Six Books to Read if You’re Tired of Reading YA

I’ve spent years reading Young Adult. Since I first grabbed a copy of Twilight from my local library at 14, I’ve read almost exclusively YA. Which is totally fine, I love that genre, and I know so many others do as well. However, in the past year or two, I’ve been looking for something else. YA doesn’t spark a massive interest with me lately and even though I still love the genre, I’ve been exploring other genres as well. And perhaps you’re in the same boat or you just want to broaden your horizons. So here are six books that I’ve read recently that aren’t YA and that I think you’ll also enjoy.

The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker

36373564. sy475 — Calla Fletcher wasn’t even two when her mother took her and fled the Alaskan wild, unable to handle the isolation of the extreme, rural lifestyle, leaving behind Calla’s father, Wren Fletcher, in the process. Calla never looked back, and at twenty-six, a busy life in Toronto is all she knows. But when Calla learns that Wren’s days may be numbered, she knows that it’s time to make the long trip back to the remote frontier town where she was born.

She braves the roaming wildlife, the odd daylight hours, the exorbitant prices, and even the occasional—dear God—outhouse, all for the chance to connect with her father: a man who, despite his many faults, she can’t help but care for. While she struggles to adjust to this rugged environment, Jonah—the unkempt, obnoxious, and proud Alaskan pilot who helps keep her father’s charter plane company operational—can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. And he’s clearly waiting with one hand on the throttle to fly this city girl back to where she belongs, convinced that she’s too pampered to handle the wild.
Jonah is probably right, but Calla is determined to prove him wrong. Soon, she finds herself forming an unexpected bond with the burly pilot. As his undercurrent of disapproval dwindles, it’s replaced by friendship—or perhaps something deeper? But Calla is not in Alaska to stay and Jonah will never leave. It would be foolish of her to kindle a romance, to take the same path her parents tried—and failed at—years ago. It’s a simple truth that turns out to be not so simple after all.

After a MAJOR two year reading slump that totally destroyed by love of reading, The Simple Wild brought me back to life. I read the whole book in 24 hours and couldn’t put it down. I loved the writing, the setting was amazing, and the characters were so well written. K.A. Tucker has become my reading saving grace the past two years and I can always count on her books renewing my love of reading.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

41957126. sy475 — Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

I’m sure y’all know Colleen Hoover is my favorite author and I could go on and on about how much I love her books. I could spend hours talking about how much It Ends With Us means to me. But Verity has stormed into my life and it won’t leave. I’ll admit it took me a few chapters to get into it but as soon as I did, read it in one sitting. I couldn’t put this book down and it blew my mind. I didn’t know what to expect when I started it and seen a handful of people on Twitter and Instagram freaking out over it. It wasn’t long before I was freaking out over Verity and even though its been a couple weeks since I read it, I’m still freaking out over it. I’ve even had to stop myself from rereading it already.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

42421761. sy475 — For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. She’s barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark.

But Kya is not what they say. Abandoned at age ten, she has survived on her own in the marsh that she calls home. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life lessons from the land, learning from the false signals of fireflies the real way of this world. But while she could have lived in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world–until the unthinkable happens.

I read Where the Crawdads Sing cover to cover during a flight and as soon as I finished, I wanted to start reading it again. I had seen some hype around this book but I didn’t think it would actually live up to the hype but it totally did. The plot, writing, and characters are stunning. I’m amazed by the writing especially. This is one of the best written books I’ve read in years and I recommend it to everyone.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

38746485 — In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.
In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same.In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.

I was so excited for this book and it 100% lived up to my own hype. It’s pretty lengthy and it’s taken me a while to get through it but I’ve loved every second. I listened to it on audiobook, which Michelle narrates herself, and it’s amazing as an audiobook. Michelle is a great writer and an equally as great narrator.

doll eyes. by Jessyca Thibault

38750491. sy475 — A collection of poems about love, heartache, and not losing yourself in either.

I don’t read a lot of poetry but I adore all of Jessyca’s books. I originally read all three of her books on Kindle but I loved them so much I bought paperback copies. Even though her books aren’t as well known as the mainstream poetry books that you seen on every other Instagram picture, Jessyca’s poems are just as good, if not better.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

32620332. sy475 — Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ’80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

I had seen so much hype about this book and I 100% did not think I was going to love this book as much as I did. It took me a couple weeks to finish but every time I sat down to read, I was excited and enjoyed my time reading so much. I also didn’t expect the amount of diversity that was in this book. I really loved that as well.

2 COMMENTS

abunchoflessonslearned
4 years ago

I’ve been having the same problems lately! I have really discovered a love of adult contemporary and fantasy.

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Beware Of The Reader
4 years ago

These are just fantastic recommendations!!!! I loved Where The Crawdads Sing and Becoming!

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