Hey YA

Book Riot

4.4 (163)
BOOKS
UPDATED WEEKLY

From great new books to favorite classic reads, from news to the latest in on-screen adaptations, Hey YA is here to elevate the exciting world of young adult lit.

1 DAY AGO

Jingle-Jangle Flavored Things: The Holiday Recs Episode

Vanessa and Erica talk about the perfect YA books to gift, plus some other little goodies for others, or—let's be real—yourself. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! Keep up to date with the world of books and reading with Today in Books, Book Riot's daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Our editors offer commentary, context, and the occasional clap-back to keep you informed and entertained. Visit bookriot.com/todayinbooks to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma The Agathas series by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson The Davenports and The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar Bodega Bakes by Paola Velez Anatomy duology by Dana Schwartz The Unofficial Ghibli Park Cookbook by Andy Cheng The Unofficial Studio Ghibli Cookbook by Jessica Ann Yun This Poison Heart series by Kalynn Bayron All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson Non-Book Recs Momo Cocoa Korean skincare sites Olive Young Stylevana Skin Cupid Jolse Misc. Self Care ScentBird A nice robe Cute instant camera e.l.f. Squeeze Me Lip Balm Tree Hut scrub gift set Fenty Onesie Hoodie Act Up Sis Also have puzzles that Oprah likes Games Mika and the Witch's Mountain Reka Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 11m
NOV 13

Hey YA Extra Credit: The NYPL's 50 Best YA Books

Erica speaks to Susen Shi, the New York Public Library's Young Adult Staff Engagement and Support Manager, about the library's list of the 50 best YA books of the year. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! Keep up to date with the world of books and reading with Today in Books, Book Riot's daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Our editors offer commentary, context, and the occasional clap-back to keep you informed and entertained. Visit bookriot.com/todayinbooks to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Further clarification on hi-lo titles from Susen Shi: "they are defined as high-interest stories written at a lower reading level to engage readers and strengthen their love for literature. Our list does contain books that I consider hi-lo that would pique readers interest in an accessible way." Snowglobe by Soyoung Park, translated by Joungmin Lee Comfort Wildfire: The Culture, Science, and Future of Fire by Ferin Davis Anderson, Stephanie Sammartino McPherson Night Owls by A.R. Vishny Secret Staircase series by Gigi Pandian Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series by Mia P. Manansala The Unboxing of a Black Girl by Angela Shanté Links: Best Books for Teens 2024 NYPL Teens Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 min
NOV 6

The Kind of Petty I Subscribe To

Vanessa and Erica talk lotería, a land where Christmas is year-round, predatory and dark magic, and the best new YA out in November to add to your TBR. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! Keep up to date with the world of books and reading with Today in Books, Book Riot's daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Our editors offer commentary, context, and the occasional clap-back to keep you informed and entertained. Visit bookriot.com/todayinbooks to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Emily The Strange Animated Feature In Works From Bad Robot, Warner Bros Pictures Animation Books Discussed Flopping in a Winter Wonderland by Jason June Fortune's Kiss by Amber Clement Rani Choudhury Must Die by Adiba Jaigirdar Darkly by Marisha Pessl In Want of a Suspect by Tirzah Price Greater Secrets by Ananth Hirsh, Tess Stone Leap by Simina Popescu When Mimi Went Missing by Suja Sukumar The Wedding People by Alison Espach Halfway There: A Graphic Memoir of Self-Discovery by Christine Mari Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

57 min
OCT 30

Hey YA Extra Credit: New Native American YA Books

Erica gets into some new YA books by Native American authors — which include a graphic novel collection, a debut horror, Lipan Apache fabulism, and a mystery — just in time for Native American Heritage Month. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks. And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Indiginerds, edited by Alina Pete The Unfinished by Cheryl Isaacs Sheine Lende and Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger, illustrated by Rovina Cai Where Wolves Don't Die by Anton Treuer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14 min
OCT 23

"I'm Optimistic Because It Saved My Life"

This week, Erica speaks with Madeline Berberian-Hutchinson about being a 16-year-old NYS and NYC Youth Poet Laureate Finalist and co-founder of a literary arts magazine, and Kelly talks with author Veronica Chambers about Ida In Love and Trouble, Black historical YA, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks. And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books, Media, and Writers Discussed Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson Chen Chen Tony Hoagland Danez Smith A Tale for the time being by Ruth Ozeki Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner Magical/Realism: Essays on Music, Memory, Fantasy, and Borders by Vanessa Angélica Villarreal An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson Ida, In Love and Trouble by Veronica Chambers Veronica Chambers at The New York Times Suffs on Broadway Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton The Memphis Diaries by Ida B. Wells Ida: A Sword Among Lions by Paula Giddings Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen by Veronica Chambers Amigas: Fifteen Candles by Veronica Chambers Sabaa Tahir The Davenports by Krystal Marquis The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee Saving Savannah by Tonya Bolden Babel by R. F. Kuang Resist: 35 Profiles of Ordinary People Who Rose Up Against Tyranny and Injustice by Veronica Chambers Call and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter by Jennifer Harlan and Veronica Chambers The New York Times writing contests for teens Playlist for Ida in Love and Trouble Follow Madeline Berberian-Hutchinson's art and literature magazine at Noor.org and on Instagram Donate to Noor.org on Gofundme Follow Veronica Chambers on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 25m
OCT 16

Hey YA Extra Credit: Let's Get Scared

Kelly talks about Summer Scares and highlights several awesome YA horror books honored as part of the program. Get ready to get the chills. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! Join Book Riot's editorial staff and expert guest writers at The Deep Dive, your destination for deep thoughts on all things reading, behind-the-scenes insights, informed takes, and so much more. Whether we're analyzing book deal trends, whittling down the best books of the century, or letting you in on the best book club book of the summer, you'll find something to nerd out over and enrich your reading life. With decades of experience in books and publishing between us, we have a wealth of knowledge, thoughts, and curated goodness we can't wait to share with you. Go ahead and take the plunge. Visit bookriot.com/deepdive to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Summer Scares Resource Page All These Bodies by Kendare Blake #MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil Dead Flip by Sara Farizan Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illustrated by Lisa Sterle Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 min
OCT 9

The Snuggle Potential: The Best YA Books Out in October

Join Vanessa Diaz and Erica Ezeifedi as they discuss the best new YA books out this month and authors who chose to write books because otherwise, they would have done crime. 👀 Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks. And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News ‘Look Back’ Review: Teen Girls Become Manga Superstars in a 53-Minute Anime Stunner About the Agony and Ecstasy of Artistic Creation National Book Awards Shortlist announced Books Discussed Solis by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher Heir by Sabaa Tahir and Ember in the Ashes A Vile Season by David Ferraro Killer House Party by Lily Anderson For She is Wrath by Emily Varga The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Thief of the Heights by Allison M. Charette (Translator), Robin Yao They Watch from Below by Katya de Becerra Tangleroot by Kalela Williams An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson Lightborne by Hesse Phillips The Crescent Room Tea Room by Stacy Sivinski Morgana and Oz by Miyuli The Piano Lesson by August Wilson Vita Nostra by Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko, translated by Julia Meitov Hersey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 12m
OCT 2

Hey YA Extra Credit: New and Spooky YA Graphic Novels to Read This Month

Erica goes over some new spooky YA graphic novels to get into the mood of the season. Get ready for cute, goth vampire moms, queer werewolves, and Romeo & Juliet, but make it witches and vampires. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks. And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Ghost Roast by Shawnée Gibbs, Shawnelle Gibbs, illustrated by Emily Cannon Noss and Zakuro Vol. 1 by Rariatto Flying Witch by Chihiro Ishizuka, translated by Melissa Tanaka Hozuki's Coolheadedness by Natsumi Eguchi Full Shift by Jennifer Dugan and Kit Seaton Coven by Jennifer Dugan and Kit Seaton Morgana and Oz Volume One by Miyuli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 min

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TRAILER

Welcome To Hey YA

From great new books to favorite classic reads, from news to the latest in on-screen adaptations, the Hey YA podcast is here to elevate the exciting world of young adult lit. Join hosts Kelly Jensen and Sarah Hannah Gómez on Wednesdays for recommendations, news, and lots of discussion about all things YA! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10/29/2020

•

3 min

4.4

out of 5

163 Ratings

Podcast

Jan 14

Blayzerlazer1

I love podcast. This is so cool.
Blah

Feb 11

Dogperson431

I could barely understand what they were saying so I got very confused. Also I don’t like ads in podcasts, so I immediately stopped listening after about five minutes.
Recommendations you won’t find anywhere else

03/17/2021

Everyone_And_No-one

I am an avid YA reader, and sometimes I get sick of BookTube, Epic Reads, and other online bookish spaces because they recommend the same, mostly white, books on rotation. When I discovered this podcast, I found so many new recommendations in the first episode I listened to alone. Kelly and Eric (and now Kelly and Sarah) KNOW YA, and they KNOW indie books. In every episode, I find new reads that not only fit my reading tastes but are fantastic titles that are not getting nearly enough attention. For example, I picked up The Last Summer of the Garrett Girls a few years ago based on Kelly’s recommendation, and I still swoon over the book to this day. If Kelly hadn’t recommended it, I wouldn’t have picked it up and I would have missed out on my favorite read of that summer. If you are looking for recommendations that aren’t the 5 “hot” new titles being publicized that you’ve already read, PLEASE listen to this phenomenal podcast. Also, and this won’t persuade you to listen, but the hosts and I have similar reading tastes and bookish-sphere topics that interest us and it makes me happy :)
Amateur vibe

12/28/2023

rebeccafw

Too many "um"s and so many "This book is so good" comments. They sound amateurish.

From great new books to favorite classic reads, from news to the latest in on-screen adaptations, Hey YA is here to elevate the exciting world of young adult lit.