Hi!
Happy Tuesday! For my American readers, did you have a nice Thanksgiving? One with lots of turkey and parade floats and pie? My own Thanksgiving break was just what I needed: I was able to catch up with friends while we were all home, watch a few seasonal favorites (I’m partial to the original Miracle on 34th Street this time of year), and get ahead on a few assignments before the final push of the semester.
I was also able to scope out the reading landscape of 2018. It’s something I’ve let slide in favor of schoolwork, extracurriculars, and the like, but as a result, I feel sorely out of the loop on what debuts and sequels and other titles are coming out next year! Thankfully, this week’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt – winter TBR lists – gave me the perfect excuse to browse Goodreads for hours on end. In this case, I’ve limited the new releases of my TBR to the dates of the winter season, so all of the books below will have hit shelves by March 20, if they are not out in bookstores already. What are you hoping to read in the next few months?
And, of course, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the amazing team of bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Head on over to see the posts of others or to write and link a TBR list of your own!
I have yet to find a cuter cover in the slew of 2018 releases than that of Meet Cute, a short story anthology about first instances of love. The brief descriptions already warm my heart: Emery Lord has a story about two girls stuck in an airport, Nina LaCour writes about two girls who bond over customer service and social media, and Julie Murphy reinvents a reality dating show competition in her piece. With contributions from these authors and numerous others, I’m expecting nothing less than a wonderful collection. The perfect read for Valentine’s Day? I sure think so. {Out January 2}
As I look ahead to the new year and start planning for the coming semester, I’ve really taken to Hurry Slowly, a podcast devoted to mindfulness, productivity, and time management (listen HERE, if you’d like). Tangent aside, one speaker featured on a recent episode was Florence Williams, author of the well-received book The Nature Fix. It’s my nonfiction pick for the winter months, exploring what positive effects nature has on our brains and explaining the modern research that aims to find out. I’m excited to dig in, though I admit: I’ll be reading it indoors. {Already out}
Roller Girl is a graphic novel done right; its vibrant and relevant illustrations are matched only by the empowering, realistic text. All of this is to say that I will read any release from author Victoria Jamieson, so naturally, her newest book, All’s Faire in Middle School, has landed a spot on my TBR list. Following the narrator’s transition to public school after being homeschooled for years (and growing up with her parents at the Renaissance Faire), it sounds like it strikes a similar balance between humor and heart. I’m hoping to fit this one in before the holidays hit. {Already out}
I haven’t heard much about Ruth Lehrer’s YA debut, Being Fishkill, on the YA circuit, but one look at the synopsis and it seems to have everything I look for in a contemporary: a strong, well-drawn main character, an intriguing plot, and themes of family, love, and the ubiquitous “coming of age.” From a recent review at Forever Literary, Being Fishkill “tackles an array of issues, but gives proper attention and care to each one, creating a multifaceted emotional roller coaster of a story.” When it receives such a glowing endorsement from Emily, I know I’m in for a good read. {Already out}
If there is one author I’m kicking myself for not having checked out yet, it’s YA contemporary writer Emma Mills. I’m determined to remedy the situation this winter break, a task fortunately made all the easier with the release of Foolish Hearts in December. In Mills’ third novel, main character Claudia faces drama, first love, and new friendships as she participates in her school’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In other words, it’s a book that’s right up my alley. Here’s hoping a library copy will be waiting for me when I return home. {Out December 4}
I left the Boston Teen Author Book Festival earlier this fall with a number of titles I couldn’t wait to research. Among them? Mitali Perkins’ You Bring the Distance Near, an immersive, relatable story that spans the course of three generations. Family is a recurring theme in the novels I’m choosing this season, but how could I pass up a gem that offers five different characters to speak about their experiences with identity and culture? It took far too long for me to put a copy on hold at the local library, but I think or rather, know, I’ll devour it in days once it comes in. {Already out}
I read The Revenge Playbook on a whim a few years ago and absolutely adored it. From its developed cast of characters to its themes of feminism and friendship, the novel proved that Rachael Allen is one heck of an author. My excitement is thus sky-high for her next release, A Taxonomy of Love, a sweet-sounding story that follows protagonist Spencer as he navigates a friendship that has the potential to be something more. (It helps that the novel also champions diversity and sports a stellar cover). Catch me reading this under a blanket and hot cocoa in hand come January. {Out January 9}
If there’s one book I’ve seen praised again and again this winter season, it’s Melissa Albert’s debut The Hazel Wood (One reviewer called it the “most mesmerizing, creepy, and creative stories” she has ever read). As far as I can tell, however, it’s deserving of such hype, inviting readers into the ominous “Hazel Wood” alongside narrator Alice and classmate Ellery through its lush, innovative writing. Though I was cautious to add it my TBR list at first – series weary me and I’m not a fan of high fantasy – this YA novel seems to be neither. In other words? Count me in! {Out January 30}
I’m never not impressed by the rate at which Jason Reynolds releases his novels – he always seems to have a new one hitting shelves! That said, I’m making room in my schedule next month to read his newest book, Long Way Down, released earlier this fall. A novel-in-verse, it is set over sixty seconds in an elevator as the narrator debates taking revenge after the murder of his brother. From previous experience, I know to expect powerful writing and interesting characters, and it sounds like no different of a case here. I’m so excited. {Already out}
Finally, I’m not typically one to award such praise to school-required reads, but I’ll be the first to admit: I adored reading The Importance of Being Earnest last year in English class. The sharp satire had me laughing with each turn of the page! Unfortunately, I hadn’t seen it adapted into a YA narrative, that is, until I came across Lily Anderson’s Not Now, Not Ever, a novel that involves academic decathlons, new identities, science fiction, and heavy doses of humor. What a delight. (And to note: this is a sequel, so include The Only Thing Worse Than Me is You on the TBR list too!). {Already out}
Have a lovely Tuesday!
Bella