Episodes

  • "We Are Each Others' Safes": A Conversation with Jason Reynolds [Rerun]

    "We Are Each Others' Safes": A Conversation with Jason Reynolds [Rerun]
    Jun 18 2025
    We're revisiting a fantastic interview from earlier this year! Kelly talks with YA author and children’s literature champion Jason Reynolds about his career, writing the inner lives of teen boys, his favorite middle grade and YA books, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News: Jason Reynolds wins a MacArther Genius Grant Books Discussed: When I Was The Greatest by Jason Reynolds Coretta Scott King Book Awards Judy Blume Forever documentary Forever . . . by Judy Blume George M. Johnson Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds Eugene Yelchin "Coca Cola Classic 'Polar Bears' TV commercial 1993" The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley The Fire Next Time: A Letter to My Nephew by James Baldwin Erin Entrada Kelly A.S. King Randy Ribay King and the Dragonfly by Kacen Callender Love That Dog and Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech Weirdo by Tony Weaver, Jr. Jason's recommended reading order of his books if . . . You're a teacher or librarian planning to teach the books: Long Way Down Look Both Ways Ghost If you're an adult wanting to read them for yourself: Boy in the Black Suit The Track Series As Brave As You For Teens 14+: Long Way Down Ghost All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely) For Tweens: Stuntboy, in the Meantime (with Raúl the Third) Ghost Look Both Ways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • An Interview with WE WERE LIARS author E. Lockhart & Reflections on NIMONA at 10

    An Interview with WE WERE LIARS author E. Lockhart & Reflections on NIMONA at 10
    Jun 4 2025
    It's a YA blast-from-the-past meets popular-still-for-a-reason this week. Kelly talks with E. Lockhart about the We Were Liars adaptation, and Erica talks with Rioter Danika Ellis about the 10th anniversary of Nimona. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! Show Notes: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart Family of Liars by E. Lockhart We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart Hey YA Interview with Gayle Forman We Were Liars on Prime Instagram My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han Again, Again by E. Lockhart Nimona by N.D. Stevenson Nimona on Netflix 10 Years Later, We Need Nimona More Than Ever by Danika Ellis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • New YA Books by AAPI Authors and an Interview With Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia, Authors of ON AGAIN, AWKWARD AGAIN

    New YA Books by AAPI Authors and an Interview With Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia, Authors of ON AGAIN, AWKWARD AGAIN
    May 21 2025
    Erica goes over a nice mix of new YA books by AAPI authors, while Kelly has a great convo with Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia, authors of the new rom-com On Again, Awkward Again. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! Ready to level up your reading life? Become a Book Riot All Access member and explore our full library of members-only content, including must-reads, deep dives, and reading challenge recommendations. For a limited time, the first 50 new All Access annual members get a FREE copy of Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz courtesy of Tor Publishing! Join Book Riot All Access to level up your reading life and claim your free copy of Automatic Noodle. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed: Eliza, from Scratch by Sophia Lee Fitting Indian by Jyoti Chand, illustrated by Tara Anand Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur The Summer I Remembered Everything by Catherine Con Morse On Again, Awkward Again by Erin Entrada Kelly, Kwame Mbalia A Universe of Wishes edited by Dhonielle Clayton Black Boy Joy edited by Kwame Mbalia The White Guy Dies First edited by Terry J. Benton-Walker The Black Girl Survives in This One edited by Desiree S. Evans and Saraciea J. Fennell Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley Then Again, Maybe I Won't by Judy Blume The Fell of Dark by Caleb Roehrig Darius The Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero You Should See Me In a Crown by Leah Johnson Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead Shine by Candy Gourlay Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender Hello Universe and Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly Kaya Morgan's Crowning Achievement by Jill Tew Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos by Tracey Baptiste Kwame Mbalia's Freedom Fire imprint (more info) You can follow both Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia on Bluesky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • A Few New Books and Revisiting a Great Past Episode

    A Few New Books and Revisiting a Great Past Episode
    May 7 2025
    Erica shares a few new books to start the month off with. Then, we revisit a great past episode where Kelly and Erica discuss the first book of the super-popular 1980s/1990s series Sweet Valley High. We also find out who is more of a Jessica/Elizabeth. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! Ready to level up your reading life? Become a Book Riot All Access member and explore our full library of members-only content, including must-reads, deep dives, and reading challenge recommendations. For a limited time, the first 50 new All Access annual members get a FREE copy of Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz courtesy of Tor Publishing! Join Book Riot All Access to level up your reading life and claim your free copy of Automatic Noodle. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News: Graphic novels are booming in popularity. It’s changing children’s relationship with books LA Book Prize finalists announced Books Discussed: Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams The Glittering Edge by Alyssa Villaire Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala Salvación by Sandra Proudman Double Love (Sweet Valley High No. 1) by Francine Pascal From the ghostwriter On Again, Awkward Again by Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 11 by Natsu Hyuuga, illustrated by Nekokurage, translated by Julie Goniwich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • An Interview With Huda Fahmy, Plus Cute YA Books to Read as It Gets Warmer

    An Interview With Huda Fahmy, Plus Cute YA Books to Read as It Gets Warmer
    Apr 23 2025
    Erica gets into some cutesy/cozy YA books, and Kelly speaks to Huda Fahmy about her fictionalized memoir series. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! Trust your reading list to the experts at Tailored Book Recommendations! The professional book nerds (aka bibliologists) at TBR have recommended over 160,000 books to readers of all kinds. Let TBR match you with your next favorite read! Simply fill out a quick survey about what you want more of in your reading life, and your bibliologist will scour their bookish knowledge to find three reads they think you’ll love. Choose from receiving just the recommendations via email, or opt to have paperbacks or hardcovers delivered right to your door. Get started for only $18 at mytbr.co! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed If You’ll Have Me by Eunnie I Shall Never Fall in Love: A Graphic Novel by Hari Conner If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal Off Menu: A Graphic Novel by Oliver Gerlach, illustrated by Kelsi Jo Silva Delicious in Dungeon by Ryoko Kui If You're Not the One by Farah Naz Rishi Huda F Wants to Know by Huda Fahmy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • The Threat of an Exorcism: April's Best YA New Releases

    The Threat of an Exorcism: April's Best YA New Releases
    Apr 9 2025
    Kelly and Erica discuss their most anticipated YA books coming out in April. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! Trust your reading list to the experts at Tailored Book Recommendations! The professional book nerds (aka bibliologists) at TBR have recommended over 160,000 books to readers of all kinds. Let TBR match you with your next favorite read! Simply fill out a quick survey about what you want more of in your reading life, and your bibliologist will scour their bookish knowledge to find three reads they think you’ll love. Choose from receiving just the recommendations via email, or opt to have paperbacks or hardcovers delivered right to your door. Get started for only $18 at mytbr.co! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News LJ Smith Dies at 66 The Gossip Mill Sunrise on the Reaping sees phenomenal early sales Books Discussed Messy Perfect by Tanya Boteju Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick Sunlight Playing over a Mountain by Selina Li Bi We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride The House No One Sees by Adina King Renegade Girls by Nora Neus and illustrated by Julie Robine Get to know Nellie Bly The Corruption of Hollis Brown by K. Ancrum The Payback Girls by Alex Travis The Summer I Ate the Rich by Maika Moulite They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • "Nothing Is Original" An Interview with Ava Reid — Plus New YA Graphic Novels to Read This Year

    "Nothing Is Original" An Interview with Ava Reid — Plus New YA Graphic Novels to Read This Year
    Mar 26 2025
    Erica gets into some new YA graphic novels that she's excited about, and Kelly interviews YA author Ava Reid about her latest release, the art of homage, and being a life-long Hunger Games fan. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. To get recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. All Access subscribers get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. You can become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year to get unlimited access to all members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies of knowing you are supporting independent media. To join, visit bookriot.com/readharder. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Article discussed Graphic novels are booming in popularity. It’s changing children’s relationship with books Books Discussed Raised By Ghosts by Briana Loewinsohn Brielle and Bear: Volume 1 Salomey Doku Strange Bedfellows by Ariel Slamet Ries Huda F Wants to Know? By Huda Fahmy Renegade Girls: A Queer Tale of Romance and Rabble-Rousing by Nora Neus, illustrated by Julie Robine Fable at the End of the World by Ava Reid Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi Legend series by Marie Lu Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White The Fever King series by Victoria Lee Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • That Cover Goes B-A-N-A-N-A-S: YA Books Out in March to TBR

    That Cover Goes B-A-N-A-N-A-S: YA Books Out in March to TBR
    Mar 12 2025
    Kelly and Erica share their picks for the best YA books coming out in March and get into a little adaptation news and horror. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! Trust your reading list to the experts at Tailored Book Recommendations! The professional book nerds (aka bibliologists) at TBR have recommended over 160,000 books to readers of all kinds. Let TBR match you with your next favorite read! Simply fill out a quick survey about what you want more of in your reading life, and your bibliologist will scour their bookish knowledge to find three reads they think you’ll love. Choose from receiving just the recommendations via email, or opt to have paperbacks or hardcovers delivered right to your door. Get started for only $18 at mytbr.co! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Summer Scares 2025! Forever...the adaptation will hit Netflix in May and it looks amazing Books Discussed They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran Movie mentioned: Beasts of the Southern Wild A Catalog of Burnt Objects by Shana Youngdahl Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin Red Car to Hollywood by Jennie Liu Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, and How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation by Cara Meredith The House No One Sees by Adina King Messy Roots: A Graphic Novel of a Wuhanese American by Laura Gao Kirby’s Lessons for Falling (In Love) by Laura Gao Heartstopper by Alice Oseman Oathbound (The Legendborn Cycle) by Tracy Deonn Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel) by Suzanne Collins Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers’ Rights edited by Ashley Hope Pérez, illustrated by Debbie Fong Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity by C. Riley Snorton Wake the Wild Creatures by Nova Ren Suma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 6 mins