Hey YA

Vanessa and Erica talk about the perfect YA books to gift, plus some other little goodies for others, or—let's be real—yourself.

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Keep up to date with the world of books and reading with Today in Books, Book Riot's daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Our editors offer commentary, context, and the occasional clap-back to keep you informed and entertained. Visit bookriot.com/todayinbooks to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

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An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

The Agathas series by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson

The Davenports and The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis

A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar

Bodega Bakes by Paola Velez

Anatomy duology by Dana Schwartz

The Unofficial Ghibli Park Cookbook by Andy Cheng

The Unofficial Studio Ghibli Cookbook by Jessica Ann Yun

This Poison Heart series by Kalynn Bayron

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

Momo Cocoa

Korean skincare sites

Olive Young

Stylevana

Skin Cupid

Jolse

Misc. Self Care

ScentBird

A nice robe

Cute instant camera

e.l.f. Squeeze Me Lip Balm

Tree Hut scrub gift set

Fenty Onesie Hoodie

Act Up Sis

Also have puzzles that Oprah likes

Games

Mika and the Witch's Mountain

Reka

Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe

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Erica speaks to Susen Shi, the New York Public Library's Young Adult Staff Engagement and Support Manager, about the library's list of the 50 best YA books of the year.

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Keep up to date with the world of books and reading with Today in Books, Book Riot's daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Our editors offer commentary, context, and the occasional clap-back to keep you informed and entertained. Visit bookriot.com/todayinbooks to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

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Further clarification on hi-lo titles from Susen Shi: "they are defined as high-interest stories written at a lower reading level to engage readers and strengthen their love for literature. Our list does contain books that I consider hi-lo that would pique readers interest in an accessible way."

Snowglobe by Soyoung Park, translated by Joungmin Lee Comfort

Wildfire: The Culture, Science, and Future of Fire by Ferin Davis Anderson, Stephanie Sammartino McPherson

Night Owls by A.R. Vishny

Secret Staircase series by Gigi Pandian

Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series by Mia P. Manansala

The Unboxing of a Black Girl by Angela Shanté

Best Books for Teens 2024

NYPL Teens Instagram

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Vanessa and Erica talk lotería, a land where Christmas is year-round, predatory and dark magic, and the best new YA out in November to add to your TBR.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

Keep up to date with the world of books and reading with Today in Books, Book Riot's daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Our editors offer commentary, context, and the occasional clap-back to keep you informed and entertained. Visit bookriot.com/todayinbooks to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Emily The Strange Animated Feature In Works From Bad Robot, Warner Bros Pictures Animation

Flopping in a Winter Wonderland by Jason June

Fortune's Kiss by Amber Clement

Rani Choudhury Must Die by Adiba Jaigirdar

Darkly by Marisha Pessl

In Want of a Suspect by Tirzah Price

Greater Secrets by Ananth Hirsh, Tess Stone

Leap by Simina Popescu

When Mimi Went Missing by Suja Sukumar

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Halfway There: A Graphic Memoir of Self-Discovery by Christine Mari

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Erica gets into some new YA books by Native American authors — which include a graphic novel collection, a debut horror, Lipan Apache fabulism, and a mystery — just in time for Native American Heritage Month.

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This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks.

And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co

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Indiginerds, edited by Alina Pete

The Unfinished by Cheryl Isaacs

Sheine Lende and Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger, illustrated by Rovina Cai

Where Wolves Don't Die by Anton Treuer

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This week, Erica speaks with Madeline Berberian-Hutchinson about being a 16-year-old NYS and NYC Youth Poet Laureate Finalist and co-founder of a literary arts magazine, and Kelly talks with author Veronica Chambers about Ida In Love and Trouble, Black historical YA, and more.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks.

And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson

Chen Chen 

Tony Hoagland

Danez Smith

A Tale for the time being by Ruth Ozeki 

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Magical/Realism: Essays on Music, Memory, Fantasy, and Borders by Vanessa Angélica Villarreal

An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

Ida, In Love and Trouble by Veronica Chambers

Veronica Chambers at The New York Times

Suffs on Broadway

Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

The Memphis Diaries by Ida B. Wells

Ida: A Sword Among Lions by Paula Giddings

Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen by Veronica Chambers

Amigas: Fifteen Candles by Veronica Chambers

Sabaa Tahir

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

Saving Savannah by Tonya Bolden

Babel by R. F. Kuang

Resist: 35 Profiles of Ordinary People Who Rose Up Against Tyranny and Injustice by Veronica Chambers

Call and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter by Jennifer Harlan and Veronica Chambers

The New York Times writing contests for teens

Playlist for Ida in Love and Trouble

Follow Madeline Berberian-Hutchinson's art and literature magazine at Noor.org and on Instagram

Donate to Noor.org on Gofundme

Follow Veronica Chambers on Instagram.

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Kelly talks about Summer Scares and highlights several awesome YA horror books honored as part of the program. Get ready to get the chills.

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To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

Join Book Riot's editorial staff and expert guest writers at The Deep Dive, your destination for deep thoughts on all things reading, behind-the-scenes insights, informed takes, and so much more. Whether we're analyzing book deal trends, whittling down the best books of the century, or letting you in on the best book club book of the summer, you'll find something to nerd out over and enrich your reading life. With decades of experience in books and publishing between us, we have a wealth of knowledge, thoughts, and curated goodness we can't wait to share with you. Go ahead and take the plunge.

Visit bookriot.com/deepdive to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

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Summer Scares Resource Page

All These Bodies by Kendare Blake

#MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil

Dead Flip by Sara Farizan

Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson

Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illustrated by Lisa Sterle

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

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Join Vanessa Diaz and Erica Ezeifedi as they discuss the best new YA books out this month and authors who chose to write books because otherwise, they would have done crime.  👀

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks.

And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Solis by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher

Heir by Sabaa Tahir and Ember in the Ashes

A Vile Season by David Ferraro

Killer House Party by Lily Anderson

For She is Wrath by Emily Varga

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas 

Thief of the Heights by Allison M. Charette (Translator), Robin Yao

They Watch from Below by Katya de Becerra 

Tangleroot by Kalela Williams

An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

Lightborne by Hesse Phillips 

The Crescent Room Tea Room by Stacy Sivinski

Morgana and Oz by Miyuli

The Piano Lesson by August Wilson

Vita Nostra by Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko, translated by Julia Meitov Hersey

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Erica goes over some new spooky YA graphic novels to get into the mood of the season. Get ready for cute, goth vampire moms, queer werewolves, and Romeo & Juliet, but make it witches and vampires.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks.

And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Ghost Roast by Shawnée Gibbs, Shawnelle Gibbs, illustrated by Emily Cannon

Noss and Zakuro Vol. 1 by Rariatto

Flying Witch by Chihiro Ishizuka, translated by Melissa Tanaka 

Hozuki's Coolheadedness by Natsumi Eguchi

Full Shift by Jennifer Dugan and Kit Seaton

Coven by Jennifer Dugan and Kit Seaton

Morgana and Oz Volume One by Miyuli

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Erica speaks with Caitlyn Colman-McGaw, Associate Director for Young Adult Programs and Services at the New York Public Library, about the launch of their Freedom to Read Campaign, which includes their Teen Banned Book Club and a contest.

Then, Kelly joins Lamar Giles to discuss his new book Ruin Road, writing cross genre, and the growth of Black horror YA.

It's all very exciting, really.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

Join Book Riot's editorial staff and expert guest writers at The Deep Dive, your destination for deep thoughts on all things reading, behind-the-scenes insights, informed takes, and so much more. Whether we're analyzing book deal trends, whittling down the best books of the century, or letting you in on the best book club book of the summer, you'll find something to nerd out over and enrich your reading life. With decades of experience in books and publishing between us, we have a wealth of knowledge, thoughts, and curated goodness we can't wait to share with you. Go ahead and take the plunge.

Visit bookriot.com/deepdive to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Teen Banned Book Club at NYPL

NYPL Teen Art Contest-Enter Here

The NYPL Teen Instagram

Winning Teen Vogue essay by Tara Lago, winner of the New York Public Library’s Freedom to Read Writing Contest

100 Years of James Baldwin

Lamar Giles on Instagram, Website

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin

Flamer by Michael Curato

Run by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin

Go With the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

Ruin Road by Lamar Giles

Blood Brothers by Stephen Barnes

Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

The White Guy Dies First by Terry J. Benton-Walker

She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran

Beholder by Ryan La Sala

Come Out, Come Out by Natalie D. Parker

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Kelly serves up a delicious array of YA foodie romances to satisfy your appetite.

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Learn something new, sharpen your skills, and expand your horizons with our Better Living Through Books newsletter. Better Living Through Books is your resource for reading material that helps you live the life you want. From self-help to cookbooks to parenting to personal finance, relationships, and more, Better Living Through Books has got you covered. If it’s part of life, it can be part of your reading life. That's what Better Living Through Books is all about.

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Guava and Grudges by Alexis Castellanos

A Banh Mi for Two by Trinity Nguyen

With Or Without You by Eric Smith

You Can Go Your Own Way by Eric Smith

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee

Batter Royale by Leisl Adams

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