Jessica Taylor always writes compelling young adult stories with memorable characters, and I was lucky to feature her here and here. Her newest novel, WHO WE WERE IN THE DARK, came out on July 5, 2022: Donner Lake is famous for its dazzling waters, dramatic mountains, and the travelers trapped there long ago who […]
I met Kimberly Richardson at this year’s Bubonicon, and when I saw she was selling tea AND books, I was immediately hooked. She also has a book of short stories entitled Tales from a Goth Librarian. I love that you make your own tea blends (and they’re quite tasty too!). How did you start making […]
Happy release day to Catherine Arguelles and her debut middle grade novel, FLIP TURNS! Thirteen-year-old Maddie just wants her classmate, Lucas, to leave her alone. He keeps asking her out—as if she hasn’t already said no a thousand times! Focusing on her competitive swim team, the Electric Eels, Maddie tries to ignore him, hoping he’ll […]
I was absolutely floored by the premise of MUFFLED by Jennifer Gennari. I was especially struck by the theme of noise, and the importance of finding the silent spaces in between it. Have a look: Amelia does not like noise. In fifth grade, she has to learn to play an instrument or, as she […]
I was so intrigued by the premise of Jamie Pacton’s contemporary YA LUCKY GIRL that I had to feature it. Jamie Pacton also has a YA fantasy, THE VERMILLION EMPORIUM, with an expected publication date of November 1, 2022. 58,642,129. That’s how many dollars seventeen-year-old Fortuna Jane Belleweather just won in the lotto jackpot. […]
Back in 2018, I was lucky to feature Lily Anderson’s book NOT NOW, NOT EVER. She’s great at penning YA paranormal horror, and ner newest book, SCOUT’S HONOR, is no exception: Sixteen-year-old Prudence Perry is a legacy Ladybird Scout, born to a family of hunters sworn to protect humans from mulligrubs―interdimensional parasites who feast on […]
I featured Ashley Blooms’ debut novel, EVERY BONE A PRAYER back in 2018, and when I saw the premise of her new book, WHERE I CAN’T FOLLOW, I couldn’t wait to spread word about it: Walk through the door and leave all your problems behind…but you don’t know what’s on the other side. And […]
When I saw Maggie Tokuda-Hall talk about her YA Graphic Novel SQUAD on a panel, I had to feature it. She also has a new picture book, LOVE IN THE LIBRARY. When Becca transfers to a high school in an elite San Francisco suburb, she’s worried she’s not going to fit in. To her […]
I featured another one of Tara Sim’s books, RAVAGE THE DARK, earlier this year. Her newest book, THE CITY OF DUSK, is the first in an epic fantasy trilogy: The Four Realms—Life, Death, Light, and Darkness—all converge on the city of dusk. For each realm there is a god, and for each god there […]
Last year, I was ecstatic to feature Jessica Khoury’s MYSTWICK SCHOOL OF MUSICRAFT, a middle grade fantasy that features a relatable main character and a great plot! The sequel, THE MIDNIGHT ORCHESTRA, came out on June 14, 2022: Things are finally looking up for Amelia Jones: she’s officially a Mystwick student, and she even […]