Must-Read 2019 YA Releases – Part One

It is my last recommendations series of 2019 and what a more fitting time to do a must-read 2019 YA releases series. I’ve read so many incredible books that have been released in the past year and wanted to highlight a few of my favourites that I feel like everyone should read. Here is part one of must-read 2019 YA releases!

The Places I’ve Cried in Public by Holly Bourne (October 2019)

“Amelie loved Reese. And she thought he loved her. But she’s starting to realise love isn’t supposed to hurt like this. So now she’s retracing their story and untangling what happened by revisiting all the places he made her cry.

Because if she works out what went wrong, perhaps she can finally learn to get over him.”

This is easily my favourite release of the past year and I cannot recommend it enough. I have written a full review of this in which I talk non-stop about how much this book taught me and how much it helped me deal with my past relationships. This is an eye-opening and heart-breaking read that is very much well needed in today’s society.

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Meat Market by Juno Dawson (May 2019)

“Jana Novak’s history sounds like a classic model cliché: tall and gangly, she’s uncomfortable with her androgynous looks until she’s unexpectedly scouted and catapulted to superstardom.

But the fashion industry is as grimy as it is glamorous. And there are unexpected predators at every turn.

Jana is an ordinary girl from a south London estate, lifted to unimaginable heights. But the further you rise, the more devastating your fall …”

This is such an eye-opening and well needed novel that has been written beautifully by the wonderful Juno Dawson. I knew next to nothing about the fashion and modelling industry before reading this book and it really opened my eyes to all the issues and problems as well as positives within the industry. This book is well needed and another must-read.

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On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

“Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of her neighbourhood one day. As the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he hit big, Bri’s got big shoes to fill. But now that her mom has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are as much a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. With bills piling up and homelessness staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it—she has to make it.”

This was actually the first Angie Thomas book I read and I instantly fell in love with her characters, her stories and her writing. This is such a shocking, wonderful and eye-opening now that I feel like everyone should at least give it a go. Angie has done it again with On the Come Up.

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PROUD complied by Juno Dawson and by Various Authors

“A stirring, bold and moving anthology of stories and poetry by top LGBTQ+ YA authors and new talent, giving their unique responses to the broad theme of pride. Each story has an illustration by an artist identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Compiled by Juno Dawson, author of THIS BOOK IS GAY and CLEAN.”

How could I do this list and not include this wonderful book. I’m so proud that this book is out in the world and love seeing everyone love it. I’ve recommended it to so many people and it is such an incredible book. If you haven’t read PROUD yet please do as it is absolutely amazing!

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Last Bus to Everland by Sophie Cameron

“Brody Fair feels like nobody gets him: not his overworked parents, not his genius older brother, and definitely not the girls in the projects set on making his life miserable. Then he meets Nico, an art student who takes Brody to Everland, a “knock-off Narnia” that opens its door at 11:21pm each Thursday for Nico and his band of present-day misfits and miscreants.

Brody Fair feels like nobody gets him: not his overworked parents, not his genius older brother, and definitely not the girls in the projects set on making his life miserable. Then he meets Nico, an art student who takes Brody to Everland, a “knock-off Narnia” that opens its door at 11:21pm each Thursday for Nico and his band of present-day misfits and miscreants.”

Not many people have heard of this one but it is amazing. Sophie Cameron writes some beautiful LGBTQ+ stories and this is just that. With magical realism throughout this heart-breaking and heart-warming story is so well worth a read!

What 2019 YA releases would you recommend? Which 2019 YA books do you think everyone should read? Let me know in the comments below. Be sure to look out for part two of this series coming soon!