The next Reader’s Advisory Roundtable will be on Wednesday,
June 8th at 9am and the topic up for discussion is social justice. It is TBD on whether the meeting will by on
Zoom or hybrid.
This week, RART met to chat about young adult fiction! There
were at least 13 people in attendance:
Holley W, O’Neal
Kelly C, Homewood
Tonya C, Springville Road
Shawn C, Pinson
Melanie L, Hoover
Holly P, Vestavia
Joi M, Homewood
Erika W, Powderly
Elli H, Homewood
Maura D, Trussville
Riana M, Pinson
Brittany R
Pamela G
In
the Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland
A pansexual bloodmage reluctantly teams up with an undead
spirit to start a rebellion among the living and the dead, in this dark YA
fantasy by A.M. Strickland, author of Beyond
the Black Door, whom Richard Kadrey calls “a storyteller of both grace and
power.”
She’s
Too Pretty to Burn by Wendy Heard
An electric romance set against a rebel art scene sparks
lethal danger for two girls in She's Too Pretty to Burn. Inspired by The
Picture of Dorian Gray, this sexy psychological thriller explores the
intersections of love, art, danger, and power.
Alone
Out Here by Riley Redgate
While the world’s leaders, scientists, and engineers oversee
the frantic production of a space fleet meant to save humankind, their children
are brought in for a weekend of touring the Lazarus, a high-tech prototype
spaceship. But when the apocalypse arrives months ahead of schedule, First
Daughter Leigh Chen and a handful of teens from the tour are the only ones to
escape the planet.
The
Revolution of Birdie Randolph by Brandy Colbert
From Stonewall Award winner Brandy Colbert comes a novel
about first love, family, and hidden secrets that will stay with you long after
turning the last page. Dove "Birdie" Randolph works hard to be the
perfect daughter and follow the path her parents have laid out for her: She
quit playing her beloved soccer, she keeps her nose buried in textbooks, and
she's on track to finish high school at the top of her class. But then Birdie
falls hard for Booker, a sweet boy with a troubled past . . . whom she knows
her parents will never approve of.
Vinyl
Moon by Mahogany L. Browne
A teen girl hiding the scars of a past relationship finds
home and healing in the words of strong Black writers. A beautiful sophomore
novel from a critically acclaimed author and poet that explores how words have
the power to shape and uplift our world even in the midst of pain.
When
You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk
For fans of Nina LaCour's We
Are Okay and Adam Silvera's History
Is All You Left Me, this heartfelt and ultimately uplifting novel follows
one sixteen-year-old girl's friend breakup through two concurrent timelines--ultimately
proving that even endings can lead to new beginnings.
Bitter
by Akwaeke Emezi
From National Book Award finalist Akwaeke Emezi comes a
companion novel to the critically acclaimed PET that explores both the
importance and cost of social revolution--and how youth lead the way.
Pet
by Akwaeke Emezi
There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the
city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up
with this lesson all their life. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature made of
horns and colors and claws, who emerges from one of her mother's paintings and
a drop of Jam's blood, she must reconsider what she's been told. Pet has come
to hunt a monster, and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption's
house. Jam must fight not only to protect her best friend, but also to uncover
the truth, and the answer to the question--How do you save the world from
monsters if no one will admit they exist?
Heartstopper
by Alice Oseman
Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. A
sweet and charming coming-of-age story that explores friendship, love, and
coming out. This edition features beautiful two-color artwork. Soon to be
streaming on Netflix!
Queen
of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf
They
Wish They Were Us meets The
Queen’s Gambit in the world of competitive Scrabble when a teen girl
is forced to investigate the mysterious death of her best friend a year after
the fact when her Instagram comes back to life with cryptic posts and messages.
Practice
Girl by Estelle Laure
An emotional and empowering novel about reputation and
double standards, perfect for fans of Katie
Cotugno and Sarah
Dessen.
Sense
and Second Degree Murder by Tizrah Prince
In this second book of the Jane Austen Murder Mystery
series, Tirzah Price takes readers for another fun, murderous romp through one
of Austen’s beloved novels. Perfect for fans of The
Lady Janies and Stalking
Jack the Ripper.
Young
Elites by Marie Lu
Darth Vader, Voldemort, Maleficent. Witness the rise of a
new villain. Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. Teren Santoro
works for the king. Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. Adelina
wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the
lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very
different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina
has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her
heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.
Contagion
by Erin Bowman
Perfect for fans of Madeleine
Roux, Jonathan
Maberry, and horror films like 28
Days Later and Resident
Evil, this pulse-pounding, hair-raising, utterly terrifying novel is the
first in a duology from the critically acclaimed author of the Taken
trilogy.
This
Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
Briseis has a gift: with a single touch she can grow plants
from tiny seeds to rich blooms. When Briseis’s aunt dies and wills her a
dilapidated estate in rural New York, Bri and her parents hope that surrounded
by plants and flowers, she will finally learn to control her gift. But their
new home is sinister in ways they never expected―it comes with a mysterious set
of instructions, a walled garden filled with the deadliest botanicals in the
world, and generations of secrets. There is more to Bri’s sudden inheritance
than she could have imagined, and she is determined to uncover it.
Markswoman
by Rati Mehrotra
An order of magical-knife wielding female assassins brings
both peace and chaos to their post-apocalyptic world in this bewitching blend
of science fiction and epic fantasy—the first entry in a debut duology that
displays the inventiveness of the works of Sarah
Beth Durst and Marie
Lu.
What
If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Sihoa
Critically acclaimed and bestselling authors Becky
Albertalli and Adam Silvera combine their talents in this smart, funny,
heartfelt collaboration about two very different boys who can’t decide if the
universe is pushing them together—or pulling them apart.
The
Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
Sleeping Beauty meets Indiana Jones in this thrilling
fairytale retelling for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and The Cruel Prince.
Last
Night at the Telegraph Club by Melinda Lowe
Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can't remember exactly when the
feeling took root—that desire to look, to move closer, to touch. Whenever it
started growing, it definitely bloomed the moment she and Kathleen Miller
walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club.
Suddenly everything seemed possible. But America in 1954 is not a safe
place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown.
When
You Get the Chance by Emma Lord
Nothing will get in the way of Millie Price’s dream of
becoming a Broadway star. Not her lovable but super introverted dad, who raised
Millie alone since she was a baby. Not her drama club rival, Oliver, who is the
very definition of Simmering Romantic Tension. And not her “Millie Moods,” the
feelings of intense emotion that threaten to overwhelm. Millie needs an ally.
And when an accidentally left-open browser brings Millie to her dad’s
embarrassingly moody LiveJournal from 2003, Millie knows just what to do―find
her mom.
You’ve
Reached Sam by Justin Thao
Seventeen-year-old Julie Clarke has her future all planned
out―move out of her small town with her boyfriend Sam, attend college in the
city; spend a summer in Japan. But then Sam dies. And everything changes. Heartbroken,
Julie skips his funeral, throws out his belongings, and tries everything to
forget him. But a message Sam left behind in her yearbook forces memories to
return. Desperate to hear him one more time, Julie calls Sam's cell phone just
to listen to his voice mail recording. And Sam picks up the phone. The
connection is temporary. But hearing Sam's voice makes Julie fall for him all
over again and with each call, it becomes harder to let him go.
BOOKS MENTIONED IN THE ZOOM CHAT
Pride
and Premeditation by Tizrah Prince
Perfect for fans of the Lady Janies and Stalking
Jack the Ripper, the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries trilogy
is a clever retelling of Pride and Prejudice that reimagines
the iconic settings, characters, and romances in a thrilling and high-stakes
whodunit.
Warcross
series by Marie Lu
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie
Lu—when a game called Warcross takes the world by storm, one girl hacks her way
into its dangerous depths.
Legend
series by Marie Lu
What was once the western United States is now home to the
Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite
family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is
a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles.
Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted
criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
The
Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Orphaned and expendable,
Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first trek across
the Shadow Fold―a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. But when
her regiment is attacked, Alina unleashes dormant magic not even she knew she
possessed.
Six
of Crows series by Leigh Bardugo
Leigh Bardugo returns to the breathtaking world of the
Grishaverse in this unforgettable tale about the opportunity―and the
adventure―of a lifetime. A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter
who can't walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known
as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with
a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist.
Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and
destruction―if they don't kill each other first.
--anything by Sarah J. Maas, though her YA series is Throne
of Glass, which follows assassin Celaena Sardothien and includes the
following books: The Assassin’s Blade, Throne of Glass, Crown of
Midnight, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, Empire of Storms, Tower of Dawn,
and Kingdom of Ash.
Akata
Witch series by Nnedi Okorafor
Sunny Nwazue lives in Nigeria, but she was born in New York
City. Her features are West African, but she's albino. She's a terrific athlete
but can't go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where
she fits in. And then she discovers something amazing—she is a "free
agent" with latent magical power. And she has a lot of catching up to do.
Binti
series by Nnedi Okorafor
Her name is Binti, and she is the first of the Himba people
ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of
higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her
place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not
share her ways or respect her customs.
Home
is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo
From the acclaimed poet featured on Forbes Africa’s “30
Under 30” list, this powerful novel-in-verse captures one girl, caught between
cultures, on an unexpected journey to face the ephemeral girl she might have
been. Woven through with moments of lyrical beauty, this is a tender meditation
on family, belonging, and home.
Cemetery
Boys by Aiden Thomas
A trans boy determined to prove his gender to his
traditional Latinx family summons a ghost who refuses to leave in Aiden
Thomas's paranormal YA debut.
