Category Archives: Lists

16 Amazing Books to Read for Women’s History Month

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16 Amazing Books to Celebrate Women's History Month

March is Women’s History Month, and in honor of the rich history we have of amazing women, I wanted to share a list of books about female heroes you may or may not know about already. I usually focus on fiction here, but lately I’ve found myself drawn to many of these stories myself, and I wanted to share them. In my glorious plans, I had hoped to share this list early in the month, but it just did NOT work out that way for me.

You can also find this complete list on Bookshop, where you can browse and purchase books while helping to support indie bookstores.

Note: This post contains affiliate links which don’t cost anything for you to use, but help support this blog. All opinions my own.

16 Amazing Books to Read for Women’s History Month

Hannah Senesh: Her Life and Diary, the First Complete Edition by Hannah Senesh

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: I first learned about Hannah Senesh through a biography about her called So Young to Die. Her life story is amazing, and her poetry really moving. As a young woman, she volunteered on a mission to rescue fellow Jews from the Nazis during World War II.

Available June 15, 2021

Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX: The Law that Changed the Future of Girls in America by Karen Blumenthal

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Title IX is the law that made it illegal for discrimination based on gender in education programs that receive Federal assistance. Learn how it came to be and the fight to get the law passed so girls could have access to sports and other programs.

Published July 1, 2005

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls Vol 1: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women by Elena Favilla and Francesca Cavallo

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Read stories of 100 amazing women from around the world accompanied by illustrations from 60 female artists.

Published December 1, 2016

The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor by Sonia Sotomayor

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: The story of the first Latina and third woman appointed to the Supreme Court in her own words.

Published September 17, 2019

Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing by Ann Angel

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Tells the story of one of rock-and-roll’s most compelling female icons. Packed with photos and stories from friends and band mates. A must-read for music enthusiasts.

Published October 1, 2010

#notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: An eclectic combination of poetry, essays, interviews, and art that express what it’s like to be a Native American woman.

Published September 12, 2017

Hidden Figures (Young Readers’ Edition) by Margot Lee Shetterly

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Tells the story of four African-American women who played essential roles in the NASA space program.

Published November 29, 2016

A Thousand Sisters: The Heroic Airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II by Elizabeth Wein

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: In World War II, the Soviet Union became the first nation to allow women to fly combat missions. These are the stories of those fighters. Also, it’s written by the author of CODE NAME VERITY.

Published January 22, 2019

Radium Girls (Young Reader’s Edition): The Scary But True Story of the Poison that Made People Glow in the Dark by Kate Moore

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: How women workers fought for change in regulations and nuclear research and saved lives.

Published July 1, 2020

Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History by Keith O’Brien

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: “The untold story of five women who fought to compete against men in high-stakes national air races in the 1920s and 30s — and won.” (from Goodreads.)

Published August 7, 2018

The Story of My Life by Hellen Keller

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: The inspiring story of the first 22 years of Hellen Keller’s life in her own words.

First Published in 1902

Because I Was a Girl: True Stories for Girls of All Ages edited by Melissa de la Cruz

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: True stories about challenges, obstacles, and opportunities these women faced due to their gender.

Published October 3, 2017

This is Your Time by Ruby Bridges

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Written as a letter from the iconic Civil Rights activist to today’s young readers as inspiration and a call to action.

Published November 10, 2020

Vote!: Women’s Fight for Access to the Ballot Box by Coral Celeste Frazer

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: Learn about the 70 year fight for women’s suffrage and how the success of those leaders led to today’s #MeToo, #YesAllWomen, and Black Lives Matter movements.

Published August 6, 2019

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

Amazon | Barnes & Noble  | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: Malala believes all girls have a right to an education. She refused to be silenced, even after she’d been shot in the head by the Taliban. Here, she tells her inspiring, unforgettable story.

Published October 8, 2013

Irena’s Children (Young Readers’ Edition): A True Story of Courage by Tilar J. Mazzeo

Amazon | Barnes & Noble  | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: During World War II, Irena Sendler worked with an underground network to rescue 2,500 Jewish children from Nazi occupied Poland. I couldn’t put this book down.

Published September 27, 2016

17 Amazing YA Books Coming Out Winter 2021

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17 Amazing Books You Need to Read Coming Out Winter 2021

It took me so long to post this that the title probably should read, “Books You May Have Missed From Winter 2021.” I’m still trying to find my normal after a miscarriage right at the end of the year, so many of my best laid plans have just not come about. Not going to lie– it was rough, and some days I’m still overwhelmed thinking about it.

Having new books to celebrate and look forward to has helped, though. I’m excited to talk about a few of my favorites here, and I hope you’ll check them out.

You can find a complete list of these books on Bookshop, a site which helps fund local bookstores, so please feel free to browse and buy there!

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

You Have a Match by Emma Lord

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: I laughed. I cried. I needed this book about sisters and finding the courage to be your true self.

Available January 5, 2021 | My Review

Every Single Lie by Rachel Vincent

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A small town packed with secrets. A dead baby found in a school locker room. Hailed as a must-read for fans of SADIE.

Available January 12, 2021

Into the Heartless Wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: One of my favorites so far this year! I sat on the edge of my bed and started reading page one just to get a feel for the book and didn’t stop to get comfortable until page forty-something.

Available January 12, 2021 | My Review

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Takes place seventeen years before THE HATE U GIVE and follows Starr’s dad as he wrestles with how to finish school, help his mom, and take care of his new baby.

Available January 12, 2021

We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: The fantastic conclusion to the Sands of Arawiya duology and follow-up to WE HUNT THE FLAME. Packed with barely controlled magic, undeniable love, and a desperate quest to free a kingdom from evil.

Available January 19, 2021

Written in Starlight by Isabel Ibañez

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A companion novel to WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT, which was one of my favorites last year! Inspired by Bolivian history and politics. Adventure, magic, and romance in the jungle. So much fun!

Available January 26, 2021 | My Review

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: The final book in the Cursebreakers trilogy. I’ve been holding my breath waiting for this one!

Available January 26, 2021

The Project by Courtney Summers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Two sisters. One lost to a cult, the other desperate to find her. I couldn’t stop reading this one until the very last word.

Available February 2, 2021 | My Review

All the Tides of Fate by Adalyn Grace

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Second in the All the Stars and Teeth series. A queen with a curse in her bloodline. A boy who holds half her soul. A mythical artifact that could save her kingdom– if she can find it.

Available February 2, 2021

Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: New adventures with your favorite mischief-maker Puck. This book is the first in a new Iron Fey series that promises loads of fun.

Available February 9, 2021 | My Review

Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: This is the book I wanted so many other books to be. I loved every minute of it, from the friendships, banter, and tiny Michigan town to the raw grief, tender first love, and daring hope.

Available February 16, 2021 | My Review

Love is a Revolution by Renee Watson

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: From Goodreads: In Love Is a Revolution, plus size girls are beautiful and get the attention of the hot guys, the popular girl clique is not shallow but has strong convictions and substance, and the ultimate love story is not only about romance but about how to show radical love to the people in your life, including to yourself.

Available March 2, 2021

Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A magic-gifted medic must cure a mysterious illness to prevent her people from going to war. Part fantasy, part mansion mystery, and part swoony romance. This is a must-read for sure!

Available March 2, 2021 | My Review

Can’t Take that Away by Steven Salvatore

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Genderqueer theatre kid. Swoony romance with a guitar player. A group of kids who come together to push back against prejudice.

Available March 9, 2021

Fragile Remedy by Maria Ingrande Mora

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A genetically engineered boy on the run must make a terrible choice: to work for a terrorist organization or face his own death with the boy he loves.

Available March 9, 2021

The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A kidnapping survivor hunts for clues to prove what happened to her. A girl with a similar story disappears, leaving the survivor wondering if she’ll be next?

Available March 16, 2021

Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: The second in the King of Scars duology which follows Nikolai (remember him from the Shadow and Bone series?). This comes out just in time to get us through the final weeks of waiting for the Shadow and Bone Netflix series which comes out in April.

Available March 30, 2021

2020 Bookish Survey

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2020 Reading Stats: Finally Looking Back

I know it’s already almost March, but it’s been a rough go these last few months. I was kind of on a roll there with my lists and if-we-were-having-coffee posts, and then life threw me a pretty big curveball.

I’m doing better lately, but still having some rough days. Which is why it’s almost March and I’m only just now getting around to posting an abbreviated form of this amazing Annual End of the Year Bookish Survey from Perpetual Page-Turner.

So here it is, in all its belated glory. Let me know if you read any of the books on this list, completed the survey on your own blog, or want to talk about your favorites from last year.

**2020 READING STATS**

Number Of Books You Read: 140
Number of Re-Reads: 3
Genre You Read The Most From: YA Fantasy

1. Best Book You Read In 2020?

Ooooh, this is tough. I’m going to break this into age groups.

Best middle grade book I read in 2020 is THE LOST TIDE WARRIORS by Catherine Doyle

Best young adult book that I read in 2020 is WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT BY Isabel Ibañez.

(Honorable mention to THE SOUND OF STARS by Alechia Dow.)

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

THE LOST CITY by Amanda Hocking and CINDERELLA IS DEAD by Kalynn Bayron.

I felt like THE LOST CITY read a little too much like a guidebook to the story world or that the world building sometimes dominated the story. So, I wasn’t expecting that, and I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if the story had been more prominent.

I enjoyed CINDERELLA IS DEAD. I thought the concept for the story was really awesome, I think I just got too wrapped up in the hype. Maybe would have appreciated it more if I’d just read if fresh, no expectations?

 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

THE MONSTER OF MARNMOUTH VALLEY by CJ Greene kind of shattered all my expectations. I loved the characters and found myself “just one more chapter”-ing my way through the whole thing!

 4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

Hmmm. Wow. I was not the best ambassador for books this year, since most of my bookish friends are real life friends and I’ve barely seen them. Maybe THE TIGER AT MIDNIGHT by Swati Teerdhala? Or maybe FINALLY, SOMETHING MYSTERIOUS by Doug Cornett?

 5. Best series you started in 2020? Best Sequel of 2019? And Best Series Ender of 2020?

Normally I’m horrible about series, but looking over my reading from last year, I actually conquered more series than I thought, including some really big ones.

Best series I started in 2020… FOREST OF SOULS by Lori M. Lee.

Oh my gosh, this book was so good! It has so many things I love: fierce women, unpredictable magic, snarky dialogue, best friends. So, so good.

Best sequel of 2020… THE LOST TIDE WARRIORS by Catherine Doyle.

I love this series with all my heart. It reminds me so much of THE SCORPIO RACES, but for a slightly younger audience. And the relationships between generations are incredible. It’s a fabulous series.

Best series ender of 2020… A SKY BEYOND THE STORM by Sabaa Tahir.

I feel like that’s such a predictable choice, and yet, I think it’s deserved. This book was the one I needed to finish out the year. I longed for it because I wanted more of Elias and Laia’s story, but dreaded it because I knew not everyone would make it out alive, and I knew that was going to be heartbreaking.

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2020?

I have to list two: Elizabeth Acevedo and Kiersten White.

Both have been writing books for a while, and I have owned books by both for a while. With Acevedo, I read WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH, and was just blown away by how immersive and unique and beautiful the story is.

For some reason I requested THE CAMELOT BETRAYAL on Netgalley. I think I was just gambling to see if I would even be able to get a copy of a book by an author as big as Kiersten White is. When I realized it was a sequel, I decided to read the first book in the series first, and I immediately fell in love with the gender-flipped Merlin/King Arthur story. LOVE!

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

I read a bunch of mysteries this year that I really enjoyed. I think my favorites are the series by Margi Preus: Enchantment Lake, A Clue in the Trees, and The Silver Box.

 8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

WHERE DREAMS DESCEND by Janella Angeles. I felt completely swept away by this story. The magic, the romance, the danger. I dove in, and just couldn’t stop reading.

TODAY, TONIGHT, TOMORROW by Rachel Lynn Solomon. This book was such an adventure to read– I laughed so much. It was just perfect. I absolutely want to read that one again.

1. New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2020?

I started following Bowties and Books on YouTube early last year, and I love the reviews, and updates, and more than that, I feel like I learn a lot from their takes on bookish world issues. From diversity representation to bookish drama, they always bring wise perspective that I deeply appreciate.

I want to expand my BookTube subscription list, so if you have any suggestions, please share them!

2. Favorite post you wrote in 2020?

My favorite post might be the one that is a list of 26 Asian-Inspired Fantasy books by Asian authors. Initially it was meant to be a reading list to help us get through another delay in the release of the movie Mulan, but after all the conflicts over the movie, maybe it’s really better as an alternative reading list.

I love lots of things about this photo. The Jane Austen quote. The colorful book spines. The diversity that the titles represent. The fact that I have all these books somehow, and that many of them came from independent bookstores or through review opportunities from blogging.

I’ve been kicking around this idea of doing a weekly community library in our neighborhood. Maybe load up a book cart or two and wheel them outside. Let the neighborhood kids pick through and borrow what they want and return things when they’re done. It’s still a dream at this point, but I’m hopeful, and this photo is at least partly what inspired me.

What are your best bookish thoughts about 2020?

Did you post a 2020 Bookish Survey? If so, please share the link in the comments! Also tell me if you read any of my favorite books, or which favorites you discovered last year that must be on my reading list.

Happy reading, y’all!

Middle Grade 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

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Middle Grade 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

I don’t think I’ve ever done this before, but this year I wanted to post a giant list of recommended titles for the holiday season. Whether you’re looking for stories to fill the weeks at home between school days or filling your shopping bag with gifts for those you love, these titles are among my favorites and the ones I most highly recommend from books published this year. I’ve divided this holiday gift guide into sections so hopefully the list is less overwhelming. If I’ve posted a review of the book, you’ll see a link to next to the publication date.

Without further ado, here are the books I recommend for the 8-12 year old reader in your life this holiday season.

Note: This post contains affiliate links which do not cost anything for you to use, but which help support this blog.

Silly, Funny, and So Much Fun

These books all made me snort with laughter or grin until my face hurt. If your reader enjoys goofy heroes and ridiculous antics, these titles are totally worth exploring.

My Life as a Potato by Arianne Costner

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: An unwilling team mascot, a possible potato curse, and a chance at the prettiest girl in school. Super fun.

Published March 4, 2020 | My review

Finally, Something Mysterious by Doug Cornett

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: Three friends. Hundreds of rubber duckies. A town enthralled with its upcoming bratwurst competition. I laughed out loud!

Published April 14, 2020 | My review

Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini by Betsy Uhrig

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: A boy gets hired by his aunt to help her fix her children’s book about a grumpy frog and prize-winning zucchini. Sounds hilarious to me!

Published September 22, 2020

Unusual Adventures

Sometimes what makes a book so magical is that it takes us places we could never visit on our own. These books transport the reader to a setting or into circumstances far outside ordinary life to create a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

The Storm Keeper’s Island/The Lost Tide Warriors by Catherine Doyle

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: This is my FAVORITE middle grade series right now. I love the magic and the adventure and the power of family and friendships. If you haven’t read it, you need to start with book one, THE STORM KEEPER’S ISLAND, but both are excellent.

Storm Keeper’s Island Review | Lost Tide Warriors Review

Foreverland by Nicole Kear

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: A runaway decides to live in a theme park, which becomes an adventure with an unexpected friend.

Published April 21, 2020 | My Review

Ghost Squad by Claribel Ortega

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: Goodreads describes this one as “Coco meets Stranger Things with a hint of Ghostbusters.” Spooky and sweet. Also, I heard there’s a cat!

Published April 7, 2020

The Circus of Stolen Dreams by Lorelei Savaryn

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: A sister looking for her lost brother. A magical circus where the cost of entry is a memory. For fans of CIRCUS MIRANDUS and THE NIGHT GARDENER.

Published September 1, 2020

Dragon Warrior/Fallen Hero by Katie Zhao

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: A super fun series featuring Chinese mythology, adventure, and heroism.

Dragon Warrior Review | Fallen Hero Review

Clifton Chase on Castle Rock by Jaimie Engle

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Clifton Chase Adventures #2. A new 11th century adventure. Magic arrows. A chance to warn a dear friend so he can avoid his death. More Clifton Chase?! Yes!

Published November 24, 2020

Memorable and Moving

It might be just me, but I’m a huge fan of stories with a powerful message about family and healing. These are some of the best, most moving stories I’ve read this year. I hope there’s a special reader in your life who will find these among their holiday gifts this year.

What Happens Next by Claire Swinarski

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: A solar eclipse, a search for a missing telescope, and a girl missing her older sister. Perfect for fans of THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH.

Published May 19, 2020 | My Review

The Dream Weavers by Reina Luz Alegre

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: An ownvoices story about a 12 year-old girl who connects with her Cuban heritage and about discovering where you belong for the first time.

Published June 23, 2020

Believe by Julie Mathison

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: An imaginative girl creates a plan to track down her missing mother.

Published August 4, 2020 | My Review

Mary Underwater by Shannon Doleski

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: A hopeful (and at times heartbreaking) story of a young girl who decides to build a submarine and sail it across the Chesapeake Bay.

Published April 7, 2020 | My Review

Nevertell by Katharine Orton

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: The haunting, lovely story of a girl who escapes a Soviet prison camp in search of her grandmother with Russian fairy tales woven throughout.

Published April 14, 2020 | My Review

What’s On Your Middle Grade 2020 Holiday Reading List?

Do you purchase books for young readers as gifts over the holidays? Are any of these titles on your shopping list? What books would you put on your own holiday gift guide?

If you have questions about anything on the list, please feel free to ask me in the comments!

Most-Anticipated Books Out November 2020

Lists, News and Fun, Young Adult/Teen 12-18

Most-Anticipated YA Books Coming This Month

Whether you’re looking for a book to escape reality, make you laugh out loud, or reimagine a familiar story, you’re in for a great month, because there are some fantastic YA books coming out this November. Here are some of the ones I am most excited to read.

Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A fun rom-com featuring a coastal town, overachieving girl who wakes with the ability to cast instant karma on those around her, and her least favorite person who causes her powers to consistently backfire. Sounds too cute!

Available November 3, 2020

Fortune’s Fall by Katherine Barger

Amazon | Goodreads

What you need to know: Inspired by the biblical stories of Nehemiah and Daniel and set in America’s future.

Available November 3, 2020 | Author Q&A

The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan (Young Readers’ Edition)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A Palestinian and an Israeli sit on the steps of the home where each grew up and begin a surprising friendship. Based on Tolan’s extensive research and reporting.

Available November 3, 2020

Love & Olives by Jenna Evans Welch

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Love & Gelato #3. Mama Mia-inspired tale about a girl searching for her estranged father in Greece.

Available November 10, 2020

The Camelot Betrayal by Kiersten White

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Camelot Rising #2. A King Arthur legend-inspired series centered around Guinevere.

Available November 10, 2020

Malcolm and Me by Robin Farmer

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Set against Watergate and the post-civil rights era. A coming-of-age tale of truth-telling, faith, family, forgiveness, and social activism featuring a 13-year-old Philly native with the soul of a poet.

Available November 17, 2020

Most-Anticipated Middle Grade Books Coming This Month

I missed a few middle grade books coming this month when I did my fall round-up, so I wanted to add a couple more here.

Aster’s Good, Right Things by Kate Gordon

Book Depository | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl compelled to do secret good deeds. A boy in princess pajamas who helps her.

Available November 1, 2020

Clifton Chase on Castle Rock by Jaimie Engle

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Clifton Chase Adventures #2. A new 11th century adventure. Magic arrows. A chance to warn a dear friend so he can avoid his death. More Clifton Chase?! Yes!

Available November 24, 2020

What’s on your November reading list?

Have you read or ordered any of the books on my list already? Which books are you looking forward to reading this November?

10 Most-Anticipated YA Books Out in October 2020

Lists, News and Fun, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , ,

10 Most Anticipated YA Books Coming October 2020

One of the few good things about this year has been that I’ve ended up with a bit more time to read– and thank goodness, because this year has been an incredible one for finding new favorite books.

This month brings even more fabulous titles packed with romance, humor, explorations on social justice and racial issues, and lush fantasy landscapes. Here are a few of the titles I’m most excited about coming out October 2020.

The Girl of Hawthorn and Glass by Adan Jerreat-Poole

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: If you liked NEVERWHERE by Neil Gaiman, you need to read this. Super different story world; I’m on the edge of my seat.

Available October 6, 2020 | My Review

Hush (Hush #1) by Dylan Farrow

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A feminist fairytale story in a world where words have power and magic is limited to those in control.

Available October 6, 2020

Blazewrath Games by Amparo Oritz

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Hailed as HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON meets QUIDDITCH THROUGH THE AGES. Dragon games. Deadly conspiracies. Sounds amazing!

Available October 6, 2020 | My Review

The Code for Love and Heartbreak by Jillian Cantor

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A contemporary EMMA retelling with a lady math genius and app developer. I can’t wait to read this.

Available October 6, 2020 | My Review

The Silver Box by Margi Preus

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Francie Frye, a reluctant northwoods Nancy Drew tackles her third mystery and hopes to uncover the truth about her mother. Loved it!

Available October 6, 2020 | My Review

Winter, White and Wicked by Shannon Dittemore

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Mad Max: Fury Road meets Frozen. (I’m intrigued!) A quest for her missing best friend pairs a girl with a team of unconventional allies.

Available October 13, 2020

This is All Your Fault by Aminah Mae Safi

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Set over the course of a single day. Follows three women determined to save an indie bookstore.

Available October 13, 2020

The Gifted, the Talented, and Me by William Sutcliffe

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Irreverent and hilarious. A story about fitting in and staying true to yourself. Sounds like the perfect pick-me-up read!

Available October 13, 2020 | My Review

A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl faces a terrible curse in order to save the lives of those she loves. Magic and alchemy. Sounds perfect for fans of GIVE THE DARK MY LOVE and TO BEST THE BOYS.

Available October 13, 2020 | My Review

Among the Beasts and Briars by Ashley Poston

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A cursed wood encroaching on a peaceful kingdom. A girl who can save it with the help of a pesky fox, a powerful bear, and the magic in her veins. Poston is on my auto-buy list, so I MUST have this one!

Available October 20, 2020

What’s on your October reading list?

Have you read any of the books on my list already? Which books are you looking forward to reading this month?