Overcrowded bookshelves. An endless to-be-read pile. A picky reader. During the holidays, we love to show our bookish friends how much they mean to us, often with yet another book. But sometimes, gifting books year after year can be repetitive. This holiday, spice it up and go for something creative for that special reader in your life (and without breaking the bank to do it). For the book lover who has it all, here are some gift ideas that might just do the trick.

Affordable Bookish Holiday Gifts That Aren’t Books

1. Scented Candles

I have found something incredibly soothing about reading with a scented candle. The warm light. The ambiance. The soothing aromas. You can find dozens of affordable and quality options online with creative scents, including that old book smell or something inspired by your favorite reading location.

2. Book nerd clothing

Because how better to show off a love of books than with a little swag? Online retailers such offer several options of printed t-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, and accessories. If you are thinking of something simpler for your gift, why not go for a pair of bookish socks? (I may or may not be wearing a pair right now). They are fun, easy, and the perfect bookish accent to any outfit.

3. A Personal Library Kit

We get it, this book lover has so many books, they may as well be running a library. So what if you got them a library kit to make it more official? Help your book lover keep their personal library with a lovely set of stationary to put their personal stamp on every book they own. Or keep it simple with a set of beautiful book plates to keep inside the cover. For the friend perpetually lending out their copies, this is a must.

4. A Book Journal

Look, we LOVE websites like Goodreads that help keep our reading lists organized while connecting us to all our bookish friends. Adding a reading journal to the mix can make a reading experience that much more reflective and creative. Scribbling down character notes, thoughts, favorite quotes, and the like can help your reader engage with books on an entirely new level. Plus, after knocking out a several books, it is a wonderful trip down memory lane to be able to open up a journal and flip through your reading history. Plus, they come in a variety of creative formats!

5. Reading Light

Because we have all spent a night awake until the crack of dawn because we NEED to find out what happens next. Keep your reader company in the night with a quality book light. Some of them even come shaped as books!

6. Personalized Reading List

If you are REALLY strapped on cash this holiday season, here is a way to give a meaningful gift without spending a dime. Curate a list of your favorites or new recommendations to share. Maybe it is a list of books you and a friend read together the coming season. Or a list curated for certain occasions (a rainy day, road trip reads, genre based lists). If you want to get creative with this, some places offer reading list posters (this scratch off one is a personal favorite of mine).

7. An Annotated Book

Ok this MAY be cheating a bit, but this is a personal favorite of mine. Sometimes I find myself in the middle of a book and think “hey, I know my friend would LOVE this.” Then I begin annotating as I read, highlighting favorite quotes and noting questions and thoughts I have while reading. Once finished, I send it along to my friend with a little note inscribed in the beginning. This creates a unique and shared reading experience for whoever you pass it along to. They get to read one of your favorites with you along the way the entire time. And what’s best, you both get to discuss it immediately after they finish!

8. Tea

Because is a reading session complete without snuggling up, book in hand with a hot cup of tea beside you? As with the scented candles, you can find a ton of bookish themes online!

9. Bookmarks

Help your reader upgrade from dog-earing or using their receipts and ticket stubs to mark their place with some quality bookmarks they will want to use again and again. Custom made, creative, meaningful, there are just SO many options! I keep a set of felt bookmarks myself inspired by some of my favorites.

10. Subscriptions

Don’t quite know what your reader wants to actually read? Then a book subscription service might JUST do the trick. Give them the gift of books while letting them choose their next adventure. There are services like Owlcrate, or Book of the Month that help deliver books to readers for months.

11. Bookish Crafts

Here is where you can get really nifty with your gifts. Many online vendors repurpose recycled pages and covers to make fresh items. Fans, posters, even a wreath! Help your bookish friend decorate their space with these gorgeous pieces.

And lastly…

12. Another Book

Because let’s face it, who honestly doesn’t like getting another book?

Happy bookish holidays!

Looking for more? Check out these amazing books that we love to give and get!

As fall weather approaches, some of us want to cuddle up with a cozy blanket and scented candles, reading a warm and fuzzy book while sipping on a hot latte. Others want to dive into the dark corners of a cobble-stoned academy, uncovering danger and magic by infiltrating secret meetings held by candlelight at midnight.

This list is for the latter half.

One of my favorite aspects of a good, dark fantasy is uncovering mysteries deeply hidden by those who wish to keep them secret. Secret Societies have always been a core staple in both Dark Academia and Modern Fantasy. And they are key features in some of our absolute favorite reads here at Riveted. So cloak up and dive in to some of these thrilling reads. We promise, we’ll share the secret password with you.

Books With Secret Societies That Will Captivate You

1. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

When you think of secret societies, one of the first things to come to mind is a college campus. In Legendborn, Tracy Deonn mixes the intrigue of magic and academia with Arthurian lore. Bree witnesses what appears to be a demon feeding off her fellow students. Her hunt for this creature will lead her to a secret society called the Legendborn, diving her into an epic world of fantasy and myth hidden within our own world. Make sure to pick up this instant bestseller.

2. The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley

Iris, an African tightrope performer in Victorian London, cannot die. And with her memory gone, she is in desperate search of her past and who she is.  When she meets Adam, a member of a secret order called the Enlightenment Committee, her search gets more complicated. The world is ending, and this society decides who lives and who dies. Now, a competition will not only determine the society’s new leader, but holds the key to Iris’s past.

3. The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith

Our next book dealing with secret societies just happens to be one of the hottest new releases of the fall. It’s 1911, New York City, and Frances is in grave danger. After narrowly escaping a deadly attack she can’t explain, two mysterious nurses rush her off to a sanitarium. But if the title of this list is any hint, it’s not a sanitarium at all, but rather a secret sisterhood of witches. Here, Frances attempts to master her innate ability while solving the mystery of her brother’s murder months prior. But as her power grows, so does the darkness around, as well as those who wish to use her for their own intents. Once you’ve read The Witch Haven be sure to pick up book two, The Witch Hunt! 

4. Girls with Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young

The Girls of Innovation have it all: smarts, beauty, potential, a bright future. But this academy holds a tight grip over its students. As our hero Mena begins to discover this and question the school’s intentions, she will spark a resistance in the girls. This is high-octane drama with a dark academia setting, and not to be missed.

5. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Surely, you have heard us sing the praises of Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter novels again and again. But with such memorable characters crafted in a world as rich with history and lore as this, these novels are teen fantasy classics for a reason. City of Bones, the first of her novels, introduces us to the world of angels, demons, and monsters with gripping ferocity. The Shadowhunters operate as their own secret society within New York City; they hide and fight in the shadows of the city to protect our world from its most hellish threats. Rediscover this classic through a new lens.

6. Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury

This hot summer debut is a dark and rich fantasy you’ll want to get your hands on. Voya is a witch with a terrible choice in front of her: to save her family’s magic, she must sacrifice her first love. The only issue is she has never been in love. Luckily, a secret matchmaking program has just arrived. Voya will need to infiltrate this group, find her love, and kill him.  It’s a thrilling page turner with thrilling twists and non-stop drama.

7. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

This inventive retelling has become a new YA classic in its own right. In Chloe Gong’s novel, we see a magical retelling of Romeo & Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai, Gong reinvents this Shakespearean rivalry not just as gangs, but rather secret, criminal networks with a blood feud. And caught in between are Juliette and Roma, former first loves still stung by the blade of betrayal. This is an incredibly original and majestic retelling that is well worth the hype.

8. The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell

How about secret societies with a dash of time travel? That’s exactly what you will get in Lisa Maxwell’s thrilling novel. Esta, a modern-day New Yorker, helps to retrieve magician’s artifacts. These objects are held by the sinister Order, a secret society that created the Brink to trap magicians on the island of Manhattan. But Esta’s trick is to travel back in time to steal the objects before the Order even knows it. This book is a perfect combination of heists, magic, and adventure.

9. The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett

This read is a must for fans of Spooky Season and classic monsters. Theodora is her father’s daughter, a bookworm with a taste for adventure and lost relics. But when her father goes missing, she must team with her once love Huck on an expedition to rescue him. Their journey will take them deep into Romania and on a quest to find the lost rings of Vlad the Impaler. They will encounter danger, secrets, and an occult society in their perilous journey in this can’t-miss adventure.

10. Very Bad People by Kit Frick

In this dark academia young adult thriller for fans of The Female of the Species and People Like Us, a teen girl’s search for answers about her mother’s mysterious death leads to a powerful secret society at her new boarding school—and a dangerous game of revenge that will leave her forever changed.

11. Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston

Caraval meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this deliciously dark young adult fantasy about a girl who makes a deal with a magical secret society to enter a potentially deadly competition for the chance to avenge her mother’s death.

Don’t stop here! Pick a dark academia aesthetic and get a book recommendation. 

It’s officially cuffing-season, the time of year when singles anxiously look around for a partnership for the chilly winter month.  Many cherish spending the holidays with partners new and old, cherishing the warmth, love, and companionship…

Well, this list is not for them.

If you have gone through a break-up recently, are going through a break-up, or are just in the break-up mood, then Riveted by Simon Teen has you covered. For those more interested in the breaking apart than the getting together, this list is for you.

8 YA Books About Breakups

1. My Summer of Love and Misfortune by Lindsay Wong

This is a title that really says it all. Iris’s summer begins with universal college rejections and, of course, her boyfriend cheating on her. Set aimlessly adrift, Iris has no idea what she is going to do with herself or her future. But what better way to get over a break-up than having your parents send you on a trip to visit family in Beijing?! Iris is skeptical but cannot deny the opportunity for a new start away from it all. But what feels like a simple trip ends up being a tour of Beijing’s wealthy elite, leading to a summer of new and unexpected discoveries.

2. When We Were Them by Laura Taylor Namey

Laura Taylor Namey’s captivating novel is a story of the aftermath and what we see when we look back. For years, Willa, Luz, and Britton were the absolute best of friends, determined to stick by each other’s sides through thick and thin. Now, it’s graduation, and they couldn’t be farther apart. Willa feels responsible for the falling out. When she unearths their memory box, the good times all come back, leaving her to wonder just how all of this could have happened.  But the further she travels down memory lane, the closer she gets to what split them apart. Friend break-ups can be even harder than romantic ones, and this book is the perfect bittersweet comfort.

3. Indestructible Object by Mary McCoy

Here we have one of our more dramatic break-ups. Lee co-hosts her podcast Artists in Love with her boyfriend Vincent. On an episode hosted right after graduation, he decides to break up with her…on air. Coincidentally, Lee’s parents announce they are also seeking a separation. In all of this chaos, Lee decides to form a new podcast with her old friend mask to answer the ultimate question: does love exist at all?  A wonderful novel full of emotion, introspection, and self-discovery. A truly essential read for this list.

4. Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson

If your idea of getting over a break-up is the perfect girls night out, Morgan Matson has you covered. Kat and Stevie are best friends who plan on having the absolute best night ever as they sneak away to New York City. But the city has other plans and misfortunes ahead: destroyed phones, parties, unhelpful cab drivers, and yes…even some old flames. And maybe even some unexpected Pomeranians. It’s a wild night and an utterly bingeable read.

5. A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

Lila is another girl who thinks she has it all planned out: a job at the bakery, moving in with her BFF, and a happy road ahead with her boyfriend. But after she loses all three, her worried parents send her off to Winchester, England to help her strained mental health. Lila is not enthused: no sun, a small town, no fun to be had. It’s a total disaster…until she meets Orion Maxwell, a teashop clerk going through his own issues. When he resolves to help Lila out of her funk, what starts as a nightmare vacation turns into an English countryside adventure, and maybe something more.

6. The Jasmine Project by Meredith Ireland

You know what they say about best laid plans. Jasmine is about to move in with her long-term boyfriend as she gears up for college…until she catches him cheating. For Jasmine’s family, this is the opportunity to show her she deserves so much better. While Jasmine refuses to meet anyone new, her family has a plan: to secretly use her grad party to set her up with Orlando’s teen bachelors…without her even knowing it is happening.  It’s the perfect break-up rom-com to brighten your day.

7. Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi

Here is one of the more unique choices on our list. Yolk features the break-up of sisters. June, the older sister, is smart, measured, and seems to have her life and job figured out. Jayne feels like an emotional wreck, whose luck with men and money are less-than-desirable. Despite being close as sisters can be and moving across the world together, these two want nothing to do with one another. But June’s cancer diagnosis puts all of that to the test. Mary H. K. Choi is the queen of deep, thought-provoking contemporary novels, and her latest is no exception.

8. The Lucky List by Rachael Lippincott

Welcome to one of the more heartwarming books on this list. We begin with Emily and her boyfriend Matt breaking up. Emily’s late mother always loved him. But when Emily’s dad sells the house and begins to give away her mother’s possessions, it feels like she is losing everything. But Emily finds a special list just in time to rescue her summer: her mom’s old summer bucket list. Now Emily embarks on a new summer adventure of discover, reconnection, and facing her fears.

Want more recs? Read these books if you’re obsessed with Red (Taylor’s Version)

Like many of you, I miss Summer Movie Season BEYOND BELIEF. The days of large popcorns, thrilling blockbusters, and double features are approaching, and I for one cannot wait for the movies to come. That being said, I am as much a bookworm as I am a complete movie nerd. SO with summer reading about to begin, I have a list for you that brings together the best of both worlds. If you read a scene and cannot help but picture what it would look like on the big screen, then these books are absolutely for you.

Cinematic Books That Feel Like the Movies

1. Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

This one is for those who have watched all the classic romances. We are talking Dirty Dancing, Say Anything, Bridget Jones’s Diary, La La Land, etc. When Liz’s old crush Michael moves back into town, she works to befriend Wes, his best friend and Liz’s impossibly annoying neighbor. Liz and Wes scheme to get Michael to ask her to Prom for a happily ever after fit for the movies. But as the rom-com savvy might be able to tell, things may not quite go according to plan. And sometimes, the big, sweeping happy endings come from the most unexpected places.

2. Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson

In the vein of late night teen romps like Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist (an underrated classic if you ask me), Morgan Matson’s long awaited next novel takes us on a classic New York City misadventure. Best friends Kat and Stevie plan a classic night on the town, only to lose their phones, encounter old flames, sneak into parties, and so much more. New York City is easily one of the most classically cinematic cities, and this hilarious and heartfelt tale of modern teenage adventure is just as good as any night at the movies.

3. We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon

For those who are looking for some classic summer lovin’ (had me a blast), Rachel Lynn Solomon has you covered. Quinn finally confessed her crush on Tarek. Then, Tarek left her on read. The nerve. Now, the two will bump into one another again, and again, and again as they both work the summer wedding season.  It’s a classic enemies to maybe something more story with tense, awkward moments, lavish parties, and a heart-stopping romance. It is practically begging for a movie.

4. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

We have had so many amazing adaptations of William Shakespeare’s tragic romance. There’s the classic 1968 adaptation nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Who can forget the modernized Baz Luhrmann adaptation featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Clare Danes? (Still my favorite). Well, get ready for a new take on the tale: film noir. Yes, Chloe Gong sets this iteration in 1920s Shanghai. The streets are full of mystery, gang warfare, and monsters hiding in the shadows. We at Riveted by Simon Teen have been raving about this title constantly, and for good reason. This is a new YA classic that reads like a fast-paced, action-packed crime thriller.

5. Cursed by Thomas Wheeler, illustrated by Frank Miller

There’s something magical and rare about the high fantasy epics of the silver screen. We are talking Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Narnia, etc. We are talking about classical heroes, villains, wars and magic on the biggest scale possible. Thomas Wheeler, with the illustrated assistance of Frank Miller, create a gritty, violent, and enthralling epic with their twist on the Arthurian legend. Except this time, we follow Nimue, the fabled Lady of the Lake, as we see darkness and magic converge to retell one of our oldest legends. As a bonus, this book has the perk of having a lavish Netflix adaptation, so you can read it AND see it!

6. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Speaking of Arthurian lore, Tracy Deonn reimagines the legend into a contemporary and cinematic thrill ride. When Bree witnesses an ethereal demon feeding off of human energies on her campus, it will send her into a world of secret societies, dark magic, and a legend centuries in the making. The fandom on this one is already well developed, so now’s the perfect time to check out this recent hit.  It’s the thrilling, modern fantasy you deserve.

7. Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

I love a modern spin on the typical comedy of errors with the right sprinkling of romance. Think the movies of Nancy Meyers and Nora Ephron. Jenn Bennett gives us a movie-themed spin on the 90s classic You’ve Got Mail. Bailey is a movie geek, and she has spent her days crushing on fellow cinephile “Alex,” an online friend. When she moves to his hometown, she starts a mission to find him. As she discovers the town, gets a job, and makes enemies (with Porter, who is the worst), she has to grapple with a life that isn’t so clear as the movies make it out to be. But that’s not to say it is without its own plot twists…

8. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Dimple’s family is obsessed with finding her the “Ideal Indian Husband.” And that’s the last thing on her mind when she begins her summer web developing program. Rishi, however, is a an utterly hopeless romantic who happens to be attending the same summer program and he is a complete believer in the traditional arranged marriages. As both with come to learn in the coming weeks, their respective families may have been scheming about their coming-together. Now as the Netflix original series, Mismatched, this is a read-and-stream combo you will absolutely devour.

9. Kind of Sort of Fine by Spencer Hall

Senior year changes everything for two teens in this poignant, funny coming-of-age story that looks at what happens when the image everyone has of us no longer matches who we really are. When Hayley and Lewis are partnered up in class, neither is particularly thrilled. But then they start making mini documentaries about their classmates’ hidden talents, and suddenly Hayley is getting attention for something other than her breakdown, and Lewis isn’t just a background character anymore. It seems like they’re both finally getting what they want—except what happens when who you’ve become isn’t who you really are?

10. How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

When her twin sister reaches social media stardom, Moon Fuentez accepts her fate as the ugly, unwanted sister hidden in the background, destined to be nothing more than her sister’s camerawoman. But this summer, Moon also takes a job as the “merch girl” on a tour bus full of beautiful influencers and her fate begins to shift in the best way possible.

Looking for more? Check out these books to read if you loved Netflix’s Shadow & Bone TV show!

I’ll be totally honest, I have never been outside of the continental United States. For years I, like many of you, have relied upon the sweeping vistas of period dramas, international features, globe-trotting music videos, and lush passages to take me on a world tour. One day soon, I dreamed I would finally grab a plane ticket and begin my international adventure…

Unfortunately, it looks like it won’t be that soon after all. While it looks like we may all be spending more time indoors, gazing out our windows day after day, adventure lies just around the corner. Here are some recommendations for books set outside of the United States, if, like me, you are desperate for a good international vacation.

YA Books that Take Place Outside of the United States

1. Your Heart, My Sky by Margarita Engle — Cuba

Acclaimed author Margarita Engle tells a “deeply felt and engrossing” (Horn Book Magazine) story of love in a time of hunger inspired by her own family’s struggles during a dark period in Cuba’s history.

2. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong — Shanghai

In this Romeo & Juliet retelling, gang warfare is tearing apart 1926 Shanghai. Juliette, a member of the Scarlet Gang, finds tension and violence escalating with the White Flowers, led by her first love, Roma.  But darkness and whispers lurk in the shadows of the city, threatening to tear these two gangs apart…unless they can put aside the past.  Believe ALL the hype on this one.

3. Your Corner Dark by Desmond Hall — Jamaica

Desmond Hall takes us to his birthplace with his lead character Frankie. Frankie is desperate to escape his home in Jamaica, but a sudden violent event leaves him with no choice but to entrench himself in his Uncle’s gang in order to help his family. This is a riveting and unforgettable debut not to be missed that dives head first into the hardship and harmony of its locale.

4. A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey — England

You cannot go wrong with one of Reese Witherspoon’s book club picks. Here, Lila is off to the Winchester, England to reset with a few family friends. But the small-town environment and gloomy weather are not to her liking. It’s a nightmare, until a local tea shop clerk offers to be Lila’s personal tour guide.  Together, they explore the unexpected beauties of drama of the English countryside, and Lilia may just start to see a new future for herself. This book is best enjoyed with a biscuit and cup of earl gray.

5. The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf — Malaysia

It’s 1969, and the world is changing. Melati has a djinn inside her, giving her visions of her mother’s death. These images become all the worse when violence erupts in the streets of Kuala Lumpur. Now, Mel must survive her dark journey and save her mother. Set against the historic race riots in 1969 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this literary historical debut will leave you on the edge of your seat.

6. Love from A to Z by S. K. Ali — Qatar

After a confrontation with her teacher, Zaynab is desperate for a new start. In Qatar, she is surrounded by fellow Muslims and can focus on who she wants to be. That is, until she meets Adam, who is also stuck playing a role for others.  He confides in Zaynab his multiple sclerosis diagnosis, a secret he keeps from his grieving family. But in trying to escape from the world and the selves they used to be, they just might find something wonderful and new together. Don’t miss this beloved novel.

7. My Summer of Love and Misfortune by Lindsay Wong — China

Iris is having a hard time. Her boyfriend cheated on her. No colleges have accepted her. It seems like she has lost any and all plans for her future.  In order to help her reconnect with her culture and family, Iris’s family sends her on a trip to Beijing. But what was supposed to be a simple trip quickly turns into a tour of Beijing’s wealthy elite, and all the opulence the city has to offer. This novel is fun, hilarious, and absolutely captivating.

8. Shine by Jessica Jung — South Korea

There is no denying that K-Pop has taken the world by storm. Between the music, the shows, the drama, what’s not to love? K-Pop legend Jessica Jung of Girls’ Generation takes us into this competitive, technicolor world. Rachel has dreamed of stardom and being recruited by one of Seoul’s biggest labels may be her ticket. That’s if she can survive the world of rivalry, scandal, and impossibly charming stars on the rise. You’ll want to race through this in time for the sequel this year.

9. Love & Gelato, Love & Luck, and Love & Olives by Jenna Evans Welch — Tour of Europe (Italy, Ireland, & Greece)

Maybe, like me, your appetite for the beauty and richness of international cultures is insatiable. One stop to a land far, far away simply won’t do. Jenna Evans Welch has us covered with her sweet, sweeping tour of Europe in this incredible series.

First stop is in Italy with Love & Gelato, which sees Linda spending her summer in Tuscany, reconnecting with estranged family. There, she uses a journal from her mom to discover a world of romance, art, and amazing Italian food.

Our next stop brings us to Ireland with Love & Luck. Addie travels to attend her aunt’s destination wedding, which unfortunately means a lot of family and personal drama to contend with. Luckily (wink, wink), a guidebook entitled Ireland for the Heartbroken leads her to adventure, hijinks, and maybe even romance.

Final stop is Greece with Love & Olives. Liv travels to Greece to rekindle her love of myth and reconnect with her father while he works on his documentary. There, she finds delicious cuisine, gorgeous vistas, and of course, her father’s impossibly charismatic protégé Theo.

These books are the whole package: romance, exotic locals, and enough adventure to satisfy your wanderlust.

Looking for more? Check out the perfect audiobook recommendations for your next road trip!

Shantay you stay, and read some books while you’re here! The queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race give us never-ending drama, shade, and gags. We’ve matched some of our favorite reads with the best contestants Mama Ru’s runway has to offer. Whether they are serving looks, spilling tea, or having a kiki, these characters and stories are sure to slay. Here are 7 reads that are just as fierce, iconic, and sickening as your favorite queens:

7 Books to Read if You Like RuPaul’s Drag Race

RuPaul – Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens by Tanya Boteju

Judy Blume meets RuPaul’s Drag Race in this funny, feel-good and important debut novel about a queer teen who navigates questions of identity and self-acceptance while discovering the magical world of drag. Mama Ru is known for her catchphrase, “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell are you gonna love anybody else?” Can we get an amen up in here!?

Sharon Needles – The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett

Sharon Needles is the spookiest queen around, which made it easy for us to pair her on a journey with Theodora in LADY ROGUE. Theodora wants to follow in her legendary treasure-hunting father’s footsteps, but soon she realizes that she has to save him when he goes missing while hunting for a ring rumored to have once been owned by Vlad the Impaler, more widely known as Dracula. Now Theodora must journey through Romania’s captivating Gothic villages and dark castles to find the ring before anyone else. Sharon Needles would fight anyone for this ring, let us tell you!

Bianca Del Rio – To All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han

Bianca is arguably the sassiest queen to ever win RuPaul’s Drag Race. We know! That’s a brave statement on our parts! Her clear bookish counterpart is none other than Kitty, the youngest Song sister who throws shade and keeps it real with her sisters at all costs. Both of these queens provide amazingly high levels of entertainment and use their powers of sass for the good of their sisters (and widespread entertainment).

Silky Nutmeg Ganache – Hungry Hearts edited by Elsie Chapman and Caroline Tung Richmond

Hungry Hearts is a series of interconnected short stories written by some of our favorite authors like Sandhya Menon, Anne-Marie McLemore, and Rin Chupeco. It explores the intersection of family, food, and culture in the lives of thirteen teens. Silky Nutmeg Ganache often celebrates food and the comfort it brings. Not only did she name herself after a delicious treat, but she’s pulling for her own cooking show! We’d follow you to the Food Network, Silky!

Kim Chi – American Panda by Gloria Chao

Seventeen-year-old Mei is a college freshman that can’t  bring herself to tell her parents the truth after they sacrificed so much to make her cushy life a reality—(1) she hates germs, so she can’t become a doctor, (2) she falls asleep in biology lectures, and (3) she has a crush on her classmate, Darren, who is definitely not Taiwanese. Kim Chi openly spoke about her struggles as a Drag Queen because her parents didn’t know about her life’s passion and she was seeking the confidence to tell them the truth. Both of these queens are hilarious and full of heart!

BenDeLaCreme – The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell

BenDeLa is our favorite Miss Congeniality. Not only is she amazingly kind and talented, but she can serve looks like nobody’s business. She has stated that she often finds inspiration for her silhouettes, style, and designs throughout history, which means she is one time-traveling queen! She’d fit right in with Esta, the time-traveling thief from The Last Magician, as they take a trip to 1902 New York. Instead of stealing a magical book though, BenDeLa will be all about those looks!

Blair St. Clair – Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian

Blair St. Clair is the sweetest queen to ever grace the stage of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Not here for the tea, not here for the shade, she just wants to do her and let her personality shine through with her sweet style. If we had to pick any of these queens to take a trip down to the Meade Creamery with, it would be her! Stay sweet, Blair!