Tuesday, January 15, 2019
And just as we like to close each December with books, we also like to start each January with... books! Here are a few of the reads we are most looking forward to this year:
Sarah
The Wicked King by Holly Black - Enough said.
Ingrid
The Summer of '69 by Todd Strasser - This is historical fiction based in a time period I was slightly obsessed with when I was a teenager...the 60s. In this novel, the MC deals with the Vietnam War draft, true love, free love, family dysfunction, and life choices—and it all culminates at the Woodstock festival.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas - Love the cover of this book and loved The Hate U Give, so of course I'm gonna read this!
Again, but Better by Christine Riccio - Straight-laced girl spends a semester abroad in London. She's going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure! Sounds like a fun read, which I definitely need mixed in between all the dark, heavy stuff I typically choose.
Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett - This book has so much that appeals to me-- nighttime jaunts in Seattle, romance, a mysterious reclusive author, and an introverted MC who wants to break out of her shell.
Heroine by Mindy McGinnis - Addiction is an issue I repeatedly tackle in my own books, so I'm always interested in reading about this particular problem. Plus, I loved Female of the Species and definitely appreciate books (and writers) that don't sugarcoat the darker aspects of life. Plus: check out the cool cover.
Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer - From Goodreads: 'This captivating, heartfelt novel asks the question: Is it okay to do something wrong for the right reasons?' Well, this is one of the big questions I explore in All Out of Pretty, so I'm interested in reading this novel based on that simple description. Also, I loved Letters to the Lost (see favorite reads of 2018), so I already love Brigid's writing style.
Steph
I'm a little behind the times with what books are coming out, but I've got a few new-to-me books on my nightstand I'm excited about. I received The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss for Christmas, which I've been meaning to read for a long time. Then I got Cozy Minimalist Home by Myquillyn Smith in a white elephant exchange. I also just downloaded Becoming by Michelle Obama on audible.
Kristan
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo - This will be my first read of the year, and I'm listening to it on audio, because my friend Alice recommended it, and the author has experience with spoken word poetry, so I trust her to do a bang-up job with her own novel in verse. So far it's fantastic!
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi - I love that after all her success in fantasy and dystopia, Tahereh Mafi is turning inward to a quieter contemporary story. Breakdancing + Muslim culture + romance? I'm so there.
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga - Jasmine is a friend, yes, and that makes it even more special that I love her writing so much. This book is her first turn toward Middle Grade, and I'm looking forward to seeing her explore this new voice and territory: a Syrian refugee girl coming to the Midwest US and redefining her ideas about home, family, and self.
Summer of a Thousand Pies by Margaret Dilloway - PIE. Need I say more? Okay, fine. This story (by another friend of mine who happens to be fabulous writer) tackles a lot of big topics -- grief, homelessness, immigration -- with heart and humor. I can't wait to dig in!
Stealing Home by Becky Wallace - Two disclaimers: (1) Becky is ALSO a friend (I'm so lucky! such wonderful and talented friends) and (2) my husband used to work for a minor league baseball team, so I definitely feel a personal connection to this story. But really, who WOULDN'T love a sporty rom-com?
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What books are YOU looking forward to in 2019?
Thursday, January 3, 2019
We love to close out each year by reflecting on the great books that we've read. We can't name them all, but here are a few of our favorites (in no particular order):
Ingrid
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley (audio) - The beauty and depth and whimsy of this novel can be summed up in two words: Letter Library. Please, please let me live in the Letter Library!
Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer (audio) - Apparently I have a letter theme going on this year... Oh, how this book gutted me. If you need a good cry, this will do it. It's heartbreaking but also heartwarming.
Far From the Tree by Robin Benway (audio) - The premise hooked me right away: "Three siblings adopted into different families find each other as teens, right when they need each other most." This book did so many things right. The three main characters tell their stories from three points of view, and I was invested in them all. The emotions felt raw, the characters authentic. Plus, solid storytelling.
Someday, Somewhere by Lindsay Champion - Lindsay is a fellow 2018 debut author (and our books shared a launch day!) so I was able to get my hands on a copy of her ARC before publication, and it was all-around gorgeous. The writing is lyrical but the form doesn't overshadow the plot or characterization. It's a bittersweet love story yet so much more. When I finished reading, I felt completely satisfied and thought: That was the perfect ending.
I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall - Kate is also an Electric 18 debut author, and her novel is a page-turning thriller. A disabled 16-year-old winds up alone in the Canadian wilderness with winter closing in...and that's before things get really dicey. A heart-stopping survival story. (Warning: after page 306, guys, you will never be the same.)
**You may have noticed that three of my five chosen books were consumed on audio. If you're looking for good audio books, these were all wonderful reads by exceptional voice actors.
All Out of Pretty by Ingrid Palmer - Surely it's not a shock that I love this book. I've been in love with Ingrid's writing ever since we met almost 10 years ago. Her lyrical voice, authentic teenage perspective, and gritty but uplifting stories captivated me. I'm so proud of her for this debut novel, and so excited for the books still to come.
Sadie by Courtney Summers - This is such a tough book to talk about, because the subject matter is rather grim, and yet there is so much heart and beauty and grace in the writing. The structure is also very clever and fun, with the main arc of the story framed by a series of podcasts episodes.
Strange the Dreamer and Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor - Have you noticed a trend yet? We are big Laini fans around here, and these books perfectly encompass why. Her imagination, insights, prose... it's all so magical! Dark and deep and delightful.
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley (audio) - The beauty and depth and whimsy of this novel can be summed up in two words: Letter Library. Please, please let me live in the Letter Library!
Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer (audio) - Apparently I have a letter theme going on this year... Oh, how this book gutted me. If you need a good cry, this will do it. It's heartbreaking but also heartwarming.
Far From the Tree by Robin Benway (audio) - The premise hooked me right away: "Three siblings adopted into different families find each other as teens, right when they need each other most." This book did so many things right. The three main characters tell their stories from three points of view, and I was invested in them all. The emotions felt raw, the characters authentic. Plus, solid storytelling.
Someday, Somewhere by Lindsay Champion - Lindsay is a fellow 2018 debut author (and our books shared a launch day!) so I was able to get my hands on a copy of her ARC before publication, and it was all-around gorgeous. The writing is lyrical but the form doesn't overshadow the plot or characterization. It's a bittersweet love story yet so much more. When I finished reading, I felt completely satisfied and thought: That was the perfect ending.
I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall - Kate is also an Electric 18 debut author, and her novel is a page-turning thriller. A disabled 16-year-old winds up alone in the Canadian wilderness with winter closing in...and that's before things get really dicey. A heart-stopping survival story. (Warning: after page 306, guys, you will never be the same.)
**You may have noticed that three of my five chosen books were consumed on audio. If you're looking for good audio books, these were all wonderful reads by exceptional voice actors.
Sarah
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
Now I Rise by Kiersten White
Circe by Madeline Miller
Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
Steph
Confession: I read very little in 2018. I spent most of the year re-listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks while feverishly sewing my own wedding dress. But I did read The Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor, which would have been my favorite this year, no matter how many books I read. I adored it.
Kristan
This Is Really Happening by Erin Chack - I absolutely adored this collection of real life stories about humor writer Erin Chack's teens and twenties, and I wish it were getting more attention. Funny, heartfelt, insightful, and well-written. Get on this!
Here We Are Now by Jasmine Warga - Jasmine is a good friend, and this is a great book. It's about music, striking out on your own, finding family, understanding family, understanding yourself, and love of all kinds.
All Out of Pretty by Ingrid Palmer - Surely it's not a shock that I love this book. I've been in love with Ingrid's writing ever since we met almost 10 years ago. Her lyrical voice, authentic teenage perspective, and gritty but uplifting stories captivated me. I'm so proud of her for this debut novel, and so excited for the books still to come.
Sadie by Courtney Summers - This is such a tough book to talk about, because the subject matter is rather grim, and yet there is so much heart and beauty and grace in the writing. The structure is also very clever and fun, with the main arc of the story framed by a series of podcasts episodes.
Strange the Dreamer and Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor - Have you noticed a trend yet? We are big Laini fans around here, and these books perfectly encompass why. Her imagination, insights, prose... it's all so magical! Dark and deep and delightful.
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What were YOUR favorite reads of 2018?
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Stephanie, Ingrid, Sarah & Kristan — we read, write, discuss and celebrate Young Adult lit.
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