A Compiled List of Must-Read Novels For The Modern Young Adult

A Compiled List of Must -Read Novels For The Modern Young Adult : This Author's List

First things first, hello readers. It's been a while. I know! 
But rather than pouring my heart out on how things have been crazy, my life got turned upside down and my absence was necessary to remain totally focused on developing stories that I plan to release within the future, let us dive into my post before I get all choked up!

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The List:

Why I find this post absolutely important is be
cause the modern young reader is rather limited in their reading, as much of the market is restricted to school assigned reading and widely advertised, shoved down our throats, new released books by authors who are backed by a large published company focused on sales. Does this mean that the novels are not of quality? Of course not. Many of the novels geared toward young adults are wonderful honestly. But there is more out there. If you know where to look. So here is MY list of what young adults should read to start their lives in the modern world, with modern people and problems the size of a bucket list. 


1. Harry Potter Series - I would be crazy not to include this in the list, because, come on. It's Harry Potter! Magic, Hope, Betrayal, Obsession, Power, Greed, Compassion, Courage, Morality. All these novels cover a great deal of true character flaws along with strengths. Plus, it has been proven that younger readers who have read the series are more compassionate and generous versus those who did not read it. 
If you are one of the very few who has no idea what I am speaking of, click here. 

2. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - This is an old one, popular when I was in middle school but I still saw a copy on the shelves of Barnes and Noble a month ago. This novel focuses on a young woman's journey with her own sexual assault and common high school bullying because of it. The author truly highlights the true struggle of sexual assault and what it feels to be a victim, abandoned of everyone's support. Click here to begin reading the novel!

3. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - Again, popular years ago but this novel is more relevant more than ever with our current state of affairs with race and racism. This book takes place back when segregation was trying to be undone in the South, while many of the Southern's resented the idea. "Get your plate in the back" kind of era. And that is almost a direct quotation from the novel, too. But it goes through a girls life with an abusive father after the death of her mother, leaving her in the care of a housekeeper who happens to be of African descent. These two venture on a path to find some meaning in their lives, and unlock months before her mother's death. The two are lead to a family of three sisters, all African women beekeepers. The story highlights the struggles of loss, race and letting go of the past to embrace the future. 
Click here to find it on Amazon!

4. The Great Gatsby - This novel is quite common without middle and high school because of the long standing lesson within the pages. It shows the harsh reality of wealth and those without it, and how the relationships between the classes are immensely favored in the direction of money and greed. It also gives a hard lesson of lust and love not being interchangeable. Find out the story by clicking here.

5. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - I know, I know. Her again. But this novel is just as well written as the first! Wintergirls now highlights the delusion of eating disorders, and just how diseased these girls are, mentally. As a teenage girl who used to value the ones who were able to do it to themselves, this book changed my view on bulimia, The author shows the disgusting side to the disorders, leaving the glamour of it all behind. Any girl entering high school, or struggling teen, should read this novel to understand just how much of a burden it is to be so sick. Click here now.

6. Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy - Another classic novel that should ring well with young readers on the hard truths of difficult and hidden pasts. There is a certain poetic writing about the book, painting a pleasant landscape, to the heartbreaking tale that it reads. No matter how dated, the plot still shows a common issue found today: abusive, manipulative relationships. How to break the cycle and find happiness in yourself, and read this tale with the caution of not following your heart no matter how hard times are.
Discover the tale by clicking the link here.

7. Sold by Patricia McCormick - I remember reading this as a young girl, amazed at the cultural difference and being relieved that I did not live in a place such as the one which the novel describes. But the story still holds true for many young girls, sold in sexual slavery, to pay off debts of a family. This novel gave me more a sense of understanding just how blessed I was as a young adult, and exposed me to a world problem that I could later help. Find this book by clicking here.

8. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - Now as a child, I loved the movie based on this book which is why I was motivated to read the novel. Not an easy read. I would recommend this to a high school senior, or a gifted younger reader. Viewing the movie did help because it wasn't identical to the novel, and with the author being French, some things were hard to understand so with the memory of the movie's happenings, a high schooler should be able to navigate through it. And all the work is rewarded for it too, because the lessons learned in this novel are by far, the most important. A young man named Edmund is imprisoned, just as pieces of his life are falling into place, and is bewildered at the betrayal done to him by three people who he never expected would want him gone. So in return for their selfish nature, he becomes bitter and full of hate. He devises a plan of revenge set to destroy all aspects of their lives. With a little help from a fellow prisoner and a hidden treasure, he sets out to do just that. But revenge is never without misunderstanding. Edmund finally understands the blessing of freedom and how to enjoy the life he has, rather than dwell of his past sufferings. 100% recommend to ANY reader. Click here to buy it now.

9. Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell - One of my favorites that I read over and over again. Written in poetic verse, so the novel just flies by! This one is perfect for the young reader who wants inspiration of love and courage, and the will to what is right, even when it is not easy.
Buy it here, and start reading today!

10. The Host by Stephanie Meyer - Author of the ever-popular Twilight novels, this novel is perhaps even better and served much more credit than it received. Of course this book is long. Really long. So explaining the course of the novel would take this whole post, and then some. So I'll just say, it teaches (in a very descriptive way) to overcome differences and work together in finding alternatives that suit everybody. Plus some romance, and internal struggle. All the good stuff, and plenty of explanation and action behind it. And if you have seen the movie I can promise the novel is 100 times better, and worth the read. Find it here; you won't regret it.

11. The Lord of the Rings and other stories - An everlasting obsession of mine. Just ask my tattoos. But these books, all once one big book, document a expedition to destroy evil in Middle Earth. There are many hiccups along the way, making it a three part series to read, plus all the bonus books released that explain further into the world and history of Middle Earth and the beings that dwell there. As I've been made recently aware, some lucky students get to READ this a part of school. I was not one of those ones, but I definitely support that being required as the story is one that will remain for a long time. Click here to start the journey!


Now I could go on and on and on about all the novels I think everyone should read and why. But I'm certain many of you are getting entirely bored of MY reasons why and you'd like to form your own reasons as to why you should love these novels as I do. So here is the rest of my list, listed within explanation. 

To Kill a Mockingbird, 1984 by George Orwell, Pride and Prejudice, The Chronicles of Narnia series, Night by Elie Wiesel, Morium by S.J. Hermann, When Rabbit Howls, The Stand by Stephen King, Annexed, Delirium, Memoirs of A Geisha, Unenchanted series by Chanda Hahn, A Shade of Vampire, 










**Disclaimer, NONE of these novels are paid or endorsed. These are my own, personal recommendations. **

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My second novel has been released, young adult supernatural!

Cursed Hearts: Book 1 of the Tribe series. 

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