Kelly and Erica discuss their year in YA reading, looking back at their favorite books and themes that emerged.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

At Tailored Book Recommendations, we’ve recommended over 150,000 books to readers of every type. And we’ve got good news— TBR makes a novel gift for the book lover on your list! All your gift recipient has to do is fill out a survey about their reading likes and dislikes, and our expert bibliologists will use their bookish knowledge to round up three personalized recommendations for reads we think they’ll love. Whether they’re a mystery maven, a historical fiction fanatic, or a contemporary connoisseur, we’ve got the chops to match the book lover in your life with their next favorite read. And it only takes a few clicks to gift TBR! Simply head to mytbr.co/gift to get started. You can even schedule the delivery of the welcome email, which means no more waiting on gifts to arrive last minute.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

News

Morris and Nonfiction Awards

Hey YA Episode with Paula Yoo

Books Discussed

Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee

Cat + Gamer series by Wataru Nadatani, translated by Zack Davisson

Hirayasumi, Vol. 1 by Keigo Shinzō, translated by Jan Mitsuko Cash

Flying Witch by Chihiro Ishizuka, translated by Melissa Tanaka

Clever Creatures of the Night by Samantha Mabry

Flamboyants by George M. Johnson

Shift Happens: The History of Labor in the United States by J. Albert Mann

“The First American Union Understood The Necessity of Public Libraries and Education”

Heir by Sabaa Tahir

Suffragist’s Guide to the Antarctic by Yi Shun Lai

Morgana and Oz by Miyuli

Moon Dogs #1 (One Shot) by Tananarive Due, illustrated by Kelsey Ramsay

The Fade #1 by Aabria Iyengar, illustrated by Mari Costa

After Life by Gayle Forman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Hey YA, Kelly talks about five upcoming 2025 YA anthologies you'll want on your TBR.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

At Tailored Book Recommendations, we’ve recommended over 150,000 books to readers of every type. And we’ve got good news— TBR makes a novel gift for the book lover on your list! All your gift recipient has to do is fill out a survey about their reading likes and dislikes, and our expert bibliologists will use their bookish knowledge to round up three personalized recommendations for reads we think they’ll love. Whether they’re a mystery maven, a historical fiction fanatic, or a contemporary connoisseur, we’ve got the chops to match the book lover in your life with their next favorite read. And it only takes a few clicks to gift TBR! Simply head to mytbr.co/gift to get started. You can even schedule the delivery of the welcome email, which means no more waiting on gifts to arrive last minute.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books Discussed

(Wh)Y A(n) Anthology: On the Rise and Reach of YA Anthologies

YA Anthologies: Discovering and Using New Collections for Teen Readers (School Library Journal)

(Don’t) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation About Mental Health, Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World, and Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy edited by Kelly Jensen

All The Love Under the Vast Sky edited by Kip Wilson (January 14)

Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers’ Rights edited by Ashley Hope Perez (March 4)

Generation Queer: Stories of Youth Organizers, Artists, and Educators edited by Kimm Topping, with illustrations by Anshika Khullar (May 27)

Legendary Frybread Drive In edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith (August 26)

Ancestor Approved edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Why on Earth: An Alien Invasion Anthology edited by Vania Stoyanova and Rosiee Thor (February 4)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelly and Erica discuss some of the YA books out in December that they're the most excited for.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

At Tailored Book Recommendations, we’ve recommended over 150,000 books to readers of every type. And we’ve got good news— TBR makes a novel gift for the book lover on your list! All your gift recipient has to do is fill out a survey about their reading likes and dislikes, and our expert bibliologists will use their bookish knowledge to round up three personalized recommendations for reads we think they’ll love. Whether they’re a mystery maven, a historical fiction fanatic, or a contemporary connoisseur, we’ve got the chops to match the book lover in your life with their next favorite read. And it only takes a few clicks to gift TBR! Simply head to mytbr.co/gift to get started. You can even schedule the delivery of the welcome email, which means no more waiting on gifts to arrive last minute.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

News

Kelly's mega list roundup of the best YA books of 2024

Books Discussed

The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum

Dust by Alison Stine

My Fairy God Somebody by Charlene Allen

Far From The Tree by Robin Benway 

We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds

Visitations by Corey Egbert

When The Mapou Sings by Nadine Pinede

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould

A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya

Heavenly Tyrant and Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao 

Imagination: A Manifesto by Ruha Benjamin 

The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Kelly talks with Maggie Tokuda-Hall about book banning, its impacts on teens, and what Authors Against Book Bans is doing in response.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

Keep up to date with the world of books and reading with Today in Books, Book Riot's daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Our editors offer commentary, context, and the occasional clap-back to keep you informed and entertained. Visit bookriot.com/todayinbooks to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books Discussed

Authors Against Book Bans

Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

The Siren, the Song, and the Spy by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

The Worst Ronin by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

Maggie's blog post about Scholastic requesting the removal of "racism" from Love in the Library

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT)

5 Calls app

Books Not Bans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanessa and Erica talk about the perfect YA books to gift, plus some other little goodies for others, or—let's be real—yourself.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

Keep up to date with the world of books and reading with Today in Books, Book Riot's daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Our editors offer commentary, context, and the occasional clap-back to keep you informed and entertained. Visit bookriot.com/todayinbooks to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books Discussed

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

The Agathas series by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson

The Davenports and The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis

A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar

Bodega Bakes by Paola Velez

Anatomy duology by Dana Schwartz

The Unofficial Ghibli Park Cookbook by Andy Cheng

The Unofficial Studio Ghibli Cookbook by Jessica Ann Yun

This Poison Heart series by Kalynn Bayron

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

Non-Book Recs

Momo Cocoa

Korean skincare sites

Olive Young

Stylevana

Skin Cupid

Jolse

Misc. Self Care

ScentBird

A nice robe

Cute instant camera

e.l.f. Squeeze Me Lip Balm

Tree Hut scrub gift set

Fenty Onesie Hoodie

Act Up Sis

Also have puzzles that Oprah likes

Games

Mika and the Witch's Mountain

Reka

Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erica speaks to Susen Shi, the New York Public Library's Young Adult Staff Engagement and Support Manager, about the library's list of the 50 best YA books of the year.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

Keep up to date with the world of books and reading with Today in Books, Book Riot's daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Our editors offer commentary, context, and the occasional clap-back to keep you informed and entertained. Visit bookriot.com/todayinbooks to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books Discussed

Further clarification on hi-lo titles from Susen Shi: "they are defined as high-interest stories written at a lower reading level to engage readers and strengthen their love for literature. Our list does contain books that I consider hi-lo that would pique readers interest in an accessible way."

Snowglobe by Soyoung Park, translated by Joungmin Lee Comfort

Wildfire: The Culture, Science, and Future of Fire by Ferin Davis Anderson, Stephanie Sammartino McPherson

Night Owls by A.R. Vishny

Secret Staircase series by Gigi Pandian

Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series by Mia P. Manansala

The Unboxing of a Black Girl by Angela Shanté

Links:

Best Books for Teens 2024

NYPL Teens Instagram

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanessa and Erica talk lotería, a land where Christmas is year-round, predatory and dark magic, and the best new YA out in November to add to your TBR.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

Keep up to date with the world of books and reading with Today in Books, Book Riot's daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Our editors offer commentary, context, and the occasional clap-back to keep you informed and entertained. Visit bookriot.com/todayinbooks to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

News

Emily The Strange Animated Feature In Works From Bad Robot, Warner Bros Pictures Animation

Books Discussed

Flopping in a Winter Wonderland by Jason June

Fortune's Kiss by Amber Clement

Rani Choudhury Must Die by Adiba Jaigirdar

Darkly by Marisha Pessl

In Want of a Suspect by Tirzah Price

Greater Secrets by Ananth Hirsh, Tess Stone

Leap by Simina Popescu

When Mimi Went Missing by Suja Sukumar

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Halfway There: A Graphic Memoir of Self-Discovery by Christine Mari

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erica gets into some new YA books by Native American authors — which include a graphic novel collection, a debut horror, Lipan Apache fabulism, and a mystery — just in time for Native American Heritage Month.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks.

And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books Discussed

Indiginerds, edited by Alina Pete

The Unfinished by Cheryl Isaacs

Sheine Lende and Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger, illustrated by Rovina Cai

Where Wolves Don't Die by Anton Treuer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Erica speaks with Madeline Berberian-Hutchinson about being a 16-year-old NYS and NYC Youth Poet Laureate Finalist and co-founder of a literary arts magazine, and Kelly talks with author Veronica Chambers about Ida In Love and Trouble, Black historical YA, and more.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks.

And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books, Media, and Writers Discussed

Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson

Chen Chen 

Tony Hoagland

Danez Smith

A Tale for the time being by Ruth Ozeki 

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Magical/Realism: Essays on Music, Memory, Fantasy, and Borders by Vanessa Angélica Villarreal

An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

Ida, In Love and Trouble by Veronica Chambers

Veronica Chambers at The New York Times

Suffs on Broadway

Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

The Memphis Diaries by Ida B. Wells

Ida: A Sword Among Lions by Paula Giddings

Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen by Veronica Chambers

Amigas: Fifteen Candles by Veronica Chambers

Sabaa Tahir

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

Saving Savannah by Tonya Bolden

Babel by R. F. Kuang

Resist: 35 Profiles of Ordinary People Who Rose Up Against Tyranny and Injustice by Veronica Chambers

Call and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter by Jennifer Harlan and Veronica Chambers

The New York Times writing contests for teens

Playlist for Ida in Love and Trouble

Follow Madeline Berberian-Hutchinson's art and literature magazine at Noor.org and on Instagram

Donate to Noor.org on Gofundme

Follow Veronica Chambers on Instagram.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelly talks about Summer Scares and highlights several awesome YA horror books honored as part of the program. Get ready to get the chills.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

Join Book Riot's editorial staff and expert guest writers at The Deep Dive, your destination for deep thoughts on all things reading, behind-the-scenes insights, informed takes, and so much more. Whether we're analyzing book deal trends, whittling down the best books of the century, or letting you in on the best book club book of the summer, you'll find something to nerd out over and enrich your reading life. With decades of experience in books and publishing between us, we have a wealth of knowledge, thoughts, and curated goodness we can't wait to share with you. Go ahead and take the plunge.

Visit bookriot.com/deepdive to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books Discussed

Summer Scares Resource Page

All These Bodies by Kendare Blake

#MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil

Dead Flip by Sara Farizan

Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson

Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illustrated by Lisa Sterle

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Vanessa Diaz and Erica Ezeifedi as they discuss the best new YA books out this month and authors who chose to write books because otherwise, they would have done crime.  👀

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!

This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks.

And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

News

• ‘Look Back’ Review: Teen Girls Become Manga Superstars in a 53-Minute Anime Stunner About the Agony and Ecstasy of Artistic Creation
• National Book Awards Shortlist announced

Books Discussed

Solis by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher

Heir by Sabaa Tahir and Ember in the Ashes

A Vile Season by David Ferraro

Killer House Party by Lily Anderson

For She is Wrath by Emily Varga

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas 

Thief of the Heights by Allison M. Charette (Translator), Robin Yao

They Watch from Below by Katya de Becerra 

Tangleroot by Kalela Williams

An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

Lightborne by Hesse Phillips 

The Crescent Room Tea Room by Stacy Sivinski

Morgana and Oz by Miyuli

The Piano Lesson by August Wilson

Vita Nostra by Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko, translated by Julia Meitov Hersey

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices