Top Ten Tuesday: Spring/summer releases that didn’t get enough hype

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week’s theme is:

September 11: Hidden Gems (which books haven’t been talked about as much or haven’t been marketed as strongly that you think deserve some recognition?)

There were lots of great new books released over the spring and summer months, but some ended up receiving more recognition than others. Some of these books I’ve read and definitely think they deserve more attention; others I haven’t picked up yet, but the premise alone tells me these are under-hyped gems.

A Girl Like That // Zarin Wadia is smart and fiery, but also a bit of a loner. She’s seen as a trouble-marker by many, but her childhood friend Porus knows the real Zarin, and that’s why he wants to spend so much time with her. Despite it being against the law in Saudi Arabia for unmarried men and women to be alone together without chaperones.

My So-called Bollywood Life // Winnie was told that her and Raj’s love was written in the stars, but everything she thinks she knows about fate begins to unravel when she finds him hooking up with another girl. But is Dev, a fellow film buff, a better fit for her? He’s not fated to be her soulmate, but could be something even better.

Out Of The Blue // Angels falling from the sky seems almost normal in comparison to the turmoil Jaya’s family is going through. Uprooted and moved to Edinburgh by her Dad, she feels adrift and uncertain about life, until an angel falls from the sky right into her path one night.

Darius The Great Is Not OK // When Darius’s father takes him to Iran he finally feels like he’s found somewhere he fits in. He meets his grandparents and a boy-next-door, who shows him what it’s like to be Persian. But with Sohrab becoming more and more to Darius each day, returning to life in the US is becoming harder and harder.

The Summer of Jordi Perez // Abby, a gay teen, has always been into fashion, so when she gets an internship at her favourite boutique it seems too good to be true. But as someone who’s more focused on blogging than romance, she’s surprised when she begins to develop feelings for Jordi, her fellow intern.

Convenience Store Woman // Keiko has always been an outsider, so when she takes a job at a convenience store while at university, her family are relieved. But when Keiko stays in the job, contented with what it offers her, for the next 18 years, she realises that society expects her life to follow a certain pattern, and will label her as an outcast if it doesn’t.

From Twinkle With Love // When Twinkle is approached by fellow film-lover Sahil to direct a summer film, she can’t wait to get started – it means she’ll get to spend more time with her crush Neil (Sahil’s twin brother). When an enigmatic ‘N’ begins emailing her, she’s certain it’s Neil and that her hopes of dating him are finally going to be realised. There’s just one problem – she now has feelings for Sahil.

The Pisces // When Lucy and Jamie break up, Lucy’s sister insists that she come and house-sit and look after her dog in LA for the summer. Nothing seems to be able to help Lucy’s anxiety and sadness, until she sees a mysterious swimmer one night.

Vox // When the US goverment declares that women are only allowed to speak 100 words per day, it soon follows that women aren’t allowed to have jobs or learn to read and write. At first, Jean is in denial, but soon she decides to make a stand.

Giant Days // Based on the graphic novel, Giant Days follows three university students – Daisy, Susan, and Esther, as they attempt to navigate their first year of studying, partying, and discovering who they are.

Are there any recent releases you think were under-hyped? Why do some books end up getting more love than others?