‘A Tempest Of Tea’ by Hafsah Faizal Cover Reveal

As of February 10, NYT Bestselling author Hafsah Faizal revealed the cover to her newest YA Fantasy duology via Instagram with the first novel titled A Tempest Of Tea ― slated for a Winter 2024 release!

According to Publishers Weekly the story is “Set in Ettenia, an amalgamation of 1920s and Victorian London with a dash of ancient Rome, the novel follows a gang of outcasts in a deadly heist led by Arthie Casimir to save her tearoom—which fronts an illegal blood house, where local vampires can purchase fresh blood.”

Cover artist is Valentina Remenar and art director is Aurora Parlagreco.

From Hafsah Faizal, New York Times–bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame, comes the first book in a hotly-anticipated new fantasy duology about an orphan girl and her crew who get tangled in a heist with vampires, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows.

On the streets of White Roaring, Arthie Casimir is a criminal mastermind and collector of secrets. Her prestigious tearoom transforms into an illegal bloodhouse by dark, catering to the vampires feared by society. But when her establishment is threatened, Arthie is forced to strike an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary to save it—and she can’t do the job alone.

Calling upon a band of misfits, Arthie formulates a plan to infiltrate the dark and glittering vampire society known as the Athereum. But not every member of her crew is on her side, and as the truth behind the heist unfolds, Arthie finds herself in the midst of a conspiracy that will threaten the world as she knows it. Dark, action-packed, and swoonworthy, this is Hafsah Faizal better than ever.

A Tempest Of Tea by Hafsah Faizal is set to be released February 20, 2024!

‘Up In Flames’ by Hailey Alcaraz Cover Reveal

As of January 5, Penguin Teen revealed the cover to debut author Hailey Alcaraz’s forthcoming YA contemporary novel pitched as a retelling of ‘Gone With The Wind’ titled Up In Flames, slated for an October 2023 release.

Ruby Ortega an “unapologetic flirt” finds that her life comes crashing down when the California wildfires devastate her hometown and destroy her parent’s business. In the aftermath and all seeming hopeless, Ortega takes on a resilient nature as she tries to rebuild in addition to helping undocumented people among her town, with the help of a mysterious boy.

Cover artist is Jeff Ostberg and designer is Danielle Ceccolini.

Gorgeous, wealthy, and entitled, Ruby has just one single worry in her life—scheming to get the boy next door to finally realize they’re meant to be together. But when the California wildfires cause her privileged world to go up in flames, Ruby must struggle to find the grit and compassion to help her family and those less fortunate to rise from the ashes.

At eighteen, Ruby Ortega is an unapologetic flirt who balances her natural aptitude for economics with her skill in partying hard. But she couldn’t care less about those messy college boys—it’s her intense, brooding neighbor Ashton who she wants, and even followed to school. Even the fact that he has a girlfriend doesn’t deter her . . . whatever Ruby wants, she eventually gets.

Her ruthless determination is tested when wildfires devastate her California hometown, destroying her parents’ business and causing an unspeakable tragedy that shatters her to her core. Suddenly, Ruby is the head of the family and responsible for its survival, with no income or experience to rely on. Rebuilding seems hopeless, but with the help of unexpected allies—including a beguiling, dark-eyed boy who seems to understand her better than anyone—Ruby has to try. When she discovers that the fires also displaced many undocumented people in her town, it becomes even more imperative to help. And if she has to make hard choices along the way, can anyone blame her?

Up In Flames by Hailey Alcaraz is set to be released October 3, 2023!

‘Throwback’ by Maurene Goo Cover Reveal

As of November 8, Publishers Weekly exclusively revealed the cover to YA contemporary romance author Maurene Goo’s newest novel that has a sci-fi twist, Throwback, which is slated for a 2023 release with independent publisher Zando Books.

The novel follows Samantha Kang, whose never gotten along well with her mother Priscilla, until she’s found herself transported back to the 90’s…with her teenage mother! While wondering where she fits in this analog world, she wonders if her mother is someone she could actually become closer too as she tries to journey back home.

Goo had this to say about the story which “fulfills a long-held ambition” stating “I always knew that I wanted to write a mother-daughter book, but it took years for me to figure out a way to write one that wasn’t just overwrought with angst,” she said. “My own relationship with my mom in my teens was fraught—like Priscilla and Halmoni’s [Priscilla’s immigrant mother]—and I needed to find an entry into the subject that was fun, somehow. I got to thinking about time travel, because I love time travel stories, and realized my favorite movie, Back to the Future, was a perfect inspiration point. What if you could go to school with your Korean mom? That concept alone is so loaded with possibility.”

Cover designer is Natalie Sousa and illustrator is Kemi Mai.

Back to the Future meets The Joy Luck Club in this YA contemporary romance about a Korean American girl sent back to the ’90s to (reluctantly) help her teenage mom win Homecoming Queen.

Being a first-generation Asian American immigrant is hard. You know what’s harder? Being the daughter of one. Samantha Kang has never gotten along with her mother, Priscilla—and has never understood her bougie-nightmare, John Hughes high school expectations. After a huge fight between them, Sam is desperate to move forward—but instead, finds herself thrown back. Way back.

To her shock, Sam finds herself back in high school . . . in the ’90s . . . with a 17-year-old Priscilla. Now this Gen Z girl must try to fit into an analog world. She’s got the fashion down, but everything else is baffling. What is “microfiche”? What’s with the casual racism and misogyny? And why does it feel like Priscilla is someone she could actually be . . . friends with?

Sam’s blast to the past has her finding the right romance in the wrong time while questioning everything she thought she knew about her mom . . . and herself. Will Sam figure out what she needs to do to fix things for her mom so that she can go back to a time she understands?

Throwback by Maurene Goo is set to be released April 11, 2023!

5+ Ways to Support your Favorite Authors outside of #Booktwt

Since news of Twitter’s new acquisition on October 27, many authors have felt it better to be less active on Twitter (or #Booktwt as its known to readers, authors and other bookish creatives) to focus on other platforms or remind readers of where else they can be found. Its likely that many readers still want to be able to connect, support, or stay up-to-date with their favorite authors and are unsure where to start!

So today on The Booked Shelf is a list of a few simple, but effective ways to digitally follow and stay in the loop to continue supporting authors whose work you love!

1. Learn whether they have a Website or Blog

Most authors have a main website or blog where they have information about them and their books all in one place. It’s the best way to learn if they have other platforms as well, high-res images of their covers or if they are online elsewhere.

2. Follow authors newsletters

Similar to no. 1, plenty of authors launch newsletters through mailchimp, or more recently substack to update readers on a more monthly basis about their upcoming releases, writing updates or what they’ve been up to. This is another simple way to keep updated about all the bookish this directly to your inbox.

Be sure to check out on their website or other socials if they have a newsletter already running.

3. Other social medias

Booktube, Booktok, Bookstagram, authors often juggle many other platforms as well. Recently, some authors have mentioned returning Instagram for starters to be more active, stepping away from twitter and they’ll often cross-promote via stories or posts on any bookish updates they have. Or perhaps they have a social media they just prefer more, be sure to see if they have any other platforms!

4. Request their books through your local library

Libraries are a great, cost-effective way to also support your favorite authors if you aren’t able to buy their books or pre-order for yourself. Library branches buy multiple copies of authors books and generally speaking, libraries are a great way to let them know your keeping authors books in circulation every time you check them out. You can always request your most anticipated titles via their website.

As YA author Lane Clarke mentioned in a 2022 tweet: “Don’t neglect your local libraries! Request the books you want them to carry! Libraries are how so many discover new authors and library orders go towards earning out! More requests = more demand = the more copies they carry! You don’t need to spend money to support authors :)”

Additionally, don’t neglect audiobooks or ebooks if your library has a way to request those too!

5. Add new releases or backlist titles to your Goodreads, Storygraph, etc.

It’ll let the algorithm be more aware of that title and allow it more discovery! Plus if your friends see these books, maybe they’ll look into them to, reading it for themselves. This can also include adding books to relevant lists, marking books that your excited for as “to-read” as soon as possible or recommending books to friends.

As of April 2022, according to Statista Goodreads garnered over 90 million members.

6. Tag their publishers with your love / support for the author’s titles

Publishers often don’t give equal support to all their authors, especially authors of color. The best we can do as readers is show our support in our content or posts we share featuring their books.

If you’re looking forward to reading their book and got a digital ARC or review copy, maybe you just bought a copy in stores, perhaps maybe pre-ordered― its simple, but will show the publisher you support their writers & the books by tagging them!

On an added note, follow the publishers and stay updated on the new releases from authors you love.

7. Research digital or in-person author events

When an author’s newest book is released, they’ll often be in conversation (discussion, panel, event, interview) with other authors or moderators to discuss their book! If you are able, sign-up for these digital events and show your support by attending, asking questions or boosting author’s events on social media.

What are some other ways you can support your favorite authors outside of Book Twitter? Any thoughts on this list?

‘She Is A Haunting’ by Trang Thanh Tran Cover Reveal

As of September 28, Tor.com revealed the cover, alongside an excerpt, to debut author Trang Thanh Tran’s coming-of-age YA ghost story titled She Is A Haunting which is slated for a winter 2023 release!

The novel follows Jade Nguyen who visits her estranged father in Vietnam for the summer, while staying in a “quietly scheming house” that may want to destroy them. But with the help of a ghost bride that leaves cryptic warnings and a delinquent girl, Jade will not only face the terrifying house but also who she is, in order to save everyone.

According to the initial Publishers Weekly report, the story will navigate Jade’s “Vietnamese American bisexual identity against both the dark legacy of colonialism and a blossoming summer romance.”

On October 11, Tran began introducing character art of the main cast of their novel on Twitter. Cover artist is Elena Masci and designer is Thy Bui.

A house with a terrifying appetite haunts a broken family in Vietnam in this atmospheric horror, perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic.

When Jade Nguyen arrives in Vietnam for a visit with her estranged father, she has one goal: survive five weeks pretending to be a happy family in the French colonial house Ba is restoring. She’s always lied to fit in, so if she’s straight enough, Vietnamese enough, American enough, she can get out with the college money he promised. But the sleep paralysis, persistent bugs, and noisy walls don’t make it easy. And at night Jade can’t ignore the ghost of the beautiful bride who leaves cryptic warnings: Don’t eat. Ba doesn’t believe her, and so it’s up to Jade to root out the house’s rot before she loses herself and her family to the dark forces lurking in the home they’ve always wanted.

She Is A Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran is set to be released February 28, 2023!

‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder’ To Be Adapted For TV In 2023

On September 5, Deadline reported that Holly Jackson’s NYT Bestseller A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder is being adapted into a television series through BBC Three, with filming confirmed to start in 2023!

Good Girl’s Guide follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi, who chooses the closed case of five years centering around the murder of schoolgirl Andie Bell as the subject of her final-year project. As she starts to uncover secrets and piece together the clues, the real killer desperately wants to stay hidden. So the question remains…how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?

According to BBC, production company Moonage Pictures will be behind the six-part series with Poppy Cogan of BBC Three who will adapt the novel for screenplay alongside writers Zia Ahmed, Ajoke Ibironke and Ruby Thomas. Florence Walker will also produce the project.

“I am beyond thrilled that A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder has found its perfect home with Moonage Pictures and the BBC,” stated Jackson, “It is a privilege to be working alongside such a talented and creative team who are as invested in the characters and story as I am. I can’t wait to introduce Pip and Ravi to a whole new audience, and to welcome back readers who have missed our partners in crime.”

Confirmed by BBC, the series will start filming in 2023 for broadcast on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.

Matthew Read, executive producer for Moonage Pictures, had this to say about the novel “As soon as we read Holly Jackson’s ruthlessly compelling page-turner, we knew it had all the elements for a piece of must-see television…”

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder is the first of a trilogy, followed by Good Girl, Bad Blood and As Good As Dead. The novel has been altered for American audiences, though it can be concluded the adaptation will follow the original UK setting.

No further information as to casting or release date has been announced.

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.

But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson is out now! Are you looking forward to this adaptation? Have you read the novel?

‘We Were Liars’ & Other E. Lockhart Novels Optioned For TV

On July 20, Deadline reported that We Were Liars, Family Of Liars and Again Again, written by E. Lockhart, were optioned as television series with Universal TV and My So-Called Company.

Carina Adly MacKenzie and Lockhart are set to co-write the screenplay for Again Again, while Julie Plec of My So-Called Company will adapt We Were Liars alongside its prequel.

We Were Liars follows Cadence Sinclair who returns to her family’s private island for the summer joined by her cousins and family friend off Cape Cod. As Cadence recovers from a head injury, the group known as the Liars uncover secrets and truths that no one wants to speak of.

The prequel following the previous generation of the Sinclair family was also optioned alongside Lockhart’s 2020 novel Again Again following Adelaide Buchwald who attempts to regain normalcy in her life after a family crisis and broken heart.

Lockhart’s novel has become a #Booktok sensation having remained on the bestseller list for over 22 months, garnering over 103.2 million views.

“I’ve chased We Were Liars for years…It’s mysterious, romantic and devastating — and Family of Liars showed me just how sprawling and multi-generational the series can be. Being able to adapt it for television is a career highlight for me — not to mention how thrilled I am to bring the lovely, intimate, emotional journey that is Again Again to life with Carina and the Emilys (Lockhart and Cummins),” stated Plec.

Plec is currently the co-creator and co-showrunner for Peacock’s upcoming Vampire Academy series.

We Were Liars, Again Again and Family Of Liars by E. Lockhart are out now!

‘Cemetery Boys’ Sequel Releasing In 2024

On June 28, Aiden Thomas, NYT Bestselling author of Cemetery Boys and Lost In The Never Woods, revealed through Twitter that he will be releasing a sequel to his beloved trans YA paranormal romance slated for a Fall 2024 release with Feiwel & Friends.

In the first novel, Yadriel, a trans gay boy, is trying to prove himself to his family as a true brujo, but summons a ghost on accident, who also happens to be bad boy Julian Diaz. As Julian’s looking to tie up some loose ends before he leaves, Yadriel isn’t expecting to fall in love with him during their adventures.

According to the announcement thread the currently untitled “Cemetery Boys 2” will be told from Julian’s POV, centering around a monster who starts creating “malingo spirits” in East L.A.

Longlisted for the 2020 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, is a YALSA 2021 Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten pick and has been described by Entertainment Weekly as “groundbreaking.” Cemetery Boys was originally published in September of 2020 under the Swoon Reads imprint (with Fierce Reads).

Thomas commissioned art celebrating the announcement which was created by @/mmarsloud on Twitter.

Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him.

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.

However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He’s determined to find out what happened and tie up some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas is out now!

Holly Black Returns To Elfhame In ‘The Stolen Heir’

On June 7, Cosmopolitan revealed an exclusive look into Holly Black’s newest YA fantasy duology set in the Elfhame world with a new duology, with the first book being titled The Stolen Heir, set for a 2023 release!

Alongside a Q&A and official cover reveal, the article states that this return to the world of Elfhame is an entirely new series set 10 years after the initial Folk Of The Air trilogy, which will follow Oak, a faerie prince who is the foster son of Madoc and Oriana, and Suren, a child queen of a different court in the land of Elfhame.

The duology will follow Oak at 17 and according to Black the novels (both TSH and its sequel) will be told from “two different points of view,” starting with Suren.

Black did reveal artwork of Oak via her Instagram alongside what looked to be a manuscript on June 6, in anticipation for the announcement.

In addition to the cover reveal, it was also stated that there is a Barnes & Noble exclusive edition which will feature “an alternate jacket and contains the author’s personal journal pages and notes on the manuscript, giving readers a peek into the writing process.”

The summary has been kept brief: #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black returns to the opulent world of Elfhame in the first book in a thrilling new duology, following Jude’s brother Oak, and the changeling queen, Suren.

A reluctant prince. A runaway queen. And a quest that may destroy them both. 

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black is set to be released January 3, 2023!

‘Heartstopper’ Renewed For Seasons 2 & 3 with Netflix

On May 20, Netflix confirmed that Heartstopper, a hit series for the streamer, had a renewal for two additional seasons (Seasons 2 and 3, respectively).

Heartstopper follows openly gay over-thinker Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, a cheerful, a soft-hearted rugby player, who meet at a British all-boys grammar school. As friendship blooms, they wonder whether there could be something more.

According to sites such as Variety and Deadline, since the series launch on April 22, it has been reaching Netflix’s Top Ten list in the global rankings of 54 countries, as well as peaking at number 5. Additionally, book sales for Oseman’s webcomic-turned-graphic novel have increased 1,700%.

As stated on Tudum, Netflix’s official blog, executive producer Mark Waters had this to say about the series and what is to come: “I’m forever grateful to Alice Oseman for entrusting us with this beautiful, unique story that at its core seeks to uplift the next generation of young LGBTQ+ people. Stay tuned!”

Main cast includes Charlie (Joe Locke), Nick (Kit Connor), Elle (Yasmin Finney) and Tao (William Gao), in addition to Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell).

See-Saw Films is the British-Australian film company behind the adaptation. While Season 1 of the series covered the first two graphic novels, no further details have been revealed about the premise of upcoming seasons.

Oseman had this to say about the news on their Twitter stating “seasons 2 and 3, here we come!! ✌🍂”

Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more…?

Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great, but at least he’s not being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He’s heard a little about Charlie – the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months – but he’s never had the opportunity to talk to him.

They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner…

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman is out now!