It should come as no surprise that I’m a huge lover of comedic fiction, especially humorous young adult lit! And, of course, I do strongly believe that everyone should give this hidden gem of a genre a try at least once… so, why not give it a shot now?
Because I’ve uncovered 4 hilarious new YA releases, and since they’re all now on my to-read list, I want to share them with you all and get you pumped about them, too!
So, let’s take a peek at these amazing new releases, shall we?
Starting with…
1. Fresh by Margot Wood
This book is probably placed on the later end of the YA spectrum, more in the often overlooked ‘new adult’ genre, since it centers around a collegiate freshman and her experiences as, well, a new adult.
The book description and cover, taken from Goodreads:
Some students enter their freshman year of college knowing exactly what they want to do with their lives. Elliot McHugh is not one of those people. But picking a major is the last thing on Elliot’s mind when she’s too busy experiencing all that college has to offer—from dancing all night at off-campus parties, to testing her RA Rose’s patience, to making new friends, to having the best sex one can have on a twin-sized dorm room bed. But she may not be ready for the fallout when reality hits. When the sex she’s having isn’t that great. When finals creep up and smack her right in the face. Or when her roommate’s boyfriend turns out to be the biggest a-hole. Elliot may make epic mistakes, but if she’s honest with herself (and with you, dear reader), she may just find the person she wants to be. And maybe even fall in love in the process . . . Well, maybe.
This book is also sub-categoried as an LGBTQ+ read, which is, in my book (pun totally intended), always a plus!
2. Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach
Of course, I just have to add a rom-com to the list, and “Not Here to Be Liked” hits that category with the perfect mix of romance and comedy!
The book description and cover, taken from Goodreads:
Eliza Quan is the perfect candidate for editor in chief of her school paper. That is, until ex-jock Len DiMartile decides on a whim to run against her. Suddenly her vast qualifications mean squat because inexperienced Len—who is tall, handsome, and male—just seems more like a leader.
When Eliza’s frustration spills out in a viral essay, she finds herself inspiring a feminist movement she never meant to start, caught between those who believe she’s a gender equality champion and others who think she’s simply crying misogyny.
Amid this growing tension, the school asks Eliza and Len to work side by side to demonstrate civility. But as they get to know one another, Eliza feels increasingly trapped by a horrifying realization—she just might be falling for the face of the patriarchy himself.
This book also deals with the fight of feminism in a wonderful way, and multiple other topics are laced in, like diversity and inclusion, as the main character is a Chinese-Vietnamese American… which always elevates a YA novel’s status.
3. Up All Night: 13 Stories between Sunset and Sunrise by Laura Silverman
An anthology that includes work by Brandy Colbert, Kathleen Glasgow, Maurene Goo, Tiffany D. Jackson, Amanda Joy, Nina LaCour, Karen M. McManus, Anna Meriano, Marieke Nijkamp, Kayla Whaley, Julian Winters, and Francesca Zappia
This YA book is obviously unique in that it includes short stories written in multiple sub-genres by multiple fabulous teen fic writers, among those categories, though, our beloved comedy.
The book description and cover, taken from Goodreads:
When everyone else goes to bed, the ones who stay up feel like they’re the only people in the world. As the hours tick by deeper into the night, the familiar drops away and the unfamiliar beckons. Adults are asleep, and a hush falls over the hum of daily life. Anything is possible.
It’s a time for romance and adventure. For prom night and ghost hunts. It’s a time for breaking up, for falling in love—for finding yourself.
Stay up all night with these thirteen short stories from bestselling and award-winning YA authors like Karen McManus, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nina LaCour, and Brandy Colbert, as they take readers deep into these rarely seen, magical hours.
With 13 different stories included, all centering around YA characters, lots of extra topics are covered, from LGBTQ+ romance to mental health complications… so, even if you’re not all in on the funny parts, you’ll be able to find something else of interest for sure!
4. Friends Forever by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham
For a feel-good, quick read that includes beautiful and humorous illustrations, consider “Friends Forever,” a book on the early end of the Young Adult spectrum, as it’s a story about a middle grade character that’s just navigating school, friends, and those dreaded teenaged insecurities.
The book description and cover, taken from Goodreads:
Shannon is in eighth grade, and life is more complicated than ever. Everything keeps changing, her classmates are starting to date each other (but nobody wants to date her!), and no matter how hard she tries, Shannon can never seem to just be happy.
As she works through her insecurities and undiagnosed depression, she worries about disappointing all the people who care about her. Is something wrong with her? Can she be the person everyone expects her to be? And who does she actually want to be?
With their signature humor, warmth, and insight, Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham have crafted another incredible love letter to their younger selves and to readers everywhere, a reminder to us all that we are enough.
What I love about this read is that it’s written to be a reflection on both the author and illustrator’s actual 8th grade selves. Like, it’s not just another book about a random middle schooler with boo-hoo problems—it’s real and based on real experiences.
Anddd… that’s our list for this week! Let me know, of course, if you’re excited to get your hands on these fresh YA releases, or if you’ve perhaps already gotten the chance to pick them up!
–Kari
P.S. If you’re looking for more YA novels that gut-breakingly hilarious, check out these here!
(They were created by yours truly with blood, tears, and spit… okay, not really, but I worked really hard on them to give you readers just what you’re looking for in funny teen fiction reads!)
Kari Lynn M. 