Because of Barnes and Nobles absolutely egregious and prejudiced recent* business decisions, I am compiling a list of some of my favorite diverse debuts written this year so far! For those of you who don’t know, Barnes and Noble is essentially stocking only the top books pitched by publishers. That means that marginalized authors, midlist authors, and debut authors who aren’t getting a lot of marketing might stop being stocked at Barnes and Noble. I don’t think I need to stress just how much that could kill an author’s career.
*look it was recent when I first wrote this post😭
I’d like to also direct you to a website featuring 22 debuts and their respective authors!
diverse YA debuts I’ve read and loved!
Violet Made of Thorns is perfect for everyone who loves fairytales and morally grey heroines. We follow Violet, a seer who will twist her prophecies to suit her own needs. There’s a prince (and a true enemies-to-lovers romance) and monsters. This is OwnVoices for the Chinese representation!
This Vicious Grace follows a girl who kills with a touch, which really sucks since she has to touch someone with powers to amplify their abilities and save the world. That’s a really simple synopsis so I’ll just add a trope I love that’s in this book: a bodyguard romance! This is also OwnVoices for ADHD representation!
Long Story Short follows a mathematical genius who’s forced by her parents to attend a Shakespeare theater camp in order to go to the college of her dreams. The love interest is biracial and of Indian and white (British) descent!
Portrait of a Thief follows 5 college students (I always want to say six…Six of Crows just never leaves you) who plan and attempt heists to repatriate art back to China. I just want to add that while there are definitely heists in this novel, the focus is more on the reality of being part of the Asian-American diaspora and the nature of stolen art by conquerors. This is OwnVoices for the Chinese-American representation!
A Magic Steeped in Poison follows a girl who is a shennong-shi. That means she can derive magic from tea! She ends up going to a competition to become the empress’s royal shennong-shi. This is OwnVoices for the Chinese rep!
diverse debuts I haven’t read yet but are on my list! (click on images to go to their respective 22 debuts page)
So that’s it! Please share your favorite diverse debuts of the year!
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A Fictional Bookworm 
So many books I want to read! Especially excited for Daughter of the Moon Goddess and The Book Eaters.
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IKR! there’s just so many amazing debuts coming out this year!!!
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Love this Kaya! I hate that publishing and the bookselling area are moving into such directions. Thanks for always uplifting other voices! I need to check out a few of these I have yet to read too ♥️
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Aww, thank you so much! I really hate it too, i mean. it’s 2022 so why is this happening??? I hope you love whatever ones you pick up!💜
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I have noticed lately that Barnes and Noble’s selections have been lacking… I guess that explains it 😢 more reasons to shop at local bookstores! Great post!
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Yeah, it’s so upsetting what they’re doing to recent releases🥲 but yesss, support the local bookstores!! thank you💜
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I’m pretty sure Book Eaters is in one of my book subscriptions for September…still waiting on it! But I’ve read Daughter of the Moon Goddess and have Magic Steeped in Poison on my shelf. Can’t wait to read the latter. Great list!
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I think it’s definitely the pick for one of the most popular book boxes, from the spoilers I’ve seen it looks gorgeous! Ooh, did you enjoy Daughter of the Moon Goddess? Thank you!💜
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Yes, Daughters of the Moon Goddess was a great read! I enjoyed being introduced to a retelling from a culture that’s not my own. ^_^ I remember also being awed by the Fairyloot(?) special edition of the book too,…absolutely gorgeous.
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the fairyloot edition is SO beautiful!
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I know…I wish I’d had an active subscription back then to incorporate it into my collection. I finally decided to get on their waitlist earlier this year and was able to snag the Fairyloot edition for the sequel. Monochrome special editions are cool, but I absolutely love colorful ones.
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i agree!! both editions are honestly so gorgeous
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Some fab books on here. I do love a debut author 😍
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Thank you! It’s amazing how many incredible authors there are.
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Omg, so many absolutely stunning covers here! I loved Violet and AMSIP but so many of the others are high up on my TBR and I hope to read them very soon. Can’t wait 😍 Great list!
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IKR the cover artists have really gone all out this year! thank you💜
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What a great list! I’ve read several of these and many others are on my TBR. I particularly enjoyed Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Only A Monster.
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Thank you!! OOH those are both on my list, they have such beautiful covers💜
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PORTRAIT OF A THIEF WAS SO GOOD AHHH and i can’t wait to read Long Story Short!!!
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I’M OBSESSED WITH IT and long story short is also so fantastic!
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KAYA I LOVE THIS LIST SO MUCH ITS STUNNING??? also AM RUNNING TO ADD ALL OF THESE TO MY TBR they sound so so good AND I NEED THEM ALL?? YES PLEASE.
i’ve maybe only read the first half of a magic steeped in poison BUT ENDED UP SLIGHTLY DISAPPOINTED and temporarily dnf-ed?? but definitely mean to pick it up sometime later!! ALSO DID I MENTION I LOVE THIS???
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AWWW THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! that’s okay, i love the magic system in a magic steeped in poison but i can see how you weren’t feeling it! it’s definitely a little predictable at times! awww thank youuu💜
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