2017 has been a rough year. Politics were inflamed to an unprecedented degree (and still going), far too many celebrities passed away at an astoundingly young age, and even an Orwellian precedent was set through surprising legislature repeal. We walked into 2016 hoping 2017 would treat us better but we were so, so wrong. We have the same hopeful wish going into 2018, and while 2017 was pretty bad, we still had some good moments here and there, including the release of over 1000 novels. To help us ring in the new year (and keep our mind at ease in the last few days of 2017), here are 5 books you absolutely need to read.
- Wonder Woman: Warbringer By Leigh Bardugo
Daughter of immortals.
Princess Diana longs to prove herself to her legendary warrior sisters. But when the opportunity finally comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law—risking exile—to save a mortal. Diana will soon learn that she has rescued no ordinary girl, and that with this single brave act, she may have doomed the world.
Daughter of death.
Alia Keralis just wanted to escape her overprotective brother with a semester at sea. She doesn’t know she is being hunted by people who think her very existence could spark a world war. When a bomb detonates aboard her ship, Alia is rescued by a mysterious girl of extraordinary strength and forced to confront a horrible truth: Alia is a Warbringer—a direct descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery.
Together.
Two girls will face an army of enemies—mortal and divine—determined to either destroy or possess the Warbringer. Tested beyond the bounds of their abilities, Diana and Alia must find a way to unleash hidden strengths and forge an unlikely alliance. Because if they have any hope of saving both their worlds, they will have to stand side by side against the tide of war.
I don’t know whose idea it was to hire a bunch of popular YA fiction authors to rewrite the adventures of popular DC characters, but I’m grateful for them. As far as I’m concerned, every young girl out there deserves a comprehensive, well-written novel starring one (or in this case, two) main female characters who exhibit qualities of confidence, strength, and wisdom. An empowering read for girls everywhere, I’d definitely check this book out as we enter 2018.
2. Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy League—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can’t escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates. Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out. Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack.
Whether you’re an avid reader or not, you’ve almost undoubtedly heard of Angela Thomas’ debut, The Hate U Give. A similar book that you probably haven’t picked up yet, however, is Dear Martin. Not only is there the required premise for a book reflecting America’s racism and its Black Lives Matter movement, but there’s also the unique aspect of the main character, Justyce, writing a journal to Martin Luther King Jr. The book analyzes how King’s teachings hold up to the present, acting as a sort of guidebook for Americans to reflect on the progression of racism in America. If you’re a fan of The Hate U Give or Jason Reynolds’ popular work, All American Boys, definitely give this book a read.
3. The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee
Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men. But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy. Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.
A jubilant journey of humorous grandeur, this novel follows the adventure of a bisexual drama king. Think characters like Kurt Hummel from Glee, Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle, and Lance from the Voltron remake. Flamboyant, confident and cunning, Henry “Monty” Montague is one of the freshest, most endearing voices to be heard in YA lit. The book is simply a fun read to evoke laughter and “feel-good” feelings. 10/10 in my book.
4. History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
When Griffin’s first love and ex-boyfriend, Theo, dies in a drowning accident, his universe implodes. Even though Theo had moved to California for college and started seeing Jackson, Griffin never doubted Theo would come back to him when the time was right. But now, the future he’s been imagining for himself has gone far off course.
To make things worse, the only person who truly understands his heartache is Jackson. But no matter how much they open up to each other, Griffin’s downward spiral continues. He’s losing himself in his obsessive compulsions and destructive choices, and the secrets he’s been keeping are tearing him apart.
If Griffin is ever to rebuild his future, he must first confront his history, every last heartbreaking piece in the puzzle of his life.
This book is sad, but not in the way you’d think. It isn’t a story about heartbreak, or loss, or depression, self-blame, and so on. Instead, it’s about how all these things tie into each other, how they might actually affect a high school student, and, most importantly, how high school students can overcome all the struggles they’ve faced. History Is All You Left Me isn’t a story of sadness, but one of triumph, a feeling which we could all use going into 2018.
5. American Street by Ibi Zoboi
The rock in the water does not know the pain of the rock in the sun.
On the corner of American Street and Joy Road, Fabiola Toussaint thought she would finally find une belle vie—a good life.
But after they leave Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Fabiola’s mother is detained by U.S. immigration, leaving Fabiola to navigate her loud American cousins, Chantal, Donna, and Princess; the grittiness of Detroit’s west side; a new school; and a surprising romance, all on her own.
Just as she finds her footing in this strange new world, a dangerous proposition presents itself, and Fabiola soon realizes that freedom comes at a cost. Trapped at the crossroads of an impossible choice, will she pay the price for the American dream?
2017 saw the repeal of DACA, Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals. This resulted in a tremendous weight of fear and anxiety being put on DACA recipients, most of which are young children who don’t remember much else aside from America. Regardless of whether you support DACA or not, American Street is an important read for anyone. The story immerses you in the life of a young Haitian in America, and how the likes of ICE and America’s immigration policies horribly affect her. It’s a must-read for perspective into a life we often hear about, but rarely ever imagine for ourselves. In 2018, this book will educate you or at the very least motivate you to get educated on America’s immigration situation.
Hopefully, you’ll be adding these books to your library. On behalf of all of us here at BOLD, we wish you a happy new year!
Bold Magazine 