Just because you are technically an adult, doesn’t mean you have to avoid anything that is labeled as Young Adult. Young adult stories are usually fast-paced and will capture your attention quickly. Characters are well-developed and you don’t have to have ten pages just to describe the setting of the story. These stories will not only keep you on the edge of your seat, but will also give you the feels.
The only word of caution in regards to YA reads, a lot of titles come in a series. Check Goodreads or KDL’s What’s Next Database to find a full list of the titles within a series. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry! I have compiled a list for you and I’ve also included a bookmark that you can print off for free!
1. The Giver by Lois Lowry
Warning this is a part of a series! But don’t let that keep you from reading this book.
I personally never had to read this title for school and I don’t ever recall reading it until I got older. I’m glad I did wait because I feel like younger me would not have appreciated or fully understood the story line. While this story is one book in a four part series, it is a book that can be read alone. You won’t lose any sleep over not reading the other three books.
2. Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
Warning this is a part of a series! But don’t let that keep you from reading this book.
Calling all Divergent fans!!! This is the next series by Veronica Roth. Its similar to Divergent in the fact that there is a female protagonist and its set in a dystopian society, but that’s about where the similarities end. While I felt the first book in the series was a hard one to put down, its a lot more lengthy than any of the Divergent books. This title was also a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction.
3. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Warning this is a part of a series! But don’t let that keep you from reading this book.
How would you feel if you lived in a world where your blood’s color determines your rank in the world? That’s exactly how this society is divided. I fell in love with this series and was immediately tied into the storyline. This book ended up being such a quick read for me because I enjoy reading books with royalty, but then add in the fact that these royals have special abilities. I was sold instantly. Which Hollywood has also expressed interest to make this series into movies. According to the Red Queen wiki – Elizabeth Banks has signed on to direct the film.
4. Feed by M.T. Anderson
This title seems very much on the brink of an Orwell title with Feed. Its based in an all-too-real futuristic society where people live and interact using ‘feeds’ installed in their brains. This is a title that has received numerous awards such as the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature and was a Finalist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.
5. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
This is a book that has been on my personal to-read list for quite some time now and if it weren’t for the fact that I keep having 10+ holds appear at unexpected times, I would have read multiple times by now. This book has won so many awards and been nominated for just as many. I’m looking forward to eventually reading this title.
6. Looking for Alaska by John Green
This title was awarded the Michael L. Printz award from the American Library Association in 2006. In this emotionally intense and compelling story, we meet Miles who is a sixteen year old boy who attends a boarding school in Alabama where he meets and falls in love with another student named Alaska. When tragedy strikes, Miles does everything he can to learn about the girl he was so drawn to.
7. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Welcome to the life of a 17 year old girl who is deathly allergic to the outside world. She wears the same style of clothing every day and only gets the chance to talk face to face with her nurse, Carla. But everything changes when a new family moves in next door.
This title was also made into a movie and if you enjoy the book, you may also enjoy the movie. It does a great job at mirroring the book and brings to life the events of the story.
8. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Warning this is a part of a series! But don’t let that keep you from reading this book.
I have to throw one more fantasy/dystopian fiction story in here. If you were a fan of Clare’s first series The Mortal Instruments and if you enjoy the nineteenth century. Then you will really enjoy this spinoff series in the same world. This story has a very strong steampunk them driven with brooding characters who spend time uncovering their family history. I personally enjoyed this series more than the Mortal Instruments!
9. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Yes, this is another title made into a movie starring Chloë Grace Moretz with the same name. This is a very deep book and will have you thinking about how the choices you have made in your life and what your life could have been if you chose differently. What would you do if you got to get a second chance at life? This is a very character driven drama that has a very realistic feel.
10. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
This story has a very authentic feel to it as the main character meets a new boy at school and he helps her learn about a night in question to figure out why her friends isolated and abandoned her. The characters are well-developed and the theme of the book is really based around being a survivor of sexual violence. Like any of Sarah Dessen’s books, you will find yourself pulled into the story anxious to learn what the conclusion is.
Free Printable Bookmark for Librarians
Red Queen on this list really surprised me.
But I am interested in The Giver. Definitely adding it to my tbr 😊
Glad that it was a surprise! Haha! I read the series and liked it a lot but I’ve also been on a royalty kick lately….