From fantastical tales of mysterious rings that cause mayhem, and highly anticipated sequels like Cameron Battle’s second adventure, all the way to insightful stories chronicling the famine of the Soviet Ukraine in the 1930s, 2023 is shaping up to be a marvellous adventure when it comes to middle grade releases! Check out our most anticipated novels from the first half of 2023 and find tons of new books to put on your (probably already messy) TBR!

Be sure to check out our other 2023 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Young Adult, Queer Books, and Romance lists!

JANUARY

The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine by Katherine Marsh
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From the author of Nowhere Boy comes a brilliant survival story that traces a harrowing family secret back to the Holodomor, a terrible famine that devastated Soviet Ukraine in the 1930s. 

The Carrefour Curse by Dianne K. Salerni
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
The Addams Family meets The Westing Game in this exhilarating mystery about a modern magical dynasty trapped in the ruins of their once-grand, now-crumbling ancestral home. 

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
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From award-winning author Erin Bow, Simon Sort of Says is a breathtaking testament to the lasting echoes of trauma, the redemptive power of humor, and the courage it takes to move forward without forgetting the past. 

Suitehearts: Harmony and Heartbreak by Claire Kann
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
The first in a new series about magical matchmakers, Suitehearts #1: Harmony and Heartbreak is a feel-good light romance about two 13-year-old cousins and their first solo attempts at creating enchanted love connections. Perfect for young readers who love Whatever After, The Jumbies, and The Princess Diaries.

Sincerely Sicily by Tamika Burgess
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From the Desk of Zoe Washington meets Lupe Wong Won’t Dance in Sincerely Sicily, Burgess’s debut follows Sicily Jordan as she learns to use her voice and find joy in who she is—a Black Panamanian fashionista who rocks her braids with pride—while confronting prejudice both in the classroom and at home.

FEBRUARY

Cameron Battle and the Escape Trials by Jamar J. Perry
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
It’s time for Cameron Battle’s second epic tale! Inspired by West African and Igbo history and mythology, this middle-grade fantasy celebrates the triumphs and challenges of a boy finding his path to greatness.

Not an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
A powerful novel about family, forgiveness, and figuring out who you are when you don’t make the rules, Not an Easy Win is the marvelous story of young Lawrence who, after being involved in too many school fights, ends up spending his days at a rec center helping out a neighbor who runs a chess program and learning to bet on himself.

Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind by Misa Sugiura
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Acclaimed young adult author Misa Sugiura makes her middle-grade debut with Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind, a thrilling and funny series about a girl who sets out to save her Shinto goddess mother—and the world—by facing down demons intent on bringing chaos. Perfect for fans of the Aru Shah and Fablehaven series.

Ring of Solomon by Aden Polydoros
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This exciting and adventurous start to a middle-grade trilogy follows a queer boy and his family as they try to halt the chaotic effects of a mysterious ring, drawing upon Jewish mythology to navigate magic, mayhem and the search for pride in one’s identity.

The Pearl Hunter by Miya T. Beck
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
A stunning, Japanese-inspired debut fantasy in the vein of Grace Lin featuring twin pearl divers, in which one sister goes to the ends of the earth to rescue her twin, who’s been stolen by a ghost whale.

MARCH

Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
In Rajani LaRocca’s breathtaking follow-up to the Newbery Honor– and Walter Award–winning Red, White, and Whole, identical twin sisters with a complicated relationship do everything together—until one day, they break apart. Perfect for readers who love Amina’s Voice and The Lost Girl.

The Alchemy of Letting Go by Amber Morrell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Twelve-year-old Juniper Edwards can’t stop chasing the endangered butterfly her sister died trying to catch. In her grief, Juniper finds comfort in her family’s study of insects, because science is based on logic, order, and control. But then Juniper’s search for the butterfly nearly kills her, too, and when she wakes up with newfound abilities, she discovers that the line between science and magic-and life and death-is not as solid as she thought.

The Palace of Dreams by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
This third book in the haunting and magical Thirteen Witches series from New York Times bestselling author Jodi Lynn Anderson follows Rosie in her last stand against the Nothing King—perfect for fans of Newbery winner The Girl Who Drank the Moon. 

Catch Me If I Fall by Barry Jonsberg
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Twins Ashleigh and Aiden have always promised to protect each other, but after an accident on a school trip, Aiden starts behaving strangely. Are they just growing apart, or is something more sinister going on? 

What Stays Buried by Suzanne Young
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Perfect for fans of Bone Hollow and The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street, this thrilling yet heartfelt ghost story—following a twelve-year-old medium facing an evil spirit and the loss of her supernatural gift—is New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Young’s middle grade debut.

APRIL

The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto by Adrianna Cuevas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto follows a Cuban American boy who’s sent to work on a ranch as punishment for a school prank gone wrong where he is confronted with a troubling supernatural mystery.

A Spoonful of Time by Flora Ahn
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When You Reach Me meets Love Sugar Magic in this unforgettable middle grade novel where time travel, family recipes, and family secrets collide.

The Rhythm of Time by Questlove and S.A. Cosby
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From the Academy Award–winning, Grammy-winning, and bestselling author Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and the New York Times bestselling author S. A. Cosby comes this thrill-a-minute middle grade novel, the first in a series of rollicking time-travel adventures that touch on themes of friendship, family, and otherworldly events.

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Internationally bestselling superstar author Angie Thomas makes her middle grade debut with the launch of an inventive, hilarious, and suspenseful new contemporary fantasy trilogy inspired by African American history and folklore.

Jude Saves the World by Ronnie Riley
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
This fantastic debut follows 12-year-old, queer, nonbinary Jude as they navigate the complexities of identity and friendship after befriending the ex-popular girl at school and try to create a safe space club at their local library, all while juggling familial expectations as they’re planning coming out to their old-fashioned grandparents.

MAY

Ellie Engle Saves Herself by Leah Johnson
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From award-winning author Leah Johnson comes a laugh-until-you-cry, cry-until-you-laugh story about friendship, change, and the power we have to love ourselves.

Vivian Lantz’s Second Chances by Kathryn Ormsbee
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Groundhog Day meets Eighth Grade in this time-loop story set on the first day of school, from the critically acclaimed author of Candidly Cline.

Skating on Mars by Caroline Huntoon
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A heartwarming debut about a young figure skater discovering who they are on and off the ice. Skating on Mars is a tender examination of grief and a hopeful middle grade tale of self-discovery.

The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
The Penderwicks meets The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street in New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson’s middle grade debut about a young girl who gets to know her mom’s side of the family and hunts for hidden treasure over the course of one chaotic summer.

Pack Your Bags, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno
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This humorous and heartfelt middle-grade novel by Nina Moreno with illustrations by Courtney Lovett is perfect for fans of Celia C. Pérez and Terri Libenson.

JUNE

Haarville by Justin Davies
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Welcome to Haarville – if you’ve arrived, you’ve survived! This darkly comic, quirky middle-grade mystery adventure is perfect for fans of Malamander and Lemony Snicket.

North of Supernova by Lindsey Leavitt
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Stella North has waited her whole life for a coveted birthday party invite that will guarantee a friend-filled summer in Washington. But those perfect summer plans implode when her Dad returns with a surprise from his business trip: his new fiancée, Whitney. Shaken up by her father’s announcement, Stella decided to take fate into her own hands and sets out to discover the future (and maybe even change it) through astrology, crystals and Magic 8 Balls.

Camp Sylvania by Julie Murphy
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’ and Dear Sweet Pea comes a hilarious and spooky middle grade summer-camp story that takes a bite out of fat camp.

Nightmare Island by Shakirah Bourne
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From rising star Shakirah Bourne, author of Josephine Against the Sea, comes a mysterious adventure that explores one of the most chilling tales in Caribbean mythology: the faceless douen children.

Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Theo Tan doesn’t want a spirit companion. He just wants to be a normal American kid, playing video games, going to conventions, and using cirth pendants to cast his spells like everyone else. But, when his older brother dies, Theo ends up inheriting Jamie’s fox spirit, Kai. After inheriting the grieving fox spirit, Theo must learn to embrace his heritage to solve the mystery of his brother’s death.

What middle grade releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post You Need These Highly Anticipated 2023 Middle Grade Fiction Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

You Have a Match by Emma Lord
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord’s You Have a Match, a YA novel of family, friendship, romance and sisterhood…

Cast in Firelight by Dana Swift
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The first book in an epic, heart-pounding fantasy duology about two royal heirs betrothed to be married, but whose loyalties are torn, and a ruthless enemy who threatens their world, perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Hafsah Faizal, and Renée Ahdieh.

Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne
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A novel-in-verse about a young girl coming-of-age and stepping out of the shadow of her former best friend. Perfect for readers of Elizabeth Acevedo and Nikki Grimes.

When You Look Like Us by Pamela N. Harris
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From debut author Pamela Harris comes a timely, gripping teen novel about a boy who must take up the search for his sister when she goes missing from a neighbourhood where black girls’ disappearances are too often overlooked. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Tiffany D. Jackson.

Wench by Maxine Kaplan
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A funny, fiercely feminist YA epic fantasy—following the adventures of a tavern wench.

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer
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As two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series.

Roman and Jewel by Dana L. Davis
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If Romeo and Juliet got the Hamilton treatment…who would play the leads? This vividly funny, honest, and charming romantic novel by Dana L. Davis is the story of a girl who thinks she has what it takes…and the world thinks so, too.

Lore by Alexandra Bracken
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Darkest Minds comes a sweepingly ambitious, high-octane tale of power, destiny, love and redemption.

The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe
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A slick, twisty YA page-turner about the daughter of a con artist who is taken hostage in a bank heist.

Don’t Tell a Soul by Kirsten Miller
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Stay up all night with this modern day Rebecca! Perfect for fans of Truly Devious—a haunting story about a new girl in an old town filled with dark secrets . . . that might just kill her.

Every Single Lie by Rachel Vincent
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this gripping YA novel about social media bullying and half-truths, one girl’s discovery of a dead baby in her high school locker room rocks an entire community. 

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

International phenomenon Angie Thomas revisits Garden Heights seventeen years before the events of The Hate U Give in this searing and poignant exploration of Black boyhood and manhood.

What January 2021 YA releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post January 2021 YA Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Queer Eye is the type of feel-good show that makes even our darkest days brighter – and I think we all wish the Fab 5 were our close friends/confidants! I am also 100% sure that you have a favourite of the five, so here’s a little list of YA book recommendations based on your favourite member of the Fab 5!

JONATHAN VAN NESS

Jonathan Van Ness aka the nonbinary hair and makeup artist of the show is a literal ball of sunshine that makes everyone feel better about themselves with just a few words! Jonathan never sugarcoats, but tells people what is what in the sweetest, most awe-inspiring way. Jonathan had a pretty difficult life (and you can read more about it in their stunning memoir Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love, which I highly recommend) and all of their experiences coalesce into this gorgeous, strong, and confident hype-ball!

So the books we picked for Jonathan had to include all of the above – self-love, honesty, confidence, and just a pinch of extra!

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver | Goodreads
A sorrowful yet hopeful coming-of-age love story that will make your heart weep with love! We are 100% sure that Jonathan would fall head over heels for this important story of Ben De Backer who comes out to their parents as non-binary and is consequently thrown out of their house. Forced to move in with their estranged sister and finish their senior year at a new school, the situation is less than ideal for Ben. But when they meet an always-smiling student Nathan and learn how to ask for help, things start looking up and there might still be a chance at happiness.

Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy | Goodreads
This celebration of our bodies and all that is beautiful of a novel centres around Willowdean, a self-proclaimed fat girl that decides to take back her confidence by entering a beauty pageant! In doing so, she also inspires some other unlikely candidates to do the same and with that changes the way people see these girls, but mostly she changes the way she sees herself! This gorgeous tale set in Texas and enriched with Dolly Parton songs is perfect for any Jonathan fans out there – confident and full of self-love!

Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) by Lev A.C. Rosen | Goodreads
Jack Rothman is a seventeen-year-old boy who is very open about the things he loves: boys, makeup, and parties! He is a popular guy who even has a secret admirer, but when Jack starts writing an online sex advice column, those letters become threatening and Jack has to uncover the truth about who is behind them. This fun and quirky read with a chilling twist is perfect for anyone who is unsure of who they are. Jack will teach you what it means to be confident in your skin and inspire you to keep your head held high, similar to what Jonathan does in every single Queer Eye episode.

ANTONI POROWSKI

Antoni Porowski is the food expert on Queer Eye and he also serves just the right amount of sass, side-eye, and cuteness on the show! Antoni is a chef and last year he published Antoni in the Kitchen, a cookbook filled with recipes of different levels, so it’s a must-have for both newbies in the kitchen and seasoned chefs!

The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews | Goodreads
This own-voices novel is a story of two boys who’ve been abandoned by their relatives and have to find a new life for themselves. Everything turns upside down for Sam and Avery when they somehow find their place with De Laineys, a chaotic and big family! This beautiful and heartwrenching story of found families, secrets, and love also deals with some very important topics such as mental health, anxiety, autism, and feminism. And of course, we can’t forget about all the delicious talk about food! 

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord | Goodreads
Now I have to start this rec by telling you that yes, I mostly decided on it because there is a lot of baking! Pepper is a food blogger and overachiever extraordinaire, juggling her senior year and running a Twitter account for her family’s successful fast food restaurant chain. On the other side we have Jack, class clown and Pepper’s complete opposite in many ways, who works in his family’s small deli. While their lives get intertwined in a viral Twitter war, they also start falling for each other in real life. This cute story of the importance of family legacy chock-full of sassy remarks, cute shenanigans, and falling in love will warm your heart – and inexplicably make you super hungry! Snacks are a must while reading this beauty!

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston | Goodreads
Okay, so I am cheating a bit since this is technically not a YA novel (due to its themes it falls into New Adult category), but I just had to include this masterpiece about America’s First Son and the Prince of Wales falling in love! Okay so it’s a sort of an enemies (or at least rivals) to lovers story, which makes it even more endearing and important. This modern classic is perfect for any fans of Antoni because of its sincere story-telling and heart-aching quotes.

TAN FRANCE

The fabulous Tan France is Queer Eye‘s fashion expert and there is just something about this hard-working and cheeky fashion guru that demands attention! In his memoir Naturally Tan, he tells his origin story and highlights how important it is to work on acceptance and understanding of each other!

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo | Goodreads
There are two reasons I decided that this Bardugo masterpiece should be on Tan’s list of recs! The first is of course the gorgeous cover that still makes us gasp with awe to this day! The second are its narrators! King of Scars follows the journeys of the beloved charming king Nikolai and our queens (figuratively speaking – at least for now ^*wink*), the formidable Squaller and commander of the Second Army, Zoya, and Nina, the heartbroken yet still deadly in both her wits and abilities,as they try to piece together their country after its bloody civil wars and defy their enemies! We therefore follow three confident and strong protagonists that steal your heart from the get-go – and what is more Tan if not his trademark wit and poise!

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee | Goodreads
This feminist historical fiction novel follows our fierce heroine Felicity Montague as she does everything in her power to fulfil her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. As this is a less desirable path a woman should take in the 1700’s, Felicity has to fight for some room in the man-ruled world which leads to epic trips and unforgettable quests that show the reader the true struggles of women and the power they possess! Tan would undoubtedly adore Felicity, this judgy little queen that learns so much about herself and all women along the way, and becomes the most enlightened and accepting version of herself. 

The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare | Goodreads
Whenever you think of a YA character with impeccable style, the infamous warlock Magnus Bane must be one of the first to cross your mind! In this beautiful short stories collection, we get to know more about the beloved Magnus – from his life spanning through centuries, to epic shenanigans, and all the heartbreaking love stories he lived through before meeting the other half of Malec, Alec Lightwood! Now I don’t know about you, but if you ask me, Magnus and Tan would be fast friends, talking fashion and exchanging witty remarks.

KARAMO BROWN

Karamo Brown is the Queer Eye‘s culture expert who helps the candidates with their problems and different obstacles in life by finding ways to start dealing with them. Karamo’s television career started on reality show The Real World: Philadelphia in 2004, when he also became the first openly gay black man on reality TV. Our resident culture expert is the motivational life coach that every one of us could probably use in our lives, making people believe in themselves and inspiring them with every action and nice word!

If Karamo is your favourite, you should also check out his 2019 memoir titled Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz | Goodreads
The lyrical and atmospheric tale of two boys that meet one fateful summer day and their developing friendship that shapes them both. This coming-of-age story about discovering the deepest parts of yourself and letting them shine is the perfect tale of heartbreak and love that will lift you up and fill your heart with hope! 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas | Goodreads
Now I think this modern-day classic doesn’t need any special introductions or explanations as to why it would be a perfect rec for any Karamo fans! As we follow Starr Carter on her journey of finding justice for her childhood friend who was a victim of a fatal shooting, we delve deep into important and very relevant issues of our world today, from racism and police brutality, to activism and weaponizing of stereotypes. This is one of the books that will stay with you long after you’re done reading it and keep you thinking – similar to what Karamo does in basically every Queer Eye episode!

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta | Goodreads
This fierce coming-of-age story of a young gay black man told in verse is a beautiful tale of self-discovery and self-love! We follow Michael as he tries to find his place under the sun, dealing with questions of his identity as a mixed-raced gay teen! His path leads him to university where he finds himself in the group of drag artists and finally unlocks his bold and bright colours! Now this novel just screams about self-acceptance and love and I am 100% sure this is something Karamo would urge all of us to read!

BOBBY BERK

Bobby Berk is the interior design expert on Queer Eye and he left home when he was only fifteen and made his way up in the world by working hard and never giving up, even when the situation seemed hopeless! He is an independent, no-nonsense guy that always has hard-hitting but important life advice at the ready! So it seemed only logical to pick books that really reflect that!

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren | Goodreads
If you’ve watched at least a few episodes of Queer Eye, you probably noticed that Bobby mentions a few times that religion had a big role in his life growing up! So, this heart-wrenching story of two boys falling in love and trying to balance their love and the beliefs they were brought up with seems like a perfect read for Bobby fans. This beautiful exploration of religion, sexuality, and young love will both break and mend your heart, and you will be rooting for Tanner and Sebastian in no time!

Ziggy, Stardust and Me by James Brandon | Goodreads
This book takes us back in time to the 70s when David Bowie was at the top of his game and when homosexuality was still treated as a mental illness. We meet Jonathan, a sixteen-year-old boy who is going through treatments for liking other boys. Life seems pretty drab until Web walks into Jonathan’s life and makes him question how something as pure as what he feels for him could be considered ‘bad’. This coming-of-age story about learning how to accept yourself even in the face of adversity will bring a smile to your lips!

I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman | Goodreads
For the last Bobby rec I had to go with an Alice Oseman book! She just really knows how to write uplifting stories while also weaving in important topics such as mental health and going after what you believe in! In this book all about the celebration of fandoms, we follow two perspectives – Angel, the fangirl, and Jimmy, the singer! As Angel and Jimmy’s worlds collide, they both learn a lot about themselves and the fandom culture they are a part of.

So, there you have all the epic YA book recommendations for our favourite Fab 5 members! And last but not least, if you adore Queer Eye as much as I do, you simply have to pick up Queer Eye: Love Yourself. Love Your Life, which includes everything you need to know about our beloved Fab 5, some behind-the-scenes things from the show, and practical advice about how to live your best life!

Which Fab 5 member is your favourite and why? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Queer Eye: YA Book Recommendations Based On The Fab 5 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

In the past ten years there’s been immense growth in race representation within mainstream media. While there’s always been a market for books with POC leads, the amount of POC books that can be found in the forefront of book media has grown spectacularly, alongside the growth of diversity as well. With Black History Month still fresh on everyone’s minds, here are some books with POC leads that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime.

Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America

Black Enough is an anthology that is filled with beautiful short stories about different, and often hidden, experiences of being a black teen in America. The anthology has well crafted stories that resonate deeply with black people around the world who have experienced or heard of similar situations within their lives. Black Enough is a unique book that everyone should invest in reading in order to gain understanding of black experiences and black communities, not only in America, but also worldwide. The anthology contains stories that are strong both by themselves and within the collection as a whole.

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

Binti is a sci-fi coming-of-age novella that explores the difficulties of balancing and not losing your heritage while going against traditions in order to fulfil your dreams. The book explores racism and segregation in a straightforward way that isn’t overwhelming for most readers. It’s an easily digestible book and can be read in one sitting, but yet it’s still packed with lessons and informative situations that can teach anyone something about race, gender, and the way different types of communities/tribes work.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 

A list about books with people of colour leads wouldn’t be complete without The Hate U Give being mentioned. The award winning young adult book created waves not only in literature, but in the world as well. The book tackles racism, police brutality and activism in a way that correlates closely to what many black people in America face in a daily basis. The Hate U Give was the start of an era of young adult POC literature being in the forefront of media and carving a permanent spot at the media table. The book was revolutionary and will go down in history as one of the biggest diverse books of the time period. One things for certain, the book is definitely worth the hype.

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

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before was a teen phenomenon when it was adapted into one of the biggest Netflix movies of 2018. The cute, romantic book had hearts full as we all got drawn in by a story with a POC lead that wasn’t necessarily focused on being a person of colour. The book takes romance and makes it accessible to a younger audience, which made the story huge within pop culture. There’s something refreshing about reading a sweet, and not heavily political book, that still has impact and makes waves in the POC community.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

The Poet X is one of the best books of the era, period. The book tells a story in such a unique way by using prose. Each page, no matter how minimal, feels like a poem with meaning inside it. The book was highly hyped around its release, and it deserved every bit of hype that it got. The book should be a really should be a staple on everyone’s bookshelf.

And here are a few extra recommendations for those avid readers out there:

Let’s Go Swimming on Doomsday by Natalie C. Anderson

Forced to become a child soldier, a sixteen-year-old Somali refugee must confront his painful past in this haunting, thrilling tale of loss and redemption for fans of A Long Way Gone and What is the What

The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan

A gritty novel that doesn’t shy away from the darkest corners of ourselves, The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali provides a timely and achingly honest portrait of what it’s like to grow up feeling unwelcome in your own culture and proves that love, above all else, has the power to change the world.

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

At turns heartbreaking and joyous, I Wish You All the Best is both a celebration of life, friendship, and love, and a shining example of hope in the face of adversity.

Do you have any other recommendations or favourites? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Five Books With Wonderful POC Lead Characters appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

“This is what it means to be a feminist. Not a humanist or an equalist or whatever. But a feminist. It’s not a bad word. After today it might be my favorite word. Because really all it is is girls supporting each other and wanting to be treated like human beings in a world that’s always finding ways to tell them they’re not.”

Vivian Carter is fed up – from living in a small town where everyone thinks the football team is untouchable to the sexist dress codes and harassment in the hallways that no one seems to be able to change. When she is once again chastised for breaking the anti-feminist rules of her school, Viv decides to fight back. Taking a page from her mother’s past, Viv creates a feminist zine that she distributes anonymously to her classmates. What starts out as a way to blow off steam turns into fast friendships as girls all over the school band together to fight for their rights, solidifying the fact that there is nothing more powerful than girls supporting girls.

The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

“I get why he’s lashing out. As a privileged white dude, he’s used to being able to buy whatever he wants. He lives in a country where even the presidency can be bought.
But he can’t buy my love. And that frustrates the hell out of him.”

Faced with a sex scandal of epic proportions, Izzy O’Neill becomes fed up with the double standards that exist for girls and boys – whereas she is publicly shamed and called out for being promiscuous, the guy she slept with is the hero who can do no wrong, receives high fives at every turn and is the conqueror of the whole school. Not to mention she’s dealing with her best friend who keeps begging her to let him out of the friendzone. Izzy decides enough is enough and together with her friends, fights back against the people who decide what a girl should be and how she should behave.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

“That’s the problem. We let people say stuff, and they say it so much that it becomes okay to them and normal for us. What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?”

From a young age, Starr Carter has been instructed on the double standards that exist for black people. Be silent, be docile, don’t do anything rash. Keep your head down and don’t make a fuss. When Starr witnesses her friend getting shot by a police officer for no reason, Starr is inconsolable. But above all, she is angry. Angry at the injustice, angry that Khalil had to die for no reason, angry that the police officer is facing no charges. Starr has to ask herself – what good does it do to keep quiet when she could actually change things for the better?

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

“I wondered, for the very first time, if maybe I was doing this whole thing wrong. If maybe I’d allowed myself to be blinded by my own anger to the exclusion of all else. If maybe, just maybe, I’d been so determined not to be stereotyped that I’d begun to stereotype everyone around me.”

One year after 9/11, sixteen-year-old Shirin is tired of being stereotyped because she is a Muslim girl. Never surprised by the rude and demeaning attitude of others, Shirin has learned to shut out everyone and everything that might make her feel bad for her religion or wearing her hijab. Until Ocean James shows up and wants to get to know her – who sees the girl who break-dances and loves music and maybe, just maybe, the one who will get behind the protective walls she has built up. Brick by brick, Shirin realizes that not feeding into stereotypes is a tough choice – but changing who you are, how you act just to not be labeled by others is something no one should ever have to do. And finding yourself underneath what others tell you you are might be her toughest challenge yet.

Foul Is Fair by Hannah Capin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

“Sweet sixteen is when the claws come out.”

After a birthday that should have been sweet but ended up being the worst night of her life, Jade decides to get revenge on the golden boys of St. Andrew’s Prep that tried to crush her and failed. Together with her fearless friends and the perfect disguise, Jade infiltrates the untouchable circle of the golden boys and takes back the power on a journey of revenge that will leave no survivors. Fed up with the injustice, Jade becomes larger than life and vows: something wicked this way comes.

What Kind of Girl by Alyssa Sheinmel
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

“Doing something when you’re scared is braver than doing something when you’re not.”

When Mike Parker’s girlfriend shows up with a bruise at school, everyone at North Bay Academy is taking sides. After all, what kind of girl would go to the principal instead of the police? And what girl would stay with her abusive boyfriend instead of leaving him? Divided by the issue of how much abuse society inflicts upon women and how much more they endure even when coming forward, there needs to be a reckoning: why ask what kind of girl stays instead of what kind of guy hurts her?

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Destroy The Patriarchy: 6 YA Books That Will Empower You appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Black History Month is a month to reflect on the African American experience and how they have shaped society. So, what better way than to explore books about black main characters written by black authors? In the recent years of young adult fiction, there’s been a rapid growth of authors spreading their voices and work through young characters, so here is a list of titles to check out during Black History Month, along with any time of the year!

American Street by Ibi Zoboi | Goodreads

The story about a girl moving back to the U.S, only to have her mother taken away by authorities who accuse her of overstaying her visa date. This book became a finalist in the 2017 National Book Award for Young Adult’s Literature.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas | Goodreads

A Goodreads Choice Winner about a girl who lives in a low-class neighborhood yet attends a preppy school. She tries to keep them separate but everything comes crashing down when a fatal shooting occurs right before her.

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson | Goodreads

When a white baby is killed, all fingers point to the black woman who was in the baby’s care at the time. Fighting for justice doesn’t come easy when years down the line she has to fight for her own baby.

Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi | Goodreads

A heart-wrenching anthology written by various authors about the lives of modern African American teenagers.

Slay by Brittney Morris | Goodreads

Fans of The Hate u Give and Warcross will definitely enjoy this. A game developed by a black girl for the young black community receives controversy when a gamer is killed and Slay is labelled as racist.

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett | Goodreads

An HIV-positive girl has to deal with the trials and tribulations of a new school. Things only get harder when she starts to fall in love.

Legacy of Orisha series by Tomi Adeyemi | Goodreads

Fantasy lovers will enjoy Zéila as she tries to bring back the unspeakable magic that once was in Orisha. She must learn to calm her fury for those who took her mother but instead grows a liking toward the enemy.

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron | Goodreads

A fantasy driven tale where a girl struggles to gain magic. With an evil lurking about, will she exchange her own life for the magic to save everyone?

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus | Goodreads

This tender story about two black girls living separate lives then falling in love is bound to catch your heart.

Who Put this Song On? By Morgan Parker | Goodreads

A story about a black girl being the outcast in her town. Yet when she discovers her people, she also begins to discover her true self.

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi | Goodreads

When war strikes, two sisters must fight and survive their way through to an end where they’ll hopefully still be together.

Hope is our Only Wing by Rutendo Tavengerwei | Goodreads

As a girl grieves over her father’s death, she becomes friends with someone who’s diagnosed with cancer.

Girls Like Us by Randi Pink | Goodreads

Told from different perspectives in the summer of 1972, all the girls reveal what it’s like to be a pregnant when you’re a teenager.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone | Goodreads

A teenage boy with a bright future has to deal with the law and looks to Dr. Martin Luther King for guidance.

There’s so many more to cover but these cover a range of topics. Do you have any recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post YA Books To Read During Black History Month appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

From films to TV characters to food, sorting things into Hogwarts Houses has become something of a cultural norm. The notion of giving anything a magical animal identity has permeated the very fabric of society with a person’s House being a somewhat trademark telling of their characteristics and personality. But what about books? Find below a curated list of some of the best books based around those all-important House traits. Maybe dabble in another House’s reading list; after all, if Harry can choose so can you.

Hufflepuff

Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

If retellings are your jam, then this fandom inspired, comic convention novel based on the Cinderella narrative is a decadent treat. This book is bright and sparkly but doesn’t shy away from themes of loneliness and fear. It shines a light on toxic family relationships and shows the importance of equality, friendship and togetherness. There are haters to lovers, a vegan food truck, and lots of nerdy references; a perfect mixture for any Hufflepuff heart.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

“No mourners, no funerals”, one Dreg says to another. The Dregs are, of course, the rag tag band of misfits featured in this heist duology. While steeped in espionage and betrayal, one theme runs stronger than any other: loyalty. Each of the characters pull from very different backgrounds and it is in these differences that the cast find home with one and other. Even though this series is set in a high fantasy world, the characters are as real as those featured in any contemporary story.

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A young boy travels from America to Iran on a family vacation in this heart-warming novel about identify, heritage, and the loyalty of family. Darius is a bit of an outsider, enjoying watching Star Trek, and selling tea in the local store rather than exploring any real form of social life. When he lands on ancestral soil, he connects with his grandparents and befriends the boy next door, Sohrab, who challenges everything Darius thought about himself.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A year after 9/11 and Shirin, a teenage Muslim girl, is trying to navigate an extremely politically unsettled America. From her love of break-dancing to the new boy, Ocean James, this book demonstrates the very worst of humanity in order to celebrate the love and uplifting nature of its best parts.

Ravenclaw

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Lazlo Strange sets out on a quest to uncover the mystery surrounding the lost city of Weep. This book captures the intelligence and creativity often ascribed to the Ravenclaw house; Lazlo’s determination to solve the puzzle through intense learning and research is perfect for those self-sufficient Ravenclaw’s.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
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In a world where humanity has conquered everything – war, hunger, disease – apprentices Citra and Rowan are thrust into the world of the Scythes: a highly respected society of cloaked individuals who are tasked with population control. For the protagonists, navigating this tricky world is all about being inventive, learning the politics, and adapting to the environment.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The title of this book screams Ravenclaw. Harry August is a man who cannot die; he lives and dies, and then comes back with all the memories and experiences of his previous lives. On top of the relationships and the jobs, the main thread through this novel is science and the intricacies involved with experimenting and investigating and exploring the scientific wonders of the world.

Sadie by Courtney Summers
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Following the mystery of her sister’s murder, Sadie sets out on a quest to uncover the culprit. The audiobook of this story is wonderfully crafted as it follows Sadie’s own perspective, as well as that of a podcast reporter searching for his own answers. Heart-breaking and harrowing, the clues build up as Sadie heads towards the final showdown.

Gryffindor

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Bravery comes in many forms, and this tale about lonely outsider, Eleanor Oliphant, is completely mesmerising and devastatingly heart-wrenching. Through the course of the book, the reader learns more and more about the title character; her arrogance, her judgemental attitude but most of all her absolute unflinching courage to confront her past in order to live a better present.

Circe by Madeline Miller
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This retelling of Circe the witch is all too modern. Ostracised by her peers and exiled by her father, Circe hones her occult powers on a lonely Greek island. Terrorised by sailors, the Goddess has to learn to be brave and fearless in a man’s world, showing that courage and determination come in all different forms.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When an altercation between the President’s son, Alex and Prince of England, Henry is exposed in the international press, the teams behind each of the high-profile individuals concoct a fake friendship plan to simmer the tension. Their relationship turns into something deeper and more intimate, and both characters have to decide whether their love is bigger than diplomacy in this novel about bravery and authenticity.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Starr Carter witnesses the murder of her unarmed black best friend at the hands of a white police officer. What happens next is a series of events that tackle the conversation of racism and police brutality. This is a novel about finding your voice and using it in the times that matter; the times that will make a change. It is about choice and courage in the face of overwhelming prejudice.

Slytherin

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Jude and her sister, Taryn, witness the murder of their parents at the hands of the Fey. Whisked to Faerie, Jude crafts her swordsmanship and aims to be as strong as the faeries that torment her mortality. Cunning and ambitious, Jude is ensnared in court politics and ends up under the gaze of wicked and vicious, Prince Cardan. This book showcases peak Slytherin traits: resourcefulness, determination and the gut-wrenching need to succeed.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Mia Corvere becomes embroiled in the cutthroat environment of assassin school, The Red Church as she sets out on a quest to avenge her parents’ murders and overthrow the current rulers of Itreya. Filled with danger, gore, and unrelenting action, this novel explores the lengths people will go to see their goal accomplished.

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This vibrant tale of the rise and fall of a successful rock ‘n’ roll band is seamlessly woven together in this engaging oral history. The novel captures each of the characters voices individually and concocts a juicy, turbulent narrative of a band at their height. Spunky Daisy Jones arrives on the scene and invigorates the members of The Six, and what follows is a chaotic ride through the seventies and the ambitious goal of super stardom.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This near future science-fiction adventure story is brimming with the energy of the Slytherin house. From ambitious end goals to securing survival in the vicious world of virtual reality (VR), this book follows Wade Watts as he attempts to decipher the puzzle of his hero’s game. Deep inside the OASIS, a VR style world where anything is possible, deceased creator James Halliday has hidden the keys to his kingdom.

So, wear those colours with pride, pick up a book and celebrate the best traits of your house!

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Sorting Books: Hogwarts House Book Recommendations appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Over the last couple of years, the Young Adult Contemporary genre has become an inclusive place for authors across all backgrounds. Names like Nicola Yoon, Angie Thomas, Jenny Han, Mary H. K. Choi, Sandhya Menon, Tahereh Mafi, Nina LaCour, Adam Silvera, and many more line the Young Adult shelves in bookstores like Barnes & Noble. Young people of all races, ethnicities, disabilities, and sexualities are being represented like never before. From cute, quirky romances to gripping, hard-hitting works of fiction, YA Contemporary continues to range in a variety of topics while introducing readers to new and diverse authors.

Diversity is finally here. But how did it happen?

What began as a passing trend in 2014 has quickly become a revolution to change to face of YA Contemporary entirely. An outcry for more diversity from book bloggers and vloggers began in 2014 and is a continuing fight today. Where other genres are still lacking (though not without some monumental strides), Young Adult Contemporary in particular has opened up the door to tons of debut authors writing fresh, memorable characters representing a wide range of minority groups.

It’s crazy to see how much the genre has changed in the past five years alone. In 2014, John Green’s The Fault in our Stars was taking over the readership and all anyone could talk about ahead of its movie release, and we were still riding the high of YA Dystopian with Veronica Roth’s Divergent trilogy. Neither book had an ounce of racial or sexual diversity. Little did we know the small strides made that year by own-voice authors would soon take over the YA genre.

Jenny Han’s To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before brought us an adorable, rom-com-y romance featuring a Korean-American protagonist in 2014. This sweet story came three years after Han wrapped up her first trilogy, The Summer I Turned Pretty series, which did not feature any POC main characters. Nina LaCour brought us a stunning novel about film featuring a female-female romance with Everything Leads to You in 2014 as well. The following year Nicola Yoon’s Everything, Everything brought us a SickLit romance featuring a black protagonist to rival The Fault in our Stars, but with a twist instead of a death at the end. But what really blew everything out of the water was Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give, a book inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement released in 2017 and of which still remains high on the New York Times best seller list. For reviewers in the book community, these novels were great strides in spreading diversity. But as per usual in YA literature, the rest of the world wouldn’t hear about them until their movie trailers dropped.

It’s possible the publishing industry took note and decided diversity can sell. It’s also possible that reviewers were finally heard in their cry for representation. Maybe the industry simply thought it was finally time that minority voices were finally heard. But whatever the reason, one fact must remain clear: diversity is not a trend or a genre. It’s a presence. It’s what we should’ve seen in the genre years ago, and what other genres are only now beginning to catch up to.

Progress has been made, but how has this changed reader-opinions? For starters, book bloggers and book vloggers have changed the way they review books. Many reviewers include trigger warnings in their reviews for anyone who might be sensitive to certain topics. Trigger warnings were often considered as spoilers to many readers, but the tide has begun to change and the need to protect readers has taken priority over potentially ruining the book for interested readers.

When promoting books, reviewers may also mention if/what ways a title is diverse as an interest point. Authors who have written minimal or nonexistent diversity in their books are being called out on social media, and discussion about progress and the importance of readers seeing themselves in the books they read has been talked about during book conferences and panels. Casual readers have shared their excitement of being represented over social media platforms.

The world around us is changing and it’s important that the media we consume reflects that. Most especially the books we read. While we might read for pleasure, books are meant to enrich our lives and teach us important lessons about the world around us. Diversity is not the end-all be-all, but it is an essential aspect that must be present in the literature we create and consume in order to reflect the world around us. Now that YA Contemporary has seemed to catch up on this fact, it’s time for other genres to follow suit.

Do you have a favourite author in this genre? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The New Faces of the YA Contemporary Genre appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us if you will be reading any of them in the comments below!

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the internationally bestselling author of The Bone Season, an enthralling epic fantasy about a world on the brink of war with dragons–and the women who must lead the fight to save it.

On The Come Up by Angie Thomas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; of the struggle to become who you are and not who everyone expects you to be; and of the desperate realities of poor and working-class black families.

The Moroccan Girl by Charles Cumming
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this gripping contemporary thriller, reminiscent of the classic Casablanca, a successful spy novelist is drawn into a real-life espionage plot when he’s ordered to find a mysterious fugitive on the alluring but deadly streets of Morocco.

The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a fresh reimagining of the classic tale takes us to fifteenth-century Lithuania where both love and war challenge the strongest of hearts.

Bowlaway by Elizabeth McCracken
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A sweeping and enchanting new novel from the widely beloved, award-winning author Elizabeth McCracken about three generations of an unconventional New England family who own and operate a candlepin bowling alley

The Antidote by Shelley Sackier
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Magic is not allowed, under any circumstances — even if it could save someone’s life. Fee knows this, so she keeps her magic a secret. Except her best friend, Xavi, is deathly ill. He’s also the crown prince. Saving him is important, not only for her, but for the entire kingdom. Fee’s desperation to save her friend means she can barely contain the magic inside her. And after the tiniest of slips, Fee is thrust into a dark and secretive world that is as alluring as it is dangerous.

The Huntress by Kate Quinn
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A fascinating historical novel about a battle-haunted English journalist and a Russian female bomber pilot who join forces to track the Huntress, a Nazi war criminal gone to ground in America.

The Familiars by Stacey Halls
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set against the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612, this rich and compelling novel draws its characters from historical figures as it explores the lives and rights of seventeenth-century women, ultimately raising the question: Is witch-hunting really just women-hunting?

Enchantée by Gita Trelease
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A compellingly beautiful tale of magic, intrigue and deception, set against the backdrop of eighteenth-century Paris on the cusp of revolution.

The Lost Night by Andrea Bartz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

What really happened the night Edie died? Years later, her best friend Lindsay will learn how unprepared she is for the truth. In 2009, Edie had New York’s social world in her thrall, but when Edie’s body was found near a suicide note at the end of a long, drunken night, no one could believe it. A decade later, Lindsay has come a long way, but when a chance reunion leads Lindsay to discover an unsettling video from that hazy night, she starts to wonder if Edie was actually murdered—and, worse, if she herself was involved.

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Four Queens. A divided nation. A ruthless pickpocket. A noble messenger. And the murders that unite them. An enthralling fast-paced murder mystery where competing agendas collide with deadly consequences, Four Dead Queens heralds the arrival of an exciting new YA talent.

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Mothers meets An American Marriage in this dazzling debut novel about mothers and daughters, identity and family, and how the relationships that sustain you can also be the ones that consume you.

Which February book release are you most excited to read? Tell us in the comments below!

The post February Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Perhaps you’re in need of some YA? Be on the look out for Leigh Bardugo’s King of Scars, Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Virtue and Vengeance, Christine Riccio’s Again, But Better, and Kasie West’s Maybe This Time.

If fantasy and sci-fi is more your speed, pick up Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree, Marlon James’ Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Gods of Jade and Shadow, or Rick Riordan’s The Tyrant’s Tomb.

Or get drawn into a good mystery or thriller with Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen’s An Anonymous Girl, Samantha Downing’s My Lovely Wife, Wendy Walker’s The Night Before, and Megan Goldin’s The Escape Room.

Read on to discover just a few of the exciting 2019 new releases you can check out and tell us in the comments below if you will be adding them to your list!

JANUARY

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us comes an electrifying new novel about doubt, passion, and just how much you can trust someone.

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way.

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An unforgettable romantic comedy about a woman who finally has a shot at her long time crush—if she dares.

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a darkly glamorous world, The Gilded Wolves is full of mystery, decadence, and dangerous but thrilling adventure.

The Suspect by Fiona Barton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The new must-read standalone crime thriller from the author of Sunday Times bestseller, The Widow, and the Richard & Judy No. 1 bestseller, The Child – featuring unforgettable journalist, Kate Waters.

Golden Child by Claire Adam
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A deeply affecting debut novel set in Trinidad, following the lives of a family as they navigate impossible choices about scarcity, loyalty, and love.

FEBRUARY

On The Come Up by Angie Thomas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the internationally bestselling author of The Bone Season, a trailblazing, epic high fantasy about a world on the brink of war with dragons – and the women who must lead the fight to save it.

The Huntress by Kate Quinn
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A fascinating historical novel about a battle-haunted English journalist and a Russian female bomber pilot who join forces to track the Huntress, a Nazi war criminal gone to ground in America.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Marlon James draws on a rich tradition of African mythology, fantasy and history to imagine an ancient world, a lost child, an extraordinary hunter, and a mystery with many answers…

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive…

Bowlaway by Elizabeth McCracken
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A sweeping and enchanting new novel from the widely beloved, award-winning author Elizabeth McCracken about three generations of an unconventional New England family who own and operate a candlepin bowling alley

MARCH

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Pena
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Clark Kent has always been faster, stronger, better than everyone around him. But he wasn’t raised to show off, and drawing attention to himself could be dangerous. Plus, it’s not like he’s earned his powers . . . yet.

Run Away by Harlan Coben
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

She’s addicted to drugs and to an abusive boyfriend. You haven’t seen her in six months. Then you find her busking in New York’s Central Park. But she’s not the girl you remember. This woman is frail, filthy, terrified, and in more trouble than you ever imagined.

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi (Pushed back to June 2019)
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Children of Virtue and Vengeance is the stunning sequel to Tomi Adeyemi’s New York Times bestselling debut Children of Blood and Bone, the first title in her Legacy of Orïsha trilogy.

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Dexter meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith in this wildly compulsive debut thriller about a couple whose fifteen-year marriage has finally gotten too interesting…

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A thrilling story told in the form of an extended oral history, Daisy Jones and the Six transports the reader to the world of ’70’s rock ‘n roll; creative chaos, musical alchemy and an iconic sound.

Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Influenced by the mysterious place gingerbread holds in classic children’s stories from the tantalizing witch’s house in “Hansel and Gretel” to the man-shaped confection who one day decides to run as fast as he can. this is a delightful tale of a surprising family legacy, in which the inheritance is a recipe.

APRIL

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In a centuries-long war where beauty and brutality meet, the paths of three individuals entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light

The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A twisty, compelling novel about one woman’s complicated relationship with her mother-in-law that ends in murder…

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From #1 New York Times bestseller Cassandra Clare and award-winner Wesley Chu comes the first book in a new series that follows High Warlock Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood as they tour the world after the Mortal War.

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this shimmering Chinese-inspired fantasy, debut author Joan He introduces a determined and vulnerable young heroine struggling to do right in a world brimming with deception.

Little Darlings by Melanie Golding
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Compulsive, creepy, and inspired by some our darkest fairy tales, Little Darlings will have you checking―and rechecking―your own little ones. Just to be sure. Just to be safe.

Meet Cute by Helena Hunting
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The New York Times bestselling author of Pucked and The Good Luck Charm delivers a Hollywood happily-ever-after where a famous heartthrob falls for his ultimate fangirl in this sexy standalone romantic comedy.

MAY

Again, But Better by Christine Riccio
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Shane has been doing college all wrong. Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. She needs a change — there’s nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She’s going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure! Easier said than done.

The Night Before by Wendy Walker
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Told in dual timelines—the night before and the day after—The Night Before is a riveting thriller about family loyalty, obsession, and what happens when the desire for love spins out of control.

Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the academy would touch…

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the critically acclaimed author of The Kiss Quotient comes a romantic novel about love that crosses international borders and all boundaries of the heart…

We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.

With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of the National Book Award longlist title The Poet X comes a dazzling novel in prose about a girl with talent, pride, and a drive to feed the soul that keeps her fire burning bright.

JUNE

I’ll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From Catherine McKenzie, the instant bestselling author of The Good Liar, comes a riveting domestic suspense in the vein of Liane Moriarty that sees five siblings forced to confront a tragedy they thought was buried long ago.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of An Enchantment of Ravens comes an imaginative fantasy about an apprentice at a magical library who must battle a powerful sorcerer to save her kingdom.

The Beholder by Anna Bright
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Ghosts of the Shadow Market by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Follow Brother Zachariah and see, against the backdrop of the Shadow Market’s dark dealings and festive celebrations, Anna Lightwood’s first romance, Matthew Fairchild’s great sin and Tessa Gray plunged into a world war. Valentine Morgenstern buys a soul at the Market and a young Jace Wayland’s soul finds safe harbor.

The Long Flight Home by Alan Hlad
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Inspired by fascinating, true, yet little-known events during World War II, The Long Flight Home is a testament to the power of courage in our darkest hours—a moving, masterfully written story of love and sacrifice.

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the # 1 New York Times bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and The Signature of All Things, a delicious novel of glamour, sex, and adventure, about a young woman discovering that you don’t have to be a good girl to be a good person.

JULY

Dark Age by Pierce Brown
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The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Morning Star returns to the Red Rising universe with the thrilling sequel to Iron Gold.

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
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The next heart-pounding thriller from New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager follows a young woman whose new job apartment sitting in one of New York’s oldest and most glamorous buildings may cost more than it pays.

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
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Maddie and Theo have two things in common: Alexa is their best friend and they hate each other. After an “oops, we made a mistake” night together, neither one can stop thinking about the other.

The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen
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A gritty YA fantasy about a young chieftain from a persecuted caste of mercy-killers who must rely on her wits and bone magic to smuggle the crown prince to safety.

Maybe This Time by Kasie West
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One year. Nine events. Nine chances to…fall in love? Told over the course of one year and following Sophie from event to event, this delightful novel from master of romantic comedy Kasie West shows how love can blossom in unexpected places.

This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amar El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
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Two time-traveling agents from warring futures, working their way through the past, begin to exchange letters—and fall in love in this thrilling and romantic book from award-winning authors Amal-El Mohtar and Max Gladstone.

AUGUST

Things You Save In A Fire by Katherine Center
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From the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away comes a stunning new novel about family, hope, and learning to love against all odds.

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin
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For fans of JP Delaney’s The Girl Before and Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10 comes this hair-raising novel of deception and revenge that will blow readers away.

The Dragon Republic by RF Kuang
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The sequel to R.F. Kuang’s acclaimed debut THE POPPY WAR, THE DRAGON REPUBLIC combines the history of 20th-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating effect.

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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The Mayan God of Death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in this dark fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore, for readers of The Song of Achilles and Uprooted.

Keeping Lucy by T. Greenwood
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From the author of Rust & Stardust comes this heartbreaking story, inspired by true events, of how far one mother must go to protect her daughter.

Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell
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Pumpkinheads is a book about fall and friendship and saying good-bye. About puns and pumpkin spice. And about taking a moment, while everything around you changes, to appreciate something wonderful.

SEPTEMBER

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
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Margaret Atwood’s sequel picks up the story 15 years after Offred stepped into the unknown, with the explosive testaments of three female narrators from Gilead.

Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff
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A ruthless young assassin’s journey for revenge comes to a stunning end in the conclusion of this acclaimed epic fantasy trilogy.

The World of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
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The official guide to the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series complete with characters, creatures, new artwork, and more!

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
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The Ninth House trilogy—Gideon the Ninth, Harrow the Ninth, and Alecto the Ninth—is an epic science fantasy that blends necromantic theory and thrilling swordplay with a wicked, sacrilegious sense of humor; a modern mix of Dune, Riddick, and Gormenghast.

His Hideous Heart by Dahlia Adler, Kendare Blake, Rin Chupeco, and more
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Dahlia Adler (ed.)’s HIS HIDEOUS HEART, a collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s most unsettling and surprising short stories reimagined by authors Kendare Blake, Rin Chupeco, Lamar Giles, Tessa Gratton, Tiffany Jackson, Stephanie Kuehn, Amanda Lovelace, Emily Lloyd-Jones, Hillary Monahan, Marieke Nijkamp, Caleb Roehrig, and Fran Wild.

The Tyrant’s Tomb by Rick Riordan
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It’s not easy being Apollo, especially when you’ve been turned into a human and banished from Olympus. On his path to restoring five ancient oracles and reclaiming his godly powers, Apollo (aka Lester Papadopoulos) has faced both triumphs and tragedies. Now his journey takes him to Camp Jupiter in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Roman demigods are preparing for a desperate last stand against the evil Triumvirate of Roman emperors.

OCTOBER

The New Bad Thing by Michael Ebner
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Teagan can’t have what she wants most in life. Now everywhere she goes and everyone she knows are constant reminders of this. Desperate for a distraction, she needs to focus her energy elsewhere. Suddenly a foreign news story shocks her to the core. From that moment, she takes matters into her own hands and starts a special project. It could become a global game changer.

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
Goodreads

At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful. And these vampires don’t sparkle. They slay.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
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The new series centers on Alex Stern, a 20-year-old California high school dropout with a criminal past who is mysteriously offered a second chance as a Yale University freshman. Ninth House, the first book, follows Stern’s freshman year, where she is charged with monitoring Yale’s secret societies, who engage in sinister occult activities.

Untitled by Paula Hawkins
Goodreads

The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco
Goodreads

Pitched as Frozen meets Mad Max, the series is about a world ruled by goddesses that has been split in two—one half existing in perpetual scorching Day, the other in freezing Night—and the twins separated at birth who learn they’re destined to make their way across the great divide and rule a reunited world.

Into The Crooked Place by Alexandra Christo
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NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
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Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a strange book hidden in the library stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood.

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
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From #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare comes the first novel in a brand-new trilogy that stars the Shadowhunters of Edwardian London. Chain of Gold is a Shadowhunters novel.

Starsight by Brandon Sanderson
Goodreads

The follow-up to Brandon Sanderson’s 2018 YA sci-fi novel Skyward.

The Light of All The Falls by James Islington
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The Light of All That Falls concludes the epic adventure that began in The Shadow of What Was Lost, the acclaimed fantasy blockbuster from James Islington.

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
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A heart-breaking, uplifting story for fans of PS I Love You and Jojo Moyes, this gorgeously romantic novel will make you laugh, cry and remind you of what a wonderful gift it is to love and to be loved.

Quantum by Patricia Cornwell
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International bestselling, award-winning, and groundbreaking author Patricia Cornwell will introduce a new heroine for the technological age with Quantum.

What new release are you most excited to read this year? Tell us in the comments below!

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