Hey YA Readers!
If you’re in an area where the clocks change, I hope you’re finding your groove in the new distribution of daylight. It’s been tougher for me than usual — but I have found a nice rhythm of crawling into bed when I’m done with my responsibilities for the day and reading for long stretches of time (which is, for me, a whole hour or so!). I’m trying to really lean into the seasons at this point in my life, and I think that this wintering season will bring so much good reading.
Let’s dive into this week’s paperback releases and YA book news.
Bookish Goods
Booklovers Ceramic Mug by AppleCrispCo
One of the things I’ve done to prepare for this season is stock up on my favorite teas and splurge on a new seasonal mug. Maybe you’d like to add a new mug to your collection, too, and if so, this one has all of the cozy reader vibes. $13.
(If you’re curious, the one I picked up isn’t bookish but it is pretty dang cute. Bonus is it is big and comes with a strainer!).
New Releases
Welcome to paperback releases out this week. This is but a sample of what’s hitting shelves; you can grab the full list of paperback books out this week over here!
Note that you may need to toggle to the paperback edition from the link.
Muse by Brittany Cavallaro
This one is pitched as American Royals meets The Winner’s Curse and is set in a reimagined American monarchy.
It’s 1893 and Claire’s father is a highly sought-after inventor, though he believes his magic comes through the touch of his daughter to whatever it is he is creating. This means she’s under his eye nearly all the time.
The province is preparing for war, and Claire is preparing to leave, despite her best friend begging her to stay and fight in the resistance. But her father’s invention doesn’t work as planned at the World’s Fair and Claire is taken captive by a young ruler who believes she has the magic to help him become more powerful as a leader.
Now Claire has a rare opportunity she never saw coming: does she help build a new world or does she burn everything down?
When We Were Them by Laura Taylor Namey
Willa, Luz, and Britton were the best of friends at 15, at 16, and at 17, through good times and bad. Then, Willa ruined it all at 18.
Now it’s the week of graduation and Willa cracks open a memory box from the times they spent together. She begins to wonder what could end what they had, then realizes that, without them, she has no idea who she herself is.
So often I see YA readers talk about the lack of friendship stories — and there are actually many of them, though they’re overshadowed by stories with a romantic arc — and this is a solid entry into the world of friendship (and friendship breakup) YA.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
YA Book News
Adaptation news continues to be the biggest news in the world of YA, and this week isn’t any different.
- The way this piece is written is pretty annoying and click-baity, but if you’ve watched or are curious about The Bastard Son & Devil Himself, know it’s based on a YA novel.
- Roshani Chokshi’s A Crown of Wishes will be adapted into a live-action series from Disney.
- The adaptation of I Wish You All The Best now has its lead. Want to know more about this adaptation and see some photos from the filming? You’re in luck!
- A fascinating dive into the world of Anne of Green Gables adaptations, including several YA takes on the story (my personal favorite book inspired by the classic is the crossover title Ana of California).
- An important read about Kit Connor — one of the stars of Heartstopper — being forced to come out as bisexual. There has been a lot of powerful discourse in the YA world about people being forced out and/or being told they’re not truly the identity they say they are when forced to come out. It is especially brutal to see it happening to a teenager.
- I love a deep dive into older YA titles, and this look at Baby-Sitter’s Nightmares is a fun one.
As always, thanks for hanging out. We’ll see you on Saturday with some YA book deals.
Until then, get cozy and happy reading!
— Kelly Jensen, currently reading House of Yesterday by Deeba Zargrpur.