Epic Reading Challenge: November

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month select TBG members choose a book that fits the challenge's theme. Provided by Epic Reads, these challenges inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate each month!

The prompt for November was… a graphic novel!

When you think of the word “novel,” you might imagine a thick, heavy book with pages jam-packed with dense text. But graphic novels are another form of book, one that became more common in the 1980s and continues to skyrocket in popularity today. 

Here are a couple graphic novels that TBG read this month + their thoughts!

Grace: Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper is a bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel following Nick and Charlie, two English schoolboys who become best friends after meeting in school and playing rugby together. The book series has also been adapted into a Netflix show starring Kit Connor and Joe Locke. 

If you somehow haven’t managed to read this graphic novel yet, then let this be your sign. The illustrations are wonderful and keep the reader fully engaged in the story, and the plotline is fast-paced and easy to follow. However, the best part is the characters, who are fun and easy to love. 

Luke: Deadendia by Hamish Steele

For this month’s challenge, I chose to read the first entry of the DeadEndia books by Hamish Stele. I really enjoy the Netflix series Dead End: Paranormal Park, and when I found it the show was based off a book series, I was eager to check them out. The Watcher’s Test, the first entry in the series, focuses on Barney who works at a theme park that’s secretly also serves as a portal to hell. Along with his friend Norma and his talking dog Pugsley, the group battles demons, time-traveling cowboys, and scariest of all, love interests. While I thought some of the ideas were executed better in the show, it was cool to see how concepts of the episodes were originally written in the book. The book also did a great job making all the characters extremely memorable and funny. This book, and probably the rest of the series, would be great to read during Halloween or other spooky seasons. 

Check out Luke's 5 Questions With... interview with Hamish Steele!

Epic Reading Challenge: September

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month select TBG members choose a book that fits the challenge's theme. Provided by Epic Reads, these challenges inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate each month!

The prompt for September was… a book based on your favorite season!

Grace: The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther

Summer is my favorite season for many reasons, but the most important is that it allows me to spend more time than usual with my family. This warm-hearted, family-centered novel perfectly encapsulates the best part of the season of summer. The story follows Meredith Fox as she returns to her extended family’s summer vacation home for the first time after the death of her sister. Meredith gets caught up in a whirlwind of fun summer activities, including a plot-quickening game of Assassin. The best part of this book was simply the summery vibes that it gave, and the exciting summer games really enhanced the plot. Additionally, I thought that the main character seemed very genuine and rewarding to read about, and the romantic relationship between the two main characters was also very well done.

Lisa: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

If autumn could reach through a book's pages and give the reader a warm hug, it would choose this one to administer affection. Pumpkinheads perfectly captures the cozy, nostalgic essence of autumn. Set in a charming pumpkin patch, the story follows Deja and Josiah, two high school seniors working their final shift before heading off to college. 

With the crisp fall air, golden leaves, and the warmth of seasonal treats like pumpkin pie and caramel apples, the setting is steeped in the magic of autumn. As they embark on a sweet, humorous adventure through the pumpkin patch, the book evokes the feeling of those fleeting, memorable moments that define the season, reminding readers of the beauty in change, friendship, and the simple joys of fall.

Epic Reading Challenge: August

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, when some of our TBG members choose a book that fits the prompt of the month! These prompts provided by Epic Reads hope to inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate in the prompt each month.

The prompt for August was… a diverse/ gender-swapped retelling!

Grace: 

My selection for August was One for All by Lillie Lainoff, which is a gender-bent retelling of The Three Musketeers.

One for All by Lillie Lainoff tells the story of Tania de Batz, a young woman that suffers from medical challenges that cause her to experience bouts of dizziness. Despite these health problems, Tania is determined to follow in the footsteps of her father and become a fencer. When her father suddenly (and suspiciously) dies, she is sent to what appears to be a finishing school, but is actually a training center for female Musketeers. The reader follows Tania on her journey through schooling, meeting a charming target in one of her missions, and trying to discover what really happened to her father.

I’m not too familiar with the original story of the Musketeers, but I certainly enjoyed this gender-bent retelling! One of my favorite aspects was the found family that Tania has through her “sisters” at the training center. Even if you are not well versed in the original tale, this is a good novel to pick up!

Marley:

I chose A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney. 

When Brionne Mathew’s is shot and killed by a police officer due to her powers, fear consumes Alice causing two nightmare creatures to capture her, forcing her to face the cold reality of the real world while navigating through the confusion that is Wonderland. 

Alice is the embodiment of black girl magic. L.L McKinney built such a diverse and lively cast of characters. It was an enjoyable read that had nods to the whimsical twist and turns of the classic Alice in Wonderland with light political commentary of the struggles of a Black girl that doesn’t  feel like she fits in her community filled with racial injustice.

Overall this was a wonderful read to finish off summer. A Blade So Black is a creatively reimagined story of a true classic that really brought me in, making me wish to read it again and again for how it envisions this modern day fantasy. I can’t wait to follow Alice’s journey in the sequel.

Epic Reading Challenge: July

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month some of the TBG members choose a book that fits a specific prompt. Provided by Epic Reads, these prompts inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate each month!

The prompt for July was… a book known for making people cry.

Most readers pick up a novel because reading brings them happiness, or maybe the reader wishes to escape reality by diving into the world of a character. But sometimes, books can bring upon an entirely different emotion: sadness. Whether you pick up a book knowing it will make you cry, or whether it catches you by surprise, there are hundreds of tear-jerker novels out there. Here are a few YA examples that members of the guild have read this month:

Grace: They Both Die At the End by Adam Silvera

In an alternate universe, where people who are about to die are sent a message that same day, Mateo and Rufus receive messages just after midnight. Told in multi-POV, this queer, coming-of age novel follows both of these teens on their last day to live and the adventures that they have together.

I really enjoyed this book, despite it having mixed reviews. I especially appreciated the multiple POV format of the novel, because it kept the novel from dragging on, since the events only took place over one day. And even though the events of the ending are known from the first page, the specific circumstances remain unknown, contributing to the tearshed at the conclusion of the story. This is a novel that will certainly make you cry.

Holly: The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris

The Cost of Knowing follows the point of view of Alex Rufus, the future-seeing, older brother of Isaiah Rufus. Upon seeing the vision of Isaiah’s grave, Alex tries to give Isaiah the best days of his life before his passing. This book definitely qualifies as a tearjerker. The suspense leading up the end involves many twists and turns. I would recommend reading this book with a box of tissues. Overall, I really liked this book. The concept is very interesting and unlike anything I have read before.

Brooke: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Salt to the Sea is about the life of refugees in 1945 escaping from war. The story is exciting with many plot twists but also brought tears to my eyes at certain parts.

Phoebe: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughty and Tobias Iaconis

Another notable tear-jerker novel is Five Feet Apart co-written by Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, and Tobias Iaconis, entailing a romance between two teenagers suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). Forced to be distanced 6 feet apart for their safety, they were cursed never to touch. A light-hearted romance story that brings up health struggles in teens as they navigate through their lives. There is also an element of the opposites attract troupe, mixed with enemies to lovers. Despite being fairly fast-paced, this book was still able to invoke strong emotions. Be warned, it may seem light-hearted at first but it will make you ball your eyes out!

Helena: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green features a lung and thyroid cancer patient, Hazel, and Augustus, who had osteosarcoma, and as a result, his leg was amputated. They first meet at a cancer support group meeting, where Augustus was with their mutual friend, Isaac. Augustus asks Hazel to hang out, and she agrees. Their relationship blossoms throughout the book, even through the ups and downs of their difficult lives. 

I believe that this book is an essential read. It explores relationships, reliability, and coping with doom. Because of the message, it is one of my favorite books I've ever read. It’s also beautiful and completely heart-wrenching. It’s grim, meaningful, and relatively realistic throughout the novel, which is not always in the YA world. The end is very, very sad, but a fitting finale for the story.

Epic Reading Challenge: June

Written by Grace H.

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month some of the TBG members choose a book that fits a specific prompt. Provided by Epic Reads, these prompts inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate each month!

The prompt for June was… a book genre outside your comfort zone.

Most readers have a genre (or maybe a couple) to which they are loyal readers. Maybe your bookshelf is largely disproportional with a ton of books of a single genre (Romantasy, I’m looking at you). But this month the Teen Book Guild encourages you to step outside your comfort zone and try a different genre than you normally read, whether that’s romance, thriller, or even non-fiction!

This month I chose The Lake House by Sarah Beth Durst, which is a YA thriller. I read a small amount of thrillers, but usually it’s not my favorite genre.

This exciting novel follows Claire, an anxious teenager who is spending the summer at a remote camp with people she’s never met before. But when she arrives at the camp, Claire and her new acquaintances discover that the entire facility has been burned. But that’s not all, something or someone in the woods has killed the camp director, and now is hunting the three girls.

This thriller really surprised me. It started off just like any other, with a scary problem for these teenagers to solve, but as the story went on, it took twists and turns that I’m not sure any reader could have predicted. The ending really surprised me, and I think if I was the author, I might’ve taken it a different direction, but all in all, I was happy I picked up this thriller.

I would certainly recommend this one to any readers who are looking to expand their genre horizons into the thriller/mystery category.

Epic Reading Challenge: May

written by Grace H.

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month some of the TBG members choose a book that fits the prompt. Provided by Epic Reads, these prompts inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate each month!

May’s prompt was… A book with a gorgeous cover design!

I’m sure you know the classic saying that advises readers to avoid judging a book by its cover, but let’s be honest, we all do it. 

This month I chose One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

This thriller/mystery YA novel follows four teenagers who are suspects in the murder case of their classmate, Simon. 

Simon is the creator of the Bayview High School gossip app, and he has the deepest secrets about each of our four main characters, all of which were about to be posted onto the app when he died. The motive for each of our main characters is made clear as the story progresses, as the secrets begin to be revealed to the reader. 

Not only is the plotline of this novel enticing and jaw-dropping, the cover is also a work of beauty. It is divided into quarters, one for each of our characters. Their faces are hauntingly blank, with only lined notebook paper to replace it, and the title of the novel is written in a striking blood-red color. I think the cover does a good job of conveying the thriller/mystery vibe of the book.

With this novel, both the cover and the story are incredible, and well worth the read!

Epic Reading Challenge: April

written by Grace H.

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month some of the TBG members choose a book that fits the prompt. Provided by Epic Reads, these prompts inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate each month!

April’s prompt was… A book that’s been on your TBR forever!

Over the years my TBR has grown rapidly, with a continuous stream of new releases and recommendations that never stop coming. This book has been on my TBR for a long time, and I finally got the chance to pick it up!

Anatomy: a Love Story by Dana Schwartz!

This horror-filled mystery follows Hazel, a 19th-century feminist who is determined to become a surgeon despite the fact that she’s female. She receives help from resurrection-man Jack Currer, who provides the bodies that Hazel uses to practice her skills. But the story becomes a true mystery when strange things start happening at night and secrets start to become unburied. 

This mystery was action-packed and fast-paced. I read it over the course of a single day and the plotline kept hold of my attention. It was quite a unique story, unlike any YA mystery I’d ever read, and the horror elements definitely made for a spectacular read. I also enjoyed the romance elements of the story, and I thought that Jack was a really fun character to read about.

Overall, I’m very glad that this finally made it off of my TBR, and I would definitely recommend it, especially to readers who enjoy horror or would like to expand their reading taste!

 

Epic Reading Challenge: March

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month some of the TBG members choose a book that fits the prompt. Provided by Epic Reads, these prompts inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate each month!

March’s prompt was… A book with a film or TV adaptation

In the current age of having thousands of movies and TV shows simply a click away thanks to streaming services, more and more books each year are being adapted for the screen. This is a perfect prompt for all cinephiles and book lovers, but just remember the true bookworm’s rule: always read the book first!

Grace’s choice for March is Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. 

This novel is a time-loop story, where our main character, Samantha Kingston, is stuck reliving Valentine’s Day over and over again. We follow Samantha through seven different days that all begin the same way (yet end very differently). Samantha is part of the “popular” group at her high school, and as a senior, makes it a hobby to torment many of her fellow classmates. Before I Fall explores heavy topics of bullying and suicide, and how the butterfly effect of human action has a greater impact than is often realized. 

I really enjoyed this novel, and the fast-paced writing style always kept me drawn into the story. You might think that a character reliving the same day over and over would get boring, but the author did an amazing job of creating differences in the storyline of each repeated day that kept the reader engaged, while also exploring the many important themes of the novel. My only complaint is the ending, though I won’t spoil it for anyone. 

The movie can be rented on Prime Video or Apple TV and stars Zoey Deutch and Halston Sage. 

Epic Reading Challenge: February

This year, the TBG is participating in the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month presents a different prompt to inspire our reading choices! We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate in the prompt each month.

We're still playing catch-up, so February’s Prompt was… a multi POV book

A multi-POV book simply means that the novel contains chapters/content from the perspective of more than one character. This technique is often used in romance novels, with each individual in the love pair being given chapters from their own POV. It can even be used in tandem with third-person narration, which can often in high fantasy novels.

Grace's choice for February is Every Time You Hear That Song by Jenna Voris.

This novel is centered around two main characters, both of which get their own POVs throughout the book. Darren is a young journalist who is fascinated by the legendary country star, Decklee Cassel, and the mysteriously empty time-capsule that she left behind after her death.

Not only is this book told in two perspectives, it is told in two different timelines. The “present” is told through Darren’s POV, as she unveils clues in a scavenger hunt for the real time capsule. The reader can also enjoy flashback chapters, told from Decklee’s POV, giving the story of her rise to fame and shaky relationship with fellow artist Mickenlee. 

The novel blends an exciting mystery and two romances in this upcoming YA release. I thought that the two different POV’s kept me on my toes and made for a page-turning read!

Epic Reading Challenge: January

Written by Grace H.

This year, the TBG will be participating in the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month presents a different prompt to inspire our reading choices! We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate in the prompt each month!

For January, the prompt was… the first book in a series

As one of my 2024 reading goals, I had aspired to read the entire Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, and I’m thrilled to say that I completed that goal this month. 

So, to respond to the prompt for this month, I will be writing about the first book in the series, which is named the same as the series: Throne of Glass.

This high fantasy YA novel is centered around Celaena Sardothien, known as the most skilled assassin in all of Adarlan. For the past year, Celaena has been kept captive at a slave labor camp on the outskirts of the kingdom. The story follows her as she is removed from the camp to compete as the king’s assassin in a competition, where winning will guarantee her freedom. 

This story is fast-paced and high-stakes, which makes it a quick and entertaining read. While the plot may seem shallow and cliche at a first glance, reading the rest of the series reveals that the first novel in the series was a stepping stone that would set up complex plot points for the remaining seven books in the series. I found the story to be exciting and the characters to be well-written, even from this first installment. 

Reading an eight-book series (that totals around 5,000 pages) can certainly seem like a daunting task, but it is well worth it in the end, and this starting novel lays the perfect foundation for the rest of the series. 

What first book in a series did you choose to read in January? Let us know down below and join in the fun!