Here are some amazing YA books to curl up with this fall
Summer reads are great, don’t get us wrong; there’s something to be said for laying outside in the warm sun and absorbing the quick, fun story of a “beach read.” It’s great to read when there’s no reason to do it other than you want to. During the summer, there are no tests to study for or reports to write and that’s freeing.
But as great as summer reads are, we have to admit: There’s something kind of magical about cracking open a good book when the weather cools. Reading in the sunshine is great, but reading while curled up on a couch or in a comfy chair with a mug of something warm and soothing? There’s nothing that quite compares. And that’s why we’re so excited for the cool weather of fall to finally roll around (albeit a little later than usual this year) and dive into our fall reading lists. If you’re still looking for books to add to yours, we recommend these amazing YA reads, which are perfect to curl up with and get lost in.
Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira
Love Letters to the Dead is the kind of book that grabs hold of all your heart strings and keeps you firmly attached to its pages from start to finish. The novel follows Laurel, a teen who learns to process the loss of her sister by writing letters to famous people who are also, well, dead. She writes to Kurt Cobain, to Amy Winehouse, to Heath Ledger, and more. By writing her letters, Laurel is able to cope with her grief and make it through the always-hectic world that is high school.
The Rose Society by Marie Lu
The Rose Society is Marie Lu’s followup to the mega popular (as in New York Times bestselling) novel, The Young Elites. Lu is a YA powerhouse (she gained fame for the Legend series) and she doesn’t disappoint in Rose Society. The oh-so-exciting novel focuses on Adelina Amouteru, whose power (and fearsome reputation) are growing, but making her more and more of a target for those who seek to strike her down. It’s an exhilarating followup to Young Elites and if haven’t devoured that one yet, you should probably just go ahead and request both titles from your local library, STAT.
Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs
Library of Souls is the third novel in the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Childrenseries and it’s just as hauntingly amazing as its predecessors. Not only are these books fantastic page-turners, they come with pages and pages of gorgeous, vintage photography that’s sure to send your imagination into overdrive. Oh, and if you’re aching to see this world come out of your imagination and into a more tangible form, the first book is slated to be adapted into a movie by none other than the king of the macabre, Tim Burton. With the spooky vibes of Halloween just around the corner, now is the perfect time to catch up on this series.
Juniors by Kaui Hart Hemmings
If you’re not quite ready for summer to end and want to bring a little of that spirit into your fall reading list, consider Juniors, the first YA novel from Kaui Hart Hemmings (the author of The Descendants, which was turned into a movie starring George Clooney and Shailene Woodley). The book takes place in the sunny setting of Hawaii, but tackles much darker issues, like sexuality, race and socioeconomics, making it an engaging and relevant read.
The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancy
The Infinite Sea is the latest installment in the 5th Wave series by Rick Yancey. The movie adaptation, starring none other than the uber-talented Chloe Grace Moretz, is set to hit theaters in January 2016 and is posed to be the next hot YA franchise (think The Hunger Games). That makes the 5th Wave required reading if you want to be a part of the cultural conversation and Infinite Sea won’t disappoint fans who have grown to love the daring series. The Epic Adventures of Lydia Bennet by Kate Rorick and Rachel Kiley
If you love classics, then The Epic Adventures of Lydia Bennet is for you. It’s inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and gives the youngest/spunkiest Bennet sister, Lydia, a modern makeover. And yes, this is the same version of Lydia you might know (and love) from the super-popular, Emmy award-winning web series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Lydia Bennet is the perfect book for when you crave some of those classic lit vibes and storytelling, without sacrificing modern leading lady awesomeness.
Not After Everything by Michelle Levy
Not After Everything is not for everyone. It’s subject matter is serious and dark (the plot follows football star Tyler, whose mother kills herself, prompting a self-destructive spiral), but the execution is seriously on-point. Tyler’s life is pulled in a different direction when he reconnects with Jordyn, a girl who is equal parts goth and awesome. The book tackles heavy themes, like parental suicide and abuse and family dysfunction, but the payoff for reading this emotionally-demanding novel is huge.
(Images via ShutterStock Macmillan, Penguin, HaperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Random House.)