Early January 2017

January 12, 2017

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Happy New Year from Teenreads!

Hi Teenreaders,

Happy New Year! Ah, it feels like we haven’t spoken since last year (I’m sorry, I had to). As we ring in 2017, this newsletter arrives using our new newsletter platform. We’ve tried our best to keep everything as close to the old style as possible, but don’t be surprised if you see changes in the months ahead. Reading on your phone? Our newsletters are now mobile-friendly, so you can catch up on all the latest bookish news between Snapchatting and discovering new and creative uses for Emojis.

We have two major things on our brains: determining the best book of last year and figuring out our read-solutions for this year. With that in mind, if you still haven’t nominated your 15 favorite books of 2016 for the Teen Choice Book Award, be sure to do so by February 1st. Remember, this is the only national award where teens make all of the decisions, from which books are nominated to which one eventually wins. Talk about a great way to start the year!

As for our New Year’s read-solutions, mine is definitely to read outside of my comfort zone, which means that I’ll be putting lots of high fantasies, graphic novels and even audiobooks on my TBR. Of course, I’d also like to top the number of books I read last year (164!), which is probably the most popular bookish resolution of all. If you’ve given yourself a reading goal for the year, let us know in our latest poll, where we ask how many books you’d like to read in 2017. Don’t worry, if you’re still working on your read-solutions, author Zoraida Cordova has some great tips here.

While we’re ringing in 2017, let’s talk about some of the most anticipated books of this month, starting with WINDWITCH, the sequel to Susan Dennard’s bestselling book, TRUTHWITCH. Back in November, Teen Board member Taylor F. met Dennard at YALLFest, a two day book festival celebrating all things YA and blogged about her experience for us. Now Taylor is back with her rave review of WINDWITCH --- trust us, if you haven’t read started this series already, now is definitely the time.

Of course, it would be crazy to talk about January releases without mentioning CARVE THE MARK, the latest book from DIVERGENT author Veronica Roth. Although this book doesn’t release until January 17th, Teen Board member Hannah C. is busily working on her review and was even kind enough to share a photo of her advanced copy, which you can see above. If that’s not enough, we have more even more ways to get your Roth fix. Epic Reads has the inside scoop on all things CARVE THE MARK, including character art, a map, a pronunciation guide and a sneak peek of the cast of the audiobook. Did I mention that actor Austin Butler --- aka Wil Ohmsford in MTV’s “The Shannara Chronicles” --- will be voicing Akos on the audiobook?

Although the holidays are usually a quiet time for news, we've been collecting tons of exciting tidbits to share with you since we last spoke. First, in title- and cover-reveal news, we have the title of Stephanie Perkins’ next novel, which she announced on Instagram one week ago. We’ll be keeping you updated as we learn more about this YA horror novel, which will be releasing this fall.

Anna-Marie McLemore also gave us a thrill when she revealed the impossibly gorgeous cover of her next book, WILD BEAUTY, which you can see above. McLemore’s third novel follows the Nomeolvides family, who has tended the estate gardens of La Pradera for generations, but when a mysterious boy named Fel appears in their gardens, teenage Estrella must uncover the ties between Fel and her family’s pasts.

Speaking of beautiful covers, fans of Roshani Chokshi’s THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN will be delighted to know that Chokshi has been working on a series of novellas which will explore the original love story between her characters Maya and Amar. The first novella, DEATH AND NIGHT, doesn’t release until May, but you can see a photo of the cover above.

In books on screen news, we are officially only one day away from the Netflix release of Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events” and I personally could not be more excited. All of the teaser trailers and images so far have been incredible and I’m so pumped to see this series brought to life --- especially since it's making its big debut on Friday the 13th.

Up next, a lead has been cast in the film adaptation of Becky Albertalli’s SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA. You may recognize Nick Robinson from his heroic roles in Jurassic World and The 5th Wave, but soon he’ll be able to add “blackmailing teenagers” to the already impressive list of enemies he’s battled onscreen.

If you, like us, were obsessed with Nicola Yoon’s debut novel, EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING and have eagerly been following news about its journey from book to screen, get ready to add a whole new obsession to your list. Warner Brothers and MGM have teamed up to acquire the film rights for Yoon’s second book, THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR, which we reviewed back in November. It’s early yet, but it’s clear that Nicola Yoon is in for a big year.

Lastly, no newsletter would be complete without some mention of Queen J.K. Rowling, so click here to see what she’s working on next. Last week, Rowling shared a mysterious painting on her Twitter, which she says holds a clue to her next books. I have stared at this photo from nearly every angle for an embarrassing amount of time and I still have no leads, so if you think you’ve figured it out, please send your theories my way!

Happy reading,

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

Vote for the Best Teen Book of 2016!

In association with the Children’s Book Council (CBC) and Every Child a Reader, Teenreads.com is giving you a very special opportunity to let your voices be heard by telling us up to 15 of your favorite books of 2016. The five titles that receive the most votes will serve as the finalists for the CBC’s 2017 Teen Choice Book of the Year.

Once the five finalists have been determined, we will tell you where you can go vote for them. The winner will be announced in May 2017.

Click here to vote for the 2016 Teen Choice Book Awards!

Featured Review: WINDWITCH by Susan Dennard

WINDWITCH by Susan Dennard (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Cassandra Campbell.
After an explosion destroys his ship, the world believes Prince Merik, Windwitch, is dead. Scarred yet alive, Merik is determined to prove his sister’s treachery. Upon reaching the royal capital, crowded with refugees, he haunts the streets, fighting for the weak ― which leads to whispers of a disfigured demigod, the Fury, who brings justice to the oppressed. When the Bloodwitch Aeduan discovers a bounty on Iseult, he makes sure to be the first to find her --- yet in a surprise twist, Iseult offers him a deal. She will return money stolen from him, if he locates Safi. Reviewed by Taylor F., Teen Board Member

- Click here to read more about the book.

Click here to read the review.

Featured Review: LIFE IN A FISHBOWL by Len Vlahos

LIFE IN A FISHBOWL by Len Vlahos (Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Bailey Carr.
When Jackie discovers that her father has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, her whole world starts to crumble. She can't imagine how she'll live without him. Then, in a desperate act to secure his family's future, Jackie's father does the unthinkable --- he puts his life up for auction on eBay. Jackie can do nothing but watch and wait as an odd assortment of bidders, some with nefarious intentions, drive the price up higher. The fate of her entire family hangs in the balance. Reviewed by Mikenzie Reed.

- Click here to read more about the book.

Click here to read the review.

Featured Review: YOU DON'T KNOW MY NAME by Kristen Orlando

YOU DON'T KNOW MY NAME by Kristen Orlando (Fiction)
Seventeen-year-old Reagan Elizabeth Hillis is used to changing identities overnight, lying to every friend she’s ever had, and pushing away anyone who gets too close. Trained in mortal combat and weaponry her entire life, Reagan is expected to follow in her parents’ footsteps and join the ranks of the most powerful top-secret agency in the world, the Black Angels. Falling in love with the boy next door was never part of the plan. Reviewed by Carolyn C., Teen Board Member

- Click here to read more about the book.

Click here to read the review.

Featured Review: THE LAST HARVEST by Kim Liggett

THE LAST HARVEST: A Novel by Kim Liggett (Horror)
On the first anniversary of the Midland, Oklahoma, slaughter, the whole town's looking at Clay like he might be next to go over the edge. Clay wants to forget the past, but the sons and daughters of the Preservation Society --- a group of prominent farmers his dad accused of devil worship --- won't leave him alone. Including Ali, his longtime crush, who suddenly wants to reignite their romance after a year of silence, and hated rival Tyler Neely, who's behaving like they're old friends. Reviewed by Maggie L., Teen Board Member

- Click here to read more about the book.

Click here to read the review.

Now in Stores: FROSTBLOOD by Elly Blake

FROSTBLOOD by Elly Blake (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Jennifer English.
Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a fireblood who must hide her powers of heat and flame from the cruel frostblood ruling class that wants to destroy all that are left of her kind. So when her mother is killed for protecting her and rebel frostbloods demand her help to kill their rampaging king, she agrees.

We will have our review soon!

Click here to read more about the book.

Books to Add to Your Guy-Brary Bookshelf

We're bringing you Part 5 of our Guy-Brary feature, which focuses on boy-friendly books releasing in November and December. Whether you're looking for a fun winter read, a hard-hitting story full of drama, or yes, even a romance, you're sure to find something great on our "Books to Add to Your Guy-brary, Part 5" Bookshelf.

To see the books we recommended in 2016, click on each link below:

Click here to see Part 1 featuring books that released in May and June.

Click here to see Part 2 featuring books that released in July and August.

Click here to see Part 3 featuring books that released in September and October.

Click here to see Part 4 featuring books that released in November and December.

Check out our "Books to Add to Your Guy-Brary Bookshelf - Part 5."

Teen Board Update

Teen Board Question: New year, new books, same Teen Board. To kick off the new year, we asked our Teen Board members to tell us some of their read-solutions, whether they involved reading a certain number of books, finishing a series or trying out a new genre or author. Since we have a whopping 50 members for this cycle, we have split up their answers into two parts. Click here to see part one and check back next time for part two!

Reviews: Our Teen Board members reviewed a bunch of terrific YA books this month from various genres. Danielle F. got thrills and chills from THE SILENCE OF SIX, a book she calls a "perfectly executed package." Jeremy H. was able to read the final book in one of his favorite series, Endgame. He calls RULES OF THE GAME an "emotional roller coaster, a lightning-paced novel with fights to the death."

Blog: We're kicking off the new year with a very special blog post from Teen Board member Aliza M., who spent some time with a coloring book based on Keira Cass's Selection series. Click here to see what she thought of the book and see some of her colored pages!

January's Books on Screen

Happy New Year, Teenreaders! In honor of the new year, we have compiled a list of new book-to-film adaptations to help you celebrate the start of 2017. In New York, we have already had one snow storm and we knew exactly how to spend it --- watching everything on our Books on Screen list. So start heating up the hot chocolate and get the marshmallows ready!

Coming to a Netflix account near you is Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events," which will arrive on January 13th. Just because it's a new year doesn't mean you can't go back in time to revisit an early childhood favorite. Join the Baudelaire siblings, Violet, Klaus and Sunny, as they navigate life after their parents' deaths and under the evil eye of Count Olaf. The dark and twisted series of, well, unfortunate events that the Baudelaire orphans experience will be the perfect entertainment for when it's just too cold to leave the house.

In theaters this month, A Dog's Purpose comes to life in a movie that is sure to tug on everyone's heartstrings. The movie takes viewers on the journey of one dog's path through several different lives to uncover the purpose behind his own. This heartwarming story of a dog and the humans he touches is sure to warm you up on any winter snow day.

Click here to read more in January's Books on Screen feature.

January's Cool and New Roundup

This month's Cool & New roundup includes a lot of great series updates, including RAGING SEA by Michael Buckley, book two in the Undertow Trilogy, which is a post-apocalyptic series set in Brooklyn; Kami Garcia's AGENT CHAOS, an X-Files Origins novel which is based on the hit TV show and follows a young Fox Mulder after his sister has gone missing; and, lastly, THE DARK DAYS PACT by Alison Goodman, which picks up after the events of THE DARK DAYS CLUB as Lady Helen learns to fight the Deceivers and struggles with her own past.

Click here to see the rest of January's Cool and New roundup.

January's New in Paperback Roundup

This month's New in Paperback roundup includes TRUTHWITCH by Susan Dennard, which follows Safiya and Iseult, two witches who are desperate for freedom but end up getting dragged into a war; Jenny Han's P.S. I STILL LOVE YOU, which picks up where we left off with Lara Jean and her adventures in falling in love; and, lastly, A STUDY IN CHARLOTTE by Brittany Cavallaro, a suspenseful mystery retelling of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson in which Holmes is a headstrong teenage girl and Watson is her goofy guy friend.

Click here to see the rest of January's New in Paperback roundup.

More New Reviews

MARESI: The Red Abbey Chronicles by Maria Turtschaninoff (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Michi Barall.
Only women and girls are allowed in the Red Abbey, a haven from abuse and oppression. Maresi, a 13-year-old novice there, arrived in the hunger winter and now lives a happy life in the Abbey, protected by the Mother and reveling in the vast library in the House of Knowledge, her favorite place. Into this idyllic existence comes Jai, a girl with a dark past. Reviewed by Rachel D., Teen Board Member.

BEHELD by Alex Flinn (Fantasy)
Being a powerful witch, Kendra has survived it all. Since she first beheld James over three hundred years ago, Kendra has tangled with witch hunters and wolves, helped a miller’s daughter spin straw into gold, cowered in London as German bombs fell, and lived through who knows how many shipwrecks. But her powers have limits, and immortality can be lonely. Kendra isn’t ready to stop searching for the warlock she had met centuries ago. Reviewed by Alyssa L., Teen Board Member.

SPINDLE by E.K. Johnston (Fantasy)
It has been generations since the Storyteller Queen saved her country from fire and blood. Her family has prospered, and two new kingdoms have sprouted on either side of the mountains where the demons are kept prisoner by bright iron. But the prison is crumbling. Through years of careful manipulation, a demon has regained her power. When a princess is born, the demon is ready with the final blow: a curse that will cost the princess her very soul, or force her to destroy her own people to save her life. But the web of power is dangerously tangled --- and they may not see the true pattern until it is unspooled. Reviewed by Alyssa L., Teen Board Member.

TEACH ME TO FORGET by Erica M. Chapman (Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Bailey Carr.
Ellery wants to die. Nothing is going right. Her younger sister is dead, and her family is in a shambles. But on the day that she tries to end it all, even the gun won't work. When she tries to return it, she's intercepted by a security guard who also happens to be a boy in one of her classes, Colter Sawyer. Colter recognizes Ellery's desperation and begins working hard to earn her trust. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Colter has very good reasons for his vigilance, deep, personal reasons. Reviewed by Kate F., Teen Board Member.

THE SILENCE OF SIX by E.C. Meyers (Thriller)
“WHAT IS THE SILENCE OF SIX, AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?” These are the last words uttered by 17-year-old Max Stein’s best friend Evan just moments before he kills himself after hacking into the live-streaming Presidential debate at their high school. Haunted by the unforgettable image of Evan’s death, Max’s entire world is upended as he suddenly finds himself the target of a corporate-government witch-hunt. Reviewed by Danielle F., Teen Board Member.

THE FRENCH IMPRESSIONIST by Rebecca Bischoff (Fiction)
Rosemary is 15 and gloriously free, on her own for the very first time. Part of an exchange program for aspiring artists, she arrives in southern France with one goal: she doesn’t plan to leave, ever. She wants a new life and a new identity. But her situation, crafted from lies big and small, is precarious. As Rosemary struggles to hide her lack of artistic talent and obvious communication disorder from her new family, she must ultimately choose whether or not she’ll tell the biggest lie of all, even if it means destroying the life of someone she cares about. Reviewed by Mckenzie S., Teen Board Member.

BLACK MOON: A Zodiac Novel by Romina Russell (Fantasy)
Rho, the courageous visionary from House Cancer, lost nearly everything when she exposed and fought against the Marad, a mysterious terrorist group bent on destroying balance in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now the Marad has disappeared without a trace, and an uneasy peace has been declared. When news of a stylish new political party supported by her best friend, Nishi, sends Rho on another journey across the Galaxy, she uses it as an opportunity to hunt the hidden master and seek out information about her mother. And what she uncovers sheds light on the truth --- but casts darkness upon the entire Zodiac world. Reviewed by Alize J., Teen Board Member.

CATALYST: The Deception Game, Book One by Kristin Smith (Science Fiction)
In a crumbling, futuristic Las Vegas where the wealthy choose the characteristics of their children like ordering off a drive-thru menu, 17-year-old Sienna Preston doesn't fit in. As a normal girl surrounded by genetically modified teenagers, all of her imperfections are on display. But after the death of her father, everything she's ever known and loved changes in an instant. With little skills to help provide for her family, Sienna clings to the two things that come easily --- lying and stealing. When a covert exchange of a stolen computer chip is intercepted, she becomes entangled with a corrupt government official who uses her thieving past as leverage, her mother as collateral, and the genetically modified poster boy she's falling for as bait. Reviewed by Rachel A., Teen Board Member.

THE EMOTIONARY: A Dictionary of Words That Don't Exist for Feelings That Do by Eden Sher (Humor)
All her life, Eden Sher has suffered from dyscommunicatia (n. the inability to articulate a feeling through words.). Then, one day, she decided that, whenever she had an emotion for which she had no word, she would make one up. The result of this is THE EMOTIONARY, which lives at the intersection of incredibly funny and very useful. Reviewed by Emma B., Teen Board Member.

TIMEKEEPER by Tara Sim (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook forthcoming.
Though Danny is a prodigy who can repair not only clockwork, but the very fabric of time, his fixation with staging a rescue is quickly becoming a concern to his superiors. And so they assign him to Enfield, a town where the tower seems to be forever plagued with problems. Danny's new apprentice both annoys and intrigues him, and though the boy is eager to work, he maintains a secretive distance. Danny soon discovers why: he is the tower's clock spirit, a mythical being that oversees Enfield's time. Reviewed by Jessica K., Teen Board Member.

THE GIRL IN THE PICTURE by Alexandra Monir (Mystery)
Nicole Morgan has been labeled many things --- the geeky music girl, the shy sidekick of Miss Popularity, and the girl with the scar. Now only one name haunts her through the halls of Oyster Bay Prep. The girl in the picture. After heartthrob Chace Porter is found dead in the woods near the school, the police search for the girl snuggled up next to him in a picture discovered among his personal effects. A girl no one knew was even close to him --- and whose best friend, Lana Rivera, was his girlfriend. Nicole is that girl, and now she’s the primary suspect in his murder. Reviewed by Rebecca N., Teen Board Member.

THE SELECTION COLORING BOOK by Keira Cass and Martina Flor (Coloring Book)
Prepare to be swept away by the gorgeous gowns and breathless romance of Kiera Cass’s #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series --- now brought to life in this beautifully illustrated coloring book. Features original black-and-white line drawings of favorite characters and moments from the world of Illéa, as well as stunningly designed hand-lettered quotes from all five Selection books, all on perforated pages that can easily be removed and displayed. Reviewed by Aliza M., Teen Board Member.

ENDGAME: Rules of the Game by James Frey and Nils Johnson-Shelton (Science Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Sunil Malhotra.
The explosive final novel in the Endgame trilogy. Two keys have been found. The strongest Players are left. One final key remains to win Endgame and save the world. For Sarah, Jago, Aisling, Maccabee, Shari, An and Hilal, Endgame has reached its final phase. The third key, Sun Key, is all that stands between one Player saving their line --- or perishing along with the rest of the world. And only one can win. No matter what they’re Playing for, all of the remaining Players have one thing in common: they will end the game, but on their own terms. Reviewed by Jeremy H., Teen Board Member.

THE SECRET OF A HEART NOTE by Stacey Lee (Fantasy)
Sometimes love is right under your nose. As one of only two aromateurs left on the planet, 16-year-old Mimosa knows what her future holds: a lifetime of weeding, mixing love elixirs, and matchmaking --- all while remaining incurably alone. For Mim, the rules are clear: falling in love would render her nose useless, taking away her one great talent. Still, Mimosa doesn’t want to spend her life elbow-deep in soil and begonias. She dreams of a normal high school experience with friends, sports practices, debate club, and even a boyfriend. But when she accidentally gives an elixir to the wrong woman and has to rely on the lovesick woman’s son, the school soccer star, to help fix the situation, Mim quickly begins to realize that falling in love isn’t always a choice you can make. Reviewed by Flor H., Teen Board Member.

THE LIFE FANTASTIC: A Novel in Three Acts by Liza Ketchum (Historical Fiction)
In Brattleboro, Vermont, 15-year-old Teresa LeClair --- who has a "voice like a nightingale" --- remembers the thrill of singing onstage as a child. Determined to escape the life her father wants for her, Teresa wins an amateur singing contest in Brattleboro's opera house and steals away on the night train to New York. There she runs into Pietro Jones and his father, talented African American dancers. At a time when young black men could be lynched for simply looking at a white girl, Pietro understands, better than Teresa, the danger of their relationship. Reviewed by Rachel R., Teen Board Member.

HEADS UP MONEY by DK Publishing (Nonfiction)
From the pocket change to online shopping, money is everywhere. Economics can't be ignored, and HEADS UP MONEY helps children make sense of the global marketplace, financial risks and gains, and free trade. With easy-to-understand explanations of economic theory, this introductory resource is structured around key questions like "What is money?" "What is healthy competition?" and "What is the wage gap?" Reviewed by Alize J., Teen Board Member.