30 Jan 2026
The In-Between Years: Must-Read Young Adult Books
These young adult books focus on the messy space between childhood and adulthood. Each story captures uncertainty, hope, and the pressure to figure things out. A perfect list for readers drawn to thoughtful coming-of-age fiction.
Learning the Psychology of Chess
by Rockford Watson
Release Date: November 1, 2025
Have you ever wondered why two players can study the same openings and practice for the same hours, yet one always seems to hold their nerve when the game gets tough? It isn’t luck or talent alone. It’s something deeper, the battle happening inside the mind, where emotion, focus, and strength decide every outcome.
Chaos Woods (Chronicles of the Ever-Guise Book 1)
by Scott T. Barnes
Release Date: November 14, 2025
When the auction for a magical artifact goes awry, killing the thief who tried to steal it, young barmaid Telyn Brower winds up with a fragment of a forbidden mask. Highly illegal. Highly dangerous. And highly addictive. As Telyn begins to use her power, she unleashes unforeseen consequences. “An ambitious, character-driven fantasy,” IndieReader.
Loving Her (Hartwell Academy)
by Clara Nielsen
Release Date: January 10, 2026
According to the internet, I’m dating Tino Valentine. According to reality? I’ve rejected him approximately a hundred times. When a photo of us goes viral, and suddenly everyone at school thinks we’re a couple, I do the only reasonable thing: panic. Tino, on the other hand, sees an opportunity. His plan? Fake date until everyone gets bored.
Beth Is Dead
by Katie Bernet
Release Date: January 6, 2026
When Beth March is found dead in the woods on New Year’s Day, her sisters vow to uncover her murderer. Suspects abound. There’s the neighbor who has feelings for not one but two of the girls. Meg’s manipulative best friend. Amy’s flirtatious mentor. And Beth’s lionhearted first love.
Alchemist of the Wilds
by A. T. Valentine
Release Date: January 14, 2026
On the cusp of completing his poisonous masterpiece, Lianthorn makes a choice that will change everything. He flees the gilded cage of their family manor and seeks refuge in a quiet town on the outskirts of civilization, where the name Belladonna means nothing.
The Things of Fire
by Molly Jane
Release Date: January 27, 2026
In the south, Adric and his friends are on the move. With a small army of Gifted, they can finally rescue their friends in the north. However, with Kazamir as their leader, there is a possibility that their plan could come crashing down. Kazamir thinks himself unstoppable, and there’s no telling whether he will serve his own interests or if he will continue to help them. With two new Gifts, he’s beginning to show his true colors.
Related
zaida