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What's Up in YA

The Growth of BookTube, A Fictional “True Crime” Podcast, and More YA Book News

It’s YA news time, YA fans!

 

“What’s Up in YA” is sponsored by The Crescent Stone by Matt Mikalatos from Tyndale House Publishers.

A girl with a deadly lung disease . . .

A boy with a tragic past . . .

A land where the sun never sets but darkness still creeps in . . .

A bargain that brings life, but may cost more than anyone can imagine . . .

When a mysterious stranger appears to Madeline Oliver and offers to heal her in exchange for one year of service to his people, Madeline and her friend Jason Wu are swept into a strange land where they don’t understand the rules or the far-reaching consequences of their decisions.


 

Here’s what’s hit the YA world in news over the last week:

 

For Your TBR

Finding Yvonne by Brandy Colbert

Out this week, Colbert’s third novel looks at what happens when the plans you always thought were going to happen do not. Yvonne has been playing violin since she was seven, and it always seemed as though attending the conservatory would be what comes naturally after graduating from high school. But when senior year comes around, Yvonne realizes she simply might not be good enough for that. So what’s she to do?

But just as things begin to shake out a bit and Yvonne finds herself finding an interest and strong talent in baking and she begins toying with the idea of music therapy as a career, she finds out she’s pregnant. She’s not sure who the father is, and she’s certainly not sure what to do.

Yvonne is forced now to make not one decision, but many, and Colbert explores where and how those decisions may impact Yvonne’s future. The book also digs into race and class, particularly when it comes to the fear always linger at the back of Yvonne’s mind about how her choices and decisions look because she’s black. A smart, complex read, especially good for fans of Nina LaCour.

 

Cheap Reads

Grab ’em in ebook format while they’re on sale:

Speaking of Brandy Colbert, grab her award-winning book Little & Lion for $3.

Start Kendare Blake’s Three Dark Crowns series with the first book for $2.

Marissa Meyer’s Renegades is $3.

Want a comic novelization to read? Marie Lu’s take on Batman: Nightwalker is $2.

Prefer Wonder Woman? Leigh Bardugo’s Wonder Woman: Warbringer is also $2.

 

Recent Book Mail

Here’s what YA has hit my mailbox lately:

High: Everything You Want to Know About Drugs, Alcohol, and Addiction by Nic Sheff and David Sheff (this is out in January, to coincide with the movie)

The Looking Glass by Janet McNally

The Brilliant Death by Amy Rose Capetta

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi (I cannot wait to read this!)

The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas (I’m about half way through this book about a girl who is exorcised and wants to be reunited with her demon and while a little paint-by-numbers in terms of execution, the premise and voice are totally hooking me).

99 Lies by Rachel Vincent

Neverwake by Amy Plum

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Thanks for hanging out & we’ll see you again Monday!

— Kelly Jensen, @veronikellymars on Twitter and Instagram