Don’t know what to read next? Looking for YA book recommendations? Welcome to the Book Chat with the Young Adult Team. Every month, the YA Team each recommends a favorite book from our YA collection. We cover fiction, non-fiction, manga, comics, and graphic novels, so there is something for everyone! There is also a mixture of new releases and old favorites, so keep an eye on our posts for books to add to your TBR.
GENEVIEVRE RECOMMENDS THE GHOSTKEEPER BY JOHANNA TAYLOR AND MICAH MYERS (AGES 12+)
The diverse people of paranormal Victorian era Rookwood know what to do when they experience a haunting — call Dorian Leif. Dorian, a young man with ghost sight can not only see but also communicate with ghosts. He uses his skills to act as a ghost therapist and help spirits pass peacefully from this world to the next. But as more and more restless spirits begin popping up in town, the villagers become wary of Dorian and his unusual methods, turning instead to the deadly exorcists, who seem just as keen to eradicate Dorian as they are the ghosts. When Dorian discovers that a ghost has stolen the key to Death’s Door, he must figure out how to return it before all the other ghosts succumb to a grisly fate. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, this book explores grief, mental health, family relationships, the afterlife, and queer love.
NICOLE RECOMMENDS DREAD NATION BY JUSTINA IRELAND (AGES 14+)
Looking for a thrilling historical twist to your Halloween reading? Check out Dread Nation by Justina Ireland, where the Civil War was interrupted by an undead apocalypse, and society now depends on teenaged girls trained to battle the dead. Jane McKeene, a headstrong heroine in a divided America, must navigate a world of combat schools, racial tensions, and political conspiracies—all while fighting the dead. This gripping tale blends action, history, and horror, making it a perfect addition to your spooky season booklist!
MADY RECOMMENDS THE FEAR BY NATASHA PRESTON (AGES 13+)
After an online dare to post about their biggest fears goes viral, the teens in Izzy’s small fishing town think it’s just a fun meme and are quick to repost. But suddenly, the meme takes a dark turn when all the students who posted start dying from their realized fears. Somehow Izzy keeps turning up in the middle of it all – finding the bodies and locating clues to the killer’s possible identity. But who really is behind the murders? Can Izzy figure it out before she’s next? A fast paced thriller filled with plot twists, this book is the perfect Spooky Season read for fans of teen slashers.
KAYLEIGH RECOMMENDS CONFETTI REALMS BY NADIA SHAMMAS, KARNESSA, HACKTO OSHIRO, AND MICAH MYERS (AGES 13+)
This graphic novel follows four teens one Halloween night as they accidentally stumble from a graveyard into a wild and fantastical world called the Confetti Realms, where they must collect teeth for a puppet-spider automaton in order to return home. A great read for fans of Over the Garden Wall, this story is a beautifully weird romp that follows our teens’ encounters with unexpected characters ranging from a 1920s gangster frog, to a insect orchestra, to a bird-woman and her 28 children, all while exploring the fraught relationships between them. Confetti Realms is wonderfully queer and explores change (and the fear of change), friendship and relationships, and trying to be yourself, all within a creative, fascinating, and wild setting.
YSANNE RECOMMENDS MOST ARDENTLY: A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE REMIX (AGES 13+)
Most Ardently: A Pride and Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa provides a queer retelling of one of the most famous pieces of literature. In this version, Oliver Bennett is a trans man who dreams about a life that isn’t governed by society’s rules and people who only know him as Elizabeth, a young girl who is looking for a suiter. He understands the expectations that are placed upon him, yet he yearns to reflect on to the outside world who he truly is on the inside. On occasion, Oliver has been able to ditch the dresses and corsets and replace them with coats and trousers, sneaking out into the town being able to present in a way that more aligns with who he truly is. On one of these secret excursions, Oliver runs into Darcy, a young man who he has had awkward exchanges with previously. Readers are taken on a journey that follows the story of Darcy and Oliver, exploring the idea that perhaps there is more than meets the eye to the classic characters that we thought we knew so well.
Want more book suggestions? Stay tuned for future recommendations from our team!
