52 New YA Books to Keep Teens (and Adults!) Reading All Summer Long

Posted by Sharon on May 13, 2024


No more pencils, no more books
No more teachers’ dirty looks
School’s out for the summer!
School's out forever!
- Alice Cooper, 1972
 
The estimable Mr. Cooper, scholar and gentleman, bequeathed us these words in honor of summertime, the best of the seasons.
 
Of course, for us bookworm types, the suspension of school activities has always meant more time for reading. It was thus when we were kids, and it remains so today. As part of our annual Summer Reading initiative, we’ve gathered 52 young adult books coming out between May and late August that are highly anticipated by your fellow readers. Whether you’re young or young at heart, we’ve got you covered.
 
You’ll find plenty of genre options to choose from. For a sinister high school murder mystery, try Cindy R.X. He’s Perfect Little Monsters. In the romance aisle, college freshpersons Rowan and Neil try the long-distance thing in Rachel Lynn Solomon’s Past Present Future. If you’re in the market for that gothic vibe, check out Castle of the Cursed from author Romina Garber.
 
Also on tap this summer: math nerds in love, rogue samurai in trouble, sapphic vampires in Jazz Age Harlem, and a new chapter in the popular Inheritance Games saga.
 
Click on the book covers for more details about each title. If you find any good leads, remember to feed your lonesome Want to Read shelf.

 

May

 
 
 
 

June 

 
 
 

July

 
 
 
 

August

 
 
 



Let us know which YA books you plan to pick up this summer in the comments below!
 

Comments Showing 1-17 of 17 (17 new)

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message 1: by Law (new)

Law So many good looking books. Where to start?


message 2: by Penny (new)

Penny I can’t wait for Reckless and The Grandest Game!


message 3: by Whitney (new)

Whitney Davenports 2 got moved to November. I was surprised to see it here.


message 4: by Parsley (new)

Parsley Anything for an avid reader who doesn't like romance, murder or fantasy? That's all there seems to be these days for that age group. He's just not into these. Which leaves...??


message 5: by Lilah (new)

Lilah So exciting! Can’t wait for summer!


message 6: by Pragya (new)

Pragya Parsley wrote: "Anything for an avid reader who doesn't like romance, murder or fantasy? That's all there seems to be these days for that age group. He's just not into these. Which leaves...??"

you could try
one of us is lying , killing november , scythe , truly devious


message 7: by LaceyGoodBooks (new)

LaceyGoodBooks New books fun to read


message 8: by Haley (new)

Haley R Parsley wrote: "Anything for an avid reader who doesn't like romance, murder or fantasy? That's all there seems to be these days for that age group. He's just not into these. Which leaves...??"

You could try books by Markus Zusak, I remember being in a similar boat as a young adult and liking his books


message 9: by Astra (new)

Astra Shinestar Parsley wrote: "Anything for an avid reader who doesn't like romance, murder or fantasy? That's all there seems to be these days for that age group. He's just not into these. Which leaves...??"

Non-romantic realistic fiction, historical fiction, sci-fi (hey it's science not magic :D)
Or non-murder mysteries, horror books, those odd books that just don't fit anywhere else...


message 10: by Aubrey (new)

Aubrey Excited for Grandest Game and Beastley Beauty!


message 11: by Parsley (new)

Parsley Laceygoodbooks wrote: "New books fun to read"

Thanks so much Haley, Astra and Pragya for your suggestions! Will follow up. Have found an old book of Gary Larson cartoons for the meantime :-)


message 12: by Madison (new)

Madison Something Kindred by Ciera Burch came out in April.


message 13: by cora (new)

cora AHHH IM SO EXITED FOR RECKLESS


message 14: by aaishah (new)

aaishah Parsley wrote: "Anything for an avid reader who doesn't like romance, murder or fantasy? That's all there seems to be these days for that age group. He's just not into these. Which leaves...??"

That leaves science fiction and nonfiction, historical fiction, and biographies. There's much more, just look for it.


message 15: by ♤Lizzy♤ (new)

♤Lizzy♤ (Inactive) Hands down;
-The Grandest Games
-Exes & Foes


message 16: by Agata (new)

Agata (hard times!) Pragya wrote: "Parsley wrote: "Anything for an avid reader who doesn't like romance, murder or fantasy? That's all there seems to be these days for that age group. He's just not into these. Which leaves...??"

yo..."

Like most of those are murder tho?


message 17: by Whitney (new)

Whitney Parsley wrote: "Anything for an avid reader who doesn't like romance, murder or fantasy? That's all there seems to be these days for that age group. He's just not into these. Which leaves...??"

Sci-Fi, Horror, Graphic Novels, Contemporary, Classics...

The Inheritance Games is pretty popular and has a new book on here. It's just solving puzzles, no murder.

If he's up for a manga, Witch Hat Atelier Kitchen and Delicious in Dungeon are both set in Fantasy worlds, but are largely about cooking. WHAK even has recipes you can make at home.

Ariel Crashes a Train is a good book that's getting some awards buzz about a teen with OCD.

The Weight of Blood is a modern retelling of Carrie, so there is death, but it's not like a murder mystery. It's updated to handle racism in current day and is based on a real situation where a prom was still segregated in 2013 (!!)

Thieves Gambit is FANTASTIC and is about spies who have to compete in order to have a wish granted, but they have to take on a contract with a shady company for a year for that to happen.

There are books for every reader :)


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