What We’re Reading (and Loving)

Don’t know what to read next? Looking for YA book recommendations? Welcome to the Book Chat with the Young Adult Team. Every month, the YA Team each recommends a favorite book from our YA collection. We cover fiction, non-fiction, manga, comics, and graphic novels, so there is something for everyone! There is also a mixture of new releases and old favorites, so keep an eye on our posts for books to add to your TBR.

GENEVIEVRE RECOMMENDS RED THREADS BY ILA NGUYEN-HAYAMA

Red Threads is a manga-inspired graphic novel about Hana, a girl from Tokyo, who after saving a crow is offered a chance to attend the Benten School of Esoterics, which turns out to be a magical academy. The school, however, has been plagued by mysterious attacks on students, which are only increasing in numbers as a nightmarish beast lurks in the shadows. Coming from a non-magical family, Hana is somewhat of an outcast amongst her magical peers, but she’s quickly befriended by Yoomi, who is often a victim of bullying by mean girls due to xenophobia and racism. Hana and Yoomi build a tight bond, and there are strong found family vibes as they support each other through every day classes, the terror of the lurking danger, and as Hana learns to channel brand new powers. But what happens if the school can’t find the culprit of the attacks? Is their new school doomed?

The book references a lot of Japanese folklore, mythology, and Shinto-Buddhist traditions, including shrine practices, spiritual warding, and mystical creatures, which really helps with the world building and creating a unique magic system that doesn’t feel too contrived or too derivative of other popular magical boarding school tropes. This ones for the fans of fantasy, Japanese culture, mythology inspired stories, boarding school stories with magic and mystery, graphic novels like Mooncakes, or anime/manga like a slightly darker Spirited Away.

NICOLE RECOMMENDS NIMONA BY ND STEVENSON

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a supervillain’s sidekick? When Nimona teams up with Lord Blackheart to take down the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics, we soon learn that good and evil are not as clearcut as they might seem. Who are the true villains and the real heroes? Nimona blends the fantasy and sci-fi genres to tell a light-hearted story about a shapeshifting teenager who tries to deal with her past traumas in all the wrong ways. Teen readers will enjoy this cast of memorable characters and the quirky world-building that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The artwork is reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons, both whimsical and detailed, especially whenever a fire-breathing dragon appears on the page. A highly recommended, enjoyable read, especially for high fantasy lovers!

KELLI RECOMMENDS BLACK INTERNET EFFECT BY SHAVONE CHARLES

This nonfiction book is an absolute must read for anyone entering the tech industry. Shavone gives you such a profound perspective on the spaces in tech, and how her presence as a black woman has made waves in the industry. Short and sweet, I think this book is a helpful guide in understanding why inclusion and being seen is so important.

KAYLEIGH RECOMMENDS AYA BY MARGUERITE ABOUET AND CLÉMENT OUBRERIE

Translated from French, this graphic novel follows our titular Aya and her friends Bintou and Adjoua as they navigate life in the 1970s in Abidjan, the capital on the Ivory Coast. Aya wants to be a doctor, but her father thinks only boys go to college, no matter how successful she is in school. Bintou and Adjoua love to go out dancing, flirting with boys and winding their way through the youthful nightlife of their working-class neighborhood, sneaking out and trying their best to hide their exploits from their parents. Filled with hijinks, romance, drama, and hilarity, Aya shows a glimpse of lives that, despite happening in a country and time quite different from what most Americans are familiar with, feel warm and familiar in their timeless depictions of young people finding their way at the cusp of adulthood.

Be aware this story contains mature themes including physical abuse, sexual harassment, and misogyny.

BETH RECOMMENDS SIX MUST DIE BY VICTORIA WLOSOK

You all know I LOVE mysteries, escape rooms, puzzles and figuring out who did it. Here is another great book along those lines. Picture this- Santo and Matt move to a new town in Tennessee and meet some pretty interesting people.  They become great friends hanging out, going to escape rooms, having fun. What they don’t know is that one of them hosts an online anonymous site giving out peoples secrets that they think are immoral. 

Things are going well until they start to turn on their friends, telling their secrets. Once the group finds out who started the site, they decided to get them to confess and shut down the site. The friends make a plan to go to an escape room run by one of their families. It starts out ok even though the 6 remaining “friends” don’t really want to be there but soon takes a tragic turn and one of them dies.

Now a year later Steffi can’t remember what exactly happened the night her best friend died and she wants answers. They are all back at Breakout Rooms to honor their friend- or so they think. They agree to play the game but then people start dying for real. Someone is trying to get revenge and wants them all to suffer and die. Will they figure out who is stalking them? Will they escape or die trying? Is revenge really the answer? Read this fast paced escape room thriller and find out for yourself.

RACHEL RECOMMENDS SIR CALLIE AND THE CHAMPIONS OF HELSTON BY ESME SYMES-SMITH

Twelve-year-old Callie (they/them, thank you very much) has always dreamed of being a knight like their papa, Sir Nicholas. Their biggest hurdle is that, in their culture, only boys can train to be knights and girls train to control their natural magic. Callie has a fraught relationship with their small spark of magic despite the best effort of their dad, Neal, to help them learn.

When their papa is called back to the capital city of Helston to train the prince, Callie is sure this is their chance. The Helston the two of them walk into isn’t what Callie or Sir Nick expected. Always rigid, Helston has grown downright paranoid under the influence of Lord Chancellor Peren. Callie cannot get him (or anyone with a drop of power) to get their name or pronouns right, and Callie is forced to stay with the girls. But Helston isn’t as binary as it likes to think. Callie finds that Peren’s demure daughter, Elowen, is a wildly powerful sorceress who has learned to stay unnoticed. Edwyn, Elowen’s twin brother, is as good with a blade as Callie (even if his personality leaves much to be desired) and somehow still not enough for his father. The greatest secret of all lies with Prince Willow. He’s magical—literally—which is not something boys are allowed to be, and if Peren has his way, Willow will be crushed into his place beneath Helston’s heel.

Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston is the first book in a quartet and is an excellent bridge book for middle grade readers into young adult books. It’s a story about how the second bravest thing you can be is yourself, and the first bravest is an ally to someone else fighting their oppression. Readers should be aware that Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston includes queerphobia, misgendering, sexism, misogyny, and child abuse.

ADRIANE RECOMMENDS THE POET X BY ELIZABETH ACEVEDO

If you enjoy books written in verse this is one to check out!

The Poet X tells the story of Xiomara Batista, a 15-year-old Afro-Dominican girl growing up in Harlem. Navigating a strict religious mother and unwanted attention in relation to her appearance, Xiomara uses her secret poetry notebook to process her changing body, first love, and doubts about faith. When her mother discovers and destroys her poems, a major family confrontation leads to healing and self-expression through spoken word.

Acevedo creates a beautifully written story that is painful to read at times, but brutally honest. I found myself cheering for Xiomara as she learned to find her voice both on the page and in her family.

If you are struggling with reading books in verse, try listening to the audio book version. This one was narrated by the author, Elizabeth Acevedo!

LAUREN RECOMMENDS THROWBACK BY MAURENE GOO

Back to the Future meets Freaky Friday with 1995 nostalgia. This book takes Sam from 2025 back to 1995 to help her mother become homecoming queen, or so she thinks. Along the way, she realizes she is there for a much bigger purpose and that she is there to heal her relationship with her mom. Filled with 1990’s attitude, both good and bad, this book reminds us all that the American Dream looks different to everyone, and we’re all just trying our best to live our own personal dream. 

SHAWN RECOMMENDS THE SUMMER HIKARU DIED (VOL. 1) BY MOKUMOKUREN

On a hot summer’s day, Tsujinaka Yoshiki realizes that his best friend, Indou Hikaru, isn’t the “real” Hikaru he knows, but a supernatural being controlling his body. From then on, Yoshiki and Hikaru keep up the charade as if nothing has changed, but soon strange spirits and monsters begin to appear in their countryside village. Yoshiki thinks that it’s related to “Hikaru”, but as the two boys try to find answers, Yoshiki realizes he might be getting too attached to “Hikaru” more than he ever has before.

The Summer Hikaru Died is a YA manga series that is both horror and slice of life, all packed into one. Readers will enjoy the growing relationship between Yoshiki and “Hikaru” as they navigate the vengeful spirits of their hometown and try to find a way to stop them. Featuring a unique cast of characters and a story that isn’t what it appears to be on the surface, this is sure to be a fun read for the summer season.

NADIR RECOMMENDS TOMBOY BY LIZ PRINCE

The book comprises the author’s experiences of what being a tomboy is like from her perspective. It talks about deciding how girls can express themselves in being a “tomboy” through more than just behaviors. It also addresses the mistreatment or disconnect in experiences from “what a girl is supposed to be like” as opposed to her way of expressing herself. Having to explore and navigate throughout the world differently than others due to you not fitting a certain mold is nuanced for young adult audiences. I think this book would be perfect for both young adult readers or older readers if they’re interested in hearing a story from an enthusiastic author.

JAYSEAN RECOMMENDS TOKYO GHOUL (VOL. 8) BY SUI ISHIDA

I recommend the Tokyo Ghoul series because it’s about the dive into madness against humanity. The story is about a kid named Ken accepting his ghoulish nature after he gets transformed into a half ghoul hybrid. In Volume 8 and the events leading up to it, after being tortured by a brutal ghoul named Jason, Ken transforms and defeats him, fully embracing his ghoul powers. The story is well written and is a great beginner manga for those looking for a recommendation.

JONTE RECOMMENDS FIGHTS: ONE BOY’S TRIUMPH OVER VIOLENCE BY JOEL CHRISTIAN GILL

This is my review and opinion about the book Fights. I enjoyed reading it because it was really entertaining and funny. Reading the book has taught me things I needed to prepare for in the real world such as to be prepared at all times, to pay attention to my surroundings, and to always defend myself against any opposition. Though not every situation has to end in violence, sometimes I have to fight and defend myself to show people that I can’t be pushed around. Another thing the book has taught me was to not bully and pick on other kids because people have feelings, and it can cause problems or cause people to become cold and heartless. 

Want More?

Want more book suggestions? Stay tuned for future recommendations from our team!

If you’re a young adult who likes to read, you can also submit book recommendations from our collection. Email genevievre.wood@rva.gov with a one paragraph review, explaining why you liked the book and why others should read it.