20 Young Adult Books That Should Be On Your Reading List This Winter

These are the 20 books you might wanna add to your pile!

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

1. Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus

Delacorte Press, Kaitlyn Litchfield

Release date: Jan. 8

What it's about: From the bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying comes another edge-of-your-seat suspense story from McManus. Ellery and Ezra are twins who are sent to live with their grandmother in Echo Ridge — the town where her aunt went missing when she was only 17. Five years ago, the homecoming queen was found murdered. And now that Ellery and Ezra have arrived, another girl goes missing. The longer Ellery stays in Echo Ridge, the more she suspects that everyone in the town is hiding something. But what?

Get it from Amazon for $15.99, Barnes and Noble for $16.31, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

2. The Girl King by Mimi Yu

Bloomsbury YA, Hachette / hachette.com.au

Release date: Jan. 8

What it's about: Lu and Min are sisters and princesses of the empire. Lu is destined to become the dynasty's first female ruler, but the role is quickly taken from her when her father betrays that destiny and makes sure her male cousin reigns. While Lu is on the run planning how to reclaim what was hers, Min uncovers a dark power within her that could lead her to ruling in place of their cousin — and Lin. Yu crafts a tremendously stunning world with complex characters and a heart-pounding adventure.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes and Noble for $15.29, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

3. Slayer by Kiersten White

HarperCollins, Blue Lily Photo

Release date: Jan. 8

What it's about: Fans of Buffy will love Slayer by Kiersten White. Nina and her twin sister Artemis have grown up at the at the Watcher’s Academy in order to train to be guides for Slayers. Guides have been gifted with supernatural strength in order to fight the forces of darkness, but Nina prefers her healing instincts. However, everything changes when Nina discovers that she's the last Slayer ever.

Get it from Amazon for $15.19, Barnes and Noble for $17.09, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

4. The Wicked King by Holly Black

Little, Brown, Sharona Jacobs

Release date: Jan. 8

What it's about: In the anticipated sequel to The Cruel Prince, Jude has discovered that her younger brother Oak is the heir to Faerie. But in order to keep him from harm's way, she's bound Cardan to her in order to gain power to the throne. However, when someone threatens Jude and those she cares for, she must do everything she can to put a stop to it. Black creates a lush, fantastical sequel that's riveting from beginning to end.

Get it from Amazon for $15.99, Barnes and Noble for $16.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

5. The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Wednesday Books, roshanichokshi.com

Release date: Jan. 15

What it's about: Set in 19th century Paris, Séverin Montagnet-Alarie receives an offer from the all-powerful society, the Order of Babel, to find an ancient artifact in exchange for his true inheritance. But in order to complete this hunt, Séverin requires the help of a skilled team in order to survive this dangerously sinister mission.

Get it from Amazon for $12.91, Barnes and Noble for $17.09, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

6. Our Year of Maybe by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Simon & Schuster, rachelsolomonbooks.com

Release date: Jan. 15

What it's about: Sophie Orenstein would do anything for her best friend Peter Rosenthal-Porter — including donating her own kidney. But after his transplant, Sophie secretly hopes Peter will return the feelings she has for him. Peter worries about being indebted to Sophie and feels increasingly drawn to Chase, a guitarist who is looking for a keyboardist for his band. Then one night, Sophie and Peter's friendship seemingly implodes, and the two of them wonder if things will ever be the same.

Get it from Amazon for $18.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

7. The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe

Balzer + Bray, benphilippe.com

Release date: Jan. 22

What it's about: Norris Kaplan is a black, French Canadian teenager who has been uprooted from his home after moving to Austin, Texas with his mother. Norris is cynical and snarky and has trouble navigating his new environment, which leads to him applying labels to everyone he meets — until a few people he was quick to label become his friends. But when Norris screws up big time on prom night, he's not sure if he's able to mend his mistakes. Philippe nails the quippy dialogue in each of his characters in this remarkable debut.

Get it from Amazon for $12.91, Barnes and Noble for $15.19, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

8. The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan

Scholastic, sabina-khan.com

Release date: Jan. 29

What it's about: Rukhsana Ali tries her best to live the way her conservative Muslim parents want her to, counting down until she can begin college at Caltech. That all changes when her parents catch her kissing her girlfriend. Rukhsana is sent to Bangladesh where she's thrust into a world of arranged marriages and tradition, but realizes her way to happiness depends on standing up for herself and everything she loves. It's an honest story that's equal parts heart-wrenching, impactful, and hopeful.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes and Noble for $16.19, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

9. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Imprint, ©jen Castle Photography / Via leighbardugo.com

Release date: Jan. 29

What it's about: Set in Bardugo's Grishaverse, the young king Nikolai Lantsov must journey to places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives in order to save his country and himself. Bardugo yet again creates a glorious, heart-pounding adventure set in a wonderfully rich world.

Get it from Amazon for $13.51, Barnes and Noble for $14.46, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

10. Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig

Feiwel & Friends, calebroehrig.com

Release date: Jan. 29

What it's about: Margo Manning is a rebellious heiress who leads a double life. By day she dodges paparazzi. And by night? She leads a heist of drag queens through high-stakes robberies for desperately-needed money. But when one of their heists puts everyone on board at risk, she must do whatever she can to navigate them through a world of trouble. Roehrig has expertly written a delightful and unique high-stakes adventure that's both dangerous and fun.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes and Noble for $16.19, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

11. On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

HarperCollins, Anissa Hidouk / Via angiethomas.com

Release date: Feb. 5

What it's about: Bri is the 16-year-old daughter of a local, underground rap legend who died before he made it big. Bri's dream is to launch her own rapping career, and she has the talent and motivation to try and make it. But with her mom's unexpected job loss and bills piling up, she knows this dream isn't just for her success — it's to help her family, too. Angie Thomas's second novel explores racism, privilege, and poverty tactfully and realistically while creating complex characters that feel like friends.

Get it from Amazon for $12.91, Barnes and Noble for $14.25, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

12. Enchantée by Gita Trelease

Flatiron Books, amazon.com

Release date: Feb. 5

What it's about: Set in Paris, 1789, Camille Durbonne has the ability to magick scraps of metal into money in order to provide food and medicine for her sister Sophie. But when their brother runs off with their savings and the coins Camille transformed won’t hold their shape, she embarks on a dangerous plan. In the Palace of Versailles, she transforms herself into the Baroness de la Fontaine, gambling at cards in order to provide what she can for herself and Sophie. But when the stakes become too high, the game she's playing turns deadly. It's a dark, dazzling, magical story filled with characters who are truly enchanting.

Get it from Amazon for $12.91, Barnes and Noble for $13.54, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

13. Lady Smoke by Laura Sebastian

Delacorte Press, laurasebastianwrites.com

Release date: Feb. 5

What it's about: Theo has escaped the Kaiser and successfully taken back her rightful title, along with her hostage, Prinz Soren. Although Soren got to know Theo under false pretenses, he seems to respect her, and Theo cannot help but sense that there is some goodness inside him. But Theo's people remain enslaved under the Kaiser's rule, and she's constantly butting heads with Dragonsbane over how to build an army, free them, and take back Astria. But the plan she's forced to go along with isn't her first choice. The sequel to Ash Princess is lush, atmospheric, and packed full of romance and adventure.

Get it from Amazon for $12.91, Barnes and Noble for $14.66, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

14. The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg

Arthur A. Levine Books, Picasa / Via billkonigsberg.com

Release date: Feb. 26

What it's about: Set in Mesa, Arizona the summer before senior year, Max and Jordan find themselves having to work together in a food truck. The two couldn't be more opposite. Jordan is shy and slightly nerdy while Max is all about sports and video games. But throughout the duration of the summer, the two end up helping each other in ways they might not have expected. This is a smart, tender romance that also sheds light on real, important issues.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes and Noble for $14.78, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

15. The Beauty of the Moment by Tanaz Bhathena

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Photo by Nettie Photography / Via tanazbhathena.com

Release date: Feb. 26

What it's about: Susan is the smart new girl who just moved from Saudi Arabia. She strives to exceed her parents expectations of her, but deep down she knows she has a passion for art. Then she meets Malcom — a known bad boy — who has acted out ever since his mother died of cancer. The two find that they're drawn to each other, but will messy family complications threaten what they've found? This is a charming, tender story that touches on the complexities of family, friendship, and love.

Get it from Amazon for $14.33, Barnes and Noble for $14.54, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

16. Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner

Crown Books for Young Readers, jeffzentnerbooks.com

Release date: Feb. 26

What it's about: Delia and Josie are best friends who host a horror segment on their local cable station, TV Six. "Midnite Matinee" allows Delia and Josie to become Rayne Ravenscroft and Delilah Darkwood every Friday, where their wit and quirkiness are broadcast to dozens of committed fans. After graduation, Delia is fully committed to the show while Josie is still weighing her future and thinking of chasing her dream career in mainstream TV — but she hasn't exactly told Delia that. Zentner packs both humor and emotion into this coming-of-age friendship story about change, forgiveness, and following your heart.

Get it from Amazon for $14.33, Barnes and Noble for $17.20, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

17. We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Katherine Tegen Books, tehlorkaymejia.com

Release date: Feb. 26

What it's about: Daniela Vargas is the top student at Medio School for Girls where graduates are promised a good life running a husband’s household or raising his children. But Dani has a secret: She has forged identification papers. Now that she's to marry an important politico’s son, she must do everything to protect that secret. When an opportunity arises to act as a spy for a resistance group fighting for equality, Dani must decide if she should protect the privilege her parents gave her or fight for freedom for Medio. Mejia pens a compelling, gripping story that mirrors real world issues of immigration and equality.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes and Noble for $14.72, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

18. Tell Me Everything by Sarah Enni

sarahenni.com

Release date: Feb. 26

What it's about: Ivy likes to keep a low profile at Belfry High School, but she becomes increasingly passionate about the new anonymous art-sharing app, VEIL. With her best friend Harold preoccupied with after school activities, Ivy's addiction to the app grows. She begins recognizing classmates through their anonymous VEIL posts and decides to complete little acts of kindness for them. But when she takes it too far, she risks losing everything — including Harold. Enni captures readers with a fun, authentic voice and characters that you'll immediately grow to love.

Get it from Amazon for $10.99, Barnes and Noble for $12.64, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

19. If You're Out There by Katy Loutzenhiser

Balzer + Bray, goodreads.com

Release date: March 5

What it's about: Zan's best friend Priya moves to California and suddenly ghosts her. Priya won't respond to Zan's emails, texts, or calls — even though she still posts to Instagram. Friendless, Zan unexpectedly befriends Logan, a new guy in her Spanish class. And while telling him about Priya's unexplained silence, she notices something in one of her recent uploads. Something that makes her believe Priya is incapable of replying to Zan. Loutzenhiser creates a solid mystery that's incredibly compelling with characters who are witty, relatable, and enjoyable to follow.

Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes and Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

20. You Asked for Perfect by Laura Silverman

Sourcebooks Fire, goodreads.com

Release date: March 5

What it's about: Ariel Stone is on track to become valedictorian. He has the grades, extracurriculars, and volunteer hours that would impress any college board. But when he fails a Calculus quiz and his grades continue to slide, he knows he's in desperate need of a tutor. While Amir and Ariel have never gotten along, he's his only option. And when Ariel slowly begins to fall for Amir, he's uncertain if he can handle the pressure of a relationship on top of everything else. Silverman does a fantastic job crafting realistic, complex characters in Ariel and Amir.

Get it from Amazon for $10.99, Barnes and Noble for $10.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.