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Best Books I Read in Fall 2022: Reading Recap

Best Books I Read Fall 2022

Best Books I Read in Fall 2022 – Reading Recap

This is a relatively new thing I’ve been trying out. I’ve been posting most-anticipated reading lists for the season, with my most looked-forward-to new young adult and middle grade releases and why I’m excited about them. Then at the end of the season, I post a look back at the list following up. How many books from the list did I actually read? Which were my favorites? So. Here we are with a list of the best books I read in fall 2022. Let’s get to it!

How many books from my Most-Anticipated Fall Reading List did I actually read?

I created two separate posts to talk about upcoming fall books, one for middle grade and one for young adult with 37 books total. This time, I managed to read all the books on my most-anticipated lists plus about 15 others that are a combination of last-minute requests or books from earlier in the year that I finally managed to read. Here are a few highlights from those 15.

Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, and Dawud Anyabwile

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review to Come

What you need to know: This graphic novel was longlisted for the National Book Award and tells the story of Olympic Medalist Tommie Smith as he lifted a black-gloved fist to protest the treatment of Black athletes in the United States.


Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: I’m not usually a horror girl, but so many things about this book hooked me. The post-apocalyptic setting. The escape from a traumatic, abusive cult. Love in the midst of pandemic and disaster. I loved it. Though I was eagerly looking forward to this one, somehow it didn’t make it onto my most-anticipated list.


The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R. M. Romero

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: This has been a great year for me with reading novels in verse, but this one is my favorite of all. I loved the magical Prague setting. The sweet, slow burn romance. It was all beautiful and fantastic.

Best Books I Read in Fall 2022: Favorites by Familiar Authors

In the last few months, I read 15 books by authors I’d read before. Brigid Kemmerer (9 books) and Courtney Summers (6 books) are the authors I’ve read most. For most of the other authors on the list, I’ve only read one book by them before this fall.

Here are my favorite YA, MG, and nonfiction titles from all the books I read by familiar authors.

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: Honestly, I liked this one even more than THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END. I think it perfectly celebrated its predecessor and brought entirely new ideas and characters into the Death Cast world. This was a total win for me.


The Other Side of the River by Alda P. Dobbs

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: I really enjoyed Dobbs’ debut novel and the first book about Petra Luna, but this one is even better. I loved the community she weaves around her and the surprises those connections bring.


The Antiracist Kid by Tiffany Jewell

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: I think this is the only nonfiction title by a familiar author that I read this fall. I love that this book makes justice and activism accessible to kids. It was a very easy read and very encouraging.


Best Books I Read in Fall 2022: Favorites by a New Author or Author New to Me

The majority of the books that I read this fall were by authors who were new to me. Some of them were debut authors, which is always exciting. You never really know what you’re going to get with a debut, so I feel like when a debut is amazing, it’s all the more awesome to feel like you’ll get to follow that author’s writing right from the beginning.

Some of the authors who are new to me are authors I’ve really wanted to try for a long time. For the first time this fall, I read books by Crystal Maldonado, Justina Ireland, Dean Atta, and Susan Dennard. All of them are authors I’ve heard amazing things about and just hadn’t managed to read yet. My reading list only gets longer the more great authors I discover!

At any rate, here are my favorite books by authors I’d never read before this fall. I chose one each for YA, MG, nonfiction, and backlist books.

The Luminaries by Susan Dennard

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: I don’t know what I expected going into this book, but I was completely blown away. The forest is creepy and the small community feels so real with its prejudices and complex connections. And… ugh Jay. (I loved Winnie and Jay!)


Ravenfall by Kalynn Josephson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: I adore this book with its cat-who-is-not-a-cat and its sentient inn filled with a magic-wielding family. And the boy on his own looking for answers. This was the book I didn’t know I needed.


Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: I had heard really great things about the adult version of this book, so when I saw that there was a young adult version, I jumped at the chance to read and review it here. I loved the introspective questions, the history and ecology lessons woven together in perfect harmony.


The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review to Come

What you need to know: A beautifully written novel in verse following a biracial gay boy as he comes of age in London and discovers drag.


Book that Surprised Me the Most

Reading a lot of new authors gives me a LOT of room to be surprised by a book, and I love that. I do enjoy the security of reading a book by an author I’m familiar with and having a really high likelihood that I’ll enjoy the book. But I also like to gamble and see what other voices are bringing to the book world. This season, I’d say that gambling more than paid off because several books completely blew me away in ways I couldn’t have predicted.

It Looks Like Us by Allison Ames

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: Did I mention that I’m not usually into horror? I couldn’t get enough of the Antarctic setting. The tenuous friendships disrupted by an alien or infection. Also, there’s a wildly rich, rocket launching, electric car manufacturing guy named Anton Rusk. Lol.


Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution by Sherri Winston

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: Another title longlisted for the National Book Award– and so deservedly! Lotus is vibrant and talented. I loved the way she heard music in everything.


Odd Girl Out by Rachel Simmons

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review to Come

What you need to know: This one had been on my TBR for years. A journalist puts together a series of interviews and research on indirect aggression and bullying between girls. It’s a bit of a harrowing but necessary read.


What are the best books you read this past fall?

Now I’ve shared all the best books I read in fall 2022. What are your favorite books that you read this fall? Tell me about your favorites so I can check them out, too. Did you read any of the books on my lists? What did you think of them? Leave a comment and let me know what you thought.

2022 Summer Reading Recap

For the last couple of years, I’ve been trying to post seasonal lists of the books I can’t wait to read. I love doing that, but I also want to post some kind of recap at the end of the season where I can talk about which books turned out to be my favorites that sort of thing. I’ve been struggling to find a format that feels satisfying to write up and read about, so here’s my first attempt: my 2022 Summer Reading Recap.

First, if you missed my most-anticipated summer release list, check it out to see what books started on my list. I also posted this Top Ten Tuesday list of backlist titles I hoped to read this summer, so I’ll include those in this check-in.

How many books did I read from my summer reading lists?

My most-anticipated summer reading list had 25 titles on it. Of those 25, I read 19 of them. I’ve started VALIANT LADIES by Melissa Grey as an audiobook but haven’t finished it yet. The other five–MASTER OF IRON by Tricia Levenseller, THE KING WILL KILL YOU by Sarah Henning, THE HONEYS by Ryan LaSala, MY IMAGINARY MARY by Hand, Meadows, and Ashton, and THE DRAGON’S PROMISE by Elizabeth Lim– are still on my TBR list for now.

I’ve read 8 out of 10 of the books on my backlist titles list. I still hope to get to ELATSOE by Darcie Little Badger and THE BLACK FLAMINGO by Dean Atta soon. I’ve heard amazing things about both.

So, in total, out of 35 books, I read 27. Not perfect, but not too shabby.


Favorite Summer Book by a Familiar Author

This one is easy, because there aren’t a whole lot of authors I’d read before on my reading lists for this season. My favorite book by an author I’d read before has to be THE STARS BETWEEN US by Cristin Terrill.

I love the description of the book as “Dickensian-inspired”, and it totally lives up to that, in my opinion. I also loved the characters and the sweet romance. It’s a book that still makes me smile when I think about it now.

The Stars Between Us by Cristin Terrill

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl with an unexpected inheritance on a glittering planet. A mysterious young man who is always in her way. Secrets. Murder. An underground rebellion. A Dickensian-inspired space murder mystery romance.

Release Date: August 2, 2022 | My Review


Favorite Summer Book by a New Author

This is trickier because I read so many amazing debuts or books by authors that I hadn’t read before. I’m going to say my top favorite is BAD THINGS HAPPEN HERE by Rebecca Barrow.

I’ve bought some of Rebecca Barrow’s other books, but this is the first one I actually read so far. The characters felt so real in their small town setting. The disappearing girls gave me chills– I have chills now, thinking about it, actually. It was wow.

Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: An island with a history of unsolved murders. A girl whose best friend and sister were both murdered on the island will stop at nothing to find out why.

Release Date: June 28, 2022 | My Review


Favorite Summer Book from My Backlist

I’m a little torn about which book from my Top Ten Tuesday list of backlist titles that I’d call my favorite. I loved HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE by Diana Wynne Jones and THE POET X by Elizabeth Acevedo. I listened to both as audiobooks, and both were a great experience. THE POET X is read by the author, which I think makes a huge difference for a novel in verse. HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE was such a fun book to read. I loved the wacky things that happened and the way Sophie formed relationships with each of the characters.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This is one of those books I can’t believe I haven’t read. A young girl under a terrible curse. An oddball sorcerer with secrets. A magical castle.

Release Date: April 1986


The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: From Goodreads: “An Afro-Latina heroine who tells her story with blazing words and powerful truth.”

Release Date: March 6, 2018


Book That Surprised Me the Most

I feel like this shouldn’t be true, because I probably would have said the same thing about the other book I read by this author, but I’m giving this one to BEFORE TAKEOFF by Adi Alsaid.

It’s strange. It juggles a lot of characters and elements that defy science or reason. There are so many reasons the book shouldn’t work, but it totally does! I remember being blown away at the moments the story changes point of view because it was so perfectly timed.

I got completely wrapped up in this story and each of the characters involved. I loved the social commentary. The bizarre-ness of the events unfolding at the airport. So good. I’m a huge fan of this book, and it only proves to me more that I need to catch up on Adi Alsaid’s backlist titles. I think I own all of them, so I have no excuse. Ha!

Before Takeoff by Adi Alsaid

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This one pretty much had me at “THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR meets JUMANJI.”

Release Date: June 7, 2022 | My Review


Goals for Fall Reading and Blogging

I probably should add a section like this to my Fall TBR post, but this whole idea is a work in progress. Anyway.

So. Goals for the fall. The truth is, I’ve WAYYYY overcommitted for my fall reading. I tried to be reasonable. I did. Really. I said no to a lot of titles. But there are SO MANY amazing books coming out in September especially, and some of the titles I requested earlier in the year only just now reached me, so it is kind of a perfect storm of too many books. (In case you missed them, here are my TBR lists for fall MG and YA releases.)

All that to say, I’ll probably increase to four reviews per week for the short term. It’s really too many. I can’t do that on an ongoing basis, but I want to clear my queue a bit before we get into the holiday season, and I get REALLY SWAMPED.

Four reviews per week means I would post somewhere around 48 reviews between mid-September and early December. That’s a lot of books, but my fall MG and YA reading lists are already a combined 37 books. Plus I’ve got some backlist titles and titles released earlier this year that I really want to get to, so those spots are already filled and then some.

I’m also hoping to continue seasonal reading lists plus jump into the Top Ten Tuesday meme now and then. I’ve marked a few topics on my calendar that I’m interested in. I will also be sharing a Spooky Season reading list. And I’m planning to do another seasonal recap at the end of the fall.


What are the highlights from your summer reading?

Did you find a new favorite book or author? Let me know in the comments so I can add more books to my reading list! If you’ve read any of the books I talked about here, let me know if you liked them, too.

Do you have reading goals for the fall? What are you most looking forward to reading?

Let me know if you enjoyed this recap and want to see more posts like this. If I left out something you want to know– stats about what format I read books in or other superlatives about the books I read– leave a comment! This is definitely still a work-in-progress post, so I would love to know what you want to see more or less of.

Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag

Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag

I’ve seen this Mid-Year Book Freak Out post a lot lately, and I love the idea. So, even though I don’t usually do tag posts, I’m jumping in. The closest thing I’ve really ever done before that I remember is the end of the year recap post, and I forgot to do that for last year.

How many books have you read so far this year?

Oof. I normally use Goodreads to track this, but my GR shelves are a mess right now. I’ve been reading and squirrelling away reviews of backlist titles. Forgetting to update my Currently Reading shelf, which appears on the sidebar of my blog. I’ve also been meaning to go through my TBR and remove books that I don’t actually want to or intend to read anymore. Yeah, that hasn’t happened yet, either.

Anyway, looking over my 2022 Reading List and counting up the books that I’ve read (even if the review hasn’t posted yet) my best guess is 107 books read so far this year. Which is a lot for me. Yay!

Here are some of the highlights on my Mid-Year Book Freak Out…

Best book you’ve read so far this year?

Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A gender-flipped retelling of sleeping beauty where the prince waits for a kiss to wake him, and two fierce, determined treasure hunters will stop at nothing to break his curse. Features a M/F romance and a F/F romance. I LOVED this book. I can’t wait for the sequel, and I will probably read/buy anything that Leslie Vedder writes.

Published January 11, 2022 | My Review


Best sequel you’ve read so far this year?

Elena the Brave (Old Rus #2) by Julie Mathison

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl from 1942 America is transported to a magical Kiev (spelling from the book) of the past where she must help a prince save his legendary father. I love this series so far. The characters are great and the world building is a really cool blend of history and magic.

Published March 1, 2022 | My Review


Most-anticipated release for the second half of the year?

I’m the Girl by Courtney Summers

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Two girls investigate the murder of a thirteen-year-old girl. Suspects are among wealthy, powerful people. Called a “spiritual successor” to SADIE, which I loved. Every book by Summers that I’ve read has been powerful and gripping. I’m really excited for this one.

Release Date: September 13, 2022 | My Review


Biggest disappointment?

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: I liked the tenacity of Alosa, the pirate captain and daughter of the pirate king. The lore of sirens and their descendants had a creepy rapey thing going that I didn’t feel like was ever really challenged as wrong. I also found myself wishing some of the pirate behavior was called out as wrong, too, at least in the narrative, even if the characters themselves didn’t converse about it. I really enjoyed other elements of the plot, and I liked the book enough to read the sequel. But I was disappointed by those elements.

Published February 27, 2018 | My Review


Biggest surprise?

The Plentiful Darkness by Heather Kassner

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: When another street kid steals her lunar mirror, Rooney chases him through a portal to a world where missing children have been banished to darkness. I loved the spooky storytelling and all the characters. There’s a lot of emotional layering, too. I’m not sure what I expected, but I wouldn’t have predicted that this would be one of my favorite books this year.

Published August 3, 2021 | My Review


Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?

Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: An icy planet. A race run with sleds and wolves. A girl whose only chance for survival depends on the race. I couldn’t put it down. Fantastic characters. Intense, action-packed story. It’s been months since I read this story, and I’m still thinking about the characters and some of the key moments.

Published January 11, 2022 | My Review


Newest favorite character?

Luca from BAD THINGS HAPPEN HERE. I felt all of her emotions. Got completely swept away in her desperation and grief. Her confusion. She’s probably not the most easily likeable character, but I love even that about her.

Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: An island with a history of unsolved murders. A girl whose best friend and sister were both murdered on the island will stop at nothing to find out why.

Published June 28, 2022 | My Review


Book that made you cry?

Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Romance between a saxophone player and mellophone player in the midst of a marching competition. Tragic story about “finding first love and what happens when it’s over too soon.” Um, yeah, I absolutely sobbed through the sad part of this one. I’m still not over it, and I love Ashley Schumacher’s books.

Published February 22, 2022 | My Review


Book that made you happy?

Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: An injury ends Luca’s dreams of dancing professionally and means he must start over: New school. New friends. New crush on the (reportedly) straight star athlete. There’s a lot of grief in this book, and that part totally gutted me, especially as a former dancer myself. But all the parts about figuring out new relationships and love and healing were amazing and so perfect. I loved them.

Published March 29, 2022 | My Review


The most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year?

This Rebel Heart by Katherine Locke

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A magic river kept a girl’s family safe in WWII Hungary. Now she must decide whether to finally take her chance to escape to safety or fight for revolution. Oh. My. Gosh. The writing in this book left me aching. The magic. And the revolution. And the characters. I love it.

Release date: April 5, 2022 | My Review


What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

Well, lots of them! I missed a few from my winter and spring anticipated lists, so I definitely want to get to those before the year is out:

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

One for All by Lillie Lainoff

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon


Favorite book to movie adaptation you’ve seen this year?

I am terrible at keeping up with book to movie adaptations. If I haven’t read the book yet, I won’t watch it. On top of that, I’m not great at keeping up with movies, either. There are lots of book to movie or TV shows on my list, though. I’ve been thinking about doing a book vs. movie post when I do watch them to compare. A few on my list for those posts are:

Howl’s Moving Castle

Heartstopper

The Perks of Being a Wallflower


Favorite post you’ve written so far this year?

Hmmm. I’m not really sure what my favorite post might be. Probably a list post. My most recent list post is a summer reading list of backlist titles I’m hoping to read. These have been on my reading list for too long, and what better time to read them than the summer?


What are your favorite books you’ve read this year?

What books have you read this year that you are NOT done talking about? Are you looking forward to reading anything specific in the second half of the year?

If you created a Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag post, link it in the comments so I can check it out and see what your favorites are!

Top Ten Tuesday: 2022 Summer Reading List

Top Ten Tuesday: 2022 Summer Reading List

School has been out where I live for almost a month, so we’re nearly halfway through with summer here. A few weeks ago, I posted this list of 25 new summer releases that I can’t wait to read. Lately, though, I’ve been finding myself reaching for some of backlist titles. Since most of my lists feature upcoming books, I don’t get a lot of chances to talk about backlist titles that I’m reading or longing to. So, today I’m giving those books the spotlight. Here are my top ten backlist titles at the top of my 2022 summer reading list.

Note: Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions my own.

Top Ten Books I’m Reading This Summer

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This is one of those books I can’t believe I haven’t read. A young girl under a terrible curse. An oddball sorcerer with secrets. A magical castle. Sounds like loads of fun!

Release Date: April 1986


The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Wallflower has been a pretty constantly challenged book in high school libraries but also hailed as something of a cult classic. I already had it on my TBR list and lately a friend recommended it. I’m expecting a wild, angsty story, and I’m ready for it.

Release Date: February 1, 1999


Ironhand (Stoneheart #2) by Charlie Fletcher

Amazon | Goodreads

What you need to know: I really liked STONEHEART, the first book in this series. For a while now I’ve been wanting to finish out the trilogy. I love the story– a London full of living statues, a quest to save the world from evil. A boy and girl trying to understand the magic inside them. Good stuff.

Release Date: October 1, 2007


The Heartstopper Series by Alice Oseman

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: HEARTSTOPPER is a series of graphic novels that follows Charlie and Nick through falling in love and some trials and challenges to their relationship. I haven’t watched the series on Netflix yet, because I wanted to read the books first, but once I catch up, I can’t wait to check it out. The final installment in the series is due out next year, so my goal is to read books 1-4.

Release Date: 2018-2023


The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: From Goodreads: “Fans of Jacqueline Woodson, Meg Medina, and Jason Reynolds will fall hard for this astonishing New York Times-bestselling novel-in-verse by an award-winning slam poet, about an Afro-Latina heroine who tells her story with blazing words and powerful truth.” I loved WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH, so I can’t wait to read this one.

Release Date: March 6, 2018


City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake #1) by Victoria Schwab

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Ever since her near death experience, Cassidy has been able to see ghosts. In fact, her best friend is one. I think this one has been on my reading list for so long that I thought it was a standalone because only one book was out when I put it on my TBR list. I want to read the whole series, but I’ll start with this one.

Release Date: August 28, 2018


The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A novel in verse about a boy exploring his identity as a mixed-race gay teen and drag artist. I’ve heard so many incredible things about this book.

Release Date: August 8, 2019


Of Curses and Kisses (St. Rosetta’s Academy #1) by Sandhya Menon

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A modern-day retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in a remote Colorado boarding school. I can’t remember who, but one of the bloggers I follow listed this as her favorite romance novel, so I’m definitely interested in reading it!

Release Date: February 18, 2020


Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl investigates her cousin’s murder, relying on her magic, wits, and ferocity to unmask the town’s secrets. This is another book that I’ve heard incredible things about. I definitely need to read it ASAP.

Release Date: August 25, 2020


We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The breathtaking conclusion to the Sands of Arawiya Duology. I loved the first book in this series, and I’ve been desperate to know what happens to Nasir, Zafira, and Altair.

Release Date: January 19, 2021

What are you reading this summer?

Are there any books you hope to read this summer? Have you read any of the books on my 2022 summer reading list? Let me know! I’d love to know what you think and what you’ll be reading this season.

25 Most-Anticipated YA Books Coming Summer 2022

Here are My Most-Anticipated YA Books Coming Summer 2022

I love reading during the summer. There’s something about the longer days that makes me feel like I can afford to squeeze in extra reading time. This year, there are so many titles I’m excited about reading. I have no idea if I’ll be able to get to them all, but I’m sure gonna do my best! I expect I’ll get to most of these most-anticipated YA books coming summer 2022.

As always, I’ll try to come back to this post as I put up reviews so that if you find it later you’ll be able to see how I liked the books I read. For now, enjoy the list, and happy summer reading!

25 Most-Anticipated YA Books Coming Summer 2022

Before Takeoff by Adi Alsaid

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This one pretty much had me at “THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR meets JUMANJI.”

Release Date: June 7, 2022 | My Review


Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Technically this one also made my spring anticipated books list, but the publication date has been pushed back. I’ve already read it, and I absolutely loved getting more time in the Curse Breakers universe.

Release Date: June 7, 2022 | My Review


Home Field Advantage by Dahlia Adler

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A sweet and funny f/f romance between a cheerleader and football quarterback. This one looks like lots of fun!

Release Date: June 7, 2022 | My Review


Veil of Winter by Melanie Dickerson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This sounds like a historical Sleeping Beauty reboot by one of my daughter’s favorite authors. A sleeping potion gone wrong. A forbidden kiss. A desperate escape to Prague. I’m excited to check it out!

Release Date: June 14, 2022 | My Review


Breaking Time by Sasha Alsberg

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A dark force hunts for absolute power, and only Klara and the Scotsman from another time stand in their way. Sounds eerie and intense– I’m intrigued.

Release Date: June 14, 2022 | My Review


Valiant Ladies by Melissa Grey

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Inspired by real seventeenth century Latinx teens. Two teen vigilantes set off on an action-packed investigation to expose corruption and deliver justice.

Release Date: June 14, 2022 |


The Loophole by Naz Kutub

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Not sure I could say it better than the cover copy: “This YA debut is equal parts broken-hearted love story, epic myth retelling, and a world-journey romp to find home.” So excited for this one!

Release Date: June 21, 2022 | My Review


Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: An island with a history of unsolved murders. A girl whose best friend and sister were both murdered on the island will stop at nothing to find out why.

Release Date: June 28, 2022 | My Review


Boys I Know by Anna Gracia

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Explores relationship expectations in love and family and the “overlap of Asian American identity and teen sexuality.”

Release Date: July 5, 2022 | My Review


The Charmed List by Julie Abe

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Road trip. Enemies to lovers. A girl determined to take risks and complete 13 items on her Anti-Wallflower List. Looks fantastic!

Release Date: July 5, 2022 | My Review


No One Is Alone by Rachel Vincent

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Secrets. Family drama. Grief over the death of a parent. This one looks like a really deep read.

Release Date: July 12, 2022 | My Review


We Made It All Up by Margot Harrison

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A town full of secrets. A love-story fan-fic written by two unlikely friends. A murder: the boy they’ve written about. Sounds twisty and suspenseful. I can’t wait to read this one!

Release Date: July 12, 2022 | My Review


Don’t Call Me a Hurricane by Ellen Hagan

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A novel in verse. From Goodreads: “An affecting and resonant YA novel in verse that explores family, community, the changing ocean tides, and what it means to fall in love with someone who sees the world in a different way.” I love the sound of that!

Release Date: July 19, 2022 | My Review


Beating Heart Baby by Lio Min

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This one pretty much had me at Marching Band Romance. I’m hooked on the idea of this story about tentative friendship to something more.

Release Date: July 26, 2022 | My Review


Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A homeschooled math genius goes to Shakespeare Camp to prove to her parents that she’s ready for college at Oxford. This one promises lots of laughs and love.

Release Date: July 26, 2022 | My Review


Love Times Infinity by Lane Clarke

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: From Goodreads: “The swoon of Nicola Yoon meets the emotional punch of Elizabeth Acevedo in this breakout debut novel that answers big questions about identity, family, and love.” Looks amazing to me!

Release Date: July 26, 2022 | My Review


Master of Iron (Bladesmith #2) by Tricia Levenseller

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Sisters! A magically gifted blacksmith with social anxiety. Romance and danger at every turn. This is the conclusion to the Bladesmith duology. I loved BLADE OF SECRETS, so I’m super excited about this one.

Release Date: July 26, 2022 |


The King Will Kill You (Kingdoms of Sand and Sky #3) by Sarah Henning

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The thrilling conclusion to the trilogy described as THE PRINCESS BRIDE meets GAME OF THRONES. I love Sarah Henning’s books, so I’m absolutely down for this one.

Release Date: August 2, 2022 |


The Honeys by Ryan LaSala

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: I’m not usually brave enough to read horror, but this is RYAN LASALA, y’all. So… I feel like I have to give it a try after the way I adored REVERIE. A twin’s sister dies under horrific circumstances, and he will do whatever it takes to find out why.

Release Date: August 2, 2022 |


The Stars Between Us by Cristin Terrill

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl with an unexpected inheritance on a glittering planet. A mysterious young man who is always in her way. Secrets. Murder. An underground rebellion. Tiny problems, really. Ha! I’ve read two other books by Cristin Terrill, and both were twisty and wonderful, so I have high expectations for this one.

Release Date: August 2, 2022 | My Review


Hello Goodbye by Kate Stollenwerck

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A perfect summer ruined by tragedy. A road trip to uncover lies. A girl who must decide who she is and what she values as her past and present collide. I love a good family drama, so I can’t resist this one.

Release Date: August 2, 2022 | My Review


My Imaginary Mary (Mary #2) by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows and Brodi Ashton

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: I really enjoyed MY CONTRARY MARY and this team of authors has been a solid win for me. This newest book follows the stories of Mary Shelley and Ada Lovelace. I really want to read this one!

Release Date: August 2, 2022 |


The Memory Index by Julian R. Vaca

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: An elite academy that will change science forever and a girl lucky enough to attend. Then students start disappearing, and she decides it’s time for her friends to find out what’s in the mysterious bunker in the woods behind the school. Looks gritty and suspenseful. I’m eager to check this one out.

Release Date: August 2, 2022 | My Review


Three Kisses, One Midnight Roshani Chokshi, Sandhya Menon and Evelyn Skye

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Three friends will use art, science, and the magic of a powerful legend to seek the perfect romance. I haven’t read anything by Evelyn Skye, but I love the books by Sandhya Menon and Roshani Chokshi that I’ve read, so this one looks like a sure win to me.

Release Date: August 30, 2022 | My Review


The Dragon’s Promise (Six Crimson Cranes #2) by Elizabeth Lim

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A princess who must journey to the kingdom of dragons to deliver a pearl brimming with magic. I’ve loved the books by Elizabeth Lim that I’ve read, so I really want to read this one.

Release Date: August 30, 2022 |

What books are you most excited about reading this summer?

What are your most-anticipated YA books coming summer 2022? Are you looking forward to any of the books on my list?

Let me know what you’re most excited to read this summer. If there are titles you’re excited about that I missed– tell me about them, too!

12 YA Books I Can’t Wait to Read Coming September 2020

September at Last!

All the changes this past spring with lock-downs and social distancing and online learning threw me for a loop. It also delayed a lot of the books I’d been looking forward to reading, which meant I spent the summer scrambling to catch up on the ARCs that publishers had sent me. I’m finally seeing a light at the end of the reading tunnel so to speak, and it’s just in time to jump into the amazing line-up of YA books coming out in September 2020.

Happy Book Birthday to September 1st Releases!

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Dr. Yusef Salaam

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

What you need to know: Written by award-winning, bestselling author Ibi Zoboi and prison reform activist Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five. Tells the story of a Black Muslim teen wrongfully convicted of a crime and his desperate fight for truth and freedom.

Available September 1, 2020 | My Review


Majesty (American Royals #2) by Katharine McGee

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

What you need to know: Three descendants of America’s first king (George Washington) battle for love and power in the sequel to AMERICAN ROYALS.

Available September 1, 2020


Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove #2) by Shelby Mahurin

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

What you need to know: The stakes are higher, the magic more dangerous, and the players more desperate in this fiery sequel to SERPENT & DOVE.

Available September 1, 2020


Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

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

What you need to know: This Own Voices debut is set during Día de Muertos. Features Latinx magic, a trans main character, and ghost love interest.

Available September 1, 2020


Not Your #LoveStory by Sonia Hartl

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

What you need to know: #PlaneBae meets Gilmore Girls. A rising YouTube star who reviews VHS tapes, fake dating, and a shy boy next door.

Available September 1, 2020 | My Review

More Great YA Books Coming September 2020

The Other Side of the Sky by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

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

What you need to know: High stakes, forbidden love, and an incredible story by the team who gave us the Starbound Trilogy.

Available September 8, 2020


These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin

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

What you need to know: A secret society that can deal out favors or social ruin and one girl determined to take them down. Looks deliciously suspenseful.

Available September 8, 2020 | My Review


Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera

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

What you need to know: Own Voices retelling of the Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice. Magical realism, music, trauma recovery, and first love.

Available September 15, 2020 | My Review


Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

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

What you need to know:

Available September 15, 2020


Smash It! by Francina Simone

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

What you need to know: A hot mess heroine who’s ready to stand up instead of back. I’ve heard some conflicting response to this book and mentions of problematic content.

Available September 22, 2020 | My Review


Dear Hero by Hope Bolinger and Alyssa Roat

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

What you need to know: A matching site pairs a hero and villain… who start to fall in love? Sounds really fun and cute.

Available September 28, 2020


Fence: Striking Distance by Sarah Rees Brennan

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

What you need to know: Inspired by the award-nominated comic series by C.S. Pacat and Johanna The Mad. Drama, fencing, bad dates, and adventure. I’m a huge fan of Sarah Rees Brennan, so I’m really excited about this one.

Available September 29, 2020

What are you reading this September?

Have you read any of the books on this list? What new releases are you most excited to check out?