E.K. Johnston‘s QUEEN‘S SHADOW is set between Star Wars episodes 1 and 2 and is about Padmé's transition from queen of Naboo to senator. Johnston gets inside Padmé‘s head so incredibly well, telling a fascinating story of a group of girls who dared to change an entire galaxy. I can‘t say enough about how incredible of a read it is. You can pre-order QUEEN‘S SHADOW now, as it will be on shelves in March.

HERE TO STAY features high school student Bijan, who becomes an overnight basketball star for his school team. But with that increased attention also comes resentment, and for a kid that looks like Bijan, it means terrible racism. But don‘t let that make you think this book is heavy or difficult. Farizan tells a charming and funny story in this novel, making it clear that Bijan is just a teenager trying to make his way in the world.

The book isn‘t out until May, but I want y‘all to keep an eye out for it because I really enjoyed it. It‘s about a presumed-dead astronaut who returns to Earth with no memory of her mission or why she‘s the only survivor. It mixes issues of gender expectations, balancing ambition and family, the ethics of space exploration, and more with a tense, gripping storyline.

My first book of 2019 was UNDER MY SKIN by Lisa Unger, who is a reliable go-to author for me, and I have a feeling her psychological thriller wouldn‘t disappoint, where so many in this genre have just not been as good as I wanted them to be recently. Happily, I really enjoyed getting lost in this novel and its twists and turns; I think how much I enjoyed it sets a good tone for my reading in this new year!

Giving away this stack of books to promote the podcast I co-host, Desi Geek Girls -- head over to the Twitter account for instructions on entering! https://www.twitter.com/desigeekgirls

If you loved The Martian, then add this thriller to your list. It‘s got a similar science/tech approach, and the pacing is great. I didn‘t love the way the (sole) female character was written (capable, but constant comments on her smooth skin and she bit her lip all the time). If you can get past that, though, give it a look.

This graphic novel is about a prince who's supposed to be focused on getting married but secretly enjoys wearing dresses. It's sweet, with gorgeous art, and it made me cry. Highly recommended!

Today is the book release for this wonderful novel, and I profiled Samira Ahmed over at Bustle! https://www.bustle.com/p/how-star-wars-inspired-love-hate-other-filters-author-s...

This gorgeous novel was one of my most anticipated of 2018, and it didn't disappoint. I loved Clayton's worldbuilding, and though it took a little while for the plot to become clear, the immersive details held my attention beautifully.

I really loved the first book in this series, The Dry, so I was thrilled to find that the follow up was just as good. I did wish that it spent more time in the present than in flashbacks, but I was riveted every step of the way.

I love noted symbologist and Harvard professor Robert Langdon and I won't apologize for it.

This fantasy novel, which is inspired by Middle Eastern and Islamic myths and legends, is incredible. I couldn't put it down and can't wait for more in this trilogy.

I interviewed author David Mack! (No spoilers) http://www.unboundworlds.com/2017/09/boldly-go-david-mack-star-trek-discovery-de...

I wrote about some sci-fi mysteries for the LA Times! http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-science-fiction-20170921-story....

I am so excited to read this tonight.

Hell yes she is.

Yep.

My Sunday reading -- what are you reading today?

It's hard to exaggerate just how great this book is. If a teenage Leia coming of age story that has her getting involved with the Rebellion sounds like your jam, you will love this book as much as I did.

I recommend sci fi and fantasy books that released in August! (WARBRINGER is excellent.) http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/still-time-for-more-summer-reading-with-our-august-...

I really enjoyed this fantasy novel, starring a young princess named Amrita. I interviewed Aditi for Syfy Wire! http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/aditi-khorana-on-privilege-and-feminism-in-the-libr...

It would be hard to exaggerate just how good Jemisin's latest fantasy trilogy is. It's one of the best series I've ever read, period.

HELLLOOOOOOO THERE.

DAT TAGLINE

I love this dedication.

I wrote about near-future sci-fi to read over at the LA Times! http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-sci-fi-roundup-20170623-htmlsto...

Loved this first in this series, and I loved this one as well. Kick ass Asian American lady superheroes FTW!

I enjoyed the first half of this YA fantasy, but the world building and mythology got way too complicated. By the end of the book, I had no idea what was going on because I couldn't keep track.

Remember that alien conspiracy book written by the lead singer of Blink 182? I read it so you don't have to. https://www.bustle.com/p/blink-182s-tom-delonge-wrote-alien-conspiracy-theory-bo...

Excited to be reviewing sci fi for the LA Times! My first review is for THE SHIP by Antonia Honeywell. http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-the-ship-honeywell-20170413-sto...

This book was very much on my wheelhouse (modern day Gothic ghost story) and I can't tell if it was my mood or the book, but I couldn't quite get into it. (Honestly though, I think it was the book.)

I think it was the high expectations that did this one in for me. I certainly liked it--Buntin's an excellent writer and her characters are provocative--but I went in expecting to love it, given the hype. It just didn't suck me in like I'd hoped. Oh well!

If you're a Jyn Erso fan, this book is a must read. I absolutely loved it--it broke my heart.

My first for Read It Forward! Check out these books while you're waiting for the INTO THE WATER. http://www.readitforward.com/bookshelf/14-books-to-read-while-you-wait-for-the-n...

No spoilers but.

I loved it.

I need all of you to know that the lead singer of Blink 182 cowrote a conspiracy theory book that has a grand unifying theory of UFOs and I bought it and am going to review it.

I love Molly Ostertag, so I expected to like this sci-fi graphic novel. I didn't expect to LOVE it. Amazing characters, vivid colors, with a brutal story that still leaves room for hope. Highly, highly recommended.

WOW.

The title says it all: It's not a book I would recommend to someone who has read a few books about astrophysics, but it's a good introduction to the concepts. And it's short!

I can't resist reading outside today.

Weekend reading!! Anything you want to know about?? (I'll get around to my thoughts on them eventually.)

This might be my favorite dedication ever.

Yep, it is crazy.

This book is half superhero story, half trans coming of age story, and full awesome.

I really loved the premise of this but had to bail 50 pages in because the main character was so insufferable. I half expect him to say, "Well, actually" at some point over the course of the novel.

This graphic memoir focuses on one worker's experience cleaning up Japan's Fukushima power plant from 2012-2014. It is absolutely fascinating--even when it feels like a mundane workplace memoir, something in the narrative reminds you that it's anything but. I loved it.

I thought this crossover was adorable and fun, but a caveat: I was surprised it didn't really introduce either the Lumberjanes or the Gotham Academy kids. As a result, it's best for fans of both, rather than an introduction to one if you like the other. Still, it's a lot of fun!

I really loved this book, about a group of astronauts on a simulated Mars mission (before the real thing). It examines them, as well as the families they left behind. It's emotional, and though the ending is ambiguous, I feel like it worked for the book.

I found this book genuinely bizarre. It's about the challenges and possibilities in colonizing our solar system, and it was brilliant in that respect. It had a great tone, and the information was presented in an incredibly engaging and accessible way. The other part of the book though, was a fake history of a future Earth--and that was strange and didn't work at all. My verdict: read the "present" parts, skip the "future."

I'm cohosting a new podcast with Preeti Chhibber on geek pop culture (and some Bollywood thrown in for good measure)! I picked THE WANDERERS by Meg Howrey as my current obsession (group of astronauts simulate a Mars mission.) https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/desi-geek-girls/id1207850264?mt=2