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20 Young Adult Books Still on My Spring 2026 Reading List

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YA Books Still on My Spring 2025 Reading List

20 Young Adult Books Still on My Spring 2026 Reading List

This spring has been an incredibly rough season. From personal tragedy to unexpected home repairs, I feel like nothing in my life has gone as planned. Reading-wise, I’m way behind. There’s just no other way to say it. It takes me longer to read a book right now, and some things are just too hard to read in the aftermath of losing my dad.

These are the books I agreed to review this spring and just haven’t been able to get to yet. I want to read all of them. (I’m pretty careful about what I accept for review.) As the days go by, it has become clear to me that I simply won’t be able to get to all these books and post the reviews in a timely manner.

I hope you enjoy the list. Please let me know if you’ve read anything listed here, especially if it was amazing! I can always use a good book recommendation.

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

20 Young Adult Books Still on My Spring 2026 Reading List

Holloway by Elana K. Arnold

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A girl grieving her mother’s death gets lost in a holloway. This looks twisty, emotional, and engaging. I’ve put off reading it as I’m unexpectedly processing the death of a parent myself, but I really want to read this one soon.

Published May 5, 2026 | My Review to Come

The Game of Oaths by S.C. Bandreddi

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A trapeze artist in a magical circus tournament – I love all those words. Even better, this book is about a girl who competes in the tournament to avenge her sister’s death. I’m so in.

Published May 5, 2026 | My Review to Come

Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I loved Boyce’s first D&D rom-com, so I’m super excited for this summer band camp plus a swoony D&D romance. Bring it on!

Published May 5, 2026 | My Review to Come

The Lustrous Dark by Loretta Chefchaouni

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: a YA fantasy inspired by a Moroccan folktale in which a girl rises up to reclaim power that’s been taken from women. The cover copy claims this is perfect for readers who love political revolution, fighting the patriarchy, female friendships, and cinnamon roll love interests. That’s me!

Published May 19, 2026 | My Review to Come

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A new Sarah Dessen novel! Yes! This one is about a girl whose carefully laid plans collapse, and she has to live (yikes!) without a plan for after high school. Sounds horrifyingly relatable.

Published May 5, 2026 | My Review to Come

Girls Like Us by Jennifer Dugan

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A follow-up to Some Girls Do, about the challenges of a long-distance relationship and the tension between romance and living one’s dreams. I’m looking forward to this one.

Published May 5, 2026 | My Review to Come

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A strange inn with magical secrets. A handsome groundskeeper’s son. This cozy romantic fantasy sounds like the perfect book for me.

Published March 31, 2026 | My Review to Come

Being Aro edited by Madeline Dyer and Rosiee Thor

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This collection features twelve stories of characters saving the day and celebrating connection and love sans romance. I loved the other collection edited by Dyer and Thor, so I really want to read this one.

Published May 26, 2026 | My Review to Come

The Redwood Bargain by Markelle Grabo

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A girl must pose as her Lady to save her from the Redwood Man, a task which will cost her life if she’s discovered. This looks eerie and dark. I’m excited to read this.

Published April 28, 2026 | My Review to Come

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, Akimaro, Li Lu, and Barbara Perez Marquez

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I enjoyed reading this book several years ago, and I am excited to see how this team adapted it to a graphic novel format. Laura Jean’s story is relatable and funny, so this will be a perfect story to revisit this summer.

Published May 5, 2026 | My Review to Come

The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A graphic novel version of The Odyssey, which is perfectly timed. I’m interested in refreshing my memory of the story, which I haven’t read since high school.

Published May 5, 2026 | My Review to Come

The Spell for Unraveling (The Buried and the Bound #3) by Rochelle Hassan

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: Possibly my most-anticipated book release this year! This is the finale of The Buried and the Bound, and I have to know how these characters save the day, find love, and (hopefully) break a curse.

Published April 28, 2026 | My Review to Come

Behind Five Willows by June Hur

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: An homage to Jane Austen set in historical Korea about a girl who helps distribute banned books while her family pressures her to marry. This looks amazing.

Published May 19, 2026 | My Review to Come

If You Were Here by Abigail Johnson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I can never get enough grumpy/sunshine romance, and this one looks excellent. A tourist and museum worker team up to find the truth about an ancestor and instead discover truths about themselves.

Published April 28, 2026 | My Review to Come

This Thing of Ours by Frederick Joseph

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: An injury ends the athletic career of a young Black basketball player. Searching for a new way to make his voice heard, he joins a writing program. Sounds thoughtful and timely.

Published May 12, 2026 | My Review to Come

The Labyrinth of Waking Dreams by Michelle Kulwicki

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: Three teens discover a gateway to a mythical labyrinth in the Appalachian mountains. I spent summers in the Appalachian mountains growing up, so I’m super excited to revisit that landscape via this novel.

Published April 21, 2026 | My Review to Come

The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A team of contestants must solve escape rooms to advance in a reality show series while faced with an unsolved murder mystery from an earlier season. I love this premise, and I’m sure I’ll find this one unputdownable.

Published April 7, 2026 | My Review to Come

Drop Dead Famous by Jennifer Pearson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A younger sister bent on solving the murder of her older sister and pop starlet, even if it takes her through the darker side of global fame. This looks riveting– the kind of story I won’t be able to look away from.

Published May 5, 2026 | My Review to Come

Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: The back cover copy calls this fantasy inspired by the Chinese folk practice of necromancy perfect for fans of Descendant of the Crane, which is a favorite book for me. I have to read this one.

Published April 14, 2026 | My Review to Come

Shards of Silence by Brian Lee Young

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This novel connects a young Navajo teen’s present-day experience at an elite boarding school with his great-grandmother’s experience at an Indian Boarding School. A timely, important story.

Published May 5, 2026 | My Review to Come

What’s on your spring reading list?

What books are still on your spring reading list? Have you read any of the books I listed here? Leave a comment and let me know what you’re hoping to read soon or which of these titles I should push to the top of my reading list.

April 2026 Reading Recap

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April 2026 Reading Recap

This month began with services for my dad’s passing and our first Easter without him. Every day is still strange, like we’re navigating around unexpected holes he used to fill. The cat continues to hold on– we’re having real success with his medications at the moment. Fingers crossed that we’ll make it at least through the end of the school year with him feeling well. Truthfully, we’ll enjoy every good day he can give us before we say another painful goodbye.

In terms of my reading life, by the end of the month, I felt much more in the swing of things. I’m still reading much more slowly than usual, but catching up as best I can with the reviews I promised. I’ll have a spring reading list post up soon, and at least that will cover all the books I’m still hoping to get to.

Here are the books I actually did manage to read this month. Let me know if you’ve got any of these on your reading lists.

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

April 2026 Reading Recap

Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: An absolutely engrossing mystery with the perfect balance of historical and romantic elements. Plus, vengeful orcas!

Published March 17, 2026 | My Review

Room to Dream (Front Desk #3) by Kelly Yang

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I’m really enjoying this smart, engaging series. Yang does a fabulous job addressing the impact of anti-immigration politics on communities and families in an age-appropriate way.

Published September 21, 2021 | My Review to Come

Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This one has been on my reading list for years. Kendall challenges readers to examine whom their ideas about feminism help and whom those ideas leave behind. Compelling and straightforward.

Published March 3, 2020 | My Review to Come

Travelers Along the Way (Remixed Classics #3) by Aminah Mae Safi

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A reimagining of Robin Hood, set during the Crusades and from the perspective of a Muslim girl. It’s a pretty ingenious approach, and I loved the characters and the obviously well-researched narrative.

Published March 1, 2022 | My Review to Come

Until We Meet Again by Lily Kim Qian

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A thoughtful memoir pairing a few sentences of prose with graphic novel panels showing scenes from the author’s life. Addresses stigma surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues and the way that our understanding of our parents changes as we grow up.

Published April 21, 2026 | My Review

Grandpere’s Ghost Swamp by Rachel M. Marsh

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: Southern fiction! A family business in jeopardy and a girl with an unorthodox dream. I loved the Louisiana setting, the descriptions of the wildlife, and the emphasis on preservation.

Published March 24, 2026 | My Review

Forgive-Me-Not by Mari Costa

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: Lush illustrations show the dangers of a Fey world in this slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance.

Published April 14, 2026 | My Review

Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I read this out loud to my eight-year-old. Had I remembered more about the story, I might have opted to wait until next year to read it, but she loved the magic and adventure of Ravenskill and the three unforgettable witchlings in this series opener.

Published April 5, 2022 | My Review

Lies We Tell About the Stars by Susie Nadler

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I had to read the last chapter of this book long before I got there because I had to know if a character was still alive. The ending wasn’t what I expected, but I still found this a very compelling read.

Published March 3, 2026 | My Review to Come

How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A sweet, warm story about the parallel between caring for plants and caring for ourselves and our relationships.

Published April 1, 2025 | My Review to Come

The Leak by Kate Reed Petty

Amazon | Goodreads

My thoughts: My daughter loved this one. An aspiring journalist sets out to stop the culprit poisoning her local water supply. Nicely done.

Published March 16, 2021 | My Review to Come

How to Survive the End of the World by Katy Doughty

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This was a much harder read than I imagined! Each chapter explores some great doom humanity could face. I found it hilarious but also stressful.

Published March 31, 2026 | My Review to Come

What did you read in April 2026?

What books were on your April 2026 reading list? I’d love to hear about them. Have you read any of the titles I listed? Leave a comment and let me know if you enjoyed them.

March 2026 Reading Recap

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March 2026 Reading Recap

Trigger warning: pet illness and death of a parent.

Well, March started out peacefully, but it really went out with a bang for my family. On March 21, we spent the day at the emergency vet with a very sick cat, who we learned has cancer. We brought him home with the intention of trying to keep him comfortable for a few days while we said goodbye. Within a couple of days, he was responding well to the medication and doing a lot better.

And then my dad passed away suddenly that Monday night.

Our household is perhaps a little bit unusual in that it includes my parents, my partner, and my two daughters, so we were all here at home when this happened. On the upside, it meant that no one faced this heartbreak alone. It also meant that as the family began to gather, they gathered here.

It also means that nothing is the same for us now. In many ways, we’re still reeling from the shock of what happened. It has been like a nightmare that I can’t escape.

Needless to say, I’m way off my predicted and planned blogging schedule. Most of the posts that have gone up since this happened were written a while ago. I’m kind of just doing what I can, as I can.

That said, I read some lovely books in March, and I still want to share some notes about them before too much time passes. If you’re looking for late reviews from me, please know I will get to them as soon as possible.

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

March 2026 Reading Recap

Mythspeaker by Christopher Roubique

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: The storytelling style here reminded me a little bit of Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson. It has a similar high-stakes mythical story that connects to spiritual beliefs about the world’s origins and ecological values.

Published February 24, 2026 | My Review

Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions by Ahmad Saber

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I really appreciate that authors are writing stories that boldly ask hard questions about the intersection of faith and identity. This one is so engaging. I loved it.

Published March 2, 2026 | My Review

Daughter of the Cursed Kingdom (Witch Hall #2) by Jasmine Skye

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I loved the first book in this duology and really looked forward to the conclusion of Shaw and Rosy’s story. So glad I read this one.

Published February 24, 2026 | My Review

Sparking Fire Out of Fate (Forging Silver Into Stars #3) by Brigid Kemmerer

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I’ve followed the stories in this universe from the very first one, so it was bittersweet to reach the conclusion. That said, I felt like Kemmerer delivered on all the promises she set up in the story, and I’m glad I read it.

Published January 27, 2026 | My Review

Hafsa’s Way by Aisha Saeed

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This thoughtful middle grade story set in Pakistan will easily win over readers who love animals. Really nicely done.

Published March 10, 2026 | My Review

SideQuested: Book 1 by Ale Presser and K. B. Spangler

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This was such a fun read. I loved the way it played on tropes and expectations. Dungeons and Dragons fans will not want to miss this one.

Published March 17, 2026 | My Review

The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I have finally read a book by Tiffany D. Jackson! The writing lived up to every bit of hype that I’ve heard. This was a perfectly-paced, nuanced, unflinching narrative. I was on the edge of my seat.

Published October 7, 2025 | My Review

In Time with You by Kristin Dwyer

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I liked the way that the story used the time travel elements to reveal parts of the relationship with Carter that Nieve hadn’t been ready to face. Definitely one to check out if you enjoy enemies-to-lovers and/or a time-travel romance.

Published March 24, 2026 | My Review

One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This book blew me away. The second-person narrative really works, putting the reader in both perspectives. We see both sides of the story, but are never allowed to excuse the harmful behavior. Definitely a must-read.

Published March 17, 2026 | My Review

The Genius Under the Table by Eugene Yelchin

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I’d been meaning to read this book since I read Yelchin’s YA memoir last year. I love that this book shows so many of Yelchin’s drawings.

Published October 5, 2021 | My Review to Come

What did you read in March 2026?

What books were on your March 2026 reading list? I’d love to hear about them. Have you read any of the titles I listed? Leave a comment and let me know if you enjoyed them.

February 2026 Reading Recap

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February 2026 Reading Recap

LOL. After a couple of months of perfectly timed recap posts, here I am, nearing the end of March, finally looking back at what I read in February. Falling behind was bound to happen eventually.

February was a busy month. I ended up starting a new job, which has required some reorganizing in the other areas of my life. It’s been really cool, though. Prior to this, I worked primarily from home doing freelance writing. This puts me in an office and in connection with a lot of people for 10-15 hours per week. The change in what’s required of me in terms of social energy has taken some time to acclimate to, but I find I really enjoy the work. I’m also enjoying connecting with new people.

I still managed to do some reading in February, though I think more of it was graphic novels and audiobooks than usual. Still counts!

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

February 2026 Reading Recap

The Lion’s Run by Sarah Pennypacker

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I love when authors examine a familiar moment in history (World War II) and then hone in on a part of it that is less frequently explored. I learned so much from the author’s note in this book. This is an incredibly compelling story that I didn’t want to put down until I’d read the last page.

Published February 3, 2026 | My Review

Carnival Fantástico by Angela Montoya

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I am always a fan of a story about a magical carnival, and this one was no exception. The friends-to-enemies-to-lovers trope also hooked me pretty easily here.

Published February 3, 2026 | My Review

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I’ve heard about this book for years, and I’m so glad I finally got a chance to read it. I love the voice in this one. It’s very conversational. The framing of this as a story told to her grandparents during a road trip works really well here. I am a fan.

Published October 6, 2009 | My Review to Come

The Poisoned King (Impossible Creatures #2) by Katherine Rundell

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I enjoyed Impossible Creatures (despite the death of a favorite character), so I was excited to continue the series with this new adventure. I loved seeing more of the characters from the first book, and the new characters were amazing as well.

Published September 11, 2025 | My Review to Come

Legendborn (Legendborn #1) by Tracy Deonn

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This series has been on my reading list for years. I love the way that Deonn uses the King Arthur legends here and connects the story to southern culture and history in the US. I’m eager to see where the series goes.

Published September 15, 2020 | My Review

City Spies: Forbidden City (City Spies #3) by James Ponti

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I’m thoroughly hooked on this series at this point. I love how the stories rotate through the cast of characters. Each book centers a specific mystery while revealing clues to a larger story. It’s a lot of fun.

Published February 1, 2022 | My Review to Come

Queen of Faces by Petra Lord

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I found the back cover copy of this book a little confusing, but once I got into the story, the magic system and societal issues/norms made more sense. I think it’s one of those that’s hard to describe in a few paragraphs. I thought going in that this would be a standalone, but I’m looking forward to seeing where the series heads next.

Published February 3, 2026 | My Review

I’m Still Here: Loving Myself in a World Not Made for Me (Adapted for Young Readers) by Austin Channing Brown

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I’m not the target audience for this book, but I so appreciate its message. I think taking time to listen and think about the author’s experience as a Black student and professional is important. Some of the things she talked about were familiar ideas, but others gave me more to think about. I have a feeling I’ll return to this book again in the future.

Published April 4, 2023 | My Review

This Wretched Beauty: A Dorian Gray Remix by Elle Grenier

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: My only complaint is that I wish I’d read the original story before reading this. I suspect it would have given me a larger context for some of the scenes here. That said, I found this to be a really compelling novel and an interesting take on the original premise. A nice addition to the Remixed Classic series.

Published February 10, 2026 | My Review

Chris Makes a Friend by Alex Gino

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I love Alex Gino’s books, so it was a given I’d read this one. Their books are always so wise. I love that the stories make space for the character to experience and work out their feelings without the author intruding to judge them. I also love the reading list the story creates, and that appears in the backmatter.

Published November 4, 2025 | My Review to Come

Table Titans Club: Sneak Attack by Scott Kurtz

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This adorable summer camp story had me from its first pages. The tabletop references and gameplay scenes are such a great nod to DnD and other tabletop games. It’s such a fun story, especially for readers interested in summer camp stories.

Published March 10, 2026 | My Review

Serendipity by Gabbie Benda

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This graphic novel is sneaky in the best way. It’s a quirky, fun story that explores what to do when you overcommit and how to set boundaries and expectations. It explores these topics with humor and charm, making this one entertaining, thoughtful experience.

Published February 10, 2026 | My Review

Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo by Àlàbá Ònájìn

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I love that the author wrote a mystery set in a Nigerian town to show kids elsewhere what life is like. The mystery is well-paced, and the story’s cultural elements are accessible.

Published February 24, 2026 | My Review

Chernobyl, Life and Other Disasters by Yevgenia Nayberg

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: Fans of Eugene Yelchin will not want to miss this sharply observant, artistic memoir set in Kyiv during the Chernobyl disaster. The humor runs a little bit dark, but still totally appropriate for the audience. I highly recommend this one.

Published April 14, 2026 | My Review to Come

The Greenies by Emma Mills

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I’ve loved novels by Emma Mills, so I was really curious to see how her writing translated to this story format. Turns out, it translates beautifully! This tale is packed with rich relationships and memorable characters. I’m eager to read more of this series.

Published March 3, 2026 | My Review

A Better World is Possible by Meera Subramanian

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: Part memoir, part informational guide, this book introduces readers to the climate crisis and the work of some remarkable young people and organizations. The hopeful tone and encouraging information about getting involved will energize more people to help.

Published March 3, 2026 | My Review

Postscript by Cory McCarthy

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: It’s been a while since I’ve read McCarthy’s writing, so I forgot how incredible it is. Omg I ate this book up in one night. The story is beautifully written. Fans of They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran will not want to miss this one.

Published February 17, 2026 | My Review

Bloodmarked (Legendborn #2) by Tracy Deonn

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I am continuing to read the Legendborn Cycle, so this one was up next. It’s a long book, and a little slower-paced than the first. We do get a lot of background information on how the Legendborn group’s leadership operates and how racism and the allure of power have warped the institution. I still want to read the third book, so look for that in the coming monthly wraps!

Published November 8, 2022 | My Review to Come

The Dragon’s Apprentice (The Dragon’s Apprentice #1) by James Riley

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I picked this book up at a book sale recently, and my daughter and I read it together. She really enjoyed the playful humor and the relationship between Ciara and Scorch, the dragon. She wants to continue the series, but we don’t have the second book yet.

Published April 1, 2025 | My Review to Come

What did you read in February 2026?

What books were on your February 2026 reading list? I’d love to hear about them. Have you read any of the titles I listed? Leave a comment and let me know if you enjoyed them.

November 2025 Reading Recap

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November 2025 Reading Recap

LOOK AT THIS. It’s the last day of November, and I’m posting a monthly reading recap. Cue the choir and toss the confetti because this is probably never going to happen again. Ha!

I feel pretty proud of my reading this month. While I did not come close to October’s 28 books, I read 20 titles, which still feels pretty good. I read over 4000 pages and listened to almost 36 hours of audiobooks. It was a great month.

I started the month really behind on books I’d committed to review. As of my writing this, I’ve got one more book to review that came out in October and one more from November, and then I’m on to my December list, which is only three books! If all goes well, by this time next week, I’ll be starting to read January releases. It took me ALL YEAR to get there, but progress is progress.

Let’s get into what I read this month.

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

November 2025 Reading Recap

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor (Logan Family Saga #4)

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: I’d been meaning to reread this book for such a long time, and this year, it finally happened. Cassie’s story stands out as one of the formative novels I read in elementary school. Her courage, her curiosity, and her love for her family make her an unforgettable heroine. I love that this is a story totally accessible to young readers that presents truths about American life for a Black family in the 1930s.

Published January 5, 2016 (Orig. 1976) | My Review to Come

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: Another reader noted how different this book is from Meyer’s other reimagined fairytales, and I totally agree. The main character is a survivor. She’s bristly and slippery at once. I spent quite a few chapters worrying about the person she was taking advantage of, only for the story to flip in ways I didn’t expect. Loved it.

Published November 4, 2025 | My Review

Dead Ends!: Flukes, Flops & Failures That Sparked Medical Marvels by Lindsey Fitzharris and Adrian Teal

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: I’d read another book by this author/illustrator team that was wildly entertaining, so when this showed up in my mailbox, I had to check it out. Squeamish readers will probably not want a piece of this hilarious look at some of the medical failures that led to treatments we depend on today. Readers who enjoy books about the human body or science will be completely engrossed.

Published October 14, 2025 | My Review

The Tear Collector by R. M. Romero

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: This is an unusual fantasy story set in a world heavily impacted by rising sea levels. I love how it shows the ways an isolated community’s ideas can get stagnant or warped by those in power and how a new perspective can clear the air.

Published October 14, 2025 | My Review

These Bodies Ain’t Broken edited by Madeline Dyer

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: I love that this anthology pairs together horror short stories featuring disabled characters as heroes and essays from the authors offering context about the disabilities portrayed in the work. If you enjoyed Disfigured by Amanda LeDuc, definitely grab a copy of this one.

Published October 7, 2025 | My Review

Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: I read an anthology edited by Ashley Hope Pérez earlier this year, and added this book to my reading list out of that experience. It’s a reimagining of Romeo and Juliet set in Texas in the 1930s in a town where racial tensions ran high and a school exploded. It’s heartbreaking, brutal, intense, and also somehow threaded through with joy and beauty.

Published September 10, 2019 | My Review to Come

A Matter of Murder (Lizzie & Darcy Mystery #2) by Tirzah Price

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: I’ve enjoyed this spinoff of “The Jane Austen Murder Mysteries” for its cozy mystery and regency era vibes. I don’t know how true to the original Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy these characters are, but I find that less important to me than the fun of imagining those characters in this universe solving a mystery together.

Published November 11, 2025 | My Review

Angelica and the Bear Prince by Trung le Nguyen

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: As a huge fan of The Magic Fish, I knew I wanted to read this. In some ways (celebrating fairytales alongside a contemporary story) it reminded me a lot of TMF, but in some ways it’s so different. The storytelling here is a bit sassy, which I enjoyed, and it shows a lot of interactions in which the characters communicate what they need and what isn’t working, which I found very welcome!

Published October 7, 2025 | My Review to Come

The Beasts Beneath the Winds: Tales of Southeast Asia’s Mythical Creatures edited by Hanna Alkaf

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My Thoughts: This playful anthology shows modern kids interacting with cryptids and creatures from Asian folklore and mythology. Such a fun read. Introducing each story is a spread that looks like a cryptid journal with photos and facts about the creature.

Published October 21, 2025 | My Review

Lord of Blade and Bone (Waking Hearts #2) by Erica Ivy Rodgers

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: This was one of my most anticipated books for 2025. At nearly 500 pages, this book has a LOT to say. I kind of wish it had been two books so the story had room to slow down a little and recap or go deeper with some of the characters a little more. It has a huge cast of characters, and one of my favorite magic systems out in fantasy right now. It took me about 100 pages to get back into the story because I couldn’t always remember who was who, but once I got that far, I remembered why I love this series (duology?) so much.

Published November 11, 2025 | My Review

Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: Bring your willing suspension of disbelief and dive into this world-jumping story about a girl from Ireland who’s just trying to get to school and a boy from a marginalized nomadic people trying to survive in hostile worlds. It’s part love story, part multiverse exploration, and part revolution. I loved it.

Published June 3, 2025 | My Review

How Girls Are Made by Mindy McGinnis

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My Thoughts: This is a hard read, but felt like such a necessary story. The writing is so compelling. It shows the importance of comprehensive sex ed and how anyone can be vulnerable to abuse, even people who think they’re safe.

Published November 18, 2025 | My Review

The Whale’s Song: Discover the Giants of Our Oceans by Rossana Bossù

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My Thoughts: This is such a cool book. Short paragraphs and passages offer great information on a variety of topics about marine mammals, like the different regional groups of orcas, the phases of decomposition of a whalefall, how whales support a healthy, diverse ocean environment, etc.

Published June 24, 2025 | My Review to Come

North for the Winter by Bobby Podesta

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My Thoughts: This debut graphic novel by a Pixar animator offers a lot of Christmas cheer. I’d been looking for an uplifting holiday story when this one landed in my mailbox, so it was a very welcome read.

Published September 2, 2025 | My Review

Finally, Something Mysterious (The One and Onlys #1) by Doug Cornett

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What you need to know: I was scrambling to find something to read to my seven-year-old, and I hit the jackpot with this one. I’d read this book back in 2020, and loved the quirky humor and small town setting. This is a perfect mystery for a younger MG audience, and it had my girl laughing out loud. Total win.

Published April 14, 2020 | My Review

I’ll Find You Where the Timeline Ends by Kylie Lee Baker

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My Thoughts: This one started out a little rough for me, but once some elements of the plot came into focus, I found it much easier to invest in the characters and their romance. I wish the love interest wasn’t so heavy-handed in the early chapters of the book, but I enjoyed the way the author used some common time travel tropes.

Published November 18, 2025 | My Review

Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina

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My Thoughts: I’m totally unsurprised that this book received a starred review from Kirkus. It’s such a unique story world. The characters pulled me in right away. If you love weird, ethereal novels, you want this on your list.

Published July 1, 2025 | My Review to Come

Hollow by Taylor Grothe

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My Thoughts: This book is every bit as weird and eerie as its cover image. Estranged friends go for a hike in the woods to reconnect only to become separated and lost. One winds up in a remote village that seems too good to be true. This book too me on a wild ride.

Published September 30, 2025 | My Review

Silenced Voices by Pablo Leon

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My Thoughts: A graphic novel inspired by real events. I am embarrassingly unfamiliar with North American history outside of American history, so I wanted to read this book as part of an effort to broaden my understanding. I also love seeing how graphic novelists use this form to educate young readers through history or novels inspired by real events. I’m so glad I read this one.

Published September 2, 2025 | My Review

Setting the Stage (Cast vs Crew) by Lindsay Champion

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My Thoughts: Theater kids and theater-curious readers will enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at a stage crew in this short MG novel. I like the variety of viewpoints presented and how that helps clue readers into what’s driving some of the conflicts and misunderstandings.

Published October 21, 2025 | My Review Coming Tomorrow

What did you read in November?

What is your favorite book that you read in November? Leave a comment letting me know about your favorites, and let me know if you read anything on my list.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is probably my favorite from this recap. Of the books that came out this year, I’d say Graciela in the Abyss is my favorite. If you post a November reading recap on your blog or social media, leave me a link in the comments! I’d love to check it out.

Summer 2025 Backlist Reading Check-in and Life Update

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Summer 2025 Backlist Reading Check-in and Life Update

Summer is always an odd season for my reading life. Since I do most of my reading in the evenings, it never seems to me like summer will change all that much, but somehow, it does. This summer I had the added complication of having surgery early in June. It sounded like the recovery would be pretty quick and easy, but my experience didn’t quite line up with my expectations there, either.

Which mostly meant that I read far fewer books in June than I anticipated. That was okay, though. It was good to slow down. I made up for lost time in July.

I’ve continued my poetry reading project this summer. It hasn’t worked out to be one poem each and every day, but I still average at least that many. I started with an anthology of Black poets that I loved and then moved on to Rupi Kaur, who has been on my list for a while. I also picked up a volume by Andrea Gibson, a poet who passed away during the summer. Their work is incredible.

I also read quite a few graphic novels. When I’m struggling to read, I find that those help get my momentum up. Plus, I find them really enjoyable.

Read on to see the whole list of backlist titles I read this summer.

Summer 2025 Backlist Reading List

This is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets edited by Kwame Alexander

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A powerful collection of poetry. A few of the contributors were familiar to me from other reading, so it was great to read more of their work, and I loved getting introduced to so many new poets. I’m sure this is a collection I’ll be revisiting in the future.

Published January 30, 2024

The Gender Binary is a Big Lie by Lee Wind

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This book highlights different cultures who have more than two genders as part of their population, including ancient Romans, classical Jewish culture, and Hawaiian culture. The author profiles famous people from the past who lived outside the gender binary, and also shares a lot of information about intersex people. It’s a great resource for people who feel unsure about how to talk about transgender/nonbinary/intersex people or who have questions and want more information. Super easy to read. Highly enjoyable.

Published August 6, 2024 | My Review to Come

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This graphic novel follows two Somali brothers who grow up in a refugee camp in Kenya. It’s a heartbreaking story at times, especially as Omar recalls fleeing from home and missing his parents. But it is also fiercely hopeful, showing the power of education and brotherly love. A National Book Award finalist.

Published April 14, 2020 | My Review to Come

Odder by Katherine Applegate

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My thoughts: A novel-in-verse imagining of the life of an otter rescued by the Monterey Bay Aquarium research program. Shares the story of their pioneering otter surragocy program. This is a super-quick read, and an uplifting one, despite the tragedies the main character faces.

Published September 20, 2022 | My Review to Come

Mouse and His Dog (A Dogtown Book) by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

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My thoughts: I read most of Dogtown, but missed a few chapters because my daughter couldn’t wait until our next read-aloud session to continue. We snagged a copy of this one at the library and tore through it in a few days. Mouse was a side character in Dogtown, so it was lovely to see him as the main character here. The story continues the theme of showing life in a dog shelter and the kinds of people and families who might choose to adopt a dog.

Published September 17, 2024 | My Review to Come

Shadow Apprentice by Linda Browne

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This began as an impulse read for me. I follow the author’s blog, but this was my first time reading a book she’d written. My plan was to read the first page or so and decide whether to continue. I ended up reading the first 25% of the book before looking up. It’s a fast-paced steampunk fantasy novel and the start of a series I’m excited to continue.

Published May 8, 2024 | My Review to Come

Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen

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My thoughts: This one has been on my reading list since it first came out, only I didn’t realize it was a graphic novel. Mia grapples with understanding her identity as both Jewish and Muscogee. She reconnects with her dad’s family to learn more. A thoughtful story.

Published August 15, 2023 | My Review to Come

Garlic and the Witch (Garlic #2) by Bree Paulsen

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I loved the first book in this series and always intended to read more. It’s such a sweet, cozy story about vegetables that have come alive. This was one my seven-year-old really enjoyed.

Published September 6, 2022 | My Review to Come

Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I saw someone online talking about this book as a must-read, so I got a copy from the library. It’s a thoughtful story about a boy who lived alone on the moon before being adopted into a family and moving to a colony on a new planet. It’s a tender and thoughtful graphic novel with gorgeous illustrations.

Published May 14, 2024 | My Review to Come

Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This one has been on my TBR list since it came out. Magic and Black boy joy abound in this tale celebrating HBCUs, family, and community connections.

Published May 7, 2024 | My Review to Come

Lord of the Butterflies by Andrea Gibson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I hadn’t heard of Andrea Gibson (I’m wildly under-read when it comes to poetry, especially modern poets), but they passed away earlier this year. So many people shared quotes from their poetry, and I loved all of them. I eagerly requested this book from the library and then soaked up the incredible poems. Gibson writes about relationships, mental health, and identity with such insight. If you’re looking for a shorter volume of poetry, I highly recommend this one.

Published November 27, 2018 | My Review to Come

Lion Dancers by Cai Tse

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: I think I saw someone on Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays review this book and added it to my reading list. My littlest is currently super into graphic novels, so this is one we both read this summer. I loved getting to learn about lion dancing and enjoyed the overall story.

Published August 13, 2024 | My Review to Come

Front Desk (Front Desk #1) by Kelly Yang

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: I definitely heard about this book from the bloggers at Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays, but it moved up my list pretty quickly when I read Finally Seen by Kelly Yang. I’m excited to read this whole series.

Published May 29, 2018 | My Review to Come

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: I’m pretty sure I heard about this book from Danielle Hammelef, but it took me a long time to finally read it. The story is dark, as it’s set during the Syrian Revolution and shows the trauma that survivors faced on a daily basis. It’s incredibly moving and a beautiful story despite the darkness.

Published September 13, 2022 | My Review to Come

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What did you read this summer?

What titles were on your summer 2025 backlist reading list? Did you read anything over the summer that you enjoyed? Do you read differently over the summer than in other seasons? Leave a comment and let me know.