The good news is I'm still trash for mysterious and indulgent campus (boarding school, university) set stories. The better news? THIS MAY BE MY FAVOURITE OF THE VARIETY. At least, since S.T.A.G.S. and Truly Devious. (Also, before you ask, yes I'm excited for the adaptation and the inevitable newly drawn obsession.) 

Ricochet was an unexpectedly thrilling read. And completely unique--it left me feeling jolted by its final pages.

The Black Kids had me hooked immediately with its stunning cover and highly engaging synopsis. There was something about it that screamed 'READ ME' almost instantly and it's such a fantastic read. Trust me on this one, guys. The Black Kids is another must-read release of 2020.

We all know I love a good Arthurian Legend retelling--and Legendborn is one of the best since Once & Future. Get ready for Black Girl Magic and a well woven fantasy. Legendborn kept me on the edge of my seat and was the perfect retelling.

 

When Once Upon a Book Club reached out to send me their YA box last month, I nearly exploded in excitement. (And, yes, it is totally worth it. Not to be all Influencer, but use my code for 10% off: JESSICAB10!) Raybearer just might be my favourite fantasy of the year. 

 

Nina LaCour is one of those authors who writes such lyrical stories, she continues to outdo herself in the best ways possible. Naturally, Watch Over Me was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and it definitely lived up to the hype! (Well, the hype I gave it.) 

Felix Ever After is the novel we all need in our lives. It's the young adult contemporary we've been waiting for! Needless to say, Kacen Callender did it AGAIN and delivered one of the best books of the year. Felix Ever After is must-read material and an instant classic. (Sorry in advanced if this post shows up weirdly formatted--no matter what I do, the new Blogger interface fails me.)

Let's step back to 1991! Which is now, cringe, considered historical fiction. If the 1990s are now in the historical fiction genre, does that mean I am a historical artifact? (I legitimately asked my friend this. Hello, Sammy.)

How many times have I exclaimed, in the purest form of excitement, that even though this year is not a good one, we've been seeing some exceptional releases in literature? I say it at least six times a month, I think, but that doesn't make it any less true--Lobizona is proof of that.

Before we get started, please consider donating to Quileute Move to Higher Ground. Click the link to learn more. Thank you! Somewhere in time, super-young-Jessica has been slowly having a complete emotional fit of excitement over Midnight Sun. I mean, how long have we been waiting for this to be released in full? A LONG TIME. And Stephenie Meyer finally delivered.

This Is My America is destined for beloved status. This is the young adult contemporary you need to be reaching for this year. Toss everything aside to boost it up on your TBR. It's time. But. How can I begin to describe its beauty?

Erin Hahn proves once again that she's one of the best voices to come to modern young adult fiction.

Obviously Sasha Laurens had me at the comparison to Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and The Craft. (And I'm over here wishing desperately for autumn to hurry up and arrive.) I'm not going to lie to you guys, there was a HUGE disappointed sigh from me knowing that I am not reading this during the autumn.

Spoiler alert: He Must Like You is yet another book I wish I'd had when I was just starting, or the middle of, high school. AND IT'S SO GOOD.

Filed under: books I cannot stop thinking about. Or grinning over. Or attempting to shove down people's throats. (Er, okay, I wouldn't do that to a book. I AM, HOWEVER, BUYING COPIES TO PUT IN SOME LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES BECAUSE I HAVE NO CONTROL. All caps.

Last year if you told me that, exactly one year later, I'd be frothing at the mouth for vampire fiction during a global pandemic I would have asked you who your dealer was. This year, I'd say, "READ THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE DAMNED. Both are by Renée Ahdieh and you are missing out." Word for word.

Page Street Kids continues to slay with their highly engaging, diverse YA novels and I'm forever in awe. Forest of Souls is the latest atmospheric release from their lineup--and you definitely need to be keeping an eye out for Lori M. Lee.

Young Adult Fantasy in 2020 continues to be the only saving grace of an otherwise shit-tastic year. I stand by that and am listing Cinderella is Dead as a leading example. (ALSO!! That cover!!!)

The explosive conclusion to House of Night Other World is finally here. AND I'M SO SAD ABOUT IT? In an excited, feeling revitalized, way? It's time to get Found.