November 2018
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The National Book Awards, YALLFest and Tattered Cover's Teen Book Con! No Images? Click here  November 15, 2018 Quick Links to Features on Teenreads.com Buying a book online? Use these links and support Teenreads.com!
The National Book Awards, YALLFest and Colorado Teen Book Con, Oh My!Whew, it's been another fabulous month of young adult book events for me! I am going to start with the National Book Awards, which were announced last night. In case you are not familiar with these awards, the National Book Award ceremony is the biggest night in the book world, when we celebrate the best books of the year in five separate categories: Young People's Literature, Translated Literature, Poetry, Nonfiction and Fiction. I was there to cover the event, and hearing the winners announced firsthand while being in a room with all that energy about books made it a night to remember. Author Elizabeth Acevedo took home the award for Young People's Literature for THE POET X, which was one of our Ultimate Reading List titles when it released back in March. Written in verse, THE POET X is about Xiomara Batista, a teenage girl who feels too exposed in her Harlem neighborhood, where her curves attract unwanted attention. With her mami forcing her to obey the rules of the church, Xiomara begins to take out her frustration in a leather notebook, where her words allow her to be as fierce as she wants, regardless of mami or her neighborhood's opinions. But when she begins to fall for a boy in her biology class and gets invited to join her school's slam poetry club, the tension between who she wants to be and what is expected of her becomes overwhelming, and Xiomara is forced to break some rules. When Acevedo accepted her award, she said, "I walk through the world with a chip on my shoulder....I go into so many spaces where I feel like I have to prove that I'm allowed to be in that space...as a child of immigrants, as a Black woman, as a Latina, as a person whose accent holds certain neighborhoods, whose body holds certain stories." She then thanked her readers who "time and again remind me why I took this leap, why it matters, and why books matter." It was a beautiful speech, and I am so happy I was there to hear it --- congratulations to Elizabeth Acevedo! Now let's cut to this past weekend, which found me in Charleston, South Carolina. As I was making my travel plans and scoping out bookstores to visit (a booklover's must-do when traveling), I realized I would be in town the same weekend as YALLFest, the South's biggest young adult book festival, which is coordinated by Blue Bicycle Books and a few authors, including Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Naturally, I made a point of attending as much of the two-day event as I could, and let me tell you, I was NOT disappointed. YALLFest feels like prom for authors, and when the authors are relaxed and enjoying themselves, the vibe is completely delightful. In addition to seeing authors Jenny Han and Morgan Matson give the Keynote (which was set up like a late-night talk show, complete with entrance music), my favorite part of all was the YA Smackdown, which featured authors competing in events like trivia, book cover recreations and so much more. You can see some pictures from YALLFest above. The previous weekend, I was in Denver, Colorado, and was delighted to be invited to attend Tattered Cover's Teen Book Con at Littleton High School. This event is hosted by author Len Vlahos and his wife, Kristen, the owners of Tattered Cover, and it is especially neat because it is a teens-only event, meaning that the teen attendees are catered to throughout the day with programming, author signings and Q&As. The night before, I attended a kickoff cocktail party where adults could meet the authors and get books signed, and I was finally able to cross something off my bucket list: meeting (and gawking at) author Jason Reynolds. Jason and I have crossed paths tons of times, but I am such a huge fan of his that I have never been able to work up the courage to introduce myself. That night, I decided that if we were both across the country at the same time, I had to get a picture with him --- you know what they say, when in Rome (err, Denver?). You can see a photo of me and Jason above. Bucket list item ticked! Speaking of book events, we are now at the tail-end of the #loveyourbookstore challenge, so be sure to spread the word by this tomorrow, Friday, November 16th. The mission of this challenge is to celebrate your favorite bookstore by posting a photo from inside the store with a favorite book (or bookseller!) and tag #loveyourbookstore in the caption. If you share your bookstore love on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram, you’ll be entered to win fun bookish prizes! Read more about the challenge here and get posting! Happy reading, --- Rebecca Munro (rebecca@bookreporter.com) 
Ultimate Reading List: Our MUST-Reads for November:
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In the spirit of #MeToo movement, allowing survivors space to tell their stories and be believed is more important than ever. A space to find comfort or to try and understand sexual assault in all its forms can be books. These 20 books show that no two survivors are the same. Comprised of books with female, male, trans and non-binary main characters who have survived various instances of child sexual abuse, molestation, sexual assault and rape, these powerful and poignant books are empowering, heart-wrenching and important all at once. These books also represent a variety of genres from the beautiful fantasy novel DAMSEL by Elana K. Arnold, the powerful collection THINGS WE HAVEN'T SAID: Sexual Violence Survivors Speak Out, edited by Erin Moutlon and Bryson McCrone and the graphic novel adaptation of Laurie Halse Anderson's groundbreaking novel SPEAK, with illustrations by Emily Carroll. Read these books to heal, to feel heart or to listen.
Thanks to our editorial intern, Taylor Tracy, who both created and curated this bookshelf!
Upcoming Book Festivals for November
November
Miami, FL: Miami Book Fair
Dates: November 11-18; Street Fair - November 16-18
Website: https://www.miamibookfair.com/
Frankfort, KY: Kentucky Book Fair
Date: November 17
Website: https://www.kyhumanities.org/kentuckybookfair.html
November's Books on Screen
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November's Books on Screen roundup includes the feature films The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, The Grinch and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald; the debut of the Hallmark made-for-TV holiday movie, "Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe"; the ongoing series "Black Lightning," "The Flash," and "Arrow," all on The CW; and the DVD releases of Crazy Rich Asians and The Little Mermaid.
November's Books to Add to Your Guy-Brary Bookshelf
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Our November Guy-Brary selections include THE LYING WOODS, a novel by Ashley Elston, which dives deep into one boy's journey to uncover the truth of his father's past; Andrew Simonet's WILDER, which is a collision of romance between two in-school suspension regulars with a lot of angst; and HIDE WITH ME, Sorboni Banerjee's heartbreaking novel that describes the journey of two runaways who find solace within one another.
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More New Reviews
OUTRUN THE WIND by Elizabeth Tammi (Fantasy)
The Huntresses of Artemis must obey two rules: never disobey the goddess and never fall in love. After being rescued from a harrowing life as an Oracle of Delphi, Kahina is glad to be a part of the Hunt; living among a group of female warriors gives her a chance to reclaim her strength. But when a routine mission goes awry, Kahina breaks the first rule in order to save the legendary huntress Atalanta.
THE RECKONING OF NOAH SHAW by Michelle Hodkin (Paranormal)
In this sequel to THE BECOMING OF NOAH SHAW, the companion series to the New York Times bestselling Mara Dyer novels, legacies are revealed, lies are unraveled and old alliances are forged. Noah’s reckoning is here. Noah Shaw wants nothing more than to escape the consequences of his choices. He can’t. He’s sure the memories that haunt him are merely proof of a broken heart. They aren’t. He thinks he can move forward without first confronting his past. He’s wrong. Reviewed by Isabel C., Teen Board Member.
THE RESOLUTIONS by Mia Garcia (Contemporary Fiction)
From hiking trips to four-person birthday parties to never-ending group texts, Jess, Lee, Ryan and Nora have always been inseparable. But now with senior year on the horizon, they’ve been growing apart. And so, as always, Jess makes a plan. Reinstating their usual tradition of making resolutions together on New Year’s Eve, Jess adds a new twist: instead of making their own resolutions, the four friends assign them to one another --- dares like kiss someone you know is wrong for you, find your calling outside your mom’s Puerto Rican restaurant, finally learn Spanish and say yes to everything. But as the year unfolds, Jess, Lee, Ryan and Nora each test the bonds that hold them together. And amid first loves, heartbreaks and life-changing decisions, beginning again is never as simple as it seems. Reviewed by Ryan H., Teen Board Member.
THIS SPLINTERED SILENCE by Kayla Olson (Science Fiction)
Lindley has been the leader of the space station Lusca since every first generation crew member on board, including her mother, was killed by a deadly virus. Lindley assumed she’d captain the Lusca one day, but she never thought that day would come so soon or that it would involve struggling to survive , learning how to keep the Lusca running, figuring out how to communicate with Earth and making sure they don’t run out of food. When a member of the second generation dies from what seems like the deadly virus, Lindley must face the terrifying reality that either the virus has mutated, or one of their own is a killer.
THE LYING WOODS by Ashley Elston (Mystery)
Audiobook available, narrated by Adam Verner and Stephen Dexter.
When Owen Foster's mother shows up at his elite boarding school unexpectedly, he learns that his privileged life has been funded by stolen money. After embezzling millions and draining his employees' retirement accounts, Owen's father vanished without a trace. Owen returns to his small hometown, where people he hardly remembers despise him for his father's crimes. Owen's only refuge is the sprawling orchard he works at after school, owned by a man named Gus who seems to know Owen better than he knows himself. As Owen uncovers a terrible injustice, he must face a shocking truth about his past --- and write a better future. Reviewed by Grace P., Teen Board Member.
THE COLOR OF LIES by CJ Lyons (Mystery/Suspense)
Audiobook available, narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith.
Ella Cleary has always been good at reading people. Her family has a rare medical condition called synesthesia that scrambles the senses --- her Gram Helen sees every sound, and her uncle Joe can literally taste words. Ella’s own synesthesia manifests itself as the ability to see colors that reveal people’s true emotions…until she meets a guy she just can’t read. Alec is a mystery to Ella, a handsome, enigmatic young journalist who makes her feel normal for the first time in her life. That is, until he reveals the real reason why he sought her out --- he wants to learn the truth behind her parents’ deaths. Reviewed by Ansley K., Teen Board Member.
THE WREN HUNT by Mary Watson (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Brona C. Titley.
Once a year, Wren is chased through the woods near her rural Ireland hometown in a warped version of a childhood game. Her pursuers belong to the judges, a group in control of an ancient, powerful magic they stole from her own people, the augurs...but they know nothing of her real identity. If they learned the truth, the game would surely turn deadly. Though she knows the risks, Wren also goes on the hunt, taking a dangerous undercover assignment as an intern at enemy headquarters, the Harkness Foundation. Reviewed by Jeanna Michel.
LITTLE WHITE LIES by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Thriller)
Audiobook available, narrated by Katherine Littrell.
Eighteen-year-old mechanic Sawyer did not expect her estranged grandmother to show up at her apartment door and offer her a six-figure contract to participate in debutante season. And she definitely never imagined she would accept. But when she realizes that immersing herself in her grandmother's "society" might mean discovering the answer to the biggest mystery of her life --- her father's identity --- she signs on the dotted line and braces herself for a year of makeovers, big dresses and bigger egos. As she navigates the twisted relationships between her new friends and their powerful parents, Sawyer's search for the truth about her own origins is just the beginning. Reviewed by Rebecca D., Teen Board Member.
UMBERTOUCHED (Rosemarked) by Livia Blackburne (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Vikas Adam and Angela Lin.
Even though Zivah and Dineas discovered a secret that could bring down the empire, their information is useless without proof. Now, their only remaining hope is to get home before Ampara brings the full might of its armies against their peoples. As Shidadi and Dara alike prepare for war, Zivah and Dineas grapple with the toll of their time in the capital. Time is running out for all of them, but especially Zivah whose plague symptoms surface once again. Now, she must decide how she'll define the life she has left. Together, healer and warrior must find the courage to save their people, expose the truth and face the devastating consequences headed their way. Reviewed by Rachel R., Teen Board Member.
KINGDOM OF THE BLAZING PHOENIX (Rise of the Empress) by Julie C. Dao (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Kim Mai Guest.
Princess Jade has grown up in exile, hidden in a monastery while her stepmother, Xifeng, rules as Empress of Feng Lu. But the empire is in distress and its people are sinking into poverty and despair. Jade doesn't want the crown, but she knows she is the only one who can dethrone the Empress and set the world right. Ready to returm as rightful heir, Jade embarks on a quest to raise the Dragon Lords and defeat Xifeng and the Serpent God. But will the same darkness that took Xifeng take Jade, too? Or will she find the strength within to save herself, her friends and her empire? Reviewed by Jena Brown.
THE FRAME-UP (The Golden Arrow Mysteries) by Meghan Scott Molin (Mystery)
Audiobook available, narrated by Andrea Emmes.
MG Martin lives and breathes geek culture. She even works as a writer for the comic book company she idolized as a kid. But when someone in LA starts recreating crime scenes from her favorite comic book, MG recognizes the golden arrow left at the scene as the calling card of her favorite superhero. When handsome Detective Kildaire asks for her comic book expertise, MG is more than up for the adventure. Unfortunately, MG has a teeny little tendency to not follow rules. And her off-the-books sleuthing may land her in a world of trouble. Because for every superhero, there is a supervillain. And the villain of her story may be closer than she thinks… Reviewed by Wren L., Teen Board Member.
SNOW IN LOVE by Melissa de la Cruz, Aimee Friedman, Nic Stone and Kasie West (Romance)
What's better than one deliciously cozy, swoon-worthy holiday story? Four of them, from some of today's bestselling authors. From Kasie West, a snowy road trip takes an unexpected detour when secrets and crushes are revealed. From Aimee Friedman, a Hanukkah miracle may just happen when a Jewish girl working as a department store elf finds love. From Melissa de la Cruz, Christmas Eve gets a plot twist when a high school couple exchange surprising presents. From Nic Stone, a scavenger hunt amid the holiday crowds at an airport turns totally romantic. Reviewed by Grace P., Teen Board Member.
THE BRILLIANT DEATH by Amy Rose Capetta (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Carlotta Brentan.
Teodora di Sangro is used to hiding her magical ability to transform enemies into music boxes and mirrors. Then she meets Cielo and everything changes as Cielo shows Teodora what her life could be like if she masters her powers. And not a moment too soon: the ruler of Vinalia has poisoned the patriarchs of the country’s five controlling families, including Teodora’s father, and demands that each family send a son to the palace. If she wants to save her family, Teodora must travel to the capital --- as a boy. But the road to the capital, and to bridling her powers, is full of enemies and complications, including the one she least expects: falling in love. Reviewed by Jena Brown.
THE DARKEST STAR by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Science Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld.
Seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher knows firsthand the devastating consequences of humanity's war with the aliens. When she's caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen...but he is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she'd only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head... Reviewed by Isabel C., Teen Board Member.
THE LIGHT BETWEEN WORLDS by Laura E. Weymouth (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Fiona Hardingham and Moira Quirk.
Six years ago, sisters Evelyn and Philippa were swept away to a strange and beautiful kingdom called the Woodlands, where they lived for years. But ever since they returned to their lives in post-WWII England, they have struggled to adjust. Ev desperately wants to return to the Woodlands, and Philippa just wants to move on. When Ev goes missing, Philippa must confront the depth of her sister’s despair and the painful truths they’ve been running from. As the weeks unfold, Philippa wonders if Ev truly did find a way home, or if the weight of their worlds pulled her under. Reviewed by Maya Gittelman.
THAT NIGHT by Amy Giles (Contemporary Fiction)
The year since a mass shooting shook their Queens neighborhood has played out differently for Jess and Lucas, both of whom were affected by that night in eerily similar and deeply personal ways. As Jess struggles to take care of her depressed mother and Lucas takes up boxing under the ever-watchful eye of his overprotective parents, their paths converge. They slowly become friends and then something more, learning to heal and move forward together. But what does it mean to love after an unspeakable tragedy? Reviewed by Ryan H., Teen Board Member.
CROWN OF THUNDER by Tochi Onyebuchi (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Prentice Onayemi.
Taj is headed west, but the consequences of leaving Kos behind confront him at every turn. With Arzu's help, Taj and Aliya make it to the village of her ancestors, home of the tastahlik, sin-eaters with Taj's same ability to both battle and call forth sins. As Taj comes to terms with his new magic, he realizes there are two very different groups of tastahlik: one using their powers for good, the other for more selfish ends. Meanwhile, Karima is on his heels, sending dark warnings to the little village where he's hiding. Taj will have to go back and face her before she sends her most deadly weapon --- Taj's former best friend, Bo. Reviewed by Ilona K., Teen Board Member.
THE BONELESS MERCIES by April Genevieve Tucholke (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld.
Frey, Ovie, Juniper and Runa are the Boneless Mercies --- girls hired to kill quickly, quietly and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life. When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies' one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere. Reviewed by Olivia W., Teen Board Member.
