I mentioned acquiring some serious, award-winning books that I couldn’t wait to read.
I also mentioned some long-unread books on my TBR and some current rereads.
Well.
I visited my hometown library.
Both the Seattle Central Library and the branch I frequent have a decent YA section stocked with new releases.
Walking into the Teen Section in my hometown, I saw EVERY YA BOOK I’VE BEEN WANTING TO READ waiting for me on the shelves.
I didn’t check ALL of them out.
I only grabbed 14.
So…hooray! I’m spending the last week of December (and the first two weeks of January) reading as many fluffy YA novels as I can.
Sorry, rereads. Sorry, newer books. And sorry especially to Kiese Laymon (I want to read your new book but I’m afraid.)
These are my upcoming YA reads.
Finished Books
- Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde
Summary: Two friends find love at a geek convention. Liberal use of the word “fandom.”
Verdict: Interesting premise with impressive representation overshadowed by “geeky” jargon and subpar writing. I am now leery of Wilde’s much-hyped The Brightsiders. - I Hate Everyone But You by Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn
Summary: Best friends attending different colleges stay in touch over e-mail.
Verdict: Did not finish. I dislike the “Uptight Loves Wild” dynamic in fiction. This story relied almost entirely on that trope. - Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
Summary: Texas teen starts underground Riot Grrl zine at sexist high school.
Verdict: I LOVED this book. It covered a lot of ground in a realistic way. Women helped and supported each other all the way through. I want to go full Riot Grrl and listen to Bikini Kill.
TBR
- The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X. R. Pan
Summary: Teen visits Taiwanese grandparents after her mother completes suicide.
Thoughts: This is an Own Voices novel with an Asian protagonist. I’m trying to read more work by Asian writers and this book comes highly praised. - Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles
Summary: Black teen mourns his twin brother’s murder by police.
Thoughts: At least four Black Lives Matter books came out this and last year and I’ve only read one. This book is important. - Fireworks by Katie Cotugno
Summary: Two teens in ’90s Miami compete in the cutthroat music industry.
Thoughts: I don’t love Katie Cotugno’s writing, but I’ve been wanting to read this one since my One True Friendship disintegrated last year. - Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jay Robin Brown
Summary: Gay religious teen contemplates coming out after meeting the perfect girl.
Thoughts: Did someone say “gay religious teen?” In high school, I knew one out gay Christian at my church, but his sexuality was something people Didn’t Talk About. Why I want to relive the 2000s, I don’t know, but I am fascinated by this premise. - Twelve Steps to Normal by Farrah Penn
Summary: Child of a recovering alcoholic pieces her life together.
Thoughts: Obviously, I love the cover and I like most of what James Patterson Presents puts out. I believe the aforementioned alcoholic parent is the protagonist’s father and I’m interested in that relationship. - Sometime After Midnight by L. Philips
Summary: Y’all, it’s same-sex Cinderella.
Thoughts: Y’ALL, it’s SAME-SEX CINDERELLA. - Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Ely
Summary: What do I need to summarize? She’s a post-apocalyptic gunslinger!
Thoughts: I love a Western aesthetic. In truth, this has been on my wishlist for some time. - P. S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
Summary: In the sequel to To All the Boys I Loved Before, Lara Jean reconnects with a guy bearing the whitest-sounding name.
Thoughts: I read the first book a while ago but never finished the series. After watching the adorable film, I’m willing to give the sequel a shot. - Odd One Out by Nic Stone
Summary: A love triangle erupts between a high school boy, his crush, and his queer best friend. Bisexuality abounds.
Thoughts: I’ve read mixed reviews, but Nic Stone’s last book and this book’s bi rep made me want to check out the story for myself. - The Handsome Girl and Her Beautiful Boy
Summary: Two gender-nonconforming teens defy stereotypes and fall in love.
Thoughts: I love a straight(ish) butch protagonist. Represent. - Night of Cake and Puppets by Laini Taylor and Jim di Bartolo
Summary: Daughter of Smoke and Bone’s Zuzana arranges a Super Date for her crush Mik
Thoughts: Illustrated companion novel written by a couple. I am all in.
BONUS
- Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake
Summary: A girl struggles to support her best friend and her twin brother after the former accuses the latter of rape.
Thoughts: MY MOM BOUGHT THIS FOR ME FOR CHRISTMAS. It is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever seen. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
I’m three books down! I can’t wait to make more progress.
Kiese Laymon, I’ll make time for your book in the middle of all of this.
You, too, Tommy Orange.
