Alternative YA (75 books)

Remember when the world was not ending? And remember when reading YA books didn't leave you feeling like drilling your head into a wall? That made you feel like the only teenager left alive who actually smiles (no matter how occasionally)? Guess what! You can have those days back! Here are some alternative choices to apocalyptic blood-sucking books full of depression, boys who sparkle in the sunlight, and 'love'.

created by silver-sparrow

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	Underdawgs by MavericktheMadDawg (Goodreads Author) 4.83 avg rating — 126 ratings score: 3,900, and 39 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 5,683,844 ratings score: 496, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 2,859,882 ratings score: 395, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	The Giver (The Giver, #1) by Lois Lowry (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 2,789,322 ratings score: 383, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 778,783 ratings score: 286, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 4.29 avg rating — 4,762,816 ratings score: 280, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	Nobody's Princess (Nobody's Princess, #1) by Esther M. Friesner 3.69 avg rating — 13,403 ratings score: 273, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	School Spirit 1989 by Stephen Michael 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Lessons Learned from The Path Less Traveled Volume 1: Get motivated & overcome obstacles with courage, confidence & self-discipline by Zero Dean (Goodreads Author) 4.59 avg rating — 81 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	The Vinyl Princess by Yvonne Prinz (Goodreads Author) 3.59 avg rating — 1,564 ratings score: 197, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	The Dead I Know by Scot Gardner 3.81 avg rating — 1,489 ratings score: 197, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller (Goodreads Author) 3.81 avg rating — 2,016 ratings score: 192, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Paper Towns by John Green (Goodreads Author) 3.70 avg rating — 1,483,943 ratings score: 184, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 32,454 ratings score: 183, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë 4.16 avg rating — 2,309,206 ratings score: 182, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Nobody's Prize (Nobody's Princess, #2) by Esther M. Friesner 3.86 avg rating — 6,591 ratings score: 174, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The Watch That Ends the Night by Allan Wolf (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 4,064 ratings score: 168, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Captivate (Submerged Sun, #1) by Vanessa Garden (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 1,871 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Juniors by Kaui Hart Hemmings (Goodreads Author) 3.46 avg rating — 1,273 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	The Silver Codex by Emily Ann Kirby 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 6,147 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	The Glare (The Glare, #1) by Anissa Stringer (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 174 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Anastasia and Her Sisters by Carolyn Meyer (Goodreads Author) 3.67 avg rating — 725 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Aristotle and Dante, #1) by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 673,463 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	The Glare Continues (The Glare, #2) by Anissa Stringer (Goodreads Author) 4.43 avg rating — 58 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Impulse (Submerged Sun, #2) by Vanessa Garden (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 608 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	A Mountain of Crumbs by Elena Gorokhova (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 2,986 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Magnolia (Magnolia Branch, #1) by Kristi Cook (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 7,530 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	The Glare Ends (The Glare, #3) by Anissa Stringer (Goodreads Author) 4.60 avg rating — 43 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Into That Forest by Louis Nowra 3.82 avg rating — 1,674 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Guy in Real Life by Steve Brezenoff 3.38 avg rating — 4,004 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Before the Glare by Anissa Stringer (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 9 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan (Goodreads Author) 3.69 avg rating — 4,414 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Something Real by Heather Demetrios (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 4,708 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Since the Glare: Susan's Journal by Anissa Stringer (Goodreads Author) 4.55 avg rating — 11 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin (Goodreads Author) 3.66 avg rating — 36,860 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Merrow by Ananda Braxton-Smith 3.32 avg rating — 668 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Roomies by Sara Zarr (Goodreads Author) 3.61 avg rating — 6,360 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 9,074 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama (Goodreads Author) 3.64 avg rating — 5,278 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 128,309 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Hattie Big Sky (Hattie, #1) by Kirby Larson (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 19,514 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	We Were Liars (We Were Liars, #1) by E. Lockhart (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 1,381,951 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Speechless by Hannah Harrington (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 11,326 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Little Fish: A Memoir from a Different Kind of Year by Ramsey Beyer (Goodreads Author) 3.48 avg rating — 1,432 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 5,734 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	No Place by Todd Strasser (Goodreads Author) 3.64 avg rating — 903 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 11,912 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 51,661 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls by Julie Schumacher 3.23 avg rating — 1,459 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Fairytales for Wilde Girls by Allyse Near (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 1,185 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Sovay by Celia Rees (Goodreads Author) 3.40 avg rating — 4,424 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Tales of the Madman Underground by John Barnes 3.94 avg rating — 3,403 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Everything is Changed by Nova Weetman 3.60 avg rating — 215 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 356,845 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	The Foreshadowing by Marcus Sedgwick 3.80 avg rating — 2,392 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Blindsided by Priscilla Cummings (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 2,396 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 8,912 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Hexenhaus by Nikki McWatters (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 222 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Eventual Poppy Day by Libby Hathorn 3.62 avg rating — 42 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	My Lady Jane: The Not Entirely True Story (The Lady Janies, #1) by Cynthia Hand (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 82,113 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky 4.29 avg rating — 1,069,300 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The World Within: A Novel of Emily Brontë by Jane Eagland 3.37 avg rating — 227 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	One of Us Is Lying (One of Us Is Lying, #1) by Karen M. McManus (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 1,051,055 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	The Extra by Kathryn Lasky 3.49 avg rating — 648 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 466,060 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw 4.25 avg rating — 13,617 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Holding Up the Earth by Dianne E. Gray really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 232 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Far from You by Lisa Schroeder (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 4,023 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	Emily of Deep Valley (Deep Valley, #2) by Maud Hart Lovelace 4.30 avg rating — 3,738 ratings score: 75, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins 3.36 avg rating — 9,102 ratings score: 74, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	Three Rivers Rising: A Novel of the Johnstown Flood by Jame Richards 3.76 avg rating — 1,215 ratings score: 73, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	Golden by Jessi Kirby (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 9,912 ratings score: 72, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	The Milk of Birds by Sylvia Whitman (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 568 ratings score: 71, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	Starry-Eyed: 16 Stories that Steal the Spotlight by Ted Michael 3.75 avg rating — 40 ratings score: 70, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars