My sister Kayleen and I both have homes full of people who LOVE books! So when I mentioned to my nearly 16 year old daughter and nearly 18 year old son that I wanted to compile a list of books for teenagers, I thought maybe we would create a list of 10 or 12, but NOPE, we couldn’t get the list under the 20 plus that are listed below! (There are actually more than 30 books listed!)
We are super excited to share this list with you. This book list is for all the teenagers and their adult friends who love a good adventure! We do have a list for middle school friends too, and a few of these would overlap for sure! There will be a link to Amazon, allowing you to read a summary and reviews if you wish. If you purchase following our link we may receive a couple of cents back in full disclosure. Most of all we hope you find your favorite teenager’s new favorite read right here! 🙂
I will include the name of the series as well as the first book as applicable in the list.
- The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. Now in fairness my kids read these book in elementary school, but both of them have read them a second time. Some of their friends started those books this last year. Timeless. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone book one The illustrated copies are beautiful and such a fun way to relive the series.
- The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (The Hawthorne Legacy–book 2 & The Final Gambit –book 3)
- Five Kingdoms by Brandon Mull. Brandon Mull wrote Fablehaven, The Candy Shop Wars, Beyonders and Dragonwatch, but Five Kingdoms was their favorite of his books. Five Kingdoms: Sky Raiders Book 1.
- Enders Game by Orson Scott Card, my son said a parallel book Ender’s Shadow was even better. This book was also made into a movie, so can be fun for reading together and then watching together.
- The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathon Stroud which actually has 4 books, because a prequel was added. This one captivated both of my sons. My older son read it at least three times. The first book is: The Amulet of Samarkand
- The Cloak Society by Jeramey Kraatz. There are 3 books in this series.
- The Summoner Series by Taran Matharu. The Novice is the first book.
- The Ascendance Series by Jennifer A. Nielson The False Prince is book one. This also made a great read aloud to a 5th and a 6th grade class.
- The Mark of a Thief is another good one by Jennifer A. Nielson
- Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. This one has a sequel and both have profanity. This book was also made into a movie, so if your child needs a fun motivation to read the book first and then watch the movie together then this one qualifies.
- Alcatraz Vs. the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson. This book is on our middle school list as well, but both my kids starred it as a favorite!
- The Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson. Mistborn book 1
- The Wax and Wayne series that is tied to The Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. First book: The Alloy of Law
- The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. This is an EPIC series that has some amazing messages. They are long, deliciously so! Here’s the first 3 books if you have a voracious reader: Way of Kings Set.
- The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
- So MANY books by Brandon Sanderson made the list including: Skyward, Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds, Steelheart (The Reckoners set) and etc.
- The Hunger Game Series by Suzanne Collins also a set of movies.
- The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell
- The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
- Eragon by Christopher Paolini: The Inheritance Cycle is the set of books. The movie was terrible, but the books were good.
- Far World by J. Scott Savage There are four books in this series, sold individually.
- The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan. The Red Pyramid is book one.
What makes a book great? The inability to put it down? The way it can help you escape into another world? Or perhaps the way it helps you see people in a new light, expanding your world view? Is it the vivid picture you create in your head while reading the words? How about the way it allows you to get into the coziest place you know and take a mental break from all the other plates you are spinning? Yep! Pretty dreamy!
I personally love to find a great audiobook that keeps my mind/imagination engaged while I do mundane tasks like cleaning, walking, running, yardwork and etc. I have found that I can organize a closet with great detail as long as the book I am listening to is engaging. That is a win-win. My teens also want you to know that audiobooks are amazing! They have devoured so many books partly due to the magic of audiobooks!
Happy reading!
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