Oh, yes, people… it’s that time of year again.
Time to check out all the new book releases in the year to come, that is!
And, since y’all know me, we’re gonna look at some of the hottest humor-filled YA books to be released in 2024. Yep–all the ones that are sure to make you smile, giggle, or laugh-out-loud. Because that’s my style.
So, let’s see what I’ve been adding to my annual TBR list, shall we?
Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat
Expected publication: January 9, 2024
“Shaadi preparations are in full swing, which means lehenga shopping, taste testing, dance rehearsals, and best of all, Arya’s sister Alina is home. The Khannas are together again, finally, and Arya wants to enjoy it. So she stifles her lingering resentment towards Alina, plays mediator during her sister’s fights with their mother, and welcomes her future brother-in-law with open arms. (Okay, maybe enjoy isn’t exactly right.)…”
“…Structured like a Bollywood film (entertaining intermission included!) Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment will make you swoon, laugh, cry, think, nod your head in agreement, and quite possibly make you get up and dance.”
(Cover/description taken from Goodreads)
My take: Okay, so, as of publishing this post, I realize that this Bollywood-style rom-com (which, hello, yes, please), comes out tomorrow… and I’m putting it in my reading queue ASAP.
Cancelled by Farrah Penn
Expected publication: March 17, 2024
“Not to brag, but Brynn Whittaker is basically killing her senior year. She’s got the looks, the grades, and a thriving “flirt coach” business that will help pay for her ultimate dream school: Stanford University.
But when a highly incriminating video goes viral after the first rager of the year, Brynn finds herself at the center of a school-wide scandal of catastrophic proportions. She knows she’s not the girl in the video hooking up with her former best friend’s boyfriend (While wearing a banana costume, no less. Hey, points for style), but adding that to her reputation of being a serial dater, she quickly starts losing friends and customers. On top of that, the scorn she receives exposes the culture of misogyny that is rampant at her school . . . and Brynn and her three best friends are determined to take down all the haters.”
(Cover/description taken from Goodreads)
My take: Seems like a great take on the “Mean Girls” phenomenon… but, of course, with a twist by the end, I’m sure.
Dear Wendy by Ann Zhao
Expected publication: April 16, 2024
“Dear Wendy’s Sophie and Jo, two aromantic and asexual students at Wellesley College, engage in an online feud while unknowingly becoming friends in real life, in this dual POV Young Adult contemporary debut from Ann Zhao…”
(Cover/description taken from Goodreads)
My take: I love a good queer-type romance… ESPECIALLY if it’s not the traditional rom-com we expect, so it’s made the top of my list for April.
Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon
Expected publication: April 30, 2024
“Ellie Greco wishes she weren’t stuck in Milborough. For a few brief, shining years, she escaped her hometown to pursue her dream career—designing beautiful, elaborate costumes for theater—until her father’s death five years ago called her home to run the family’s decades-old deli. Yes, she loves the place, but she’d always thought she was meant for more exciting things than stocking the right tinned fish. But when Ellie hears that a local landlord is planning to rent to Mangia, the glitzy gourmet food department store, Greco’s Deli’s very existence is suddenly in jeopardy…”
“…And miraculously, the fake engagement seems to be working…”
(Cover/description taken from Goodreads)
My take: Sure, it’s a little “old” for the YA category… but, come on, we all love a youthful rom-com with a faux engagement, right?
Wish You Weren’t Here by Erin Baldwin
Expected publication: June 4, 2024
“Juliette doesn’t hate Priya Pendley.
At least, not in the way teen movies say she should hate the hot popular girl. They don’t do cat fights, love triangles, or betrayal. To survive their intertwined small town lives, they agree to a truce: complete group projects without fighting, don’t gossip to mutual friends, and stand on opposite sides of photos so it’s easy to crop each other out…”
“…But Juliette’s dreams of five Priya-free weeks in paradise are shattered when her rival shows up on move-in day… as her cabinmate, no less.”
(Cover/description taken from Goodreads)
My take: Another LBTQ+ read for the books (literally), and this time with the familiar summer camp theme, which, honestly, I forgot I was missing until now…
The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky by Josh Galarza
Expected publication: July 23, 2024
“Ever since cancer invaded his adoptive mother’s life, Brett feels like he’s losing everything, most of all control. To cope, Brett fuels all of his anxieties into epic fantasies, including his intergalactic Kid Condor comic book series, which features food constellations and characters not unlike those in his own life.
But lately Brett’s grip on reality has started to lose its hold. The fictions he’s been telling himself – about his unattractive body, the feeling that he’s a burden to his best friend, that he’s too messed up to be loved – has consumed him completely, and Brett will do anything to forget about the cosmic-sized hole in his chest, even if it’s unhealthy.But when Brett’s journal and deepest insecurities are posted online for the whole school to see, Brett realizes he can no longer avoid the painful truths of his real-life narrative…”
(Cover/description taken from Goodreads)
My take: Let’s be honest, I came for the title. But, in more honesty, it sounds like it’s going to be a light and humorous take on some tough stuff, which we need.
Well, everyone, that’s my list!
Let me know if you’ve got any of these great reads on your own TBR lists… or, perhaps, if I’ve inspired you to add them.
Oh, and before I go, I have one more to add to the list…
Emma Lenford, Book #4 by Kari Lynn M.
Expected publication: TBA 2024
Yes, my followers and fellow readers, I am expecting to finish and publish the NEXT novel in my Emma Lenford series this year! This is obviously super exciting for me, and I can share that I am almost halfway through the first draft of this next book.
But, of course, if you have yet to dive into the wonderful world of Emma Lenford, don’t worry–you can actually read and listen to the first book in the series… for FREE.
Yep–I offer a free version of the first book in this series as both an ebook and audiobook, and you can access it anytime by using that button above (or below–I’m including it twice because I really want y’all to check it out!).
So far, we have three installments in the Emma Lenford series, as seen here. And with one more soon to come… well, I’d just recommend that you get caught up so that you’re ready for the next release!
Okay, now that’s all. Be on the lookout for more Emma updates, though, including a soon-to-be-announced official title and cover art!
Until then…
–Kari
Kari Lynn M. 