Top Ten Tuesday

TTT – NetGalley Denials That Broke My Heart Part 2

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Top Ten Tuesday used to be a weekly post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, but was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl. “It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.” This is definitely something I can understand and want to participate in.

Ooof, and we’re back to work. This week’s prompt is most anticipated books releasing in the first half of 2025, and I must admit that I haven’t really stayed on top of upcoming books unless they come across my radar on social media. In the last couple of months, I haven’t been as active on social media because it isn’t always a safe or welcoming environment. 

I’m lucky enough to have been approved for a lot of the upcoming reads that I’m anticipating, but this week I’m going to switch things up a little and go back to a favorite prompt idea that I borrowed from someone—NetGalley refusals that crushed my soul. To make this fit this week’s prompt better, I want to talk exclusively about books releasing in the first half of 2025, except I only had one refusal that fit that criteria. To make things interesting, I’m going to talk about some of the ARCs that I haven’t gotten approved or denied for yet. I’m just hanging in limbo here:

  1. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano. I requested this, got denied, and then was notified that this book was listed as ‘read now,’ but by then it was too late to get it. Releases March 4. | Amazon
  2. A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young. I love her writing, but NG has just left me hanging since August, so I’m guessing that’s a no. Releases January 7. | Amazon
  3. Boudicca by P.C. Cast. I’ve been fascinated by Boudicca, a British historical figure, and I can’t wait to read this. Fortunately, I was able to get my hands on an audiobook copy through Libro.fm. Releases January 21. | Amazon
  4. Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett. I adore Emily Wilde and the whole series, and can’t wait to see where Fawcett takes it next. However, my request has been pending since JULY. Releases February 11. | Amazon
  5. Gursha by Beejhy Barhany and Elisa Ung. This is a cookbook featuring the cuisine of Ethiopian Jews, also known as Beta Israel, and I was really hoping to try some at home and maybe even know what to order at a restaurant. Releases April 1 | Amazon
  6. Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi. I was hooked on her writing since the first chapter of The Henna Artist. Releases April 15 | Amazon
  7. What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon. Honestly, I don’t even need to read the blurb, I already know I need this. Releases May 6 | Amazon
  8. Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein. A good way to ensure I read new-to-me authors is to request their books on NetGalley. Releases May 13 | Amazon
  9. Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman. I love her writing and am really hoping for an ARC of this. Releases July 8 | Amazon
  10. The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan. This sounds so interesting, I had to request it. Hopefully I get approved and love it. Releases August 12 | Amazon

Have you read any of these?

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38 replies »

  1. Rachel’s looks so colorful and fun! I don’t think I’ve read anything by her though. I may also have to read more about Hannah’s book as well. I think I read one by her (it had something to do with social media I think), so reading something else by her may be fun. 🙂

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  4. I’m on the third Finlay Donovan book. Well I got it for Christmas, just need to find time to read it. I hate it when my request just hangs.

    I’ve noticed that some social media seems to have got a bit unwelcoming. It was pretty good when I first started. There was one account that I blocked on Instagram because they were a bit unkind, but apart from that. It now gets a bit scary to post sometimes and actually there are reviews that I haven’t posted because I don’t know how people will react and I only do it for fun (Facebook Reading Groups).

    Have a great week!

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog 

    My post:  

    Top Ten Tuesday – Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2025

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    • I’m so glad that you’ve made some progress in the series, and I’m guessing that you like them if you just got the third book!

      Social media is out of control, especially some platforms. It has become terrifyingly unwelcome for me, as a Jewish person with intergenerational trauma, and I haven’t really engaged on any social media beyond some sporadic posts. It seems like some people forget that there’s a person behind the screen. I try not to say anything I wouldn’t say to someone in person when I’m online, but I ended up deactivating my twitter, avoiding TikTok, and barely going on instagram.

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      • I am getting more into the series! I just need more time!

        Bless you that’s so awful. They really don’t care who they hurt which truly confuses me

        ❤️ My accounts will always welcome you ❤️

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      • I appreciate you so much. That means the world to me, and I’ve gravitated towards some incredible allies, fortunately.

        I loved that book series and think it isn’t nnearly hyped enough!

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  7. Emily Wilde and A Sea of Unspoken Things I am so sad about. They are still pending, but I should withdraw so they don’t go into my “decline” when they ultimately do. lol I was declined for Finlay! BUT a couple weeks ago all her books were “read now” for like 72 hours. If you were declined, you were able to email her and they sent out widgets! I hate that Netgalley doesn’t let you download a book that was declined and then becomes read now.

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    • I was most anticipating Gursha. I love learning how to recreate different types of cuisine in my own kitchen, since there aren’t many Ethiopian Jewish restaurants that I’m aware of in my area.

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      • Same! We’ve gotten a few different cuisine cultures moving in to my area (a new Indian restaurant just opened up) but nothing distinctly Jewish, and definitely not Ethiopian Jewish. Sounds delicious though.

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      • Oooh, I really love Indian food! Jewish cuisine is tricky, since they’re usually kosher which involves a LOT of restrictions on the foods, how it can be prepared, etc. But if you find an area with a good-sized population of observant Jews, you tend to find kosher restaurants. I’m not sure where you’re from, but I live outside of NYC, and there are some really amazing restaurants in the city and the surrounding boroughs. Here’s to trying new foods this year!

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  15. I’ve not had an issue on Instagram but I haven’t had a Facebook page since 2020 because I think it’s a cesspool of negativity. Revell never approves me on NetGalley. Possibly because I haven’t reviewed that many books. I get the majority of my books elsewhere.I hope these come through and you’re able to read them.

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    • I’m really only on Facebook because it’s the easiest way to keep current on family news, but social media has become particularly toxic for me due to the presence of so much unchecked antisemitism and hate. I did have to review quite a few books before NetGalley started approving me regularly, and even now there are some publishers that never approve me (*cough* BERKLEY *cough*)

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