14 Must Read YA Books to Read Before January Ends
It’s a new year, and what better way to kick things off than with new books? Check out these exciting fourteen new YA books hitting shelves this January that you desperately need to add to your shelves, happy reading!
Cool. Awkward. Black. Edited by Karen Strong
An expansive collection from contemporary to historical, fantasy to sci-fi, magical to realistic, featuring exclusively Black characters in this multi-genre YA anthology that celebrates “the geek,” with stories by some of today’s top bestselling, critically acclaimed Black authors including Amerie, Kalynn Bayron, Terry J. Benton-Walker, Roseanne A. Brown, Elise Bryant, Tracy Deonn, Desiree S. Evans, Isaac Fitzsimons, Lamar Giles, Jordan Ifueko, Leah Johnson, Amanda Joy, Kwame Mbalia, Tochi Onyebuchi, Shari B. Pennant, K. Arsenault Rivera, Julian Winters, and Ibi Zoboi.
Stolen Heir by Holly Black
New York Times best-selling author Holly Black returns with the launch of a new dark fantasy duology set in the world of Elfhame, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and dangerous desires.
Breakup From Hell by Ann Davila Cardinal
Undead Girl Gang meets Lucifer in this supernatural YA novel about a girl who falls for the perfect guy only to find out that his family roots descend into the underworld. Miguela “Mica” Angeles is tired of her Abuela keeping secrets and her small Vermont town. So when another boring Sunday trip to church turns into a run-in with Sam, a mysterious hottie in town on vacation, Mica seizes the opportunity to get closer to him. It’s not long before she is under Sam’s spell and doing things she’s never done before. The more time Mica spends with Sam, the more weird things start to happen. Mica’s gut instincts keep telling her something is off, and when Mica discovers his family’s roots, she realizes that she’s actually living in a horror novel. She has to leave Sam, but will ending their relationship also brings an end to everything she knows and everyone she loves?
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Pride and Prejudice in this delightful and heartfelt rom-com about a Bangladeshi American teen whose meddling mother arranges a match to secure their family’s financial security—just as she’s falling in love with someone else.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
The first book published under Joy Revolution co-founded by Nicola and David Yoon. Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute is a laugh-out-loud romance about a quirky social media influencer and a star football player forced to work as a team, testing their abilities to survive the great outdoors —and each other—for a chance to win a grand prize.
As You Walk on By by Julian Winters
The Breakfast Club meets Can’t Hardly Wait in this unforgettable YA contemporary from award-winning author Julian Winters. Seventeen-year-old Theo Wright has it all figured out. His plan is a foolproof strategy that involves excelling at his magnet school, getting scouted by college recruiters, and going to Duke on an athletic scholarship. But for now, all Theo wants is a perfect prom night. After his best friend Jay dares Theo to prompose to his crush at Chloe Campbell’s party, Theo’s ready to throw caution to the wind and take his chances.
Reggie And Delilah’s Year of Falling by Elise Bryant
A rom-com featuring Reggie and Delilah, who fall in love through missed connections and chance meetings on holidays over the course of a year. Delilah keeps her messy, romantic side hidden behind a wall. Reggie is a D&D Dungeon Master and self-declared Blerd. He spends his free time leading quests and writing essays critiquing the game under a pseudonym, keeping it all under wraps from his disapproving family. The two meet for the first time on New Year’s Eve. Then on Valentine’s Day, and again on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s almost like the universe is pushing them together for a reason. As their holiday meetings continue, the two begin to fall for each other. But what happens once they realize they’ve each fallen for a version of the other that doesn’t really exist?
The Wrong Kind of Weird by James Ramos
Cameron Carson has a big secret. A secret with the power to break apart his friend group. He’s been hooking up with student council president, cheerleader, theater enthusiast, and all-around queen bee Karla Ortega since the summer. What was meant to be a summer fling between coffee shop coworkers has evolved into a clandestine entanglement, where Karla isn’t intending on taking their relationship public anytime soon, or at all. Cameron finds himself unexpectedly bonding with Mackenzie Briggs and begins to wonder who he can truly consider a friend and who might have the potential to become more.
Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim
An epic fantasy set in an Arabian-inspired land with secret spice magic. Raised to protect her nation from the monsters lurking in the sands, sixteen-year-old Imani has an affinity for iron and is able to wield a dagger-like no other warrior. She has garnered the reputation as being the next great Shield for battling djinn, ghouls, and other monsters spreading across the sands. But when she discovers signs that her brother may be spreading the nation’s magic to outsiders, she makes a deal with the Council to fight to find her brother, whose betrayal is now the country’s greatest threat.
Brighter than the Moon by David Valdes
A heartfelt thought-provoking story about figuring out and expressing your true self in life and love. Jonas, a shy foster kid, and Shani, a self-assured vlogger, connect online, sharing memes and baring their souls from behind their screens. Shani’s eager to meet, but Jonas isn’t so confident she’ll like the real him. Jonas knows he’s trapped himself in a lie with Shani—and wants to dig himself out. But Shani, who’s been burned before, may not give him a chance: she talks her best friend Ash into playing spy and finding out the truth. But when Ash falls for Jonas, too, soon they’re all keeping secrets.
Friday, I’m in Love by Camryn Garrett
Mahalia Harris wants everything she thinks she deserves: a Sweet Sixteen like her best friend, Naomi, and for the super-cute new girl Siobhan to like her back. It may be too late for a Sweet Sixteen, but Mahalia thinks a coming-out party would be even better. A singing, dancing, rainbow-cake-eating celebration of queerness on her own terms. The idea lights a fire beneath her, and soon Mahalia is taking on extra hours at her afterschool job, trying on dresses, and awkwardly flirting with Siobhan, all in preparation for the coming out of her dreams. But it’s not long before she’s buried in a mountain of bills, unfinished school work, and enough drama to make her English lit teacher blush. A love letter to romantic comedies, sweet sixteen blowouts, Black joy, and queer pride.
We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride
A novel in verse about clinical depression and healing from trauma. Whimsy is back in the hospital for treatment of clinical depression. When she meets a boy named Faerry, she recognizes that they both have magic in the marrow of their bones. When Faerry and his family move to the same street, the two start to realize that they may have more in common than they think.
The Minus-One Club by Kekla Magoon
Fifteen-year-old Kermit Sanders knows grief and its all-encompassing shadows. After losing his beloved older sister in a tragic car accident, nothing quite punctures the feelings of loss. But when Kermit finds a mysterious invitation in his locker, signed anonymously with minus one. He has no idea what he’s in for, but he shows up to find out. Dubbed the Minus-One Club, a group of teens whose lives have been upended by tragedy, bond to lift them out of their grief. The usual dividing lines between high school classes and cliques don’t apply inside the Minus-One Club, and Kermit’s secret crush, the handsome and happy-go-lucky Matt, is also a part of the group. Slowly, Matt’s positive headstrong approach to life helps relieve Kermit of his constant despair.
Promise Boys by Nick Brooks
The Hate U Give meets One of Us Is Lying in this fast-paced thriller about three teen boys who attend the prestigious Urban Promise Prep School that vows to turn boys into men. Students are forced to follow strict rules known as the Principal Moore Method. But when Moore ends up murdered the trio emerges as the prime suspects. With all three maintaining their innocence, they must band together to track down the real killer before they are arrested. This exquisitely taut thriller shines a glaring light on how the system too often condemns Black and Latinx teen boys to failure before they’ve even had a chance at success.