Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves created and hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out Lisa’s introductory post, here.

They Both Die at the End
by Adam Silvera

When Mateo receives the dreaded call from Death-Cast, informing him that today will be his last, he doesn’t know where to begin. Quiet and shy, Mateo is devastated at the thought of leaving behind his hospitalised father, and his best friend and her baby girl. But he knows that he has to make the most of this day, it’s his last chance to get out there and make an impression.

Rufus is busy beating up his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend when he gets the call. Having lost his entire family, Rufus is no stranger to Death-Cast. Not that it makes it any easier. With bridges to mend, the police searching for him and the angry new boyfriend on his tail, it’s time to run.

Isolated and scared, the boys reach out to each other, and what follows is a day of living life to the full. Though neither of them had expected that this would involve falling in love…

As I’m currently participating in Sci Fi Month, it seems right that I should devote Shelf Control to the unread sci-fi books I own throughout November! They Both Die at the End is one I keep forgetting I own, but Adam Silvera is an author whose novels I keep meaning to try. The premise of this book certainly has me intrigued – what kind of world are these boys living in if they’re called in advance so they know when they’re going to die? And how is Silvera going to make me invested in the romance that’s hinted at between these boys when they only have a day together? Maybe I can finally find out this Sci Fi Month!

What are some of your favourite LGBT+ sci-fi reads?

Sci Fi Month is underway! I wasn’t sure if I was in the mood for sci-fi as November approached, which is always worrying when you want to devote a lot of your month to sci-fi, but this week, at least, I’ve found that I really am, and I’m hoping to read as much of it as I can this month.

Before

I was hoping to get Jess Kidd’s Things in Jars read and reviewed for #SpooktasticReads, but I didn’t finish it until Monday when it finally came to an end. I was hoping I’d enjoy this novel, but ultimately it just left me frustrated and it took me ages to get through – look out for my review this weekend!

Now

A book I’m enjoying much more is Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant, because who doesn’t want to read a book about killer mermaids? This is the November pick for the horror book club I run with two friends and it’s a lot of fun. I’m hoping to finish it up in the next day or so, so keep an eye out for my review next week!

Next

Considering Becky Chambers is my favourite sci-fi author, I’m quite proud of myself for managing to hold off on To Be Taught, If Fortunate until now. I own a few sci-fi novellas that I’d quite like to read and review this month if I can, but this one’s right at the top of my list.

What are you reading right now?