One of my favorite shows on Netflix is the science fiction anthology series Black Mirror. It’s like The Twilight Zone for the Millennial / Gen Z generation and I’ve noticed quite a few 2019 YA titles are giving me serious Black Mirror vibes.
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Book List
Five Modern Memoirs for Black History Month
February is Black History Month! To close out the month here are five of Books and Sensibility’s favorite memoirs about African-Americans who are making history today.
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17 Favorite Podcast Episodes of 2017
Podcasts fans and book lovers enjoy a good story, great dialogue and rememberable characters (real and imagined). So we wanted to end the year by sharing the amazing and thought provoking podcast episodes that made our 2017.
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18 Books We Can’t Wait To Read in 2018
January 2018
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
A Women’s fiction/romance debut about high powered young professionals who turn a forced proximity/fake girlfriend situation into love.
Everless by Sara Holland
In this debut YA fantasy, time is a currency.
February 2018
A Princess In Theory By Alyssa Cole
A prince goes undercover to find his betrothed.
Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston
This is being described as a space opera Anastasia and I am here for it. Also at 480 pages I have a feeling this is going to be epic.
March 2018
No Earls Allowed by Shana Galen
This historical romance series has special ops regency soldiers pitted against smart plucky women who they might just need saving from
Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood
Set post- WWI, a former wing walker sets her eyes on joining an aviation expo.
Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu
This is a thing written by Marie Lu. Shut up and take my money.
Emergency Contact by Mary M.K. Choi
Debut YA novel from essayist, podcaster and Vice correspondent Mary M.K. Choi follows the romance between first year college students.
April 2018
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
Civil War and Zombies are two particular subcultures I’m not into but I’m
curious how the two blend together.
The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding
Described by Julie Murphy as the “queer, fat girl rom-com of her dreams” this book follows what happens when a high school graduate lands a fashion internship at a local boutique.
Now A Major Motion Picture by Cori McCarthy
A teenage girl travels to the set of the movie production for her Grandmother’s popular book series.
Sam & Ilsa’s Last Hurrah by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
A new book from this dynamic duo ? Give.It.To.Me. This book follows a set of twins throwing one last high school party before graduation.
May 2018
The Lies They Tell by Gillian French
French is masterful at creating settings and she is taking us back to another small new england town to pull back what lies beneath.
Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian
This book is about a girl saving a local ice cream shop and on Bustle it was said to have a fun feminist twist so… intrigued.
I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting
This is an enemies to lovers, house-flipping romance. The official blurb for this book has all of the house renovation puns.
June 2018
Mariam Sharma Hits the Road by Sheba Karim
Three Muslim college students take an antic filled road trip to New Orleans.
Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean (Bareknuckle Bastard #1)
In this historical romance The bastard son of a duke and a spinster team up to exact revenge.
It Takes Two by Jenny Holiday
This romance takes place during a joint bachelor and bachelorette party in Vegas, baby !
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Honorable Mention
Harlequin Dare
Not so much a book, but this is a new steamy contemporary series from Harlequin that appears to be a smexier, modern and glitzy update to the Blaze category.
Books Pairings : Podcasts
Every now and then I’ll hear a podcast episode and think “THIS IS JUST LIKE THAT ONE BOOK” So, today I’m pairing amazing podcast episodes with some of Books and Sensibility’s favorite books.
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16 Books We Want To Read In 2016
Kat and I searched all over the bookternet for 2016 books we want to read in the next year. Today’s post features a mix of 16 books we want to review on Books and Sensibility and our sister site Romance and Sensibility.
1. Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins (January 26, 2016)
This brand new historical romance series from Beverly Jenkins features a hero who is passing as white in the American West. I want to read more romance by and about black women and I’ve heard nothing but good things about this author – Kat
2. Salt to Sea by Ruta Sepetys (February 2, 2016) This YA novel is based on the real life events of East Prussian refugees seeking safety during WWII. A story like this feels very topical now. – Kat
3. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer (February 2, 2016)
I usually don’t like it when publishers bundle free novellas in a hardcover and I haven’t even started Winter but…. give it to me. – Kat
4. Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman (February 19, 2016)
This is a YA version of the Blackbeard story. I don’t know much about Blackbeard but . . . pirates. – Jess
5. The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater (April 26, 2016)
Funny story, this book was on our list for 2015 last year, however the book release got pushed back to 2016. I have an Audible credit just waiting for this. – Jess
6. The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Sky (May 17, 2016)
Two magicians. A magical competition ? This sounds a lot like The Night Circus so this one might be right up my alley. – Jess
7. Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers (May 3, 2016)
A deaf music prodigy is swept away on a world tour by the lead singer of a popular punk band. If you’ve read this blog you know I’m With the Band Now situations are my genre kryptonite.- Kat
8. Romancing the Fashionista by KM Jackson (May 10, 2016)
In this romance a tough fashionista and ex-jock tangle. Like I said earlier, I want to read more POC authors so bring it on. – Kat
9. Addicted by Elle Kennedy (June 28, 2016)
I’m really enjoying the first book in this post apocalyptic romance series. It’s so crazy sauce. I may try it on audio. – Kat
10. This Savage Song (June 2016)
I think Victoria Schwab is a great writer and this new series is about a town run by monsters, including ones that use music to steal people’s soul. – Kat
11. The Serpent King by Jennifer Zenter (March 8, 2016)
This book has a boy whose father is one of those Pentecostal ministers who handles poisonous snakes. I think it’s interesting to see more YA handling religion and this book seems interesting.
12. Enter Title Here (August 2, 2016)
This book reminds me of the book How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild and Got A Life, which I loved in high school and only later learned of the plagiarism scandal. In this book a straightlaced Indian-American overachiever lands a book deal and realizes she has to have some classic teen experiences to make her book more interesting.
14. Into White by Randi Pink (September 13, 2016)
This book is about a black girl who wakes up white. This book sounds super bizarre, but it’s so crazy it just might work. I didn’t know what they were going to do for this cover, but this one really works!. – Kat
13. Of Fires and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst (September 2016)
A princess with magical powers falls in love with her fiance’s sister. Can’t wait to see the cover for this one.(but I’m guessing it will have big serif text). – Kat
15. Heartless by Marissa Meyer (November 8, 2016)
*Grabby hands* – Kat
16. Flower by Shea Olsen and Elizabeth Craft (December 30, 2016)
A girl who has sworn off boys her entire teen years fall for a pop star. See above genre kryptonite. Also, by the time this book comes out it will be days away from 2017 ! – Kat
Okay, I have some review requests to write!
