Adult Books for Teens

Booklist has deemed these adult titles to be
perfect for teen readers . . . and we agree!

NATURALLY TAN by Tan France
From one of the stars of Netflix’s overnight sensation Queer Eye, Tan France’s memoir has his signature wit, style, and tells the origin story of one of the few openly gay, South Asian men on television.

“In many ways, this is a coming-of-age memoir; France met his first boyfriend and began his career in fashion at 17. Teen fans will be interested.” —Booklist, YA Interest

MAGIC FOR LIARS by Sarah Gailey
This debut novel from the Hugo-award-winning Sarah Gailey combines the mainstream fantasy appeal of The Magicians with the twists of Tana French’s investigative noir series.

“A magical boarding school will always bewitch YAs; add in the teen subplots and you’ve got a sure thing.” —Booklist, YA Interest

THE HISTORY OF LIVING FOREVER by Jake Wolff
In Jake Wolff’s globe-trotting, century-spanning adventure story, a chemistry student falls for his teacher and uncovers a centuries-old quest for the elixir of life.

“Sex, drugs and mental illness fill the pages, which is why mature teens, especially those identifying as LGBTQ, will love Wolff’s debut.” —Booklist, YA Interest

FKA USA by Reed King
FKA USA is a wildly imaginative, funny, oddly prescient, and brilliantly futuristic dystopian tale with eerie contemporary relevance about a young man in 2085 who realizes the world he lives in might be its very own Emerald City.

“Teens will enjoy following along with Truckee and his odd group of traveling companions.” —Booklist, YA Interest

GRACE WILL LEAD US HOME: The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness by Jennifer Berry Hawes
A “ground-breaking,” “inspiring,” and “definitive must-read” on the tragic shootings at the Mother Emanuel AME church in Charleston, South Carolina, by a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.

“Hawes sheds light and provides an invaluable perspective on a mass shooting that hits close to home for many YAs.” —Booklist, YA Interest

YOU WILL BE SAFE HERE by Damian Barr
An extraordinary debut set in South Africa that explores the strength of the human spirit—from the Boer War to a brutal present-day camp for teenage boys.

“YAs will find Willem’s path to self-discovery disquieting but engaging; the peek into world history is an added bonus.” —Booklist, YA Interest