We’re excited to announce the launch of the Bookmarked YA Book Club, which will be a new addition to our flagship podcast, Bookmarked.
The Bookstacked Team already meets monthly to discuss the bookish life alongside the latest news and updates in YA as part of our podcast. We figured we should throw some actual reading into the mix!
Listen to the announcement:
Here’s how it works
A few times throughout the year (potentially more), we’ll select a YA book to read. These books will usually be #OwnVoices novels, but we may occasionally focus on blockbuster releases like we did with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Midnight Sun.
Our book club selections will be announced on our podcast as well as here on our website.
As we read the book, the Bookstacked Team will post their thoughts and reactions on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #BookmarkedYA. Listeners and readers are welcome to join the discussion by using the hashtag in their own posts, or by replying to our posts.
About a month after the book club selection has been announced/released, the Bookstacked Team will record a special podcast episode to discuss our thoughts on the book. #BookmarkedYA comments and posts from listeners and readers will be incorporated in the discussion (so be sure to post if you want your voice included in the episode!)
That’s it! We’re keeping it simple. 😉
As for our first book club selection …
We’ll be reading Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas. The prequel to the bestselling The Hate U Give, this book will explore the background of Starr Carter’s father, Maverick.
Here’s the book’s official synopsis:
If there’s one thing seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter knows, it’s that a real man takes care of his family. As the son of a former gang legend, Mav does that the only way he knows how: dealing for the King Lords. With this money he can help his mom, who works two jobs while his dad’s in prison.
Life’s not perfect, but with a fly girlfriend and a cousin who always has his back, Mav’s got everything under control.
Until, that is, Maverick finds out he’s a father.
Suddenly he has a baby, Seven, who depends on him for everything. But it’s not so easy to sling dope, finish school, and raise a child. So when he’s offered the chance to go straight, he takes it. In a world where he’s expected to amount to nothing, maybe Mav can prove he’s different.
When King Lord blood runs through your veins, though, you can’t just walk away. Loyalty, revenge, and responsibility threaten to tear Mav apart, especially after the brutal murder of a loved one. He’ll have to figure out for himself what it really means to be a man.
If this sounds like fun and you want to follow along, we encourage you to subscribe to Bookmarked using your favorite podcast platform. You can also follow us on Twitter at @Bookstacked and @BookmarkedYA and use the hashtag #BookmarkedYA to participate.
Look for our first YA book club discussion in your feeds in February!
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