I'm an English teacher and an avid reader; if I'm riding in a car for a while, going on a plane, or even if I'm trying to avoid the sport that my husband is watching on TV, I always have a book with me. I know a LOT of adults would LIKE to read more, they just don't know WHAT to read. One of the most commonly asked questions I get from both my friends and my students is "What book should I even read?" I usually recommend series-- now some people think that they don't read enough to read a series, but it makes reading even EASIER because you don't have to learn new characters and settings every book! Give them a try!
Here are my recommendations if you're looking for something right now! (As always, follow me on Goodreads and you can see what I'm reading and what I think about these books! Goodreads is such an amazing tool so that you can avoid poorly written books that you won't enjoy!)
Action/Fantasy
- An Ember in the Ashes- Sabaa Tahir
Holy crap. This book is my absolute go-to for book recommendations right now because I am so obsessed with it. It is considered young adult fantasy, but don't let that scare you. It is BEAUTIFULLY written, Tahir for sure has a way with words. She will break your heart, make you laugh, make you cry, and make you fall in love with her characters. The entire series is out of this world and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Every single person I have recommended this to has come back to me in AWE of how amazing it is. Do yourself a favor-- read it!
Other series you might like if you like this one:
- Flame in the Mist- Renee Ahdieh
- Shadow and Bone- Leigh Bardugo
- The Wrath and the Dawn- Renee Ahdieh
- Flamecaster- Cinda Williams Chima
- Daughter of Smoke and Bone- Laini Taylor
- Grave Mercy- Robin LaFevers
Fiction
- The Goldfinch- Donna Tartt
This book is an absolute beautiful piece of fiction. It made me really think about the importance of sympathy towards others and life in general. While it is a lengthy read, don't let that deter you, because it is for sure worth it. It is written beautifully and will leave you wanting more.
Other books you might like if you like this one:
- All the Ugly and Wonderful Things- Bryn Greenwood
-The Thornbirds- Colleen McCullough
- Live By Night- Dennis Lehane
Historical Fiction
- The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels Series- Philippa Gregory
If you like historical fiction and a great story, this is the series for you. I ATE THESE UP and learned so much history in the process. Great love stories, perfect villains, and everything in between. The Other Boleyn Girl is a part of this series, so if that is something you have heard of or might be interested in, the entire series is amazing! I am NOT typically a historical fiction kind of girl, but this series changed the game for me!
Other books you might like:
- The Painted Girls- Cathy Marie Buchanan
- The Luxe- Anna Godbersen
Romance
- Black Dagger Brotherhood- JR Ward
This series is one of my absolute favorites. The writing style is fun and it's easy to read, but the storyline is great and you'll fall in love with these huge vampire men! It is definitely romance, so I would NOT tell your high schooler to read this one, but if you can hang with a little bit of raunch, you'll love it. There are something like 16 books in this series right now and they get better as they go.
Other series you might like if you like this one:
- Sookie Stackhouse series- Charlaine Harris
- Fever series - Karen Marie Moning
- Hard as it Gets- Laura Kaye
Science Fiction
- Red Rising- Pierce Brown
This book is something like Hunger Games meets Lord of the Flies, but so much better. It can be a little tough to read sometimes because of the gore, but omg it is amazing. There is a lot of war strategy, which makes it great for a male reader, but all the girls I know who have read it loved it too! The entire series keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes it so hard to put down. You'll finish this one with somewhat of a reading hangover because nothing will come close to it after you finish. The lingo can be hard to get down, but once you do, you'll love it.
Other series you might like:
-Legend- Marie Lu
****-Illuminae- Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman**** THIS ONE IS UNREALLLLL!!!
- The 5th Wave- Rick Yancy
Great YA
-Winger- Andrew Smith
If you're looking for something that is entertaining, not to heavy, and an easy read, pick up Winger. It's YA, but really enjoyable. It's told from the point of view of a high school aged boy and chronicles his life in school. Funny funny and all of the sophomores I recommend this one too love it, both boys and girls.
If you like that, you might like these amazing reads that will really make you think about life:
- All the Bright Places- Jennifer Niven
- The Sky is Everywhere- Jandy Nelson
- Eleanor & Park- Rainbow Rowell
- Ill Give You The Sun- Jandy Nelson
- Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda- Becky Albertalli
- Nineteen Minutes- Jodi Picoult
Chick Lit
- Firefly Lane- Kristin Hannah
If you love a good story about friendship, love, and all things chick lit, this one is for you. Kristin Hannah definitely has a way with words and can make you laugh, cry, and every thing in between. When you pick up a Kristin Hannah novel, you know you'll get quality writing and a great story.
If you like that, you'll love:
- True Colors- Kristin Hannah
- Summerland- Elin Hilderbrand
- The Husband's Secret- Liane Moriarty
- A Summer Affair- Elin Hilderbrand
- Vision in White- Nora Roberts