Hi, The Book Voyagers here! This is the second list of book recommendations of a certain theme/trope. For today we're going to attempt to put up a list of books with characters that play sports or include sports in their storyline (not necessary the character must be playing the sport!).
*Most of them are book #1 in a series (unless I stated otherwise) - though can be read as standalones!

• Racing Hearts by Melissa West (Horse racing) 
• Where We Belong by Eve Connell (Swimming)
• Everything That Makes You by Moriah McStay (Lacrosse)
• Revved by Samantha Towle (Car racing)

The Book Voyagers is ready for 2016 - and we are so excited because there are so many diverse reads that are coming out next year. We cannot wait to share with you some of the releases that we are especially excited for! So, without a further ado, here are some releases we are absolutely so ready for

Some extra information may be added if any of the books have extra goodies that could be given if you pre-order, etc. :)

1. We Are The Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

• Enter a giveaway on goodreads for a chance to win a copy, here!

2. The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
4. The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie

• Request for this title on Netgalley for a chance to read an e-ARC. 

5. The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury

• Win a copy on goodreads right here!
• Request the title on Edelwiss for an e-ARC. 

6. The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

• Pre-order + send proof here for some swag.
• Request for this title on Edelwiss for a chance to read an e-ARC. 

7. Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee

• Sign up for Stacey Lee's Newsletter for extras and more!

8. Beyond the Red by Ava Jae

• Request the title on Edelwiss for an e-ARC. 

9. This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

• Request the title on Edelwiss for an e-ARC. 

10. Future Shock by Elizabeth Briggs

• Request this title on Edelwiss for a chance to read an e-ARC. 
• Win a signed ARC here

11. In Real Life by Jessica Love

• Request the title on Netgalley for a chance to read an e-ARC.

12. On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis

• Request this title on Netgalley for a chance to read an e-ARC. 

*Waiting on Wednesday* is a weekly meme that was created at Breaking The Spine. Thank you!!!

Book Title: Burning Glass
Series: Burning Glass #1
Author: Kathryn Purdie
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publishing: March 1st, 2016
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Sonya was born with the rare gift to feel what those around her feel- both physically and emotionally - a gift she's kept hidden from the empire for seventeen long years. After a reckless mistake wipes out  all the other girls with similar abilities, Sonya is hauled off to the palace and forced to serve the emperor as his sovereign Auraseer. 

Tasked with sensing the intentions of would-be-assassins, Sonya is under constant pressure to protect the emperor. One mistake, one small failure, will cost her own life and the lives of the few people left in the world who still trust her. 

But Sonya's power is untamed and reckless, her feelings easily usurped, and she sometimes can't decipher when other people's impulses end and her own begin. In a palace full of warring emotions and looming darkness, Sonya fears that the biggest danger to the empire may be herself.

As she struggles to wrangle her abilities, Sonya seeks refuge in her tenuous alliances with the volatile Emperor Valko and his idealistic younger brother, Anton, the crown prince. But when threats of revolution pit the two brothers against each other, Sonya must choose which brother to trust—and which to betray.

BURNING GLASS is debut author Kathryn Purdie’s stunning tale of dangerous magic, heart-rending romance, and the hard-won courage it takes to let go.







Book Title: The Crown's Game
Series: The Crown's Game #1
Author: Evelyn Skye
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publishing: May 17th, 2016
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Goodreads Synopsis:
Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love . . . or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear . . . the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.

Hey, The Book Voyagers here! We've decided to do a monthly book recommendation (apart from our other book recommendations, this focuses on a lot on diversity in regards of race,disability, gender, and lgbt issues) THIS MONTH'S THEME IS FAMILIES.  And of course, it's not just by blood but the families you find in your friends and other people in your life!

Here's a list of books that we believe have the most fun, and maybe heartbreaking at times, families!

Title: To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Author: Jenny Han
Series: To All The Boys I've Loved Before [Book 1]
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: April 15th, 2014
Diverse: Cast
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Synopsis:

To All the Boys I've Loved Before is the story about Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters have been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters; her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh.  As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all. 



Title: I'll Give You the Sun
Author: Jandy Nelson
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Dial Books
Published: September 16th, 2014
Diverse: LGBT
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Jude and her twin brother, Noah, are incredibly close. At thirteen isolated Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude cliff-dives and wears red-red lipstick and does the talking for both of them. But three years, Jude and Noah are barely speaking. Something has happened to wreck the twins in different and dramatic ways...until  Jude meets a cocky, broken, beautiful boy, as well as someone else - an even more unpredictable new force in her life. The early years are Noah's story to tell. The later years are Jude's. What the twins don't realize is that they each have only half the story, and if they could just find their back to one another, they'd have a chance to remake their world.

This radiant novel from acclaimed, award-winning author of The Sky is Everywhere will leave you breathless and teary and laughing - often all at once.


Title: Kulti
Author: Mariana Zapata
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Self-Published
Published: February 1st, 2015
Diverse: Cast
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Synopsis: 

"Trust me, I've wanted to punch you in the face a time or five."

When the man you worshiped as a kid becomes your coach, it's supposed to be the greatest thing in the world.  Keyword: supposed to.

It didn't take a week for twenty - seven - year - old Sal Casillas to wonder what she'd seen in the international soccer icon - why she'd ever had his posters on her wall, or ever envisioned marrying him and having super-playing soccer babies.

Sal had long ago gotten over the worst non-break up in the history of imaginary relationships with a man that hadn't known she'd existed. So she isn't prepared for this version of Reiner Kulti who shows up to her team's season: a quiet, reclusive, shadow of the explosive, passionate man he once been.

Nothing could prepare her for the man she got to know. Or the murderous urges he brought out in her.

"Sal, please don't make me visit you in jail. Orange isn't your color." This is going to be the longest season of her life.


Title: Finnikin of the Rock
Author: Melina Marchetta
Series: The Lumatere Chronicles [Book 1]
Publisher: Viking Australia 
Published: September 28th, 2008
Diverse: Cast
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Finnikin of the Rock and his guardian, Sir Topher, have not been home to their beloved Lumatere for ten years. Not since the dark days when the royal family was murdered and the kingdom put under a terrible curse. But then Finnikin is summoned to meet Evanjalin, a young woman with an incredible clam: the heir to the throne of Lumatere, Prince Balthazar, is alive.

Evanjalin is determined to return home and she is the only one who can lead them to the heir. As they journey together. Finnikin is affected by arrogance...and her hope. He begins to believe he will see his childhood friend, Prince Balthazar, again And that their cursed people will be able to enter Lumatere and be reunited with those trapped inside. He even believes he will find his imprisoned father.

But Evanjalin is not what she seems. And the truth will test not only Finnikin's faith in her...but in himself.

Title: Act Like It by Lucy Parker
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Carina Press
Publishing: November 30th, 2015
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Rating:
     
Goodreads Synopsis:
This just in: romance takes center stage as West End theatre's Richard Troy steps out with none other than castmate Elaine Graham

Richard Troy used to be the hottest actor in London, but the only thing firing up lately is his temper. We all love to love a bad boy, but Richard's antics have made him Enemy Number One, breaking the hearts of fans across the city.

Have the tides turned? Has English rose Lainie Graham made him into a new man?

Sources say the mismatched pair has been spotted at multiple events, arm in arm and hip to hip. From fits of jealousy to longing looks and heated whispers, onlookers are stunned by this blooming romance.

Could the rumors be right? Could this unlikely romance be the real thing? Or are these gifted stage actors playing us all?

Lucy Parker bewitched me since the start. These two characters, I came to adore them and it pleases me to say I enjoyed this book quite a lot. LIKE A LOT A LOT. It fills me with joy when I find books - amazing books - you can reread for the rest of your life. And I think Act Like It is like that. 

 The London theatre scene was my favorite, and it's the first time I read about theatre in a book (I think!) It captivated me that this was going to be a huge part in the book (and it was!) I adored seeing them interacting on scene and all the little quirks about this job. It was really interesting to see it come to life. 

The two fabulous characters: Lainie and Richard. I. ADORED. THEM. My heart was jumping out my chest every time they interacted together. It has hate/love, fake dating, guys. We have actual hate to love meanwhile they are fake dating. They are celebrities and co-stars. It's like the perfect book - I've wanted a book like this for a while now! And Lucy Parker enchanted me completely. 

• There's SO MUCH BANTER. 1000% you'll fall in love with this ASAP. 
• There are these times when they can't stop from touching like little things *a hand, shoulder, leg* It's the fact that they want to keep them there with them (!!!) 
• Their relationship was such a happy thing to watch develop. *cries* I love fake dating. 

Lucy Parker has gone to the top of my list of authors to watch. Act Like It left me a nice impression and kept me in love with the characters for all those pages. She did a fantastic job writing about Richard and Elaine! I found them super cute and funny and their banter is top 10 in the book world. If you like theatre and celebrities and fake dating and hot couples who banter in a good way and kiss when they can't stop themselves any longer, this book is definitely for you.