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What's Up in YA

YA Memoirs, Lois Duncan’s Tragic Life, and More YA Book Talk: January 18, 2024

Hey YA Readers!

Last week, remember how I said on Monday that it was the first “normal” week of the year? Yep, not here. We had 2 snow days, and now, we’re in the midst of the coldest weather so far this season (the high as I write this is -12, and that’s not the wind chill). If you’re here with me, I hope you’re staying warm and safe. If you’re somewhere with better weather, know my envy is palpable.

The plus side to this is that I did not push myself to do more than I needed to. I got a lot of reading in, and that was everything I really needed.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Let’s dive into this week’s new books and YA book news. May it warm you up if you’re in need.

Bookish Goods

image of a sticker with a cute creature reading on the moon

Late Night Reader Sticker by KindleStickersStudio

I don’t know what exactly this little creature is, but it is so dang cute. I want to snuggle up to the crescent moon with a book and my cozy clothes! Grab this fun sticker for your Kindle/water bottle/planner for $8.

New Releases

I’m going to mix things up a tiny bit here today. I mean tiny. There are only three YA books releasing in paperback this week, and rather than leave one out, I’m going to shout all three out. We’ve got two novels and a powerful memoir.

all boys aren't blue book cover

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

One of the most moving YA memoirs also happens to be one of the most banned in the country. This is Johnson’s story of growing up at the intersections of queerness and Blackness. It’s a story of complicated families, of toxic masculinity, Black joy, and so much more.

friday i'm in love book cover

Friday I’m In Love by Camryn Garrett

It might be too late for Mahalia to have the Sweet Sixteen party of her dreams. The kind that would be like her best friend’s and maybe help her get closer to her crush, Siobhan. But Mahalia has another idea—she’s going to throw herself a coming-out party. She’ll take on extra work and use that money to throw a spectacular event.

In theory, it’s good. In practice, it’s turning into a mess. Will Mahalia even get to have her party, or will she throw in the towel before it even happens?

the chosen one book cover

The Chosen One by Echo Brown

This is a unique take on the memoir, following Echo as she enters her first year at Dartmouth College. She’s been sold a promise about the Ivy League school, but she soon finds herself struggling to keep up with the class, the dating scene isn’t great, and the campus isn’t as diverse as she was led to believe.

Echo realizes in order to succeed, she needs to become her own Chosen One. This will require healing her past to understand her present, including her experiences of grief, racism, difficult friendships, and more.

This is a memoir with a fabulism twist (and that cover is out of this world good!).

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

YA Book News

As always, thanks for hanging out. We’ll see you on Saturday with your YA book deals.

Until then, happy reading!

–Kelly Jensen, currently listening to the Sold A Story podcast.

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What's Up in YA

Black Aviation, Feminist Medusa, and More New YA Books: January 15, 2024

Hey YA Readers!

Like that, we’ve reached the halfway point of January. This is one of my least favorite months of the year, so I’m not especially sad to see it slip by. It’s been a busy month of preparing for the year, and now, I’m ready to actually live the year.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Let’s dive into this week’s new releases. Since we are halfway through the month and have had some other fun new releases hit shelves that I haven’t yet talked about, this newsletter is double the new books content. There are two anthologies releasing today that I want to shout out, some graphic novels from earlier this month, and, of course, the usual novel releases.

Bookish Goods

2024 reading log bookmarks

2024 Reading List Bookmark by KettleandCrow

Want an easy and fun way to keep track of your reading–without losing track of what you’re currently reading? Enter this fun bookmark where you can log your year in books. $4 and available in many colors.

New Releases

Two very different new novels to highlight today–one for our fantasy fans and one for our fans of realistic YA. You can grab the entire list of new YA hardcover releases over here and keep scrolling for *even more* new releases.

a drop of venom book cover

A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel

This one is being pitched as Circe for YA readers, and it is a feminist retelling of Medusa from Rick Riordan’s rad imprint.

Manisha, 16, runs from monsters. It was monsters (and men) that caused the dispersal of her people. She should be safe as a Priestess in the floating temples, but she’s not.

Pratyush is a monster slayer and favored by the King. Every kill he makes adds a year to his life. But he doesn’t want to have this duty anymore.

When Manisha and Pratyush connect, they see a possibility to change the trajectory of each of their lives. Their plans go awry, though. But in the rebirth of both, they reclaim power and their respective futures.

This one has in the description that there is a sexual assault that happens, so heads up for folks who like to know.

if i promise you wings book cover

If I Promise You Wings by A. K. Small

Alix Leclaire and her best friend Jeanne are going to graduate and land incredible work in the arts in Paris. Alix as a feather artist, and Jeanne, a record contract. But then Jeanne dies, and Alix is at a complete loss.

Alix then feels the spirit of Jeanne pushing her to take risks. To behave as Jeanne would, were she still around. This leads Alix to step out of her comfort zone….though perhaps into the hands of challenges she could never anticipate.

This is a story about art, grief, and defining your own future.

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

Riot Recommendations

Now let’s look at a rad work of nonfiction, a comic, and two anthologies which have all published so far this month. There’s something here for every kind of reader.

american wings book cover

American Wings: Chicago’s Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky by Sherri L. Smith and Elizabeth Wein

This book, put together by two powerhouse authors, is about the period between World War I and World War II when flying became an American obsession. That included an obsession in the Black community, too, even if their options were much more limited. But a crew of Black Americans, men and women, in Chicago, came together to build their own flying club and airfield on the south side. They trained and educated future Black pilots alongside white pilots in those years.

There are photos throughout as well, really bringing this incredible piece of history to life.

ghost roast book cover

Ghost Roast by Shawneé Gibbs and Shawnelle Gibbs, illustrated by Emily Cannon

Now for our graphic novel, which looks so fun!

Chelsea has been trying to shake the reputation she has, thanks to her dad. They live in New Orleans, and he runs a paranormal removal company. It’s a new school year, and Chelsea is feeling good as she’s finally made friends with the popular crowd.

But then she finds herself in trouble and as punishment, she’s spending the summer working with her dad. She’s not thrilled, especially when she discovers that she might be good at the job because she can actually see ghosts.

Things get more complicated when Chelsea meets a ghost named Oliver and wants to help save him from being stuck inside the mansion that she’s supposed to be helping to destroy spirits from.

my big fat desi wedding book cover

My Big, Fat Desi Wedding edited by Prerna Pickett

All of the stories in this anthology center around Desi weddings. Among the stories are a curse that becomes prophetic, a soulmate whose words can appear on the skin of their beloved, a girl discovering the meaning of true love, a boy debating whether or not to betray his parents, and more. The collection includes stories from Prerna Pickett, Syed Masood, Tashie Bhuiyan, Aamna Qureshi, Payal Doshi, Sarah Mughal, Noreen Mughees, and Anahita Karthik.

out of our league book cover

Out Of Our League edited by Dahlia Adler and Jennifer Iacopelli

One more YA anthology for your TBR is this little gem, which looks like it might actually publish next week (so go ahead and preorder to request it from your library). I am someone who loves a good sports story, so I know I’m eager to dive into these 16 stories about girls in sports. It’s got a strong roster of contributors, including Carrie S. Allen, Sara Farizan, Juliana Goodman, Maggie Hall, Leah Henderson, Sarah Henning, Naomi Kanakia, Miranda Kenneally, Yamile Saied Méndez, Cam Montgomery, Marieke Nijkamp, Amparo Ortiz, Aminah Mae Safi, Kayla Whaley, and both of the editors, Dahlia Adler and Jennifer Iacoppelli.

Whew, are we ever in for some good reading!

I’ll see you later this week with some new paperbacks and YA book news. Until then, may you be reading your next favorite book.

–Kelly Jensen, currently reading The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly

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What's Up in YA

Teen Gamers, Upcoming SFF, and More YA Book Talk and News: January 11, 2024

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.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Let’s dive into this week’s paperback releases and YA book news.

Bookish Goods

tote bag with vintage style font that says "reading is activism."

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 book cover

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 book cover

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

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

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What's Up in YA

A Blast From YA Past: YA Book Talk, January 8, 2024

Hey YA Readers!

It’s the first “normal” Monday of the new year. I hope you’ve found a groove that’s working for you, and even more, that you’re reading something good right now.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Today, let’s look at a couple of new hardcover releases, then take a blast to the past and check out some of the popular YA books from decades gone by.

Bookish Goods

Image of a stack of sticky notes with a library check out card design

Library Card Sticky Notepad by PocketfulofProsey

I am obsessed with these due date style sticky notes. I have maybe put them into my cart to buy and just need to hit checkout. $16.

New Releases

We’re heavy on paperback releases this week compared to hardcovers, which rarely happens! Find below two of this week’s new YA hardcovers and grab the rest of the list in the winter roundup.

arrya khanna's bollywood moment book cover

Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat

This book is set up like a Bollywood movie and follows Arya during her senior year in shaadi season. Arya is excited her sister is home, though she herself is juggling a million challenging emotions after watching her best friends break up, her rival for student council become more intense, and being unable to suppress flutters for the irresistibly cute Dean.

A fun slice-of-life family story that’s been compared to Save The Date and Never Have I Ever.

lunar new year love story book cover

Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham

A rom-com by two of the best illustrators working in kid lit? Count me in!

Val is convinced she is cursed when it comes to love. It’s generational. No one in her family has had luck with a little thing called love.

Then, she meets a pair of lion dancers. It’s chance, but something in it rekindles hope in Val. Might she be able to break the family’s curse and find true love?

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

A Blast From The Past

What were the big books from years gone by? This is always one of my favorite things to look back at when we change calendar years, as it really shows what changes and shifts in our preferences for reading, as well as what stays consistent. Not to mention, it’s a fascinating look at trends.

It won’t surprise you that most of the books on this list of top books from 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 years ago are going to be primarily written by white authors and men. We’ve, of course, gotten better, and even though they dominate these lists, there were women and people of color writing, too—they didn’t get the same marketing or publicity as more privileged colleagues.

This list comes from perusing bestsellers for 2014, 2004, 1994, 1984, and 1974. These were the big books, some of which may have topped the bestseller list for months and others that won big awards (The New York Times Bestseller list for YA is only 11 years old—you can take a peek at its evolution in this piece written for its 10th anniversary).

The books below are not in any order. I did not include books that were in the middle of a series, like those by Marissa Meyer or Cassandra Clare. Know, too, that because a book is listed here, that’s not necessarily an endorsement. Many of these books were firsts in some capacity and cultural perceptions, as well as a more diverse publishing industry, have changed what we understand of some earlier titles. Another caveat to add here is that earlier YA tended to be on the lower range than what we see now, and some of it might, were it published in today’s market, be middle grade.

to all the boys i've loved before book cover

2014 Top YA Books

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

airborn book cover

2004 Top YA Books

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

ttyl by Lauren Myracle

Luna by Julie Anne Peters

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

Bird by Angela Johnson

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

tears of a tiger book cover

1994 Top YA Books

This was not a particularly robust year for young adult fiction. There were stronger years in the ’90s, but 1994 was a high point for series books and excellent middle grade titles.

Tears of a Tiger by Sharon Draper

The Midnight Club by Christopher Pike

Girl, A Novel by Blake Nelson

Flour Babies by Anne Fine

18 Pine St. 1: Sort of Sisters by Walter Dean Myers

Halloween Party by Wendy Corsi Staub

Fantasy Summer by Susan Beth Pfeffer
 book cover

1984 Top YA Books

Fantasy Summer by Susan Beth Pfeffer

The Third Eye by Lois Duncan

Interstellar Pig by William Sleator

Turn It Up! by Todd Strasser

Back Home by Michelle Magorian

the chocolate war book cover

1974 Top YA Books

There were not a lot of YA books that made it big this year, either, but those that did, did.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger

M.C. Higgins, The Great by Virginia Hamilton

I don’t know about you, but I am thinking it’s about time to revisit The Chocolate War again.

We’ll see you on Thursday for your YA paperback releases and your YA book news.

Until then, happy reading!

–Kelly Jensen

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What's Up in YA

All The New YA Releases: YA Book Talk, January 4, 2024

Hey YA Readers!

I hope that the new year is off to the start you hoped for. As for me, I’ve been reading and puzzling up a storm, so things are a-okay here. I’m in the midst of reading the forthcoming Stacey Lee book Kill Her Twice (April release) and loving it.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Because we had no Monday newsletter and there’s no news to share from the previous week, I’m taking this newsletter in a little different direction. We’ll hit the new hardcover AND paperback releases in here since a lot of books hit shelves this week. The big, meaty new release roundups for winter will be hitting the site this week and next, too.

Let’s dive in.

Bookish Goods

my tbr pile is calling sticker

My TBR Is Calling Sticker by OilandCraft

Pop this little sticker on your new planner as a reminder of what to schedule some time for attending to. $3.

New Releases

The first Tuesday of this month was a big release day. Here are two excellent YA titles out in hardcover this week.

Want the full list of YA hardcover releases for winter 2024? You’re in luck!

okay cupid book cover

Okay, Cupid by Mason Deaver

Jude is a cupid. They think they’re good at it, too, even if they’ve made some mistakes. Even if they’re on probation for doing a not-great thing. But Jude is ready to prove themself once again.

Their assignment isn’t to set up two adults, though. It’s to set up two high schoolers—people Jude’s own age—who are meant to be more than the best friends they were before they had a big fight.

Jude feels confident in the assignment…until they’re thrown for a curve.

stay with my heart book cover

Stay with My Heart by Tashie Bhuiyan

Liana is obsessed with music and hopes to do like her father does and break into the industry. He’s in A&R, and he’s been putting his entire life into his job as a distraction from the loss of Liana’s mother.

But Liana does something bad and accidentally sabotages an up-and-coming band. Now she’s going to do everything she can to get the band back on course and prove she’s got the chops for the industry. She needs to do it without the band knowing the role she played in hurting them.

The closer Liana gets to the band, though, the harder she finds hiding the truth.

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

More New Releases

Because there are so many paperback YA titles out this week, I’m highlighting three. Here are new paperbacks for your TBR—two are new in paperback and one is a paperback original (i.e., it never had a hardcover version and likely will not).

The Davenports Book Cover

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

If you want a frothy, delicious historical novel featuring an all-Black cast at the beginning of the 1900s in Chicago, do not look further. This book DELIVERS and then some.

Inspired by the very real Black entrepreneur CR Patterson, this book imagines what it would be like to be the daughters of a successful businessman at the time, and in addition to the two sisters’ voices, we get to know another daughter of wealth, as well as the assistant of the Davenport daughters. All of the girls have dreams and passions that fall outside of what is expected of them, and all four seem to be falling for people who are outside of their appropriate circles, too. So what happens when they seek to get what they want rather than what’s expected of them?

The second book in the series releases soon.

the immortal games book cover

The Immortal Games by Annaliese Avery

The Gods of Olympus select humans as their players in the Immortal Games, which take place during the Blood Moon. Ara, who is 16, hopes she is selected this year not because she wants to risk her life but because she wants revenge. Her little sister was killed in the games before.

But when Ara is selected, she finds that she’s not only putting her life in danger. There might be other feelings coming up, too, including the possibility of love.

This sounds a little like if you took Greek mythology and mixed it with the stakes of The Hunger Games.

love is the drug book cover

Love Is The Drug by Alaya Dawn Johnson

So this book published in hardcover 10 years ago, and it’s getting a new look for 2024—I think this is going to make it land on a lot more radars, too! If you’re looking for a YA political thriller, look no further.

Emily Bird goes to a tony D.C. prep school and has everything going for her in her life. A chance meeting with homeland security officer Roosevelt David, though, changes everything. She wakes up days later in a hospital with no recollection of the party at all.

Perhaps the meeting wasn’t chance. Perhaps Roosevelt had an agenda. Perhaps he thought Emily knew something about the deadly virus ravaging she shouldn’t, given that her parents work on top-secret science for the government.

But Emily won’t take the incident lying down. She and her best friend are going to figure out what happened to her, even if it means unleashing one of the biggest D.C. scandals ever.

As always, thanks for hanging out. We’ll see you on Saturday for deals.

Until then, happy reading!

–Kelly Jensen

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What's Up in YA

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

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What's Up in YA

Your Favorite YA Books of 2023: YA Book Talk, December 21, 2023

Hey YA Readers!

We’ll have one more non-deals newsletter before the end of the year, so this isn’t so much a “see you in the new year” send-off as it is a look back at all of the great reading we did this year. We’ll look ahead when we get to that final newsletter.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for that bookish special someone in your life this holiday season? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! Here at TBR, we pair our customers with a professional book nerd (aka bibliologist) who just gets them. They fill out a survey and then sit back and relax as we pick books just for them. We’ve got three levels — recs-only, paperback, and hardcover — and you can gift a full year or one time, so there are options for every budget! Get all the details at mybtro.com/gift

Today, I’ve got your picks for favorite YA reads of the year, as well as the books you wish had gotten a little bit more love. Let’s dive right on in.

Bookish Goods

red socks that have bookshelves on one foot and "I Heart Books" on the other.

I Love Books Socks by FridaySockCo

It’s sock o’clock around here, and what better way to keep your feet cozy than with a fun pair of bookish socks? I love these, especially because they aren’t matching. Grab a set for $14.

Your Favorite 2023 YA Books

Thanks to everyone who submitted picks for their favorite YA book of 2023 and/or their pick for one they wished to get a little more attention. I’ve tallied everything up and present to you two fun, diverse lists.

Let’s begin with your favorite 2023 YA. There’s something here for every kind of reader and more; I don’t think we’ve seen these books replicated on every other best of list (to be fair, I think this year’s best of lists have been more wide-ranging than in the past, too. That’s a good thing!).

In descending order from most nominations to least, here are your top 10 favorite YA books published in 2020. Note that there were a lot of different books nominated, so “least” nominations and “most” nominations for this list do not differ much. Again, that’s a good thing and an interesting one. Lots of favorites to enjoy!

favorite books cover collage.

Check and Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli

favorite ya books of 2023 cover collage

Throwback by Maurene Goo

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler

top books 2023 ya cover collage

Manslaughter Park by Tirzah Price

Something Close to Magic by Emma Mills

cover collage of top ya books for 2023

Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

Shouting Out “Under The Radar” 2023 YA

Sometimes, people leave comments or thoughts with their votes. It’s not required, but when it’s in there, I do read it (shout out to those of you who said your favorite read of 2023 wasn’t published in 2023—I see you!). One of the comments that stood out to me came from someone who nominated their own book. In most cases, I don’t like self-nominations since they can and have been abused in the past. But in this case, the nominator brought up that thanks to the HarperCollins strike, their book and many others, which were published early in 2023, didn’t get the social love they may have otherwise received. This isn’t a complaint about the strike but rather that the response to hold off on reviews, etc., worked, but it might have meant some of the mid-list titles may have been missed a little more this year.

Of course, that writer’s book has been popped in here and for an additional reason: they alone weren’t the only nominators of it.

I don’t want to limit this list to 10. Y’all nominated so many good books, and there’s no reason to stop there. Here are 15 of the books you read and hoped would get a little more love this year. I did remove the titles that hit The New York Times Bestseller list and/or major book awards this year, but otherwise, it’s all you!

This list is alphabetized rather than in any ranking order. There were several books nominated for this list, which landed on the favorites list, too.

underrated books cover collage

All That Shines by Ellen Hagan

An Appetite for Miracles by Laekan Zea Kemp

Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans

The Blood Years by Elana K. Arnold

Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole

Forty Words for Love by Aisha Saeed 

2023 underrated ya books cover collage.

My Dear Henry: a Jekyll & Hyde Remix by Kalynn Bayron

One Last Shot by Kip Wilson

Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian

Something More by Jackie Khalilieh 

Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis

Unholy Terrors by Lyndall Clipstone

ya books deserving of more attention cover collage

What Stalks Among Us by Sarah Hollowell

Wolfwood by Marianna Baer

Your Plantation Prom is Not Okay by Kelly McWilliams

Yay! I hope you’ve added some books to your TBR. Even as someone who lives and breathes YA books, some of these were a surprise to me (or a reminder of how 2023 has had a LOT of good books).

As always, thanks for hanging out, and we’ll see you again for deals on Saturday.

There will be no newsletter on Monday for the holiday.

Until later, happy reading!

–Kelly Jensen, currently reading and loving A Suffragist’s Guide to the Antarctic by Yi Shun Lai

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What's Up in YA

Revenge Roadtrips, Class Crashing, and More YA Book Talk and News: *Actually* December 18, 2023

Hey YA Readers!

Last Thursday, the wrong newsletter edition hit your inboxes. That should have been for today, which means that you got a look at two books that hit shelves this week a little early. So today, you’re getting a look at two paperbacks that hit shelves last week, plus a roundup of the latest in YA book news.

The results of the reader poll on the best and most underrated read of the year will be in Thursday’s newsletter.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for that bookish special someone in your life this holiday season? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! Here at TBR, we pair our customers with a professional book nerd (aka bibliologist) who just gets them. They fill out a survey and then sit back and relax as we pick books just for them. We’ve got three levels — recs-only, paperback, and hardcover — and you can gift a full year or one time, so there are options for every budget! Get all the details at mybtro.com/gift

Bookish Goods

race you to the library bumper sticker

Race You To The Library Sticker by OpalandJuneShop

How fun and cute is this bumper sticker? I love the color scheme and its vintage feel. I’ll be racing you to grab one. $11.50.

New Releases

One of the benefits of fewer book releases this time of the year is that maybe you can eke out a little extra time with the books already flopped on your TBR. At least…we can pretend that’ll happen, right?

Here are a pair of this last week’s new paperback releases. You can grab the whole list—again, it’s pretty short—over here.

heartbreak boys book cover

Heartbreak Boys by Simon James Green

Jake and Nate’s ex-boyfriends decided to fake that they’re doing well post-breakup. Their exes are together and sharing on Instagram just how perfect their relationship is.

Naturally, Jake and Nate decide they’re going to get back at their exes and pretend to have the best summer ever. They’ll hit the ‘Gram, too, with incredible photos of their perfect road trip. It’s a big scheme to make everything look like it’s going great, and the two of them are mourning the loss of their relationships.

What they won’t talk about is how they’re stuck in a van with Nate’s annoying parents and younger sister. Nor how they actually haven’t talked to each other in years.

Nor…how they might be falling for one another. A hilarious road trip meets social media hijinks rom-com.

this is not a personal statement book cover

This Is Not a Personal Statement by Tracy Badua

Perla, 16, has done everything right in high school in order to graduate early, with honors, and get into her dream college, Delmont University. But when she’s rejected by the school, she doesn’t know what to do. Everything she’s worked for has been upended.

So she decides to do what anyone else would do: forge an acceptance letter and show up anyway. If she can lay low but see how things work, maybe she can actually get an acceptance when she reapplies for next year.

In the meantime, she’ll be crashing classes.

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

YA Book News

As always, thanks for hanging out. We’ll see you on Thursday with your favorite reads of 2023.

Until then, happy reading!

–Kelly Jensen, currently reading Rouge by Mona Awad.

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What's Up in YA

Bowstack To The Max: YA Book Talk, December 18, 2023

Hey YA Readers!

It might be your last “regular” week at work for the year this week and if so, congrats–you’ve made it! If you’re still chugging along as normal, I see you too and hope you’ve got something warm to drink and sweet to eat. Those books you’ve got on your stack will be waiting eagerly for you when you’re able to get to them.

Let’s dig into this week’s new books and look at a fun trend prediction for 2024 through the lens of YA book covers.

Bookish Goods

large tote bag featuring an image of books on a shelf with flowers.

Floral Book Tote Bag by VincenzaSilviaCream

Are you in the market for a big tote bag? Look no further than this one, which measures 19″ L x 12″ H x 8″ W. You’ll be able to pack a lot of books in here, and it’s cute, too! $40.

New Releases

You don’t need me to repeat it, but I will: it’s the end of the year so the new releases aren’t as abundant as they are at other times of the year. You can find the entire roundup over here.

This week, there are zero new releases in hardcover, as far as I can tell. So I’m going to do something a little different: here are two paperback releases. There are not enough stand-alone/first-in-a-series new releases in paperback to do this for Thursday, so consider this entry for that newsletter, too. Want the full paperback release roundup though? No sweat–I’ve got you here!

the black queen book cover

The Black Queen by Jumata Emill

Nova Albright is going to be the first Black homecoming queen at Lovett High School. This is a huge deal, especially because the system at Lovett has been rigged in favor of white courts since the beginning, as the school came to be post-Katrina and combined the rich white students from one part of the Mississippi town with the lower-income Black students from another part of town. The Black students are de facto segregated at the school: they’re not in the AP classes, but they ARE there to help the school’s sports teams excel. This little factoid is important for several reasons, including why Nova’s crowning is especially important.

So it’s incredibly suspicious when Nova is found dead days before Homecoming on the same night a viral video of Tinsley McArthur emerges. Tinsley, who believes she deserved the crown. Tinsley, who has a family legacy to uphold. Tinsley, who was drinking with her friends that night and said she was going to murder Nova.

But Tinsley swears she’s innocent. This was a setup by her ungenerous so-called friends. She was drunk when she made that statement. She absolutely did not kill Nova. 

Or did she?

on top of glass book cover

On Top of Glass by Karina Manta

Looking for a teen sports memoir about coming of age as a queer person? This is a winner for that and more.

Karina skated at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and quickly became a fan favorite. She then became the first skater on Team USA to come out as queer.

Her memoir explores life on the ice, as well as growing up in a big school where, even in an era where queerness became more accepted than in the past, she knew virtually no one else having the experiences she was. Because this is a sports memoir, it also explores the ups and downs of figure skating, including the unreal pressures placed upon athletes to look and act in a certain way.

YA On Trend

One of my favorite year-to-come reports to read is Pinterest’s. Utilizing what people have been searching for, the social media company creates a guide to the trends they expect to either emerge or really blow up in the next year.

A huge trend for 2024? Bows. Bows have been a topic of interest, whether they’re used for hair accessorizing, neck accessorizing, heels, crochet, what have you.

Naturally, I figured it was worth looking to see where YA stacks up in this trend. What book covers have given us bows in the past? These would be fun pulled together into a book display if you’re in a bookstore, library, or classroom and have the space. Some of these bows are going to be what springs to mind when you think of the word “bow”—but not the kind with an arrow—including those representative of cultural dress and style.

I’ve done the best I can tracking down cover artists to be difficult (see my annual rant about that here).

Ready? Set? Let’s bow stack!

Amy Chelsea Stacie Dee by Mary G. Thompson book cover

Amy Chelsea Stacie Dee by Mary G. Thompson, whose paperback edition sports a bow.

Canto Cantigo book cover

Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa, publishing April 9, 2024. The cover was designed by Kerri Resnick and illustrated by Max Reed.

cheer up book cover

Cheer Up!: Love and Pom Poms by Crystal Frasier (Author), Val Wise (Illustrator), and Oscar O. Jupiter.

dungeons and drama book cover.

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce, publishing January 9. Cover illustrated by Liz Parkes.

the fox maidens book cover

The Fox Maidens written and illustrated by Robin Ha, publishing February 13.

rebel belle book cover

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins. The third book in this series, Lady Renegades, is also an excellent fit for the theme.

As always, thanks for hanging out. We’ll see you on Thursday for your reader favorites of 2023.

Until then, happy reading!

–Kelly Jensen

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What's Up in YA

An Underground Candy Hustle, Billy Shakes, and More YA Book Talk: December 11, 2023

Hey YA Readers!

Before diving into the books for this week, here’s your reminder to share your favorite reads of 2023 for use in one of next week’s “What’s Up in YA?” newsletters. Voting ends on Thursday.

The holidays have arrived, and so has our new paperback level at TBR! If you (or a reader you know) are just over-carrying around bulky hardcovers or are looking for a more budget-friendly option, we’ve got you. Check out all the offerings at mybtro.com/gift, and give personalized reading recommendations customized for any and every reader.

Let’s roll on into this week’s new books and a little bit of talk about Billy Shakes.

Bookish Goods

book mobile decals image

Bookmobile Decal Stickers by TheNerdyButterfly

Do you dream of a bookmobile sticker for your mug or your new planner? Because I have been looking for one, and I think I’ll be selecting one of these options. You’ve got four cool designs and styles to choose from. $3.50 each, or you can get all four for $10.

New Releases

Second verse, same as the first: it’s December, so book releases are sparser than in previous months. But the good news is that the books hitting shelves this week look excellent.

You can grab the full list of new YA hardcover releases over here. The winter 2024 YA release guide will be coming early in the new year, too.

seven minutes in candyland book cover

Seven Minutes in Candyland by Brian Wasson

This book cover is one that has stood out to me this year—it’s bright, and it is delightful—and the description is making me even more excited to pick it up.

Kalvin is a high school sophomore with a unique side hustle: he sells candy at his school, and because he’s got the good stuff with no drama, it’s a successful underground business. Then, one day, his long-time crush, Sterling, stumbles into the storage closet where Kalvin keeps his supply and he begins to talk with her about the bad relationship she is in. Now he’s accidentally become a romance therapist, too—but how long can he put on the act before the truth of his own experiences and models of good relationships emerge?

What happens when his feelings for Sterling become too difficult to hide?

where there's smoke book cover

Where There’s Smoke by E. B. Vickers

Calli is 18 and lives in a small town where it seems everyone knows everyone—and everything. She’s just buried her father, and everyone has gone home. Or so she thinks.

Standing there alone is a girl who is scared, bruised, dirty. She can’t speak. Calli knows right then she needs to help the girl, whom she has started to call Ash, but Calli cannot let anyone know about her.

When a detective comes around asking about whether or not Calli has seen or heard anything about a girl who has disappeared from another town, she’s not saying anything.

But it seems as though Ash might have a whole lot to tell.

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

400 Years of the First Folio

Did you know that late 2023 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio? If you didn’t, now you do. There have been celebrations across the globe this year in honor of the collection.

I did a deep dive into the world of Shakespeare YA retellings last month at School Library Journal, asking several YA authors to share their thoughts on why the Bard’s work continues to not only endure but stays exciting and relevant for today’s teen readers in its original and remixed forms. I hope you’ll take some time to read it and nerd out on the intersections of humor, theater, clever language, and more.

Today, I thought it’d be worthwhile to highlight some recent YA takes on Shakespeare. Some of the names and titles might be familiar if you’ve read the above piece, though I hope you’ll discover a book or two you’re eager to read or to share. All of these have been published between 2022 and now.

twelfth grade night book cover

Arden High Series by Molly Horton Booth, Stephanie Kate Strohm, and Jamie Green

This graphic novel series will see its second volume hit shelves in February with King Cheer, but you can dive in now with the first book, Twelfth Grade Night.

When Vi begins at Arden High, it’s so she can go to a less fussy school and so she can reinvent herself. It’s a little weird doing it without her twin by her side, but it takes little time for her to feel like she’s settling in. She’s even got a crush on Orsino, a cute guy who is a poet and influencer.

Vi gets pulled into helping with the school’s Twelfth Grade Night dance. She’s eager to help and even more hopeful she can spend the night dancing with Orsino. Too bad Vi’s friends assume she doesn’t like guys and even worse, Orsino wants her to help him catch his own crush, Olivia.

Olivia, who might have feelings for Vi…

julieta and the romeos book cover

Julieta and the Romeos by Maria E. Andreu

It’s summer, and Julieta’s writing teacher is encouraging everyone to share their writing online. Julieta does just that, but in no way did she expect to find her work has a mystery collaborator named Happily Ever Drafter.

She’s in no mood for a romance and doesn’t even believe in happily ever afters. But she’s got her eye on three different people who maybe, possibly, could be the mysterious collaborator.

Maybe she’ll be changing her stance on a relationship sooner than she anticipated.

teach the torches to burn book cover

Teach the Torches to Burn by Caleb Roehrig

Romeo is an aspiring artist in Verona, but he knows that his dreams will never come to fruition. He’s expected to become head of the Montague family and marry a girl approved by the family to create more heirs. Romeo doesn’t even like girls, but he can’t say that.

While sneaking out to a party at the Capulets with his cousin, Romeo finds himself meeting Valentine. Valentine is kind and sweet and really not hard on the eyes–and it seems those feelings are reciprocal.

The two might be falling hard for each other, but their relationship must remain secret for their safety. But what will happen when the future expected of them becomes the present?

that self-same metal book cover

That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams

Joan works as the person who makes and keeps up with the swords for Shakespeare’s acting company. As a member of the Orisha, she’s been given the gift of controlling metal. Her family, all Orisha, are also tasked with keeping an eye on London’s Fae population; usually, there’s nothing to worry about, but there has been more and more Fae activity recently, including some attacks. So when Joan hurts a powerful member of the Fae, she finds herself in the middle of a battle between the human world and the world of the Fae.

Thanks, as always, for hanging out. We’ll see you again on Thursday with your YA paperback releases and YA book news.

Until then, happy reading!

– Kelly Jensen