Teenreads Monthly Update

June 14, 2017

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BookExpo and BookCon and Summer Reading, Oh My!

In our last update, I mentioned that I would be heading to BookEpo, a major event where publishing professionals discuss new books and book trends, to moderate the Young Adult Author Buzz panel. ICYMI, the Buzz program is one of the most exciting parts of BEA for its ability to launch new books that the committee believes will resonate with readers in 2017. This year’s Young Adult Buzz Authors are graphic novelist Tillie Walden for SPINNING (September); debut fantasy author Tochi Onyebuchi for BEASTS MADE OF NIGHT (October); the amazing Samantha Mabry for her second book, ALL THE WIND IN THE WORLD (October); award-winning journalist Dashka Slater for THE 57 BUS: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives (October); and beautiful newcomer Nic Stone for DEAR MARTIN (October).

I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't nervous on the day of the panel (and just about the entire month leading up to it) but readers, we nailed it. Just before it was time to go on stage, Tillie, Tochi, Samantha, Dashka, Nic and I all met up for a quick pep talk. Before long we were laughing and hugging and practically jumping to get on stage. The most amazing part was how excited each author was about the other authors' books -- their enthusiasm made me want to read all five books all over again!

Even though I had talked to each author beforehand, I still learned a ton about each of their books and I cannot wait to share them all with you this fall. If you can't wait that long, click here to learn more about each of the YA Buzz Books. You can see some photos of me and my BEA BFFs above (Samantha, Tochi, Dashka, Nic and Tillie, from left to right). We decided to take one serious photo and one funny one, because if you can't have fun in YA, where can you have fun?! (Click here to see the funny one.)

If you'd like to learn more about BookExpo, check out this blog post, where the Teenreads team answers some questions about their experiences, favorite author sightings and the newest additions to their TBRs. You can also see some photos from BookExpo here --- you'll quickly see who the biggest Shadowhunters/Grishaverse fans are here at Teenreads (spoilers: it's interns Dana and Amanda, who had a blast at the fandom-themed photo booths).

Right after BookExpo, Teen Board members Brynn S., Danielle F. and Taylor F. joined Teenreads at BookCon, the ultimate celebration of books for readers. From running back and forth across the floor for giveaways and author signings to following Adam Silvera around and even meeting actress Krysten Ritter (who is actually the most beautiful person I have ever seen IRL), we did it ALL --- and no, my feet have not yet recovered. We did our best to Tweet and Instagram throughout the weekend, but you can read all the details about each of our experiences in this blog post and see the photos we took in this post. Needless to say, it was easily one of the most fun weekends I've had in a long time and I know my cohorts would say the same thing.

If all of this BookExpo/BookCon blogging has you itching for your next read, look no further than our Beach Bag of Books Contest, where we're giving away seven amazing titles that we think you'll love. From now until Monday, August 7th at noon ET, you have the chance to win one of five prize packages containing each of our featured titles, which include THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO by F. C. Yee, FIREBRAND by A.J. Hartley and VANGUARD by Ann Aguirre.

Of course, if you're looking to start your next read a little sooner, you'll find some great titles reviewed in this newsletter, starting with I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE by Maurene Goo. In this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, an ambitious teen uses plot devices from her favorite Korean dramas (that's K-dramas for you cool kids) to land her first boyfriend. Although this book is an incredibly fun read, it also taught me a ton about Korean pop culture. I have now added several K-dramas to my "to-be-watched" list --- "Boys Over Flowers," I'm coming for you. You can find our review below, and if you'd like to get in on the fun, you can take this quiz to find out which K-drama is right for you.

Last, but certainly not least, our Teen Board application for the September 2017 - August 2018 cycle will be opening later this month, so if you've always dreamed of writing about books and talking about trends with other booklovers, keep your peepers peeled for our next newsletter update, or check back on our website.

Happy reading,

--- Rebecca Munro (rebecca@bookreporter.com)

Enter Our Beach Bag of Books Contest!

It's time to think about summer reading --- and we're not talking about the list of books you'll be receiving for Required Summer Reading from school. We're talking about the kinds of books that you're glad you now have time to kick back with and enjoy. The way we see it, it wouldn't be summer without sun, surf and great reading. You supply the beach chair, and we'll provide the fantastic fiction in our Eleventh Annual Teenreads.com Beach Bag of Books Feature and Contest. Enter now through Monday, August 7th at noon ET for your chance to be one of five lucky readers who will win a copy of each of the books listed below.

This year's featured titles include:

DAISY IN EXILE by J. T. Allen
THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO by F. C. Yee
FIREBRAND: A Steeplejack Novel by A. J. Hartley
PRISONER OF WAR: A Novel of World War II by Michael P. Spradlin
QUICKSAND by Malin Persson Giolito
REFUGE FOR MASTERMINDS: A Stranje House Novel by Kathleen Baldwin
VANGUARD by Ann Aguirre

New Release Spotlight: WRECK THIS JOURNAL
by Keri Smith

Featured Review: I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE by Maurene Goo

June's Books On Screen

June's Books on Screen roundup includes the feature films Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, Wonder Woman, and My Cousin Rachel; and the season finale of Freeform's "Famous in Love."

June's Books to Add to Your Guy-Brary Bookshelf

Our June Guy-Brary selection includes WILDMAN by J. C. Geiger, in which a teenager bound for success takes a trip on the wild side by dropping his identity in a new town; THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE by Mackenzi Lee, a laugh-out-loud historical romp in which a young bisexual British lord embarks on an unforgettable Grand Tour of Europe with his best friend/secret crush; and AN UNINTERRUPTED VIEW OF THE SKY by Melanie Crowder, a powerful exploration of the corruption in Bolivia's crime world, as seen through the eyes of a teenage boy who becomes an innocent victim.

June's Teen Board Update

Monthly Question: Summer break is finally here and we’re finalizing our summer TBRs. While many schools assign a summer reading list, we decided to ask our Teen Board members which books they would put on assigned reading lists if they were in charge. Click here to see which books they think every teen should read this summer.

Blog: Reading Clean Teen Fiction --- Guest Post by Teen Board Member Rachel A.

Teenreads at BookCon 2017 --- See what Teen Board Members Taylor F., Brynn S. and Danielle F. thought of this year's BookCon. You can see a sneak peek of them in the photo above.

ICYMI: Books to Read After Watching
Everything, Everything Bookshelf

Rare, incurable illness? Check. Against-all-odds romance? Double check. A life-changing journey? Check, check, check. EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING by Nicola Yoon introduces readers to 17-year-old Maddy, a girl who is literally allergic to the world and has basically never left her house. When a moving truck arrives next door and tall, lean Olly jumps out, Maddy feels that love is inevitable. As Maddy and Olly gaze at each other through their windows and talk through text, they begin to form a deep bond that makes them question everything, everything. With the film adaptation in theaters and summer just around the corner, we've curated this list of books with similarly compelling romances, unusual illnesses and captivating storylines to keep you reading all summer long.

More New Reviews

LORD OF SHADOWS (The Dark Artifices) by Cassandra Clare (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by James Marsters.
Emma Carstairs has finally avenged her parents. She thought she’d be at peace. But she is anything but calm. Torn between her desire for her parabatai Julian and her desire to protect him from the brutal consequences of parabatai relationships, she has begun dating his brother, Mark. But Mark has spent the past five years trapped in Faerie; can he ever truly be a Shadowhunter again? And the faerie courts are not silent. Reviewed by Jessica K., Teen Board Member.

FIREBRAND: A Steeplejack Novel by A.J. Hartley (Historical Fantasy/Steampunk)
Audiobook available, narrated by Noma Dumezwni.
Once a steeplejack, Anglet Sutonga is used to scaling the heights of Bar-Selehm. Nowadays she assists politician Josiah Willinghouse behind the scenes of Parliament. The latest threat to the city-state: Government plans for a secret weapon are stolen and feared to be sold to the rival nation of Grappoli. In order to catch the thief, Ang must pretend to be a foreign princess and infiltrate Elitus. But Ang is far from royal material, so Willinghouse enlists help from the exacting Madam Nahreem. Reviewed by Matthew Burbridge.

SHE'S SO BOSS by Stacy Kravetz (Nonfiction)
Whether you already have an idea for a business or you're mulling how to turn the things you enjoy into a self-sustaining enterprise, this book will connect the dots. From inspiration to execution, there are concrete steps every young entrepreneur, creator or leader needs to take, and this book shows you how. Reviewed by Rebecca D., Teen Board Member.

SONG OF THE CURRENT by Sara Tolcser (Fantasy)
Caroline Oresteia is destined for the river. Her father is a wherryman, as was her grandmother. All Caro needs is for the river god to whisper her name, and her fate is sealed. But at 17, Caro may be too late. So when pirates burn ships and her father is arrested, Caro volunteers to transport mysterious cargo in exchange for his release. With much more than her father's life at stake, Caro must choose between the future she knows, and the one she could have never imagined. Reviewed by Rachel R., Teen Board Member.

LOOKING FOR GROUP by Rory Harrison (Contemporary Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Nick Podehl.
Dylan's room can generously be categorized as squalid, and he sure isn’t getting any love from his mother, who seemed to enjoy the perks that went along with being the parent of a “cancer kid.” His only escape has been in the form of his favorite video game and the one true friend who makes him feel understood, even if it is just online: Arden. Now that Dylan is in remission, he wants to take Arden on a real mission: a journey to a mysterious ship in the middle of the Salton Sea. As they navigate their way west, they grapple with Arden's father, Dylan’s addiction, and the messy, complicated romance fighting so hard to blossom through the cracks of their battle-hardened hearts. Reviewed by Sheridan N., Teen Board Member.

THE LOVE INTEREST by Cale Dietrich (LGBT Romance/Thriller)
There is a secret organization that cultivates teenage spies. The agents are called Love Interests because getting close to people destined for great power means getting valuable secrets. Caden is a Nice: The boy next door, sculpted to physical perfection. Dylan is a Bad: The brooding, dark-souled guy, and dangerously handsome. The girl they are competing for is important to the organization, and each boy will pursue her. Will she choose a Nice or the Bad? Both Caden and Dylan are well-trained and at the top of their games. They have to be --- whoever the girl doesn’t choose will die. Reviewed by Mikenzie R., Teen Board Member.

FIREWORKS by Katie Cotugno (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Erin Spencer.
It was always meant to be Olivia. She’s the talented one, the one who’s been training to be a star her whole life. Her best friend, Dana, is the levelheaded one, always on the sidelines, cheering Olivia on. But everything changes when Dana tags along with Olivia to Orlando for the weekend, where superproducer Guy Monroe is holding auditions for a new singing group, and Dana is discovered too. Dana, who’s never sung more than Olivia’s backup. Dana, who wasn’t even looking for fame. Reviewed by Taylor F., Teen Board Member.

PAPI: My Story by David Ortiz with Michael Holley (Sports/Memoir)
David “Big Papi” Ortiz is a baseball icon and one of the most popular figures ever to play the game. As a key part of the Boston Red Sox for 14 years, David helped the team win three World Series, bringing back a storied franchise from “never wins” to “always wins.” He helped them upend the doubts, the naysayers, the nonbelievers and captured the imagination of millions of fans along the way, as he launched balls into the stands again, and again, and again. Now, looking back at the end of his legendary career, Ortiz opens up fully for the first time about his last two decades in the game. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan.

HOW DARE THE SUN RISE: Memoirs of a War Child by Sandra Uwiringiyimana and Abigail Pesta (Nonfiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Sandra Uwiringiyimana.
This profoundly moving memoir is the remarkable and inspiring true story of Sandra Uwiringiyimana, a girl from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who tells the tale of how she survived a massacre, immigrated to America, and overcame her trauma through art and activism. Sandra tells the story of her survival, of finding her place in a new country, of her hope for the future, and how she found a way to give voice to her people. Reviewed by Zoe I., Teen Board Member.

CROOKED KINGDOM: A Sequel to Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (Thriller/Suspense)
Audiobook available, narrated by Brandon Rubin, Jay Snyder, Elizabeth Evans, Fred Berman, Peter Ganim, Lauren Fortgang, Roger Clark and Kevin T. Collins.
Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive, but instead of divvying up the reward, they’re fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties. A battle for revenge and redemption will be waged on the city’s streets that will decide the fate of the Grisha world. Reviewed by Rachel D., Teen Board Member.

A COURT OF WINGS AND RUIN by Sarah J. Maas (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb.
Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well. As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords-and hunt for allies in unexpected places. Reviewed by Jessica K., Teen Board Member.

THE CROWN'S FATE by Evelyn Skye (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Steve West.
Vika is now the Imperial Enchanter, but the role she once coveted may be more difficult than she ever expected. Pasha is grappling with his own problems --- his legitimacy is in doubt and he believes his best friend is dead. When a challenger to the throne emerges Pasha must do whatever it takes to keep his position and protect his kingdom. For Nikolai, the ending of the Crown’s Game stung deeply. But when he’s given a second chance at life Nikolai must decide just how far he’s willing to go to return to the world. With revolution on the rise, dangerous new magic rearing up and a tsardom up for the taking, Vika, Nikolai and Pasha must fight --- or face the destruction of not only their world but also themselves. Reviewed by Rachel R., Teen Board Member.

ALIVE by Chandler Baker (Romance)
Stella Cross is determined to embrace life after she receives a heart transplant. But her recovery is marred with strange side effects: Nightmares, hallucinations and a recurring pain that flares every day at the exact same moment. Then Stella meets Levi Zin, the new boy on everyone's radar at her Seattle prep school. Stella has never felt more drawn to anyone in her life, and soon she and Levi can barely stand to be apart. Reviewed by Emma B., Teen Board Member.

June Poll