Good books for 15 year olds

[wateraddict]

My DD15 is keen to get back into books and doesn’t mind a bit of romance but has found some books are quite full on. She’s interested in characters and relationships but would prefer less focus on intimacy and more on a really gripping story. Have your teens really enjoyed anything this year that you would recommend please? Open to genre. Thanks all!

I run a book group with some students in Yr7-11 and a good choice this year has been Circe by Madeline Miller. It's the story of the witch who transformed sailors to pigs in the Odessey, but it's a really readable story of her beginnings as a naiad and how she became the witch. It crosses into the story of the Minotaur as well. A really popular read for my group this year.
A booktok recommendation is Powerless, it's got hunger games vibes. In a world where it is a death sentence to not have a power, a pickpocket from the slums is faking being psychic and ends up in a dangerous set of trials. Its got a romance element but it's more focused on aggression/rebellion.

I read a lot of teen books and I would recommend Throne of glass by Sarah j Maas if they are open to fantasy, very good series, some romance but not too much. The Karen McManus books are good teen crime/thriller books and anything by Sarah Crossan. I also read seed by Lisa Heathfield (about a girl in a cult) and Songlight by Moria Buffini recently which were both really good reads.

I would suggest going Waterstones and look at the young persons section and then request any she likes the look of from your local library, or they may be available through the library ebook app, libby or BorrowBox for free. I always take pictures of covers and then request them from the library 😀

Scythe by Neal Shusterman is gripping. I hated Powerless but I am not 15.

Agree with the Scythe trilogy, my 15 year old really enjoyed it, as did I! The books never go where you expect them to.

Throne of glass series is good, but a little bit gory in places if she's ok with that.

100% the Scythe series, I loved it

Marissa Meyer’s The Lunar Chronicles were well received by my 15 year old

My daughter can be cut throat with books, she isn’t anti-romance but doesn’t like when they get too racy. And these are the books she added to her Christmas wish-list -

• as good as dead - holly Jackson
• the reappearance of rachel price - Holly Jackson
• the naturals series - Jennifer lynn barnes
• the way I used to be - amber smith
• The outsiders
• That was then this is now

15 yr dd loves Leigh Bardugo, reads loads

Another vote for Throne of Glass if shes up for romantasy. Strong female main character, not too much intimacy, more world building and story.

Oh wow thank you so much! I got completely sucked into Christmas festivities but will share these recommendations now. I really appreciate you all taking the time to reply x

Maybe try the Anne of Green Gables series if she likes likable characters and smart dialogue, it has a bit of romance but not too intense.