The 15 Best Books for young adults about life

As young adults, we’re all trying to figure out who we are and what we want to do with our lives. It’s a journey full of ups and downs, and sometimes it can be helpful to have a little guidance. That’s where books come in.

There are so many great books out there that can help young adults navigate the challenges of life. They can teach us about love, loss, friendship, family, and everything in between. They can also inspire us to reach our full potential.

In this blog post, I’ll share a list of the best books for young adults about life. These books are all highly rated and recommended by other young adults. They will provide you with the guidance and inspiration you need to live your best life.

So whether you’re looking for a book to help you deal with a tough breakup, find your passion, or just figure out who you are, I hope you’ll find something on this list that resonates with you.

I’ve included a variety of genres and authors, so there’s something for everyone. And I’ve also tried to include books that cover a wide range of topics, so you can find something that speaks to your specific interests.

Here are The 15 Best Books for young adults about life

1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 1999
2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 2012
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 2005
4. Looking for Alaska by John Green 2005
5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 2017
6. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson 1999
7. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon 2015
8. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie 2007
9. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 1951
10. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 1960
11. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven 2015
12. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli 2015
13. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 2003
14. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon 2003
15. Paper Towns by John Green 2008

1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 1999

The Perks of Being a Wallflower book cover

The best coming-of-age novel is about a shy and awkward high school freshman who is trying to navigate the challenges of adolescence. This book is full of humor, heart, and wisdom and offers a unique perspective on the teenage experience.

2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 2012

the fault in our stars books cover

One of the best young adult romances is about a 16-year-old girl with cancer and a 17-year-old boy with osteosarcoma who meet at a cancer support group and fall in love. This book is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and it explores the themes of love, loss, and the meaning of life.

3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 2005

the book thief book cover

A must-read historical fiction novel set in Nazi Germany about a young girl who is sent to live with foster parents and learns to read and steals books, finding solace in the stories she reads. This book is a powerful reminder of the importance of books and the power of words.

4. Looking for Alaska by John Green 2005

looking for alaska book cover

One of the best coming-of-age novels about a high school student who leaves his home in Florida to attend boarding school in Alabama and is searching for “the Great Perhaps.” He finds it in Alaska Young, a mysterious and beautiful girl. This book is a moving exploration of love, loss, and the meaning of life.

5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 2017

the hate u give book cover

A powerful and important young adult contemporary novel about a 16-year-old black girl who witnesses the police shooting of her unarmed best friend and is forced to choose between staying silent and speaking out against injustice.

Related: 14 of The Best Philosophy Books for Beginners

6. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson 1999

speak book cover

A powerful and important young adult contemporary novel about a 14-year-old girl who is struggling to cope with the trauma of being raped. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the effects of sexual assault.

7. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon 2015

everything everything book cover

A heartwarming and inspiring young adult romance about a 17-year-old girl who has a rare genetic disorder that prevents her from leaving her house and falls in love with a boy who lives across the street.

8. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie 2007

 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian  book cover

A funny, heartwarming, and important semi-autobiographical novel about a 14-year-old Spokane Indian boy who leaves his reservation to attend an all-white high school. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges of Native American identity.

9. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 1951

the catcher in the rye book cover

A classic coming-of-age novel about a 16-year-old boy who is expelled from his boarding school and wanders around New York City for three days, reflecting on his life and his future. This book is a witty and insightful exploration of adolescence, identity, and the meaning of life.

10. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 1960

to kill a mockingbird book cover

A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a lawyer who defends a black man accused of rape in the Jim Crow South. This book is a powerful and important exploration of racism, justice, and the human spirit.

11. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven 2015

all the bright places book cover

A young adult romance about two teenagers who meet in a mental hospital and go on a road trip together. This book is heartbreaking and heartwarming, and it explores the themes of mental illness, love, and loss.


12. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli 2015

simon vs the homo sapiens agenda book cover


Considered one of the best young adult romances about a gay teenager who is trying to figure out his identity and come out to his friends and family. This book is funny, heartwarming, and important, and it has been praised for its realistic portrayal of a gay teenager’s coming-of-age story.

Related: Top 10 books every woman should read


13. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 2003

the kite runner book cover

A coming-of-age novel set in Afghanistan about two boys who are best friends. This book is powerful and important, and it explores the themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption.


14. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon 2003

  The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time  book cover


A mystery novel told from the perspective of a 15-year-old boy with autism. This book explores the themes of identity, perception, and the meaning of life.


15. Paper Towns by John Green 2008

paper town book cover

A funny and heartwarming young adult mystery about a boy who searches for a girl who has mysteriously disappeared. This book explores the themes of love, loss, and the meaning of life.
I hope you enjoy these books!

Related: The 20 Best books for young adults female

conclusion

We’ve come to the end of our list of the 15 best books for young adults about life. We hope you’ve found some new books to add to your reading list!

These books offer a wide range of experiences and perspectives, from coming-of-age stories to romances to historical fiction. They also cover various topics, from mental illness to race to sexual identity.

We believe these books will surely spark important conversations and help young adults navigate the complexities of life.

So whether you’re a young adult yourself or you’re just looking for a good book to recommend to a young person in your life, be sure to check out these 15 best books for young adults about life.

I hope you enjoy this list of books! And if you have any other suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

What are your favorite books for young adults about life?

Share your recommendations in the comments below!

Thank you for reading!


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