Best Books For Teenagers that are an Absolute Delight!

Do you know teen-fiction is said to be the most read fiction across the globe? If you are a teenager who is looking for book recommendations or a confused parent who wants to buy a good book for your kid, you are in the right place. No matter your age,  it is never too late to dive into a coming-of-age story and explore its depths. Books for teenagers are like a breath of fresh air that rejuvenates your heart with newfound energy. 

Most importantly, it does not matter if you are a nerdy-bookworm or an occasional reader, we have curated a list of top 10 books for teenagers which is sure to appeal to the reader in you. Let’s have a look :

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 

It will be inappropriate if we talk about the best books for teenagers and do not include The Hunger Games. This book by Suzanne Collins is set in a nation named Panem which is surrounded by twelve districts outlying the Capitol. Every year, Panem hosts Hunger Games with the participants as a male and a female from its twelve districts to fight till death. It is also telecasted live on television as a form of “entertainment.”

When Katniss’s sister is chosen as a competitor, she replaces her to take part. A boy named Peeta is chosen as the male representative. Katniss has promised to return back to her sister but when she entered the game, she considered it a death sentence. Will she achieve what she desires? The characters are created well and written incredibly.

The Book Thief by Mark Zusak

Our second recommendation for the top 10 books for teenagers is a timeless classic. The Book Thief is said to be one of the best books for teenagers to ever exist. Set in the late 1930s in Germany, the story revolves around Liesel, an orphan who is now under the care of her foster family. The story is narrated by Death, during one of the horrific times in history. 

Liesel’s life changes when she discovers a book in the snow by her brother’s grave. From then on, she starts stealing books from various places, and thus, a new journey begins. Markus Zusak is a phenomenal writer. The words flow so smoothly throughout that they give the impression of poetry. Even after being a Young-Adult story, it puts up a strong front and enlightens the readers.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park is the usual contemporary Young Adult fiction that deserves a special mention. If you want to cuddle up with a book on a rainy day and feel overwhelmed by emotions, then Eleanor & Park is your pick! The myriad of emotions that this book holds, the heart-wrenching feeling of first love, and the shy smiles make this one of the best books for teenagers. 

Eleanor is our girl-next-door with her fierce attitude, weird fashion sense, and a zest for life. Park is the complete opposite who wants nothing but to be invisible and be lost in a book all the time until Eleanor notices him. Eleanor and Park fall for each other slowly and steadily over their shared love for music. Rainbow Rowell weaves a heartwarming tale of romance that will make you feel good on a bad day.

I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

Next in our list of top 10 books for teenagers is I’ll Give You The Sun. In this award-winning novel by Nelson, we dive into the world of twins Jude And Noah. Both being opposites of each other, Jude is away on her adventures with boys while Noah sits in his room and paints the day away. Their bond is special and unbreakable until an incident changes their life forever and makes them their worst enemies. Will they ever find their way back to each other?

Jandy Nelson’s writing is full of artistic metaphors and highly dramatic. The characters are made with so much grace that it reflects beautifully in the prose. There are so many moments in the book that it will leave you teary-eyed and warm your heart at the same time. Highly recommended as one of the best books for teenagers. 

Looking For Alaska by John Green 

Looking For Alaska by John Green is one of the best-written teen-fiction of all time and thus, occupies the 5th spot in our top 10 books for teenagers. Centered around the life of Miles, a student at Culver Creek Boarding School. He is obsessed with the last words and wants to embark on a journey to discover his “Great Perhaps”. His life spins around when he meets Alaska Young and falls head over heels in love with her. 

Looking For Alaska is John Green’s debut novel and it is evident through his work that he is the ultimate master of words. The writing is so spontaneous that you will find it difficult to keep the book down. From sadness, anger to frustration, and happiness, this book offers it all. It is a story that is sure to stay with you for long. 

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret By Judy Blume

“Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret?” is a powerful book that talks about religion, menstruation, puberty, boys, and whatnot. It is said to be one of the best books for teenagers. The story is centered on Margaret Simon, almost twelve who has an unquestionable enthusiasm and curiosity for life. Being new in town, she can not wait to fit into her new lifestyle and make new friends. Devoid of any religion, Margaret shares a special relationship with God and can talk to him about anything. 

This coming-of-age story may look very simple but it contains numerous meaningful life lessons. Blume’s take on religion is astounding and ground-breaking. It opens new doors of perception on this matter and forces you to think about the same. This is highly recommended to people of all age groups. 

Wonder by R.J. Palacio 

Wonder by Palacio is the most moving book in our list of top 10 books for teenagers. Our protagonist, August Pullman was born with a facial deformity. He has never been to school until now. It is challenging for him to deal with his new lifestyle, make his way through teachers and the people around him since he is always treated differently. The story is told in his voice first and then shifts to different voices including his classmates, his sister, and so on. 

Wonder is an emotional-rollercoaster. It is extremely difficult to finish this book without crying. The tears are sometimes out of angst and frustration and sometimes out of pure joy. To be a witness to the struggles of a 10-year-old is heartbreaking as well as hopeful at the same time.  

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

If you are a fan of The Fault in Our Stars, then All The Bright Places should be immediately on your reading list. The plot revolves around the life of Violet Markey, who is currently recovering from her sister’s death and wants to leave Indiana as soon as she graduates. Theodore Finch is obsessed with death and always thinks of ways to kill himself. But he is always stopped by a little good or positive thing in his life. This time it’s meeting Violet. They both work on a project together and explore the secret and beautiful places in Indiana. 

Niven weaves a heart-wrenching tale with themes of mental health, depression, suicide, PTSD among others. It is one of the best books for teenagers to familiarize themselves with the importance of mental health. The writing is gripping and utterly magnificent. A must-read for everyone!

The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock 

Next in our list of best books for teenagers is a story centered around four very different lives. Set in Alaska in 1970, teenagers have a life very different from ours. Ruth is hiding a secret for long and it is impossible to do it anymore. Dora is furious and wants to find a home. Alyce wants to pursue her dream to dance without neglecting her family and Hank wants to run away from home. These four lives become entangled with each other in the most unexpected way possible. 

It can take a while to get acquainted with the book since it is told from numerous perspectives but once you dive into it, there is no coming back. The exuberant storytelling will keep you hooked till the very end. All through it, the book engulfs you with a sense of warmth and makes you fall in love with it. 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brönte 

We are ending our list of top 10 books for teenagers with a classic: Jane Eyre. it revolves around the life of a young Orphan girl, Jane who always felt out of her place her whole life. Her life turns upside down when she arrives at Thornfield Hall upon getting hired by Edward Rochester to take care of his daughter. While at her job, jane falls in love with the dominant and powerful Rochester. But is he everything that he appears to be or is there more to him? 

Jane Eyre is one of the best Victorian novels of all time. It by far remains one of the greatest love stories ever written. Jane was one of the first strong and independent female protagonist of her time. Being a nineteenth-century feminist was no cakewalk and she did fairly well. It is an excellent piece of literature and should be read by teens and adults alike! 

That sums up our list of top 10 books for teenagers. If you have any other suggestions, you are free to tell us in the comment section below. If you have read any of the books mentioned in the list, do give your opinion on the same. Till then, check out these books and happy reading! 

Stay indoors and stay safe! 🙂

If you enjoyed our list of top 10 books for teenagers, you will also enjoy our list of Unmissable books to movie adaptions, here.