On books to read next if you like "Paper Towns" or really anything John Green

If you're a huge John Green fan who has already devoured Turtles All the Way Down ten times, this is the list for you. Before you go to reread Looking for Alaska or Paper Towns again, check out these somewhat similar books.

• I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak - Ed is a taxi driver without ambition or a future....until he begins getting playing cards with mysterious messages on them. This book is perfect for people who want to read about characters who are a little older and slightly (only slightly) more serious than John Green's characters. It's got the quirks and the odd (but memorable) people, but with an older feel to it.

• Love and Other Alien Experiences by Kerry Winfrey - Mallory hasn't left the house since her dad moved out. But she's still connected to the outside world via the alien encounter forum she frequents....and that might be enough to start changing her life. This book reads a lot like a John Green book, but without the over quirkiness. These characters seem a little more believable than John Green's - but still so much fun and so adorable and wonderful. Plus, it's all about a girl overcoming her anxiety and getting outside her comfort zone.

• Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick - When Alex is forced to do community service at a local senior center, he never expects that his time there will change his life for the better. I love this book - it's so relateable and so heart-warming. It's also the perfect book for young musicians.

• The Haters by Jesse Andrews - Three teens blow off Jazz Camp to go on a road trip. The road trip element makes it pretty similar to Paper Towns - and makes it another fantastic book for musicians.

What other books would you recommend to John Green fans? What other YA authors have caught your attention recently?

On my YA picks

Today’s genre is young adult! I realize this is a fairly broad genre, but this isn’t something that I read too much of, so this is a fun post for me to write! Here are a few YA books that you might not have read already:

• Traitor’s Blade by Sebastian de Castell - This Three Muskateers-esque fantasy tale is full of fun, snark, heartbreak, and magic. A great read for older YA readers with an interest in fantasy (especially as a move into more epic fantasy).

• The Authentics by Abdi Nazemian - The Authentics is an adorable and touching contemporary YA story about adoption, family, young love, and being true to yourself. I loved this story and the young heroine - she was so relateable and imperfect and I loved her for it.

• Love and Other Alien Experiences by Kerry Winfrey - This book is a contemporary YA tale dealing with anxiety, family, loss, and getting through tough times. It’s full of quirks and has a very John Green feel to it.

• Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carringer - Finishing school doesn’t have to be boring. This book is all about a finishing school for spies - complete with cool gadgets and strange missions. I loved this book - and middle grade readers transitioning to YA books will thoroughly enjoy this story.

• K My Name is Kendra by Kamichi Jackson - Save this book for more mature YA readers who can handle difficult material. Kendra is a girl in a difficult situation that becomes more awful when she becomes a survivor of sexual abuse. It’s ultimately full of hope and the importance of family, but there are some difficult parts before the end.

• The Thin Executioner by Darren Shan - If you liked Huck Finn, this is a good next step. Shan’s dark fantasy take on the classic story is delightful and fascinating - and full of interesting world-building.

• Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson - If you like fractured fairy tales, this is the book for you. The Bluebeard story is retold in the Southern US around the time of the civil war - it’s an interesting mix of American culture and classic fairy tale elements.

For more YA book suggestions, check out Hey Teen Books Hey.

What YA books would you add to this list? What are your opinions on the books I have listed? What do you look for in a good YA read?

On upcoming or just-released book that deserve your attention

In the past few weeks, I’ve actually been able to get through a decent amount of Netgalley books (more than last month, at least). I’ve been in a non-fiction mood for the past several weeks, so be warned that most of these are more educational (if that isn’t your cup of tea). Regardless of your interests, however, these books deserve a second look and a little hype as they are opened to the public!

• Vinyl Freak: Love Letters to a Dying Medium by John Corbett (June 2nd) - John Corbett is a vinyl freak - he’s collected more vinyls than most people have ever seen and he knows the history and stories behind most of them, even the strange and obscure ones. In this book, Corbett shares his column about his vinyl collection and the records that make it up. Anyone with an interest in music will enjoy this, though those with a jazz background will especially appreciate and love this book.

• Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud: The Rise and Reign of the Unruly Woman by Anne Helen Petersen (June 20th) - This in-depth look at society’s perspective of currently pop culture icons is a must-read for anyone with an interest in gender studies. I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a fascinating look at how different celebrities can show us how society views (and what society expects) of women. This is a good gateway into learning more about women’s issues and gender studies.

• Vice Capades: Sex, Drugs, and Bowling from the Pilgrims to the Present by Mark Stein (July 1st) - Mark Stein’s history of vice in America is entertaining, educational, and even shocking at times. This book is conversational and easy to read while still giving the reader a feel for and understanding of societal approaches to sex, drugs, and other sins throughout American history. I recommend this for those with an interest in changing mentalities or general histories.

• Love and Other Alien Experiences by Kerry Winfrey (July 11th) - This cute and quirky YA contemporary romance about dealing with anxiety and getting outside your comfort zone is adorable and hilarious and ridiculously fun. Recommended for lovers of nerdy heroines.

• The Hideout by Egon Hostovský (July 25th) - A fascinating WWII story told from a unique perspective, this short novel is an excellent read for anyone. It will keep you on your toes, make you groan at the mistakes of our characters, and make you ask what you would do in the hero’s place. I highly recommend this for anyone with an interest in WWII or stories told in a unique way.

What upcoming books are you excited about? What just-released books are you enjoying? Do any of these books strike your fancy?