Joli Huynh | The Children’s Book Review | February 16, 2014
There are many outstanding books coming out in 2014 that I’ve added to my To-Be-Read List. A lot of the books that I want to read are from Debut Authors and several New-to-Me authors, but most of the books I am featuring today are by authors whose previous books left a lasting impression on me that I can’t wait to get my hands on their next title.
The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High
Laurie Boyle Crompton entertained and amazed me with her debut novel Blaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillains). I immediately became a fan of her writing and her characters. I enjoy how she addresses real problems that teens deal with in their everyday lives but isn’t heavy handed in her approach. The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High adds a twist by taking three unpopular girls and pits them against each other in a quest to become prom queen in a hidden camera reality show. I expect this to be full of drama and humor and characters that I will love.
Ages 14 and up | Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire | Feb. 4, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1402273469
The Tinker King
Tiffany Trent opened my eyes to the world of steampunk with her fantasy novel The Unnaturalists. It was imaginative, magical, and completely different from anything I’d ever read before. It was a wonderful book to take me beyond my normal reading genres. The Tinker King is the highly anticipated follow-up to The Unnaturalists which brings back Vespa and Syrus as they face new challenges and terrors in a world of full of dangerous adventures.
Ages 12 and up | Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers | Feb. 11, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1442457591
Me Since You
By Laura Wiess
Laura Wiess writes books that are emotionally gripping and gut-wrenching. Her no holds barred sorytelling reveals a truth that many people willingly ignore. Every time I read one of her books, they leave me in an emotional mess, but I always keep coming back for more. Wiess’s new novel Me Since You is one of my most anticipated reads of 2014.
Ages 14 and up | Publisher: MTV Books | Feb. 18, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1439193976
The Geography of You and Me
I love stories set in a single day and I love stories told through letters and emails and texts. The Geography of You and Me gives readers a little bit of both. I’ve only read Smith’s The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, but it was an instant favorite of mine. She captured me with her characters, her storytelling, and truthfully, the title. It is sure to be a real treat.
Ages 12 and up | Publisher: Poppy | Apr. 15, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0316254779
Grim
When a friend asked me if I’d ever read any fairytale retellings, I was a little ashamed to admit that I hadn’t. Not too long after that, I learned of the upcoming Grim short story collection and I thought what better way to remedy the situation. What really excites me the most about this book are all of the authors who have contributed to this collection. I’ll get to read new stories by authors whose books I read religiously like Ellen Hopkins and Myra McEntire. It includes stories by authors who I’m a fan of their works like Jeri Smith-Ready, Jackson Pearce, and Shaun David Hutchinson, and there are plenty of stories by new-to-me authors like Malinda Lo and Kimberly Derting. I always find that collections and compilations are a wonderful way to sample the works of an author I’m interested to read.
Ages 14 and up | Publisher: Harlequin Teen | Feb. 25, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0373211081
Joli Huynh of Actin’ Up With Books is a reader, reviewer, and gal with entirely too many books. You can find her on Twitter (@ActinUpwb) and Southern Book Bloggers where she is a regular contributor. Check out more of Joli’s “Best YA” picks on The Children’s Book Review.
