1. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Trilogy by Jenny Han (Lulu)
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without the iconic To All the Boys books by Jenny Han. This trilogy really is a heartwarming read, and it deserves all the praise and hype it has. After you read the books, you can binge the two Netflix movies based off of them (and then read my reviews from way back in February 2019). I mean, I named my entire blog after these books. Enough said.
2. Spliced Trilogy by Jon McGoran (Sophie)
This is a little different than Lulu’s usual reads (don’t worry, it’s still a YA novel with a love plot) because it’s a sci-fi! The Spliced trilogy by Jon McGoran is an amazing read about splicing human DNA with animal DNA and the ethical problems that arise. This book really hits home with a lot of equal rights movements, specifically the awful transphobia and Islamophobia going on in America right now. The third book in this trilogy just came out a few weeks ago—I’m lucky enough to have a signed copy and I’m so hype to start reading it.
3. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (Lulu)
E. Lockhart’s The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks is not a conventional YA read, but that’s exactly why we love it. This offbeat feminist novel is just pure genius—I’ve never talked about it on here before, but seriously. Pure. Genius. And it you like this, you’ll love her more well-known novel We Were Liars. She even has a new YA coming out in June, Again Again.
4. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (Sophie)
So this one might not sound quite as happy as some of the other books on this list, but it’s a beautiful romance and is overall much more hopeful than the pessimistic title suggests. Adam Silvera’s They Both Die at the End is a YA novel about living in the moment, complete with great LGBT representation that will probably make you cry.
5. 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton (Lulu)
Dude. This book kept me up. Which, I know, isn’t actually a lot coming from me, but seriously, 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is insane. Freaky, for sure, and not for the faint of heart, but also one of the best mysteries I’ve ever read. And now that we’re all stuck looking for something to do, this is the perfect opportunity to sit down and binge the whole thing at once. Which, believe me, is a real blessing, because you won’t want to put it down once you start.
6. On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden (Sophie)
Tillie Walden’s graphic novel On a Sunbeam is another sci-fi and romance about the lengths someone may go to for love—including traveling across the universe. This book has even more positive LGBT representation (yay!) and normalizes it perfectly. As a hopeless romantic myself, I swooned so hard at this plot. But the writing isn't the only amazing thing about this book: the illustrations are beautiful. These illustrations really transported me to far off galaxies and gave me an even closer relationship to these characters.
7. The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins (Lulu)
If you’re seen my Hunger Games reviews, you know I’m seriously invested in this series. Right now is a great time to read (or reread) these books, adding the four movies to the binge, because since the prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, just released on Tuesday, and Lionsgate already announced a movie in the works! (!!!) Reading this series will help you stay on top of the YA dystopian game.
8. The extensive books in the PJO universe by “Uncle” Rick Riordan (Sophie)
All the demigods out there are celebrating right now because the news just hit: DISNEY IS ADAPTING PERCY JACKSON INTO A SERIES! I am hype. But we all need to catch up and be ready with all of our demigod lore, so it’s time to reread the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. This is one of my favorite series EVER. It has romance, action, gods, suspense, EVERYTHING you could ever want in a good book.
9. An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green (Lulu)
Worst-pun-ever alert: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is an absolutely remarkable book—I know, I know. I suck at puns. That was really cringy. But seriously! Don’t let me scare you away from Hank Green’s mind-blowing debut! Everyone who’s ever met me knows how I idolize the Green brothers for being so cool and smart (sometimes I feel like that background cat in Cat Returns when he sees the Baron and is just like, “He’s so cool!”). This book is just more reason to respect them and their talent. But just a warning, there’s a major cliffhanger that we’re not getting any answers to until July, when the sequel releases, so. Be prepared.
10. Scythe Trilogy by Neal Shusterman (Sophie)
The Scythe trilogy by Neal Shusterman messed with my MIND. I loved these books so much. Set in the future, they deal with the ethics of over population and what to do with it as well as the difference between a logical computer ruled world verses the corruptible systems of people. This book literally made me think about everything in life and death differently while still having a great love plot. Seriously, go read these. I need someone to fangirl with about them.
11. Folk of the Air series by Holly Black (Lulu)
Kinda funny how things work out. I keep saying the final Folk of the Air review will be soon, and now here I am, posting instead about how you should go read Holly Black’s scary-good trilogy that is NOW GETTING A PREQUEL ABOUT CARDAN! And it’s called—get this—How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories. Um, sign me up. Sign me up right now. There are not enough words in the English language—in any language—that can praise this series enough. There are three staggeringly good novels, a captivating, one-sit-read novella set between the first two, and now—in late November, technically—a prequel novella set in Cardan’s perspective as he’s growing up. That’s literally the best thing that’s happened to me all year, and it hasn’t even released yet. I cannot recommend this series enough!
Hopefully our very biased list gave you something to read? Or maybe an idea of a genre? I know it’s been way too long since my last post. I’m trying to create some sort of writing schedule, but my schoolwork has actually been taking up more time than expected. Sorry about that—and, honestly, getting something up in the month of May feels like an accomplishment right now. I have two reviews in the works—neither of which is my Queen of Nothing review, if I’m being entirely honest. I’m sorry! I’m actually, honestly trying, though! Will maybe have it out kind of soon-ish. Hopefully. Anyway, what do you think of reaching out and doing a not-review? Cool? Maybe not? I don't know, I had fun. That’s all for today. Stay safe, everyone, and keep reading, readers.