With half of 2021 almost behind us, it’s now time to start looking towards the next six months, and more importantly, the new books releasing between July and December 2021! Your to-buy lists are about to become even longer as it’s packed with books you’ll want to have your hands on ASAP from debut authors, as well as releases from some favourites, including Elizabeth Lim, Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Samantha Downing, Anthony Ryan, TJ Klune, and so many more!

Read on to discover a few of our picks and be sure to tell us in the comments if you are looking forward to any of them too, plus stay tuned for our genre specific round-ups!

JULY 2021

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
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A fast-paced, thrilling horror novel that follows a group of heroines to die for, from the brilliant New York Times bestselling author of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
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Tessa Bailey is back with a Schitt’s Creek-inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl” who is cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town… where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong. 

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
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Mulan meets The Song of Achilles in Shelley Parker-Chan’s She Who Became the Sun, a bold, queer, and lyrical reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty from an amazing new voice in literary fantasy.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
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A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse… Drawing from fairy tales and East Asian folklore, this original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel
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The New York Times bestselling author of the The Book of Lost Names returns with an evocative coming-of-age World War II story about a young woman who uses her knowledge of the wilderness to help Jewish refugees escape the Nazis—until a secret from her past threatens everything.

These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
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From New York Times best-selling author Lexi Ryan, Cruel Prince meets A Court of Thorns and Roses in this sexy, action-packed fantasy about a girl who is caught between two treacherous faerie courts and their dangerously seductive princes.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
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In A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Hugo Award-winner Becky Chambers’s delightful new Monk & Robot series gives us hope for the future.

For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing
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USA Today bestselling author Samantha Downing is back with her latest sneaky thriller set at a prestigious private school—complete with interfering parents, overeager students, and one teacher who just wants to teach them all a lesson…

AUGUST 2021

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould
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Courtney Gould’s thrilling debut The Dead and the Dark is about the things that lurk in dark corners, the parts of you that can’t remain hidden, and about finding home in places―and people―you didn’t expect.

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier
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A sweet, queer teen romance perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Check, Please!

The Pariah by Anthony Ryan
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The Pariah begins a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
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From the author of the beloved national bestseller Migrations, a #1 IndieNext pick, a gorgeous and pulse-pounding new novel set in the wild Scottish Highlands.

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
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Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits.

Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic comes a “delicious, twisted treat for lovers of noir” about a daydreaming secretary, a lonesome enforcer, and the mystery of a missing woman they’re both desperate to find.

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
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The Hating Game meets I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter in this irresistible romance starring a Mexican American teen who discovers love and profound truths about the universe when she spends her summer on a road trip across the country.

The Desert Prince by Peter V. Brett
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A brand-new epic fantasy adventure set in the beloved world of the Demon Cycle, following a new generation of heroes, from New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett

SEPTEMBER 2021

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Sorcery of Thorns and An Enchantment of Ravens comes a thrilling new YA fantasy about a teen girl with mythic abilities who must defend her world against restless spirits of the dead.

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
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Beautiful World, Where Are You is a new novel by Sally Rooney, the bestselling author of Normal People and Conversations With Friends.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
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In this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy—reminiscent of Red, White & Royal Blue and One to Watch—an awkward tech wunderkind on a reality dating show goes off-script when sparks fly with his producer.

Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
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A Man Called Ove meets The Good Place in Under the Whispering Door, a delightful queer love story from TJ Klune, author of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller The House in the Cerulean Sea.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers.

Nice Girls by Catherine Dang
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A pulse-pounding and deviously dark debut, written with the psychological acuity and emotional punch of Luckiest Girl Alive and All the Missing Girls, that explores the hungry, angry, dark side of girlhood and dares to ask what is most dangerous to a woman: showing the world what it wants to see, or who she really is?

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
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From the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, a gloriously entertaining novel of heists, shakedowns, and rip-offs set in Harlem in the 1960s.

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff
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From the New York Times bestselling author of the Nevernight Chronicle, Jay Kristoff, comes Empire of the Vampire, the first illustrated volume of an astonishing new dark fantasy saga.

OCTOBER 2021

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
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The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is an achingly romantic, tender tale sure to captivate fans of Adam Silvera and Mary H.K. Choi.

All the Feels by Olivia Dade
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Following Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade returns with another utterly charming romantic comedy about a devil-may-care actor—who actually cares more than anyone knows—and the no-nonsense woman hired to keep him in line.

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
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USA Today bestselling author Alix E. Harrow’s A Spindle Splintered brings her patented charm to a new version of a classic story.

The Mother Next Door by Tara Laskowski
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From award-winning author Tara Laskowski, The Mother Next Door is an atmospheric novel of domestic suspense in which the strive for perfection ends in murder…

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw
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Cassandra Khaw’s Nothing But Blackened Teeth is a gorgeously creepy haunted house tale, steeped in Japanese folklore and full of devastating twists.

City of Shattered Light by Claire Winn
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As darkness closes in on the city of shattered light, an heiress and an outlaw must decide whether to fend for themselves or fight for each other.

Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest
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A psychic travel agent and a Seattle PD detective solve a murder in this quirky mystery in the vein of Lisa Lutz’s The Spellman Files and Charlaine Harris’s Aurora Teagarden series.

Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper
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Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets The L Word in this fresh, sizzling rom-com by Lana Harper.

NOVEMBER 2021

Her Name is Knight by Yasmin Angoe
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A smash debut novel from rising star Yasmin Angoe, Her Name Is Knight features an elite assassin heroine on a mission to topple a human trafficking ring and avenge her family.

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor
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From africanfuturist luminary Okorafor comes a new science fiction novel of intense action and thoughtful rumination on biotechnology, destiny, and humanity in a near-future Nigeria.

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
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Red White & Royal Blue meets Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell in debut author Freya Marske’s A Marvellous Light, featuring an Edwardian England full of magic, contracts, and conspiracies.

All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman
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The blockbuster co-writing debut of Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman, All of Us Villains begins a dark tale of ambition and magick…

You Can Go Your Own Way by Eric Smith
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When a huge snowstorm hits, Adam and Whitney suddenly find themselves trapped inside the arcade. Cut off from their families, their worlds, and their responsibilities, the tension between them seems to melt away, leaving something else in its place. But what happens when the storm stops?

Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath
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The first in a new historical rom-com series, a handsome earl hires a fake fiancée to keep his matchmaking mother at bay, but hilarity ensues when love threatens to complicate everything.

Blue-Skinned Gods by S.J. Sindu
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From the award-winning author of Marriage of a Thousand Lies comes a brilliantly written, globe-spanning novel about identity, faith, family, and sexuality.

Everything We Didn’t Say by Nicole Baart
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From the author of Little Broken Things, a “race-to-the-finish family drama” (People) following a mother who must confront the dark summer that changed her life forever in order to reclaim the daughter she left behind.

DECEMBER 2021

If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich
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Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich’s “If This Gets Out is an absolute showstopper! Equal parts edgy and adorable, this bright, joyful book has everything I look for in a queer YA romance.” ―Phil Stamper, bestselling author of The Gravity of Us

A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
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The New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep weaves a richly atmospheric adult debut following three residents of a secluded, seemingly peaceful commune as they investigate the disappearances of two outsiders.

The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska
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The Wicked Deep meets House of Salt and Sorrows in this new standalone YA fantasy set in a snow-cloaked kingdom where witches are burned, and two enchantresses secretly compete for the heart of a prince, only to discover that they might be falling for each other.

Absynthe by Brendan Bellecourt
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In his sci-fi debut, Bellecourt explores an alternate roaring 20s where a shell-shocked soldier must uncover latent telepathic abilities to save himself and the people around him.

Safecracker by Ryan Wick
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In this wicked debut, safecracker Michael Maven must pull off the most dangerous theft of his long career–or his friends and family will be killed.

Here’s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
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Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera reunite to continue the story of Arthur and Ben, the boys readers first fell for in the New York Times bestselling rom-com What If It’s Us.

Smile and Look Pretty by Amanda Pellegrino
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A whip-smart, piercing debut novel, Smile and Look Pretty follows four assistants who band together to take on their toxic office environments in the ultimate comeuppance.

I Know Your Secret by Daphne Benedis-Grab
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One of Us is Lying meets Pretty Little Liars for middle-grade readers.

What 2021 releases are you looking forward to releasing between July and December? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Get Your Hands On These Anticipated July To December 2021 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Today we had the pleasure of chatting with Eric Smith and we talk all about his recent release, Don’t Read the Comments. From the inspiration behind the novel and the process of developing the magical universe of Reclaim the Sun, to the deleted scenes that you might never expect, everything unravels in today’s interview!

Your newest contemporary, Don’t Read the Comments, published on January 28th 2020! Can you tell us about it and why everyone should include this book in their reading list?

It’s true! So in Don’t Read the Comments, readers meet two teens who love video games something fierce. One wants to write them, the other streams them, and both find themselves wrestling with very real world issues surrounding family and support. And then the two of them meet in a massively popular online game called Reclaim the Sun, a friendship blossoms (and maybe more?), as threats and cyber harassment get very intense and move into the real space. Include it in your reading list if you like multi-POV novels and books that toss a little sci-fi into the mix… though the sci-fi is just the inside of a video game.

What ultimately inspired you to write this story? Does it have anything to do with your interest in video games, perhaps?

It does! I’m a big video gamer, and might be a little bit spoiled, as I play across all consoles. I grew up on games like Chrono Trigger and FInal Fantasy III, which taught me at a really young age that games can hit you with really powerful storytelling and well, can make you cry. The emotional hook behind gaming and the large online communities that have spiraled from it really drove me to write this, combined with friends who have been on the receiving end of a lot of that online harassment.

As a well-known literary agent, did that help you at all in order to develop your very own story?

Oh, I wish. I think I’m good at helping authors develop their stories, because when you send a book to an agent, that person has distance from your work. I don’t really have that distance from my work. That’s why I have an agent too!

Though Reclaim the Sun is a work of fiction, we seriously wish it existed in real life! How was your development and writing process for this VR universe?

Hah! Me too! I had a pretty epic bundle of notes while fiddling with how I wanted the game to appear, pulling from some of my favorite titles, like No Man’s Sky, Eve Online, World of Warcraft, and more. I even bought an Oculus Go, to fuss around in my own VR worlds and get a handle on using a headset. The big challenge in the gaming world though, was working with my editor to make sure it felt grounded. The original draft has a pretty wild version of the VR landscape, and thankfully I had an editor who nudged me to make it feel like it could happen now or at least a few minutes in the future, as opposed to a game that was entirely sci-fi in feeling.

Can you share any parts or scenes that you decided to leave out at the very last second and why?

Oh! I feel like maybe I answered this in the last question! Hah! But the game was significantly more detailed than originally written. It would have made it a sci-fi novel instead of a contemporary story with a slightly more advanced video game than we have. There were a few more scenes with Rebekah at the school that didn’t quite make it, as well as with Divya’s mother at the library in a very early draft, but the pacing felt a bit off. If you end up seeing a library scene in a future novel of mine, you’ll know where it came from.

Were there any struggles that you faced when you were developing the relationship between Divya and Aaron? How are these two similar, but also different at the same time?

I think the biggest struggle here was balancing Aaron’s well meaning, bumbling attempts to be an ally while navigating his growing feelings and relationship with Divya. He wants to be supportive, but of course he doesn’t want to take advantage. And there was Divya’s approach, wanting to connect with someone while dealing with the fear of who might be behind the screen. It was tough, and I hope Rebekah and Ryan, their best friends, helped them through it.

What would you say was the biggest challenge when you were writing this story? And how did you overcome it?

One was definitely navigating those relationship dynamics, that’s for sure. The other was trying to talk about a world I love so much, that being video games, while being critical of it at the same time. There’s a lot of joy in gaming, but there’s also plenty of horrible things going on. It was really a matter of just pushing through, and reminding myself that you can love a thing passionately, while at the same time acknowledging what’s wrong with it.

If this story were to be adapted, are there any actors and actresses that you think will be able to bring these characters to life?

Oh whew, what a dream that would be! I feel like I’m slightly ill equipped to bring up teen actors though! I really love Sarayu Blue (please see her in P.S. I Still Love You, the second To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before movie!), and could easily see her playing Divya’s mom. Cast the audiobook narrators somewhere, please! Richa Shukla Moorjani and Sunil Malhotra were brilliant.

We’ve been incredibly excited for this book, as it’s in our list for most anticipated 2020 releases. For you, what’s your most anticipated titles for next year?

Thank you! My most anticipated books this year… whew, a few came out already, like Adam Silvera’s Infinity Son and Lamar Giles’ Not So Plain and Simple. I’m still anxiously awaiting Star Daughter by Shveta Thakar and This Is My Brain in Love by I. W. Gregorio.

Lastly, what’s next for you?

I have a really fun anthology coming out next year, co-edited with my dear friend Lauren Gibaldi (if you haven’t read Autofocus, it’s one of my absolute favorite YA contemporary novels). It’s called Battle of the Bands, and is a collection of short stories set at a single high school’s battle of the bands night. It’s super fun, and I’m really excited about it. And as for Aaron and Divya… well, maybe you’ll see them pop up somewhere in something else. Hint hint. Nudge nudge.

Will you be picking up Don’t Read The Comments? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Eric Smith, Author of ‘Don’t Read the Comments’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

With a full blast of all-out geekiness, admirable online friendships, and fierce fights with internet trolls, Eric Smith’s upcoming contemporary, Don’t Read the Comments, is going to transfer you to the magnificent virtual universe of Reclaim the Sun, the year’s hottest online game. The novel is led by Divya Sharma, also known as D1V online, one of the most popular streaming gamers in the community, and Aaron Jericho, an aspiring game developer and a writer who fell deep into the world of gaming but couldn’t fully pursue it due to his parents’ expectation for him to become a doctor. Prepare yourself for a fast-paced story full of action that will make your heart beats faster with every page passing by.

For Divya, Reclaim the Sun is not just a game that will entertain her when days are slow. It’s her passion, obsession, but most importantly, it’s a side income that helps her and her mother to pay the piling bills, thanks to her irresponsible father that decided to leave. Earning a small amount of money in exchange for doing sponsorships on her popular channel, it’s the least she can do to help her mother who’s ready to give up her education and search for a second job instead. She simply can’t let that happen, though it means she has to face the stream of negative comments that she continuously gets.

Meanwhile, all Aaron Jericho wants is to be able to write his own script for a game, if it’s not for his unsupportive parents, especially his mother who expect him to continue the family legacy by becoming a doctor just like her. He spends his spare time to work on his mother’s medical practice instead of working on a game’s plot which yet to be paid. Though his father is a bit more relaxed when it comes to Aaron’s love for the gaming world, he also has a little sister, Mira, who he very much loved.

Told in alternating point-of-view, this is a story of Divya and Aaron in facing the worst side of online gaming community. When the threats are no longer exists online and start haunting them in real life, the two must work together in order to survive.

My first impression of this book is its outstanding gaming-focused story. It was obvious that Smith is a huge fan of video games and poured his heart for developing this fast-paced yet heartfelt story. Centering around everything fun and geeky, Smith doesn’t forget to include heavier topics in this story, including racism, sexism, and online toxicity, making this story balanced perfectly. Don’t Read the Comments also features many great representations, starting from racially diverse characters to the case of female oppression when it comes to field that considered to be manly, including video games.

Though I could see how gamers will have a blast reading this story, non-gamers (like myself) are more likely to have a great time too, thanks to Smith’s wonderful narrative in describing this online community with all its dramas and problems. The gaming plot was narrated fiercely and it felt as if I no longer read a contemporary anymore, as the sci-fi bits blended perfectly, creating a wholesome new experience in reading this modern tale.

This story is very much a character-driven one as it featured deep connection and intimacy amongst its characters. And as for the plot, I couldn’t help but compare the universe of Reclaim the Sun in Don’t Read the Comments to Oasis in Ready Player One. While the two VR platforms feel familiar during earlier chapters, Smith’s crafted a universe that soon separate itself and grow to become something entirely unique.

In conclusion, Don’t Read the Comments is a solid genre-bending story that doesn’t shy away from today’s ugly reality of online communities.

Don’t Read the Comments is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Will you be picking up Don’t Read the Comments? Tell us in the comments below

The post Review: Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Betty Culley: Hi Eric! I finished your novel this weekend! I must confess I’ve never played a video game, but I felt like I had by the end of the book. I really wanted to go searching for livable planets with stores of minerals (did someone say lakes of gold?) and water. Did you invent the game Reclaim the Sun? Did you do gaming research for the book or did you draw on your own experience? 

Eric Smith: Ah! That’s amazing to hear. I was hoping people who aren’t gamers would also respond to the book, so this makes me wildly happy. 

So with the faux game in the novel, it’s actually pulled from a number of different games into one big ol’ mashup dream. It’s heavily influenced from games like World of Warcraft (the guilds, the running around in the world together, the way the chat channels work), No Man’s Sky (the sci-fi exploration elements, the randomly generated worlds and monsters), and Eve Online (the way the economics of the world operate, online auctions for digital money), though all of those games kind of have a little bit of the other in them. 

Even then, there was still research there. While some of the game exists in VR, that gaming technology isn’t quiiiite available right now, so I had to keep it grounded. I had a great editor who pushed me to do that. I am a massive gamer though, so lot of this was my own experiences thrown into a made-up place. 

But wait, wait… speaking of things we’ve never really done… YOUR BOOK IS IN VERSE, BETTY. Oh my goodness, how I wish I could write like this. I too finished your book this weekend. Can you dish a bit about the experience, writing like this? Have you always been drawn to writing in verse? Also I noticed you have a MG coming out about a kid who spots a meteorite… is that in verse too? 

BC: You really blended a lot of different very cool concepts in Reclaim the Sun! I liked the randomly generated planets and the way a group of gamers could interact with each other and come to another person’s rescue! The way you could name planets and ‘purchase’ enhancements was also fun to read about. 

THREE THINGS I KNOW ARE TRUE started as prose in its very first pages, but another writer in my critique group suggested I try it in verse, since my prose tends to be spare. Once I began in verse it felt like the perfect form for Liv’s voice and I can’t imagine it written any other way.  My MG is in prose and was from the beginning. 

A question for you! Your book talked about doxing and online harassment, which can be very scary. I really felt for Divya as she faced the menace of online trolls. Is this something you or anyone you know have ever experienced? 

ES: Thanks so much! Fun fact, it was actually called Reclaim the Sun. Like, the book. But we wrestled a lot with trying to make a cover that worked that portrayed the fact that it’s really a contemporary novel, and not sci-fi, which is what Reclaim the Sun sounds like. 

Oh my goodness that is such an amazing way to come to that. I try to write poetry in like… cards for friends and family, and I fail terribly. I can’t get over that you just dug in and made it work. I am wildly jealous of this skill. 

As for doxing and online harassment, oh yes, it’s horrifying. I’ve experienced my fair share of online harassment, as a person of color who has something of a platform. It’s really hard to avoid. But I also have some privilege in that space. My fairly white-passing name and the fact that I’m a man, makes me less of a target. A lot of Divya’s experiences are drawn from friends who have dealt with this in a major way, as creators or journalists. And there are a significant number of them. It’s heartbreaking. 

And a question back to you, let’s talk about family! Because hello, family is a MASSIVE piece of your gorgeous book. We have Liv wrestling with what’s happened to her brother after (and I know this isn’t a spoiler because it’s on the jacket copy, breathe easy interview readers!), he accidentally shoots himself with a neighbor’s father’s gun… and that neighbor also happens to be a rather dear friend, maybe very dear to a certain Liv. And the mother! She has such a difficult time with the whole situation. How hard is it to dig into those kind of family dynamics, surrounding grief and anger? How do you dig into all of that, especially while writing in such a lyrical, sparse format? 

I’ll try not to circle back to the “oh my god this is in verse” point too many times, but I’m really just blown away. 

Okay, an additional question. One thing I think we both sort of explore here, is the idea of a relationship building through trauma, right? Liv and Clay are having a hard time figuring out how to get back to where they were after this accident shatters their families and really, the entire community. Aaron and Divya are wrestling with harassment in digital spaces, and eventually, in the physical one, while exploring their friendship and growing feelings. What draws you to explore relationships in that way?

BC: I do like the name Reclaim the Sun for the game, though. It’s a great metaphor for coming through darkness into light. But DON’T READ THE COMMENTS is a perfect title and fits so well in the cover design. Did you envision the cover this way? 

I’m sorry to hear about your own online harassment, as well as people you know.  The character of Detective Watts in your novel took the online harassment very seriously. There were times I wanted to call her up my myself and tell her what was really going on! 

Thank you again about the verse! I am grateful to the verse novelists I’ve read who showed me this was another way to tell a story. And maybe all those haikus I used to write were good practice!

Family relationships are definitely important in my book, and those relationships change in an instant when Liv’s brother Jonah accidentally shoots himself. Liv is thrust into the role of caretaker and protector. In my work as a pediatric hospice nurse, I saw the effect of a sick children on everyone in the family, including siblings. My book dedication is “to those who find the beauty in a life they didn’t choose or expect’ because that’s what I saw. There was heartbreak for sure but I saw the way tragedy can also bring out what is best in us as humans—compassion, forgiveness and love.

It’s compelling to see how Divya and Aaron navigate their relationship, and how they slowly build trust. I liked how they grew their friendship both online and in the physical world, and how there were forward and backward steps in both worlds.

You mention Liv’s mother and what she is going through. Divya’s urge to help her mother rebuild her life is very touching. It felt like both Aaron and Divya had lives they couldn’t always share with their parents and walked a fine line between wanting to show who they really were with their parents and protecting them.

Do you envision writing more about Divya and Aaron or any of the other character in the book? Rebekah? Or are you working on something completely different?

ES: Thanks! The cover was an interesting journey, there were a LOT of variations before it got a title update, and even after, lots more. And I felt so bad because I am maybe the worst person to give art to for critique and thoughts. Because I love everything. Every cover they gave me I was like “yup that’s the one!” I’m not sure what I really had in mind, other than I wanted the two kids on the front. 

What about yours? What was that journey like? 

It’s funny, when it comes to Detective Watts, she’s actually named after my wife’s cousin, Jessica. She’s this really strong and inspiring figure in both our lives, though she isn’t a detective, she works with kids. She’s more like a sister-in-law than a cousin. Which leads me into a question for you! You mention your experience working as a nurse, seeing the effects on families… is anyone in here drawn from the real world? People close to you? 

Who are some of your favorite in-verse novelists that you read before digging into your own? I’ve read a handful, and absolutely loved Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough. 

I do think about those two a lot, but I think I’ve definitely got a standalone on my hands. I did start fussing over a second novel concept that had a cute cameo in play, so we’ll see what happens there. It could be a fun Easter egg, and I like those a lot. 

BC: When I first saw the cover art for THREE THINGS, I shed some happy tears! I’d hoped for a river image and this design was so perfect. It felt like the artist Chris Kwon completely got the feel of the book, since it takes places along the Kennebec River here in Maine and is where Liv and Clay meet in secret. Another happy surprise was the brush strokes of river water inside the pages and all the details of water drops on the cover. Shout out to Chris Kwon and Alison Donalty and Danielle Mazzella di Bosco for the gorgeous art and design. 

And I have to mention that at my first book launch people here were excited to see the cover image of the Kennebec, which flows by only two blocks from the bookstore! Many of the people who came to the launch had worked in the local mills along the river or had grandparents who worked there as children. Have I said how much I love the cover?!!

To answer your question—no one in the book is a fictionalized version of anyone in the real world, though it’s true that each child I cared for definitely changed me as a person.

There are so many great verse novels out there, as you mention BLOOD WATER PAINT.  I loved Karen Hesse’s OUT OF THE DUST, Thanhha Lai’s INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN, and Jason Reynolds’ LONG WAY DOWN.  

It’s been wonderful talking with you and getting a behind-the-scenes peek into DON’T READ THE COMMENTS. What do have planned for your book launch day?

ES: I’m so happy you have a cover that you’re so smitten with! I love when that happens. 

As for my launch day, I have a little celebration at the Barnes & Noble in Philadelphia, where I live, and then a few fun book tour stops afterwards! I’m visiting Books of Wonder in NYC, Brookline Booksmith in Boston, and The Fountain Bookshop in Richmond, all in the same week. It’s going to be a busy couple of days. 

# # #

Betty Culley lives in central Maine, where the rivers run through the small towns. She’s an RN who worked as an obstetrics nurse and as a pediatric home hospice nurse. Three Things I Know Are True is her debut.

Eric Smith is a Young Adult author and literary agent with P.S. Literary living in Philadelphia. His most recent novel, Don’t Read the Comments, was published by Inkyard Press in January 2020. His new anthology, Battle of the Bands co-edited with Lauren Gibaldi, is due out in 2021 with Candlewick. He has short stories forthcoming in the anthologies Color Outside the Lines by Sangu Mandanna (Soho Teen) and Body Talk by Kelly Jensen (Algonquin). His other books include the IndieBound bestseller The Geek’s Guide to Dating (Quirk), Inked (Bloomsbury), the adoption-themed anthology Welcome Home, and the novel The Girl and the Grove (Flux). You can listen to him on Book Riot’s HEY YA podcast with Kelly Jensen. 

Will you be picking up Betty and Eric’s new releases? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Authors In Conversation: Betty Culley & Eric Smith appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

There’s also new authors breaking on to the scene with their debuts including Isabel Ibañez, Emma Lord, Echo Brown, and Rebecca McLaughlin.

January also sees releases from authors Stacie Ramey, M.K. England, Lana Popović, Eric Smith, Sarah Henning, and Laurie Faria Stolarz. Plus there’s also an exciting collaboration with authors such as Beth Revis, Mackenzi Lee, Ellen Hopkins, Saundra Mitchell, Jennifer Brown, and Cheryl Rainfield, which is inspired by the #MeToo movement.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us if you will be picking up any of these releases!

A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the sequel to New York Times bestselling A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Brigid Kemmerer returns to the world of Emberfall in a lush fantasy where friends become foes and love blooms in the darkest of places.

Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
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A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history.

It’s My Life by Stacie Ramey
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Jenna’s never let her cerebral palsy get her down. But when she discovers that her condition was actually caused by an injury at birth, she’s furious with her parents, who also push her to get yet another difficult procedure. Enter Julian, Jenna’s childhood crush. She reaches out to him―anonymously―to help. Soon, their conversations are about so much more than class. But would Julian still be interested in her if he knew who she really was? And can she find a way to take back her own narrative before she pushes away everyone she loves?

Spellhacker by M.K. England
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From the author of The Disasters, this genre-bending YA fantasy heist story is perfect for fans of Marie Lu and Amie Kaufman.

Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard by Echo Brown
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Heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited fearlessly explores the intersections of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism―all through the arc of a transcendent coming-of-age story for fans of Renee Watson’s Piecing Me Together and Ibi Zoboi’s American Street.

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
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A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected.

Blood Countess by Lana Popović
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A historical YA horror novel based on the infamous real-life inspiration for Countess Dracula.

Nameless Queen by Rebecca McLaughlin
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One girl must make a name for herself–or die trying –in this royal fantasy where an unknown peasant becomes the ultimate ruler. But how long can she keep the crown if everyone wants her dead? Perfect for fans of Furyborn, Red Queen, and Everless.

Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith
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Slay meets Eliza and Her Monsters in Eric Smith’s Don’t Read the Comments, an #ownvoices story in which two teen gamers find their virtual worlds – and blossoming romance – invaded by the real-world issues of trolling and doxing in the gaming community.

Jane Anonymous by Laurie Faria Stolarz
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Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz’s thrilling novel Jane Anonymous is a revelatory confessional of a seventeen-year-old girl’s fight to escape a kidnapper―and her struggles to connect with loved ones and a life that no longer exists.

You Too? by Janet Gurtler
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A timely and heartfelt collection of essays inspired by the #MeToo movement, edited by acclaimed young adult and middle-grade author Janet Gurtler. Featuring Beth Revis, Mackenzi Lee, Ellen Hopkins, Saundra Mitchell, Jennifer Brown, Cheryl Rainfield and many more.

Throw Like a Girl by Sarah Henning
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Friday Night Lights meets Morgan Matson’s The Unexpected Everything in this contemporary debut where swoonworthy romance meets underdog sports story.

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

The post January 2020 YA Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Who’s ready to get their hands on some new YA releases!? We definitely are and we bet you can’t wait too! We love a new year because that means there’s going to be so many new books coming out over the next 12 months from authors we already love as well as authors releasing their very first novel into the wild!

Naturally there’s many books being released, so we’ve narrowed it down to 48 titles that we are really looking forward to being released between the months of January and June!

So, what can we expect from 2020? Well there’s new books from familiar names such as Cassandra Clare, Melissa de la Cruz, Suzanne Collins,  Alwyn Hamilton, and many more! In terms of content, there’s gender-swapped retellings, vampires, assassins, magic, thrillers, dragons, sweet contemporaries, stories of friendship, tales of love and revenge, and much, much more!

Read on to discover just a few of our favourites and tell us in the comments if you are looking forward to any of these releases!

JANUARY

Oasis by Katya de Becerra
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this young adult thriller for fans of Lost and The Twilight Zone, a group of teens are saved when they come across a mysterious oasis. But who will save them from the oasis?

Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sarah Dessen, and praised as “an intense rush of rebellion and romance” by #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Garber, this romantic and layered Own Voices debut from Abigail Hing Wen is a dazzling, fun-filled romp.

Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

With Anna-Marie McLemore’s signature lush prose, Dark and Deepest Red pairs the forbidding magic of a fairy tale with a modern story of passion and betrayal.

Rogue Princess by B.R. Myers
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A princess fleeing an arranged marriage teams up with a snarky commoner to foil a rebel plot in B. R. Myers’ Rogue Princess, a gender-swapped sci-fi YA retelling of Cinderella.

Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history.

Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard by Echo Brown
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited fearlessly explores the intersections of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism―all through the arc of a transcendent coming-of-age story for fans of Renee Watson’s Piecing Me Together and Ibi Zoboi’s American Street.

Blood Countess by Lana Popović
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A historical YA horror novel based on the infamous real-life inspiration for Countess Dracula.

Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Slay meets Eliza and Her Monsters in Eric Smith’s Don’t Read the Comments, an #ownvoices story in which two teen gamers find their virtual worlds – and blossoming romance – invaded by the real-world issues of trolling and doxing in the gaming community.

FEBRUARY

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
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Tricia Levenseller, author of Daughter of the Pirate King, is back with an epic YA tale of ambition and love in The Shadows Between Us…

The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper
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Teen boys find love when their parents’ NASA mission uproots their lives in this sweet debut perfect for Adam Silvera fans.

The Queen’s Assassin by Melissa de la Cruz
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Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Red Queen, this is the first novel in a sweeping YA fantasy-romance duet about a deadly assassin, his mysterious apprentice, and the country they are sworn to protect from #1 NYT bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed
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New York Times bestselling authors Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed have crafted a resonant, funny, and memorable story about the power of love and resistance.

Belle Révolte by Linsey Miller
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From the author of the Mask of Shadows duology comes a standalone fantasy where two young women must trade lives, work together to stay alive, and end a war caused by magic and greed.

The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly by Meredith Tate
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If I Stay meets One of Us is Lying in this gripping contemporary thriller.

Ink in the Blood by Kim Smejkal
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A lush, dark YA fantasy debut that weaves together tattoo magic, faith, and eccentric theater in a world where lies are currency and ink is a weapon, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kendare Blake.

Foul Is Fair by Hannah Capin
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Foul is Fair is a bloody, thrilling revenge fantasy for the girls who have had enough. Golden boys beware: something wicked this way comes.

MARCH

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Chain of Gold is the first novel in a new trilogy that stars the Shadowhunters of Edwardian London.

Bone ​Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kathryn Purdie comes a high-stakes fantasy duology flush with doomed romance and macabre magic, perfect for fans of Stephanie Garber and Roshani Chokshi.

Anna K.: A Love Story by Jenny Lee
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Dazzlingly opulent and emotionally riveting, Anna K.: A Love Story is a brilliant reimagining of Leo Tolstoy’s timeless love story, Anna Karenina―but above all, it is a novel about the dizzying, glorious, heart-stopping experience of first love and first heartbreak.

Greythorne by Crystal Smith
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Brimming with deliciously mysterious magic, political intrigue, and a passionate heroine who will do anything to save the ones she loves—this highly anticipated sequel to Bloodleaf won’t disappoint.

Harley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman
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The Greatest Showman meets This Is Us by way of Sarah Dessen in this heart-wrenching, hopeful contemporary novel about a multiracial teen who risks it all to follow her dreams by joining the circus, from the critically acclaimed author of Starfish.

Havenfall by Sara Holland
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A safe haven between four realms. The girl sworn to protect it–at any cost. New York Times bestselling author Sara Holland crafts a breathtaking new contemporary fantasy perfect for fans of Melissa Albert and Holly Black.

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales
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Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets Clueless in this boy-meets-boy spin on Grease.

When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey
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A sly, witchy dark comedy about four teens whose magic goes wildly awry from Magic for Liars author Sarah Gailey, who Chuck Wendig calls an “author to watch.”

APRIL

Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Jack Kerouac Is Dead to Me by Gae Polisner
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Gae Polisner’s Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me is a story about the fragility of female friendship, of falling in love and wondering if you are ready for more, and of the glimmers of hope we find by taking stock in ourselves.

Time of Our Lives by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
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A reflective, romantic coming-of-age novel that explores life after high school–perfect for fans of Fangirl and Emergency Contact.

The Lucky Ones by Liz Lawson
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For fans of Thirteen Reasons Why, This Is How It Ends, and All the Bright Places, comes a new novel about life after. How do you put yourself back together when it seems like you’ve lost it all?

Clique Bait by Ann Valett
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Pretty Little Liars meets Burn for Burn in this thrilling debut from Wattpad star Ann Valett.

Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of Hot Dog Girl comes a fresh and funny YA contemporary romance about two teens who fall in love in an indie comic book shop.

Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen
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From author Kelly Quindlen comes a poignant and deeply relatable story about friendship, self-acceptance, what it means to be a Real Teenager. Late to the Party is an ode to late bloomers and wallflowers everywhere.

Loveless by Alice Oseman
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Loveless is a journey of identity, self-acceptance, and finding out how many different types of love there really are. And that no one is really loveless after all.

MAY

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The post 48 YA Book Releases To Look Out For In 2020 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this mesmerising YA fantasy mash-up of The Road meets The Amazing Race, one girl chooses to risk her life in a cutthroat competition in order to win her freedom.

Sisters of Shadow and Light by Sara B. Larson
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From the acclaimed author of Defy, Sara B. Larson, Sisters of Shadow and Light is a timeless and fantastical tale of sisterly love and powerful magic.

All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

All-American Muslim Girl is a relevant, relatable story of being caught between two worlds, and the struggles and hard-won joys of finding your place.

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.

Color Outside the Lines by Sangu Mandanna, 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
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This modern, groundbreaking YA anthology explores the complexity and beauty of interracial and LGBTQ+ relationships where differences are front and center.

Day Zero by Kelly deVos
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Don’t miss the exhilarating new novel from the author of Fat Girl on a Plane, featuring a fierce, bold heroine who will fight for her family and do whatever it takes to survive. Fans of Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life As We Knew It series and Rick Yancey’s The 5th Wave series will cheer for this fast-paced, near-future thrill ride.

Across A Broken Shore by Amy Trueblood
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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.

Songs from the Deep by Kelly Powell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

A Constellation of Roses by Miranda Asebedo
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Perfect for fans of Tell Me Three Things and The Astonishing Color of After, A Constellation of Roses is brimming with a magic all its own—lovable and flawed characters, an evocative setting, and friendships to treasure.

The How & the Why by Cynthia Hand
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A poignant exploration of family and the ties that bind, perfect for fans of Far From the Tree, from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand.

Refraction by Naomi Hughes
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After an attack on earth, all reflective surfaces become weapons to release monsters, causing a planet-wide ban on mirrors. Despite the danger, the demand rises, and 17-year-old Marty Callahan becomes a distributor in an illegal mirror trade―until he’s caught by the mayor’s son, whose slate is far from clean. Both of them are exiled for their crimes to one of the many abandoned cities overrun by fog. But they soon realize their thoughts influence their surroundings and their deepest fears begin to manifest.

When The Stars Lead To You by Ronni Davis
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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.

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

The post November 2019 YA Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

But Color Outside the Lines has my whole heart.

This collection of stories approaches interracial and LGBTQIA+ relationships in various ways, addressing a plethora of topics connected to it. Love, culture, family, expectations, prejudice, discrimination, and barred communications are just a few that are explored. There are stories about trying to find common ground between cultures, facing the challenges of the privileges of being “colorblind” and understanding that to be equal is not the same as to simply say the words and be done with the topic. There are stories challenging stereotypical points of views, stories about kids who just want to find themselves in popular culture, stories about fierce people who just want to be heard and seen, who just want to be able to say, “I matter. I deserve to take up space.”. It’s a kaleidoscope of voices that illuminate how much we need more diverse literature and just how important these voices are.

I contemplated reviewing the short stories individually, but I feel like it would be doing this book a disservice. I went into the stories not knowing anything besides the title and it made the exploration of the previously mentioned topics all the more magical. The vibrant mix of stories is what makes this anthology so accessible. Truly, there is a story for everybody within these pages – whether it’s about not being aware of the monumental differences between cultures, the way one kindhearted person can change your life, or the female/female Hades/Persephone reimagination you’ve always wanted. Moreover, every single story left me wanting more – and it is my hope that this anthology is one of the necessary steps to get young readers to pick up diverse stories and find acceptance in them.

So what can you expect to get if you pick up this book? You will get a Jewish girl and an Indian boy discussing their outsider status and the worry of not fitting in. You will experience a world in which everybody has a ghost as their sidekick. A story in which colonialism separates two people who might have had one of the most epic love stories of their time. A tale about a daughter of a poisoner and a boy shunned for his scars finding common ground. And so much more!

What you can expect most of all is finding new authors to obsess over! For instance, I’ve been following Eric Smith on Twitter for ages, but I’ve never read any of his works. After reading his contribution to this fine collection, “Sandwiched in Between”, that tragic mistake will be remedied immediately. These authors put so much soul into these stories and it transpires beautifully onto the page. Whether it’s the lush descriptions of a fantastical land in which a girl gets to decide where and when her story begins or the realistic, no-nonsense prose that follows a boy wanting to find a book at the store that gives a queer character a happily ever after – there is care behind these words. Care to give teens a voice. And it is so, so encouraging, I can’t even find words for the wholesome feeling in my chest, closing this book.

All in all, I’m so happy this anthology exists and my hope is that every young individual who is craving to see themselves represented in stories will find they are very welcome in this world  – to quote this anthology: “Stories belong to everyone, not just the ones telling them”.

Color Outside The Lines is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of November 12th 2019.

Will you be checking out Color Outside The Lines? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

This modern, groundbreaking YA anthology explores the complexity and beauty of interracial and LGBTQ+ relationships where differences are front and center.

When people ask me what this anthology is about, I’m often tempted to give them the complicated answer: it’s about race, and about how being different from the person you love can matter but how it can also not matter, and it’s about Chinese pirate ghosts, black girl vigilantes, colonial India, a flower festival, a garden of poisons, and so, so much else. Honestly, though? I think the answer’s much simpler than that. Color outside the Lines is a collection of stories about young, fierce, brilliantly hopeful people in love.
—Sangu Mandanna, editor of Color outside the Lines

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