How do you encourage your teenage children to ditch their devices for the simple pleasures of the written word? Well, these 11 books from Ultimate Library might just be the answer! These bestsellers are catnip not just for young adults but for anyone who loves a great story – from Louisa M Alcott’s evergreen classic Little Women to The Reappearance of Rachel Price – follow up to the smash hit A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and Patrick Ness’s compelling coming of age story The Knife of Never Letting Go… genuinely engrossing tales that are the perfect antidote to doom scrolling.
1. Throne of Glass (2012) by Sarah J Maas
Hailed as, ‘One of the best fantasy book series of the past decade,’ by TIME Magazine and topping the New York Times bestseller list, the first book in Celaena Sardothien’s epic saga immerses readers in a mesmerising world devoid of magic, governed by a ruthless king. To win her freedom and become the King’s Champion, Celaena must outwit and outfight twenty-three murderers, thieves, and warriors in a brutal competition. However, she soon discovers she’s not the only one with a deadly agenda. As a sinister force within the castle begins to claim lives, Celaena must confront this lurking evil before it destroys everything she holds dear.
2. The Book Thief (2005) by Markus Zusak
#1 New York Times bestseller and listed among TIME Magazine’s, ‘100 Best YA Books of All Time,’ this impactful novel immerses you in 1939 Nazi Germany, where Markus Zusak’s narrator, Death, is busier than ever. Fascinated by human nature and the brightness in the world, Death recounts the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living near Munich, convinced it’s one of the most beautiful tales he has ever witnessed. When Liesel’s foster father teaches her to read the books she steals, she discovers the life-giving power of literature. By sharing these stories with the Jewish man hiding in her basement and the neighbors in the air raid shelter, Liesel brings hope and humanity to a world overshadowed by hate and fear.
3. The Knife of Never Letting Go (2008) by Patrick Ness
In this remarkable and original coming-of-age story, which has won both the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and the Booktrust Teenage Prize, Todd Hewitt faces challenges far beyond those of the average 12-year-old. Todd is the only boy in a town of men, where everyone can hear each other’s thoughts. Just one month away from the birthday that marks his transition to manhood, Todd discovers a secret that forces him to flee all he knows. In a world where silence is impossible, can Todd cut through the noise to uncover the truth?
4. Noughts and Crosses (2001) by Malorie Blackman
Voted one of the UK’s most cherished books, the first novel in this groundbreaking series is a cornerstone of modern YA literature. In a world where societal divides are rigidly enforced, Sephy, a privileged Cross, and Callum, a marginalised Nought, have been inseparable friends since childhood. But in a society that forbids their bond—and even more so, their love—the choice to be together sets them on a perilous path. Their defiant love will challenge the status quo, place them in danger, and echo through generations.
5. The Reappearance of Rachel Price (2024) by Holly Jackson
After captivating readers with her bestselling series A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder the BookTok Author of the Year is back with another gripping thriller. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished, leaving her daughter, Bel, to grow up under the cloud of this unsolved mystery. Now, as the Price family agrees to participate in a true crime documentary, Bel is forced to face her haunting past, yearning for the filming to conclude so she can return to a semblance of normalcy. But when the presumed-dead Rachel Price suddenly reappears, Bel’s world is turned upside down, and life will never be the same.
6. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2014) by Jenny Han
Lara Jean Covey is a true romantic, and her secret collection of love letters—one for every boy she’s ever loved— are safely tucked away in her mother’s hatbox. These letters are Lara Jean’s secret escape, a way for her to express her deepest emotions without anyone knowing. But when her secret letters are sent out, Lara Jeans is no longer able to linger in her imaginary world. Instead she must confront each of her past crushes including her sister’s ex boyfriend Josh. When she strikes up a deal with the arrogant Peter Kavinsky, Lara Jean discovers that, despite its messiness and unpredictability, the real world is better than her fantasies.
7. Little Women (1868) by Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott is often credited with pioneering the young adult genre through her timeless tale of the March sisters, a story that has touched hearts since the 19th century. Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth have become some of the most cherished characters in American literature. Patti Smith once noted, ‘It was Louisa May Alcott who provided me with a positive view of my female destiny.’ Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, Little Women is a timeless story that captures the essence of becoming a woman, a journey filled with laughter, tears, and conflict as they attempt to reconcile self-discovery with familial duty.
8. A Wizard of Earthsea (1968) by Ursula Le Guin
The first volume of Le Guin’s renowned quartet revolves around Sparrowhawk, a legendary voyager from the mystical island of Gont, known for its powerful wizards. As a young boy, Sparrowhawk’s pride leads him to cast a spell far beyond his abilities, unleashing a sinister shadow beast upon his land. Join Sparrowhawk as he traverses the vast archipelago of Earthsea, confronting darkness and mastering his inner magic in this timeless fantasy classic that has captivated readers for generations.
9. Icarus (2024) by K. Ancrum
During the sweltering summer of 1974, Boston is suffocating under a relentless heatwave. Amidst this oppressive atmosphere, Mary Pat Fennessey, a fierce “project chick southie,” from the Irish American enclave is evading bill collectors. Dennis Lehane’s narrative plunges readers into Mary Pat’s turbulent life, which hits a pivotal moment when her 17-year-old daughter, Jules, fails to return home after a night out. This disappearance coincides with the discovery of a young black man’s body. Determined to find her daughter, Mary Pat begins asking questions that the Irish mob’s chief, Marty Butler, would prefer to leave unanswered. Lehane’s gripping thriller offers an unflinching exploration of American racism, criminality, and power.
10. Holes (2000) by Louis Sachar
The Yelnats family is infamous for their streak of bad luck, so Stanley Yelnats isn’t shocked when a wrongful conviction lands him in Camp Green Lake Juvenile Detention Center. At this desolate camp, Stanley’s days are spent digging a five-foot wide, five-foot deep hole. What seems like a monotonous punishment might have a more sinister purpose—could the warden have an ulterior motive? In Louis Sachar’s engaging and witty novel, the intricate plot mirrors its title, inviting readers to dig deeper into a story full of twists.
11. They Both Die at the End (2017) by Adam Silvera
On September 5th, Mateo and Rufus receive the devastating news that today is their last day on earth. Strangers to each other but united by their fate, they connect through the Last Friend app. Determined to experience a lifetime in a single day, they embark on an extraordinary adventure that highlights the profound impact of friendship and love when confronted with mortality. This heart-warming and heart-breaking tale will leave you cherishing every moment.
