Today is the day to talk May 2021 YA Releases, and more specifically my Top 5 Reads. In this post I’ll be sharing my Top 5 books of May. Make sure to check out our updated YA Book Release Calendar for more books (YA, New Adult, and Middle Grade) coming out this month.

A Closer Look at May2021 YA Releases

Let’s dive into the new May 2021 YA Releases that you should definitely add to your TBR’s.

Science Fiction & Mystery & Thriller

The Ones We’re Meant To Find by Joan He

One of the most twisty, surprising, engaging page-turner YAs you’ll read this year—We Were Liars meets Black Mirror, with a dash of Studio Ghibli.

Cee has been trapped on an abandoned island for three years. She has no recollection of how she arrived, or memories from her prior life. All she knows is that somewhere she has a sister named Kay. Determined to find her, Cee devotes her days to building a boat. Using junk parts scavenged on the inland. Doing everything in her power to survive until the day she gets off the island and reunites with her sister.

Queer Reads

Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee

Noah Ramirez thinks he’s an expert on romance. He has to be for his popular blog, the Meet Cute Diary. A collection of trans happily ever afters. There’s just one problem—all the stories are fake. What started as the fantasies of a trans boy afraid to step out of the closet has grown into a beacon of hope for trans readers across the globe.

When a troll exposes the blog as fiction, Noah’s world unravels. The only way to save the Diary is to convince everyone that the stories are true. But he doesn’t have any proof. Then Drew walks into Noah’s life. And the pieces fall into place: Drew is willing to fake-date Noah to save the Diary.

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar 

Everyone likes Humaira “Hani” Khan—she’s easy going and one of the most popular girls at school. But when she comes out to her friends as bisexual, they invalidate her identity. Saying she can’t be bi if she’s only dated guys. Panicked, Hani blurts out that she’s in a relationship…with a girl her friends absolutely hate—Ishita “Ishu” Dey.

Ishu is the complete opposite of Hani. She’s an academic overachiever. But Ishita agrees to help Hani, if Hani will help her become more popular.

Despite their mutually beneficial pact, they start developing real feelings for each other.

Lucky Girl by Jamie Pacton

A hilarious and poignant reflection on what money can and cannot fix

58,642,129. That’s how many dollars seventeen-year-old Fortuna Jane Belleweather just won in the lotto jackpot. It’s also about how many reasons she has for not coming forward to claim her prize.

Realistic Fiction

Off the Record by Camryn Garrett

Ever since seventeen-year-old Josie Wright can remember, writing has been her identity, the thing that grounds her when everything else is a garbage fire. So when she wins a contest to write a celebrity profile for Deep Focus magazine, she’s equal parts excited and scared, but also ready. She’s got this.

Soon Josie is jetting off on a multi-city tour, rubbing elbows with sparkly celebrities, frenetic handlers, stone-faced producers, and eccentric stylists. She even finds herself catching feelings for the subject of her profile, dazzling young newcomer Marius Canet.

Her world is expanding so rapidly, Josie doesn’t know whether she’s flying or falling. But when a young actress lets her in on a terrible secret, the answer is clear: she’s in over her head.

Backlist Recommendation

Frank Li has two names: Frank Li, his American name and Sung-Min Li, his Korean name. No one uses his Korean name, not even his parents. He barely speaks any Korean since he was born and raised in Southern California.

Even so, his parents still expect him to end up with a nice Korean girl–which is a problem. Frank is finally dating the girl of his dreams: Brit Means. Brit, who is funny and nerdy just like him. Brit, who makes him laugh like no one else. Brit . . . who is white.

Is your backlist finally shrinking? If you’re like me, Beat the Backlist Challenge is the perfect way to keep track of ticking off books from our backlist.

Cecelia Beckman

Search no further for a Backlist Recommendation. As I post books I’m eyeing to read and purchase this month, I still have a goal of getting to my backlist of books.

Yes, I know I’m a mood reader… but if I want to check off those titles that have been on my shelves for well… You know what I mean, then I’ll be joining you this month on my backlist recommendation of David Yoon.

And as we celebrate AAPI Heritage month here in the United States, Frankly in Love will be one more book to show appreciation for Asian authors.

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See any May 2021 YA Releases you can’t wait to read?

Sheaf & Ink, Cecelia Beckman

Share any May 2021 YA releases you’re looking forward to in the comments.

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