The YA books we can’t wait to read in 2015

2014 isn’t over quite yet, but I’m already looking ahead to the great books coming out in 2015. The year’s already shaping up to be full of releases from some of your favorite YA authors, as well as some debut authors who are sure to be your new favorites. So get your Goodreads “To Read” lists ready, open up Amazon to get in on some preorder action, and let’s look at some of the most exciting YA books coming out in 2015!

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen (May 5th)
Okay, to be fair, I’m pretty sure Sarah Dessen could release a book about literally anything and most YA fans would still buy five copies. She’s the queen of contemporary YA for a reason; everything she writes is full of emotion, humor, and a few scenes that will probably make me cry. Saint Anything sounds just as great as her all other books. When Sydney’s attention-grabbing brother goes off the rails, she’s left trying to figure things out. The plot summary features the words “pizza parlor,” “bluegrass,” and a guy who’s “gentle, watchful, and protective.” I’ve already started crying in preparation.

Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle (January 6th)
I am both obsessed with and terrified by movies and books about the end of the world (I mean, I was deeply upset by the Seth Rogen comedy This is the End), so naturally I cannot wait to read Katie Coyle’s debut novel. Unlike most people, Vivian Apple doesn’t believe the Church of America’s claim that the Rapture is near. But when her parents disappear, Vivian wants answers. . .so she goes on a cross-country road trip to find out what happened. A YA book with a badass female protagonist and a strong, interesting girl friendship? I’m in.

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord (March 31st)
If you’re a fan of Sarah Dessen, you need to be reading Emery Lord. Her first book, Open Road Summer, was one of my favorites this year, and The Start of Me and You looks like it will top my list next year. Paige Hancock’s been dealing with her grief since her boyfriend died a year ago. But she’s finally ready to start being “normal,” and that means attending parties, pursuing her crush, and joining the Quiz Bowl. Along the way, she deals with family drama, her tight friendships, and (of course) some swoon-worthy romance.

99 Days by Katie Cotugno (April 21st)
Molly Barlow is spending the whole summer back home with the two boys she left behind. There are few things I love more than a love triangle, so I can’t wait to see how this one plays out. Katie once described it as “an homage to some of my favorite ’80s movies–Dirty Dancing and Mystic Pizza.” Who doesn’t want to read a book with that description?

Kissing Ted Callahan (and Other Guys) by Amy Spalding (April 14th)
Goodreads describes this one as “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist meets Easy A.” DREAM BOOK. Bandmates Riley and Reid decide to go after their crushes and document their journeys in a notebook. This one promises to be just as funny and charming as Spalding’s The Reece Malcolm List.

I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios (February 3rd)
I’ll Meet You There takes place at a California motel called The Paradise, where 17 year old art-school-bound Skylar and 19 year old veteran Josh are both working for the summer. YA novels that earnestly explore the struggles of low-income teenagers (not to mention veterans) are few and far between, so I can’t wait to check this one out.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven (January 6th)
This one is about “a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.” Theodore Finch is obsessed with death and is constantly thinking of ways to die. Violet Markey is still reeling from her sister’s death. The two connect when they’re paired up with each other on a school project. I’m calling it now: this book is going to make a lot of people cry (me included).

Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway (June 23rd)
Emmy and Oliver were BFFs, until Oliver’s dad kidnapped him in a custody dispute. 10 years later, Oliver comes back…but will his relationship with Emmy be the same? This book sounds emotional and complicated. And have you seen that gorgeous cover?

Mosquitoland by David Arnold (March 3rd)
This one’s been earning rave reviews all over the place. After Mim Malone moves to Mississippi with her dad and stepmom, she finds out her mom is sick back home in Cleveland. So Mim gets on a Greyhound bus to Cleveland and embarks on what Goodreads calls a “modern American odyssey” full of quirky characters and self-discovery.

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
This book might as well be called P.S. I Still Love Jenny Han because I’m dying for this sequel to her totally sweet, funny, and swoony book To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Goodreads and Amazon have conflicting dates, so it’s unclear when this one is actually coming out, but I can’t wait to continue reading about Lara Jean’s romantic misadventures.

A Tale of Two Besties by Sophia Rossi (May)

I’m not going to lie: I’m really excited for this upcoming novel by Hello Giggles’ own Sophia Rossi. It’s about Harper and Lily, two best friends whose amazing BFF-ship is put to the test when they’re forced to go down different high school paths. The forward was written by Zooey D. and the story of true friendship was partly inspired by the amazing community of Gigglers. I am so in. The book doesn’t come out until May, but in the meantime, you can get cracking on your own bestie stories with the #TalesFromABestie writing contest.

What YA books are you looking forward to in 2015? Let me know in the comments! And, as always, I love to hear your suggestions for books to feature in Young Adult Education. Leave a comment, send me an email at [email protected] or find me on Twitter @KerryAnn.

Image via Entertainment Weekly