myriad concerns that crop up in the life of a professional adult woman is masterful. I think this will reassure a lot of people that they're not so weird after all! I found it funny, touching, moving, sweet, sad and even motivational!

Just back from the UK midnight launch for the script book of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, parts I and II at Waterstones Piccadilly, the largest bookshop in Europe. It was a magical evening! I've seen the play so I know the story and I'm so glad to have been a part of this evening ⚡️🔮💫

Just started Today Will Be Different - thank you W&N for the ARC - and already half way through. I love the easy but frank narrative voice, the unexpected plot lines about graphic novels and gender identity... This is great!

Just about to start this, which feels even more timely here in the UK with the huge rise in reported incidents of racist abuse recently, as well as recent shootings in the US. I have huge respect for Gary - I've read his columns for many years. I'm sure this will be as humane and clear sighted.

A beautifully realised tale of a once-floating island corrupted by an unknown force and the bravery of two young girls as they try to help the island and each other. Gorgeous mythology with Caribbean and Ancient Greek influences creates a transporting adventure story.

I loved The Snow Child so I was eager to read this and I was not disappointed. TTBEOTW is deeper and more complex. Col. Forrester explores the Wolverine River and his wife Sophie explores her past and potential through photography, always interwoven with the Alaskan people, their power and magic.

An emotional rollercoaster but so worth it - I raced through this in just a few sittings, couldn't wait to find out how things would go for Charlie. And incredibly personal novel about self harm, abuse and addiction but also friendship, support and moving forward with life.

Just starting Girl in Pieces, published in the UK by Rock the Boat, part of Oneworld, out 6 October. I can already tell this is going to be a tough read in terms of its emotional impact - it covers mental health, self-harm and abuse - but comes highly recommended and the prose is excellent.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Amazing. Moved to tears by a stunning portrait of a Gold Coast family split over generations by conflict, slavery and colonialism.
This is an ARC and I feel very privileged to have read an early copy - this is truly something very special.

For Pride 2016, Penguin have been giving bloggers a chance to chat about their #LGBTQLibrary and to get tips. They've sent me Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda and I'm looking forward to trying it!
You can see the full blogpost here: http://www.adventureswithwords.com/2016/06/lgbtqlibrary-pride-2016/

Reading Homegoing at the moment - it's not out until January 2017 here in the UK but my kind colleague Poppy over at Viking sent me over and ARC - and it's fantastic. About halfway through and entranced by this incredible story of a family told over generations.

My second Frances Hardinge and it's no surprise that this was Costa Book of the Year 2015. A Victorian setting allows Hardinge to explore feminism at a time when women's freedom was extremely limited - Faith's determination to study is matched only by her will to clear her father's name.

Ruby is Cynthia Bond‘s debut novel, yet it reads like the work of a master. Stories interweave intricately, and the way Bond deals with love, family and dark, abusive relationships is moving, yet never manipulates.

https://www.waterstones.com/blog/baileys-women-s-prize-for-fiction-shortlist-rub...