My 'cousin' is 17, and not a huge reader outside of books I buy for her. But our Christmas tradition is that I (26F) buy us matching books and we do like a mini book club, and she really seems to enjoy it. Last year we did the first twilight book together, and I gave her the rest of the series to finish on her own. She loved it!
She doesn't have the best home life (parents throw money at her so they don't have to deal with her, outcast among her peers, mental health issues, and her mom was recently diagnosed with a terminal illness to name a few things). She's also supposed to graduate in the spring and she has no direction or semblance of a plan. Maybe there's a book that might give her some hope, inspiration, direction, etc.?
Given all of that, what books are popular with young adults that you might recommend?
by curlyfry754
7 Comments
If she likes mysteries, might I recommend Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson? The protagonist is herself a misfit, and the writing is *chef’s kiss*
Plus, it’s the first in a series, so if she likes it, there’s more to come.
Okay, so hear me out: Jane Austen books are nominally about courtship and love, but functionally also about young women coming of age and deciding what they want their adult lives to be like (via who they marry). Pride and Prejudice could do it if she doesn’t know it already. Less-well-known Persuasion is also great
Failing that, something by Isabelle Allende might be an interesting choice. Some of them do have heavier content, but books like House of Spirits or Daughter of Fortune are very much about young women finding direction and fortitude within themselves.
Absurdist, with a sad but beautiful ending? Going Bovine by Libba Bray (teenager is diagnosed with mad cow disease, goes on epic adventure).
Heroine with whom I would most want to be best friends: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (teenager comes back to school after a glow up, dates boy, finds out boy is in secret society, realizes she is worth way more, uses the word gruntled, very Gilmore girls at chilton-esque)
Very light fantasy, minimal magic, mild kidnapping, a fantastic horse, a befuddled kidnapper, and a day saved: The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley (so good, it’s an easy entry into fantasy without needing to buy into fantasy action)
Best vampire book ever written: Sunshine by Robin McKinley (Baker gets vamp-napped, partners up with another vampire, excellent world building, will make you crave cinnamon rolls)
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith is a lovely book – I certainly can’t say it would help her find direction but it’s a hopeful, sweet read
I could be off with this recommendation, but The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is a wonderful series. Though it’s aimed at tweens, the adults I know who’ve read it also love it. It’s a feel-good read with intelligent characters.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan – short novella that though it is a heavier topic, still a great book
Threadneedle by Cari Thomas
Crying in Hmart
I would strongly recommend the hunger games (and the rest of the trilogy). The books are incredible