Hey, YA Readers,
I write you from early in the week before we know whether we’ll be getting a foot of snow or just a dusting. I know many of y’all are getting your first significant weather for the winter, and, well, as far as I am concerned—actual pile of snow or not—it’s the perfect time to hunker down with a book.
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Let’s dive into this week’s paperback releases and YA book news.
Bookish Goods
Reading Is Activism Tote Bag by angiepea
Use this tote bag to carry your latest library or bookstore finds—we know it speaks the truth. The vintage font and color scheme are A+. $25.
New Releases
Two very different books to share today in the realm of new young adult paperbacks. There is an interesting theme to both of the titles, though: gaming!
You can grab the full list of new YA paperback releases for winter 2024 here.
Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce
This paperback original is one for fans of rom-coms and nerdery.
Riley loves musicals, and her goal is to become a director on Broadway. She knows getting a role in the school’s spring musical is crucial. But when Riley doesn’t get permission before borrowing her mom’s car, she’s grounded. She’ll be forced to work at her dad’s game shop as a punishment.
Riley doesn’t have time for this, of course. She’s got the musical. So she’ll convince one of the other employees to cover her shifts in exchange for flirting with him. This will help him get the attention of his crush…maybe.
Maybe because it may be that Riley starts to catch some real feelings for Nathan, thanks to some intense games of Dungeons & Dragons.
While You Were Dreaming by Alisha Rai
Sonia Patil hopes she’ll be able to catch the attention of her crush at the local comic-con. But in a weird twist of fate, Sonia ends up saving her crush after he faints into a canal. No one knows it was her, though, since she was dressed up, and now, everyone wants to know who the masked heroine was.
Problem? Sonia’s sister is undocumented, and her mother was deported; they’ve been trying to stay under the radar. So, as people work to uncover the do-gooder, Sonia worries that all of the positive attention might lead to some very negative consequences for her, for her family, and for her future with her crush.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
YA Book News
- New York Public Library’s “Books for All” program announces its second title, All American Boys. Ebooks are available for anyone interested through the library’s app, and there’s an event with the authors in February.
- The Ranger’s Apprentice series might see a live-action adaptation.
- Underrated science fiction and fantasy reads for your TBR.
- The most anticipated science fiction and fantasy YA titles hitting shelves in January and February.
- After only one season, American Born Chinese is being canceled at Disney+. It’s always interesting that the adaptations by people of color and women seem to end soonest.
- The finalists for the Cybils—awards selected by book bloggers, bookstagrammers, etc.—have been announced. These marry teen appeal with literary merit, and YA picks include fiction, speculative fiction, graphic novels, and nonfiction.
As always, thanks for hanging out. We’ll see you on Saturday with a roundup of excellent YA book deals.
Until then, stay safe if you’re getting winter weather, and, of course, happy reading!
–Kelly Jensen, currently listening to Swipe Up for More! by Stephanie McNeal