YA Books for Readers of Any Age

It was recently pointed out to me (rather callously, in my overly-sensitive opinion) that I no longer fall into the category of a “Young Adult” reader. In an act of active resistance to this claim (and perhaps aging in general), I have spent the last month ferociously devouring YA titles, and have decided to share the highlights of this book blitz with our AuthorPods readers. While I may now be older than most (okay, maybe all) of the protagonists in the following titles, there is still more than enough to relate to in each one. Although we may age, literary love triangles, fantasy, and faraway lands never get old.

Read on for YA books to ensnare readers of any age.

Recent YA reads:

Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar

Kuzniar’s deliciously dark reimagining of The Nutcracker set in turn of the century England (and beyond…) is the perfect escapist fairytale for anyone looking to lose themselves in a haunting but intoxicatingly charming winter wonderland.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Arden’s succinct but elegant writing breathes new life into Russian folklore and fairytales in a story with magic and fantasy that is always grounded in the very real struggles of womanhood, family, and the distrust of otherness. The healthy dose of slow-burn romance makes this book as fun and exciting as it is contemplative and thought-provoking.

Kindreds by B.B Russell

A truly original story of loss, family, and love, Kindreds follows newly-orphaned Lilah as she connects with her deceased brother’s best friend and is recruited into the mysterious– and possibly sinister– Nolianna, a secret carnival world created by foster children.

The Demon Tide by Laurie Forest

The latest book in Forest’s Black Witch Chronicles, The Demon Tide continues Elloren’s journey as she grapples with prophecy, war, and prejudice in the magical but grippingly real world Forest has masterfully brought to life.

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

This book combines so many things I love in YA fiction: a magical fantasy world, a capable and empathetic heroine, believable friendships, budding romance, and a series of imaginative, deathly trials. The action of the story all takes place within a truly horrific prison, and it is a testament to Noni’s imagination and writing prowess that the plot remains so engrossing from beginning to end.

Conquest of Greystone Valley by Charlie Brooks

This inspiring and imaginative book in Brooks’ Greystone Valley series centers around a teenage wizard who must journey to the magical Greystone Valley to save her kidnapped best friend. Filled with adventure, magic, and hope, Brooks has crafted a story sure to delight anyone with an affinity for whimsical action and truly strong female characters.

Amanda911 by Mark Schreiber

Amanda911 is a book that couldn’t have existed even 10 years ago, focused as it is on the complicated relationship between social media, young adulthood, and identity. In this comical but heartfelt story, a sixteen-year-old girl becomes a social media star after her fall into a well is picked up by the national news, and then must navigate the double edged sword of influencer “fame”.

Me, Myself, and Him by Chris Tebbetts

This wildly inventive and truly hilarious read follows recent high-school graduate Chris Schweitzer across two alternate timelines: one where he’s sent to live with his psychiatrist dad after an unfortunate incident involving whippets and a busted nose, another where he gets away with the accident and stays home to find himself the gay third wheel to his two straight best friends.

Voyance by Rhonda Brutt

Fans of paranormal romance will love this quirky but sincere story about a clairvoyant teenager who is sent to a school in Florida for students with extrasensory talents. Mysterious plot twists, passionate romance, and a gorgeous beachy setting make Voyance the perfect YA escape.

Next on my reading list (with descriptions straight from the book jackets):

Write Naked by Peter Gould

“Sixteen-year-old Victor, a thoughtful loner who tries to live his life “under the radar,” wants to test out the saying “You have to be naked to write.” When he sneaks off with an old Royal typewriter to his uncle’s cabin deep in the Vermont woods and strips off his clothes, he expects Thoreau-like solitude. What he gets is something else—both funny and, as his high school English teacher likes to say, “transformative.” For he discovers a face in the window watching him—Rose Anna, a homeschooled free spirit with an antique fountain pen and a passion to save the planet. Their unexpected encounter marks the beginning of an inspired writing partnership—and a relationship as timeless and eager as the Vermont woods in spring.”

Storyteller by E.J. Myers

“Farm boy Jack has always hoped that life is more than just planting seeds and harvesting crops. As he sets off to seek his fortune, Storyteller relates his many adventures and narrow escapes. Jack’s stories—and those of the people he meets—interweave to create a brilliant tapestry. In addition, the novel also tells the stories of the colorful characters Jack meets along the way, among them a talking bird, a one-eyed robber, a melancholy princess, and a mysterious illusionist.”

The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne

“Engagement season is in the air. Eighteen-year-old Princess Leonie “Leo” Kolburg, heir to a faded European spaceship, only has one thing on her mind: which lucky bachelor can save her family from financial ruin? But when Leo’s childhood friend and first love Elliot returns as the captain of a successful whiskey ship, everything changes. Elliot was the one that got away, the boy Leo’s family deemed to be unsuitable for marriage. Now, he’s the biggest catch of the season and he seems determined to make Leo’s life miserable.”