Reading is so important, but we all know how hard it can be to get your teen to be interested in anything other than what’s on TV or hanging out with their friends. Well, you’ll be happy to know that there are some good books for teens that you can find at your local bookstore or online book store that are bound to get them hooked on books once again! E-books are also a brilliant and can be read on their mobile devices or digital readers like the Kindle, making reading even cooler! Here are the top 6 great reads for your teenager:
1) The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
Not just a super cool movie, but the Hunger Games Trilogy will get your teen enthralled in the fantasy adventures of Katniss as she battles against chosen representatives from 11 other outlying districts to participate in The Hunger Games, a futuristic contest to the death that they believe will prevent another civil war. Then onto Catching Fire in which Katniss once again has to take part in a special version of the Games after her and Peeta have completed their victory tour. She is considered to be a symbol of rebellion due to the unheard of outcome of the first Hunger Games in which her and Peeta won. Finally, Mockingjay brings to the fore the unrest within the Capitol which they blame on Katniss, and in a thrilling and powerful conclusion to the trilogy, she and her family members have to survive against all odds.
2) Beautiful Creatures Series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
There are 4 books in the series, which has taken the world by storm. Beautiful Creatures introduces us to a strange girl with a secret. Lena Duchannes moves to the small town of Gatlin in the middle of nowhere and she struggles to fit in and also conceal her power thanks to a curse that has plagued her family for centuries. She meets Ethan Wate, who has been dreaming about a girl, and they are instantly drawn to each other.
The second book, Beautiful Darkness, shows the darker side of Gatlin that Ethan had never seen before, and as certain truths unfold regarding Lena and her family of Supernaturals the intense magic surrounding the town, he is pulled into a dangerous path. Beautiful Chaos, the third book, comes in the wake of Lena’s Claiming. As her and Ethan return to Gatlin, they find a town is total chaos and even her Supernatural family is affected, with everyone’s abilities becoming dangerously unpredictable. Ethan begins to lose himself as his dreams haunt him more often and seem to be affecting his memory. The fourth and final book sees Ethan and Lena separated after the Eighteenth Moon’s terrifying events. They both search for ways to find each other again, even if it means sacrificing friends or trusting old enemies. Powerfully written, this slightly gothic fantasy, will have you so enthralled, it will be hard to put down.
3) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
This is an emotional, heart wrenching story about Hazel and Gus, two teenagers who meet in a cancer recovery ward, and consequently become inseparable, taking them on an emotional, intellectual and philosophical journey. This is a cleverly written piece of literature and tackles the big issues, but in a witty, charming way. This is a definite read, but have a box of tissues nearby.
4) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
This well written book will resonate with many teens today as it shows what life is like at high school, but looking at most of it from the sidelines. Written as personal letters from Charlie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower look at the dilemmas and struggles that everyday teenagers face regarding growing up. Dealing with passivity vs. passion, running from life vs. trying to live life, it covers the complicated and roller coaster world of first dates, family dramas, being misunderstood, and trying to grow up. It is powerful, haunting, and humorous.
5) Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Perhaps the most famous teen book of all time, the Twilight Saga is a thrilling read that takes you into a world of vampires and werewolves, leading you down a path of deep love as Bella and Edward meet and embark on the most romantic journey of all time. Separated and reunited, married and forever united through Bella’s turning, Twilight also delves into the lives of the Cullen family as they struggle against the powerful Volturi coven and are eventually forced to prove the legitimacy of their newest family member. Complete with excitement, anguish, love, betrayal, danger, and more, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn are beautifully written and loved dearly all around the world.
6) Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth
Divergent, Insurgent and Divergent 3 are set in a dystopian world where Beatrice Prior must choose her way of life. There are 5 virtuous factions that everyone has to abide and live by, and once you reach the age of 16, you are forced to devote your life to one of them. She makes a decision that surprises everyone and leaves her family behind, but embarks on a thrilling journey of self discovery where she encounters many different people, some of whom become friends, some who are enemies, and some who could mean romance. Now calling herself Tris, she also has a secret which she is determined to keep hidden, as she is warned that it could mean death, however this secret she harbors could also be just the thing that saves the unraveling society and her loved ones, in the war that follows her initiation day. Complete with politics, romance, guilt, heartache, love, thrills, unexpected twists and more, this is a truly intoxicating read by this debut author.
These 6 exciting, adventurous, funny, coming-of-age, fantasy stories are the perfect way to really get engrossed in one of these good books for teens. You cannot go wrong with these best-selling novels, and there are many others that will appeal to any teen including the Delirium Series by Lauren Oliver, Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik, The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead, Ruining Me by Nicole Reed and Erinn Giblin, and last but not least the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare.