jay coles — Blog • NOVL

Read ‘Em and Weep: Books to Make You Cry

If you’re looking for your new favorite ALL THE FEELS™ read, check out these sob-inducing suggestions.

listicleJela LewterSeptember 13, 2021dear evan hansen, val emmich, benj pasek, steven levenson, justin paul, the astonishing color of after, emily x.r. pan, love & other carnivorous plants, florence gonsalves, we are not broken, george, tyler johnson was here, jay coles, we contain multitudes, sarah henstraComment

Our Favorite Male POV Books

Boys, boys, boys. We like boys in boo-ooks. So here is a list of some of our favorite books told from the boy’s POV.

YA nonfiction/Fiction Buddy Pairs

If you’re like me and could stand to have a few more nonfiction reads in your life, we have a great way for you to find some new favorites: BUDDY BOOK PAIRS! We’ve paired a nonfiction book with a fiction book that have similar themes and would be great to read, one after the other, in whatever order you choose.

YA Books and Authors to Celebrate Antiracism

Black History Month is a time for celebration, remembrance, and (for me, as a non-black person) solidarity. This month is an invitation and an urgent call to listen: antiracism requires long-term action and effort, and one small step in the right direction is seeking out black voices and stories.

listicleGuest AuthorFebruary 7, 2020when the stars lead to you, ronni davis, little legends, little leaders, vashti harrison, tyler johnson was here, jay coles, the revolution of birdie randolph, brandy colbert, stamped, jason reynolds, ibram x. kendiComment

The February 2020 NOVLbox: Be Antiracist

This month, we’re celebrating books that can change perspectives and the conversation around race. The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. But there is hope for an antiracist future (just being not racist isn’t enough), and I truly believe that books like these can help move the needle toward a better, fairer world for all.

novlboxSavannah KennellyFebruary 4, 2020stamped, jason reynolds, ibram x. kendi, internment, samira ahmed, tyler johnson was here, jay coles, jewell parker rhodes, black brother black brotherComment

Choose a bunch of books, and we'll guess your star sign

Oh yes, we’re back with another astrology post. This time, we put ourselves to the test by guessing your star sign based on books you choose. Do you read books similar to your sign? Let’s find out!

quizEmily ZhuJuly 29, 2019cloudwish, fiona wood, amelia westlake, erin gough, we contain multitudes, sarah henstra, every exquisite thing, matthew quick, the plain janes, cecil castellucci, jim rugg, dear evan hansen, val emmich, steven levenson, benj pasek, justin paul, the loose ends list, carrie firestone, love and first sight, josh sundquist, the summer of us, cecilia vinesse, finding yvonne, brandy colbert, grace and fury, tracy banghart, read rule, rule, ellen goodlett, little & lion, little and lion, assassin's guide, virginia boecker, throw like a girl, sarah henning, we rule the night, claire eliza bartlett, astonishing color of after, the astonishing color of after, emily x.r. pan, the unlikelies, teeth in the mist, dawn kurtagich, the diviners, libba bray, six impossible things, the statistical probability of love at first sight, jennifer e smith, jennifer e. smith, tyler johnson was here, jay coles, trinkets, kiwi smith, ash, malinda lo, a match made in mehendi, nandini bajpai, defy the stars, claudia gray, the bone houses, you must not miss, katrina leno, darkest part of the forest, holly black, the revolution of birdie randolph, when the stars lead to you, ronni davis, the cruel prince, internment, read internment, samira ahmed Comment

Pick an ice cream flavor, and we'll give you a summer read

In case you didn't know, July is National Ice Cream month, which means it's my favorite month since I can eat ice cream for DAYS (I literally scream for ice cream). In honor of the best month of the year, pick an ice cream flavor, and I'll give you a book to add to your summer TBR.

quizValerie WongJuly 9, 2019tyler johnson was here, jay coles, defy the stars, claudia gray, trinkets, kiwi smith, the unlikelies, carrie firestone, frostblood saga, Frostblood, Elly Blake, elly blake, night of cake and puppets, laini taylorComment

8 OwnVoices Authors and Books to Read Right Now

We are undergoing a revolution right now. I’m finally seeing more covers with characters that look like me—like on Maureen Goo’s books—and reading stories with characters that love like I do—three cheers to that ace representation in Let’s Talk About Love! Minorities in the YA book community have been searching and waiting for books that truly reflect how we move through the world. And now we’re finally getting the stories we want and need.

Guest AuthorMarch 29, 2019internment, samira ahmed, astonishing color of after, the astonishing color of after, emily x.r. pan, jack of hearts, l. c. rosen, tyler johnson was here, jay coles, the summer of us, cecilia vinesse, trans mission, alex bertie, when the stars lead to you, ronni davis, the revolution of birdie randolph, brandy colbertComment

What to Read Next Based on the 2018 Goodreads Choice Awards Winners

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN! THE GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD WINNERS ARE HERE! Are you happy with the winners? Are there books you think got snubbed? Regardless, we here at NOVL are so excited for all the nominees and all the hard work that’s gone into these books. 2018 was such a rad year for the YA community!

listicleGuest AuthorDecember 7, 2018tyler johnson was here, we rule the night, jay coles, claire eliza bartlett, amelia westlake, erin gough, laini taylor, daughter of smoke & bone, illusive, emily lloyd-jonesComment