The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller (326 pages)

A great read for those who want to embrace their inner Slytherin. The Shadows Between Us tells the story of the devious Alessandra and her carefully-plotted rise to power. Overlooked and neglected by her family, Alessandra sets her eye on the Shadow King, intent on wooing him, killing him, then claiming his kingdom for her own. The author does a fantastic job of completely inverting classic YA tropes, all while keeping the storyline fresh and fun.

The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winters (544 pages)

At over 500 pages, The Rage of Dragons is hardly a short read. However, the storytelling is extremely fast-paced, and once the plot gets going, you’ll find yourself hurtling along at a breakneck speed. Brimming with painful betrayals, breathtaking fight scenes, and illustrious lore, The Rage of Dragons will snatch your attention and hold it hostage all the way to the end. Plus, the sequel, The Fires of Vengeance, recently released on November 10th 2020!

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory (320 pages)

If you’re looking for a light and zippy read, The Wedding Date is the perfect book to pick up. What starts out as two strangers getting stuck in a broken elevator quickly turns into a faux relationship, then rapidly spirals out of control. Full of adorable hijinks and a quirky ensemble cast, The Wedding Date is a quick fun read to get you to your 2020 goal.

Deadly Class, Volume 1: Reagan Youth by Rick Remender, Wes Craig (160 pages)

In the mood for something a bit darker? Deadly Class is an amazingly fast-paced comic series that follows Marcus, a teenager who has been scouted by an elite private school after burning his orphanage to the ground. Think Hogwarts…but for killers. His classmates are the children of crime lords (think the mafia, the yakuza, the KBG). In a place where having no affiliation can put a very literal target on your back, Marcus must learn to navigate the dangerous waters of his new home, all while figuring out how to pass Dismemberment 101.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (306 pages)

While Long Way Down may be a quick read, it’s by no means an easy one. Jason Reynolds is a master of written verse, and his tale of a young Will reeling from the murder of his older brother will pull all sorts of heartstrings. Diving deep into the intersection of family, loyalty, vengeance, and oppression, this book will take you down the painful path of internal reconciliation. A graphic novel version of Long Way Down has also been recently released.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (218 pages)

A timeless childhood classic, A Wrinkle of Time serves as many readers’ gateway into science fiction. Written for children, but appealing to all ages, the story follows socially awkward Meg Murray and her genius kid brother on a whirlwind chase across galaxies to save their missing scientist father. Accompanied by a crew of otherworldly guides and a popular classmate, the group uncovers a treacherous plot to overthrow the universe. Despite its small size, A Wrinkle in Time contains immensely complex narratives and an immersive fantastical experience.

Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi (176 pages)

Riot Baby is a masterpiece of a novella that follows two siblings, Ella and Kev, both bestowed with mysterious powers, in a world defined by systemic and brutal racism. The story intertwines fantasy elements alongside stark commentary of an all too familiar oppressive society. When Kev is wrongfully incarcerated, Ella will stop at nothing to bring him justice – even if that means bringing the entire world down around her. Brimming with magical realism and profound imagery, Riot Baby offers a startlingly profound view into the fierce battle that precedes a dystopian world.

Fairest by Marissa Meyer (222 pages)

If you’ve ever wondered how The Evil Queen in every fairytale ends up so…evil, Fairest will show you exactly what went down. A quick novella companion to the Lunar Chronicles series, the story provides insight into the turbulent childhood of a young royal and the struggles that warped her into an evil queen. Fairest can be read as a standalone or as a part of the full Lunar Chronicles series (P.S. if you enjoy a good evil queen backstory, also check out Heartless by Marissa Meyer which dives into the Queen of Hearts backstory).

The Deep by Rivers Solomon (166 pages)

This poetic novella tells the riveting history of an ocean society descended from drowned African slave women, pushed overboard to their deaths during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. These women did not drown, but instead transformed into a race of merpeople residing in the deep. With memories far too painful and traumatic to bear, members of the society rely on a single historian to bear the burden of their past, a task assigned to Yetu, the youngest to ever receive the hold. With the generational pain being too much to bear, Yetu escapes to the surface, only to discover the truth about her people’s past along with the promise of their future.

The Quiet at the End of the World by Lauren James (352 pages)

A quick read, but a truly spectacular one, The Quiet at the End of the World brings a fresh take to the apocalypse genre. Instead of the world ending in violent chaos, this particular apocalypse story depicts how a worldwide phenomenon causing global infertility has gently brought about the end of humanity. Lowrie and Shen are the last two children on Earth, and spend their days living among a small elderly community. A truly profound look at the mental state of humanity when faced with its demise, The Quiet at the End of the World is a quick, gentle, and introspective read.