AboutA Little Too Haunted: The Lost Library meets Not Quite a Ghost in this middle grade horror novel about a girl uncovering secrets about her new, haunted home.

It probably isn’t easy for a cat to have a writer in their life. When a cat spends enough time with a writer (or a dedicated enough reader) there is a real possibility of them becoming a Bookish Cat. It requires more than one might think. Not only do Bookish Cats have to inspect new books (books, of course, must pass a sniff test) and constantly be ready for and subjected to photoshoots with said books, but these cats don’t even get the appreciation they deserve for contributing to the writing of novels or reviews. (If something was deleted, well, that’s called editing. And it might not seem intentional when they walk across the keyboard, but a lot of thought was put intooovvvvvvvvvvvvvvqqqqqqqqqqq).

What I’m trying to say is… it’s a lot of work for someone who sleeps for most of the day!

But there are certain highlights to becoming a Bookish Cat. A certain magic. There is something so wonderful about the combination of cats and books. Oftentimes, Bookish Cats will get to curl up with their Writer and a good book. To make it even better, some of those times, they’ll even get to bite through the pages, or the crisp cover. Reading really is delicious.

As a writer, I am blessed to have multiple Bookish Cats in my life. They provide love and encouragement when I face struggles in my publishing career, they create perfect poses for me to badly edit into book marketing material, they make use of whatever boxes books are delivered in. They give real inspiration for the fictional cats I always include in my own books.

They are also great at choosing what to read next. I went around and asked what books they are most looking forward to reading this Halloween season, and rewarded them with treats for their responses.

Here are the horror recommendations from the Bookish Cats I am lucky enough to know and love:

JASPER recommends SHOWSTOPPER by Lily Anderson

As much as Jasper loves reading, he is a theater gay at heart. He has a love of showtunes, and is the most chatty of all the cats, with a projecting meow that really carries. But don’t think that means he doesn’t like a little violence. So what better book for him than a bloodbath that takes place at a theater camp? A killer performance, and the right amount of drama (and blood) for this spicy orange.

TWINKLEPOP recommends MYSTERY JAMES DIGS HER OWN GRAVE by Ally Russell

Twinklepop is known for his usually-haunted expression, with big eyes that seem to have witnessed unimaginable past horrors, nightmarish ghosts, or perhaps a bug. While he is a big softy, his tendency to lurk the halls and not trust strangers has him most excited for ghost stories, and Mystery James seems like the purr-fect fit. While Twinkle himself is probably closer to a sleep paralysis demon (he will prevent you from getting good sleep by sitting on your nightstand and slapping your face), a strong lead who has grown up around death and deals with the supernatural is definitely Mr. Pop’s cup of tea.

KIMURA recommends THE TRANSITION by Logan-Ashley Kisner

Kimura, known to many as Mr. Baby, knows what it is like to have a different form. Most of the time, he’s a cute, cuddly, playful chonk. But sometimes (perhaps on full moons? Or every night and after he uses the litter box?), he shifts into something a little different: a chaos cryptid with the zoomies, wreaking havoc and running wild. Needless to say, Kimura loves a monster book, and since this cat actually likes seeing dogs, he definitely won’t shy from werewolves. A trans werewolf story? Brb, getting the zoomies to the bookstore.

BECKY recommends WHO’S ALL GOING (TO DIE)? by Lisa Springer

Rebecca, more commonly known as Becky Buns, is absolutely Final Girl material. She’s small but fierce, and definitely a survivor. (Literally, an FIP survivor!) So she can’t resist a slasher with a fellow strong female lead. She also often wakes up and chooses violence (mostly against fabric, or feet under blankets) and loves a slasher. This fast-paced and fun book has the right amount of suspense to keep Becky at the edge of her seat (but hopefully, as a bit of a wobbly princess, not falling off it).

KANA recommends A LITTLE TOO HAUNTED by Justine Pucella Winans

Unfortunately, sweet Kana is no longer with us in this world, but she lives on in a lot of ways. In my heart, tattooed on my arm, and in the pages of this particular book. Kana was a sweet, wonderful kitten who loved to be cozy at home. A LITTLE TOO HAUNTED felt like the perfect home for her, as it is a book that is both scary and cozy, and a story about a lonely kid (and perhaps some lonely ghosts) building a (haunted) home. I’m sure you all will love her when you meet her in the pages, and I’m grateful to keep her memory alive in this way.

I hope you will take all these great recommendations (honestly, I should start a book club) but I think any Bookish Cat would want to emphasize that the important thing is that you read and read widely. Read books that make you think, books that make you laugh, books that make you learn, books that make you cry. Read books from writers with identities you share and books from writers with identities you don’t. Read the books that get challenged, and fight back against those challenges. (Have you ever tried telling a cat not to do something? The energy we need to combat the horrific book bans.)

Bookish Cats hope that you will read because books change lives and save lives. Just like the Bookish Cats that roam among them.

***And the Bookish Dogs, Bookish Snakes, Bookish Rabbits, Bookish Fish, etc. But I’ll leave those guest posts for those more familiar with that type of wondrous Literary Creature.

The post On Bookish Cats (And Their Horror Book Recommendations) appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

This was a brilliant addition to the YA horror genre. If you enjoy slasher films with bite and brains, you will love this. For me, it was like the best parts of the Scream films brought to the page but with different elements that make it a wholly unique story. CJ is a great protagonist with a different slant on the genre—they’ve spent their whole life preparing for this very eventuality. The way they’re drawn into this initially is fantastic and you get a real sense of badassery from them. I appreciated how this was often presented in their innate kindness and wanting to save people, as well as some fight skills. I actually liked that we got some training scenes and the development of their skills, which also played a nice role in the overarching romantic thread. The book really grapples with The Final Girl trope—a role which CJ fundamentally rejects. They are plagued with self-doubt though, not feeling important or brave enough. This plays into their unwillingness to take a central role, but also provokes a discussion around gender identity. I really appreciated the representation in this novel with a genderfluid protagonist, something that is still fairly rare to see in YA. 

This has a darkly comic and meta edge to it that I adored. There is an awareness of the tropes and rules of slashers, but they are often being challenged and contrasted. CJ is all too aware of this, having grown up with the legacy of a chilling true crime. Their dad survived the first massacre, but not the second—where CJ did. You really get to grips with how this has affected CJ’s family with the survival drills and odd associations and assumptions about their family. They have had to live through nightmares before and can’t trust them not to resurface. This has also stained the local community, with the lives lost but also the increased focus on them from obsessed fans, descending on the town during the anniversary. 

With this, there is an important throughline about the exploitation of tragedy for entertainment and the way real people are reduced to characters in a story. Quite literally in the case of Moon Satter’s novelisations of the two massacres of years past. It strikes true to real life, adding another dimension to this already layered narrative. I loved the narrative device of the new book and how it sets everything into motion. It really blurs the lines even more, breaking the fourth wall in an interesting and creative way.

The book leans into surreal territory at times around this topic, which enhances the reading experience tenfold. It asks questions about fate and predestined events. Every action has a real consequence and the stakes are keenly felt. In some of the best slashers, you almost feel like the events have been set in motion long before you picked up the book or started the film. It is a work of fiction and therefore of course they have but even in the story world, that rippling effect is so interesting to watch play out. The actual mystery is great too, with a well-constructed whodunnit and plenty of twists in store. I particularly enjoyed how the timelines echoed one another and converged. 

How to Survive a Slasher offers a rip-roaring, extremely meta take on the YA slasher genre that examines the exploitation of tragedy, fate and the tropes of the genre. It is dynamite reading. 

How to Survive a Slasher is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up How to Survive a Slasher? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight meets Scream in this YA slasher that turns classic horror tropes on their heads.

There’s a reason CJ Smith’s hometown of Satterville is known as Slasherville: it was the site of not one, but two Friday the 13th-style massacres. CJ’s dad survived the first attack; only CJ survived the second. And thanks to the mysterious writer Moon Satter’s bestselling novels based on the events, the town—and CJ—will always be defined by this horrific past.

Then a new, unpublished Moon Satter manuscript shows up addressed to CJ. But unlike the others, this story isn’t about the past. Instead, it predicts new murders. On the day the book says the first murder will occur, CJ sets out to stop it. But in saving one classmate, the final girl ends up dead. CJ and their friends have suddenly gone from extras to leads—and they’ll have to use everything they know about the rules of horror to make it out alive.

The post Review: How To Survive a Slasher by Justine Pucella Winans appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We apologise in advance to your TBR and bank account, but there’s so many fantastic upcoming young adult books hitting shelves between January and June 2025! There’s new releases from Brigid Kemmerer, Libba Bray, Neal Shusterman, Allison Saft, Tracy Deonn, Ava Reid, Jennifer Dugan, Dahlia Adler, Elizabeth Lim, Becky Albertalli, and many more, plus incredible debut novels!

Read on to discover new books hitting shelves in the first half of the year and be sure to check out our other 2025 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, Fantasy & Sci-Fi and Fiction lists.

JANUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

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A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves.

Bingsu For Two by Sujin Witherspoon

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This outrageously charming and infuriatingly adorable enemies-to-lovers coffee shop romance is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Better Than the Movies.

Everything Is Poison by Joy McCullough

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This historical novel in prose and verse tells the story of a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and of the women who risk everything to provide care for those with nowhere else to turn, perfect for fans of Blood Water Paint and The Lost Apothecary.

Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga

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In this story filled with “romantic tension, royal drama, and family secrets” (Kristy Boyce), four teens living in a glamorous boarding school must compete in order to inherit a European kingdom.

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

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An Into the Woods-inspired fairy tale retelling where Cinderella never went to the ball and must lie to get her prince.

Brewed With Love by Shelly Page

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A cozy sapphic romantasy about a teen witch trying to keep her family’s apothecary up and running, with a little help from her ex-best friend—and first crush.

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang

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From the bestselling, and award-winning author of If You Could See The Sun comes a new page-turning speculative YA about a girl who wishes she could be as perfect and successful as her cousin… then wakes up the next morning in her cousin’s body.

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

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A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance . . . Family secrets that can’t stay buried . . . A globe-spanning treasure hunt with puzzles to solve . . . This latest YA novel by acclaimed writer Gloria Chao takes readers on a soaring adventure through love, loss, and the lively streets of Taiwan.

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn

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Heartstopper meets Derry Girls in this wonderfully hilarious rom-com about finding your first love when your personality might be too big for the world around you.

The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley

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In this riveting historical thriller inspired by true-life events, Belladonna meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.

Build A Girlfriend by Elba Luz

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A teen deep-dives into her dating history to uncover her mistakes, become the perfect girlfriend, and get revenge on the wrong guy so she can ride into the sunset with the right one in this debut rom-com.

Carving Shadows into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer

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Dangerous magic. Fateful choices. Broken promises. The spellbinding series by New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer continues.

FEBRUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

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The New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique returns with another glittering dark fantasy about a deadly mystery that spans worlds and a teenage girl who must risk everything to uncover the truth.

Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor

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From the author of The Revenge Game comes a twisty YA thriller about the underbelly of Manhattan’s high society, where nothing is off-limits—not even murder.

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray

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From New York Times-bestselling author Libba Bray comes an evocative and groundbreaking young adult historical mystery that examines truth, rebellion, reconciliation, and what must be sacrificed for a better world.

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

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In this debut speculative YA mystery, a Black teen with premonition-like powers must solve her friend’s disappearance before she finds herself in the same danger, perfect for fans of Ace of Spades.

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban

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A vengeful female spirit with a thirst for justice ignites a teen girl’s rage in this new YA horror, perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting and House of Hollow.

The Wildest Things by Andrea Hannah

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In this sapphic Snow White retelling, if Snow is to save her kingdom from being ravaged by the Blight, she’ll have to kill the Evil Queen’s daughter…if she doesn’t fall in love with her first.

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

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From New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman comes a young adult thriller about a world where happiness is contagious but the risks of catching it may be just as dangerous as the cure.

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

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The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Wings of Starlight by Allison Saft

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Brimming with magic and romance, a young fairy queen must form an unlikely alliance or risk an unspeakable danger destroying all she holds dear in this fantasy adventure from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft.

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk

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Perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer and Lexi Ryan, this debut romantasy stand-alone novel blends an immersive world, unique magic system, and swoon-worthy romance to create an unputdownable read that explores the great and terrible lengths to which love compels us to go.

Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson

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A teen girl travels to an exclusive boarding school after a deadly incident at her old school, but the wood-paneled halls of Agathion are built over centuries of secrets—including an ancient society which may have ties to demonic magic—in this dark academia fantasy perfect for fans of Curious Tides.

This Ends in Embers by Kamilah Cole

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Perfect for fans of Raybearer and Fourth Wing, this astonishing sequel to the bestselling novel So Let Them Burn doesn’t hold back. After all, there are no easy endings in war—especially when sisters are forced to fight on opposite sides.

MARCH 2025 YA BOOKS

All the Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan

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With a crew so entertaining and unique―All the Hidden Monsters is funny, serious, scary―and you’ll never guess who did it. There’s a world below our own, but who is killing who in both of them?

Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris

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Saved! meets Casey McQuiston in this wry, heartfelt tale of a teen who’s taking her church camp by storm—one deadly sin at a time.

Nightweaver by R.M. Gray

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Filled with elemental magic, forbidden romance, and breathtaking twists, Nightweaver is a propulsive romantasy about an iron-willed heroine avenging her brother and discovering her destiny.

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

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Tracy Deonn’s #1 New York Times bestselling Legendborn Cycle continues in the sensational third book about a dazzling contemporary fantasy world that blends Southern Black Girl Magic with secret societies and the legend of King Arthur!

When The Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain

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From New York Times bestselling author of Dark and Shallow Lies comes a new southern gothic supernatural thriller about a teen girl in a small Ozark town who can hear the bones of the dead.

Fable For The End of the World by Ava Reid

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The Last of Us meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in this stand-alone dystopian romance about survival, sacrifice, and love that risks everything.

Hangry Hearts by Jennifer Chen

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Jennifer Chen’s Hangry Hearts is a funny, big-hearted romance about friendship, family, and first love―and being brave enough to have it all.

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin

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From author Elisa A. Bonnin comes Lovely Dark and Deep, a YA dark academia novel exploring magic, loneliness, and the power of found family.

What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch

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Inspired by an ominous Prague legend, What Wakes the Bells is a lavish gothic fantasy by debut author Elle Tesch that is perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Margaret Rogerson, and V.E. Schwab.

In The Company of Killers by Elora Cook

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Gossip Girl meets The Sopranos in this fast-paced drama about a teenage mafia heiress who would do anything to avenge her family, even join forces with her handsome enemy.

How to Survive a Slasher by Justine Pucella Winans

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You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight meets Scream in this YA slasher that turns classic horror tropes on their heads.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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The phenomenal fifth book in the Hunger Games series. Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

APRIL 2025 YA BOOKS

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

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Bestselling Rebel of the Sands author Alwyn Hamilton is back with a glittering fantasy thriller about a glamorous media darling, a surprise heiress, and the magical competition of a lifetime.

Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Brian Selznick, a profoundly romantic YA novel about two boys finding each other and falling in love over one summer in Rome.

The Floating World by Axie Oh

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From Axie Oh, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone in this lighthearted romantic fantasy reimagining the Korean legend of Celestial Maidens.

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

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From the National Book Award finalist and author of Pet comes a novel set in a magical West African world, about a teen girl who must save her missing twin while learning to navigate her own terrifying new powers.

Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell

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We Were Liars meets The Raven Boys in this mind-bending YA debut about dark revenge, twisted desire, and the sinister secrets lurking behind the walls of an elite boarding school.

Pride or Die by C.L. Montblanc

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In this delightful dark comedy debut, when the members of an LGBTQ+ club find themselves accidentally framed for attempted murder, it’s up to them to clear their names before it’s too late.

The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta

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Zoe Hana Mikuta delivers a bloody and unrelenting fantasy about young witches dangling on the edge of love and obsession, of magic and madness, of life and death (and death and death and death). . .

If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal

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Booksmart meets Phantom of the Megaplex in Zakiya N. Jamal’s debut enthralling enemies-to-lovers queer romance, set against the backdrop of a historic Black-owned movie theater, the quirky employees who work there, and the suburbs of Long Island. Perfect for fans of Leah Johnson and Today Tonight Tomorrow.

Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love by Jessica Lewis

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Giving the new girl lessons in romance so she can woo your best friend couldn’t possibly go wrong…right? Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuiston, this romantic comedy from Jessica Lewis is packed with heart.

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson

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Two years ago, the murder of a neighbor tore three best friends apart–now the killer is going to walk free and the ex-friends are going to have to face the past–and each other–in another twisty thriller from the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Agathas.

Chaos King by Kacen Callender

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The explosive sequel to instant New York Times bestselling YA debut Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender.

Lady Knight by Amalie Howard

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The daughter of a duke defies the rules of London high society with the help of the resident rake—who just so happens to be her brother’s best friend—in this fun teen historical romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Queen Bee.

MAY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

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A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that “encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games” (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.

Audre and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams

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Scorching-hot summer. Scorching-hot chemistry. Two teens can’t forget they’re just friends in this sweet, funny, electrifying romance from New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams. Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Nicola Yoon.

Salvación by Sandra Proudman

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In this Latinx YA fantasy inspired by El Zorro, Lola de La Peña becomes the masked heroine Salvación in order to save her family and town from a man who would destroy it for the magic it contains…if she doesn’t fall in love with one of his men first.

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan

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A heroine like no other, ancient magic unleashed, a fated epic battle–the first book in an enchanting YA fantasy duology inspired by Vietnamese lore, weaving magic, sisterhood, and self-discovery.

Summer Girls by Jennifer Dugan

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From the author of Some Girls Do comes a YA sapphic romance about two girls from different sides of the tracks.

This Moth Saw Brightness by A. A. Vacharat

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A weird and revelatory debut that vividly captures the dislocation of growing up BIPOC and neurodivergent in a country awash in both conspiracy theories and genuine conspiracies.

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler

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Dahlia Adler’s Come As You Are is about refusing to accept less than you deserve, and realizing that the best relationships are with people who know exactly who you are.

Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark

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An epic new fantasy about a demon hunter and a foot soldier thrown together in a centuries-old war. . . and the forbidden love that could change the course of history.

All-Nighter by Cecilia Vinesse

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Booksmart meets Today, Tonight, Tomorrow in this page-turning romp about two archnemeses—the valedictorian and the class slacker—who band together for a whirlwind night after discovering that they need each other to achieve their very different sunrise goals.  

Out of Step, into You by Ciera Burch

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Out of Step, into You is a sapphic contemporary romance following childhood friends turned cross-country team rivals who are forced to work together to win the state championship – for fans of She Gets the Girl.

Titan of the Stars by E.K. Johnston

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Alien meets The Titanic in this tense YA science fiction horror series by #1 New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston.

Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala

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The young adult debut from the award-winning author of Arsenic and Adobo! When a high school tarot reader’s latest client goes missing after a troubling reading, she must apply everything she’s learned from her private investigator mother to solve a case of her own.

JUNE 2025 YA BOOKS

Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim

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Iron Chef meets The Hunger Games in Roselle Lim’s dazzling YA fantasy debut, following a young noodle chef who competes in a cutthroat cooking competition for the gods.

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray

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RED QUEEN meets SHADOW AND BONE in this explosive start to a YA romantasy trilogy about dangerous magic, forbidden love, and a cut-throat competition for the throne in an empire where crowns are not inherited — they’re won.

The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Shea Ernshaw comes a haunting romantic contemporary fantasy about a teen navigating her family’s love curse that blooms with their enchanted tulips every year.

Never Thought I’d End Up Here by Ann Liang

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From the author of the instant New York Times bestseller I Hope This Doesn’t Find You, Never Thought I’d End Up Here is another hilarious and romantic romcom from Ann Liang, this time following a former model determined to get revenge on the boy who ruined her life.

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

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A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales

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Young Royals meets The Prince and Me when a disgraced princess falls for a new student at their all-girls boarding school, but the two must hide their forbidden love at all costs.

Kill Creatures by Rory Power

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From the bestselling author of Wilder Girls and queen of twisty narratives, Rory Power, comes her highly anticipated new Young Adult thriller.

A First Time for Everything by K.L. Walther

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules comes a fun new coming-of-age romance full of dating disasters, powerful firsts, and the importance of family.

Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli

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The beautiful and heartwarming new romance from Becky Albertalli, best-selling author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Where the Dark Stands Still comes an atmospheric fantasy based on Swan Lake, following Odile as her plan to restore magic to her kingdom gets disrupted by a murder—forcing her to beg for help from the young woman whose identity she stole.

Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman

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Set in the world of New York Times bestseller Seraphina, a boy on the run from a dragon—among other dangers—seeks refuge in a haunted abbey in this wholly original ghost story about what haunts us, and what connects us.

If We Survive This by Racquel Marie

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The Walking Dead meets Yellowjackets in If We Survive This, a tense and emotional young adult horror novel from award-winning author Racquel Marie about a teen girl leading a group of survivors on a perilous journey during the apocalypse.

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

The post 72 Of The Most Anticipated YA Books Of 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

Hello! My name is Justine Pucella Winans, pronouns they/she, and I am an author of mystery and horror books and, more importantly, a big cat person. Some of my previous books include the YA mystery, Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything, and the MG Stonewall Honor Book, The Otherwoods. When not working on my own books or reading books of others, I can be found playing Pokémon, training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and taking way too many photos of my three cats.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t love books, to be quite honest! As a kid, I loved the escapism of fiction, and was pretty much always reading something. I have been a writer for a long time too. I wrote my first draft of a full novel when I was sixteen, although I remember writing stories from as early as second grade (when my awesome English teacher let me write an ongoing fiction story instead of journal entries). It definitely took me a long time to get to the point of publishing my work though.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Warrior Cats series by Erin Hunter
• The one that made you want to become an author: Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno

Your latest novel, Wishbone, is out September 17^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Scary, cursed, fun, magic cat.

What can readers expect?

Readers can expect a combination of creepy, horror elements, action, a sense of humor, and found family. I think readers who enjoyed The Otherwoods will really like the horror fantasy elements of Wishbone, although it is a standalone so it’s totally okay if you haven’t read my other books! Ollie and Wishbone are very different than River and Mr. Fluffy Pancakes (the protagonist and feline sidekick of The Otherwoods) but I really hope that they will still resonate with young queer readers and cat lovers alike.

Where did the inspiration for Wishbone come from?

I wanted to follow up The Otherwoods with another horror fantasy, and I wanted to make sure I could include a cat as a main character. I don’t remember exactly how I came up with it, but I thought it would be fun to have a cat that granted wishes and caused curses. Wishbone having two tails was just something I found cool, although there is some inspiration from the design of Espeon (I am a huge fan of Eevee and the Eeveelutions in Pokémon!). I also really wanted to write a story that showed a strong sibling bond, which is why the relationship between Ollie and his older sister, Mia, is so important in the book. All of my books include some personal elements with themes, and this story definitely explores feelings of anger and frustration and how to deal with them without being consumed by them.

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

Overall, I really enjoyed writing the sibling scenes between Ollie and Mia! I have two siblings, so I really love getting to include that specific type of relationship in fiction. There’s something about knowing exactly how to annoy someone, but still having that strong bond, inside jokes, and (unfortunately) potential shared trauma. I also loved getting to write a protagonist who is more of a troublemaker and has to learn to deal with his anger. I think oftentimes these characters are written off as unlikeable, but I disagree. I love angry, messy, funny characters because I think they are far more relatable. I also think kids have a lot of reasons to be angry, and it is a disservice to pretend those feelings aren’t valid, common, and human. On the sillier side, one of my favorite elements to write were all the pun-filled names of Ollie’s dream horror-themed bakery.

With the spooky season drawing near, what are five favourite spooky reads or films you love?

Is it cheating if I give five books and five movies? (I’ve always been the person to ask, why not both?)

Spooky Reads (MG and YA):

• Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon
• The Nest by Kenneth Oppel and Jon Klassen
• Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury
• Burn Down, Rise Up by Vicent Tirado
• Monstrous by Jessica Lewis

Spooky Movies

• Alien (1979)
• The Thing (1982)
• Nope (2022)
• Jaws (1975)
• The Host (2006)

What’s next for you?

I am so excited to have my first YA horror with Bloomsbury, HOW TO SURVIVE A SLASHER, release on March 11^th! It is a very meta slasher in the realm of Scream and You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight that follows a queer teen who gets a seemingly prophetic manuscript that warns of the local masked murder’s return and leaves them with no choice but to reluctantly step into the role of Final Girl and stop the killer. On the MG side, I will have another release Fall 2025 that I’m equally excited about. It’s called A LITTLE TOO HAUNTED and follows a paranormal-obsessed thirteen-year-old who gets more than she bargained for when her fake “Haunted House flipping” moms finally move in to an actually haunted house.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?

Some recent reads I’ve absolutely loved are They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran (I was lucky enough to get an ARC), Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White, Murder Land by Carlyn Greenwald (also a 2025 release I got to read early!), and Rest in Peaches by Alex Brown. I am absolutely unable to contain my excitement to read The No-Brainer’s Guide to Decomposition by Adrianna Cuevas, Stage Fright by Wendy Parris, Such Lovely Skin by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne, Killer House Party by Lily Anderson, and on the Adult side, American Rapture by CJ Leede.

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

The post Q&A: Justine Pucella Winans, Author of ‘Wishbone’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Releasing on September 12th, The Otherwoods will have you cowering and cackling as you follow River’s reluctant hero’s journey, perfect for fans of Doll Bones, Ghost Squad, and Too Bright to See.

I’ve always liked the idea of adventure. The feeling of being something more, someone that mattered, a real hero type. As I would escape between the pages of the books I’ve read, a part of me was waiting to find out that I was actually a demigod, or had some kind of superpower, or would somehow develop the ability to at least communicate with my cats to tell them how much I loved them and also maybe not to aim for clothes and carpeting specifically whenever they vomit. I mean, everyone loves the main character. Protagonists had it made, right?

In theory. But then in practice… I wasn’t cut out for that kind of lifestyle. How could I go out on an adventure? What if my glasses broke? Could I really function without WiFi? What if my IBS flared up and I got a tummyache? A backpack simply cannot fit that many wet wipes! Even if faced with a terrifying situation in the comfort of my own home, I’m pretty sure I’d simply die.

Heroes were a different breed. Certainly not anything like me.

Except, in some cases, they were. The heroes that really didn’t intend to be heroes, that wanted no business being a Chosen One or a Final Girl or anything that required them to laugh in the face of danger (because, let’s be real, they were more the type to cry or perhaps pee their pants in the face of danger). These were the heroes that didn’t feel like far away, larger than life, characters to me. They made sense. (Which is why, along with my five-foot-nothing height and love of food, if I were a mythical creature, I’d definitely be a hobbit).

That became my inspiration for The Otherwoods. It all started with a kid who had a terrifying bug monster under their bed and wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. Who didn’t naturally think to battle or befriend the monster, but rather, to squeeze their eyes shut, pull up the covers, and pretend that meant they were some kind of safe. I wanted to write about a kid who actively avoided adventure and scary situations, at least, until they didn’t have much of a choice. I wanted to write about a kid who didn’t believe they could be a hero because they saw what heroes did and they wanted none of that, thanks.

Even more so, because they were queer. They were nonbinary and because of that, people didn’t want to believe in them. In the same way that people didn’t want to believe in the monsters and the spirits that they saw. I wanted to write about the feelings of not believing in yourself because so many others tell you that you are wrong and you shouldn’t. Because those are feelings that I’ve struggled with, that I still struggle with.

And, more than anything else, I wanted to write a story that told you to believe in yourself. That shows that the little flicker inside of you, the one that anxiety and imposter syndrome and fear try to suppress, was actually right all along. That you are yourself, that you are magic, that you are a hero.

Because being afraid, being anxious, being unsure – those things don’t mean you can’t be a hero, like I used to believe. They just mean you’ll be a smart one. A cautious one. A careful one. But a hero nonetheless.

Through River’s journey into The Otherwoods, I wanted to show how you don’t have to completely change yourself in order to be a protagonist. Some of us are never going to be without fear, without self-doubt, without anxiety. And that’s okay. We don’t need to lose our reluctance to be a hero, we just need to keep pushing in spite of it. To not give up. It’s not a book about overcoming your fears and doubts in the sense of no longer having them. It’s a book about realizing that those fears and doubts can be part of your strength. That despite them, and even with them, you can survive the monsters in your life.

Whether that be a six-foot-tall bug monster with massive pincers, blade-like arms, and flammable ooze…or a person who doesn’t believe in you. Who holds hatred for the very things about you that make you beautiful, that make you magic.

I think those are the scariest monsters of all.

To me, that’s the beauty of the reluctant hero. They are afraid. They mess up. Maybe sometimes they run away or freeze up or close their eyes. They don’t always know what to do and they definitely don’t always want to do it.

But at the end of the day, they survive. They keep going.

Life is scary. Especially for nonbinary and trans kids right now. There is a lot to be afraid of, to be angry about, to cry and scream and punch a pillow over. There are things that you won’t want to face and things you shouldn’t have to face and monsters that give terrifying bug creatures a bad name because of how actually horrible they are. It is fully understandable to be afraid and have doubts and sometimes just want to give up and cuddle up with your cat and play Pokémon instead. What’s important is not to put ourselves down for having these feelings, but to realize they are a part of us, and to keep going.

To survive.

Whether it be The Otherwoods or the school year or a really bad day, you are a hero, no matter how reluctant you are.

And we’ll make it through.

The post Spooky Stories for Scaredy-Cats and Why Author Justine Pucella Winans Loves Reluctant Heroes appeared first on The Nerd Daily.