Ivelisse Housman Archives | The Nerd Daily

Leanne Schwartz’s Recommendations for Autism Acceptance Month

The Nerd Daily — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 03:00:01 +0000

Guest post written by To A Darker Shore author Leanne Schwartz
Leanne Schwartz is the author of A Prayer for Vengeance. She has spent her life at either the library or the local theater, where she has played Lady Macbeth, Lady Capulet, Clytemnestra, and Hera—perhaps one reason she writes such vengeful, murderous girls. When she’s not teaching English and poetry, she can be found baking pizzelle, directing scenes for the student Shakespeare festival, and singing along to showtunes. She lives in California with her family.

About To A Darker Shore: Dante’s Inferno meets the mythic atmosphere of Hadestown in this darkly romantic, tale from the author of A Prayer for Vengeance, featuring two autistic protagonists—Alesta, a plus-size inventor, and Kyrian, her best friend and heir to the throne.

My first exposure to the concept of autism was in a book: Baby-sitters Club #32: Kristy and the Secret of Susan. But it would be many years before learning I was autistic myself. I remember being fascinated but confused by Ann M. Martin’s description of Susan (based on her work with autistic children and made with every good intention), and considered it just one of the never-ending stream of books I devoured while hiding away from other people (hello, hyperlexia). Any later stories I read with autistic characters were vanishingly few and always written by neurotypical authors, similar to the examples of autistic characters in film and television that presented a very narrow, often inaccurate, view of autistics—always male, white, and robotically cold, if not utterly cut off from the rest of the world. No wonder it took so long for me to finally discover my own autism, with only that to go by. And some of the most egregious examples are still on our shelves and screens now, as anyone who’s seen the memes of the infantilized, “for some reason autism makes me a bigot” Good Doctor knows.

April is Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month, but most people’s awareness of autism remains based on these sorts of media depictions, which has a real impact on how we’re accepted—or not—out in the world.

Fortunately, a burgeoning number of books by autistic authors are offering us more authentic and varied autistic experiences on the page, excitingly more in more in fantasy. I’ve gone from head-canoning Lazlo in Laini Taylor’s Strange the Dreamer and Rook in Margaret Rogerson’s An Enchantment of Ravens to not being able to keep up with all the books coming out with stated autistic representation. (Rogerson has even confirmed her Vespertine is neurodivergent.) The growth isn’t surprising, with a threefold increase in diagnosis nationally the past few years, but with many autistics still being missed (Black autistics typically take years longer to get a diagnosis, and as many as 80% of girls go undiagnosed), who can say that books by autistic authors won’t be what sets undiagnosed autistics on the path to finally naming, understanding, and managing their experiences better? Or what helps other readers gain insight into all the nuance of what life is really like for autistics?

So if you’re inspired this Autism Acceptance Month (and beyond, I hope!) to read some actually autistic books, here are my personal recommendations, admittedly shaped by my preference for fantasy, romance, and angst balanced with triumph.

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

Autistic, trans Silas finds himself trapped by Victorian social expectations for young ladies blessed or cursed with violet eyes and the ability to speak across the Veil with the world of spirits. Wanting nothing more than to escape arranged marriage and ply his skills as a surgeon, Silas is diagnosed with Veil sickness and sent to a finishing school where ghosts of murdered girls beg for his help. White’s book is full of building horror at the insidiousness and all-too-mundane evils of the patriarchy, but also shows where both autistic and trans communities find each other even in the darkest places (and makes readers or at least me feral over Silas and Daphne’s supportive relationship, along with a standout supporting cast of complicated girls).

I adore how Spirit shows how there have always been trans and autistic people in every era, and touches upon the theme of autistics often being valued only for how they can be exploited; Silas is sought after for his ability to produce heirs with his magical abilities, but forbidden from practicing them himself, which stirred up all my feelings about how those with “autistic superpowers” that can serve capitalism are most accepted by neurotypicals. I was rooting for Silas to take his scalpel to the entire pack of Speakers, swept along as he plunged into all the horrors of enforced girlhood and autistic masking. This young adult book is brutal and bloody and and an absolute page-turner.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Oh, Emily. I adore the autistic heroine of this fantasy that teeters enchantingly between cozy and folk horror in the wintery northern reaches where Cambridge scholar Emily has traveled to study faeries in person. The book grows only more charming with the arrival of rival scholar Wendell Bambleby, his mysterious connection to the faeries, and his obvious-to-everyone-but-Emily affections for the curmudgeonly researcher.

Emily’s a genius academic but struggles with people, and her irritation with Wendell’s ease among the townsfolk—as well as his lack of academic rigor—offer endless delight as together the two must save the town from encroaching supernatural threats.

This adult fantasy book conjures up darker moments than I expected, delving into stories of lost children, stolen lovers, and banished fae royalty, adding a rich atmosphere to the humor found in its banter, Emily’s foibles chopping wood and talking to other people (which goes almost worse than the near-dismemberment), and Wendell’s obsession with proper tailoring. I’m eagerly looking forward to reading the next in the series.

Act Your Age, Eve Brown, by Talia Hibbert

This contemporary adult romcom is the book I yell at everyone to read if they want to understand what it’s like to be autistic. So many times upon first reading this book (it’s one of my top comfort rereads—the audiobook is fantastic), I had to set down my e-reader and take a minute because it captured so precisely one of my own experiences, putting onto the page something I’d never seen included in any form of media, putting into words something formative about my relationships I’d never even crystalized in my own understanding—not only in romance but friendships and family.

This is what I love about reading autistic books: finding those experiences that made us feel so other and apart are actually commonalities among autistics. And that’s why I love how both heroine Eve Brown, seeking a way to prove to her family and herself she can get a job and get her life together, and hero Jacob Wayne, who’s desperately seeking a cook for his B&B, until Eve runs into him with her car, are autistic.

Their love story demonstrates both the variety of autistic experiences—fat, purple-haired Eve is intuitive and stims by singing, bespectacled Jacob is deliciously starchy and buttoned-up. And it dramatizes how, while autistics may be seen as having deficits in communication and relationships in the view of neurotypicals, when they find each other the connection can be easier, deeper, and more affirming than any other. Jacob was diagnosed as a child, while Eve’s arc includes discovering her own autism, her late self-diagnosis and the way it helps her better understand herself and navigate her relationships something bound to be very relatable among many readers. And this book is both funny and hot as hell, full of hilarious banter over the best way to feed a B&B owner with a broken arm, hijinks of fighting waterfowl and falling into ponds, and both characters slowly losing their minds over each other and their tight (ironed) jeans or obnoxious orange lipstick. (This autistic may not be able to handle spicy food, but the spice in this book gets all my stars.)

The dual perspectives enhance the romance, as the story moves from Eve and Jacob’s initial antagonism, to surprising friendship between two people who’ve mostly been ignored or considered “too much” by others, to scenes so steamy they should be curling the pages. Just trust me and read this so we can all be completely normal about Eve and Jacob together.

Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman

I was so excited when I saw a book announced with autistic representation in young adult fantasy, which artfully plays with the theory that fae changelings are in fact autistic children. Iselia “Seelie” Graygrove and her twin sister are on the run, getting by as thieves, until a heist goes awry as they encounter an adorable redheaded shapeshifter and a misfit healer—and trouble with a magical compass. They team up to go after the fae treasure it points to, a search that leads them closer to secrets of the fae and entails Seelie learning to control her magic.

I enjoyed how Seelie’s struggle to manage her powers mirrors many autistics’ experiences with sensory overwhelm and regulation. The story is so good at weaving together classic aspects of fantasy resonant with autism and literal explorations of Seelie’s neurodivergence on the page.

Overall this is the kind of book that evokes your favorite childhood fantasy reads while delivering fresh takes on those tropes. Again, it’s so heartening to see a charismatic, humorous love interest taken with an autistic heroine. Plus, there’s a magical cat! And we’re getting the conclusion to this duology, Unending, this summer.

Daniel, Deconstructed by James Ramos

Just as Unseelie gives us classic fantasy with an autistic protagonist, this young adult contemporary gives us a classic high school story with an autistic twist. We get to see multiple Black autistic characters (still all too much a rarity in autistic representation across media), including Daniel Sanchez, who hides behind his camera just as he hides his autism from even his best friend—who he tries to set up with the cute enby who just transferred to their school, because the scripts Daniel lives his life by tell him that his cool bestie and this cool new kid naturally belong together.

As Daniel aims to get his friends to prom, the story draws him into new and unexpected experiences (and autistics know how scary and confusing new and unexpected can be), including at the heart of his own romance. I love how we get to see just how hard autistic masking can be, how exhausting it is and how much downtime he needs to recalibrate, as well as how Daniel’s spirit drives him to nevertheless go after what he wants.

The book gives us insight into both Daniel’s habit of masking and natural personality through scenes of another of his special interests, LARPing, and has amazing representation of not only autism but a variety of queer characters including bi and aro.

The post Leanne Schwartz’s Recommendations for Autism Acceptance Month appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

January 2023 YA Book Releases

Elise Dumpleton — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 17:00:39 +0000

YA fans are going to be spoilt for choice this year and January is absolutely jam-packed with so many great reads! From new releases from Emma Lord, Holly Black, Melissa de la Cruz, and Elise Bryant, as well as those making their dazzling debuts, like Ivelisse Housman, Krystal Marquis, and Kaylie Smith!

Begin Again by Emma Lord
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Filled with a friend group that feels like family, an empowering journey of finding your own way, and a Just Kiss Already! romance, Emma Lord’s Begin Again is an unforgettable YA novel of love and starting again.

City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer
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Gotham meets Strange the Dreamer in this thrilling young adult fantasy about a cowardly girl who finds herself at the center of a criminal syndicate conspiracy, in a city where crooked politicians and sinister cults reign and dreaming means waking up as your worst nightmare.

The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim
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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Pride and Prejudice in this delightful and heartfelt rom-com about a Bangladeshi American teen whose meddling mother arranges a match to secure their family’s financial security—just as she’s falling in love with someone else.

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
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The Davenports delivers a totally escapist, swoon-worthy romance while offering a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked.

A Ruinous Fate by Kaylie Smith
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A Ruinous Fate series will take readers’ imaginations to new heights on an adventure of dark secrets, witches, and forbidden magic.

Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Twin sisters, both on the run, but different as day and night. One, a professional rogue, searches for a fabled treasure; the other, a changeling, searches for the truth behind her origins, trying to find a place to fit in with the realm of fae who made her and the humans who shun her.

The Buried and the Bound by Rochelle Hassan
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A contemporary fantasy YA debut from Rochelle Hassan about monsters, magic, and wicked fae, perfect for fans of The Darkest Part of the Forest and The Hazel Wood.

Friday I’m in Love Camryn Garrett
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It’s too late for a Sweet Sixteen, but what if Mahalia had a coming-out party? A love letter to romantic comedies, sweet sixteen blowouts, Black joy, and queer pride.

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao
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In a fallen kingdom, one girl carries the key to discovering the secrets of her nation’s past—and unleashing the demons that sleep at its heart. An epic fantasy series inspired by the mythology and folklore of ancient China.

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
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Return to the opulent world of Elfhame, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and dangerous desires, with this first book of a captivating new duology from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black.

We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride
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They Both Die at the End meets The Bell Jar in this haunting, beautiful young adult novel-in-verse about clinical depression and healing from trauma, from National Book Award Finalist Amber McBride.

Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling by Elise Bryant
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From the NAACP Image Award–nominated author of Happily Ever Afters comes a dual POV rom-com about Reggie and Delilah, who fall in love through missed connections and chance meetings on holidays over the course of a year. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han, with crossover appeal for readers of Jasmine Guillory and Talia Hibbert romances.

Going Dark by Melissa de la Cruz
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In this ripped-from-the-headlines Gone Girl meets A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz weaves a white-knuckle YA thriller about a beautiful young influencer who vanishes after going on vacation with her boyfriend.

As You Walk on by Julian Winters
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The Breakfast Club meets Can’t Hardly Wait with an unforgettable ensemble cast in another swoony YA contemporary from award-winning author Julian Winters!

Brighter Than the Moon by David Valdes
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Lauded writer David Valdes offers a heartfelt, clever, and thought-provoking story about how we figure out who we want to be–online and IRL–for fans of David Levithan and Adam Silvera.

This Book Kills by Ravena Guron
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There’s a murderer on the loose in an elite boarding school… But who is going to be next? This Book Kills is the deadliest YA thriller of 2023, perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen McManus.

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

The post January 2023 YA Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

YA Book Releases To Add To Your TBR In 2023

Elise Dumpleton — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 17:00:40 +0000

The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie!

Magic, monsters, meddling mothers, mysteries, and more all await you amongst 2023’s upcoming young adult books! From authors such as Marie Lu, Alexandra Bracken, Ibi Zoboi, Steven Salvatore, and Adiba Jaigirdar, along with those making their dazzling debut this year, there are so many books to look forward to.

We’ve rounded up 72 YA books releasing between the months of January and June, so you will definitely find quite a few exciting new reads within this list. Be sure to check out our other 2023 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, Middle Grade, and Queer Books lists!

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below what you are looking forward to!

JANUARY

Cool. Awkward. Black.
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
A multi-genre YA anthology of bestselling, critically acclaimed Black authors challenging the concept of the geek, featuring contributions from Amerie, Kalynn Bayron, Terry J. Benton-Walker, Roseanne A. Brown, Elise Bryant, Tracy Deonn, Desiree S. Evans, Isaac Fitzsimons, Lamar Giles, Jordan Ifueko, Leah Johnson, Amanda Joy, Kwame Mbalia, Tochi Onyebuchi, Shari B. Pennant, K. Arsenault Rivera, Julian Winters, and Ibi Zoboi.

Retro by Jarrod Shusterman & Sofía Lapuente
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
What starts off as a light-hearted competition to live without modern technology for a year turns into a fight for survival in this unputdownable young adult thriller by New York Times bestselling author Jarrod Shusterman and debut author Sofía Lapuente.

Friday I’m in Love by Camryn Garrett
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
It’s too late for a Sweet Sixteen, but what if Mahalia had a coming-out party? A love letter to romantic comedies, sweet sixteen blowouts, Black joy, and queer pride.

Brighter Than the Moon by David Valdes
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Lauded writer David Valdes offers a heartfelt, clever, and thought-provoking story about how we figure out who we want to be–online and IRL–for fans of David Levithan and Adam Silvera.

Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
James and Cordelia must save London—and their marriage—in this thrilling and highly anticipated conclusion to the Last Hours series from the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Thorns is a Shadowhunters novel.

FEBRUARY

The Headmaster’s List by Melissa de la Cruz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Set against the glitz and glamour of an elite LA private school, Melissa de la Cruz’s first YA thriller is an addictive mystery perfect for fans of Gossip Girl and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa
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El Diablo is in the details in this Latinx pirate fantasy starring a transmasculine nonbinary teen with a mission of revenge, redemption, and revolution.

This Time It’s Real by Ann Liang
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Get ready to fall in love in this hilarious romcom about a girl who begins a fake relationship with the famous actor in her class, perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Jenny Han.

My Flawless Life by Yvonne Woon
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Yvonne Woon, author of If You, Then Me, has crafted a slow-burn thriller about fixing—our friends, ourselves, and our complicated pasts. For fans of Allegedly and We Were Liars, My Flawless Life features a compelling narrator who grapples with the secrets of her private school classmates as well as her own life.

Revelle by Lyssa Mia Smith
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Inspired by Moulin Rouge! and set on an island in a magical version of Prohibition-era New York, Revelle is a breathtaking YA stand-alone fantasy full of dazzling magic, romance, and mystery from debut author Lyssa Mia Smith.

Out of Character by Jenna Miller
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Dumplin’ meets Geekerella in debut author Jenna Miller’s queer, body-positive love story that explores online and offline relationships in all of their messiness.

Lola at Last by J. C. Peterson
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This Pride and Prejudice–inspired tale, a companion to J. C. Peterson’s Being Mary Bennet, spins a modern Lydia Bennet’s life into a tumultuous and hilarious coming-of-age journey, complete with misadventures, misunderstandings, mayhem, and a romance worthy of Darcy and Elizabeth themselves.

She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran
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A House with a terrifying appetite haunts a broken family in this atmospheric horror, perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic.

When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao
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Acclaimed author Gloria Chao creates real-world magic in this luminous romance about teens who devote themselves to granting other people’s wishes but are too afraid to let themselves have their own hearts’ desires—each other.

Chaos Theory by Nic Stone
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The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin delivers a gripping romance about two teens: a certified genius living with a diagnosed mental illness and a politician’s son who is running from his own addiction and grief. Don’t miss this gut punch of a novel about mental illness, loss, and discovering you are worthy of love.

Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim by Patricia Park
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The award-winning author of Re Jane makes her young adult debut in a funny, poignant, and powerful novel about a multicultural teen struggling to fit into her whitewashed school, her diverse Queens neighborhood, and even her own home as her family reels from the loss of her father.

Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong
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In a dazzling new fantasy world full of whispered secrets and political intrigue, the magic of women is outlawed but four girls with unusual powers have the chance to change it all.

MARCH

Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute by Sayantani DasGupta
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New York Times bestselling Sayantani DasGupta brings her trademark wit and insight to this bright and funny Sense and Sensibility retelling!

Made of Stars by Jenna Voris
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Inspired by the lawless love story of Bonnie and Clyde, Jenna Voris’s heart-stopping tale of passion and crime will have you seeing stars.

Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole
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This searing and intimate novel in verse follows a sixteen-year-old girl coping with sexual abuse as she grapples with how to reclaim her story, her anger, and her body in a world that seems determined to punish her for the sin of surviving.

Study Break: 11 College Tales from Orientation to Graduation
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Study Break, a collection of interconnected contemporary Young Adult short stories written by Gen Z authors, explores different parts of “the college experience,” from questioning your major to questioning your identity.

Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa
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A young adult graphic novel about high school wallflower Belle Hawkins, who ends up in a love triangle after tutoring the girlfriend of her crush.

Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
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Perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Tamora Pierce, this standalone YA debut is a stunning cottagecore fantasy romance about a girl with powerful and violent magic, which she must learn to control—or lose everything she loves.

Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
The Hating Game meets Mission: Impossible in this smoldering new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu about a superstar tapped to become a secret agent and the reluctant young spy assigned to be his partner.

Midnight Strikes by Zeba Shahnaz
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In this explosive fantasy debut, a provincial girl must work with an infuriatingly handsome prince to escape a nightmarish curse that forces them to relive the same night over and over.

The Memory Eater by Rebecca Mahoney
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A teenage girl must save her town from a memory-devouring monster in this piercing exploration of grief, trauma, and memory, from the author of The Valley and the Flood.

Royal Blood by Aimée Carter
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An American girl becomes the British Monarchy’s greatest nightmare in this thrilling new series where royal scandals just got deadlier.

There Goes the Neighborhood by Jade Adia
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A raised fist against the destructive forces of gentrification and a love letter to communities of color everywhere, Jade Adia’s unforgettable debut tells the darkly hilarious story of three best friends willing to do whatever it takes to stay together.

Into The Light by Mark Oshiro
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For fans of Courtney Summers and Tiffany D. Jackson, Into the Light is a ripped-from-the-headlines story with Oshiro’s signature mix of raw emotions and visceral prose―but with a startling twist you’ll have to read to believe.

APRIL

An Improbable Season by Rosalyn Eves
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For fans of Bridgerton, a Regency romance by Rosalyn Eves about three young women, their big dreams, and a London Season gone awry.

A Hunger of Thorns by Lili Wilkinson
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Be swept away by a lush, witchy tale about forbidden magic and missing girls who don’t need handsome princes to rescue them. Perfect for fans of The Hazel Wood.

Forget Me Not by Alyson Derrick
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Perfect for fans of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Five Feet Apart, this tender solo debut by the coauthor of New York Times bestseller She Gets the Girl is a romantic ode to the strength of love and the power of choosing each other, against odds and obstacles, again and again.

This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham
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From the author of the New York Times bestselling My Dearest Darkest comes another incredible sapphic horror. When four best friends with a hunger for human flesh attend a music festival in the desert they discover a murderous plot to expose and vilify the girls and everyone like them. This summer is going to get gory.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
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When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever.

If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
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From the author of The Sky Blues and Blaine for the Win comes a speculative young adult romance about a teen stuck in a time loop that’s endlessly monotonous until he meets the boy of his dreams.

Never Vacation with Your Ex by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
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The Summer I Turned Pretty meets People We Meet on Vacation in a YA second chance romance from fan-favorite author couple #Wibbroka!

Pieces of Me by Kate McLaughlin
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The next gut-punching, compulsively readable Kate McLaughlin novel, about a girl finding strength in not being alone.

The Other Side of Infinity by Joan F. Smith
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They Both Die at the End meets The Butterfly Effect in this YA novel by Joan F. Smith, where a teen uses her gift of foreknowledge to help a lifeguard save a drowning man—only to discover that her actions have suddenly put his life at risk.

Queen Bee by Amalie Howard
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A teen girl seeking retribution against her backstabbing former best friend finds her plans slightly derailed once she catches the eye of a familiar, handsome marquess. Bestselling author Amalie Howard delivers a delightful, anti-historical Regency-era romp that’s Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo!

That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams
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A stunning YA fantasy debut, perfect for fans of Holly Black and Justina Ireland, about a Black girl (and sword expert) fighting a Fae uprising in Shakespearean London.

Silver In The Bone by Alexandra Bracken
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Bracken cements her status as one of the top fantasy authors writing today in this stunning series opener inspired by Arthurian legend and fueled by love, revenge, and pure adrenaline!

MAY

If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come by Jen St. Jude
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We Are Okay meets They Both Die at the End in this YA debut about queer first love and mental health at the end of the world-and the importance of saving yourself, no matter what tomorrow may hold.

The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro
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The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro is a seductive YA paranormal romance following a runaway queer teen’s deepening and dangerous ties to a mysterious family of werewolves.

Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi
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From Ibi Zoboi, bestselling, award-winning author of American Street and co-author of Punching the Air, comes a bold new YA coming-of-age story, which explores race, feminism, and complicated family dynamics, about a girl whose father is the leader of a Black liberation group. The ideal next read for fans of Roxane Gay, Jacqueline Woodson, and Elizabeth Acevedo.

They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody
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Jonah and Dylan get along like oil and water. Until a fake dating ploy gives them new perspective, and they realize that “falling for your enemy” isn’t as impossible as it seems.

Something Like Possible by Miel Moreland
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In this compelling YA contemporary from author Miel Moreland, a bisexual teen’s path to political staffer stardom is in jeopardy, until she convinces a cute new candidate to team up with her on the campaign trail.

I Like Me Better by Robby Weber
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I Like Me Better is joyful queer summer romance from the author of If You Change Your Mind.

Court of the Undying Seasons by A.M. Strickland
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Sarah J. Maas meets A Deadly Education in A.M. Strickland’s lush, queer YA dark fantasy novel. Court of the Undying Seasons is a deliciously dark romantic novel and a pitch perfect modern take on classic vampire tropes.

No Perfect Places by Steven Salvatore
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From lauded author Steven Salvatore comes a moving YA novel about twins whose incarcerated father dies and leaves behind a life-changing secret, perfect for fans of I’ll Give You the Sun and Euphoria.

Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian
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From the Stonewall Honor–winning author of Like a Love Story comes a sweeping story of three generations of boys in the same Iranian family. Perfect for fans of Last Night at the Telegraph Club and Darius the Great Is Not Okay.

Secret of the Moon Conch by David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall
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Award-winning authors David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall join forces to craft a sweeping fantasy romance about falling in love despite all odds.

When the Vibe Is Right by Sarah Dass
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From the author of Where the Rhythm Takes You comes a delightful enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance set during Trinidad’s Carnival celebration.

In Nightfall by Suzanne Young
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In the quaint town of Nightfall, Oregon, it isn’t the dark you should be afraid of—it’s the girls. The Lost Boys meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this propulsive novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Treatment.

JUNE

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
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In a world where the children of the gods inherit their powers, a descendant of the Greek Fates must solve a series of impossible murders to save her sisters, her soulmate, and her city.

Wolfpack by Amelia Brunskill
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Perfect for fans of We Were Liars, Wolfpack is an unforgettable and unputdownable novel that will hold you breathless all the way to its shocking finale.

Kismat Connection by Ananya Devarajan
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In this charming YA debut, a girl who’s determined to prove her star chart wrong ropes her longtime best friend into an experimental relationship—not knowing that he has been in love with her for years.

Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton
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In this dark and seductive YA fantasy debut, a siren must choose between protecting her family and following her heart in a prejudiced kingdom where her existence is illegal.

Some Shall Break by Ellie Marney
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
This sequel to the New York Times bestselling None Shall Sleep is an equally electrifying, chilling thriller that brings us back into the lives of junior FBI consultants Travis Bell and Emma Lewis with a new case that may unravel everything they’ve been working for.

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
At Camp Mirror Lake, terror is the name of the game . . . but can you survive the night? This heart-pounding slasher by New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is perfect for fans of Fear Street.

Ride or Die by Gail-Agnes Musikavanhu
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Gail-Agnes Musikavanhu’s adrenaline-packed joyride of a debut is an ode to Gen Z and chaotic teens—perfect for fans of Grace D. Li, Ebony Ladelle, and Baby Driver.

Invisible Son by Kim Johnson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of This Is My America comes another thriller about a wrongly accused teen desperate to recclaim both his innocence and his first love.

Always Isn’t Forever by J.C. Cervantes
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From New York Times bestselling author J.C. Cervantes comes a sparkling, unforgettable YA romance, perfect for fans of You’ve Reached Sam.

Plus One by Kelsey Rodkey
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Fans of Emma Lord and Rachel Lynn Solomon will revel in Kelsey Rodkey’s latest swoon-worthy YA rom-com as self-proclaimed matchmaker Lahey finally puts her own heart on the line—to find a date in just one week.

The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A pun-filled YA contemporary romance, The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar finds a teenage girl competing in a televised baking competition, with contestants including her ex-girlfriend and a potential new crush – perfect for fans of The Great British Bake Off and She Drives Me Crazy!

Borrow My Heart by Kasie West
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
When a girl overhears a guy getting verbally destroyed by his friends for being catfished, she jumps in to save the day—and pretends to be his online crush. A young adult romance from the critically acclaimed author of Places We’ve Never Been.

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

The post YA Book Releases To Add To Your TBR In 2023 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Q&A: Ivelisse Housman, Author of ‘Unseelie’

Elise Dumpleton — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 03:00:00 +0000

Ivelisse Houseman’s debut novel Unseelie follows twin sisters, both on the run, but different as day and night. One, a professional rogue, searches for a fabled treasure; the other, a changeling, searches for the truth behind her origins, trying to find a place to fit in with the realm of fae who made her and the humans who shun her.

We chat with Ivelisse about all things Unseelie, including its Autistic and Latinx representation, along with writing, book recommendations, and more!

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

Hi! I’m the author of Unseelie, a young adult fantasy about an autistic changeling and her friends on a road trip that takes them through the faerie realms and back. Unseelie draws from my own experiences as an autistic teen (the struggling-to-accept-myself-and-fit-in part, not the faerie part!). I’m half Puerto Rican and half Virginian, which basically means I really love rolling mountains and fried foods. When I’m not writing, I work as a graphic designer and illustrator— and when I’m not doing that, I’m usually taking on an overcomplicated baking or sewing project.

When did you first discover your love for writing?

This might be cheesy, but I’ve wanted to be an author as long as I can remember. My first stories were written before I could even really write, dictated to my dad a sentence at a time. When I got older, I kind of forgot that writing was something you could pursue. I always imagined myself writing books, but in the background of something else. Then I got to college and realized I didn’t really want to do anything else. I started writing seriously when I was a sophomore, in 2017.

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!

First is one of the Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park, but I’m not sure which one (also— Junie B. is DEFINITELY autistic!)
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, which is a perfect book and inspired me to find my own snarky, matter-of-fact writing voice even as a nine-year-old.
It’s kind of cliché, but The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black is so addictive and well-crafted. They’re so alive that they seem to transform a little every time I re-read them.

Your debut novel, Unseelie, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Chaotic teenagers trying their best. (Alternatively? Autistic fantasy adventure feat. shenanigans.)

What can readers expect?

Unseelie is a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it is very much a Young Adult book. I love young adult as a category— the tropes, the drama, the coming-of-age angst— but I think that it can be jarring for readers who want mature, reasonable characters who make mature, reasonable decisions. I had a lot of fun writing the world of Unseelie and filling it with messy characters who feel too much and make terrible choices. It’s paced a little differently from a traditional fantasy novel because it’s told from Seelie’s point of view, and she (like me, and lots of autistic people) takes a long time to process her emotions. I had to give the plot room to breathe in order for her character to develop, and I hope readers will enjoy a peek inside the autistic perspective for its uniqueness. Overall, expect feelings, adventure, and faerie mischief in all its trope-y glory.

Oh, and there’s dragons

Where did the inspiration for Unseelie come from?

Unseelie is the result of smashing together a ton of different sources of inspiration! I tend to circle around ideas until I find the right starting point. For Unseelie, I knew it was going to center around the theory that changeling mythology was an early description of autistic children. Some random Tumblr post from years ago made me ask, “what would happen if a family decided to keep their changeling and their human child?”— which inspired me to draw from my close relationship with my own sister.

That’s the heart of the story— then add on several layers of tropes and aesthetics from my favorite books and games (including The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine, An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Telltale Games’ Tales from the Borderlands), let it cook for two or three years, and you’ve got Unseelie.

Unseelie features both Autistic and Latinx representation. What was the experience like of writing a book, particularly fantasy, where others can see themselves in the main character?

Writing this book was my first time embracing an autistic narrator instead of trying to put myself in the perspective of a neurotypical person, and it was so freeing. I also knew I wanted Seelie and her family to reflect my family, so I made them culturally Latinx (even though this is a world that doesn’t have Latin America or Spanish colonialism. If Tolkien can have potatoes, I can have this.).

Honestly, I don’t have words for how it feels to have a book with a female, Latinx, autistic protagonist sitting on bookshelves. I never saw myself fully represented in anything when I was a kid, so I clung to the characters that were close enough— Latinx or biracial or autistic-coded (not canonically autistic, that’s way too rare!). I love all the facets of my identity, but I’m used to them being fragmented, separated from each other.

I wrote this book for my younger self— the teenage girl who had just received her autism diagnosis and was going through a full-blown identity crisis. I wrote it for any autistic kid who obsessively reads fantasy, but has never seen a character like themselves in the pages of their books. And I wrote it for those who don’t share our experiences to have a little window inside. Obviously, I can’t fully represent every autistic person, but I have already heard from early readers that Seelie’s story made them feel seen, which is all I could have ever hoped for.

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

Writing Seelie was fun and often cathartic, but my favorite parts to write were the things that challenged me to think outside my own perspective. I really loved writing scenes where she interacts with Raze, her rival/friend/potential love interest?, because he is so opposite to her in so many ways. He’s outgoing, charming, and derives equal enjoyment from flirting and being difficult on purpose. His dialogue always had to be smooth and layered with meaning— except Seelie often doesn’t pick up on layers of meaning. Trying to make sure the reader knows more about what’s going on than the narrator is kind of maddening, but also really fun.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey of getting Unseelie published?

I finished the first draft in August 2019, right after graduating from college. It looked very different from the final version, but I knew there was something there! After polishing it with the help of my mentor, Sarah Kapit, I started querying it in the spring of 2020…which was a really, really bad time to be querying. I went MONTHS with no responses, even on solicited queries, until a few form rejections trickled in during the fall of 2020. At that point, I had sent Unseelie to about thirty different agents, and none had requested the full manuscript. The only full request I got was from a small publisher, through a Twitter pitch event. After failing to get into Pitch Wars, I decided to shelve Unseelie— and less than a week later, I got an offer from that small publisher.

With the offer in hand, I was able to get multiple offers of representation from agents— but the incredible Victoria Marini was the only one who shared my dream of revising Unseelie again and seeing if a bigger publisher wanted it. I signed on as her client in January 2021, did a major rewrite with her help, and went on submission with the book in June 2021.

Less than a month later, Inkyard Press bought it as a duology. After all that silence and all the rejections, I still can’t believe it worked out.

What’s next for you?

Unseelie is the first book in a duology, so a sequel is already in the works! I hope to be able to share more details about that soon, but I will say that I’ve seen a cover and it’s so awesome it melted my brain.

Aside from that, I have a separate young adult fantasy project that draws more heavily from Puerto Rican culture and history, which I haven’t sold yet, but fingers crossed that 2023 is the year!

Lastly, are there any 2023 releases our readers should look out for?

I wish I could list every single 2023 debut, but I’ll keep it to a few! Any readers who enjoy Unseelie will love Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell— a cozy fantasy about a girl whose struggle to master and her magic made me cry actual tears. I’m also super excited for Last Sunrise in Eterna by Amparo Ortiz, a contemporary fantasy with Puerto Rican elves. Finally, Unholy Terrors by Lyndall Clipstone, which promises to be spooky, swoony, and atmospheric.

You can find Ivelisse on Twitter and Instagram, along with at her website.

**Will you be picking up Unseelie? Tell us in the comments below!**

The post Q&A: Ivelisse Housman, Author of ‘Unseelie’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

January 2023 Book Releases

Elise Dumpleton — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 11:13:44 +0000

The year is certainly starting off on a high with so many incredible new book releases coming your way! From new releases from the likes of Mike Chen, Leigh Bardugo, Talia Hibbert, and Kate Alice Marshall, as well as those making their debut, there is something for everyone to help kickstart those 2023 reading resolutions!

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments if you’re looking forward to any of them!

Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
This sweet, enemies-to-lovers debut rom-com filled with Chinese astrology will undoubtedly prove to be a perfect match with readers of Helen Hoang, Jasmine Guillory, and Helena Hunting.

Vampire Weekend by Mike Chen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
About a Boy meets What We Do In The Shadows in the next fun genre-mashup from Mike Chen, featuring a punk-rock vampire learning to connect to the world again when her surly teenaged grand-nephew needs her, and her music, to get him through a tough time.

Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Twin sisters, both on the run, but different as day and night. One, a professional rogue, searches for a fabled treasure; the other, a changeling, searches for the truth behind her origins, trying to find a place to fit in with the realm of fae who made her and the humans who shun her.

Maame by Jessica George
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Smart, funny, and deeply affecting, Jessica George’s Maame deals with the themes of our time with humor and poignancy: from familial duty and racism, to female pleasure, the complexity of love, and the life-saving power of friendship. Most important, it explores what it feels like to be torn between two homes and cultures―and it celebrates finally being able to find where you belong.

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
The Hate U Give meets One of Us Is Lying in Nick Brooks’s Promise Boys, a trailblazing, blockbuster YA mystery about three teen boys of color who must investigate their principal’s murder to clear their own names―for fans of Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas, and Karen McManus.

Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
An Armenian-American woman rediscovers her roots and embraces who she really is in this vibrant and heartfelt queer rom-com by debut author Taleen Voskuni.

The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
New York Times bestselling author Natasha Lester delivers an unforgettable story of an orphan turned WWII spy turned fashion icon in Paris—perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Fiona Davis.

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Wealth. Power. Murder. Magic. The Ivy League is going straight to hell in the sequel to the smash New York Times bestseller Ninth House from #1 bestselling author Leigh Bardugo.

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Brown Sisters trilogy, comes a laugh-out-loud story about a quirky content creator and a clean-cut athlete testing their abilities to survive the great outdoors—and each other.

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Your past and your family can haunt you like nothing else… A hilarious and terrifying new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Final Girl Support Group.

Do I Know You? By Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
When a couple starts to feel like they’re married to a stranger, a flirtatious game of pretend becomes the spark they need to reignite their relationship.

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Kate Alice Marshall’s What Lies in the Woods is a thrilling novel about friendship, secrets, betrayal, and lies – and having the courage to face the past.

The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From debut author Hadeer Elsbai comes the first book in an incredibly powerful new duology, set wholly in a new world, but inspired by modern Egyptian history, about two young women—Nehal, a spoiled aristocrat used to getting what she wants and Giorgina, a poor bookshop worker used to having nothing—who find they have far more in common, particularly in their struggle for the rights of women and their ability to fight for it with forbidden elemental magic

The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict comes an explosive novel of history’s most notorious sisters, one of whom will have to choose: her country or her family?

What January 2023 releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post January 2023 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.