Ah, it’s summer—the perfect time to read, right? Not always, apparently.
Earlier today, Patrick texted me to ask for help. The teenage daughter of a colleague needed some book suggestions. She’s a good student, but isn’t much of a reader. Patrick asked me for a list of books that she might find appealing.
I was intrigued, but needed more information about the daughter. What does she want to major in at college? What are her hobbies? Does she like sports, fashion, or travel, for example? A book on a topic of interest can be a great hook for a non-reader.
Patrick replied that he knew she wants to study architecture, but didn’t know much more than that—except that she’s recently become interested in her Jewish heritage.
Aha, I thought. I can work with that. I wanted to go beyond Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games. Those books are probably the top three recommended “gateway” series—books that often can get non-readers reading--but everybody knows about them. I wanted to go deeper. Following is the list of books (in no particular order) that I assembled, which includes a couple of books about Jewish teens.
The Truth About Forever, by Sarah Dessen
My darling, 23-year-old hairdresser adores Sarah Dessen. Dessen’s books are always accessible and pertinent to the challenges of today’s teens. She’s almost a Jodi Picoult for young adults.
Austenland, by Shannon Hale
When a Mr. Darcy-obsessed NYC singleton is given a trip to Austenland, an English theme park for adults, hilarity and unlikely romance ensue. Delightful.
The Stranger Within Sarah Stein, by Thane Rosenbaum
As Sarah rides her bike back and forth across the Brooklyn Bridge between her divorced parents’ apartments, she discovers surprising things about herself and the family she thought she knew.
13 Reasons Why, by Jay Asher
On his porch, Clay finds a box of cassettes recorded by his classmate, Hannah—who committed suicide two weeks ago. He follows her taped instructions and is shocked by the mystery he unravels. Unputdownable.
The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green
Hazel and Augustus both have cancer. They fall in love anyway. This immensely popular book is a tearjerker in the most satisfying of ways.
Prince William, Maximilian Minsky, and Me, by Holly-Jane Rahlens
Nelly is crazy for Britain's Prince William, but how will a geeky, astronomy-loving, bat mitzvah-planning, German-American girl meet her prince? Funny and heartfelt.
Suite Scarlett, by Maureen Johnson
Scarlett has grown up in a shabby NYC hotel owned by her quirky family. A handsome would-be actor and a mysterious semi-celebrity bring even more chaos into Scarlett’s topsy-turvy life.
Manhattan + Romance = Win.
Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins
Anna gets sent to a Parisian boarding school against her will. I have a few problems with this book, but it’s hugely popular and a fun read despite its flaws.
Epic Fail, by Claire LaZebnik
A retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in a chic Hollywood prep school. Pure, delicious candy.
Variant, by Robison Wells
Fast-paced and freaky, this award-winning sci-fi suspense novel set in (yet another) boarding school begs to be made into a movie.
Matched, by Ally Condie
One of the very best of the current dystopian craze.
Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
It’s a sci-fi classic. It’s a forthcoming movie starring Harrison Ford and Hailee Steinfeld. It’s awesome.
The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls
This memoir is heartbreaking, laugh-out-loud funny, and life-changing. I gave 20 copies away on World Book Night last year—I love it that much.
Was, by Geoff Ryman
A (sort-of) retelling of The Wizard of Oz. One of my favorite contemporary fantasy novels of all time. Wrenching and brilliant.
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Writing doesn’t get better than this. Published in 1960, this classic is still fresh, vivid, and beautiful.
Coraline, by Neil Gaiman
Deliciously creepy, this book’s melancholia and mystery stay with the reader long after the last page is read.
And of course, I recommend Dispirited, by Luisa M. Perkins. ;)
Night after night, Blake leaves his body in order to search for his dead mother. But when another being takes over his body, Blake watches this malevolent impostor live the life that should be his. After his father remarries, Blake seeks help from his stepsister, Cathy, who possesses unusual gifts of her own.
Cathy sees things invisible to everybody else. A ghostly child. An abandoned house in the woods. Her new stepbrother's bizarre behavior. But she doesn't see how they're all connected. And what she doesn't see just might kill her.
So, there's my list. What would you add?