Book Recommendations
By Julie Vaught
Contemporary Fiction
Loveboat, Taipei by Abigal Hing Wen
Ages: 14-17
Ever Wong wants to dance but is applying to Northwestern for medicine to honor her parent’s wishes. When she finds out they have signed her up for an 8-week program in Taiwan, she expects Chien Tan to be this rigorous educational program, but finds “Loveboat” instead. There are plenty of hookups and partying among the students. Ever decides to break every one of her parent’s strict rules, finding herself in the process.
This is a great book about dealing with parent’s perceptions and your own wishes. Ever finds herself and is finally able to stand up to her parents. The romantic triangle in the book is well constructed but the main part is Ever’s coming into her own. The author adds a note in the beginning that immersion classes like these are common, having attended one herself. This is the beginning of a three-book series and teens can watch the movie on Paramount+.
Vinyl Moon by Mahogany L. Browne
Ages: 14-18
Angel believed it when Darius said that he loved her. Then the incident happened. Angel moves from California to Brooklyn to live with extended family for a bit. She feels that everyone at her new school knows what happened. The only solace is Ms. G’s class where she and her classmates can share their stories. They discuss works like The Bluest Eye and Push that helps Angel and her classmates start to heal.
Told in prose form with some of Angel’s poems interspersed, this book packs a punch. It touches on important themes that many of today’s teens deal with every day. The mention of other books within the story can bring important authors to the forefront for teens.
This Will Be Funny Someday by Katie Henry
Ages: 13-18
Izzy tries to keep everything status quo, keeping her thoughts to herself. Thoughts about trying to compete with her over-achieving siblings, her high powered parents, and her controlling boyfriend. One day as she is trying to hide from everyone, she walks into a stand-up comedy club. She somehow gets on the stage to perform and finds it freeing. Izzy meets Mo and others who invite her to the Chicago open mic scene. When she tells them that she is in high school, not college, things start to converge and she must decide if she wants to stand up for herself.
This is a great book about finding oneself and being able to validate your thoughts. Izzy finds her voice and is able to let everyone know how she feels, like what most teens hope to do. There are some hilarious scenes within the book. It is good to learn about stand-up comedy, something you don’t hear about too much.
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
Ages: 14-18
Salahudin (Sal) and Noor are best friends and almost family. They are just trying to survive in a small town in California. Sal is trying to run the family motel as his mother is sick and his father is an alcoholic. Noor works at her uncle’s liquor store while trying to hide that she is applying to colleges out of state to get away. When one of Sal’s attempts to save the motel backfires, they must both ask themselves what their friendship is worth.
This book makes you feel every emotion. The Muslim representation is great. The added backstory just makes it even better as you begin to understand the thought processes of some of the characters. A must-read.
LGBTQ+
Home Field Advantage by Dahlia Adler
Ages: 13-18
Amber’s dream is to be cheer captain this year but it has been hard to stay peppy when the quarterback was killed in a car accident. When a new quarterback in chosen, she and the team are livid when they find out it is a girl, Jacqlyn, who goes by Jack. Jack just wants to have a chance but the team won’t follow or listen to her. Amber wants unity in her squad but the only thing that seems to work is trying to bring down Jack. The problem is that Jack and Amber are starting to fall for each other.
A great fun female/female romance with a sports twist. The teens feel real and what they are going through seems relatable. I really liked that it was told from both Amber and Jack’s points of view.
Here the Whole Time by Victor Martins
Ages: 14-18
Felipe knows he’s fat and all his classmates let him know. His only salvation is school break where he can just catch up on his favorite TV shows and YouTube. Then his mother tells him that Caio, one of their neighbors, will be spending 15 days with them while his parents are on vacation. Felipe has had a crush on Caio forever and major body insecurities so he has no idea how he is going to entertain this guy for two weeks. As time goes on, might Felipe win over Caio?
A heartwarming romance with a slow burn. There are genuine characters that you root for. A great delight that makes you want to find out what happens next.
Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram
Ages: 14-18
Hunter Drake is a member of the boy band Kiss & Tell, which is on their first North American tour. As the only gay member, he is sometimes seen as different and The Label wants him to act and dress in certain ways, basically being the quintessential queer role model. As he is going through a painful breakup in the public eye, some sexts are released that cause more spiraling. How is he to handle it all, especially now that he is starting to have feelings for Kaivan, one of the members of their opening band?
It is great to see a main character that has flaws and works to fix them. The discussion of a public figure and how much is allowed from fans makes you think. While some of the characters may not be as fleshed out, it doesn’t distract from the book. A fast, fun read with some heavy talking matters.
Mystery/Horror
The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow
Ages: 13-17
Alice Olgivie was one of the popular kids in school. When she was dumped, she decided to do like her idol Agatha Christie and disappear for a few days. Now back and dealing with the aftermath, she must be tutored by Iris Allen, a girl dealing with her own problems. When Alice’s former best friend is found dead after a party, Alice and Iris take it upon themselves to try and solve the murder.
This is a great homage to the Agatha Christie books with twists and turns galore and quotes from her works at the start of each chapter. The dialog between the characters will have you laughing out loud at times but also bring you into the story. The twists keep you on your toes and you don’t automatically figure out the killer. A must-read for those who liked Veronica Mars or the new Nancy Drew series.
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany Jackson
Ages: 14-18
“Maddy did it.” That’s what everyone says about what happened at prom. Madison Washington has always been bullied at her small-town Georgia high school. When a rainstorm uncovers the secret she has been hiding, that Maddy is biracial, the bullying gets worse. After a video of the bullying surfaces online, some in the high school decide to finally integrate the proms to show that there isn’t racism in the school. What happens that night changes many people’s lives.
All fans of Stephen King will love this book as it is an homage to Carrie. There is a lot to take in with the racial bias of many of the characters and with some questioning their beliefs. You will devour this book in one sitting, not wanting to stop reading until the end.
The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis
Ages: 14-18
Tess Montor’s family used to mean something to the town of Amontillado, Ohio, but then her parents disappeared. She now lives with her crazy grandfather at a local “zoo” with a few exotic animals. Felicity Turnado is a popular girl at school who works hard to keep her rank at the top of the social ladder. She does everything she can to make people forget that she was with the Montor’s the night they disappeared. She has tried to stay away from Tess but things come to a head one night at a Halloween party in an abandoned house.
Taking insight from Edgar Allen Poe’s works, this book is spine-tingling. You feel for Tess and her situation but then worry as she descends into madness. There are some intense scenes and situations to be aware of as you are reading.
Romance
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
Ages: 14-17
Bradley and Celine used to be best friends. But then, according to Celine, Bradley abandoned her for the cool crowd. They trade insults and rival each other in academics, always trying to one-up the other. Celine signs up for a survival course in the woods and is surprised that Bradley is there too. As they are forced to work together, old feelings surface.
This is a fun cute romance. There are laugh-out-loud moments. The OCD that Bradley has is handled well. There is a helpful list of British terms as this is set in Scotland.
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
Ages: 13-18
Olivia has never had a place to call home. She has grown up in a girl’s school and only has her mother’s journal to tell her about her past. One day, she receives a letter to come to Gallant, her family home. When she arrives, it seems like no one knew she existed. She isn’t going to leave the first place she feels like home, no matter what her cousin says. While examining the grounds, she crosses over a wall and finds a place that is like Gallant but different. This version has ghouls that are fully formed and a mysterious person who rules over them. She must try and decide if she wants to stay with the family in the “real” Gallant or join those in the ghoulish world as their leader.
The world-building in this book is amazing, you can picture both Gallants and feel like you are right there. Having the main character not be able to speak just adds a layer to the story. A great one to read on cozy night.
Sensitive Subjects
The Secrets We Keep by Cassie Guftason
Ages: 13-17
**Trigger Warning**
Emma, a freshman in high school, is keeping a secret that could change her whole world. One day, her best friend Hannah accuses Emma’s father of abuse. Emma is torn between her family and her best friend. When she is asked to testify for her father, against Hannah, the secret she is keeping starts to unravel and reveal itself. Should she tell the truth or let the secret
This is a moving book. While one might determine the secret early on, it doesn’t take away from the story. The narrative changing from I to You helps distinguish the past from present, keeping you in the story at all times.