BOOKS

Attention, annotators: These v. aesthetic writing tools are the perfect pairing for our latest reading recs.

The Only Girl In Town by Ally Condie (Dutton Books, $20)

July lives in a silent, empty world. Everyone has disappeared. Her town, Lithia, is deserted. She misses her boyfriend, BFF and family. Even weirder, the school billboard sign mysteriously changes from HAVE A GOOD SUMMER to the date 8/31. Another message appears: GET TH3M BACK. July examines her past to unravel this twisted mystery.
The pen: Graphique's aesthetic mint glitter pen ($14)

Kismat Connection by Anaya Devarajan (Inkyard Press, $20)

Madhuri's astrology-obsessed mom just predicted the future...where Madhuri marries her first-ever boyfriend. Determined to be in charge of her life, Madhuri schemes a fake relationship with her childhood bestie Arjun who's (secretly) crushing on her. Madhuri fights for a future of her own—as she's hoping it's not already set.
The pen: Lanxivi's vintage dreamy fountain pen ($21)

The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie (Wednesday Books, $12)

"My cards never lie," Grandmère tells Clara, warning the teen of her early death. Despite the dangers that await her, Clara and her BFF Axel embark on a journey to retrieve the Book of Fortunes—aka the only chance at reversing her village's curse. To do so, the duo must defy fate by entering (and surviving) the spooky Forest Grimm, which has a mind of its own.
The pen: Zebra's sharp n' smooth mildliner ($2)

House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craig (Delacorte Press, $20)

Free of her family's estate, 17-year-old Verity Thaumas has just arrived at Chauntilalei, home of the Duchess of Bloem. There, Verity is tasked with painting a portrait of the Duchess' handsome son, but there's more to her new home than meets the eye. Verity has to face her nightmares—and the ghosts that haunt her family.
The pen: Stabilo's pretty-in-purple highlighter ($2)

Finch House by Ciera Burch (Margaret K. McElderry Books, $18)

Micah and her Poppop love treasure hunting in the trash of rich neighborhoods, but one day Micah winds up at the off-limits Finch House. Suddenly, Poppop is missing—and Micah's instincts lead her back to the old Victorian, where Theo and his odd family have moved in. Can Micah rescue her grandfather?
The pen: Papier's classically elegant rollerball pen ($16)

Your Lonely Nights Are Over by Adam Sass (Viking BFYR, $20)

Mr. Sandman, a never-been-caught serial killer from the '70s, was known for slashing couples when they broke up–and leaving his victims a haunting note: "Your lonely nights will soon be over." In the present day, Gretchen gets her own warning over text before winding up dead. Is the killer back? Best friends Cole and Dearie work to uncover the truth.
The pen: Vera Bradley's rose toile ballpoint pen ($20) 

Holly Horror by Michelle Jabès Corpora (Penguin Workshop, $19)

After her parents' divorce, Evie moves from New York City to Ravenglass, Mass.—a town haunted by the disappearance of a girl named Holly Hobbie 40 years ago. Now, strange and scary things are happening to Evie, and she feels it may be tied to Holly. Lines between reality and imagination become blurred as Evie and her new friend Tina seek the truth.
The pen: Ooly's monster mashup highlighters ($4)

Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford and art by Jeffery Boston Weatherford (Atheneum BFYR, $19)

A historical novel in verse, this book follows generations of enslaved African Americans, including distant ancestors of the authors and notable figures like Frederick Douglass. From the Boston Tea Party to Harriet Tubman, connect with the insights of Black people as they fought for their freedom.
The pen: Rifle Paper Co.'s floral writing pen ($16)

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our August/September 2023 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

Slider and header image: @czaversusbooks

by GL | 9/3/2023