10 New Young Adult Books to Add to Your Last-Minute Wish List This Month
Ashley Macey
Ashley Macey
Ashley Macey is a lifestyle freelance writer who loves all things fitness, wellness, and creativity. When she's not exploring her home in the Pacific Northwest with her dog Max, you'll probably find her curled up with a good book and some hot tea. Follow her daily jaunts on Twitter.
Shopping for avid young readers is always a tricky task. Sure, we have literally millions of awesome books to choose from, but finding an epic read that your special someone hasn't already binge read this year can sometimes make us feel like we're on a literary wild goose chase. So to give us a better chance of finding a winner for the holidays, we're counting down the top 10 young adult books that are being released in the month of December — AKA there's a waaay better chance that you or a bibliophile niece or nephew hasn't read them yet. Happy book hunting!
Three Sides of a Heart by Natalie C. Parker ($18): In this highly anticipated new collection of short stories, 16 acclaimed young adult novelists (think Veronica Roth, Julie Murphy, and Sabaa Tahir) offer their unique take on the topic of love triangles. From teens fighting monsters in an abandoned video rental store to a young lady offering kissing lessons to her classmates, it's a great collection to savor during the holiday break.
Myths and Mistletoe by Tera Lynn Childs ($17): Keep the holiday spirit alive even after you open all your presents with this awesome collection of stories that prove once and for all that holiday magic is real. With monsters, mermaids, and magic aplenty, this fun read is perfect for anyone who loves fantasy and festivities.
Here, There, Everywhere by Julia Durango and Tyler Terrones ($18): When Zeus moved to Buffalo Falls at the end of the school year, he can't stop grumbling about how boring his summer break is going to be. That is until he meets the funny, beautiful, and oh-so-talented Rose. But now that the two are starting to become closer than Zeus ever dreamed possible, he must confess his feelings for her before she leaves their small town for good in this sweet-natured young adult novel by Julia Durango and Tyler Terrones.
The Truth Beneath the Lies by Amanda Searcy ($18): In alternating chapters, debut author Amanda Searcy unveils the story of Kayla, a struggling high school student who lives in a housing project with her recovering addict mother, and Betsy, a newcomer to the town who is trying to survive the power that the burner phone hidden under her bed has over her. With both young women struggling to persist in their own way, this brand new thriller is totally binge-readable.
Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills ($18): After accidentally eavesdropping on the breakup of the century, Claudia is about to experience the wrath of Iris. Centered around a high school production of A Midsummer's Night's Dream, this theater-themed young adult novel about friendship, forgiveness, and coming-of-age is a sweet-natured reminder to speak your mind and take risks to achieve your dreams.
The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily by Laura Creddle ($18): When Lily Michaels-Ryan decides to ditch her ADHD meds, a small accident lands herself a one-way ticket to detention with Abelard, a genius boy on the autism spectrum that she's known since kindergarten. Although they've rarely interacted in the past, Lily and Abelard begin to realize that they share a ton of common interests and their friendship, and even a possible romance, begins to blossom. With oodles of interesting hiccups along the way, this new book about self-discovery and identity is the perfect feel-good book to warm your spirit in chilly December.
Prince in Disguise by Stephanie Kate Strohm ($18): If you've been dreaming of finding your own royal hunk after reading the news of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent engagement, this is just the book for you! Dylan has always lived in her sister's shadow; so when her sister wins the hand of a handsome Scottish laird-to-be on the TRC reality television show, she isn't surprised in the slightest. Now she's being whisked away to Scotland to be a regular cast member during all of the reality television pre-wedding chaos. Luckily, there's an adorable bookish groomsman named Jamie to keep her company during all of her frenzied maid-of-honor duties.
Instructions for a Secondhand Heart by Tamsyn Murray ($18): Jonny is hooked up to machines to keep his heart beating when he finally receives the news that the heart donor is available to give him the transplant that is going to save his life. The heart belonged to Neve's twin brother, Leo, and when Jonny goes looking for answers after his surgery, they start a new friendship and learn to deal with loss, grief, and chronic illness in this touching novel that is guaranteed to leave you teary-eyed.
Before Now by Norah Olson ($18): Told with an interesting reverse timeline, this emotional novel about a young couple facing unspeakable tragedy is shocking and tender. While Atty and Cole manage to escape their tortured lives in Minneapolis, they don't get away unscathed. With past mistakes haunting them at every turn, this story, told from end to beginning, uncovers both how these two star-crossed lovers came together and how they were torn apart.
Shadow Girl by Liana Liu ($18): When Mei arrives at the house on Arrow Island to tutor a wealthy young lady, she's relieved for the break from her normal life. But with family problems building and unexplained howling, thumping, and cries keeping her up at night, she starts to question whether everything in the Morison house is really how it seems, in Liana Liu's fantastic new young adult thriller.
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What’s on your current reading list? Tweet us by mentioning @BritandCo.
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Ashley Macey
Ashley Macey is a lifestyle freelance writer who loves all things fitness, wellness, and creativity. When she's not exploring her home in the Pacific Northwest with her dog Max, you'll probably find her curled up with a good book and some hot tea. Follow her daily jaunts on Twitter.