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Elite Revenge, Adaptations, and More YA Book Talk and News: December 28, 2023

Hey YA Readers!

I hope that you are enjoying a good book or two during this weird, liminal time of the year. After struggling to read much in the latter part of this year, I’ve been really digging in this month, and it has been so welcomed.

It’s happening, readers — we’re bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you’re on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we’ve got three different levels for gifting (to yourself or others) to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.

Let’s dive into this week’s new book releases and YA book news. We’ll keep it short and sweet so you can get back into your current read.

Bookish Goods

enamel bookworm bookmark

Enamel Bookworm by MHTPins

I can’t think of a cuter little bookworm than the one you can use as a bookmark. Look at its tiny little face! Grab this enamel bookworm for $18.

New Releases

Though there was no newsletter on Monday with this week’s hardcover releases, there were only 2 new hardbacks to hit shelves. Both were part of an ongoing series—Lucero by Maya Motayne and Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross.

I’m going to stick with the usual Thursday route and highlight two paperbacks that were released this week since we do have a few more of those to choose from.

As always, you can snag the full list of hardcovers here and paperbacks here. The new lists for winter releases will drop very soon!

queen bee book cover

Queen Bee by Amalie Howard

Lady Ela Dalvi was betrayed by her best friend Poppy over a boy three years ago. Ela was sent away, and her reputation was tarnished over it—the boy was, after all, son of a duke.

Now, three years later, Ela wants revenge. Poppy has been rising in the elite ranks, and Ela can’t let that stand any longer.

Her plan is to disguise herself as a mysterious heiress and start to show up at elite events. Can she bring down her former best friend, or will she find herself falling hard for the boy who started this entire problem?

the silence that binds us book cover

The Silence That Binds Us by Joanna Ho

May’s parents put a lot of pressure on her as she’s still not the Chinese Taiwanese American daughter they want her to be. Her beloved brother Danny is, so his acceptance into Princeton pleases their mom and dad. But Danny secretly struggled with depression, and when he dies by suicide, the family experiences grief they could never imagine. The only thing making it worse is how the community responds with racism and hatred. May works through these challenges with her writing—the thing her parents didn’t see as valuable—and she’s taking back her and her family’s story.

This book explores mental health, racism, and the challenges of finding your voice.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

YA Book News

And with that, we’re closing out 2023. You’ll see deals hit your inboxes on Saturday as usual, but otherwise, I’ll talk to y’all again in 2024.

Until then, happy reading!

–Kelly Jensen, currently listening to Dolls Of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl by Mary Mahoney and Allison Horrocks