Travels, Talks, and Other Updates

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Welcome (Back)

I’ve been doing some website-related updates and trying to consolidate my online communication stuff here. Blogging used to be such a huge part of my online experience and it made sense to bring things back here instead of trying yet another newsletter platform. So whether you’re on my site or getting this via email, welcome!

Where I’ve Been

Last month I had the opportunity to attend the New England Independent Booksellers Association’s (NEIBA) fall conference in New Hampshire to talk about Winter White at one of the children’s author breakfasts. When I mentioned to my writing group that I was asked to attend, they were so enthusiastic. A couple had previously worked in indie bookstores in New England. “NEIBA is the conference to go to,” one said.

I can’t compare it to other indie conferences, but I had a great time. The booksellers I met there were so gracious and thoughtful, and I loved hearing from the other authors/illustrators about their upcoming books. It was especially nice to meet with Alex, a bookseller I’d previously worked with at Brookline Booksmith events. They introduced me at the breakfast and had such kind things to say about Winter White.

It was my first time talking about Winter White in public, not just with people in publishing or my writing group and honestly, it was a little strange to be moving from that phase of ‘this is a thing I’m working on’ to ‘this is a thing for other people now. But as one of my writing group friends told me, this was a super friendly crowd. Indie booksellers are the best.

Where I’ll Be

I’m so thrilled to be at the Young Adult Author Symposium (YAAS) on Saturday, November 15! This is the second year they’ll be running YAAS, and it’s awesome to have a YA-specific, large-scale event in the Greater Boston area.

Years ago, there was the Boston Teen Author Festival, which I took part in when The Change You Won’t Return was first published. Unfortunately, organizing a giant event with a bunch of authors and local readers is a tough job, especially if it’s not a paid job for most of the organizers. So when COVID hit, the BTAF never came back. It was understandable, but kind of heartbreaking for YA fans in New England.

So when I heard about YAAS, I was thrilled. One of the YAAS organizers, Kip Wilson, is a fellow YA author I’ve known for years. Her books are largely historical novels-in-verse and must-reads.

If you’re in the Boston area, come out to Concord on Saturday, November 15. You can check out the festival information, including the schedule, author line-up, and breakout session info to plan your day. I’ll have swag on hand and maybe some advanced reader copies of Winter White to give away, too.

What I’ve Been Into

Last year, Walt read The Power Broker by Robert Caro and kept telling me a little about the book and how its central figure, Robert Moses, shaped so much of New York City by sheer force of will. It’s a big ol’ doorstop book and I didn’t think I’d be that interested in a book about the infrastructure of New York. But I ended up reading Robert Caro’s Working, largely about his writing and research process, and it was so fascinating and well-written that I thought, Damnit, I’m going to have to read The Power Broker.

So I read The Power Broker.

Y’all, it’s really good.

It won the Pulitzer prize in 1975, so it’s not like people haven’t been aware of how good this book is for fifty years. But if you, too, think it’s a lot of book to get through, trust me–it’s deeply compelling. It’s also available in audiobook, so you can listen to the story of Robert Moses and get furious as you walk your dog around the neighborhood or do the dishes (just as an example).

Other (more recently published) books I’ve been enjoying:

  • The Trouble With Heroes by Kate Messner, a middle grade novel-in-verse that deals with grief, loss, and love in the most touching ways.
  • The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, the exact kind of charming, cozy fantasy I was looking for. I think this one is technically in the adult fantasy section but is extremely appropriate for teen readers, too.
  • The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin, a new middle grade novel from one of my favorite fantasy middle grade novelists working today.

What have you been reading/listening to/experiencing? Share your recent favorites in the comments!

Winter White Cover Reveal

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I’m so excited to share the cover of my next book, Winter White! The official reveal post is up at Pop! Goes the Reader, along with a little about the main character, Pia, and how books and the local library are essential to her emotional journey.

Major thanks to artist David Curtis, who designed the cover (along with many other amazing covers you’ll probably recognize).

Winter White comes out on January 27, 2026, but you can pre-order a copy now at any of your favorite book retailers.

(Some of) My 2024 Recommended Reads

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I kept thinking of the ‘best of 2024’ book lists that come out between November and December (even before the last books are released in 2024) and how they don’t always sit right with me. There are always great books that are left out. And what does ‘best’ even mean? The best book for one reader might not be the best for another.

So I’ve put together a list of some books I read in 2024 (some of which were published this year, some of which are older) that I would highly recommend, in no particular order. Here we go!

Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson with illustrations by Ekua Holmes. A gorgeous and powerful collection of poetry and images. I kept wanting to highlight specific lines and share them with the person next to me.

For Girls Who Walk Through Fire by Kim DeRose. If Promising Young Woman met The Craft, DeRose weaves a story of magic and pain and power and community.

Rez Ball by Byron Graves. A grounded, funny, and moving portrayal of a teen boy striving to take his reservation high school basketball team to state after the untimely death of his beloved older brother.

White Rose by Kip Wilson. A novel-in-verse from the perspective of college student Sophie Scholl, who spoke out against the Nazi regime as part of the White Rose resistance group. All too timely and gorgeously powerful.

The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin. A true survivor story, centered around a teen girl who finds a pack of wild girls living in the woods and discovers the deep connections they have as they navigate the often cruel ‘real world.’

All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr. A novel-in-verse about a teen girl standing up against the powerful pastor who abused her. I finished this in one sitting it was so good!

Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire by Paula Yoo. A phenomenally researched and written look at the assault of Rodney King and the LA civil unrest that followed, digging into the history and relationships of Black and Korean communities in that area.

Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu. The perfect blend of contemporary middle grade and fantasy horror in this moving adaptation of The Yellow Wallpaper. I wish I could give this to my sixth-grade self!

Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo. A novel-in-verse about a teen poet who navigates between her traditional Sudanese upbringing and her contemporary American friends as she falls under the sway of a charming older poet.

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose. Fantastic and fresh world-building as a Native American teen enters a magic school to learn how to work with the young dragon who bonded to her at birth.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Both personal and expansive, one woman’s story of her young acting life, particularly her relationship with a now-famous star, as told to her young adult children during COVID. Sharply written and thoughtful.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. Sweet and charming and surprisingly touching, this fantasy tale of an orc who establishes the first coffee shop in a small town is exactly as good as the hype suggests.

What were some of your favorite books from 2024? Share them in the comments!

Where the Books Are

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I was so excited that Red was named an Indie Next Pick for January/February 2024 in large part because I love indie bookstores. Growing up, we didn’t live close to many independent bookstores and now that I’m in the Greater Boston area, I’m so fortunate to have so many good choices nearby.

To celebrate being on the Kids Indie Next List, here are some of my favorite indie bookstores.

  • Brookline Booksmith was my local bookstore when I lived around Coolidge Corner and I’d move back in a heartbeat if only for this store. Not only do they have rows of books, great recommendations, and gifts, but they also have a used section downstairs. The best of both worlds!
  • Across the river in Cambridge is Porter Square Books, which similar has fantastic stock and always has excellent staff recommendations. They also have a great coffee bar in the store, which means you can buy a book and a coffee and read at the counter and have the best time ever.
  • The first bookstore I found when I moved to Boston was Trident Booksellers and it’s been a favorite ever since. With a full cafe inside, you can browse the stacks while you wait for your table at brunch.
  • When I think about Wellesley Books, I think about the fantastic events they’ve organized over the years. Even though they were farther away for me for a while, I would make the trip to see authors like Shannon Hale, Suzanne Collins, and John and Hank Green. (Bonus: there’s the reason my dear friend/writing group member Allison and I reconnected after meeting as teens in a summer writing program!)
  • A new addition to the Boston area is All She Wrote Books, an intersectional, inclusive feminist and queer bookstore that supports, celebrates, and amplifies underrepresented voices. Their staff recommendations are stellar and they highlight local authors.
  • Just south of Boston, Buttonwood Books in Cohasset and the Blue Bunny Bookstore are bright spot for readers with fantastic children’s sections.
  • Even farther south, in Rhode Island, are Barrington Books, which has been an indie favorite in the area since the 1980s. More recently, co-op bookstore Heartleaf Books opened in Providence and I can attest to the fact that the store t-shirts are super comfy.
  • Way out of the Boston area, Women & Children First in Chicago has been a favorite since Walt lived in Andersonville and I’d visit him. They have a great selection and have been an inclusive space in the Chicago area since 1979.

Big thanks to the American Booksellers Association for including Red as an indie pick. Check out these great indies if you’re in the area and share your favorite indie bookstores in the comments!