The Forsaken by Lissa M. Stasse
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, with dystopia
Release date: July 10, 2012
Synopsis: As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up. The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway. Source: Goodreads
Why I’m excited: Kids can’t get enough of those dystopian reads, so I’m hoping this one is another one I can recommend to library patrons.
Personal Effects by E. M. Kokie
Genre: Contemporary, Queer
Release Date: September 11, 2012
Synopsis:Ever since his brother, T.J., was killed in Iraq, Matt feels like he’s been sleepwalking through life — failing classes, getting into fights, and avoiding his dad’s lectures about following in his brother’s footsteps. T.J.’s gone, but Matt can’t shake the feeling that if only he could get his hands on his brother’s stuff from Iraq, he’d be able to make sense of his death. But as Matt searches for answers about T.J.’s death, he faces a shocking revelation about T.J.’s life that suggests he may not have known T.J. as well as he thought. What he learns challenges him to stand up to his father, honor his brother’s memory, and take charge of his own life. With compassion, humor, and a compelling narrative voice, E. M. Kokie explores grief, social mores, and self-discovery in a provocative first novel. Source: Goodreads
Why I’m excited: I love queer YA lit. And one that deals with the ramifications of DADT and the Iraq war? WIN.
Fingerprints of You byKristen-Paige Madonia
Release date: July 24, 2012
Synopsis: Lemon grew up with Stella, a single mom who wasn’t exactly maternal. Stella always had a drink in her hand and a new boyfriend every few months, and when things got out of hand, she would whisk Lemon off to a new town for a fresh beginning. Now, just as they are moving yet again, Lemon discovers that she is pregnant from a reckless encounter—with a guy Stella had been flirting with.
On the verge of revisiting her mother’s mistakes, Lemon struggles to cope with the idea of herself as a young unmarried mother, as well as the fact that she’s never met her own father. Determined to have at least one big adventure before she has the baby, Lemon sets off on a cross-country road trip, intending not only to meet her father, but to figure out who she wants to be. Source: Goodreads
Why I’m excited: A main character named Lemon, unexpected pregnancy, and a roadtrip! (plus the fabulous illustration). I’m a fan of literary YA (think The Miseducation of Cameron Post or The Sharp Time) which is what put this one on my radar.
Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
Genre: Horror, Paranormal, with steampunk, with zombies
Release date: July 24, 2012
Synopsis: Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—
The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.
And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.
Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance. Source: Goodreads
Why I’m excited: Steampunk. Zombies.
Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kristin Conn-Mills
Genre: Contemporary, Queer
Release date: October 8, 2012
Synopsis: The lives and loves of a teenage transboy music geek. Gabe has always identified as a boy, but he was born with a girl’s body. With his new public access radio show gaining in popularity, Gabe struggles with romance, friendships, and parents–all while trying to come out as transgendered. An audition for a station in Minneapolis looks like his ticket to a better life in the big city. But his entire future is threatened when several violent guys find out Gabe the popular DJ is also Elizabeth from school. Source: Goodreads
Why I’m excited: More queer YA lit! And this one has a music theme.
Crewel by Gennifer Albin
Genre: Fantasy, with dystopia, with paranormal
Release date: October 16, 2012
Synopsis: Incapable. Awkward. Artless.That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail. Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested. Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight. Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape. Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back. Source: Goodreads
Why I’m excited: I’ve seen great advanced reviews for this, it’s got a dystopian slant, and seems to have high fantasy potential.
What new titles are you excited about? Let me know in the comments!
wrapped up in books 
Some great choices! I cannot wait for Crewel! It sounds super interesting!! And I’m looking forward to The Forsaken as well. I actually have Lisa Stasse stopping by my blog next week for an interview so I’m that much more excited to read it :)
I’ve got it checked out so I hope it’s good. Looking forward to the interview!