My TBR for inspiration and research for my novel
My TBR for inspiration and research for my novel
wanted: moody YA books ft. mental health and messy friendships
As I’m becoming more and more serious about the novel I’m writing, I have been building a pile of books to read as research and to keep my creative juices flowing. I believe reading in the genre I’m writing is important for honing my own writing—plus, it will help to find comps and
There are a few major topics and themes I’m looking for:
mental health, especially our cultural reactions to suicide
queerness, especially sapphic, questioning, and aromantic identities
complicated relationships, especially friendships (and friendships that walk the line into being something more)
academically intense school environment
young adult/coming of age
The stack
Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin - I just finished reading this and it was such a good choice! The writing style put me in the right mood and fit the character’s mindset. Note: suicide is a frequent theme, as is alcoholism, and there’s a reference to self-harm (not depicted).
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour - This is my next read. I’ve been meaning to read this since it won the Printz (early 2018), but it always looks just so sad…but that’s what I do need. (I also read LaCour’s new book Yerba Buena, her first for adults, and loved it.)
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir - This was a big acclaimed 2022 book and my partner got it for me for Christmas, saying it might be good research for my novel. I do like that it focuses on a central friendship.
When We Were Them by Lauren Taylor Namey - This is about a friendship breakup and looks emotional, just what I need.
The Silence That Binds Us by Joanna Ho - This involves a suicide and academic pressure (or does it?) and “taking back the narrative.” Perfect.
A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo - Okay, I just really need to catch up on reading Malinda Lo. But her newest release is an almost-contemporary involving a complicated first relationship and sexuality, so I tossed it in here.
The Ghosts We Keep by Mason Deaver - I need to catch up on Mason Deaver’s books—I’ve only read their debut—and this one seems to have the right mood with grief and friendships.
When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk - Another friendship breakup book. I’ve really liked her other two YA books.
Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth - I’ve heard this is a good sapphic book and there appears to be a theme of academic pressure. Plus, I think it might be closer to the character voice my main character has.
Books I’ve already read
How It Feels to Float by Helena Fox - I read this back in like 2019, so I don’t have a lot of specifics off the top of my head, but it deals heavily with mental health and also ambiguous/developing sexuality and relationship
Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie - This one I read very recently though! I loved how messy this was. It isn’t as lighthearted as it looks…although compared to the other books on here, it is smoother sailing.
Loveless by Alice Oseman - Not to brag, but I’ve been reading the now very popular Oseman since their first novel (soon to be reprinted!) was released in the U.S. in 2015, when I was still a teenager, and this book was no exception. I particularly like the complex relationships and lack of romance.
When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert - I love Gilbert, but this hit so close to home when I first started reading it in 2021 that I had to pause for months. It was still very good though.
I’m sure there are others I’ve forgotten, but this is a pretty robust list. Do you have any suggestions?