Big City Reads is a free book giveaway campaign run by Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature to encourage reading for pleasure among young people in Notts. Returning for its fourth year, they’ll be giving away 2250 books this summer. Here, members of Nottingham City of Literature’s Youth Selection Panel have reviewed some of their favourites from the shortlist.
Arcana: The Lost Heirs
by Sam Prentice-Jones
Sam Prentice-Jones’ first novel in the Arcana series combines heartwarming queer slice-of-life with the cutthroat power struggles of a secretive magical society, blending wit with simmering tension. “I was sent here to investigate that farmhouse – I never expected to find a rogue witch.” Barista Eli Jones’ blossoming relationship with enigmatic customer James Birdwhistle is captivating, as they scramble to hide the existence of magic… from each other. Prentice-Jones’ depiction of LGBTQ+ experiences is grounded, with sensitive themes handled cautiously. Featuring vibrant artwork that feels like it’s straight from a coming-of-age movie, readers will be left with a sense of catharsis and anticipation for book two..
Charlotte Chapman-Deas
Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song
by Austin Paramore
This coming-of-age graphic novel follows a young, and in many ways typical, boy who purchases a keyboard haunted by an old jazz musician that can only be freed by playing the perfect song. The plot itself is quite simple, but the book makes up for it with its bold art drawn by the wonderful artist Sarah Bollinger and jokes. Even though the book is only around 250 pages, you’re still able to be immersed in the setting and relate with the characters. It’s light-hearted and fun, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to relax with something short and sweet.
Tia Okungbowa
KickFlip Vol. 1.
by L. D. Lapinski
Illustrated by Logan Hanning
NTU Creative Writing graduate L.D. Lapinski’s debut graphic novel explores nonbinary teen Elliot’s struggle to reconcile conflicting identities; seen as a girl at school and mistaken for a boy on their skateboarding team. Hanning’s expressive art style captures Elliot’s mounting pressure of secrecy and the toll it takes on their friendships. Kickflip is a heartfelt story of teenage angst and self-acceptance that will resonate with LGBTQ+ youth, while also reflecting wider truths about adolescence. Elliot’s admission, “It’s like I don’t fit in anywhere,” echoes the confusion and fear of any young person trying to understand where they belong. The book is sincere and emotional, with humorous moments.
Holly Jessica Taylor Sachdeva
Better the Devil
by Erik J. Brown
“His brown eyes stare into the distance. Oh God. There’s so much blood on the floor” – this is only the beginning to many thrilling moments in Erik J Brown’s new YA novel. Ever since the disguised ‘Nate Beaumont’ moved in with his new family, hoping for a safe haven from parents who wouldn’t accept a Queer son, he could sense something was wrong. Unfortunately, this new home is anything but safe. If you love a good thriller and solving murder mysteries, this is for you! If like me, you're a wimp, be warned – it gets gory. Be prepared to bite down on your duvet cover when stepping into this traumatic plot.
Chloe Pratt
Keep an eye out for Big City Reads between 29 June - 12 August 2026 and get your free book.
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