This Month in Teen Books: October 2023

Reading recommendations for teens
October 13, 2023
A buzzworthy new YA novel that has been making recent waves on book-lovers’ social media is on the way to library shelves.
 
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.
 
When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and a golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.
 
With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.

What’s New This Month
The latest volume in Stephanie Garber’s Once Upon a Broken Heart series is also on the way, along with a short story romance anthology focused on ace/aro representation, Huda Fahmy’s second autobiographical graphic novel, and new books from authors like Kate Pearsall, Elana K. Arnold, Kate Chenli, David Arnold, Aden Polydoros and more.  
What’s Hot This Month
As we head into the cooler fall season, get cozy with some of these fresh takes on familiar tales passed down through various storytelling cultures.  
What We’re Reading
Here are some quotes from library staff about the books in the newest list of recommended picks:
 
Teen Frankenstein by Chandler Baker: “A pretty good modern take on the classic Frankenstein story without feeling too tied to the original.”  
For more lists of recommended reads from the book world and beyond:
  • 2023 best books for teens from Book Riot
  • Halloween YA books from Book Riot
  • YA horror from Brightly