Booksology They happen to be mostly teenagers.
There aren’t that many YA nonfiction books hitting stores in January, but that shortage continues as we look to the coming months. This is worth keeping an eye on as 2026 progresses, because YA needs nonfiction, and YA readers want great true stories. The fact that this category, which was once an example of diversity and inclusion, now has fewer and fewer new releases is deeply worrying, not just for nonfiction but also for YA more broadly.
While YA comics have seen welcome growth and a growing number of loyal readers, very few titles hit stores in January. If this continues, we will see an upward trend towards spring. Lately, a number of major publishers have been developing YA-focused comic lines, which are proving to be well-received by both readers and those who award literary honors.
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All this means is that there aren’t many new YA non-fiction titles and new YA comic titles this month. There are two comics, one is a standalone read and the other is the start of a new series. There are also two non-fiction works, both young readers’ versions of adult non-fiction titles, one of which was already published in hardcover and is now available in paperback.
New YA Comics for January 2026
Fustuk: Graphic novel by Robert Mgrdich Apelian
Kata Hustakian comes from a family of chefs, but she never felt like she didn’t belong. He had no kitchen skills and was too young to know about his father, who was a legendary chef.
One of the things Kata has is dream vision. They became more intense as his mother’s illness worsened. Kata hopes those visions are magical signs, especially after being guided by Azu, a divi who has some connection to her family.
Faced with the reality that their mother may die, Kata and his brother make a deal with Az. Az ends up saving her life in exchange for the brothers cooking a meal as memorable as their late father’s. The three brothers have no idea what to make. During the battle, Kata finds herself lost in a world of magic, her family’s history, and a deal much bigger than she expected.
It is inspired by Armenian and Persian mythology.
Love Me To Death, Volume 1 by Toonimated
If this looks or sounds familiar, it’s because this is the print version of the super popular webtoon.
Necromancy has been banned in Sanguadario for over 100 years, and anything done in the city requires a signature in blood. If a necromancer leaves blood behind, his true identity will be revealed.
Victor, a necromancer, had to live a secret life with a one-eyed cat. He could never solve it because his very livelihood was always crime.
So when one of the wealthiest patrons in town offers him the job of bringing his recently deceased wife back to life, Victor is intrigued. However, there is a big pitfall. Victor’s resurrection ritual binds him to the woman forever. That certainly makes things difficult and confusing, as Victor is now stuck in the middle of a romance he didn’t want to be a part of in the first place.
New YA Nonfiction for January 2026
Lovely One: Young Adult Adaptation by Ketanji Brown Jackson
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson assumed the position in 2022. The path to getting there was paved by her determination and ability to overcome challenges throughout her young life.
This YA adaptation of her coming-of-age memoir focuses on her high school and college years and explores where and how Judge Brown-Jackson felt isolated as one of the only black children in her high school. She speaks honestly about being one of the few black faces working in the justice system and how she balances her work and personal life.
As a bonus to this edition, readers can read a speech the judge himself gave as a high school student.
True Gretch: Young Adult Edition by Gretchen Whitmer
A paperback version of Whitmer’s memoir was also released this month for young adult readers. Readers who love politics, learn about women leaders, or are interested in finding inspiration for their own journeys will find much to pique their interest. Whitmer’s book shares some of the most important lessons she learned before and during her term as Michigan’s governor.
Enjoy more YA comics and YA nonfiction as we ring in the new year.
