The Books You've Wanted to Read All Year (and Finally Can Now That it's Summer!)

We’ve all been there—you’re out with friends, and everyone starts talking about a cool new book or the trendiest show.

You nod along enthusiastically and laugh when everyone laughs, but internally you’re freaking out because you have NO IDEA what they’re talking about. Fortunately, summer’s here, which hopefully means having a lot more time to catch up on shows, movies, and of course reading.

We put together this list of 14 of the most-hyped YA books of 2017 (so far) that you might finally get the chance to read (and be able to discuss with whatever group you find yourself in).

1. For Anyone Who’s Had Trouble Letting Go:

Goodbye Days

By Jeff Zentner

After sending a life-changing text, Carver Briggs is left to deal with the heartbreaking loss of three friends who died in a car accident. Carver struggles with whether or not his text was the cause of their accident. With the help of some unexpected allies, Carver must learn to forgive himself and say goodbye.

Because of the Sun

By Jenny Torres Sanchez

When Dani Falls’s mother is unexpectedly killed, she must not only learn to cope with the sudden death but she must also move in with her long-lost aunt whom she barely knows. The change sends Dani into a whirlwind of emotions until she meets Paulo. The life-changing relationship rocks Dani’s world and helps her begin to heal.

4. For Those Who Want a Good Cry:

5. For the Hamilton Fanatic:

6. For Topical Conversations:

7. For the Nonfiction Lover:

Girl Rising

By Tanya Lee Stone

Inspired by the idea of changing the world one girl at a time, Girl Rising is a must-read for its eye-opening take on communities around the world. Expanding on the film of the same name, this valuable nonfiction work dives into the hardships that girls face every day, including discrimination, poverty, and slavery.

9. For the Performance Fan:

10. For the Beauty and the Beast Fans:

11. For the YA Series Enthusiast:

Blood Rose Rebellion

By Rosalyn Eves

In a world where social prestige derives from a trifecta of blood, money, and magic, sixteen-year-old Anna finds herself exiled to her family’s native land, Hungary after she accidentally breaks her sister’s spell. In Hungary, Anna can’t seem to help herself from breaking spells. As rebellion spreads across the region, Anna’s unique ability becomes the catalyst everyone is seeking. In the company of nobles, revolutionaries, and Romani, Anna must choose: deny her unique power and cling to the life she’s always wanted, or embrace her ability and change that world forever.

Words in Deep Blue

By Cath Crowley

Rachel and Henry, two former best friends who could have been more, find their way back to each other in a bookstore full of secrets and crushes, grief and hope—and letters hidden between the pages.

14. For the Pretty Little Liars Binge-Watcher:

One of Us Is Lying

By Karen M. McManus

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention:

Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.
And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High’s notorious gossip app

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention Simon’s dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn’t an accident. Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.

The Books You’ve Wanted to Read All Year (and Finally Can Now That it’s Summer!)