YALSA-bk is a listserv with lively discussions among librarians, educators, and beyond about all things YA lit. Sometimes one listserv member will ask for help finding books around a certain theme or readalikes for a particular title. This post is a compilation of responses for one such request.
The original request
One of my book clubs is looking for a good romance to read but I can’t give them “the usual suspects” (aka John Green, Huntley Fitzpatrick, Rainbow Rowell) because they’ve read all of those highly publicized ones. I’m looking for one that is off the radar, preferably paperback, that will sweep them off their feet and isn’t too brazenly in-your-face with the language and physical stuff (aka Jamie McGuire, Simone Elkeles, Katie McGarry.)
Suggested titles
- A Blindspot for Boys by Justina Chen
- Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
- Something Real by Heather Demetrios
- Reclaimed by Sarah Guillory
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
- The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman
- OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu
- Life by Committee by Corey Ann Haydu
- Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour
- Like No Other by Una Lamarche
- Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon
- Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
- The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
- Althea and Oliver by Cristina Moracho
- Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
- The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler
- #scandal by Sarah Ockler
- Life: An Exploded Diagram by Mal Peet
- Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens
- Fan Art by Sarah Tregay
- Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams
Suggested authors
- Deb Caletti
- Susane Colasanti
- Sarah Dessen
- Jennifer Echols
- Elizabeth Eulberg
- Gayle Forman
- Maureen Johnson
- Morgan Matson
- Stephanie Perkins
- Leila Sales
- Suzanne Selfors
- Jennifer E. Smith
- Amy Spalding
- Siobhan Vivian
- Kasie West
Have more titles you think should belong on these lists? Add them on the YALSA wiki or leave a comment! Looking for more compiled booklists? Check out the YALSA wiki or other booklists here at The Hub.
— Gretchen Kolderup, currently rereading The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
I like Lisa Schroeder’s books..I am reading The Bridge from Me to You right now…It is told in alternating chapters, viewpoint of the male teen vs the female…one in story format, one in poetry..
She writes excellent YA books, with memorable characters, would highly recommend