Best Books To Read - Top Recommended Young Adult Book Haul

I bought some of the best, top recommended young adult books to read in 2021. Here is a list of my YA book haul of popular teen novels and more. The books are of different fiction genres, such as romance, comedy, and crime thrillers.

I used to read a lot of books when I was younger. I don’t know how or when I stopped reading books, but I’ve been meaning to read more since last year. I read maybe one book last year, and another one earlier this year. Recently, it was my 24th birthday, and I treated myself to a few books from the list of ‘books-to-read’ I had compiled in my phone’s notes app.

Here is the list of books I’ve bought recently that I am so excited to read. I’ve started going through them already, and aim to read a lot this coming year. I’ll update you guys on my favourite ones as I go through them.

Can You Keep A Secret? - Sophie Kinsella

This is the first book I read from the ones in this haul. I wanted to buy a mixture of easy/light reads like this one along with some more ‘thriller/mystery’ fiction novels. I decided to start with this to get me into a flow of reading. It was a nice, light read and I did get through it pretty quickly. But, I do feel like going for a different type of book for my next read.

I’m glad I bought this book and read it first, because it was easy to finish quickly and got me back into reading. I like comparing books to the kind of TV series I like to watch, and this one is like one of those romcoms that I need to watch as a filler between more intense shows. It helps me wind down and take a much needed break from more gripping storylines. Not to say that it’s boring - it’s not - it is pretty interesting, but doesn’t compare to the attention-grabbing thrillers, of course. But, that’s not what it’s meant to be anyway. I guess what I’m trying to say is - I liked it.

I bought most of these books from bookdepository.com. They offer free shipping worldwide, which is great.

Here is the link: https://www.bookdepository.com/Can-You-Keep-Secret-Sophie-Kinsella/

One Of Us Is Lying - Karen M. McManus

This international bestseller has been recommended by so many people online, and the blurb seems intriguing too, so I just had to buy it. I am a huge fan of murder mysteries and this book is exactly that. I’m really excited to read this one next.

My best friend is also waiting to borrow this book as soon as I’ve read it. I think it has the most intriguing premise and best reviews. Plus, this genre is my favourite. That’s why I’m most excited about this book from the lot. I really think I’m going to love it, but I do hope I’m not raising my expectations to an unrealistic height right now. I don’t want this to be one of those scenarios where you get so excited about something, that the final product doesn’t match up to your expectations, and you end up ruining it for yourself. I just can’t help but be excited about a good story!

Here is the link to the book: https://www.bookdepository.com/One-Of-Us-Is-Lying/

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder - Holly Jackson

Another bestselling crime novel that has great reviews. I am so intrigued. The title does scare everyone around me which is hilarious. But the story is essentially following a schoolgirl’s journey as she tries to solve a murder in her town. I’m really excited about this one too. I think I will really like these mystery/crime solving books, as these are exactly the kind of storylines I love following in TV series and movies.

I’m also really intrigued by this story which is why I think it’ll probably be my next read after ‘One of Us is Lying.’ I think I’ll get through these mystery/crime novels really quickly, which I’m quite excited about. These kinds of stories are just the best for escapism in my opinion, because of how gripping they are. They just transport you into a whole other reality.

Here’s the link if you want to order a copy: https://www.bookdepository.com/Good-Girls-Guide-Murder-Holly-Jackson/

I’ve Got Your Number - Sophie Kinsella

For another light read I ordered another Sophie Kinsella book. I know I will have days where I just want to read a nice, feel-good, easy-to-follow story, which I assume this one is. I did like ‘Can You Keep a Secret?’ which I just read, so I think I’ll enjoy this too, when I’m in the mood for this sort of story.

This will be another great light read as a filler in between more intense mystery novels. After reading ‘Can You Keep A Secret?,’ I’m glad I added another Sophie Kinsella novel to my cart. It’ll also be great if I lose the flow of reading and need to get back into it with an easier book. Also, it’ll be provide a great relief if I’ve read too many intense novels and need a break.

Here is the link: https://www.bookdepository.com/Ive-Got-Your-Number-Sophie-Kinsella/

If You’re Out There - Katy Loutzenhiser

The blurb of this one really intrigued me. It’s another mystery, in which a girl believes something has happened to her best friend after she moved, and is trying to figure out what’s wrong. I’m really curious about this story and can’t wait to read it. Honestly, I’m so excited about all these books, I’m having a hard time deciding the order in which I’m going to read them all.

This is the book my best friend is most intrigued by after ‘One of Us is Lying.’ She’s going to borrow this one the next time we meet and then I’ll read it after she’s through with it. Another great premise and really intriguing blurb. I don’t know if this one will be as intense and gripping as the previous two books in this list. I do think it’ll be interesting, but I feel like since the previous two are murder mysteries, I’m expecting them to be more thrilling. Perhaps I also feel this way based on the tone of the blurbs of these books? We’ll find out.

Here is the link: https://www.bookdepository.com/If-Youre-Out-There-Katy-Loutzenhiser/

The Rest of the Story - Sarah Dessen

Another book that I assume will be an easier read, but still be a nice story about self-discovery. Of course, I haven’t read it yet, but that’s what I gather from the blurb. It also has great reviews, so I’m excited.

I feel like this book will be different from the others I have bought, in the sense that it will probably be an easy read, but not because it’s a romcom. Or maybe it is? I can’t be sure until I read it. But, it is definitely not too similar to the Sophie Kinsella books I bought. The blurb focuses more on the protagonist’s journey to finding herself and coming into her own, rather than a romantic relationship. I hope the writing in this one makes the book more interesting and fast-paced than the impression I get from the blurb. I’m hoping it is better than the blurb makes it out to be, because as I mentioned above, it does have great reviews.

Here is the link: https://www.bookdepository.com/Rest-Story-Sarah-Dessen/

Unmarriageable - Soniah Kamal

I saw a lot of recommendations for this book on Instagram and thought it would be interesting to read a south-east asian take on Pride and Prejudice. I’m interested to read this book and think that it will be a nice but easy story to follow.

I’m Indian, so I’m hoping I’ll find some of the customs and references in this book relatable. I do know the story of Pride and Prejudice, and I’m intrigued by the idea of a different cultural perspective on it. A lot of people have given it great reviews and that just adds to my interest in this story. I think this one will probably be a lighter read than the mystery novels, unless there are some deep cultural issues addressed that make it more intense. Either way, I’m excited to read this one.

Here is the link: https://www.bookdepository.com/Unmarriageable-Soniah-Kamal/

On Writing - Stephen King

Of course, this book is neither fiction nor YA. But it was part of my haul, so here it is. It’s part memoir, part tips and guidance for writers, by the bestselling author Stephen King. Almost all the reviews I read, said that anyone who likes writing needs to read this book. A lot of the writers/avid readers I follow online also highly recommend it. So I just had to get it. So many writers find this book inspiring, motivating and helpful. I, too, love to write. So, I decided to pick this book up, and I am so curious to see what I can gain from it.

I’m not expecting myself to read this one all in one go…just because I think I might need to absorb it and maybe go-through and mark important tips. That’s what some of the people who recommended this book online have done, and based on the reviews, I’m pretty sure I’m going to feel the need to take notes and treat this book like a masterclass.

Here is the link: https://www.bookdepository.com/On-Writing/

That’s all of them! I hope to write more book-related posts and I hope you enjoy reading them. I’m so excited to read these books and read even more books throughout the coming year. Hopefully I’ll start with these and then also make my way through more genres.

I’m going to make a reading plan/goal for the new year, and I’ll keep you guys updated. I also plan to write some detailed reviews of my favourite books as I get through them. If you’re an avid reader, please feel free to recommend more books you think I’d like based on this haul. Thanks!

Let me know if you’ve read any of these books and what you think of them. Have a nice day!