Riot Headline Book Riot’s 2025 Read Harder Challenge

Hey YA

From great new books to favorite classic reads, from news to the latest in on-screen adaptations, the Hey YA podcast is here to elevate the exciting world of young adult lit.

Episode 91.5 Extra Credit: Coming Soon to a Podcast and VOD Near You

Hannah gives a preview of some of the books she and Tirzah plan on reading (or revisiting) this summer, prior to watching the video on-demand screen adaptations.

Episode 91 I Found Myself in Walmart

Hannah and Tirzah give a lesson on the history of publishing's paperback and hardcover divide, then talk about small and indie presses.

Episode 90.5 Extra Credit: It’s Too On the Nose

Happy Poetry Month! Hannah dives into twenty years' worth of narrative verse--and a little standalone poetry, too.

Episode 90 Abraham Lincoln Was Gay!

Hannah and guest Tirzah recommend a number of YA books that hit many of the Read Harder challenge tasks.

Episode 89.5 Extra Credit: Bookishly Honoring the Victims of the Atlanta Shootings

Hannah invites Japanese-American author Misa Sugiura to the podcast to discuss some AAPI YA authors that are a little more under the radar than the ones you've heard of.

Episode 89 What Do We Do When We’re Done With Nancy Drew?

Hannah and Kelly talk about awesome YA historical fiction featuring female leads and dig into YA mysteries -- where have they gone?

Episode 88.5 In Honor of My Job Interviews…

In honor of job interview season in the academic world, Hannah gets introspective and considers what makes a good educator, highlighting five YA books with dope educators in them.

Episode 88 Black Futures and More

Hannah and Kelly talk about teens and traumatic content, then highlight a range of Black science fiction and fantasy reads.

Episode 87.5 Extra Credit: YA Horror and the Summer Scares

Kelly highlights this year's YA Summer Scares horror selections. Get to know some rad horror books and a rad horror-focused program.

Episode 87 The Romance Elephant

Hannah and Kelly dive into YA books without romance, then highlight excellent romance YA books.