Quit reading crap. Dig just a TINY bit deeper into the book review world and find a few gems that not that many folks are talking about.
Now, I don’t want you not to read the popular stuff; by all means gorge yourself on Divergent, John Green, Outlander, Gayle Forman, Twilight, etc etc. Just yanno, sometimes with your all American diet of meat and potatoes, you need to venture out with some foie gras or maybe an apricot-chile glaze with wilted spinach or something. DELIGHT YOUR SENSES, don’t just fill your belly.
No, I’m not saying all NA is bad. By all means, indulge in your smut and your college hank-panky angst stories. I read a ton of that too, you guys. I do. But round out your literary diet with some yanno … literature. HOKAY?
So despite the fact that I recommend far too many books (or so I’m told) I’m going to give you guys a few more. Maybe you’ve heard of them, maybe you haven’t. I hope you at least see one title that you’ve never seen before and it makes you try something new.
The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
This is the summer after high school road trip band bus book you didn’t know you were missing. Told from the refreshingly male point-of-view, Colby is in love with his best friend Bev. They’ve made a pact to travel to Europe together after a summer of small venue shows with Bev’s band. But she drops a major heart-breaker on Colby at the last minute: she’s going to be responsible and go to college in the fall. But still, they road-trip. They play shows. They laugh. They meet people. And they come to terms with a bunch of stuff. I love this book, and NOT just for that awesome cover.
Chime by Franny Billingsley
A self-loathing witch, a fantasy setting, a whip-smart narrator, supremely attractive prose, and a very sweet boy-man. I hope none of that scared you away because Chime is a seriously wonderful book. Briony is a witch who hides that secret from everyone in her life. She’s holding on to an immense amount of guilt, burying her secret of being able to talk to the Old Ones, and loathing her life, when in comes Eldric, the 22 year old hottie who seems to be able to bring out the best in her. It’s not your usual paranormal YA fare. It’s smart, fabulously crafted, creepy and cute, and not enough of you have read it.
Shadows by Paula Weston
You might have to search a bit online for this one as it’s an Australian title, but if you like angel books that don’t skimp on the lore, the danger and the sexiness, this is for you. Gaby is a gorgeous girl who knows she killed her brother Jude in an accident, but apparently doesn’t know much about herself beyond that. Or at least, not according to the very hot Rafa who comes to town to fill her in. If you even THOUGHT you liked Angelfall or Daughter of Smoke and Bone, you will like this one.
Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Yes, Hook is one of the greatest movies ever. And the story of Peter Pan is well-known. But I loved this look at the silent, stoic native girl who loved Peter Pan. The narration by Tink may have been my favorite part; it gave what’s essentially a 3rd person omniscient pov the empathy of a first. She was careful with the characters because she loved them. The relationships were lovely, drawn in bits and pieces but fully heart-breaking and fulfilling in turn.
Okay, so that’s only 4 titles. I gotta admit: I didn’t delve that deep. But these are all gems. If you’ve read all these and you still want more, tweet me @bethorne and I promise to find you SOMETHING brand new and NOT NEW ADULT.
