The 25 Best Young Adult Books Teens Will Love
What are teens reading in 2023?
This year’s must-read books for young readers aren’t just good stories—they’re filled with unforgettable characters and incredible world-building, too. On top of that, the best YA books of 2023 are more topical and diverse than ever, with lots of dynamic new #ownvoices authors.
Related: 20 Books for Teens to Read Before They Turn 18
25 Popular YA Books for Teens in 2023
Is your teen obsessed with the latest trends on BookTok and Goodreads? Is their Christmas list filled with tons of new novels from 2022? We’ve got the best and most popular young adult books teens (and adults!) can’t get enough of right now. From YA romance novels to supernatural and fantasy series to coming-of-age modern novels, there’s something for every type of reader. Find out the best YA books of every genre and add them to your gift list.
Check out our top picks and even more book recommendations.
1. Whiteout: A Novel by Dhonielle Clayton, Nicola Yoon, and 5 More
Genre: Contemporary, #ownvoices
Themes: YA Romance, friendship
We all want a white Christmas, but when a snowstorm brings the city of Atlanta, Georgia to a halt, it may take more than young love to melt the ice. Twelve teens, twelve stories, and twelve friends come together to help their friend pull off the most epic apology of her life.
Whiteout is a sparkling story of teen love and Black joy.
If you liked Whiteout, try... Blackout by the same authors.
2. No Filter and Other Lies by Crystal Maldonado
Genre: Contemporary, #ownvoices
Themes: One-sided love, queer awakenings, racial exclusion of social media influencers
Kat Sanchez lives a double life—her real life as a quiet, sarcastic teen trapped in boring Bakersfield, California—and a fantasy life as Max Monroe, a blonde bombshell with a picture-perfect life and thousands of social media followers.
When one of “Max”’s posts goes viral, word gets back to the girl from whom she’s stolen the photos that illustrate her made-up life, and everything threatens to come crashing down.
If you liked No Filter and Other Lies, try... When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord.
3. The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco
Genre: Horror, Supernatural, #ownvoices
Themes: Filipino folklore
On the island of Kisapmata, legend holds that a Dreamer god sleeps, waiting to grant powers to the person willing to make eight sacrifices. A Hollywood film crew lands on the island determined to capture evidence of the Dreamer God on camera. They convince a local teen, Alon, to be their guide.
Soon, the crew is seeing visions. One by one, they fall to the island’s curse. Can Alon convince them to leave before the Dreamer god destroys them all?
If you liked The Sacrifice, try... Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
4. Brown Girls by Daphne Palasi Andreades
Genre: Coming of Age, #ownvoices
Themes: Friendship, Relationships
Exuberant and wild, Nadira, Gabby, Naz, Trish, and Angelique roam the streets of New York City, breaking hearts and having fun. But time and events cause their paths to diverge, with some of the young women choosing to stay close to home, while others follow the call of the wider world.
If you liked Brown Girls, try... Luster by Raven Leilani
5. Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho
Genre: Coming of age, #ownvoices
Themes: Friendship, relationships, sexuality
Los Angeles teens Fiona Lin and Jane Shen have been best friends since the second grade. When beautiful, fiercely ambitious Fiona leaves for New York City to care for a new friend, Jane remains in California, grieving her estranged father and grappling with a rocky relationship with her girlfriend. Through the trials that life throws at Jane and Fiona, their friendship remains a reminder of all they have and all they’ve lost.
If you liked Fiona and Jane, try... Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou
6. Five Survive by Holly Jackson
Genre: Thriller
Themes: Escape, Adventure
If thrillers are your thing, this spine-tingling novel from Holly Jackson has the chills you need.
Red Kenny and five of his friends are taking a road trip for spring break. When their vehicle breaks down in the middle of nowhere, the teens find themselves trapped in the dark with someone who wants them dead. One of their group is a liar. Another may be a killer. Who will survive the night?
If you liked Five Survive, try... A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by the same author.
7. Salaam, with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg
Genre: Contemporary, #ownvoices
Themes: Religion, first love, family, culture
High school student Dua is spending the entire month of Ramadan in New York City with the family that she hasn’t seen in years. In addition to fasting, Dua struggles to fit into her relatives’ conservative household.
If that’s not enough, handsome drummer Hassan seems to turn up at the most awkward moments. A heartwarming look at faith, family, and growing up.
If you liked Salaam, With Love, try... Not the Girls You’re Looking For by Amina Mae Safi
8. I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuinston
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Themes: LGBTQ, romance, friendships
If you love a rom-com, complete with a great setup and meet-cute, you’ll enjoy this new story from the author of Red, White, and Royal Blue.
Class valedictorian Chloe Green has one rival: prom queen Shara Wheeler. A month before graduation, Shara kisses Chloe and vanishes. Chloe, along with a number of other people Shara kissed, follows the clues in a series of cryptic notes to find her. This novel has been called “fierce, funny, and frank.” If you like a unique love story, give this one a read.
If you liked I Kissed Shara Wheeler, try... The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth.
9. You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen
Genre: Contemporary, #ownvoices
Themes: Current events, race relations, friendship
When the perpetrator of a terrorist attack is presumed to be Muslim, three Black Muslim girls, Sabriya, Zakat, and Farah, start a blog called You Truly Assumed. It was meant to be an outlet for their feelings, but it soon goes viral—in both good and bad ways.
The girls’ friendship is tested when they have to decide whether to shut down the blog or take a huge risk to make a stand.
If you liked You Truly Assumed, try Internment by Samira Ahmed
10. Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor
Genre: YA Fantasy novel
Themes: Adventure
17-year-old Jani is barely making ends meet, working at a tannery and looking after her younger sister—until Jani lands a job at the Hotel Magnifique, a hotel that appears in a different destination every morning. But beneath the hotel’s glittering facade lie dark, dangerous secrets, and soon Jani is fighting for her sister’s life...and her own.
If you liked Hotel Magnifique, try... Caraval by Stephanie Gerber
11. Those Summer Nights by Laura Silverman
Genre: Contemporary, #ownvoices
Themes: Friendship, romance, coming of age
Hannah was on her way to the Olympics when a shattered ankle shattered her dreams. Home for the summer after a year at boarding school, Hannah has to navigate a summer job, her ex-best friend, and not just one but two crushes. On top of that, a staff competition at her job brings her Olympic nightmares crashing back.
Those Summer Nights is a sweet, romantic story with summery vibes.
If you liked Those Summer Nights, try... See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon.
12. Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus
Genre: Murder Mystery
Themes: Murder, betrayal
Four years ago, Brynn’s favorite teacher was murdered. The case was never solved. Now Brynn is an intern with a true-crime show and is determined to find the truth. But someone doesn’t want her to dig up the past. And that someone may be closer than Brynn thinks.
If you liked Nothing More to Tell, try... One of Us is Lying by the same author.
13. Wake the Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne
Genre: Horror, Supernatural
Themes: Family secrets, identity
This novel by first-time author Elizabeth Kilcoyne is a powerful debut.
After leaving university, all Laurel wanted to do was go back to her life as a taxidermist. But the devil that courted her late mother is back, and now has his eye on Laurel.
If that’s not enough, the family farm is awakening around her. Laurel must unravel her mother’s legacy and find her own magic before she, and everyone she loves is doomed.
If you liked Wake the Bones, try... The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey.
14. Golden Boys by Phil Stamper
Genre: Contemporary, #ownvoices
Themes: Friendship, sexuality, LGBTQ, coming of age
It’s the summer before their last year of high school, and small-town guys Sal, Gabriel, Heath, and Reese have big dreams. Reese is headed to a design school in Paris. Gabriel is going to Boston to work for a nonprofit.
Sal is going to be an intern for a U.S. Senator, and Heath is going to Daytona Beach to help out at his aunt’s arcade.
Will their friendship survive?
If you liked Golden Boys, try... With Your Friends by Peter Grant.
15. Flirting with Fate by JC Cervantes
Genre: Fantasy romance, comedy, #ownvoices
Themes: Young love
On her way to receive her dying grandmother’s blessing, Ava is involved in a fender bender with a handsome young man. The blessing goes astray, landing on the young man instead of Ava. Ava sets out to get her blessing back. But she may find love, as well.
Flirting with Fate is perfect for fans of lighthearted romance novels.
If you liked Flirting With Fate, try... The Matchbreaker Summer by Annie Rains.
16. Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye
Genre: Fantasy, #ownvoices
Themes: Adventure, African folklore
Fifteen-year-old Sloane is a Scion, that is, a descendant of the ancient Orisha gods. It’s an identity that she must keep secret, under the pain of death. But when Sloane is forcibly pressed into military service, she sees the opportunity to destroy the system that oppresses her—if she can keep the system from destroying her first.
If you liked Blood Scion, try... An Ember in the Ashes (series) by Sabaa Tahir
17. Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales
Genre: Romantic comedy
Themes: Unexpected Romance, LGBTQ
Maya’s cheating ex-boyfriend Jordy has hit the big-time. When he invites Maya to compete with Skye Kaplan and three of his other exes for his affections on a reality TV show, things take an unexpected turn. Instead of falling for Jordy, Maya and Skye fall for each other.
If you liked Never Ever Getting Back Together, try... Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler.
18. Kings of B'more by R. Eric Thomas
Genre: Contemporary, #ownvoices
Themes: Friendship, coming of age, LGBTQ
If you’re a fan of R. Eric Thomas’s side-splitting essays, you may fall head over heels for his young adult novel, Kings of B’More.
Best friends Harrison and Linus are starting their junior year in high school, with the looming pressures of standardized testing and imminent adulthood. Then Linus announces that his family is moving out of state. Harrison plans to give his best friend the best send-off: a road trip to their first Pride.
If you liked Kings of B’More, try... Golden Boys by Phil Stamper.
19. This Might Get Awkward by Kara McDowell
Genre: Contemporary
Themes: Lies and consequences, social anxiety
Seventeen-year-old Gemma’s crush, Beau, begs her to pretend to be his girlfriend at a party. Then Beau hits his head and ends up in a coma, and his family embraces her, believing she’s his real girlfriend. Gemma doesn’t want to give up Beau’s family, but how can she stay close to them, knowing their friendship is based on a lie?
If you liked This Might Get Awkward, try...No Filter and Other Lies by Crystal Maldonado.
20. You, Me, and Our Heartstrings by Melissa Sea
Genre: Romance
Themes: Competitors to lovers, Cerebral Palsy, social anxiety
Musicians Daisy and Noah are competing for a place at the prestigious Julliard School. When they’re assigned to play a duet, their chemistry goes viral. The problem is, the social media world is painting Daisy, who has CP, as an inspiration, and Noah as a saint for seeing past her disability. The chatter annoys Daisy, and sends Noah’s social anxiety into overdrive. Can they explore their undeniable chemistry and chase their dreams?
If you liked You, Me and Our Heartstrings, try... Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland.
21. One True Loves by Elise Bryant
Genre: Romance, #ownvoices
Themes: Enemies to lovers
When Lenore’s parents take her on a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate her getting into NYU, her best friend is sure she’s headed for a shipboard romance. But that kind of thing doesn’t happen to girls like Lenore—driven, high-achieving Black girls fighting for their dreams...even if they don’t have those dreams quite figured out yet. Then she meets Alex, a super-irritating and super-hopeless romantic. Will their love be smooth sailing?
If you liked One True Loves, try... Jasmin the Unexpected by Sookh Kaur.
22. Sunny G's Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillon
Genre: Romantic Comedy, #ownvoices
Themes: Religion, culture, family, finding yourself
Sunny G has a notebook filled with rash decisions that he’s determined to carry out, including cutting his hair, shaving his beard, leaving his turban at home, and attending the prom. At the prom, Mindii Vang, a girl with her own set of rash decisions, steals his notebook. As he chases her to get it back, they both embark on a night of rash, romantic, life-changing decisions.
If you liked Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions, try... When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
23. Ready When You Are by Gary Lonesborough
Genre: Coming of Age, #ownvoices
Themes: Coming out, race relations, friendships, family
It’s almost Christmas when a mysterious boy with a troubled past comes to stay with Jackson’s family. As their friendship develops, Jackson must face his darkest secret.
If you liked Ready When You Are, try... The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper.
24. Only a Monster by Vanessa Len
Genre: Fantasy
Themes: Adventure, forbidden romance, identity
Joan and her family harbor a deadly secret: they’re monsters with terrifying powers. Unfortunately, the cute boy at work, Nick, is a legendary monster slayer bent on destroying Joan and her family. As fate sets Joan and Nick against each other, Joan is forced to ally with Aaron, a ruthless member of a rival monster family. This is book one in a planned trilogy.
If you liked Only a Monster, try... Jade Fire Gold by June CL Tan.
25. The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta
Genre: Fantasy
Themes: Adventure
Indir is a Dreamer; she dreams truth—a power the new king wants to bring to an end. Saya is a seer, whose mother is exploiting her gifts. This is the first book in a powerful duology that examines female strength in the face of oppressive patriarchal systems.
If you liked The Lost Dreamer, try... The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani.
Get Teens Reading
There are so many new books—and so little time to read them all! So get a jump on your TBR pile with some of these amazing stories! And if you want to get your kids interested in reading even earlier, check out our list of The Best Books for Middle Schoolers and Tweens!
