This Month in Teen Books: November 2021

Reading recommendations for teens
November 16, 2021
Featured Title
The sequel to one of the hottest YA titles of last year is on its way to library shelves: 

Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong
The year is 1927, and Shanghai teeters on the edge of revolution. After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from the blood feud, Juliette has been a girl on a mission. One wrong move, and her cousin will step in to usurp her place as the Scarlet Gang’s heir. The only way to save the boy she loves from the wrath of the Scarlets is to have him want her dead for murdering his best friend in cold blood. If Juliette were actually guilty of the crime Roma believes she committed, his rejection might sting less. Roma is still reeling from Marshall’s death, and his cousin Benedikt will barely speak to him. Roma knows it’s his fault for letting the ruthless Juliette back into his life, and he’s determined to set things right—even if that means killing the girl he hates and loves with equal measure. Then a new monstrous danger emerges in the city, and though secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma’s cooperation if they are to end this threat once and for all. Shanghai is already at a boiling point: The Nationalists are marching in, whispers of civil war brew louder every day, and gangster rule faces complete annihilation. Roma and Juliette must put aside their differences to combat monsters and politics, but they aren’t prepared for the biggest threat of all: protecting their hearts from each other.

Trending Now
Chloe Gong attracted a lot of readers of her first book through TikTok, which continues to be one of the best places around right now for YA readers to discover their next favorite. One new title currently picking up #BookTok steam is You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao. Make sure to check out these titles if you, too, are looking for your next teen tearjerker.    
What’s New This Month
A lot of hotly anticipated Young Adult novels are on the way to the library, including new titles from authors like Darcie Little Badger, Brandon Sanderson, Renée Ahdieh, and Karen M. McManus, among others.    
What We’re Reading
This month’s staff picks list for teens includes a searing memoir and an award winner, along with great reads from authors like Tiffany D. Jackson, Kelly Devos, Nafiza Azad, and Elise Bryant.     
For more lists of recommended reads from the book world and beyond, check these out: