Five young-adult novels to pick up

Young-adult literature has been consistently one of the most popular book genres for years – their commonly used themes of identity, love and friendship are universal, and most good YA novels have gotten the Hollywood treatment – prompting people to check out the source material. Even in the middle of a global pandemic, we need light-hearted and gripping novels to escape reality for a while. We have compiled a list of some great YA books, from popular to lesser known stories, that you may like.

Turtles All The Way Down

Written by John Green, the book revolves around the life of Aza Holmes, a teen struggling with OCD and anxiety. It showcases how Aza's mental health affects her everyday life and her relationships with others. The author delves deep into the dark reaches of the teenage brain, creating a remarkable story of mystery, friendship, love, humour and despair.

Love, Hate and Other Filters

Samira Ahmed's debut novel takes you through the life of an Indian American Muslim teen, Maya Aziz, and how Islamophobia affects some of her biggest decisions. With the story of a young girl dreaming of making it big, the book showcases the intensity of first love, and dealing with hatred.

Tweet Cute

Emma Lord's debut novel revolves around the lives of Pepper and Jack, providing a glance into their personal lives and their relationships with people around them. As the protagonists engage in a virtual war over tweets, they secretly fall for each other in another app. Dominated by social media platforms, this is a light, fun and relatable read.

A Thousand Perfect Notes

This novel by C.G. Drews sheds light on the life of Beck Keverich, an usual teen living an unusual dream. It deals with the themes of obsession, passion, helplessness and friendship. As the protagonist struggles to cope up with his traumas, he comes across a carefree friend, who teaches him to love life.

A List Of Cages

Auhtor Robin Roe narrates a heart-wrenching tale of friendship with the characters, Julian and Adams, who support each other, against all odds. Julian's life turns upside down after the tragic death of his parents. The book showcases different perspectives through the characters. With a story that alternates between grim and uplifting, this tale about a neglected boy and his only friend, breaks your heart and gives you hope.