Nova's To Read List

On Thursday, December 1st YASD held their Annual Luncheon with guest speaker Nova Ren Suma. Nova is the YA author of 17 and Gone and The Walls Around Us among other well reviewed titles. She shared the adoration she has for librarians and the importance of our work. She professed that within the title The Walls Around Us there is a hidden love letter to librarians. One of the main characters, who is in a juvenile detention center, has a book cart she holds dear to her heart. These books are her window to the outside world and give her hope for the future. Nova ended her inspiring speech with a list of new books on her book cart that she feels are critical to the future. Here are the titles she shared!

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1. Here We Are: 44 Voices Write, Draw, and Speak Feminism for the Real World edited by Kelly Jensen

Former librarian Kelly Jensen edits this collection of essays, stories, comics, and more that introduce the reader to what it means to be a feminist. Nova Ren Suma is in there!

2. The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi

College student Karuna Riazi writes the first release from Simon & Schuster's Salaam Reads imprint. Farah and her friends get sucked into a board game where they must solve puzzles to save her younger brother who is held captive inside.

3. The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera 

After being punished by her parents, Margo must figure out a way to get her social stock back on the rise instead of being tarnished as she works off her bad deed in a Bronx deli.

4. When the Moon Was Hours by Anna Marie McLemore

In this tale of magical realism the love between Miel and transgender Sam blossoms much like the gorgeous roses on Miel's wrists. As their love blooms the four Bonner girls, the sly red haired sisters in town, believe the roses are the key to solving their romance woes, and are willing to do whatever it takes to get them.

5. American Street by Ibi Zoboi

Fabiola has just emigrated to America and as she and her mother make their way through customs her mom is detained. Now she must navigate relationships with her extended family and the streets of Detroit by herself. All seems well until a Vodou spirit appears to throw her off course.

6. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Pulled right out of today's headlines this debut novel follows 16-year-old Starr after she is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her friend by a cop.