GENEVIEVRE RECOMMENDS SQUIRE BY SARA ALFAGEEH AND NADIA SHAMMAS

Aiza is a daughter of the Ornu people in the Bayt-Sajji Empire, meaning she is not only automatically feared and hated because of her race, but she is denied citizenship under imperial rule. When it is announced that joining the army as a squire will open up a path to citizenship, Aiza dares to dream bigger than her oppressed background and joins the squire training program, hiding her Ornu heritage to protect herself. Once there, she realizes that she is competing against stacked odds and numerous rivals from backgrounds with far greater preparation for the role. As she struggles to compete, Aiza learns dangerous military secrets. Can she stand up for what’s right – even if it means sacrificing her dreams?

NICOLE RECOMMENDS THE BAKER AND THE BARD BY FERN HAUGHT 

The Baker and the Bard promises a “cozy fantasy adventure,” and it does not disappoint. This is the perfect story to kick back and read when the real world starts to feel too overwhelming and you just need a little break from all the chaos. Juniper and Hadley’s fantastical world is shown through colorful illustrations and lighthearted banter between two friends who become much more by the end of the story. With a plot that feels a lot like a tabletop one-shot, The Baker and the Bard will especially appeal to Dungeons & Dragons fans. Everything wraps up nicely by the final page, leaving you with a sense of happiness and greater adventures yet to come.

KAYLEIGH RECOMMENDS FRIDAY I’M IN LOVE BY CAMRYN GARRETT

Mahalia didn’t get the Sweet Sixteen party of her dreams, but she’s decided she’s going to do something even better—throw the best Coming Out party, ever! But having an idea is a lot harder than making it happen and soon she’s trying to balance school work, family responsibilities, and her after-school job—not to mention trying to figure out if the cute new girl, Siobhan, likes her back. This story manages to be delightful and light while still giving complex topics like Mahalia’s financial struggles and the racism she and her friend experience at school the depth and time they deserve. A wonderful story about finding yourself, falling in love, and celebrating Black queer joy!

KELLI RECOMMENDS DIARY OF A HAUNTING BY M. VERANO

Diary of a Haunting is a story that twists and turns many times, and I was still surprised by the end. Paige moves from L.A. to Idaho into a creepy old house full of mysteries and lots of spider. A seemingly Goosebumps tale about an evil hidden in the most unsuspecting places. This book will leave you chilled and questioning your own reality. Note: check this book out digitally through Hoopla!

LAUREN RECOMMENDS GOOD AS GOLD BY CANDACE BUFORD

If you love teen dramas (think Outer Banks or The OC) you will love this book. When a Queen B falls from grace because her father mismanaged money and all her old friends (the “charmies”)  turn their back on her she forms a new crew with the “downies”. The only way for her to get back to her charmed life is to solve a treasure hunt that will give her back her financial status.  Along the way her and her new friends discover that this mystery goes much deeper than money. With a cast of characters who aren’t always what they seem and a secret that can turn the whole town upside down this story is full of drama and scandal. 

ADRIANE RECOMMENDS DATING AND DRAGONS (DUNGEONS AND DRAMA SERIES #2) BY KRISTY BOYCE

Quinn Norton and her family have moved to be closer to her grandmother. She hopes that joining a new D&D group will help her make friends in the school. She is even more excited when the group she joins includes Logan Weber. But her group is not your average D&D group. They livestream their D&D sessions and have some strict rules, be on time, don’t miss a session, no phones allowed, and no dating other members!

Quinn quickly feels a part of the group, until her old D&D group stirs up trouble. And what about how she feels for Logan? And does he feel the same way?

YSANNE RECOMMENDS EVERYTHING IS POISON BY JOY MCCULLOUGH

Carmela has been waiting her entire life to work in her mother, Guilia’s, apothecary. Alongside Maria and Laura, La Tofana works to help the people, specifically the women, of their town in whatever way they can. When Carmela turns sixteen, she is finally allowed to begin an apprenticeship in the shop, but quickly learns that different situations and people require different forms of help. Just as she feels she is starting to get into the routine and become a vital member of the team, she discovers a secret that forever changes her perspective on the work the women of the shop do. Ultimately, Carmela must decide if she wants to continue the work that helps so many, even if it means enduring various sacrifices.

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