7 Contemporary Stories That Tackle Everyday Issues
I don't know about you, but my May bookshelf is overflowing with a
wide range of fantastic reads. My lineup includes history and memoir,
cookbooks and crafty books, literary fiction and fantasy and much more.
I'm particularly impressed with some of this month's books for young
adult (and older) readers, and that's what this post is all about.
Wait!
Don't click away. You might be surprised by the depth of contemporary
YA stories, so stick around and take a look. You'll find memoir,
thrillers, stories about friendship, #ownvoices titles, and a love story
or two.
There's Something about Sweetie by Sandhya Menon (Simon Pulse, May 14): I loved Menon's previous books (When Dimple Met Rishi and From Twinkle, with Love), so it's a no-brainer that I've put her newest novel on my list. Genre & themes:
rom-com; first-generation American, body image. Basketball star Ashish
is on the rebound after a bad breakup and so reluctantly agrees to go
out on an arranged date. Sweetie is a tack champ, smart, and musically
talented, but all her parents see is that she's (in their eyes, anyway)
overweight. Will the two teens find anything more in common than having
traditional Indian-American parents? Although Ashish is the brother of
Rishi, this novel can be read as a standalone. Audiobook: Simon & Schuster Audio, 11 hr, read by Vikas Adam and Soneela Nankani.
The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Freeform; May 7). Barnes has written a ton of novels, including last year's Little White Lies (a sequel to that is coming out in November). Genre & themes:
mystery, thriller; wilderness survival, lost children, search &
rescue dogs. When Kira was a little girl, she was found wandering alone
in the woods by a search & rescue dog and was ultimately raised
by that dog's owners. Now a teenager, Kira and her friends have plans
to set up their own business, using trained dogs to help find other
people who lose their way in wild areas. When they get a chance to find a
missing girl, they decide to test their skills. Once in the national
park, however, Kira's memories of her own experiences come to the
surface, and with clarity comes fear. Audiobook: Blackstone, 8.5 hr, read by Emily Lawrence.
Bright Burning Stars by A. K. Small
(Algonquin BYR, May 21). I danced when I was young and then again when I
was in my thirties, so I have a soft spot for books about ballet.
Small's own experiences as a young dancer in France inform her work. Genre & themes:
contemporary fiction; friendship; ambition; jealousy; love. Best friends
Marine and Kate have spent their young lives dancing and training at
the Paris Opera Ballet, but they've now reached the age and status at
which they've become rivals--both for a single position in the corps de
ballet and for a handsome boy dancer. The stress of competition, the
raging hormones for love and sex, and the irresistible pull for fame
tests their loyalties and their commitment to dance. Audiobook: I was unable to find any information.
Hope and Other Punch Lines by Julie Buxbaum (Delacorte, May 7). I like Buxbaum's earlier work (Tell Me Three Things), so I put this on my list. Genre & themes:
contemporary fiction; PTSD, unwanted fame. On 9/11, a photographer
captured toddler Abbi's image as she was being rescued from the
collapsing World Trade Center towers. Now seventeen and suffering from
asthma, she still has social media fame. In an attempt to escape
prying eyes, Abbi takes a job as a camp counselor to little kids who
aren't old enough to know about 9/11. Despite her best efforts, one of
the boy counselors recognizes her, but it turns out he too is dealing
with issues related to that horrible day. Can they help each other? Audiobook: Listening Library; 8.25 hr; read by Jorjeana Marie, Robbie Daymond, and Julie Buxbaum.
We Are the Perfect Girl by Ariel Kaplan (Knopf BYR, May 21). I liked Kaplan's We Regret to Inform You and couldn't resist reading her reworking of Cyrano de Bergerac. Genre & themes:
classic retelling; love; friendship; self-image. Aphra, the bold one,
and Bethany, the beauty, together make the perfect girl and are lucky
enough to have the perfect friendship. When some wires get crossed and
irresistibly hot Greg asks out Bethany, Aphra plays conversation coach
and takes over her BFF's texts. Only problem is, Aphra has already
fallen for Greg. She wants to follow her own heart but doesn't want to
mess up her friendship. Humor and teen angst infuse this modern
retelling of the classic play, which has garnered several starred
reviews. Audiobook: Listening Library, 11 hr, read by Holly Linneman
Brave Face by Shaun David Hutchinson (Simon Pulse, May 21). I read Hutchinson's We Are the Ants and am very curious about his life. (Note: This important memoir comes with trigger warnings.) Genre & themes:
memoir; LBGTQ+, depression. In this very frank and open memoir
Hutchinson talks about his path to self-acceptance as he struggled to
move past a teenage suicide attempt and realize that depression could be
dealt with and that being gay didn't mean that happiness was out of his
reach. If we can talk openly about depression and learn to accept love
in all its many guises maybe the children of the next generations will
not have to suffer the pain and trauma of those who came before. A
message of hope that leaves off the sugar coating. Audiobook: Simon & Schuster Audio, 9 hr, read by the author.
The Things She's Seen by Ambelin Kwaymullina and Ezekiel Kwaymullina (Knopf BYR, May 14). Several things drew me this debut novel, not least of which is the Australian setting. Genre & themes:
thriller, family, justice, grief. Death by car accident hasn't severed
Beth's connections with her police detective father. As she tries to
find a way to move her spirit to another plane and ease her father's
grief, she becomes embroiled in his next case, which is an arson in a
remote town that took the life of another girl. The only possible
witness can't seem to give a straight answer, and secrets, traditional
beliefs, tragedy, and violence all play a role before the case is
closed. This is an #ownvoices novel written by a sister / brother team. Audiobook: Listening Library, 4.5 hr, read by Miranda Tapsell.
