YA Book Chat

Today I am chatting with NY Times Bestselling author of fiction for all ages, Jennifer Donnelly! Today Jennifer and I are chatting about her brand new fairy tale retelling, a gender swapped reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, Beastly Beauty. Beastly Beauty is Jennifer's third fairy tale retelling. Her others are Stepsister and Poisoned, which tell the tales of Cinderella's "ugly" stepsister, and Snow White. Take a listen as Jennifer and I chat all about her writing style, her inspirati...

Today I am chatting with New York Times Bestselling author F. T. Lukens. Take a listen as F. T. and I chat all about their latest queer speculative fiction young adult novel, Otherworldly. You'll hear us chat not just about this fantastic supernatural story, but about F. T. Lukens' writing process, what it would be like to live in a never ending winter for five years, mythology, meet cutes vs. meet disasters, how M. Night Shyamalan scared the heck out of both of us, and how both F. T. a...

Today I am chatting about These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong. Joining me as my guest is Rachel from the Barely Bookish podcast. If you love the story of Romeo and Juliet, you will love this re-imagining of Shakespeare's classic story. Chloe Gong takes the story of Romeo and Juliet and plunges it into 1926 Shanghai. This story has it all; warring gangster families, a forbidden romance, war in the city, and a monster who wants to destroy them all. And in the midst of it all, is the cla...

Today I am joined by debut author Emily Locker to chat about her YA Rom Com, Running Mates!Take a listen as Emily and I chat about her journey to becoming a traditionally published author, romance novels, our love for independent bookstores, the fantastic characters and plot line, our swoony cinnamon role love interest, youth activism, star-crossed love, and more! The entire episode is spoiler free!A little about Running Mates: In the quaint yet politically charged town of Edgartown, North Ca...

Today I am joined by YA Indy author Abigail Morrison to chat about her YA adventure fantasy novel, The Yochni's Eye.Abigail is a self-published author, who has worked hard to create this amazing adventure story full of incredible world building, creatures, and important themes that explore revenge and redemption. Take a listen as Abigail and I chat all about the self-publishing world, her character creation, plot devices, writing style, world building, and so much more!Entire episode is spoil...

Today I am chatting with one of my best friends, Bethanie Finger, about her debut YA Historical Fantasy novel, More Than Life!Take a listen as Bethanie and I chat all about her journey to get her book traditionally published, her motivation behind writing this story, how writing this book helped her process the grief of losing her own father, the plot line, characters, world building, Taylor Swift, and more! The entire episode is spoiler free! A little about More Than Life:As the daughte...

To celebrate Valentine's Day I am chatting with my good friend Victoria Koops about the swoony YA Rom Com, The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher. This is such a fun book! If you enjoy Renaissance Festivals, Shakespearean things, Medieval Times, adorable singing bards (like Jaskier from The Witcher), a plus-sized protagonist, theatre, LGBTQ+ representation, and teen romance, this book is for you! Join Victoria and me as we chat all about Renaissance festivals, theatre kids/thea...

Today I am interviewing a debut author who also happens to be one of my very dear friends. I am so excited for all of you to listen to today's episode, where I chat with my friend, and frequent podcast guest, Victoria Koops about her debut YA Rom Com novel, Who We Are In Real Life!Join Victoria and me as we chat all about this fantastic book and Victoria's writing process. You'll hear us dive into what it took in order to get the book published, the inspiration for the book (such a fun story!...

Today I am chatting with author Lauren Munoz about her debut YA Murder Mystery novel, Suddenly A Murder. If you love a good murder mystery, you will love Suddenly A Murder! This story follows seven high school friends who are celebrating graduating from high school on a private island for a 1920s-themed getaway. But while there, one of them turns up dead. Take a listen as Lauren and I chat all about this suspenseful book! We chat about the characters, the 1920s theme, Agatha Christy novels, L...

Today I am chatting with NY Times Best Selling author Ayana Gray! Ayana and I will be chatting about her Beasts of Prey trilogy. We discuss all three books in the trilogy; Beasts of Prey, Beasts of Ruin, and the final book in the series (which publishes on January 16, 2024), Beasts of War. Take a listen as Ayana and I chat about the storyline of each book, her writing style, challenges she's faced in writing the series, the inclusion of African culture and history in each book, the characters...

Today I am chatting with my friend Morgan about Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer. Take a listen as Morgan and I chat all about this hilarious grumpy vs. sunshine New Adult Fantasy Rom-Com! You'll hear us chat about how villains aren't supposed to be so attractive, a dragon tamer who's not good at taming dragons, how the villain is totally undone by his assistant, an adorable crown-wearing frog, an ogre who bakes, and more! This is such a fun episode and you won't want to miss...

Today I am chatting with my friend Abigail about The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.Join Abigail and me as we chat all about this enthralling book! We will not only be chatting about the plotline, but about all the characters (including those we love to hate), the Hawthorne family secrets, Hawthorne Manor, our favorite Hawthorne brothers, if we are Team Jamison or Team Grayson, and more! First 15 minutes are spoiler free!A little about The Inheritance Games:Avery Grambs has a plan ...

Today I am chatting with New York Times Bestselling author Susan Dennard! Susan is the author of the Witchlands series as well as The Luminaries series. Today, Susan and I are chatting about book two in her Luminaries series, The Hunting Moon. Take a listen as Susan and I chat about Susan's writing process, world-building, character development, and all the Nightmares who live in Hemlock Falls...The entire episode is spoiler-free!A little about The Hunting Moon...Winnie Wednesday h...

Today I am chatting with Adult, Middle Grade, and Young Adult fiction author Kate Alice Marshall about her newest book, The Narrow. The Narrow is a haunting ghost story that will give you chills down your spine...Join Kate and I as we chat about the challenges of writing a ghost story with a mystery element, the complicated characters, Kate's writing style, and the hauntingly dangerous river that inspired it all.The entire episode is spoiler free!A little about The Narrow:Everyone has h...

Today I am interviewing YA author Kayvion Lewis about her brand new book Thieves' Gambit!Join Kayvion and me as we chat all about this heart-pounding, high-octane, thrill ride! You'll hear us talk about Kayvion's writing process, the fantastic characters, what you need to Google in order to write a book about a heist, gorgeous, thieving British men, and so much more! The entire episode is spoiler-free! A little about Thieves' Gambit:At only seventeen years old, Ross Quest is already a master ...

Today I am chatting with my friend, and YA Book Chat Patreon member, Abigail about Stars and Smoke, by Marie Lu.Join Abigail and me as we chat all about this exciting YA contemporary novel that follows a young pop star, as he's drawn into the world of being a spy and trying to take down a major criminal. In this episode we chat about hot young Asian men, pop stars, what it might be like for a 19-year-old to be a spy, family issues, what you should do if you have a fever (Yes, it's applicable ...

Today I am chatting with my friend, and Patreon member, Sarah about the young adult contemporary fantasy The Cursebound Thief, by Megan O'Russell. This is the first book in the Fracture Pact series. The Cursebound Thief is a thrill ride from start to finish. With dynamic characters, a fantastic magic system, a heist to restore magic, and more, this book has something for everyone! Join Sarah and me as we chat all about it. The first 15 minutes are spoiler-free!A little about The Cursebound Th...

Today I am chatting with Tiktoker and debut author Hannah Nicole Maehrer about her brand new book, Assistant to the Villain!Join Hannah and I as we chat all about how she turned her viral TikTok videos into a hilarious debut YA novel! Hannah and I also chat about her characters, world building, Grumpy vs. Sunshine trope, Villain gets the girl trope, and so much more. Assistant to the Villain is a laugh-out-loud YA fantasy rom-com you don't want to miss!A little about Assistant to the Villain...

Today I am chatting with NY Times Bestselling author and NAACP Image Award Nominee J. Elle about her brand new YA Fantasy, House of Marionne!Take a listen as we chat about this spellbinding story, J. Elle's worldbuilding, her extensive magic system, representation in YA novels, how power corrupts, the amazing characters and plot, enemies to lovers, the world of social elites, how the idea for this story started with a tiara growing out of a head, and more! This is a YA fantasy like no other, ...

Today I am chatting with debut author Jamison Shea about their brand new book, I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me. Join Jamison and me as we chat about this thrilling dark horror story about a girl who knows what she wants, and has to decide how far she will go to get it. Jamison and I dive into their writing style, research, character and world building, and more! If you love creepy horror stories, this is the one for you!Entire episode is 100% spoiler free!A little about I Fe...

Today my friend Morgan and I are chatting about Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray. Take a listen as Morgan and I rehash this fantastic YA fantasy filled with magic, secrets and lies, enemies to lovers, a dangerous forest filled with mythical creatures, the poor tragic life of one of our main characters, the celebration of Black excellence, and more! First 15 minutes are spoiler free!A little about Beasts of Prey:There’s no such thing as magic in the broken city of Lkossa, especially for sixteen-ye...

Today I am chatting with author Julie Wright about her brand new book, Swimming in a Sea of Stars.In this episode, Julie and I chat about her writing style, what it's like writing romance novels vs. a contemporary novel, why focusing on teen mental health is important, how one small act of kindness can change someone's life, and the hope that lies within us all. Entire episode is spoiler free!Join us!A little about Swimming in a Sea of Stars:Addison is no stranger to feeling stressed, insecur...

Today I am chatting about the book City of Shattered Light by Claire Winn.Joining me today is my friend and Patreon member, Dani. Take a listen as Dani and I dive into this fast paced sci-fi novel! We discuss the fun storyline, fantastic characters, futuristic world building, love triangle and enemies to lovers tropes (Yes! Two love tropes!), our thoughts on what happens in the sequel, our fear of AI taking over the world...and more!First 15 minutes are spoiler free!Here's a little about City...

Today I am chatting with my friends Abby and Mo from The Book Life Podcast about Made of Stars by Jenna Voris.Take a listen as we chat about this fantastic Bonnie and Clyde inspired sci-fi story! We chat all about the plotline, Bonnie and Clyde, Star Wars vs. Star Trek, and more! First 15 minutes are spoiler free! A little about Made of Stars:Shane and Ava are a team. He steals the aircraft, she charms their mark, and together they take what they need. Not even their distracting chemistry cou...

Today I am thrilled to be chatting with author Rebecca Mahoney about her new book, The Memory Eater. Take a listen as Rebecca and I chat all about The Memory Eater, Rebecca's first book, The Valley and the Flood, Rebecca's writing process (find out if she's a plotter or a pantser), Japanese ghost stories, horror movies, and so much more! Entire episode is spoiler free!A little about The Memory Eater:For generations, a monster called the Memory Eater has lived in the caves of Whistler Beach, M...

Today I am chatting with NYT Bestselling Author, Angeline Boulley. We will be talking about both her debut novel, Firekeeper's Daughter, and her brand new novel, Warrior Girl Unearthed. Also joining me today is my friend Victoria, who serves as my co-host for this special episode.Take a listen as we chat spoiler free about both books, the importance of representation in YA books for Native Americans, Native American culture, and so much more.A little about Warrior Girl Unearthed:Perry Firekee...

Join me and my friend Victoria as we dive into The Luminaries, by Susan Dennard. If you enjoy books involving the forest, creepy monsters, redemption stories, trials involving surviving in a forest filled with nightmarish creatures, and friends to lovers, you will enjoy this book. Take a listen as Victoria and I talk all about it. You'll also hear why the teacher side of me really appreciated one particular line in the book. In addition, you'll learn about the incredible way the story for The...

Today I am chatting about Gloria Chao's brand new book When You Wish Upon A Lantern. Joining me is my friend Morgan. When You Wish Upon A Lantern is my favorite read of 2023 so far! It is the most adorable YA Contemporary Romance I have ever read! I couldn't stop gushing over it. The whole time I was reading this book I kept thinking, "Awww...that's so cute!" So, join Morgan and me as we chat all about this swoon worthy book! You'll get to hear me pronounce Chinese names correctly for ...

Today I am chatting about Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa. Joining me is my friend Amanda from Fictional Hangover podcast. Take a listen as Amanda and I chat about the characters, plot line, crazy weird man-eating centipedes, hear Leah mispronounce pretty much every Japanese name and word in the story, and more! First 15 minutes are spoiler free!A little about Shadow of the Fox: Every millennium, whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers has the power to call the great Kami Dragon from...

Today I am chatting about the book Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Joining me today is one of my fabulous Patreon members, Dani!Beautiful Creatures is the story of two star-crossed lovers, who meet and fall in love in a small southern town, where nothing exciting ever happens. But Lena Duchennes is about to change all of that...Join Dani and I as we chat all about the plot, the fun characters, the portrayal of southern life in the story, and more! A little about Beautif...

Today I am chatting with NY Times Bestselling author Lauren Blackwood. Lauren is the author of Within These Wicked Walls, a Reese's Book Club Fall 2021 YA pick, and her newest book, Wildblood. Join us as we chat about what it was like for Lauren, hitting the bestseller list as a debut author, her writing process for Wildblood, the research she did, the magic system in the book, how Lauren weaved her Jamaican heritage into this book, and more!This entire episode is spoiler free!A little about ...

Join NY Times Bestselling Author Maureen Johnson and me as we chat about her brand new book, Nine Liars. Nine Liars follows Johnson's teen sleuth, Stevie Bell, as she tries to solve a cold case murder from 1995. In this episode, Maureen and I chat all about Maureen's writing process, what it was like bringing Stevie in for another book, life in college theatre, what it's like having an English husband who have friends with amazing English country homes, how to craft a murder mystery, and more...

Today I am chatting about the final book in Holly Black's The Folk of the Air series, The Queen of Nothing. Joining me today is Elise from the Novel Feelings podcast.The Queen of Nothing wraps up Jude Duarte's story. We finally find out how her and Cardan truly feel about each other, discover if those rumors about him being nursed by a cat are true or not, find out what Jude's been up to in the human world, see what happens when a fae curse comes about, get immersed in faerie politics (again)...

Today I am chatting with NY Times Bestselling author Ellie Marney about her latest crime thriller, The Killing Code. Ellie is multi-award-winning crime author who has gone behind the scenes at the Westminster Mortuary in London and interviewed forensic and technical specialists around the world in pursuit of just the right details for her brand of pulse-pounding thrillers. Her titles include The Killing Code, None Shall Sleep, the Every trilogy, No Limits, White Night and the Circus Hearts se...

Today I am chatting with NY Times Bestselling author, Karen M. McManus about her latest YA thriller, Nothing More To Tell. Karen is the author of the highly acclaimed One of Us is Lying series, which is also now a television series on Peacock and Netflix. She is also the author of the standalone novels Two Can Keep a Secret, The Cousins, and You’ll Be the Death of Me. Nothing More To Tell follows the story of teenager Brynn as she tries to solve the four year old murder of her favorite teache...

Today I am chatting with my friend Rachel from the Barely Bookish podcast about the book Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson.What could be better than a book about magical books? I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book! Take a listen as Rachel and I chat about the magic system, magical grimoires with their own personalities, what happens when a sorcerer has nightmares, the fantastic enemies to lovers trope, our speculations on if a demon can truly care for someone or not, and more!A...

Today I am joined by author M.T. Zimny to chat about her series The Apex Cycle! Join us as we chat about books one and two in the series, and give you a sneak peek at book three (coming December 2022!). If you are a fan of the Renegades trilogy by Marissa Meyer, enjoy reading about superheroes and anti-heroes, these books are for you! A little about Beta (Book 1): Samantha Havardson is not an Apex.Seriously. She's completely ordinary with a totally normal family that just happens to be moving...

In today's episode I'll be chatting with my friend Bethanie of the Prince Kai Fan Pod about the book Zyla & Kai by Kristina Forest. Zyla and Kai is the story of how two teens meet and fall in love. But theirs is not an easy love story. There are plenty of bumps along the way. Join Bethanie and me as we chat all about the teen drama, complicated relationships, what it's like for a teen in therapy, the mean girls we all encounter in high school, and so much more! A little about Zyla & K...

Welcome to Season 3 of YA Book Chat! For my first episode of the new season, I am bringing you an interview with author Sara Bennett Wealer about her brand new YA Contemporary Romance with a paranormal twist, Grave Things Like Love! Sara is also the author of Now and When, Rush, and Rival. If you enjoy contemporary romance, ghost hunting, and complicated relationships, this book is for you! Sara takes us on a ghost hunt through the eyes of a teenage girl who lives above a funeral home. This b...

Today I am chatting with author Katie Keridan about her debut YA Fantasy novel, Reign Returned. Reign Returned is book one of The Felserpent Chronicles. In today's episode, Katie and I chat about her transition from being a doctor to becoming a full time author, her amazing world building for Reign Returned, the fantastic characters, the challenges she faced in writing this story, and so much more. Join us!This entire episode is100% spoiler FREE!A little about Reign Returned: Kyra Valor...

Today I am chatting with author Margot Harrison about her brand new book, We Made It All Up.Margot is the author of The Glare and The Killer in Me. You won't want to miss this episode, as we chat all about her brand new thriller! This murder mystery will keep you on the edge of your toes, questioning who the killer could be. Not only that, Harrison tackles some strong themes that are important for young adult readers. So, join Margot and me as we chat all about We Made It All Up!Episode is 10...

Today my friend Sarah and I are chatting about Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller. This was the first book by Tricia Levenseller that I've read, and I loved it so much that now she is an automatic buy for me. Both Sarah and I devoured this book and its sequel. If you like pirates, this book is for you. It's like Pirates of the Caribbean but with a female lead. There's treasure hunting, greedy pirates, trickery, Siren's, a pirate romance, and more! You won't want to miss this fa...

Today my friend Victoria and I are chatting about the book Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch.Love & Gelato is such a fun book! It's the story of a young girl who goes to Florence, Italy to stay with a man she's never met before; a man who may just be her father. While in Italy, Lina discovers a lot about Florence, her mom, and herself. It's such a fantastic coming of age story that will make you want to travel to Italy yourself, to take in the local cuisine and all the sights! So, jo...

I am excited to welcome author Sarah Henning back to YA Book Chat! When she was first here, Sarah and I discussed her book The Princess Will Save You, book 1 in her Kingdoms of the Sand and Sky trilogy. Today, Sarah and I are chatting about her brand new book, The King Will Kill You, book 3 in this fantastic trilogy.Join us as we chat about what it was like going from book one to book three, the characters, plot line, Sarah's writing process, what it was like for her to write two books at the...

Today I am excited to welcome author Elayne Audrey Becker to the podcast!Join us as Elayne and me chat about her Forestborn duology. Wildbound, book two, will be released August 30, 2022. In this episode Elayne and I chat about the publishing process, character development, worldbuilding, and so much more! You won't want to miss this!Check out my previous episode to learn more about Forestborn. Read below to learn a bit about Wildbound. With the assassination of Telyan’s king, the time for p...

Join my friend Morgan and me as we chat about Forestborn by Elayne Audrey Becker. Forestborn is a fantastic, magical adventure that will keep you on your toes! It's true fantasy with magic forests, creatures, and people; a quest for our main characters, two love stories, and more! Come along and join us on this fantastic journey!A little about Forestborn:Rora is a shifter, as magical as all those born in the wilderness―and as feared. She uses her abilities to spy for the king, traveling...

Today my friend Bethanie and I will be chatting about the book Sea Witch, by Sarah Henning. Sea Witch is the beautifully told origin story of the Sea Witch from Hans Christian Anderson's classic fairy tale, The Little Mermaid. Sarah Henning takes Hans Christian Anderson's beautiful story and weaves it's elements into her own story in such a breathtaking way. Don't believe everything Disney throws at you...Ursula is not the real Sea Witch. Evie is. And her story is like none you've ever ...

Today I am featuring a special crossover episode with Bethanie of Prince Kai Fan Pod!Bethanie is celebrating the three year anniversary of PKFP! So, to celebrate, we asked our listeners to send us questions about anything, and Bethanie and I answered them ALL! Join us for this super fun Q&A episode!Check out Prince Kai Fan PodFollow PKFP on Instagram Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podc...

Today I am joined by YA author Rachel A. Greco to chat about her brand new YA Fantasy, The Gift of Dragons!Join Rachel and me as we chat about this incredible new world she has created, where humans and dragons strive to live together. We chat about the plot, characters, world building, Rachel's writing style, what Rachel is working on next, and more!Join us!A little about The Gift of Dragons:When the prince Adelaide seeks to overthrow tries convincing her that the legendary dragons exist and...

Today I will be chatting with my friend Victoria about the critically acclaimed book Firekeepers Daughter, by Angeline Boulley. *Content Warning: This book deals with drug abuse, gun violence, murder, physical assault, and sexual assault. Please keep that in mind before you read the book and/or listen to this episode.*In this episode, Victoria and I chat not just about the plot of the book, but about the importance of representation of Indigenous peoples in literature, and some of the challen...

Today I am joined by Abby and Mo from The Book Life Podcast to chat about Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim.Take a listen as Abby, Mo, and I chat about this beautiful retelling of The Six Swans by the Brothers Grimm. You'll also get a sneak peek into what's to come in book two of this fantastic duology! A little about Six Crimson Cranes: Shiori'anma, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her bet...

Today I am joined by Bethanie of the Prince Kai Fan Pod podcast and my friend Lily, and we will be chatting about Red Wolf by Rachel Vincent. Join us as we dive into this fantastic Red Riding Hood retelling that is also a Big Bad Wolf origin story. We'll chat not just about the book, but about the original Red Riding Hood fairy tales by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm, and will discover how they tie into Red Wolf. A little about Red Wolf: For as long as 16-year-old Adele can remember,...

Join me today as I chat with #1 NY Times, USA, and Indie Best Selling author V. E. Schwab!V. E. and I are chatting (100% spoiler FREE!) about her brand new thriller, Gallant! We chat all about her writing career, how writing Gallant was different than her previous books, what Gallant is all about, what it was like for her writing a main character that is non-verbal, and more!Join us!A bit about Gallant:Olivia Prior has grown up in Merilance School for Girls, and all she has of her past is her...

Today I am joined by debut author Vanessa Len!Vanessa and I are chatting (100% spoiler free!!) about her brand new YA novel, Only A Monster. Take a listen as we chat about what it was like for Vanessa to debut her first novel, her writing process, the characters and stories, time travel, and more! I highly recommend this book, so take a listen to discover if you'll love it as well. A little about Only A Monster: Don’t forget the rule. No one can know what you are. What we are. You must never ...

Join me and special guests New York Times Bestselling authors Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman as we discuss their Aurora Cycle series, and hit specific points about the most recent release in the series, Aurora's End.Jay, Amie, and I chat about all things Aurora Cycle (LOTS of spoilers!!), sci-fi interests, hidden Easter eggs, what the most difficult part of writing Aurora's End was, The Princess Bride, and more!SPOILER WARNING: This ENTIRE episode contains spoilers for all three books in the A...

We are at the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics! What better way to kick off this special time of year than by covering a book about two Winter Olympic hopefuls?Today I am chatting with author Sara Fujimura about her book Every Reason We Shouldn't. This heartwarming contemporary YA book, tells the story of sixteen year old figure skater Olivia Kennedy, who's Olympic dreams have been shattered, and new boy in town, Jonah Choi, an up and coming speed skater with Olympic dreams of his own. ...

I am excited to be joined by award winning author Kris Faryn today! Kris and I will be discussing her latest YA series, the Siren's Call series. We will be chatting about books 1 and 2 in the series (Song of Destiny, and Song of Wings). You will also get a sneak peek at book 3 in the series (Song of Curses, available February 14, 2022)). The Siren's Call series, a YA dark fantasy series, follows the story of Korrina Lore. Korrina is a teenage girl with a secret, she has a voice with a song in...

Today my friend Sarah and I are chatting about Lore by Alexandra Bracken! Join us as we chat about this exciting contemporary, urban fantasy based on Greek mythology. We chat about the plot, our favorite characters, how this particular love trope was torturous, hear all my favorite quotes, and more!A little about Lore: For centuries, Zeus has punished the gods with a game called the Agon, which turns them mortal for one week, and at the mercy of being hunted by those with godly ambitions. Onl...

Calling all fans of Peter Pan! If you love the story of the boy who never grew up, you will LOVE Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas. Today I am joined by self proclaimed Peter Pan expert Drew and his lovely podcasting partner Cassie (Of Slippers and Spindles Podcast). We will chat all things Peter Pan (book, movie, and Broadway) as we dive into Lost in the Never Woods. This is a wonderful Peter Pan retelling, and a must read for anyone who is a fan of Peter Pan. This is my favorite Peter...

Join fellow podcaster Abby and me as we chat about Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo! Hear the story of why it took me so long to get around to reading this book and covering it on the podcast. There is a (funny and crazy) reason. In addition to chatting about the book, Abby and I also dive into the Netflix television series as well.First 15 minutes are spoiler free! Join us!A little about Shadow and Bone: Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow...

Join me and my friends Claire and Amanda from Fictional Hangover podcast, as we discuss the second book in Holly Black's Folk of the Air trilogy, The Wicked King. This episode is full of moments that will make you laugh. Not only do we discuss the plot of the fabulous book, but we also talk about the intricacies of how it's possible for a fae prince to be weaned on cat milk, if mermaids/mermen end up eating their own poop, how Jude is quite the "stupid human," and so much more!Join us! First ...

Welcome to the first episode of season three of YA Book Chat! Today I am joined by Elise from Novel Feelings Podcast, to chat about House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland. House of Hollow is a suspenseful, creepy/horror (YA) story that will keep you guessing the entire book. It's a nail biter for sure! So, join Elise and I as we chat about all things creepy and gory, plus cuckoo birds, changelings, the Upside Down, and more!A little about House of Hollow: Iris Hollow and her two older sisters ...

Today I am chatting with International best selling author, C.S. Pacat, about her brand new book, Dark Rise. Pacat is the author of the Captive Prince Series and the Fence graphic novels. Join us as we chat about classic good vs. evil fantasy stories, our Italian heritage, M. Night "Shenanigans," and, of course, this fantastic new book! A little about Dark Rise: Sixteen-year-old dock boy Will is on the run, pursued by the men who killed his mother. Then an old servant tells him of his de...

Today I am chatting about new YA releases coming out September - December. I'll share with you which books are highly anticipated, which are sequels, and which ones I am most looking forward to. Join me!All the books in today's episode are listed below. Check them out!The Last Legacy-Adrienne YoungDark Rise -C.S. PacatOnce Upon a Broken Heart-Stephanie GarberBeasts of Prey-Ayana GraySteelstriker-Marie Lu White Smoke-Tiffany D. JacksonSome Faraway Place-Lauren ShippenKingdom of the Cursed-Kerr...

Today I am chatting with critically acclaimed author Chandra Prasad about her new book, Mercury Boys. Mercury Boys is a story like none other! It takes us on a remarkable journey through time, and explores the ups and downs of adolescent relationships. This book takes the meaning of the words "mean girls" to a whole new level! Join Chandra and I as we chat about the plot, Chandra's writing style, history and time travel, and more!This episode is 100% spoiler free!A little about Mercury Boys:W...

Today I am joined by award winning author Sara Fujimura to chat about her brand new book, Faking Reality. If you are a fan of HGTV, best friends to lovers, Japanese food and culture, and YA contemporary romance, this book is for you! It encompasses all of these things, and is such a fun read! You'll find strong characters, family themes, and more. Join Sara and I as we chat about Faking Reality, Sara's writing style, our love of HGTV, Japanese culture, and more! About Faking Reali...

Join me and my guests as we chat about A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan. Today I am joined by my friend Sarah, and Annie Sullivan herself! We open the podcast with some questions for Annie, and then dive into a full on (spoiler filled) plot discussion. Come listen and discover what A Touch of Gold is all about! First 20 minutes are spoiler FREE!A little about the book...After King Midas’s gift—or curse—almost killed his daughter, he relinquished The Touch forever. Ten years later, ...

Today I am joined by NYT Best Selling author Emily Colin to chat about her Sword of the Seven Sins series. Come take a listen as Emily and I dive into the world of this series, her writing style, the characters, dystopian and fantasy YA, and even how Emily came to organize a Coney Island tattoo and piercing show. We'll even have a short spoiler chat at the end. You won't want to miss this!Emily's next book in the series, Siege of the Seven Sins will be available August 3, 2021.A little about ...

Today I am joined by author Lynn Slaughter! Lynn is the author of While I Danced, It Should Have Been You, and her brand new book, Leisha's Song. Lynn and I will be chatting today about Leisha's Song. Leisha has always been the ultimate pleaser. She never intended to fall in love with classical singing, become an amateur detective, or get involved with Cody Harrington. But now she finds herself on a direct collision course with her African American grandfather, the only parent she’s eve...

Join my guests and me as we chat about Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard. Today I am joined by Michael and Barbara from the Badass Literature Society podcast. Realm Breaker is the first book in Victoria Aveyard's newest YA fantasy series, and is a thrill ride all the way through. If you enjoyed her Red Queen series, you won't want to miss this one either. Fan of Tolkien? This book is for you as well! It's a high fantasy full of adventure, magical creatures, unexpected plot twists, and a band ...

Join my friend Lily and me as we dive into the book Poisoned by Jennifer Donnelly!Poisoned is a creative retelling of the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Sophie is a loving, kind hearted girl who is continually told her kindness makes her weak, and that she could never be a good queen. Her (evil) step mother never lets Sophie forget this fact, and tells Sophie she must marry a prince who can rule for her. But Sophie isn't so sure...after all, it's the kindness of seven strangers tha...

Join my friend Bethanie and me as we chat about the book Renegades by Marissa Meyer. Renegades is a classic superhero, good vs evil story, with a few twists along the way. It's exciting, surprising, full of adventure and fun loving characters, and so much more! First 15 minutes are spoiler free!More about Renegades:The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies―humans with extraordinary abilities―who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned....

Join my friend Victoria Koops and me as we chat about Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I absolutely adored this book! It brought back so many memories from my college days, introduced me to true fan fiction, and just brought me pure joy!Come take a listen as Victoria and I chat all about the characters, plot line, college, and more! Yes, we may veer off in a different direction and dive into the world of Marvel vs. DC movies. I promise, it does relate! Come join us for some fun! A little about Fang...

Today I am covering the fantastic tale of Fable by Adrienne Young!Join my guest Rachel and me as we "dive in" to the story of Fable, a young girl abandoned on an island by her father when she was just 13 years old. If you like pirates, treasure, adventure, and intrigue, you will love the world of Fable!So join us for a chat! A little about Fable: Welcome to a world made dangerous by the sea and by those who wish to profit from it. Where a young girl must find her place and her family while tr...

Join me today as I give you a sneak peak of the brand new contemporary YA novel Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean. This book is a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it! Listen to this 100% spoiler FREE episode to learn what makes it such a wonderful story. A little about Tokyo Ever After: Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in - it isn't easy being Japanese American in her small northern California town. Raised by a single mother, Izumi has always felt it's been her and her mom ...

Today I am joined by Abby from The Book Life podcast. Abby and I are chatting about a fantastic YA Science Fiction book, Aurora Rising, by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufmann. I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book at first, but I ended up LOVING it! I got pulled in so quickly, and my interest never faltered! Take a listen as Abby and I talk about all the reasons we both love this book!First 15 minutes are spoiler free!A little about Aurora Rising...The year is 2380, and the graduati...

Join my guest Abigail and me as we chat about Matched by Ally Condie!Abigail and I had so much fun chatting about this book! We also talk about Abigail's beautiful Cress cosplay, her love for tigers, and more. Oh, and we may let a small spoiler from book two in this series slip. Whoops! But don't worry, it's in the spoiler section anyway. First 15 minutes are spoiler free!A little about Matched: In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.Cassia has always tru...

Today I have the privilege of interviewing the "Authoress" herself, YA author Jillian Boehme!Jillian is known to the online writing community as Authoress, hostess of Miss Snark's First Victim, a blog for aspiring authors. She is the author of a short story in the book When the Hero Comes Home 2, and her first YA novel, Stormrise.Today Jillian and I are chatting about her brand new book, The Stolen Kingdom!For a hundred years, the once-prosperous kingdom of Perin Faye has suffered under...

Join my guest Sarah and me as we chat about Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco!Sarah and I chat all about the book, Jack the Ripper himself, London fog, kidnapping Zachary Levi, and much more! It's a fun episode you don't want to miss. First 15 minutes are spoiler FREE!Here's a bit about Stalking Jack the Ripper...Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dre...

Join my guest Rachel (Barely Bookish Podcast) and me as we dive into the prequel for The Hunger Games, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes!The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes follows the story of a young Coriolanus Snow, and his experience as a mentor for the 10th Hunger Games. Coryo's experience as a mentor molds and shapes who he grows to become. This fantastic backstory gives you so much insight into President Snow, and how he became who he is in The Hunger Games. It's a story you don't want...

Today I am joined by special guest Dawn from the Novel Universe Podcast. Dawn and I sat down to chat about Tomi Adeyemi's fantastic YA fantasy novel, Children of Blood and Bone. If you have not yet read this book, be sure to take a listen to my spoiler free section. This is a book you don't want to miss!Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.But everything changed the nigh...

Today's special Bonus episode features the book The Starless Sea, by Erin Morgenstern. While this is not a YA book, it's definitely one I wanted to hash out and chat about with a friend. Author Megan O'Russell joins me on today's episode as we try to figure out just what happened in the Starless Sea. We're a little confused...but have a LOT of fun trying to figure it all out. A little about The Starless Sea: Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious ...

Join my friends Bethanie, Taylor, and me as we dive into Marissa Meyer's newest book, Instant Karma!Instant Karma is a sweet, contemporary romance about teenager, and chronic overachiever, Prudence Barnett. Prudence is always quick to cast judgment on the lazy, rude, and arrogant residents of her coastal town. Her dreams of karmic justice are fulfilled when, after a night out with her friends, she wakes up with the sudden ability to cast instant karma on those around her.Pru giddily makes use...

Today I will be chatting with author Janet Olson about her book, New Beginnings. Join us!A little about New Beginnings:Seventeen year old Ida's life is turned upside down when her best friend dies. Not long after, Ida discovers she is pregnant. As a result, her parents send to her be part of a volunteer program in Africa, hoping it will help Ida out of her funk, and discover who she is. While Ida isn't thrilled about being shipped off to Africa for six months, it ends up being a life-changing...

Join me today in a conversation with author Derek Alan Siddoway! I covered Derek's book Djinn Tamer: Starter in Season 1, and today I get to chat with Derek himself! Join us as we chat about Derek's books, our outdoor adventures, what it's like to be a rancher in Utah, and so much more!Check out Derek on his social media platforms, and be sure to check out all his fantastic books!Derek's WebsiteDerek's InstagramSend us a Text Message.Have a question about today's book or author? Have a book y...

Join my friend Amanda and me as we discuss the first book in Laura Sebastian's Ash Princess series. Amanda and I delve into the world of magic and intrigue in this page-turning book.A little about Ash Princess:Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess--a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.For ten years...

I am so very thrilled to bring you this interview I did with NYT Bestselling author, Marissa Meyer!Join Marissa and me as we chat about her brand new book, Instant Karma. We talk about where the idea for Instant Karma came from, why Marissa chose to write a romance, all about the main character, and different themes in the book, Marissa's writing process, and more! I'll also be asking Marissa some questions from her fans/my listeners. Plus, Marissa reveals what her next book will be!! Y...

Join me on a journey to 1872 New Orleans, a city ruled by the dead, as we dive into The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh.My guest today is the delightful Heather Berghaier. Come along as Heather and I explore this dark world of demons and other worldly creatures, hunting and skulking in the city of New Orleans. A little about The Beautiful: In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans is a safe haven after she's forced to flee her life...

Today I am diving into Pierce Brown's first book in the Red Rising saga. My special guest today is Amanda from Fictional Hangover podcast. Amanda and I had so much fun chatting about Darrow of Lykos, and his world on Mars. Join us!A bit about Red Rising:Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he spends his l...

Join my friend Lauren Hennessy and me as we dive into Holly Black's Faerie fantasy world of The Cruel Prince!Holly Black's The Folk of the Air trilogy is one you don't want to miss! The first book, The Cruel Prince, will draw you in and keep you wanting more. About The Cruel Prince...Jude Duarte was seven years old when her parents were brutally murdered in front of her, and she and her sisters were stolen away to live in the High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than...

Welcome to Season 2 of YA Book Chat!I am excited to start my second season off with a bang by featuring the first book in the Ena of Ilbrea series, Ember and Stone by Megan O'Russell. Not only that, but I am joined by Megan herself on today's episode! Join Megan and me as we talk about her fantastic book, as well as Megan's writing process, how life as an actor sometimes bleeds into her writing, and get a glimpse at Megan's other book series. A bit about Ember and Stone...After her home is re...

Join my guest Alice and me as we dive into Stephanie Garber's magical world of Caraval!Caraval is a magical world like none other! Scarlett Dragna and her sister Donatella have always dreamed of attending Caraval, but have never left the tiny island on which they live. But fortune finally smiles on them when Scarlett receives an invitation to Caraval from Caraval Master himself, Legend. But Scarlett soon discovers that her sister Tella is the object of the game this year. Tella has been kidna...

Join my guest and me as we discuss the first book in Sabaa Tahir's fascinating series, An Ember In The Ashes. Today I'm joined by Amanda Ellingson from the Adapted For Your Viewing Podcast. Amanda and I really dive in and hash out this amazing book! Take a listen as we discuss elements such as the world building, depth of characters, love triangles, magic, and more!As always, the first 10-15 minutes is spoiler FREE, and then you'll get a warning before we head into our spoiler zone. An Ember ...

Join my friend Victoria and me as we discuss Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin!(As always, the first 10-15 minutes are spoiler FREE, and then I'll give you a warning before we jump into our spoiler section.)Serpent & Dove is the exciting story of Louise le Blanc, a witch who fled her coven two years ago, and Reid Diggory, a man who's sole purpose in life is to rid the world of witches. An unexpected situation pushes Lou and Reid into circumstances they never planned on - Marriage ...

Join my friend Bethanie and me as we dive into the world of Little Women!If you love Little Women, you will adore Jo & Laurie! Our talented authors take us through Jo & Laurie's complicated relationship, and Jo's writing process, as she fumbles through writing her novels. Think you know the story of Little Women? Think again... 1869, Concord, Massachusetts: After the publication of her first novel, Jo March is shocked to discover her book of scribbles has become a best seller, and her...

**Entire episode is SPOILER FREE**Join award winning author Sarah Henning and I as we discuss her brand new book, The Princess Will Save You.The Princess Will Save You is a fun story inspired by the hit movie, The Princess Bride, but with a twist...What would have happened if Buttercup had saved Westley?When her father dies, Princess Amarande is given an ultimatum: marry the leader of a neighboring kingdom, or loose her crown - and possibly her life. To force her hand, her beloved, the stable...

Join my guest Lauren, from And Here's Why Pod, and me as we talk about Divergent, the first book in Veronica Roth's best selling series! Make sure you listen to the end because I included a short bonus section where Lauren and I discuss the Divergent movies. You won't want to miss it!In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave)...

**Please note: This episode was recorded before I changed my format. Therefore, it is a bit longer than my last few episodes. But, it's packed full of goodness! So be sure to take a listen!**Join my guest Christi and I as we embark on a journey of adventure and intrigue. The Queen's Assassin is the story of Caledon Holt and Shadow of the Honey Glade. Caledon is the Hearthstone Guild's deadliest assassin and the kingdom's deadliest weapon. He is sworn to the service of Queen Lilliana, to guard...

Today I am sharing with you one of my all-time favorite YA books. StepSister, by Jennifer Donnelly, is a fairytale retelling like none other! Isabelle is Cinderella's ugly stepsister. Her jealousy of Cinderella has made her mean and hollow. But now Isabelle has the chance to change her fate and chose her own destiny. She will prove "it takes more than heartache to break a girl." StepSister is a wonderful story that shows us that ugly is in the eye of the beholder, and that pretty is more than...