This month is filled with tons of incredible books to read and enjoy this summer – here are my top five picks that I can’t wait to read in June.
1) Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia
If the cover doesn’t pull you in then the description definitely will.
The first book in a historical fiction series set in 1920s Harlem follows Louise Lloyd as she’s trying to live a normal life after a harrowing kidnapping ordeal from her past. But when a girl turns up dead in front of the café she works at, Louise is forced to confront something she’s been trying to ignore – several local black girls have been murdered over the last few weeks.
Louise has an altercation with the police and after being arrested, she must decided whether to help solve the case or let the judge make an example of her. She decides to take the case and finds herself trying to figure out a murderous mastermind while tackling her own fears and the prejudices in society.
2) Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-íyímídé
This book is described as Gossip Girl meets Get Out in this thriller set in Niveus Private Academy. The students are seen to be never less than perfect until now when an anonymous texter, Aces, is exposing two student’s secrets.
Musician Devon can’t escape the spotlight when Aces exposes his private photos and Head girl Chiamaka isn’t afraid to get what she wants until people will soon know the price she has paid for power. This thriller is sure to get messy as it tackles the anonymous texter and institutional racism.
3) Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
The author of the much loved books and films ‘Everything, Everything’ and ‘The Sun is also a Star’ is back.
Instructions for Dancing follows Evie Thomas who experiences a very strange moment when she witnesses a couple kiss and suddenly sees a vision of how their romance began and then how it will end. Evie tries to understand what is happening while also dealing with learning ballroom dances with a boy named X who enters a ballroom dance competition for Evie who he’s only just met.
While learning her dances, falling for X and trying to come to terms with her visions – Evie is forced to question all she thought she knew about life and love and whether its worth the risk.
4) Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon
The perfect summer read is here with this book by six incredible authors with interlinking stories focusing on featuring black teens.
A summer heatwave blankets New York City in darkness – so as the city is thrown into confusion, people make new friends, love blossoms and hidden truths are revealed and its sure to be an eventful and unforgettable night.
5) Don’t hate the player by Alexis Nedd (15/06/21)
By day, Emilia is a field hockey star with a popular boyfriend and strict mother obsessed with her academic future. But at night Emilia is a virtual game prodigy as the only female member in a competitive esports team.
Emilia wants to keep her two worlds thriving separately but when a major esports tournament comes to her city – she is completely thrown when a rival team member recognises her.
But Emilia is determined to prove herself to the male-dominated gaming community and its sure to be a wild ride.
By Scarlett Acres
Feature image: WIRED / Halie Chavez – Getty Images