March
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THE TOP 10 BOOKS THAT EVERY TEENAGER SHOULD READ by Shubhalakshmi
I love reading books (absolutely LOVE). So when I come across people my age (aka the certain species called the teenagers) who don’t read, I don’t know whether to cry or be amused. I feel like I slowly lose my faith in humanity when I try discussing a certain book and well, the other person hasn’t read it. It can get frustrating for both of us and by the end of the said discussion or conversation; I’m ready to tear my hair out. Because I’m sure that I cannot be the only one who has to be put through this agony, I decided to make a cheat-sheet of books every teenager should have read. A lot of them are pretty mainstream series and books, but there are a couple that aren’t well known.
I’m writing this out of personal experience. So all the books that I’ve mentioned are books that a ton of people I meet haven’t read. Once you’ve read these, you should be able to hold your own (at least for a little while) with a nerdy teenager like me. J
And Beware, if you like Chicken Soup and blah blah blah, you’re looking in the wrong place.
And I don’t care if you’ve seen the movies. They don’t count.
Here’s hoping that you’ll actually read these books and if you’re a certified nerdy reader, here’s hoping you’ve read all of these.
So here it goes (in no particular order) the Top 10 Books that Every Teenager Should Read.
- The Harry Potter Series- If you haven’t read the series, then well… you’re missing out on something. Trust me, I have come across people who haven’t read this series and every time I do so, I’m left aghast.
- To Kill A Mockingbird – There is NO mockingbird in this book and no, this is NOT a recipe book either. The mockingbird is just a metaphor but it’s an amazing read in the end. You probably won’t understand the book the first time and will have to read in 5 times over. Just saying.
- Divergent Trilogy – This trilogy has the most amazing concept. Ever. If you haven’t already read it, read it NOW. A dystopian world, a world divided into five factions and danger lurking with the background as a love story, this book is one of my favourites. What’s not to love?
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower – This book deals with a lot of issues, it’s a nice coming of age book, but it’s not my cup to tea. But I figured to each his own since one of my closest friends (also another self-proclaimed book nerd) loved this book.
- Hunger Games Trilogy- I’ve never really come across someone who hasn’t read this book yet, but there’s always a first time. Again, the movies do not count. If you’re going to have a conversation with a nerdy reader like me, then you better have your facts (written in the book) right! Plus there’s always a good chance that you’ll be able to relate to it.
- Percy Jackson and The Heroes of Olympus series – I’m a MAJOR fan of the series. This series written by Rick Riordon delves into the concept of Greek Gods and their children the demi-gods. Basically it’s got a lot of Greek Mythology and this is pretty much how I got hooked onto Greek Mythology. Please, please, please read it. (I’m literally begging here).
7) 1984 – I hadn’t read this book until a few weeks ago. But it’s extremely well written and I urge you all to read it. This is one of the books on this cheat sheet that’ll help you sound like you read a lot (if you don’t) and if you’ve already read this book then you’ll know it’s very well written.
- Ways to Live Forever – I know how everyone thinks The Fault In Our Stars is THE BEST book that deals with cancer, but I just think it’s overrated. Ways to Live Forever is so well written that it’ll bring tears to your eyes. It’s not very famous and I stumbled upon this book but if you’re a nerd or even a non-nerd, this book should be a must-read.
- Looking for Alaska – Pretty famous book that many people haven’t read. It’s probably would not make my “most favourite books” list, but it’s the one book that John Green has written that I actually like. Also, a ton of people actually like this book, so hey, you might end up liking it as well.
- Saving June – This story revolves around the lives of June’s younger sister, her best friend and a strange boy after June commits suicide. No, this is NOT a sad book, well, it isn’t after the beginning (cause let’s face it, death is sad). Not a very famous book, but seriously I think that everyone should read this; it’s about finding yourself but in the most legendary way you can (and I don’t mean travelling the world or things like that).
Shubhalakshmi is a self-proclaimed nerdy teenager who prefers books and dogs over people, loves to get lost in the pages of a book or in the lyrics of a song and also occasionally bake scrumptious treats. She writes extremely random things on her blog shubhamb1806.wordpress.com and her Twitter @shubby98.
Nerdy Book Club 
Great list, I haven’t read Saving June or Ways to Live Forever or The Perks of being a Wallflower, but now they move to the front of my TBR pile. Thanks for sharing.
I actually stumbled upon Saving June and Ways to Live Forever when I was book hunting..
I stumbled upon Ways To Live Forever while teaching kids. It is wonderful and should be read more often 🙂
Same here. I’ve not read Saving June – I may give it a try. Although it sounds awfully close to Finding Alaska.
I watched Perks of Being a Wall Flower – does that sound. hehe – probably not.
Reblogged this on LBPSB Library Resources and commented:
I like the diversity of this list blogged on the Nerdy Book Club. Which books would you add to the list? One of my new favorites is “I’ll Give You the Sun” by Jandy Nelson. I would definitely put that one on the list!
I LOVED Saving June!
Just finished Double Exposure by Bridget Birdsall about an intersex teen. Very important book, well written and a page turner.
I love all, thank you very much 🙂
Very nice, diverse, list. I quite liked Luna by Julie Ann Peters. It’s about a transgendered teen and really gives some remarkable insights into family and school life for someone who is transgendered.
I also highly reccommend The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, by Mark Haddon because it does an amazing job of shedding light on how a teen with autism thinks (or might think anyway, no one knows for sure) and autism is something that we’ll all come across at some point, simply because the numbers of people who have it keep increasing.
Great list! Keep reading!!!
Regarding how someone with autism might think, see books by Donna Williams (I believe Nobody Nowhere was her first, followed by Somebody Somewhere) and Temple Grandin ( http://www.templegrandin.com/templegrandinbooks.html ). Both women were/are autistic. Of course, each person, autistic or not, is unique, and this likely includes how they think.
Reblogged this on Everything and Nothing and commented:
So I’d written a post for the Nerdy Book Club and it got posted just yesterday. 😀
I wouldn’t agree on Divergent and Looking For Alaska, otherwise, it’s a well compiled list 🙂
I read most of the books on your list and yes, they’re absolutely must-reads. Man, I feel like being a total loser for not having read To Kill a Mockingbird yet. Definitely on my TBR
A really interesting list, some great reads there. I would have to add Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series – excellent and epic, it was an essential companion to me in my teens!
Great list…a couple I haven’t read, now on my TBR. I would add Book Thief & I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, everything by Maggie Stiefvater & John Green, Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, Every Day by David Levithan.
Reblogged this on Michelle Eastman Books.
A really good list, John Green and Harper Lee are my favourites. Thanks a lot.. you could also add The Great Gatsby, a short read but a real intense one.
I absolutely LOVE the Harry Potter books! Dusk Shine (Twilight Sparkle’s male counterpart and the element of bookworms of the elements of nerdiness) Thinks this list is “A very nice selection”.
Where are you from?! In my country everybody have read those books. Harry Potter? If I’m not mistaken there were sold 50 million. Divergent is very famous too I’m starting the last of the triology now. Hungergames is an other cup of tea. Everybody has seen the movies (and they all hated the 3rd one) but noone has read the books. I’ve read them and that’s why I know the 3rd film was made like that to get the viewers to follow with the 4th movie. Everybody has seen the movies of those 3 series. And also the perks of being a wallflower with Emma Watson is seen by a lot of people. Your books are all very good but I doubt there are much people who haven’t read them yet. You just got bad company if they haven’t read such a books.
I am very surprised that no one here has listed or mentioned Jodi Picoult’s books. All of them! She’s my absolutely fave author and has been for 20+ years. Teenagers…start with “Nineteen Minutes”.
I must say, I’m surprised that Saving June made the list. I loved it, but I was also sure I was the only one who’d read it!
Saving June was so good. It’s defiantly one you’ll look back on.
Well I’ve read the majority of these books and love them! I can’t wait to read some of the other ones I haven’t read yet. At the moment I am reading To Kill a Mockingbird and I agree with your comment, I think I am going to have to read it at least once again to fully understand it! You have mentioned some of the best series but I would say Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” are a must read, George R R Martin’s “Game of Thrones” series, and Marjorie Blackman’s “Noughts and Crosses” series as they are 2 of my most favourite series ever and I still re-read them to this day.
All are good books but you should some new titles also. Like falling kingdom or the orphaned queen.
Something that is new and simple . Doesn’s teenager like such things?