Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: Most-Anticipated 2019 Young Adult Book Releases




Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is our most-anticipated 2019 books. That’s a huge topic! I’m looking forward to so many books! Right now, I’m only going to feature young adult books that are coming out between January and June. There will be separate posts for adult books and books coming out in the second half of the year.




2019 Young Adult Releases That Are My Kind Of Weird And Wonderful 








The Twisted Tree by Rachel Burge


Young Adult Horror
January 2019

Martha can tell things about a person just by touching their clothes, as if their emotions and memories have been absorbed into the material. It started the day she fell from the tree at her grandma's cabin and became blind in one eye.

Determined to understand her strange ability, Martha sets off to visit her grandmother, Mormor—only to discover Mormor is dead, a peculiar boy is in her cabin and a terrifying creature is on the loose.



Why I’m looking forward to it: I think this book is already out in ebook form, so if you’re excited, you can probably get it right now. This is supposed to be a spooky, atmospheric story set in snowy Norway. I don’t have the best luck with YA horror because most of it is too tame for me, but I’m curious. Goodreads reviewers have rated it highly.












Spectacle by Jodie Lynn Zdrok


Young Adult Historical Fantasy
February 2019

Paris, 1887.

Sixteen-year-old Nathalie Baudin writes the daily morgue column for Le Petit Journal. Her job is to summarize each day's new arrivals, a task she finds both fascinating and routine. That is, until the day she has a vision of the newest body, a young woman, being murdered—from the perspective of the murderer himself.

When the body of another woman is retrieved from the Seine days later, Paris begins to buzz with rumors that this victim may not be the last. Nathalie's search for answers sends her down a long, twisty road involving her mentally ill aunt, a brilliant but deluded scientist, and eventually into the Parisian Catacombs. As the killer continues to haunt the streets of Paris, it becomes clear that Nathalie's strange new ability may make her the only one who can discover the killer's identity—and she'll have to do it before she becomes a target herself.


Why I’m looking forward to it: I love YA historical fiction and tolerate YA fantasy. This sounds like an excellent blend of the two genres. Also, catacombs. (Honestly, I'm mostly interested in the catacombs.)












Song For A Whale by Lynne Kelly


Middlegrade Contemporary
February 2019

Twelve-year-old Iris has never let her deafness slow her down. A whiz at fixing electronics, she's always felt at home in the world of wires and vacuum tubes.

School, on the other hand, isn't quite as simple. Between her frustrating teacher Ms. Conn and her overly helpful classmate Nina, Iris can't seem to catch a break.

But during science class, Iris learns about Blue 55—the loneliest whale in the world. Saddened by the animal's inability to speak to other whales, Iris uses her tech skills to come up with a plan to communicate with Blue 55.

One small problem: the whale is swimming off the coast of Alaska, nearly 3,000 miles from her Texas home. But, nothing stops Iris, and with her Deaf grandmother by her side, she sets out on a road trip to meet the whale and make sure he's finally heard.


Why I’m looking forward to it: The cover. That’s a shallow reason to be interested in a book, but it’s true. The author is a sign language interpreter, so hopefully she knows how to write Deaf characters. The weird-but-meaningful-adventure-with-grandma plot reminds me of A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck. I really liked that book. 












The Great Unknowable End by Katheryn Ormsbee


Young Adult Alternate History
February 2019

Slater, Kansas is a small town where not much seems to happen.

Stella dreams of being a space engineer. After Stella's mom dies by suicide and her brother runs off to Red Sun, the local hippie commune, Stella is forced to bring her dreams down to Earth to care for her sister Jill.

Galliard has only ever known life inside Red Sun. There, people accept his tics, his Tourette's. But when he’s denied Red Sun's resident artist role he believed he was destined for, he starts to imagine a life beyond the gates of the compound.

The day Stella and Galliard meet, there is something in the air in their small town. Literally. So begins weeks of pink lightning, blood red rain, unexplained storms . . . . And a countdown clock appears mysteriously above the town hall. With time ticking down to some great, unknowable end they’ll each have to make a choice.

If this is really the end of the world, who do they want to be when they face it?


Why I’m looking forward to it: Hippie communes at the apocalypse? That sounds brilliant! What's not to like?












The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab (Near Witch #1)


Young Adult Fantasy
March 2019

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

There are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger, a boy who seems to fade like smoke, appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.


Why I’m looking forward to it: This is a re-release of V.E. Schwab’s first novel. I’ll read anything she writes. I haven’t read this novel yet, and this edition is stunning. I want it.












When The Sky Fell On Splendor by Emily Henry


Young Adult Science Fiction
March 2019


Almost everyone in the small town of Splendor, Ohio, was affected when the local steel mill exploded. If you weren’t a casualty of the accident yourself, chances are a loved one was. That’s the case for seventeen-year-old Franny, who, five years after the explosion, still has to stand by and do nothing as her brother lies in a coma.

In the wake of the tragedy, Franny found solace in a group of friends whose experiences mirrored her own. The group calls themselves The Ordinary, and they spend their free time investigating local ghost stories and legends, filming their exploits for their small following of YouTube fans. It’s silly, it’s fun, and it keeps them from dwelling on the sadness that surrounds them.

Until one evening, when the strange and dangerous thing they film isn’t fiction–it’s a bright light, something massive hurdling toward them from the sky. And when it crashes and the teens go to investigate . . . . everything changes.


Why I’m looking forward to it: Last year, I loved books that mixed contemporary and science fiction. This book sounds like it might have the depth and weirdness I’m craving. The synopsis compares it to The Serpent King and Stranger Things. I’ve never seen Stranger Things, but I loved The Serpent King.












The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman (The Devouring Gray #1)


Young Adult Fantasy
April 2019

On the edge of town a beast haunts the woods, trapped in the Gray, its bonds loosening . . . .

Uprooted from the city, Violet Saunders doesn’t have much hope of fitting in at her new school in Four Paths, a town almost buried in the woodlands of rural New York. The fact that she’s descended from one of the town’s founders doesn’t help much, either—her new neighbors treat her with distant respect, and something very like fear. When she meets Justin, May, Isaac, and Harper, all children of founder families, and sees the otherworldly destruction they can wreak, she starts to wonder if the townsfolk are right to be afraid.

When bodies start to appear in the woods, the locals become downright hostile. Can the teenagers solve the mystery of Four Paths, and their own part in it, before another calamity strikes?


Why I’m looking forward to it: This is giving me vibes of Kim Liggett’s The Last Harvest, which I really liked. Also, it sounds like it involves cults. If it does, I’m crossing my fingers that it’s well-researched and not Hollywoodish. I’m extremely picky about my cult books. I don’t like stupid Hollywood nonsense.












Earth To Charlie by Justin Olson


Young Adult Contemporary
April 2019

Convinced his mother has been abducted by aliens, Charlie Dickens spends his nights with an eye out for UFOs, hoping to join her. After all, she said the aliens would come back for him. Charlie will admit that he doesn’t have many reasons to stick around; he doesn’t get along well with his father, he’s constantly bullied at school and at work, and the only friend he has is his 600-pound neighbor Geoffrey, and Geoffrey’s three-legged dog, Tickles.

Then Charlie meets popular, easy-going Seth, who shows him what real friendship is all about. For once, he finds himself looking around at the life he’s built, rather than looking up. But sooner than he expected, Charlie has to make a decision: should he stay or should he go?


Why I’m looking forward to it: The synopsis reminds me of We Are The Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson. I loved the premise of that book, but it was too “tragedy porn” for me. I’m interested to see how this one compares. Also, everything about this cover is screaming “read me!” Well done, cover designer. Take my money.













The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante


Young Adult Contemporary
June 2019

Seventeen-year-old Marisol has always dreamed of being American, learning what Americans and the US are like from television and Mrs. Rosen, an elderly expat who had employed Marisol's mother as a maid. When she pictured an American life for herself, she dreamed of a life like Aimee and Amber's, the title characters of her favorite American TV show. She never pictured fleeing her home in El Salvador under threat of death and stealing across the US border as "an illegal", but after her brother is murdered and her younger sister, Gabi's, life is also placed in equal jeopardy, she has no choice, especially because she knows everything is her fault. If she had never fallen for the charms of a beautiful girl named Liliana, Pablo might still be alive, her mother wouldn't be in hiding and she and Gabi wouldn't have been caught crossing the border.

But they have been caught and their asylum request will most certainly be denied. With truly no options remaining, Marisol jumps at an unusual opportunity to stay in the United States. She's asked to become a grief keeper, taking the grief of another into her own body to save a life. It's a risky, experimental study, but if it means Marisol can keep her sister safe, she will risk anything. She just never imagined one of the risks would be falling in love, a love that may even be powerful enough to finally help her face her own crushing grief.



Why I’m looking forward to it: This sounds both weird and timely. I’m very intrigued by the “experimental study” element.






Which 2019 releases are you looking forward to? Are any of these on your wish list?








69 comments:

  1. "The Twisted Tree" does sound good. I might have to give it a try.

    This is my Top Ten Tuesday post.

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  2. This is a fabulous list of books. Look at those covers...who could resist those?

    I'm surprised you don't have On the Come Up by Angie Thomas on your list.

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    1. It’s not on my list because it’s about music. I tend to dislike books about music, art, or sports. I just can’t make myself care about those topics.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  3. I love the variety here. That cover of Songs for a Whale is stunning. Looks like a work of art. And that new edition of The Near Witch is gorgeous. I’ve been hearing about the Stranger Things comparisons for When the Sky Fell on Splendor but this is the first I’ve heard about The Serpent King. That right there intrigues me.

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    1. I loved The Serpent King, so I really hope that comparison is accurate.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  4. This is such a great list. Spectacle made my list for the same reasons - also, who can resist creepy catacombs? Yes, I'll read anything written by Schwab. Her novels are PERFECTION! =D I've had an e-ARC of The Twisted Tree for so many months on my TBR pile. So embarrassing that I haven't read it yet.

    Happy Readings! ;)
    Tânia @MyLovelySecret

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    1. I’ll have to look for your review (if you read it). I’ll read anything Schwab writes, too. I’m so happy that her older books are being rereleased.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  5. I really want to read Spectacle too. It sounds fantastic. And I haven't read The Near Witch either, so I'm really happy it's being released again and I need it!!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I may have squealed when I saw that book was being rereleased. :)

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  6. "The Twisted Tree," "The Near Witch" and "The Devouring Gray" are all books I want to read. I love so many on your list I wouldn't know where to start!

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  7. Great list! I'm really looking forward to SONG FOR A WHALE as well. I hadn't heard of SPECTACLE before today, but I've seen it on lots of lists and it looks like a book I would enjoy. EARTH TO CHARLIE and THE GRIEF KEEPER are also new ones for me. SO many good books!

    Happy TTT!

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    1. Everyone seems to be looking forward to Spectacle. I hope it lives up to the hype.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  8. The Near Witch is on my TBR too...I adore all the books Schwab writes, and this sounds amazing.

    Marissa
    My TTT this week

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  9. The cover for Song for a Whale is gorgeous!! I really think that The Grief Keeper sounds soo good. It's a new one for me! Great list!!

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  10. Where did The Twisted Tree come from?? It sounds fantastic, and that cover has me sold right away. Honestly, all of these looks awesome, I'm going to have to add even more to my 2019 releases to look out for. The Grief Keeper and Spectacle also really stand out. Great list, I have more books to read!

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    1. I don’t know where The Twisted Tree came from! I think it’s already out in some parts of the world, but I somehow missed it.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  11. Oh new Emily Henry!! The Near Witch looks awesome.

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  12. The Devouring Gray was on my list this week too! I bought a second hand copy of the old cover of The Near Witch for a signing I was going to last year as it was the only one of Schwab's books I had yet to get signed, but I'm kind of wishing I'd waited now, because the new cover is so gorgeous.
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2019/01/08/top-ten-tuesday-193/

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    1. The new cover is so much better than the old one. I’m very happy that it’s being rereleased.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  13. My TBR is growing by leaps and bounds today!! Song for a Whale and Earth to Charlie look so good! As do several others on your list!

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  14. Ooh, adding Near Witch to my TBR! Happy reading :)

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  15. When The Sky Fell on Splendor looks amazing to me- even that cover gives me a Stranger Things- type vibe.

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    1. I should probably watch Stranger Things someday. It sounds like my kind of show, but I don’t have Netflix.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  16. I think it's funny that I did adult books and you did YA this week. Total reverse there. I need new Emily Henry. I loved her previous books, and just want more. Earth to Charlie made my TBR too. It sounds really interesting.

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    1. Haha, yeah. My post about adult books won’t be up until the 29th. Usually I’m more excited about adult books.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  17. Great list! I can't wait to try Spectacle. Thanks for sharing. :)

    Lauren @ Always Me

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    1. I really hope that Spectacle is good. It’s getting a lot of hype.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  18. I think these are actually all new to me! Enjoy!

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  19. Earth to Charlie, and The Grief Keeper are going straight to my TBR. Thanks for sharing your list! 👍✨

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  20. Earth to Charlie is one I haven't heard of, but definitely might be interested in. I hope you love all of these!

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  21. The Twisted Tree looks really interesting. I'm always looking for horror that's actually scary. I read The Near Witch way back when it was released and really enjoyed it. Happy reading!

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    1. I’m glad The Near Witch is good. It’s one of the few Schwab books I haven’t read.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  22. I totally forgot Schwab's first book is being re-released so thanks for the reminder. All of these titles look great. I'm especially excited for Spectacle.

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  23. I haven't heard of any of these, but most of the covers are real stand outs! Hope the insides match the outside, AJ!

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  24. So many beautiful covers. I hope you enjoy them, though I imagine that the waiting is tough!

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    1. Luckily, I have a zillion other books to keep me occupied until they come out.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  25. The Devouring Grey is on my 'maybe' list!

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  26. I have ARCs of both Spectacle and The Devouring Gray... hope to read both this month.

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  27. These posts are so incredibly dangerous. I want to read ALL of these! I have Song for a Whale, so I'm particularly excited for that one. And, yes, that cover is worth drooling over!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I was so nervous to look at TTT posts this week. I knew I’d add a thousand new books to my wish list.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  28. Awesome list! Spectacle sounds awesome. I just added it to my wishlist. I read The Near Witch when it first came out and absolutely loved it! Hope you enjoy it too! :)

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  29. Some of these books sound incredibly unique! I enjoy reading books set in different countries and The Twisted Tree sounds spooky but not too scary! And having read and loved A Million Junes last year, I'm really looking forward to When the Sky Fell on Splendor! Also, the cover of Earth to Charlie is absolutely stunning!

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    1. The cover designers are really on top of their game this year. So many 2019 books are stunning.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  30. I haven't heard of any of these other than The Near Witch1 But so many of the covers are SO GORGEOUS so I guess I have some researching to do! Thanks for the recommendations. <3 I hope they're all five star reads!

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    1. I hope they are, too! There’s nothing more disappointing than a pretty book that sucks.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  31. Great list! I have Spectacle from NetGalley! I thought it sounded great as well which was why I requested it. I plan on getting my review of it up either the end of this month or the beginning of next!

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  32. This is such an interesting list of books, I haven't heard of any of these except The Near Witch. I'll add some of these to my TBR.

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  33. Oh my, count me in as being shallow too because Song for a Whale's cover is just breathtaking -- and the premise is intriguing and heartwarming at the same time.

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    1. I hope it’s good. The cover and synopsis are brilliant. I'm crossing my fingers.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  34. I hadn't had any of these on my list except the book by Schwab but DANG some of those covers are so beautifullllll. I feel like I need to add some of them to my list just based on that lol.

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  35. This is such a wonderful list! I also want to read The Near Witch, I want to read everything Schwab writes haha and that edition is stunning. Also very curious about Emily Henry's new release -sounds so intriguing!- and The Devouring Gray -sounds SO atmospheric and I'm all here for it :)

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  36. We have quite a few in common, so we obviously both have amazing taste hah. I am reading Spectacle soon, probably right after The Great Unknowable End, so let's hope they're both awesome! And I definitely want to read The Devouring Gray, The Grief Keeper, and When the Sky Fell on Splendor! Also why is Song for a Whale so freaking beautiful!? Now I want it for the cover alone! Hope you end up loving ALL of these!!

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  37. I'm also really looking forward to reading The Near Witch - I too will read anything Schwab writes. The Devouring Gray has also been on my list for a while. It looks like it will be splendidly spooky!

    I hope you get the chance to read all of these as soon as they come out!

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  38. Most of these are on my wishlist too.

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  39. Yes I am looking forward to the rerelease of The Near Witch too!

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  40. I feel so out of the loop. I didn't know about any of these releases at all, and I am going to have to look into them! The only one familiar to me is The Twisted Tree because I have seen ARC photos on Instagram.

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