My favorite part of being in YA Diversity Book Club is reading and bringing attention to stories that promote a more inclusive -- and thus more interesting -- view of the world. My least favorite part is that we don't have time to READ ALL THE THINGS! Alas.

Below are a few of my most anticipated diverse reads for 2016. Hopefully we'll pick some of them for #YADBC. The rest I will (happily) just have to tackle on my own!

THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE by Heidi Heilig World travel + time travel + sea travel, written by a biracial Hawaiian.

GONE TO DRIFT by Diana McCaulay Set in a Jamaican fishing village, a boy goes searching for his grandfather, who is lost at sea. The YA debut of an award-winning Jamaican author.

THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN by Roshani Chokshi High fantasy inspired by Indian mythology. For a taste of this writer's achingly lovely style, check out her short story "The Star Maiden."

IF I WAS YOUR GIRL by Meredith Russo A trans girl falling in love, nervous the boy will not accept her past. Written by a trans woman.

A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT by Sabaa Tahir Sequel to our April 2015 pick, AN EMBER IN THE ASHES, which I loved.

INTO WHITE by Randi Pink A black girl in the Bible Belt prays to be white. Her wish comes true.

To see what Lucy is looking forward to this year, head over to The Reading Date.

To see what Sandie is looking forward to this year, check out Teen Lit Rocks.

And as ever, you can find the entire YA Diversity Book Club archives on Tumblr, including author interviews and upcoming selections. Hope you will read along with us!

One of our favorite things to do every holiday season is to reflect on what we've read during the year. Here are our top picks for 2015.

SARAH

Best book that I can't believe I didn't know existed until this year – ROOFTOPPERS by Katherine Rundell

Made me see the world differently – THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST by Holly Black

When I finished this, I instantly went back to the beginning for a re-read – THE ACCIDENT SEASON by Moira Fowley-Doyle

Favourite – NIMONA by Noelle Stevenson




INGRID

BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys – This book is slug me in the gut good.

DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS by Laini Taylor – Looove this book, this series, this writer. Manically love it!

CODE NAME VERITY by Elizabeth Wein – Amazing.


KRISTAN

A fantastic adventure that kind of flew under the radar (pun intended) – BLACK DOVE WHITE RAVEN by Elizabeth Wein

A haunting tale (pun intended) of fierce friendships – THE WALLS AROUND US by Nova Ren Suma

Heart-wrenching, well-written, thoughtful, and timely (no puns for this one) – CONVICTION by Kelly Loy Gilbert


STEPHANIE

INKHEART by Cornelia Funke – I put off reading this for so long because the movie was so mediocre. But the book is beautifully written.

NIGHTBIRD by Alice Hoffman – Magical Middle Grade that made me crave pie. A lot.

THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir – Science Fiction often lacks heart, but this book had so many characters that made me fall in love unexpectedly.


What were your favorite reads of 2015?