Hi, David! We last spoke a year ago! How has the past 12 months been for you?

Time flies! It’s good to be here again talking with you. Career-wise, the last 12 months have been great! City of Orange is coming out, the Frankly In Love film adaptation is progressing, our Joy Revolution imprint has official launch lineup, my wife sold a book, etc. Lots of exciting stuff going on.

In terms of the pandemic, this last year has been the Acceptance stage of grief. My wife and I decided that we have to get out there and live our lives as best we can, instead of waiting for everything to “get back to normal” like we’d been doing. Waiting was a recipe for madness! So we’ve gotten better at masking up, vaxxing up, testing frequently, and mitigating risk whenever we can. It’s been pretty awesome to be back in the world again. One good thing I’ve managed to get out of this disastrous pandemic is a profound sense of what really matters: friends, family, following your passion, and learning to just chill the hell out when your body tells you to.

Your latest novel, City of Orange, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Five words? You guys. Here goes:

The world has ended—again.

What can readers expect?

City of Orange is an apocalyptic story, but maybe not the kind you’re used to. There is of course desolation and survival and threats all around, but I really wanted to focus on the main character and his struggle to remember how the world ended and to find his lost family. An apocalypse can be a metaphor for all kinds of things in literature. In this book, it’s really about how you muster the will to go on when you suddenly find yourself in a world that has suddenly become totally unfamiliar. For this reason, some readers have thought this book is a metaphor for the pandemic, but it was really inspired years ago when I became a new father and my life completely changed. I think there are key moments in life when you’re thrust into an unfamiliar world and are forced to use all your ingenuity and courage to not just make it through, but thrive. The post-apocalyptic world of City of Orange serves as a similar challenge to the story’s main character.

Where did the inspiration for City of Orange come from?

So like I mentioned, I started writing this book shortly after my wife gave birth to our daughter. It was such a topsy-turvy time—everything changed, time had no meaning, and suddenly I had these borderline feral paternal instincts about taking care of my wife and new baby. Having a first child really distills your world down to its essence. It also raises the stakes in life dramatically. Your job, your car, your clothes all start to feel silly compared to family.

Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?

City of Orange is actually my first novel! Before I wrote the first draft, I was terrified at the idea of writing something so long. I put it off forever. But the my wife literally forced me to do National Write a Novel Month, and over the course of November I reached the goal of 55,000 words. It was as thrilling as finishing a marathon. It would never have happened had Nicki not forced me into it. It would be years before I had the courage to actually show it to readers for feedback and revision, but at least I had a real first draft to work with. Not many people get that far. If you’re an aspiring writer and have a finished draft of a novel, you really should congratulate yourself on doing what the vast majority of people cannot.

Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

The character of Byron, who’s the protagonist’s best friend, was a treat. His name is ironic; he thinks he’s a tough-guy romantic hero, but really he’s a big softie with a generous soul, as well as kind of dumb. At heart, he’s the opposite of toxic masculinity. He is all my best guy friends rolled into one.

Another favorite part to write were the many flashbacks with the protagonist and his wife and daughter. They’re full of not just love, but resentment and exhaustion and regret. I can’t write a book without love. Love is the thing we live for. It’s the thing that motivates everybody!

You’ve now had four novels publish over the past four years. Are there any key lessons you’ve learned as a writer since Frankly In Love released in 2019?

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that a writing career is a long-term affair. Nicola hammers this message into me on an almost daily basis. A writer isn’t their first book, nor their latest; a writer is their entire body of work created over years. This sounds so obvious when I think about my own favorite authors. Like, whenever Kazuo Ishiguro writes a new book, I buy it automatically, and my conception of his work expands. I don’t think of him as the guy who wrote Remains of the Day—I think of him as a singular artist using words to explore truths. I want to be him when I grow up.

The other thing I learned is to be the cool boss. Being a writer is, in reality, being a small creative business owner, which means you’re your own boss. I used to be a hard-driving workaholic, until I realized I was being a jerk boss to myself. Now I know to take breaks, celebrate milestones properly, and pace myself. Be the cool boss!

You and your wife, Nicola Yoon (author of The Sun Is Also a Star and Everything, Everything) have teamed up to launch Joy Revolution, a new imprint for Random House Children’s Books, which is dedicated to young adult romance novels by people of color. With the first acquisition made earlier this year, what’s the process been like?

It’s been an honor. Our mission is super simple: to publish love stories starring people of color written by people of color. So many books about POCs focus on trauma and racism, and while those stories are crucial in fighting injustice, there’s a whole other side to life that doesn’t get told nearly enough as it should. Especially when you compare the narrow gamut of POC stories to the wide, freewheeling world of White stories, where characters are allowed to be whatever wacky personalities authors can dream up. Joy Revolution is dedicated to filling that narrative gap by showing people of color in stories that are funny, romantic, cozy, silly, and all the other things that express the full breadth of humanity. It’s a very basic (and very important) concept, because the more POC are portrayed as simply human, the more they will be perceived as being simply human.  It’s been the pleasure of a lifetime to be able to read so many high-quality manuscripts with diverse protagonists produced by a growing pool of super talented POC authors.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on a YA book with Nicola, which has been super fun. She’s my favorite author and now she’s officially my favorite writing partner, too! I’m also working on my next adult novel—all I can say is it’s a modern retelling of an old classic. This is on top of my City of Orange book tour next week, getting to launch our first Joy Revolution books, and pitching TV/film ideas with Yooniverse Media. Lastly, I’m having a lot of fun my newsletter, David Yoon Shares Everything He Knows, which has been a beautiful oasis of community away from the cesspool of social media. I once read somewhere—and so far it’s turned out to be true—that the second-best thing a person can do is to share everything they know. The first is to love someone.

Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?

I’ve been on a hot streak with great books lately, so here you go:

• The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan—genius concept for a social thriller that beat the crap out of me but kept me coming back for more.
• The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin—gorgeously written western about a one-man killing machine gunslinger who’s also Chinese American? I mean come on.
• The Fervor by Alma Katsu—Historical zombie horror set (wait for it) in a WWII Japanese internment camp. A riveting detective suspense story.
• A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan—A dry, funny, unsettling parable about the evils of social media manifested into one of the most bizarre twists I’ve ever read.
• The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam—Absolutely absurd and hilarious sendup of tech startup culture so dead-on that I felt like I was back in my days working as a user experience expert.

The post Q&A: David Yoon, Author of ‘City of Orange’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Welcome to 2022, but more importantly, welcome to a whole lot of new book releases to look forward to over the next year!

In this round up, we take a look at an array of highly anticipated books releasing between the months of January and June. From new releases from favourite authors such as Rachel Lynn Solomon, Sarah J. Maas, Tahereh Mafi, Marlon James, Emily St. John Mandel, Holly Black, Christina Lauren, Ryan Sager, and many more, to absolutely dazzling debuts, you’re sure to find quite a few exciting new reads within this list!

Stay tuned as we’ll be releasing more 2022 lists for several genres!

Read on to discover just a few of our favourite January to June 2022 releases and tell us in the comments if you’re looking forward to any of them! 

JANUARY

Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A TV meteorologist and a sports reporter scheme to reunite their divorced bosses with unforecasted results in this charming romantic comedy from the author of The Ex Talk.

Good Rich People by Eliza Jane Brazier
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A destitute woman deceives her way into the guesthouse of a Hollywood Hills mansion and inadvertently becomes a target in the twisted game of the wealthy family upstairs in the next intoxicating novel from Eliza Jane Brazier.

Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Anything But Fine is a hilarious coming of age story about a gay ballerina who loses his dancing dreams, but finds his true self and his first love. 

The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Three years ago, Katrina Freeling and Nathan Van Huysen were the brightest literary stars on the horizon, their cowritten books topping bestseller lists. But on the heels of their greatest success, they ended their partnership on bad terms, for reasons neither would divulge to the public. They haven’t spoken since, and never planned to, except they have one final book due on contract.

Goliath by Tochi Onyebuchi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In his adult novel debut, Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and NAACP Image Award finalist and ALA Alex and New England Book Award winner Tochi Onyebuchi delivers a sweeping science fiction epic in the vein of Samuel R. Delany and Station Eleven.

Echoes and Empires by Morgan Rhodes
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From the New York Times bestselling author of the Falling Kingdoms series comes the first book in a brand-new duology about forbidden magic and dangerous secrets, for readers of Victoria Aveyard and Margaret Rogerson.

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
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A troubled young mother yearns for a shot at redemption in this heartbreaking yet hopeful story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover.

Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins
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From Rachel Hawkins, the New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Upstairs, comes Reckless Girls, a deliciously wicked gothic suspense, set on an isolated Pacific island with a dark history, for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware.

A Thousand Steps by T. Jefferson Parker
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A Thousand Steps is a beguiling thriller, an incisive coming-of-age story, and a vivid portrait of a turbulent time and place by three-time Edgar Award winner and New York Times bestselling author T. Jefferson Parker.

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The first openly nonbinary contestant on America’s favorite cooking show falls for their clumsy competitor in this delicious romantic comedy debut “that is both fantastically fun and crack your heart wide open vulnerable.” (Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate).

The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this epic YA fantasy debut, magic, a prized resource, is the only thing between peace and war. When magic runs out, four estranged royal siblings must find a new source before their country is swallowed by invading forces. The first in an Indian-inspired duology that’s perfect for fans of There Will Come a Darkness, The Gilded Wolves, and We Hunt the Flame.

FEBRUARY

Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson
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When fate and tacos bring Ramón and Julieta together on the Day of the Dead, the star-crossed pair must make a choice: accept the bitter food rivalry that drives them apart or surrender to a love that consumes them—perfect for fans of Jane the Virgin!

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List comes a new locked room mystery, set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide… 

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi
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Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people—bestselling author Tahereh Mafi’s first in an epic, romantic trilogy inspired by Persian mythology.

Tripping Arcadia by Kit Mayquist
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From debut author Kit Mayquist, a propulsive and atmospheric modern Gothic with all the splendor of The Great Gatsby . . . and all the secrets, lies, and darkness that opulence can hide.

The Violence by Delilah S. Dawson
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Three generations of abused women must navigate their chilling new reality as a mysterious epidemic of violence sweeps the nation in this compelling novel of self-discovery, legacy, and hope.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
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A gut-wrenching, startling historical thriller about communist Romania and the citizen spy network that devastated a nation, from the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray.

Moon Witch, Spider King by Marlon James
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Both a brilliant narrative device—seeing the story told in Black Leopard, Red Wolf from the perspective of an adversary and a woman—as well as a fascinating battle between different versions of empire, Moon Witch, Spider King delves into Sogolon’s world as she fights to tell her own story. Part adventure tale, part chronicle of an indomitable woman who bows to no man, it is a fascinating novel that explores power, personality, and the places where they overlap.

Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The debut adult novel by the bestselling and award-winning YA author Nina LaCour, following two women on a star-crossed journey toward each other. (Edit: Yerba Buena will now publish on May 31st 2022)

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this sexy, action-packed sequel to the #1 bestseller House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode―and the people who will do anything to save it.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
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Axie Oh’s The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is an enthralling feminist retelling of the classic Korean folktale “The Tale of Shim Cheong,” perfect for fans of Wintersong, Uprooted, and Miyazaki’s SpiritedAway.

Lease On Love by Falon Ballard
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Beach Read meets The Flatshare in this warmly funny and delightfully sharp debut rom-com about a down-on-her-luck young woman who turns an innocent mix-up between a dating app and a roommate app into a new chance at love.

The Verifiers by Jane Pek
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Introducing a sharp-witted heroine for the 21st century: a new amateur sleuth exploring the landscape—both physical and virtual—of New York in a debut novel about love, technology, and murder.

MARCH

Sundial by Catriona Ward
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sundial is a new, twisty psychological horror novel from Catriona Ward, internationally bestselling author of The Last House on Needless Street.

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The much-acclaimed viral sensation from Olivie Blake, The Atlas Six—now newly revised and edited with additional content, is a dark academic debut fantasy with an established cult following that reads like The Secret History meets The Umbrella Academy.

The Night Shift by Alex Finlay
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of the breakout thriller Every Last Fear, comes Alex Finlay’s electrifying next novel The Night Shift, about a pair of small-town murders fifteen years apart―and the ties that bind them.

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir comes a brilliant, unforgettable, and heart-wrenching contemporary YA novel about family and forgiveness, love and loss, in a sweeping story that crosses generations and continents.

Lakelore by Anna Marie McLemore
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In this young adult novel by award-winning author Anna-Marie McLemore, two non-binary teens are pulled into a magical world under a lake – but can they keep their worlds above water intact?

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
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The Golden Couple is the next electrifying novel from Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, the #1 New York Times bestselling author duo behind You Are Not Alone, An Anonymous Girl, and The Wife Between Us.

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Nisha Sharma’s hilarious new romantic comedy inspired by The Taming of the Shrew features a love-phobic TV doctor who must convince a love-obsessed homebody they are destined to be together.

When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo
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A mythic love story set in Trinidad and Tobago, Ayanna Lloyd Banwo’s radiant debut introduces two unforgettable outsiders brought together by their connection with the dead.

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St James
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A true crime blogger gets more than she bargained for while interviewing the woman acquitted of two cold case slayings in this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel.

A Novel Obsession by Caitlin Barasch
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A wry and bold debut novel, which is at once an irresistible catastrophe waiting to happen and an unflinching exploration of how we narrate the stories of our lives, as an aspiring novelist finds herself stalking—and writing about—her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend.

The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A stunning YA fantasy inspired by ancient Mesoamerica, this gripping debut introduces us to a lineage of seers defiantly resisting the shifting patriarchal state that would see them destroyed―perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi and Sabaa Tahir.

APRIL

An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Romeo and Juliet meets Chinese mythology in this magical novel by the New York Times bestselling author of The Astonishing Color of After.

Insomnia by Sarah Pinborough
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In this twisty, mind-bending thriller from the bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes, Emma Averell worries that her crippling insomnia is a sign that she’s slowly going insane—like the mother she’s worked so hard to leave in her past.

Reputation by Lex Croucher
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Bridgerton meets Gossip Girl with a dash of Jane Austen, in Reputation, a Regency-era historical romantic comedy with a deliciously feminist twist, from a hilarious new British voice, Lex Croucher.

Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For fans of Caraval and The Night Circus, this decadent and darkly enchanting YA fantasy, set against the backdrop of a Belle Époque-inspired hotel, follows seventeen-year-old Jani as she uncovers the deeply disturbing secrets of the legendary Hotel Magnifique.

I Am the Ghost in Your House by Maria Romasco Moore
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From the author of Some Kind of Animal comes a wildly unique story about an invisible girl struggling to see herself in a world obsessed with appearances.

One of Us is Dead by Jeneva Rose
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Meet the women of Buckhead — a place of expensive cars, huge houses, and competitive friendships. Who amongst these women will be clever enough to survive Buckhead — and who will wind up dead? They say that friendships can be complex, but no one said it could ever be this deadly.

An Honest Lie by Tarryn Fisher
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This seething, gut-punch of a thriller can only have sprung from the fiendish brain of Tarryn Fisher, one of the most cunning writers of our time.

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow
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A spellbinding debut novel tracing three generations of a Southern Black family and one daughter’s discovery that she has the power to change her family’s legacy.

Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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A searing and compassionate new novel about a young Black nurse’s shocking discovery and burning quest for justice in post-segregation Alabama, from the New York Times bestselling author of Wench.

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The award-winning, best-selling author of Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel returns with a novel of art, time, love, and plague that takes the reader from Vancouver Island in 1912 to a dark colony on the moon five hundred years later, unfurling a story of humanity across centuries and space.

The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man is back with a hilarious rom-com about two strangers who get trapped in a lie and have to fake date their way out of it…

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann
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Thirty, flirty, and asexual Joy is secretly in love with her best friend Malcolm, but she’s never been brave enough to say so. When he unexpectedly announces that he’s met the love of his life—and no, it’s not Joy—she’s heartbroken. Malcolm invites her on a weekend getaway, and Joy decides it’s her last chance to show him exactly what he’s overlooking. But maybe Joy is the one missing something…or someone…and his name is Fox.

MAY

Book of Night by Holly Black
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

#1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black makes her stunning adult debut with Book of Night, a modern dark fantasy of shadowy thieves and secret societies in the vein of Ninth House and The Night Circus.

Hide by Kiersten White
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A high-stakes hide-and-seek competition turns deadly in this dark thriller from New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White.

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
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The “reigning romance queens” (PopSugar) and New York Times bestselling authors of The Soulmate Equation and The Unhoneymooners present a charming and laugh-out-loud funny novel filled with adventure, treasure, and, of course, love.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of One Last Stop and Red, White & Royal Blue comes a debut YA romantic comedy about chasing down what you want, only to find what you need…

Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer
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New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer expands the Cursebreaker world in an electrifying new series.

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala
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From Ryan La Sala, the wildly popular author of Reverie, comes a twisted and tantalizing horror novel set amidst the bucolic splendor of a secluded summer retreat.

City of Orange by David Yoon
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This imaginative and affecting new novel is beloved, bestselling, and award-winning author David Yoon at his finest: thought-provoking and heart-piercing, by turns funny and challenging, and at all times deeply human. 

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
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Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca in this debut supernatural suspense novel, set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, about a remote house, a sinister haunting, and the woman pulled into their clutches…

Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An insightful, delightful new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation.

My Summer Darlings by May Cobb
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Three lifelong friends plus a dangerous, sexy new stranger in town add up to a scorching summer of manipulation, obsession, and murder, from the acclaimed author of The Hunting Wives.

Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater
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Merida goes on an all-new, life-changing adventure in this original YA novel set several years after the close of Brave!

Boys, Beasts & Men by Sam J. Miller
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In Nebula Award-winning author Sam J. Miller’s devastating debut short-fiction collection, featuring an introduction by Amal El-Mohtar, queer infatuation, inevitable heartbreak, and brutal revenge seamlessly intertwine. Whether innocent, guilty, or not even human, the boys, beasts, and men roaming through Miller’s gorgeously crafted worlds can destroy readers, yet leave them wanting more.

JUNE

Daughter of Redwinter by Ed McDonald
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From the author of the critically-acclaimed Blackwing trilogy comes Ed McDonald’s Daughter of Redwinter, the first of a brilliant fantasy series about how one choice can change a universe.

American Royalty by Tracey Livesay
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this dangerously sexy rom-com that evokes the real-life romance between Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle, a prince who wants to live out of the spotlight falls for a daring American rapper who turns his life, and the palace, upside down.

Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine
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A dazzling epic of betrayal, love, and fate that spans five generations of an Indigenous Chicano family in the American West, from the author of the National Book Award Finalist Sabrina & Corina.

This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

How much would you risk to save the ones you love? Would you tempt even the most dangerous fate?Bestselling author Kalynn Bayron continues the story of Briseis and her family’s deadly magic in the sequel to This Poison Heart.

Queerly Beloved by Susie Dumond
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A people-pleasing bridesmaid-for-hire falls for the crushable new lesbian in town. Will she finally find her happily ever after—and her own voice? 

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
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With his trademark blend of sharp characters, psychological suspense and gasp-worthy twists, Riley Sager’s The House Across the Lake will shock readers until the very last page.

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
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A Discovery of Witches meets The Craft in this the first installment of this epic fantasy trilogy about a group of childhood friends who are also witches.

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
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A furious, queer debut novel about embracing the monster within and unleashing its power against your oppressors. Perfect for fans of Gideon the Ninth and Annihilation.

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi
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In the first book of a visionary African and Arabian-inspired fantasy trilogy, three women band together against a cruel Empire that divides people by blood.

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Evvie Drake Starts Over meets Beach Read in this heartwarming and hilarious novel about a divorced romance channel screenwriter whose script about her marriage’s collapse just might help her reclaim her life and find love.

We All Fall Down by Rose Szabo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The first book in a dark fantasy YA duology by the author of What Big Teeth, about the power and danger of stories and the untold costs of keeping magic alive, perfect for fans of Aiden Thomas and Marie Rutkoski.

Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

She was the face that launched a thousand ships, The fierce beauty at the heart of Olympus, And she was never ours to claim. A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus that’s as sinful as it is sweet.

What 2022 book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Most Anticipated 2022 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We chat with author David Yoon about Version Zero, writing, book recommendations, and more!

Hi, David! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Sure! I’m the New York Times bestselling author of Frankly In Love and Super Fake Love Song. Those two books are Young Adult; my latest book, Version Zero, is an adult thriller about the internet. Before I switched to writing full time, I worked for over a dozen years in the tech industry as a user experience expert.

How is your 2021 going in comparison to that other year?

SO MUCH BETTER. There’s a president in office who’s so competent he’s refreshingly boring, I’m fully vaccinated, and the city of Los Angeles seems to be coming back to life all around me. The other day we went out to eat at a restaurant, and the thrill of simply walking away from dirty dishes was indescribable. I hope your 2021 is going better too.

Writing-wise, so many dreams are coming true, with a book coming out (Version Zero), another just sold (City of Orange), and exciting things happening at me and my wife’s Random House publishing imprint, Joy Revolution, which is focused on love stories featuring people of color written by people of color. Also did you see that new purple iPhone?

Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!

 Has to be The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury. The mood and epic drama of boys journeying across all the death holidays of the world, ultimately sacrificing a part of themselves to save their sick friend, was unforgettable. So was Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud, a prototypical (and much creepier) Jack Skellington. I became a huge Bradbury fanboy after that; I even drew a geographically correct map of the Martian Chronicles as fan art for no one but myself. I had to re-read the book a few times to get every detail right.

When did you first discover your love for writing?

When I was in 3rd grade, I wrote a super silly short story that the teacher made me read out loud to the class. They loved it! They laughed like crazy. Just euphoric, that feeling of connecting with an audience. My next story, however, bombed. It was mean-spirited, and it got the reception it deserved. I wasn’t discouraged, though—I just knew I had to do better and write from the heart. I wanted to get those laughs back. And I still do!

Your new novel, Version Zero, is out May 25^th 2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

 Is the internet worth it?

What can readers expect?

The story is about a brilliant tech manager (Max) who blows the whistle after he discovers the social media giant he works for is doing shady things with user data—only to be fired and blackballed by his own beloved industry. He forms a secret activist collective called Version Zero and embarks on a mission to take down the big five tech companies through an escalating series of audacious hacks designed to expose their evil inner workings.

Anyway that’s the pitch—we also have Max’s hopeless pining after his best friend’s girlfriend, and Pilot, the reclusive, psychotic Mark Zuckerberg-type who shares Max’s cynicism about tech and emerges from hiding to give him all the resources he needs on his righteous crusade. It’s a dark, tense story, but it’s also funny, because I really believe most of life can be funny even when it’s sad—even when you don’t want it to be.

Where did the inspiration for Version Zero come from?

I worked in tech for over a dozen years in my previous career, for all kinds of companies in social media, ad tech, cyber security, and so on. I was a user experience (UX) guy—I had to bridge the gaps among the money people, the designers, and the coders. So I got to see a lot of how the internet sausage is made, and a lot of it isn’t pretty. For instance, I worked at an ad tech company where almost every single co-worker of mine had ad blockers installed. Like non-smokers stuck working at Phillip Morris, we spent all day building something we fundamentally disagreed with. My career made me realize there are lots of paradoxes in our tech lives that remain unresolved. Why are we okay with mass surveillance and tracking? Why do we give so much leeway to shady, irresponsible behavior by tech leaders? And why don’t we question more the design motives behind the very interfaces we spend every day of our lives scrolling through?

Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?

Writing about tech is especially tough, because the moment you hit SAVE on your document it’s already out of date. TikTok only became popular a few years ago; Facebook only a few years more than that. Hell, it wasn’t that long ago when people were freaking out about scrollbars disappearing. There’s no way to keep up. A big challenge for me was to write about tech in a way that focused less on specific apps and more on universal themes like privacy, identity, and desire. The answer I came up with was to write the book as if it were a historical period piece, set all the way back in the year 2018 CE. The world of tech already has an exaggerated sense of history (wearable tech, once the stuff of sci-fi, is already “old”), so I wrote my story to match.

Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I have to say I loved writing Pilot Markham, who is the reclusive “JD Salinger of tech” mogul who comes out of hiding to help Max. He’s a reformed tech bro douchenozzle; he is a man filled with regret for pursuing the empty, VC-funded goals at the expense of society’s well-being and his own. He’s almost like an apocalypse survivor, marveling at the debris of his unethical creations, wondering what it was all for. He becomes Max’s mentor out of a desire for redemption; that desire soon spirals out of control and takes Max & co. to unexpected heights—and lows.

You’ve had two YA novels published over the last year and Version Zero is your adult debut. Was the writing process different for you at all between the two genres?

Not really! I’ve also written stories starring middle-grade children, and I sincerely believe there’s something to learn from any age at any age. Kids can learn from adults; adults can learn from kids; seniors can learn from babies. For instance, tons of YA readers are actually adults. I do sometimes hypothesize that YA generally deals more in what’s known (and therefore teachable, since many YA books are taught in classes and libraries) and adult books deal with what’s less known. The internet is as yet very unknown, I think—I think of it as a massive social experiment that started only very recently and has quickly outpaced all efforts to measure its results.

What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?

Best advice came from the great Margaret Atwood, who I saw at the Canadian embassy in Tokyo once. She said: read, read, read, and write, write, write. She meant, read everything you can get your hands on, even if you don’t think it’s your kind of book, because you never know where inspiration lies. And write as much as you can, because writing is a muscle that gets stronger and more supple with proper exercise. She’s life goals for me.

Worst advice came from an established poet whose writing class I took in college. He basically said, “I got published at age 21, so you better hurry it up.” Not only did he make writing feel competitive, he made it seem like any writer published after their twenties was already too late, washed up on arrival. I’m glad I got published when I did—without all that life experience behind Frankly In Love, for instance, I don’t think I’d be confident enough to take as many chances as I did with that book. And I’m glad I did!

What’s next for you?

Version Zero comes out on May 25, which I’m thrilled about since it’s my adult debut. You can also expect City of Orange sometime in the near future. And we’re slowly building our inaugural lineup for my imprint Joy Revolution, set to launch in 2022. Plus other secret stuff I can’t talk about! Like my wife and I might be writing a book together! I’ve said too much!

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

I read the first three pages of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro and I’m already hooked. Matched by Ally Condie had me transfixed. Caste by Isabel Wilkerson should be required reading, The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa gave me a weird-good kind of solace during the pandemic, and my wife’s new book, Instructions for Dancing, gave me happy tears and a bad case of writer’s envy all at once.

Will you be picking up Version Zero? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: David Yoon, Author of ‘Version Zero’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi David – I really enjoyed reading Super Fake Love Song! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Aw thank you! I had a ton of fun writing it. So about me: I’m the author of Frankly In Love, which came out last year and went on to hit the NYT bestseller list, win an APALA Honor, California Book Award, and Morris Honor. It’s been quite a ride! I’m also married to Nicola Yoon, who was the first black woman YA author to hit #1 on the NYT bestseller list and is my favorite writer anywhere. She and I started our own imprint recently called Joy Revolution that’s dedicated to love stories starring people of color—we’re super excited about that. We met during the MFA program at Emerson College in Boston. Go Lions! I’m pretty sure it’s lions?

If you could only pick 3 songs to describe the tone of Super Fake Love Song, what would they be?

The Hand That Feeds by Nine Inch Nails, for Gray’s (Sunny’s older brother) angst. Where Is My Mind? by the Pixies, for Sunny’s general state of discombobulation. Modern Romance by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, for Cirrus’s melancholy nomadic state of mind.

How did you come up with the name of Gray’s band (The Mortals)?

I was thinking a lot about the metaphysical poets one day, and how obsessed with mortality they were. All their poems revolve around the fact that life is short, one day we will all die, and therefore we should get as much booty as we can in the meantime. It’s a philosophy that’s hilarious and sad at the same time. Gray’s unofficial motto is a Byron quote—Beauty is truth, truth beauty—that reflects his awareness that fame and popularity are fleeting things. After all the likes come and go, only the self remains.

Also, I thought it would be pretty funny to have Sunny steal his brother’s rockstar identity by adding im to mortals to make the pathetically lazy fake name of Immortals for his pretend band.

What or who inspired Sunny’s love of LARPing and Dungeons & Dragons?

I used to play D&D when I was in junior high. It was great—me, my two friends, and my older brother as the dungeon master, all sitting around a darkened pool table with stuff that felt like real arcana: weird dice, figurines, books with cool monsters. This was way

before the internet, MMORPGs, and the mainstreaming of nerd culture by stuff like Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. It was truly nerdy activity that we couldn’t really talk about outside our little circle. But I have to admit that that secrecy gave our gaming a cool clandestine, underground feel that I’m nostalgic for.

Never got into LARPing, though. We would make merciless fun of those Society for Creative Anachronism dorks “fencing” in the park, probably because we secretly envied them for just being themselves, haters be damned.

What was your favorite chapter to write in Super Fake Love Song and why?

Probably the chapter Kerrang, where Cirrus unexpectedly drops by Sunny’s house, forcing him and his unwilling co-conspirators Jamal and Milo to fake their way through an impromptu performance despite barely knowing how to play music at all. It’s chock full of nerdsweat and cringey antics and gibberish—I think I was wincing while I wrote it. But cringey humor is the best humor, because it shows people at their most vulnerable, and this chapter brings Sunny right to the brink.

What is the main message that you want readers to take away from Super Fake Love Song?

Laugh! I want readers to laugh a lot, and laugh out loud! Seriously though, the book’s main message is that we’re all faking it ’til we make it to some degree. We code switch constantly depending on who we’re talking with: teachers, parents, spouses, children, friends, crushes. We constantly take on different personas depending on the context—even more so on Instagram or TikTok or Discord. This neverending shapeshifting begs the question: what is our true self? Does that even exist?

There’s no real answer—I think—aside from do the best you can with what you got. So in the meantime, laugh! I was hell-bent on making this my funniest book ever, because after a year like 2020 I figure we could all use something frothy and light. And when Neal Shusterman (who I admire the hell out of) told me on a panel that Super Fake Love Song made him laugh out loud so often his family wondered what was wrong with him, I felt truly seen.

What advice would you give to aspiring novelists?

I always quote the great Margaret Atwood: Read, read, read, and write, write, write. This means read everything you can get your hand on, especially things you think you might not like (boys, this means you must read books about girls). Then, write as often as you can about whatever your heart desires. Reading gives you models to imitate, like figure studies for artists, and writing gives you room to then invent your own unique models.

Crucially, writing also has the benefit of building a body of work that will make you well prepared for when an agent asks the terrifying question: Send over some of your stuff. If you don’t write, you won’t have stuff to send. So write!

And one final bit of advice: finish what you start. At least get to the end of a first draft.

If you’re having trouble, do NaNoWriMo in November—I did that once and it really worked.

Do you think that you and your wife (author Nicola Yoon) will ever co-write a novel in the future?

Absolutely! We might even be working on one right as we speak!

What are you currently reading, and do you have any book recommendations for us?

I’m reading You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson, and it’s perfectly charming and nimble and funny. Always nice to see POCs freely living their lives and falling in love.

Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston blew me away with its virtuosic wit. The upcoming Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean is The Princess Diaries but in Japan, and it’s every bit as awesome and sweet as you’d think it would be.

Kingdom by Jon McNaught is a gorgeous meditation on the beauty of the mundane impeccably done in high comic book form.

I will also forever recommend Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson. It’s the American history and social studies lesson you never learned in school but really should have, and once you read it it’ll absolutely change the weather inside you (to quote the New York Times review).

During the challenging times of coronavirus, what are some things that you and your family are doing to help you stay positive?

Avoid the news! Except for the announcement of the 95% effective Moderna vaccine, of course. That’s great news. Otherwise, avoid it. The news hijacks your focus onto things you have no control over.

Focus instead on what you can control. You can tidy up your space and make it perfect. You can hang out with your family and see how silly you can get. You can play lots and lots of video games, or spend the extra cash to rent an entire season of Harvey Girls in HD. Or go for long walks and take bad macro photography of local flora and fauna with your phone. You can meditate and keep a journal. You can make a video game about your dad dying of cancer. You can cook until you can’t stand cooking, and then splurge on a fancy dinner delivery. You can exercise, cut back on things like drinking and doomscrolling, and you can do all the stuff you used to do when you were a little kid, like listen to an entire album with your eyes closed or blow dandelions or study ants.

And you can always read, read, read, and write, write, write.

Will you be picking up Super Fake Love Song? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: David Yoon, Author of ‘Super Fake Love Song’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you have read any of them!

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
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From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot.

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
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Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret–she’s a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
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In a lush, contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer gives readers another compulsively readable romance perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer.

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi
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Two sisters are torn apart by war and must fight their way back to each other in a futuristic, Black Panther–inspired Nigeria.

Color Outside the Lines by Sangu Mandanna
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This modern, groundbreaking YA anthology explores the complexity and beauty of interracial and LGBTQ+ relationships where differences are front and center from authors Anna-Marie McLemore, Elsie Chapman, Karuna Riazi, Lydia Kang, L.L. McKinney, Lauren Gibaldi, Tara Sim, Caroline Tung Richmond, Kelly Zekas, Tarun Shanker, Samira Ahmed, Adam Silvera, Eric Smith, Lori M. Lee, and Michelle Ruiz Keil.

Girls With Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young
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Westworld meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this start to a thrilling, subversive near future series from New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Young about a girls-only private high school that is far more than it appears to be.

Across A Broken Shore by Amy Trueblood
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The last thing eighteen-year-old Wilhelmina “Willa” MacCarthy wants is to be a nun. It’s 1936, and as the only daughter amongst four sons, her Irish–Catholic family is counting on her to take her vows—but Willa’s found another calling. Each day she sneaks away to help Doctor Katherine Winston in her medical clinic in San Francisco’s Richmond District.

Spin The Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
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Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett
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In a community that isn’t always understanding, an HIV-positive teen must navigate fear, disclosure, and radical self-acceptance when she falls in love–and lust–for the first time. Powerful and uplifting, Full Disclosure will speak to fans of Angie Thomas and Nicola Yoon.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
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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.

Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon
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The start of a fierce fantasy duology about three maidens who are chosen for their land’s greatest honour…and one girl determined to save her sister from the grave.

We Are Lost and Found by Helene Dunbar
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A poignant, heartbreaking, and uplifting story in the tradition of The Perks of Being a Wallflower about three friends coming of age in the early 1980s as they struggle to forge their own paths in the face of fear of the unknown.

Frankly in Love by David Yoon
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In this moving novel, debut author David Yoon takes on the question of who am I? with a result that is humorous, heartfelt, and ultimately unforgettable.

Dark Shores by Danielle L. Jensen
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High seas adventure, blackmail, and meddling gods meet in Dark Shores, a thrilling first novel in a fast-paced new YA fantasy series by USA Today bestselling author Danielle L. Jensen.

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray comes a gripping, unforgettable portrait of love, silence, and secrets amidst a Spanish dictatorship.

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
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New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns with a sumptuous, sultry and romantic new series set in 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight.

Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan
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In this mesmerising sequel to the New York Times bestselling Girls of Paper and Fire, Lei and Wren have escaped their oppressive lives in the Hidden Palace, but soon learn that freedom comes with a terrible cost.

Swipe Right for Murder by Derek Milman
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An epic case of mistaken identity puts a teen looking for a hookup on the run from both the FBI and a murderous cult in this compulsively readable thriller.

Wilder Girls by Rory Power
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A feminist Lord of the Flies about three best friends living in quarantine at their island boarding school, and the lengths they go to uncover the truth of their confinement when one disappears. This fresh, new debut is a mind-bending novel unlike anything you’ve read before.

The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen
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Debut author Margaret Owen crafts a powerful saga of vengeance, survival, and sacrifice–perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kendare Blake–in The Merciful Crow.

Do you have any other 2019 YA favourites? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Best YA Books of 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Happy September, everyone! Today, we’re bringing you a selection of our most anticipated debut releases for this month, all ready to be added to your TBR! Our list for today is dominated with YA books, specifically everything fantasy and magical! From characters who are confused about their superpowers to the ones who created a secret coven, or the ones who embarked a magical journey, and of course we don’t want to miss out on the one who’s willing to wake up the dragons to save her kingdom!

Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite
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This is a story of Alaine Beauparlant and her journey in Tahiti, where she is sent for a volunteering project because she accidentally messed up a school presentation. What she didn’t expect was how this journey turns into a good one, where she met a cute intern and uncovers her family secrets.

Have a Little Faith in Me by Sonia Hartl
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Have a Little Faith in Me is a novel from debut author Sonia Hartl, about CeCe and her goal to get her ex-boyfriend back after she previously gets dumped right after they had sex. During this journey, she is accompanied by her best friend, Paul. What she discovers along the way, might surprise her, because maybe her ex-boyfriend isn’t that nice and maybe, just maybe, she started growing feelings towards Paul.

Frankly in Love by David Yoon
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When Frank Li stuck with his parents’ strict rule to date Korean only, he meets Joy Song who apparently is facing the very same problem as him. Making a pact to fake date and thinking it as a perfect plan to trick his parents, soon the relationship starts to change into something else. Frankly in Love explores the culture in the Korean community, self-identity, and conflicts within families.

The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen
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Based on her award-winning podcast, The Bright Sessions, Lauren Shippen’s debut, The Infinite Noise, is a story of atypical Caleb Michaels who has a power of sensing someone’s feelings. His life is getting way more complicated when he meets Adam with his big and all-consuming feelings. His therapist suggests he explores his connection with Adam, and as Caleb learns more about his ability, he also starts to realise how dangerous an atypical can be.

The Babysitters Coven by Kate Williams
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When Esme Pearl, a proud babysitter’s club owner meets Cassandra Heaven, an attractive and stylish rebel, she didn’t expect that she would have so much in common with her. Together, they’re solving the mysterious note from Cassandra’s mother and what it truly means to become a babysitter.

SLAY by Brittney Morris
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Seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is an honour student by day and a game developer by night. But when the game she developed causes a murder case, Kiera must preserve her secret identity and harness what it means to be unapologetically Black in a world intimidated by Blackness. Can she protect her game without losing herself in the process?

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
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In the early 1900s, January Scaller discovers a strange book, that has scent of other worlds and tells a tale of secret doors, and of love, adventure, and danger. Each page turn reveals impossible truths about the world and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.

The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring
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In this gothic psychological thriller debut, Mavi escapes to an isolated school at the very southern tip of South America. Mavi tries to embrace the strangeness of the place, but when one of the students is missing and the others behave like they’re possessed, Mavi can’t ignore it any longer. In order to survive, she must solve a cosmic mystery—and then fight for her life.

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
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Arrah, a descendant from a long line of the most powerful witch doctors in the land, failed at magic and couldn’t even cast a simple spell, she can’t help but feel disappointed at herself. When children in the kingdom begin to disappear, Arrah undergoes the dangerous and scorned process of selling years of her life for magic, but this borrowed magic is far more dark and dangerous than she could ever imagine.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
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The witch, Louise le Blanc and the Chasseur, Reid Diggory were never meant to meet each other. But a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

There Will Come A Darkness by Katy Rose Pool
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For generations, the Seven Prophets guided humanity. Using their visions of the future, they ended wars and united nations―until the day, one hundred years ago, when the Prophets disappeared. All they left behind was one final, secret prophecy, foretelling an Age of Darkness and the birth of a new Prophet who could be the world’s salvation… or the cause of its destruction. A prince, a ruthless killer, a once-faithful leader, a reckless gambler, and a dying girl are set on a collision course. Will they save the world or will they destroy it?

Stormrise by Jillian Boehme
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Disappointed at her colourless future because of her gender, Rain takes a chance by disguising herself as a boy when an army of nomads invades her kingdom, and a draft forces every household to send one man to fight. As war looms and Rain is enlisted into an elite, she begins to realise this dragon tincture may hold the key to her kingdom’s victory.

Will you be picking up any of these debut novels? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 12 Debut Authors To Check Out In September 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Frankly In Love is frankly amazing. David Yoon has gone above and beyond to bring us an endearing teen romance with a new refreshing cultural point of view. Seeing love through the eyes of a Korean-American born teenager is an unexpected gem of a treat and it’s a book that makes you laugh, cry both happy and sad tears, makes your heart clench, and gives a more realistically down to earth version of love in this day and age.

Frank Li never really considered love to be a possibility with his strict parents expectations to marry within ‘the tribe’—a group of families that left Korea together to move to America and have stayed together throughout the years. When he gets closer to his classmate, Brit, everything changes, the sun seems to shine brighter and love feels closer than ever. The perfect student, great sense of humour, bubbly, and an all-round good person, Brit is the best girlfriend any parent could ask for their child. Well, except for Franks parents as she does not fill the most important requirement: Korean.

Enter Joy, who is part of the exclusively tight knitted Korean tribe and struggles to keep her relationship with her Chinese boyfriend from her own strict parents. That’s when the brilliant arrangement comes along. If they could pretend to date each other and keep their Korean parents happy, they can live out the love life they want to finally take charge of. If only it were that easy.

Family and racial identity are at very heart of this book. It explores family dynamic with the parents and child being raised in different continents, as well as showing a struggle of language barrier between the different generations. Frank is unsure of his identity as he could never be counted as ‘the majority’ because the colour of his skin even though he has grown up in America his entire life. He struggles to see the significance of only keeping within the Korean community when he knows there is so much out in the world. Ethnicity is a key part of what separates him from everyone else and he never quite fits in on either side of the Korean American spectrum as although he may look Korean, he can barely speak it. Throughout the book, you can see him questioning if embracing his heritage would prove to his benefit just so he can live up to everyone’s expectations

“They cherry-picked what they wanted from American culture, but for the most part, they built this little Korean bubble to live in. They watch nothing but Korean shows, do business with nothing but Korean people, hang out with nothing but Korean friends,”

Love is something that is so perfectly executed in Frankly In Love. It has every stage of your first time falling love to the love that is shared within a family. It was refreshing to read a story where the character is aware of his feelings and actually learning from them as not all teenagers are within mindless love bubbles and just want to make out in the back of the cinemas. With the way his parents talk about anyone that isn’t Korean, Frank knows there is no way that they will accept Brit. However, as he keeps the truth from both his parents and Brit, he starts to realise the importance of honesty to others as well as yourself.

“If you are so unfortunate as to have no one in your life who can make you laugh, drop everything and find someone. Cross the desert if you must. Because laughter isn’t just about the funny. Laughter is the music of the deep cosmos connecting all humans beings that say all things mere words cannot.”

Frankly In Love is a coming-of-age story that shows how family traditions and first loves can mould a person. For David Yoon’s first book, this is exceptional. He will definitely be an author to watch in the future and with this new voice, Frankly in Love is not to be missed. Seriously, just go buy it now. It will blow your mind how good YA romance can actually be!

Frankly In Love is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of September 12th 2019.

Will you be picking up Frankly In Love? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Frank Li is a high school senior living in Southern California. Frank’s parents emigrated from Korea, and have pretty much one big rule for Frank – he must only date Korean girls.

But he’s got strong feelings for a girl in his class, Brit – and she’s not Korean. His friend Joy Song is in the same boat and knows her parents will never accept her Chinese American boyfriend, so they make a pact: they’ll pretend to date each other in order to gain their freedom.

Frank thinks fake-dating is the perfect plan, but it leaves him wondering if he ever really understood love – or himself – at all.

The post Review: Frankly In Love by David Yoon appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

Darkdawn (The Nevernight Chronicle #3) by Jay Kristoff
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The epic conclusion of the internationally bestselling Nevernight Chronicle from New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff.

The Testaments (The Handmaid’s Tale #2) by Margaret Atwood
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Margaret Atwood’s sequel picks up the story fifteen years after Offred stepped into the unknown, with the explosive testaments of three female narrators from Gilead.

The Institute by Stephen King
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As psychically terrifying as Firestarter, and with the spectacular kid power of It, The Institute is Stephen King’s gut-wrenchingly dramatic story of good vs. evil in a world where the good guys don’t always win.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
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Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as necromantic skeletons. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
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Set in a world of powerful women, dark magic, and off-the-charts romance, book one of this stunning fantasy duology will leave readers burning for more.

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore
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A stunning debut for author Evie Dunmore and her Oxford Rebels, in which a fiercely independent vicar’s daughter takes on a powerful duke in a love story that threatens to upend the British social order.

Frankly in Love by David Yoon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this moving novel, debut author David Yoon takes on the question of who am I? with a result that is humorous, heartfelt, and ultimately unforgettable.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
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In the early 1900s, a young woman searches for her place in the world after finding a mysterious book in this captivating and lyrical debut.

We Are Lost and Found by Helene Dunbar
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A poignant, heartbreaking, and uplifting story in the tradition of The Perks of Being a Wallflower about three friends coming of age in the early 1980s as they struggle to forge their own paths in the face of fear of the unknown.

No Judgments by Meg Cabot
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The storm of the century is about to hit Little Bridge Island, Florida—and it’s sending waves crashing through Sabrina “Bree” Beckham’s love life…

The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young
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The Girl the Sea Gave Back is the new standalone novel set in the brutal, Viking inspired world of Sky in the Deep. It will follow the story of Halvard ten years after the battle for Hylli, his role in the evolution of the Aska and Riki clans, and the spinning of fate that brings his path to intersect with a new character who changes their world again.

The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Gothic, intoxicating, feminist, darkly provoking and deeply romantic – this is the breathtakingly imagined untold story of the brides of Dracula, by bestselling author Kiran Millwood Hargrave in her much-anticipated YA debut.

Will you be picking up any of these September releases? Tell us in the comments below!

The post September 2019 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover the authors who will be releasing their debut novels and tell us in the comments below what you’re looking forward to!

JULY

Wilder Girls by Rory Power
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A feminist Lord of the Flies about three best friends living in quarantine at their island boarding school, and the lengths they go to uncover the truth of their confinement when one disappears. This fresh, new debut is a mind-bending novel unlike anything you’ve read before.

The Other Mrs. Miller by Allison Dickson
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In this unputdownable domestic suspense debut, a lonely suburban housewife finds her life entangled with the family that moves in across the street at the same time that she becomes convinced someone is watching her–perfect for fans of The Couple Next Door and The Last Mrs. Parrish.

Spin The Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
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Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Tell Me Everything by Cambria Brockman
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A murder at an elite New England college tears apart a group of friends – and one of them is playing a dangerous game – in this electrifying debut in the tradition of In a Dark, Dark Wood and The Couple Next Door.

The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess
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A page-turning, coming-of-age story, written with a lyrical sense of place and a profound appreciation for the sustaining power of books, The Last Book Party shows what happens when youth and experience collide and what it takes to find your own voice.

The Expectations by Alexander Tilney
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In the tradition of Prep and Old School, a sharp and evocative portrait of insiders–and outsiders–at an elite boarding school who must face a reality very different from the one they imagined.

AUGUST

Beasts of the Frozen Sun by Jill Criswell
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Every child of Glasnith learns the last words of Aillira, the god-gifted mortal whose doomed love affair sparked a war of gods and men, and Lira of clan Stone knows the story better than most. As a descendant of Aillira and god-gifted in her own right, she has the power to read people’s souls, to see someone’s true essence with only a touch of her hand.

Nottingham by Nathan Makaryk
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Both a gripping historical epic and fascinating deconstruction of the Robin Hood legend, Nathan Makaryk’s Nottingham mixes history and myth into a complex study of power–one that twists and turns far beyond the traditional tale of Sherwood Forest’s iconic thief.

A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause
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The high-stakes fashion scene of a reimagined nineteenth century Europe takes center stage in this YA debut perfect for fans of The Belles and The Luxe.

Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton
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One pet crow fights to save humanity from an apocalypse in this uniquely hilarious debut from a genre-bending literary author.

Campusland by Scott Johnston
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A tumultuous and often hilarious first novel about one year of insanity at the Ivy-like Devon University, a blissful bubble of elite students and the adults at their mercy.

Color Me In by Natasha Diaz
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Debut YA author Natasha Díaz pulls from her personal experience to inform this powerful coming-of-age novel about the meaning of friendship, the joyful beginnings of romance, and the racism and religious intolerance that can both strain a family to the breaking point and strengthen its bonds.

SEPTEMBER

Frankly in Love by David Yoon
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In this moving novel, debut author David Yoon takes on the question of who am I? with a result that is humorous, heartfelt, and ultimately unforgettable.

Cold Storage by David Koepp
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For readers of Andy Weir and Noah Hawley comes an astonishing debut by the screenwriter of Jurassic Park: a wild and terrifying adventure about three strangers who must work together to contain a highly contagious, deadly organism

Tinfoil Butterfly by Rachel Eve Moulton
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The Shining meets About a Boy in this electrifying debut about a troubled young woman and a lonely boy facing their demons in the frozen Black Hills.

The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring
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Simmering in Patagonian myth, The Tenth Girl is a gothic psychological thriller with a haunting twist.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
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Set in a world of powerful women, dark magic, and off-the-charts romance, book one of this stunning fantasy duology will leave readers burning for more.

A Cosmology of Monsters by Shaun Hamill
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A tender and terrifying literary horror novel–the author’s debut–that tells the story of a family (creators of a haunted house attraction called the Wandering Dark) and the hereditary monsters–both metaphorical and all-too-real–that haunt them.

OCTOBER

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy
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An enthralling debut perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone set in a North African-inspired fantasy world where two sisters must fight to the death to win the crown.

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda
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Seraphina meets Red Rising in a debut young adult fantasy that’s full of rivalry, romance… and dragons.

Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon
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The start of a fierce fantasy duology about three maidens who are chosen for their land’s greatest honor…and one girl determined to save her sister from the grave. 

How Fires End by Marco Rafala
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A dark secret born out of World War II lies at the heart of a Sicilian American family in this emotional and sweeping saga of guilt, revenge, and, ultimately, redemption.

Shadow Frost by Coco Ma
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From young author Coco Ma comes a dazzling new tale of adventure, power, and betrayal, weaving together a stunning world of magic with a killer cast in an explosive, unforgettable debut.

Tarnished Are the Stars by Rosiee Thor
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The Lunar Chronicles meets Rook in this queer #OwnVoices science-fantasy novel, perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer and Sharon Cameron.

NOVEMBER

Her Crown of Fire by Renee April
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In the dull, everyday world, seventeen-year-old Rose Evermore struggles to plan beyond her final year of high school. But when fire suddenly obeys her every command and her dreams predict the future, she becomes hungry for more of this strange power.

A Thousand Fires by Shannon Price
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Shannon Price’s A Thousand Fires is a breakout contemporary debut―think The Outsiders meets The Iliad―that’s perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Veronica Roth.

On Swift Horses by Shannon Pufahl
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A lonely newlywed and her wayward brother-in-law follow divergent and dangerous paths through the postwar American West.

Songs from the Deep by Kelly Powell
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A girl searches for a killer on an island where deadly sirens lurk just beneath the waves in this gripping, atmospheric debut novel.

When The Stars Lead To You by Ronni Davis
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Nicola Yoon meets Jenny Han in a heated first-love romance about two teens who are torn apart one summer by prejudice and mental illness, and find each other once again.

My Sister Is Missing by Julia Barrett
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Stephanie Henderson gazes at her newborn daughter and wonders if husband Adam will notice the lack of resemblance. But when her lover demands a paternity test, Stephanie tells Adam a string of lies—lies that lead the two men to a dramatic confrontation.

DECEMBER

Dangerous Alliance by Jennieke Cohen
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The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue meets Jane Austen in this witty, winking historical romance with a dash of mystery!

Would Like To Meet by Rachel Winters
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A cynical assistant at a screenwriting agency must reenact the meet-cute scenes from classic romantic comedy movies in order to help her #1 client get his scriptwriting mojo back–but can a real-life meet-cute be in store for someone who doesn’t believe in happily ever after?

All That’s Bright and Gone by Eliza Nellums
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Fans of Jodi Picoult and Fredrik Backman will fall for this tenderhearted debut mystery following a young girl on a quest to save her family.

The Network by L.C. Shaw
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A pulse-pounding, page-turning thriller involving corruption, secrets, and lies at the very deepest levels of government and media.

The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson
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Melissa Ferguson’s hilarious and warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages—and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren’t nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.

Holly Banks Full of Angst by Julie Valerie
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A laugh-out-loud debut novel for anyone who’s tried to live the perfect life—and learned the hard way there’s no such thing.

Will you be reading any of these debuts? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 36 Authors Making Their Debut Between July & December 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.