Books for Readers who Like…
Top Ten Tuesdays are hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we make lists of our top ten books based on that week’s prompt… and then we stalk other people’s answers to add a million books to our TBR. The topics are provided ahead of time and can be found here.
This week’s topic, the top ten books we’d recommend for readers who _____ is kind of a freebie! I decided to go with family themes/relationships.
I think I speak for a lot of YA readers when I say that parents are too often missing from books in the genre. I don’t know about you, but my parents were pretty darn there during high school. I love when I read a YA book where the parents are not only around a lot, but an integral part of the story. Whether it’s becoming closer to them, loving them, or losing them, these ten books are sure to give you family feels in one way or another!
On the Fence by Kasie West |“I LOVED the family dynamics in this book. Between her brothers and her father, I wanted to jump inside the book and join their family. So cute. So protective. So heartwarming. Her dad trying to not be awkward about girly things was so adorable. Learning more about her mother and getting some heavier topics in the book really helped to make it well-rounded too.” | Review
Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer | “Seeing Queenie come home and interact with her sister was so damn heartwarming. The two of them balance each other out, keep each other grounded, and help in whatever way they can. This relationship was the #1 feature of the book and I couldn’t help but smile every time they talked or Queenie crawled into Merry’s bed. Cal was also an amazing addition to the book; what a grounded, well-adjusted kid… considering everything they’ve been through! | Review to come
The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black | “This was really a book about their [sibling] bond more so than any romantic relationships (although those did exist too!) I loved that Ben and Hazel had a best-friend-style sibling relationship. It was interesting to see how they viewed the other person though; as Jack said, they each wanted a “little piece of what the other had.” Ben is very gifted with music while Hazel is fearless. They each think their sibling is special while they’re average. Ben wishes he was braver while Hazel wishes she had a special talent. It was a cool dynamic that I’m sure plagues a lot of siblings.” | Review
A Midsummer’s Nightmare by Kody Keplinger | “I could totally relate to Whitley as far as family things go. I love both of my parents a lot, but there’s so much weirdness that happens after divorce. She built her father up to be this big hero and slowly realized he, like everyone else, has flaws too. That’s something that I think many people can relate to.” | Review
Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally | “Jordan’s team and family were really important characters that helped Jordan be where she wanted to be… Her family, like her mom and brother, were so supportive of her; I loved watching those relationships and seeing how close they were. Her father, the great Donovan Woods (QB for the Titans), was less supportive because he was nervous she would get hurt. It was awesome to see him warm up to it all and watch the two of them become closer throughout the book. There was a lot of relationship development in this book, which was really nice.” | Review
All Lined Up by Cora Carmack | “The father-daughter relationship development in this one was my jam. Dallas always felt like her dad put football above her and they slowly work through the issues they have. It was really nice to see that come together because it was a big part of Dallas being irritating and feeling sorry for herself.” (hehe) | Review
If I Stay by Gayle Forman | “Her parents were funny and amazing… Even though [they were gone in] the first few pages, Forman really let the readers get to know them. The flashbacks were perfectly executed and fit in with the storyline as it was developing… I can’t get over how well Forman developed this characters without the reader really even interacting with them.” | Review
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han | “Lara Jean was blessed with an amazing family, including her father, older sister, and younger sister. I was obsessed with her younger sister, Kitty, throughout the book. She was so cute and funny; I could not get enough of her… Lara Jean is faced with filling Margot’s shoes [when she goes to college]. She took over for their mother, who passed away when they were younger, in running the household and making sure everything goes smoothly.” | Review
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson | “Their relationships at the beginning of the book are so strained and everyone is totally separate from one another. Watching their family grow and develop over the summer was just so perfect. Instead of a nice slow burn romance, this was a slow burn family-rekindling… I loved her whole family and it was nice to see them all come together when it really mattered.” | Review
Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick & Suzanne Young | The story is about Caroline, who is faced with a tough decision in the wake of grandmother’s impending death. Should she escape her family for the night to attend a party with her friend Simone? Or should she stay with them by her grandmother’s side? This decision splits her world in two: she lives out both of the timelines for the reader to enjoy. [In both timelines, her family relationships develop and progress in really positive ways. I loved seeing her come to terms with a lot of parent-related issues.] | Review
Goodreads: Catching Jordan / On the Fence / Second Chance Summer / To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before / Breathe Annie Breathe / Nowhere But Home / The Darkest Part of the Forest / A Midsummer’s Nightmare / All Lined Up / If I Stay / Just Like Fate
I haven’t read any of these! But, Darkest Part of The Forest is on my radar and I think I’ll check some of the others out. Good topic! I always find it silly when the family is non-existent in YA.
Me too! And in these ones, the family is not only THERE but they’re more crucial to the plot. I like that aspect a lot.
It’s a good topic Lauren, only too often is family not there in young adult, but I’ve got a few of these on my reading list and seeing that family is a big part is really great, and I cannot wait to read them.
Glad to hear it 🙂
That is a GREAT category. I loved The Darkest Part of the Forest. I really loved the sibling relationship in that one.
YES! They were great.
Loved the freebie subject you chose! Sometimes it does bother me how absent family is, alongside how little schoolwork all the high school students need to do xD So I think I will be checking out some of these where family is a theme.
Yes it’s nice to have family members be present and important to the story!