Bookstagram Chooses My September TBR

As you may know, I’ve been active on bookstagram for almost 3 years now. Inspired by some other bookstagrammers, I decided to let bookstagram choose my TBR for this month by letting people vote on a number of books on my physical TBR.

I chose a selection of books for 5 different genres, so my TBR consists of 5 books. Let’s get into them right away!

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Contemporary

First, I made a selection of the following 5 YA contemporaries:

• Under Rose-Tainted Skies
• Anger Is a Gift
• Down and Across
• Alex, Approximately
• What I Lost

Bookstagram chose: Anger Is a Gift. This is probably the book I’m most looking forward to reading out of these 5, so I’m very happy with this choice. I’ve heard amazing things about this book. Alex, Approximately was a close second, so I’ll try to get to that one as well in September.

Six years ago, Moss Jefferies’ father was murdered by an Oakland police officer. Along with losing a parent, the media’s vilification of his father and lack of accountability has left Moss with near crippling panic attacks.

Now, in his sophomore year of high school, Moss and his fellow classmates find themselves increasingly treated like criminals by their own school. New rules. Random locker searches. Constant intimidation and Oakland Police Department stationed in their halls. Despite their youth, the students decide to organize and push back against the administration.

When tensions hit a fever pitch and tragedy strikes, Moss must face a difficult choice: give in to fear and hate or realize that anger can actually be a gift.

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Historical

Then I chose 5 YA historical fiction novels off of my physical TBR:

• Ziggy, Stardust and Me
• Worlds of Ink and Shadow
• Iron Cast
• The Spy With the Red Balloon
• Salt to the Sea

Bookstagram chose: Salt to the Sea. I actually haven’t read anything by Ruta Sepetys, but I’ve heard amazing things, and I also have an eARC of her new book to read, so I’m very much looking forward to this. Ziggy, Stardust & Me was a close second, and I’ve actually already read that. You can find my review in my August wrap-up.

World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, many with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer to safety.

Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people—adults and children alike—aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.

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Fantasy

I especially have quite a lot of YA fantasy novels on my physical TBR, so I chose 5 that I want to read but haven’t quite been prioritizing:

• A Blade So Black
• Everland
• Never Ever
• Amber & Dusk
• Beasts Made of Night

Bookstagram chose: A Blade So Black. With the sequel coming out soon, it’s about time I read this book, so I’m very glad bookstagram chose this for me. Beasts Made of Night was a close second, so if possible, I’ll try to read that as well.

The first time the Nightmares came, it nearly cost Alice her life. Now she’s trained to battle monstrous creatures in the dark dream realm known as Wonderland with magic weapons and hardcore fighting skills. Yet even warriors have a curfew.

Life in real-world Atlanta isn’t always so simple, as Alice juggles an overprotective mom, a high-maintenance best friend, and a slipping GPA. Keeping the Nightmares at bay is turning into a full-time job. But when Alice’s handsome and mysterious mentor is poisoned, she has to find the antidote by venturing deeper into Wonderland than she’s ever gone before. And she’ll need to use everything she’s learned in both worlds to keep from losing her head . . . literally.

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Middlegrade

I haven’t been reading many middlegrade books but I’m hoping to get to more of them soon. Here’s the 5 that are the highest on my TBR:

• The House With Chicken Legs
• Hello, Universe
• Sal & Gabi Break the Universe
• Aru Shah and the Song of Death
• De heksenval

Bookstagram chose: Aru Shah and the Song of Death. I’m so excited to finally get to the sequel to Aru Shah and the End of Time! I absolutely loved that book, so I really can’t wait to read more about Aru.

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents best-selling author Roshani Chokshi and her sequel to Aru Shah and the End of Time. Aru is only just getting the hang of this whole Pandava thing when the Otherworld goes into full panic mode. The god of love’s bow and arrow have gone missing, and the thief isn’t playing Cupid. Instead, they’re turning people into heartless fighting-machine zombies. If that weren’t bad enough, somehow Aru gets framed as the thief. If she doesn’t find the arrow by the next full moon, she’ll be kicked out of the Otherworld. For good. But, for better or worse, she won’t be going it alone. Along with her soul-sister, Mini, Aru will team up with Brynne, an ultra-strong girl who knows more than she lets on, and Aiden, the boy who lives across the street and is also hiding plenty of secrets. Together they’ll battle demons, travel through a glittering and dangerous serpent realm, and discover that their enemy isn’t at all who they expected.

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Graphic novels

Lastly, I made a list of the 4 graphic novels that are still on my physical TBR. I didn’t choose 5 because these are literally the only ones I own that I haven’t read yet. If I can, I’ll order a few more sometime soon. Here’s the list:

• Moonstruck
• Heavy Vinyl
• Goldie Vance
• American Born Chinese

Bookstagram chose: Moonstruck. Moonstruck is probably the one I’m most looking forward to, so this is again a great choice for me! But I’m actually very much looking forward to all of these, so who knows, I might end up reading all of them in September.

Werewolf barista Julie and her new girlfriend go on a date to a close-up magic show, but all heck breaks loose when the magician casts a horrible spell on their friend Chet. Now it’s up to the team of mythical pals to stop the illicit illusionist before it’s too late.

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I’m planning on letting people vote on my monthly TBRs more often, as I thought this was really fun! This will probably take place on Instagram, so if you’re interested in participating, make sure to follow me there.

Are there any genres you would like to see me add next time? And what are you most hoping to read yourself this month?

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