Book Recommendations: YA Books Series to Read (Even as an Adult)
“Young Adult,” or “YA” is a strange way to label a massive genre of literature. I find it a little misleading, limiting, and just plain odd. As an intense lover of books – VARIOUS types of books – and someone with a Master’s in English Literature, I consider myself fairy “in the know” about books. So, I feel confident in my ability to say that if you are an adult, and you don’t read books labeled YA because you feel that you are not their target audience and therefore wouldn’t like them, you are likely missing out.
I don’t believe in “guilty pleasures.” As the magnificent Dave Grohl says, “I don’t believe in guilty pleasures. If you fucking like something, like it. … That whole guilty pleasure thing is full of fucking shit.” You heard the man. Don’t be afraid to like what you like. I take that advice all the time, and that is what led me to start down the rabbit role of reading YA literature, particularly YA Fantasy.
Why YA Books Are For You
And, once I started, I really couldn’t stop. I have discovered so many creative, fun, and truly badass writers. I tend to prefer female authors, and I love me a strong female character. I’m also a sucker for a love story of some kind, though I typically like there to be some adventure thrown in, too. Most of all, I want to read solid characters – round, developed characters with some top-notch dialogue. That is what really sells me – if I can feel invested in the characters, I can feel invested in the book.
That said, here is my list of the 10 Best YA Book Series for Adult Readers. Clearly, I have not read all the YA Series out there, so this list is not really the “best of all time,” more like “the best I’ve read lately.” I like a series, because once I attach to characters, I want to be with them for a while, so I’ve excluded stand-alone books.
Will you love all of them? Probably not. Am I missing some really amazing series on this list? I fully expect I am. So, be sure to tell me what you think – what you’d add to the list, especially, in the comments.
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A Note About Formats – Audiobook vs. Ebook vs. Physical Books
There may not be anything I love more than holding a physical book in my hand, turning over the pages, and breathing it in. I LOVE books. Actual books – especially the well-worn, slightly musty kind.
That said, I was reluctant to ever read an ebook or listen to an audiobook. But, I’ve discovered that there is a place and time for all three format in my life, and I’m not a traitor to my paper and ink if I pop in my Air Pods or swipe through an ebook in a waiting room.
I love the ability to read a physical book – I love the look and feel of them – I like to be surrounded by them. But I also like the convenience of being able to read on the go with just my phone – on a plane or waiting for my kids at Ninja class. So, I also download ebooks.
Similarly, I am a knitter, crocheter, walker and puzzler. So, I listen to a lot of audiobooks. I love the ability to combine my love of reading and my other hobbies. So I listen to plenty of audiobooks, too.
So, you’ll see that in my recommendations below, I’m also liking to the ebooks and the audiobooks. Give them a try. I promise, you will learn to love all three formats.
Try Audible for Free
Pro tip – signing up for an Audible membership has been the best thing I’ve done in a long time. I utilize the digital resources from my local libraries – and I mean, I really utilize the heck out of them – my holds shelves are always full, but sometimes I cannot wait the 19 Weeks or whatever to get the next book in a series. So, while I love the fact that I can listen to audiobooks and read ebooks for free from the library, I also sometimes NEED to listen to the next book in a series before it’s available. So, I signed up for Audible and I really love it. So, if you want to give Audible a try, they offer a free trial (which is how they got me), which you can sign up for right here: Audible Free Trial.
5 YA Book Recommendations
- A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas
Books Included: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight
What it is: A fantasy adventure with romance and a lot of style. Sort of a fairytale “retelling,” but quite a bit more than that.
Why I liked it: Honestly, the main reason I enjoyed the first book was because I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. I was anxious to see where the series was going to go. Also, there were some characters that really intrigued me, and they proved to be even more intriguing as the series progressed. The second and third books in the series were the best, by far.
Notable quote: “Pity those who don’t feel anything at all.” – Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses
- Get the audiobook on Audible.
- Read the Kindle version.
- Get the book here.
- Snag the whole series here.
- The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare
What it is: A prequel series to the City of Bones series about Shadowhunters, those who fight dark forces in the world. Supernatural underworld, swoon-worthy characters – you get the point.
Why I liked it: In my opinion, this prequel series is better than the original books, mainly due to the Victorian Era London setting and the character development.
Notable quote: “Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry.” – Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel
- Get the audiobook on Audible.
- Read the Kindle version here.
- Get the book here.
- Snag the whole series right here.
- The Selection Series by Kiera Cass
What it is: A dystopian, elegant “bachelor” style novel that somehow manages to pull you in and keep you engaged. It’s a mix between a reality competition and the hunger games – if the hunger games contestants didn’t kill one another and wore ball gowns.
Why I liked it: I honestly didn’t think I’d like this series, but I got reeled in. I am a sucker for a good love triangle (or square, or rhombus, or trapezoid). Class differences and political scheming add layers of depth, making it an overall engaging read.
Notable quote: “I should have known that if any girl was going to disobey an order, it would be you.”― Kiera Cass, The Selection
- Get the audiobook on Audible.
- Read the Kindle version here.
- Get the book here.
- Snag the whole series right here.
- Red Queen Series by Victoria Aveyard
What it is: The series follows Mare Barrow, a badass female warrior in a dystopian society that is comprised of two classes: the silver-blooded rulers and the red-blooded oppressed.
Why I liked it: I got a lot of Hunger Games vibes from this book, but it did some different things, too. There were some morally ambiguous characters, which I always love. Similarly, the abilities/powers of the characters were more sci-fi and different from what I’ve seen before.
Notable quote: “The truth is what I make it. I could set this world on fire and call it rain.” ― Victoria Aveyard, Red Queen
- Get the audiobook on Audible.
- Read the Kindle version here.
- Get the book here.
- Snag the whole series right here.
- Simon Snow Series by Rainbow Rowell
What it is: The Simon Snow Series, at the time I’m writing this, is two books, Carry On and Wayward Son. The third book, Any Way the Wind Blows, is apparently in the works. The series is a fantasy series about magical beings, a la Harry Potter, with plenty of mystery, drama, romance and humor.
Why I liked it: The DIALOGUE! The INTERIOR MONOLOGUE! This book was not something I was sure I’d enjoy, but man, did Simon Snow convince me with his narration. And then I met Baz, and it was all downhill from there. The characters are so alive, entertaining, funny and lovable.
Notable quote: “You were the sun, and I was crashing into you. I’d wake up every morning and think, ‘This will end in flames.” ― Rainbow Rowell, Carry On
- Get the audiobook on Audible.
- Read the Kindle version here.
- Get the book here.
- Get Book 2 right here.
So, tell me – which of these are you looking forward to reading? What would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments!
Let’s Connect!
Want to see what I’m reading or, better yet, keep track of your own reading and get some spot-on recommendations? Head over to Goodreads! You can “friend” me right here: http://www.goodreads.com/jerisswanhorst.
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