11 Must Read YA Novels from 2024
The most buzzed about young adult novels to be added to your tbr.
Any “best of” lists are going to be completely subjective but I tried to get a wider selection of books beyond what I gravitate towards. Through discussions with librarian friends and reading online reviews, here are the 11 books that, if not the best, are at least the ones you should add to be read in 2025!
The books are in order from their published date and are all fiction. I have also marked the ones I have personally read, though most of these are on my never ending to be read list!
Lunar New Year Love Story
Gene Luen Yang/ illustrated by LeUyen Pham/ First Second / Jan.9, 2024
Genre: romance, graphic novel
Val’s family has been cursed in love and she has given up on ever having it. Then she meets a cute pair of lion dancers, leading her to wonder if she can change her luck or end up heartbroken.
* I have read this book and really loved it.
ASAP
Axie Oh/ Harper Teen/ Feb. 6, 2024
Genre: romance
A companion novel to Oh’s XOXO, following Sori who is “… the wealthy daughter of a K-pop company owner, and Nathaniel, her K-pop star ex-boyfriend, in a swoon-worthy second chance love story”.
Where Sleeping Girls Lie
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé/ Feiwel & Friends / March 14, 2024
Genre: mystery/ thriller
Sade Hussein is new to the Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school, having been homeschooler her entire life. After her first night at the school, her roommate vanishes and leads Sade down a path to uncover the school’s darkest secrets. From the author of Ace of Spades.
* I have read this book. I was initially disappointed in the ending and while I don’t think it’s as strong as Ace of Spades was, I’ve found myself thinking of this novel more and more since I’ve read it. It is engrossing and the world building is really strong; it sticks with you.
Kill Her Twice
Stacey Lee/ G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers/ April 23, 2024
Genre: historical fiction, mystery
A noir murder mystery set in 1930’s L.A. that gives a thrilling mystery and a historical perspective of Chinatown at the time. Lulu Wong is a movie star and the pride of Chinatown, but is found murdered by her old friends and classmates, the Chow sisters. With the police doing little to find her real killed, the sisters take it upon themselves to find out who killed Lulu and why, while also fighting the prejudice from the city they call home.
* I have read this book and highly recommend it. The atmosphere of 1930’s Chinatown is stunning and the combination of history and a murder mystery is perfection.
This Book Won’t Burn
Samira Ahmed/ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/ May 7, 2024
Genre: realistic
“… a timely and gripping social-suspense novel about book banning, activism, and standing up for what you believe”. This has been on my list to read and I just haven’t gotten around to it, but the fight against book banning is an important read for everyone (not just us librarians).
The Color of a Lie
Kim Johnson/ Random House Books for Young Readers/ June 11, 2024
Genre: historical fiction, thriller
Calvin is Black but has been able to pass for white when needed in 1955. When his family decides to move to a “Whites Only” suburb for a better life, they’re forced to keep their race a secret, exhausting Calvin. Calvin finds himself in danger though when he begins to discover the dark secrets about his new town and its inhabitants.
Everything We Never Had
Randy Ribay/ Kokila/ Aug. 27, 2024
Genre: realistic
An “…emotionally charged, moving novel about four generations of Filipino American boys grappling with identity, masculinity, and their fraught father-son relationships”. The novel takes place in 1930, 1965, 1983, and 2020.
Compound Fracture
Andrew Joseph White/ Peachtree Teen/ Sept. 3, 2024
Genre: horror
“… a queer Appalachian thriller, that pulls no punches, for teens who see failures in our world and are pushing for radical change”. I am not a horror reader but did see White speak at the National Book Festival and think that this is a really important book (for those who can handle horror).
Twenty- Four Seconds from Now …: A Love Story
Jason Reynolds/ Atheneum Books/ Oct.8, 2024
Genre: realistic, romance
Anytime Jason Reynolds releases a new book, it’s going to make the best of lists. Reynolds “… tackles it- you know … it- from the guy’s perspective in this unfiltered and undeniably sweet stream of consciousness story of a teen boy about to experience a huge first”.
Icarus
K. Ancrum/ Wednesday Books/ Nov. 5, 2024
Genre: Mythology, romance, retellings
A queer romance that reimagines the story of Icarus as a “… love story between a young art thief and the son of the man he’s been stealing from”. This is where I confess that I have little interest in mythology or their retellings (I’ve tried!) but my librarian friend who does has given good reviews about this novel!
Where the Library Hides
Isabel Ibañez/ Wednesday Books/ Nov. 5, 2024
Genre: Adventure, Mystery
Sequel to What the River Knows, this historical fantasy includes mystery, romance, and Egyptology. Inez has traveled to Egypt to find out what really happened with the death of her parents, facing danger along the way. Now she is faced with a decision thanks to an ultimatum from her uncle: marry Whitford Hayes or lose all of her inheritance. Considering what a huge cliffhanger the first book ended on, I’ve been dying for this book to come out.
* Currently reading; I loved the first book and am so excited about this sequel.
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