Good book for 17 year old

[MissJeanBrodiesprime]

I’m looking for a good book for my dd (17) to read on holiday. She does not love books, has convinced herself she’s “not a book person”.

We’re going on holiday in a few weeks to a place where there will be very little phone access, no WiFi at all and likely no signal. Apart from swimming and walking there won’t be a great deal else to do. So I’m thinking it’s the ideal time to encourage her to read a book. I know reading is not for everyone, but I think if she could read something fairly adult that’s not too taxing, also not boring, but that she might find unputdownable then it will do her so much good and help to broaden her knowledge of the world around her. May be a gentle crime thriller (she tried Agatha Christie once, but didn’t finish it). Something not too scary as she tends to struggle with being able to tell between fiction and reality sometimes and can be a little anxious, but something well written, may be a bit inspiring, and not just mindless drivel.

I could try her on another Agatha Christie, I have several, but if anyone has any ideas at all it would be greatly appreciated!!

DD1 is rediscovering books after finishing her GCSEs (English lit really sucks the pleasure out of reading, doesn't it?!) and has loved the Richard Osman mysteries as well as assorted Stephen Kings from our bookcase. DS is the same age and hates fiction but loves history and biography - he's reading the Guy Martin books in the garden when he's had enough Xboxing.

I second this! This series is brilliant

My perfect holiday would still involve getting through the whole series of Harry Potter. I'm 43 🤷‍♀️

One by Sarah Crossan. It's thick but written in short poetry sections. Tells the story of 16 year old conjoined twins. Is a really easy read and a fascinating subject. This author writes really good YA novels.

Ask her what she wants to do maybe reading just isn’t her thing

Jolly Cooper, the ones that are one named e.g. Emily, Prudence. Some sex but not bonk busters and a bit old fashioned but good, easy, engaging books. Adrain Mole diaries? I loved Dervla Murphy travel books at that age (still do) but she might not get on with those. Wild swans but it’s a heavy read so she might not like it but equally it’s fascinating so if she got into it she won’t put it down. Depending on her personalityTrue Tales of American Life by Paul Auster, it’s a collection of stories some of which are just one paragraph so easy to read and put down and pick up.

hope you have a fabulous holiday!

Jilly not Jolly!

Colleen hoover and taylor jenkins reid are quite big authors for that age group ( i love taylor myself)

daisy jones and the six is good, the book is more interview style, so kind of like reading a magazine interview with a celebrity.

What are your daughter's hobbies?

Iain banks - the wasp factory. It’s short, written from the perspective of a teenager, I loved its darkness and humour as a teenager (and most other Iain bank books)

I recently bought my teen DD The Outsiders, which I loved when I was her age. She loved it too.

My 18yr old just finished The Commitments by Roddy Doyle on holiday. An easy read. I think it's only the second book she's ever read voluntarily.

The Keeper of Lost Things is an easy enjoyable read. Noughts and Crosses by Malory Blackman may also appeal. Going a bit left field - what about Little Women - I loved it as a teen and it is an easy read that has stood the test of time.

Definitely NOT a book for an anxious teen who doesn't like scary things.

Mine reads my hand me downs on holiday so basically any light hearted chick lit.

Catcher in the Rye
About a Boy
High Fidelity
Adrian Mole

How about a book by a comedian that she likes? There have been a few released in the last couple of years. They all seemed to be writing in Lockdown.

Six of crows - Leigh Bardugo is a popular series among the older teens I know
Piranesi - Suzanna Clarke.
Lighter reading but I really enjoyed The tent, the bucket and me by Emma Kennedy.
Excellent classic - Room with a view by EM Forster, witty, beautiful and sweet.
Graphic novels maybe? Alice Oseman is very de hour

We were liars
Agree with a PPs suggestion of Laini Taylor, either series

Oh, Rivers of London! Like Harry Potter but grown up (police instead of school)

Solitaire, Radio Silence, etc. by Alice Oseman might be good ones - vary in quality somewhat and cover some dark themes, but are also quick and easy to read and fast paced.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune - nothing scary whatsoever. Very much a childrens book written for adults, sweet, charming etc.

Also if she doesn't mind murder mystery maybe If We Were Villains by M L Rio? Like the secret history but easier to read and equally gripping, although it takes a little while to really get going.

Have a look at Sophie Hannah. She's written some further Poirot novels to follow Agatha Christie, but her own/original characters are excellent.

The Secret History. My teen non-readers devoured it.

These suggestions are fab! Thank you all so much!! I will check them all out and talk to dd about them.