Hey YA Readers!
I’m finally finding my way again with reading — life sometimes makes it less of a priority, and then all of a sudden, the time and space opens up to fully invest again. I’ve got a pile of YA to read through that’s been stacking up, so I’m hopeful to keep at it.
Let’s take a look at this week’s new hardcover releases, as well as talk about some self-care books for teens.
Bookish Goods
Librocubicularist Pin by thecleverclove
It is a cow. Reading a book. In bed. LOOK AT THE BUNNY SLIPPERS, TOO. This enamel pin is way too dang cute. $12.
New Releases
Let’s look at two hardcover books hitting shelves this week. You can find the rest of this week’s new releases in the fall roundup of new hardcovers.
The Q by Amy Tintera
Maisie Rojas, 17, has spent her life inside the Q. The Q is a post-pandemic quarantine zone, where security walls seal off the perimeter. She is a lieutenant for one of the Q’s leading families.
Lennon Pierce is the son of a U.S. presidential candidate. Kidnapped by enemies of his father, he’s dropped into Q. While given a temporary antidote to the disease, if he’s not out within 48 hours, he’ll become infected and forced to remain within the city’s walls.
Maisie is responsible for getting Lennon out, and what begins is a compelling adventure full of danger and a clock counting down the time way too fast.
Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nicola Yoon, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nic Stone
If you loved this star-studded author lineup’s Blackout, you’ll be wanting to grab this one ASAP.
12 teens are out to help a friend make a giant apology, but then, Atlanta is struck by a snowstorm. Will they be able to make it happen? This is a sweet winter romance told through several voices, perspectives, and, of course, packed with feelings.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
It is nonfiction November, so expect to see a few roundups here this month featuring all things YA nonfiction. This week, I was inspired by another new release hitting shelves.
Let’s take a look at a few books for teens that focus on self-care. You’ll note none of these are about what the media portrays as self-care: there aren’t bubble baths and manicures (those are fine, but they’re also consumerist, which is antithetical to many reasons why self-care matters).
Luminary: A Magical Guide to Self-Care by Kate Scelsa
This book looks like so much fun and hits shelves this week. It’s a guide to mystical practices for self-care, offering ways to fulfill one’s heart and replenish one’s magic. It has advice and insight from several different practitioners touching on everything from tarot to astrology, energy work, and more. It’s a highly designed book packed with art and illustrations, making it super approachable and fun.
You Are More Than Magic: The Black and Brown Girls’ Guide to Finding Your Voice by Minda Harts
It is crucial to acknowledge who self-care can leave out, and it’s also important to acknowledge that self-care comes in so many different forms. This book, which is about helping Black and Brown teens find, hone, and use their voice, does a fantastic job of both empowering these teens and showing them the reasons why caring for themselves and their unique perspectives and experiences matters. Harts covers topics like building friendships and relationships, setting boundaries, being a self-advocate, negotiating, and more.
That’s all for me for today. As always, thanks so much for hanging out, and we’ll see you on Thursday.
Until then, happy reading!
— Kelly Jensen, who is excited to get her hands on Whiteout this week.