40 Contemporary Books We're Looking Forward To Reading In 2021

Is your TBR stack going to grow exponentially after this? Yes. Am I sorry? No.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

1. Roman & Jewel by Dana L. Davis

Inkyard, Via danaldavis.com

Release Date: Jan. 5

What it's about: Think Shakespeare meets Hamilton with a touch of Smash. When Jerzie is cast as the understudy and not the lead in the new Romeo and Juliet hip-hopera, Roman and Jewel, she's crushed. Things complicate when she finds herself falling for Zeppelin, the male lead, who Cinny, the actress Jerzie is understudying, wants for herself. When a video of Jerzie and Zepp practicing goes viral, the entire world starts to weigh in on who should play Jewel.

For more stories of star-crossed love, check out American Betiya by Anuradha D. Rajurkar and The Right Side of Reckless by Whitney D. Grandison.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local indie through Indiebound here.

2. One of the Good Ones by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite

Inkyard, Via maikaandmaritza.com

Release Date: Jan. 5

What it's about: Sisters Maika and Maritza Moulite popped into YA in 2019 with their incredible Dear Haiti, Love Alaine and I'm so excited for their second book! Sisters Happi and Genny are on a journey, using an heirloom copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book as a guide. Still reeling from the death of their sister Kezi (an activist, killed under mysterious circumstances after a social justice rally), the journey is their way to honor her. As Happi questions the idealized way in which her sister is being remembered ("one of the good ones", "perfect", etc), a twist in Kezi's story emerges that will change everything again.

For more sophomore releases (aka the second book released by an author), check out Lucky Girl by Jamie Pacton and Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous by Suzanne Park.

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local indie through Indiebound here.

3. Your Corner Dark by Desmond Hall

Simon Teen, Tom Kates / Via desmondhallauthor.com

Release Date: Jan. 19

What it's about: At time of writing, I'm in the middle of reading this book, and it's absolutely incredible! This electric debut follows Frankie Green, who finally has his ticket out of Jamaica in the form of a scholarship letter. But after his father is shot, he has to make a deal with Uncle Joe — Frankie joins Joe's gang for life, and Joe will fund the import of the drugs that will save his father.

For more debut novels releasing in January, check out When You Look Like Us by Pamela N Harris and Meet Cute Project by Rhiannon Richardson

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local indie through Indiebound here.

4. Thirty Talks Weird Love by Alessandra Narváez Varela

Cinco Puntos Press, Via cincopuntos.com

Release Date: Jan. 19

What it's about: Okay, technically speaking this book is set in the '90s and therefore I would classify it as YA historical fiction, but it's my list and I can break my own rule to include it. Anamaría is 13, living in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico where cases of kidnapped girls and women are on the rise, when a lady comes up to her with claims of being a 30-year-old Anamaría. Thirty tells her to be kinder to herself, maybe not work so hard at school that she barely sleeps and is constantly stressed, which Anamaría questions.

For another book that I would also technically classify as YA historical fiction even though it's set in the 90s, check out Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas and for one set in 2003, check out An Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local indie through Indiebound here.

5. Muted by Tami Charles

Scholastic, Krisann Binett

Release Date: Feb. 2

What it's about: This is one of those books that when you finish, you stare at it for a little bit and need a moment before you can do other things – it is that good. Denver is the star of this novel-in-verse, but more importantly, she wants to be a big music star with her friends Dali and Shak. When they catch the attention of Sean "Mercury" Ellis, one of the biggest R&B stars in the world, he pulls them into his circle, providing hours in the recording studio, parties, and perks in exchange for sacrifices and lies. But the dream quickly turns into a nightmare, and Denver realizes she's caught in the dark side of Merc's world.

For more musical novels, check out XOXO by Axie Oh, Where the Rhythm Takes You by Sarah Dass, Idol Gossip by Alexandra Leigh Young, and Battle of the Bands edited by Lauren Gibaldi and Eric Smith

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local indie through Indiebound here.

6. The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough

Allen & Ullwin, Via garylonesborough.com

Release Date: Feb. 2 (Australia)

What it's about: This Australian release sounds so great, so I couldn't help but talk about it here. While it releases this year in Australia, it will be published in the U.S. in 2022. Jackson is an aboriginal teen, enjoying the hot summer with his family on the Mish. When his Aunty and cousins come to visit for Christmas, they bring Tomas, a mysterious boy with a troubled past, with them. As their friendship evolves, Jackson's own secret begins to bubble to the surface, and it becomes clear that this summer will change everything.

7. Love is a Revolution by Renée Watson

Bloomsbury, Via reneewatson.net

Release Date: Feb. 2

What it's about: I am so excited for this new book by literary queen of my heart, Renée Watson! Nala unexpectedly finds herself crushing on Tye Brown, the MC at an open mic night for her cousin/sister/friend Imani's birthday (which she was attending reluctantly). But while Nala would prefer to watch movies and eat ice cream, activist Tye is spending the summer putting on community events. Determined to impress, she tells a few small lies so it will seem like they have more in common, and as she falls harder for Tye, the lies become harder to keep up with.

For other great stories with fat main characters, check out Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado and Speak for Yourself by Lana Wood Johnson

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local indie through Indiebound here.

8. A Phở Love Story by Loan Le

Simon & Schuster, Via writerloanle.me

Release Date: Feb. 9

What it's about: If you're looking for a delicious star-crossed romance, this is your book! The Mais and the Nguyens have been at odds for years, competing as owners of neighboring phở restaraunts. Bao Nguyen and Linh Mai have avoided each other most of their lives because of this. Bao sort of lives in the middle — average grades, fifth favorite employee — while Linh dreams of pursuing a career in art. When the two cross paths in a chance encounter, sparks fly, and they have to wonder if navigating the complicated history of their feuding families is worth it.

For another book featuring a family business, check out Between You, Me, and the Honeybees by Amelia Diane Coombs

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local indie through Indiebound here.

9. As Far As You'll Take Me by Phil Stamper

Bloomsbury, Krystal Balzer Photography

Release Date: Feb. 9

What it's about: Whether you prefer a good read or a good reed, Phil Stamper's newest is a delight. Marty arrives in London, with his oboe and some savings from his summer job, to attend a summer music program. What his parents don't know is that he only bought a one way ticket, he didn't make it into the program, and he's trying to get a position in an orchestra so he can stay in London indefinitely. As his homesickness and anxiety rear their heads, he'll have to discover if his new friends, setting, and his first ever boyfriend are enough to make him feel at home.

For more European adventures, check out Hot British Boyfriend by Kristy Boyce and Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

Get it from Bookshop or your local indie through Indiebound here.

10. Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher

Wednesday Books, Via ashwritesbooks.com

Release Date: Feb. 16

What it's about: Already one of my favorite books of the year, this is one you'll toss at your book loving friends and quickly form your own lil book groups around (ask me how I know). Amelia and Jenna were brought together by the Orman Chronicles series, written by young (and reclusive) N.E. Endsley. When the pair get a chance to attend a book fest Endsley will be at, what starts as a dream quickly goes wrong: Jenna gets a chance to meet the author, Amelia doesn't, and the two have a blowout fight. Before they can make up, Jenna is in a car accident and dies. But a mysterious rare edition of the Orman Chronicles makes its way to Amelia, who wonders if it's from Jenna, and she tracks it to a small bookstore in Michigan where she comes face to face with Endsley.

For more books featuring writers, check out Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant and The Legacies by Abdi Nazemian

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local indie through Indiebound here.

11. Home is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo

Aris Theotokatos, Make Me A World

Release Date: Mar. 2

What it's about: This book comes recommended by the incredible Elizabeth Acevedo, which gave it an immediate spot on my TBR. Home is Not a Country, like Muted and Thirty Talks Weird Love, is a novel-in-verse following Nima, who doesn't feel understood. After all, her mother grew up in a different land and her suburban town is very white. At least she's able to be herself around her childhood friend Haitham. But when the ground is pulled out from under her, "being herself" gets a little more complicated.

For more novels in verse, check out Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne and (Me) Moth by Amber McBride

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local indie through Indiebound here.

12. Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira

Harperteen, Nicole Lamkin

Release Date: Mar. 2

What it's about: 18-year-old Carmen Aguilar is stuck in an unpaid internship, performing as a party princess in Miami with her friend Waverly. To make things worse, they've just been booked for a quinceañera — one for Carmen's spoiled cousin. Plus, her ex-boyfriend Mauro is back in town after his first year of college, naturally being assigned a role as her dance partner at work, and there might just be a second chance in the cards for them.

For more books featuring main characters with jobs/internships, check out How Not to Fall in Love by Jacqueline Firkins

Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local indie through Indiebound here.

13. When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert

Simon & Schuster, Dayna Falls

Release Date: Mar. 9

What it's about: Anyone who follows me knows that I think Kelly Loy Gilbert's Picture Us in the Light is the certainly one of the best YA books of all time, and When We Were Infinite again proves she's an absolute master of YA contemporary. Beth wants nothing more than her friend group (Grace, Brandon, Sunny, and secret crush Jason) to stay together. But after she discovers that Jason's father is abusive, the whole group is shaken, Jason has to decide whether to make a life altering-choice, and Beth has to determine how far she'll go to protect him.

For more books featuring suddenly fragile friendships, check out Like Home by Louisa Onomé and It Goes Like This by Miel Moreland

Get it from Bookshop or your local indie through Indiebound here.

14. Can't Take That Away by Steven Salvatore

Bloomsbury, Steven Salvatore

Release Date: Mar. 9

What it's about: 2021 really is giving my theater-loving heart some wonderful books, huh. Told in alternating chapters with identifying pronouns, Can't Take That Away follows genderqueer teen Carey Parker, who dreams of being a diva. Between their grandma's spiraling dementia and a past incident with a homophobic classmate, it's getting harder to find their voice. But after Cris, a musician, makes Carey feel seen for the first time, they audition for the lead role in the school musical.

For more theatrical books, check out