Welcome to round one of reading recommendations!
These are my favorite types of posts to read, so I can't believe I've taken this long to compile my first list, haha. I'm always looking for new books to add to my TBR—and I assume you are too!—so I hope you're able to find some favorites off this list 😄
Because YA contemporary is probably my favorite genre (but if not favorite, then definitely most-read), I thought it'd be fitting to start here. Contemporary, often used interchangeably with "realistic fiction," can be described as creating "imaginary characters and situations that depict our world and society. It focuses on themes of growing up and confronting personal and social problems. This genre portrays characters coming to understand themselves and others." (Thank you to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for this definition 😂)
To help you further decide if you'll like a book or not, I've noted a few extra things: 1) whether I think the story is catered toward younger or older YA readers, 2) if the story is focused more on the characters or plot, and 3) where it falls on the scale from "light-hearted" to "hard-hitting." I know it's not always one or the other, so check out my graph at the very end to see the recommendations placed on a scale. If this doesn't prove how extra I am, I don't know what else will 🤪 I also included the headphones emoji (🎧) at the end of a title if I read the book on audio, since my reading experience often differs between looking at the text vs. listening to it.
Okay, one more thing before we get into the good stuff. Some of the books I'll be talking about contain content that could be harmful and/or triggering. I've listed what I could, but please do research if you have concerns. Please also note that these content warnings may contain spoilers. If there's anything specific you need to know before reading, send me a message on Instagram and I'll do my best to help!
THE ART OF LOSING BY LIZZY MASON
Older YA ❋ Both character-driven and plot-driven ❋ Hard-hitting
After finding her sister Audrey and boyfriend Mike hooking up at a party, 17-year-old Harley Langston leaves in anger. The two chase after her, with Mike driving drunk, and Audrey ends up in a coma due to a car accident. As Harley pushes Mike to confront his drinking problem, a childhood friend—who also happens to be her neighbor—recovering from addiction comes back into her life.
Content warning: Alcoholism, cheating, drug/substance abuse and addiction
Why you should read The Art of Losing:
This is an emotional story about the effects of alcoholism and substance abuse. What I found interesting is that we're following a character who isn't dealing with these issues herself, but it's the people she's close to that are struggling with it. I think that's a powerful point-of-view to read from, because it allows us to see things from a different perspective and challenges us to understand and empathize with those who are in these situations. In addition, this is also a story about sisters healing their relationship. There's more to it than just the "cheating," and I like how that was explored.
HAPPILY EVER AFTERS BY ELISE BRYANT 🎧
Younger YA ❋ Character-driven ❋ Light-hearted
Why you should read Happily Ever Afters:
I'm always hesitant to recommend a "slow" book, but I think it's appropriate for this type of story. The focus is on Tessa's struggle with imposter syndrome, and that's not something that anyone quickly gets over. Being surrounded by other people who also love to write and having to share her work out loud? That’s a scary thing, and I like how we see it play out in the way Tessa interacts with her family, friends, and even the kind boy next door.
PARACHUTES BY KELLY YANG 🎧
Younger YA ❋ Plot-driven ❋ Hard-hitting
Claire, who comes from a well-off family in Shanghai, is sent to Los Angeles by herself for better schooling. While this new school boasts of their international students program, it's revealed that Claire is treated unjustly by both students and teachers alike. The family she lives with also has a daughter, Dani, who attends this school on scholarship. Dani and her mom don't have much, so she's hoping that standing out on the debate team will earn her a ride to college. When the coach offers her private help, it's hard to say no—but things get messy when he begins making passes at her and ignores her requests to stop. Although Claire and Dani are part of two different worlds, they learn to help each other.
Content warning: Predatory behavior by an adult, racism, rape, sexual assault and harassment
Why you should read Parachutes:
Parachutes has been compared to Gossip Girl by the publisher and I can see that, but only regarding the high level of drama. I think that's what makes this book equally consumable and quick to read, but there's so much more to the story than what's on the surface. Kelly Yang tackles a ton of things that teens may encounter—unwanted attention from teachers, mistreatment from peers for being from a different country, the struggle to fit in, unrequited crushes, etc.—and does so in such a straight-forward way. Keep in mind that this book was written for teens, so it may not be incredibly nuanced. It's still a great conversation starter, and something I wish I could've read when I was in high school.
Parachutes has been compared to Gossip Girl by the publisher and I can see that, but only regarding the high level of drama. I think that's what makes this book equally consumable and quick to read, but there's so much more to the story than what's on the surface. Kelly Yang tackles a ton of things that teens may encounter—unwanted attention from teachers, mistreatment from peers for being from a different country, the struggle to fit in, unrequited crushes, etc.—and does so in such a straight-forward way. Keep in mind that this book was written for teens, so it may not be incredibly nuanced. It's still a great conversation starter, and something I wish I could've read when I was in high school.
THE START OF ME AND YOU BY EMERY LORD
Younger YA ❋ Plot-driven ❋ Light-hearted
It's been one year since Paige Hancock's boyfriend died, and she's ready to move on now. Like the way everything should be decided, she writes a list of things to focus on during her junior year. Of course, plans don't always work out … and maybe she ends up falling in love with her crush's nerdy cousin.
Why you should read The Start of Me and You:
I bring up this book quite often, but for good reason! The Start of Me and You is always my go-to recommendation because it's a comfort story. Emery Lord captures friendship so well, including all its flaws, but ultimately highlights how precious it is to be surrounded by people who care for and support us no matter what we do or what we're going through. We also get a really sweet love interest, and family members who are involved. If I could only describe this book in one word, it would be WHOLESOME.
YOLK BY MARY H.K. CHOI
Older YA ❋ Character-driven ❋ Hard-hitting
Due to unfortunate circumstances, estranged sisters Jayne and June are forced back together again in a city away from home. While June is the one dealing with cancer, Jayne is also hiding away her own issues. This slice-of-life story is a real look into sisterhood—flaws and all—as well as how messy life can be.
Content warning: Body dysmorphia, eating disorders, mental illness (anxiety and depression), uterine cancer
Why you should read Yolk:
This is a very tough book to recommend, as there is a lot of triggering content and the slow pacing may not work for everyone, but it's one of the most raw and honest pieces of writing I've ever come across. We follow Jayne's perspective the entire time, and it's difficult being in her head because she's going through so much internal conflict. As much as it was uncomfortable, how Jayne views herself is similar to how I used to think about myself. Having such a vivid image in my mind really made me empathize with her. Yolk is an excellent but painful reminder that everyone struggles with something, even if it's not outwardly shown. When I say I love reading about flawed characters, this is exactly what I mean.
This is a very tough book to recommend, as there is a lot of triggering content and the slow pacing may not work for everyone, but it's one of the most raw and honest pieces of writing I've ever come across. We follow Jayne's perspective the entire time, and it's difficult being in her head because she's going through so much internal conflict. As much as it was uncomfortable, how Jayne views herself is similar to how I used to think about myself. Having such a vivid image in my mind really made me empathize with her. Yolk is an excellent but painful reminder that everyone struggles with something, even if it's not outwardly shown. When I say I love reading about flawed characters, this is exactly what I mean.
A VERY LARGE EXPANSE OF SEA BY TAHEREH MAFI
Younger YA ❋ More character-driven than plot-driven ❋ Both light-hearted and hard-hitting
Shirin, a Muslim teenager, has learned to ignore the world around her. And she has good reason to, having to deal with the countless stares and stereotyping after the events of 9/11. Even when a boy in her class genuinely wants to get to know her, she is suspicious of his intentions. But she's had her walls up for too long, and maybe there are prejudices of her own that she needs to confront.
Content warning: Islamophobia, racism, xenophobia
Why you should read A Very Large Expanse of Sea:
I read this one a while ago (definitely due for a re-read now!) but I still remember how profound it felt. I love that Tahereh Mafi blended xenophobia, stereotyping, and victim attitude/mentality really seamlessly. We can be so quick to point out how people treat us poorly, that we don't give a second thought to our own reactions and potentially-incorrect interpretations."I was so raw from repeated exposure to cruelty that now even the most minor abrasions left a mark ... I never knew—I had no way of knowing—Are you racist? Or are you just having a bad day?" (p. 110)
Even though this book deals with a lot of heavy issues—all of which are still very real right now—I love that it was balanced with cute moments between Shirin and Ocean, her love interest. (Do you remember AIM? Ah, the good days of waiting to see if your crush would start a conversation with you 🤣)
A HEART IN A BODY IN THE WORLD BY DEB CALETTI
Older YA ❋ Character-driven ❋ Hard-hitting
After a tragedy, Annebelle—who feels guilty for being involved—decides to run across the country from her hometown Seattle to Washington, DC. Followed by Grandpa Ed in his RV, people are able to connect with her through her trauma due to her brother and two friends publicizing this event.
Content warning: Death, grief, gun violence, murder, PTSD, self-harm, stalking
Why you should read A Heart in a Body in the World:
(Disclaimer: This section will include light spoilers.) A Heart in a Body in the World is an incredibly heavy and heart-breaking book, but also hopeful. There isn't a lot going on in terms of action—we're basically following Annebelle as she runs from place to place—but bits and pieces of the past are slowly revealed until it all comes crashing together. Deb Caletti did an incredible job with the nuances of toxic masculinity and how it's not always blatantly obvious. What starts off seemingly uncomfortable but "harmless" can snowball into something terrifying and uncontrollable. Annabelle's experience is, unfortunately, not uncommon, so I really believe this should be required reading.
(Disclaimer: This section will include light spoilers.) A Heart in a Body in the World is an incredibly heavy and heart-breaking book, but also hopeful. There isn't a lot going on in terms of action—we're basically following Annebelle as she runs from place to place—but bits and pieces of the past are slowly revealed until it all comes crashing together. Deb Caletti did an incredible job with the nuances of toxic masculinity and how it's not always blatantly obvious. What starts off seemingly uncomfortable but "harmless" can snowball into something terrifying and uncontrollable. Annabelle's experience is, unfortunately, not uncommon, so I really believe this should be required reading.
❋❋❋
YA contemporaries I haven't read (yet!) but have seen glowing recommendations for:
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Adult Fiction // Categories: Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: May 11, 2021
Publisher: Berkley (Penguin Random House)
Format: e-ARC • 384 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Another excellent rom-com from Emily Henry!!!
Things you will find in People We Meet on Vacation:
- The friends-to-lovers trope
- Alternating time periods (past and present)
- A ~not-your-average~ male love interest (in the best way possible)
- Excellent banter, as expected
While reading, I realized this book is made up of two things I rank low on my "enjoyment" list. 1) The friends-to-lovers trope, which I don't tend to like because I cannot imagine not being emotionally attached to someone I get close to, and 2) switching between the past and present, because I always prefer one over the other. But with PWMOV, it worked out—and unsurprisingly so because I love Emily Henry's stories, no matter how they're written.
Told from Poppy's perspective, we follow her and Alex as they meet up every summer in a new vacation location. They became best friends in college but since then, Alex moved back to their shared hometown in Ohio, while Poppy works in New York as the travel editor for a magazine. (This is why they're able to go on bougie trips.) Quite a mismatched pair—Poppy is spontaneous and a quirky go-getter, while Alex is reserved and quite particular about many things—but it's worked out well for them, at least up until two summers ago. They haven't spoken since, but Poppy is willing to do whatever it takes to mend their friendship, so she invites Alex on one last "job-sponsored" vacation.
Alex was such an interesting love interest. Very different from what we normally get in romance novels (aka, "overly confident and sexy"). Alex is quiet and would probably blend in among a crowd of people, but that's precisely why I liked him so much. I do have to say, it was a weird reading experience for me because I know two different people named Alex and it was hard not to imagine them as this character BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO 😂 I do feel like that impacted my experience, but that's a personal problem lol. If he was named anything else, I 100% would've fallen in love with him!!!
Like in Emily Henry's first adult rom-com, Beach Read, she delivers on the banter and laugh-out-loud moments. A little different this time with less flirty moments, since Alex and Poppy are friends (or adamantly working on it), but I still loved their conversations and how they dealt with all the unfortunate circumstances (i.e., staying in a Palm Springs rental with no AC 😭) There isn't as many sexy times compared to Beach Read (which I was completely fine with!) but it is just as emotional. Even me, with my cold heart, teared up at the ending 🥲
My only complaint (a small one) is how the story is reliant on the fact that Poppy and Alex hold back on expressing how they feel about each other. There are a couple of "oh, he probably doesn't feel the same way for me so I should let him go" moments from Poppy, but it didn't bother me that much because the reasons they avoided addressing it are explained well.
Okay, I'm curious—how do you feel about authors using names of people you know in real life for their love interests? Does it affect your enjoyment?
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Adult Non-Fiction // Category: Memoir
Release Date: November 13, 2018
Publisher: Crown (Penguin Random House)
Format: Audiobook • 19 hours 3 minutes
Rating: 5 stars
My first five-star read of 2021 ✨
Don't be intimidated by this chonky book! The audiobook may be 19 hours long, but it feels just like a long conversation with Michelle Obama. For some reason, I was worried that I wouldn't connect with this memoir because I didn't know much about the Obama family. So I'm here to say that you don't need to know anything about them before reading! Michelle Obama discusses her entire life, as a child and growing up, all the way to meeting Barack Obama and their journey to his presidency. And she does so in such a natural and down-to-earth way.
A handful of times, I've talked about struggling to share the "in progress" version of me on Instagram. It’s not a secret that I'm currently looking for work that's specific to the career I want to start, and have been in "limbo" for a while now. In Becoming, Michelle Obama talks a lot about the uncertainties she's faced regarding her career, and it brought me a sense of comfort. I was talking about it to my husband (I always give him a lil summary and my thoughts whenever I finish a book 🤣) and he said it's easy for her to bring those things up because she's at a place where she wants to be now. She's no longer in those difficult positions.
True, it may be easy for her to tell us that practicing law didn't bring her joy, or that she was hesitant about Barack Obama becoming a senator and then president. But the comforting thing is knowing that she's been where I am now, and she came out strong. She figured out what she's passionate about, and she pursues those things relentlessly, even now. Whether it's creating campaigns to encourage healthy eating or supporting students to stay in school, she puts her heart and soul into it.
Sometimes, it's nice to hear from powerful people that they don't know what they're doing. Not as an ego boost, but it's kinda like … proof that they recognize and are willing to admit they're human too.
Don't be intimidated by this chonky book! The audiobook may be 19 hours long, but it feels just like a long conversation with Michelle Obama. For some reason, I was worried that I wouldn't connect with this memoir because I didn't know much about the Obama family. So I'm here to say that you don't need to know anything about them before reading! Michelle Obama discusses her entire life, as a child and growing up, all the way to meeting Barack Obama and their journey to his presidency. And she does so in such a natural and down-to-earth way.
A handful of times, I've talked about struggling to share the "in progress" version of me on Instagram. It’s not a secret that I'm currently looking for work that's specific to the career I want to start, and have been in "limbo" for a while now. In Becoming, Michelle Obama talks a lot about the uncertainties she's faced regarding her career, and it brought me a sense of comfort. I was talking about it to my husband (I always give him a lil summary and my thoughts whenever I finish a book 🤣) and he said it's easy for her to bring those things up because she's at a place where she wants to be now. She's no longer in those difficult positions.
True, it may be easy for her to tell us that practicing law didn't bring her joy, or that she was hesitant about Barack Obama becoming a senator and then president. But the comforting thing is knowing that she's been where I am now, and she came out strong. She figured out what she's passionate about, and she pursues those things relentlessly, even now. Whether it's creating campaigns to encourage healthy eating or supporting students to stay in school, she puts her heart and soul into it.
Sometimes, it's nice to hear from powerful people that they don't know what they're doing. Not as an ego boost, but it's kinda like … proof that they recognize and are willing to admit they're human too.
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Adult Fiction // Categories: Contemporary, Women's Fiction
Release Date: March 10, 2020
Publisher: Atria Books (Simon & Schuster)
Format: Audiobook • 6 hours 45 minutes
Rating: 3.5 stars
I picked up In Five Years because, at the time, I assumed it would be long-listed on the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards. (I can now confirm that, yes, it was a contender. But we'll ignore the fact that it was nominated under the "Best Romance" category ... please read on to find out why I question this judgment.) It had more than 80,000 ratings, so I was curious! I decided to skip reading the synopsis, since it's a short book, and I assumed it would be a romance novel. (THAT WAS MY BAD.)
In Five Years follows a woman named Dannie who is living the seemingly perfect life—she just nailed an interview for her dream job and ended the day with a marriage proposal from the man of the dreams. But after falling asleep that night, she wakes up in an apartment that is definitely not hers, and next to a man she doesn't recognize. The news is on TV, and she finds out it is now five years later.
I am going to stop the synopsis here, because I think there is enough intrigue for you to decide if it's interesting enough for you to pick up or skip. Instead, let me talk around it and tell you some things I wish I was aware of before reading:
- In terms of genre, In Five Years leans more toward women's fiction than romance.
- It's not a time-travel novel. Dannie doesn't spend any more time in the "future" outside of that one night.
I guess you can see the difficulties in distinguishing between the two genres, which is something that affected my enjoyment of this book. Even after listening to the first 10%, I was thinking, "ooh, it's going to be a love story where Dannie will have to decide if she's really happy staying with her fiancé because of the dream she had!" And it is, to a certain extent, but it's not the focus.
I've been really conflicted because how I feel and how I should feel doesn't match up. It's an emotional story, which means everything in my heart is supposed to be wrung out. But I kinda felt ... cheated? Like I wasn't introduced properly to what the story would be, even after getting past the first third. It's like I made a plan to visit the beach and I ended up at a ski resort. Both are places I love, but I didn't prepare to go snowboarding! I think it just seems like In Five Years was two different stories combined together to make one, and it negatively affected my experience and appreciation. I liked how everything came together, but I would've loved this book so much more if it built up the theme of friendship from the beginning.
🖤🖤🖤
If you want to know more, there's a spoiler section in my Goodreads review!
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