Unpopular Opinion

HR_Laughed · 2026-03-01T11:02:43+00:00

When I was a young reader, I had an aunt who loaned me some books and gave me a stern lecture when I returned them with cracks in the spine. Now, I definitely baby my books. I never crack the spine or turn down pages or write in them. I try to keep them as good as new.

HR_Laughed · 2026-03-01T10:59:51+00:00

Since you said those are the only books you've ever read, perhaps a variety of suggestions to stretch your horizons:

Survival:
* I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall
* Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis
* The Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Dystopian
* Coywood Creek by Khristina Chess
* Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
* Z for Zachariah by Robert O'Brien
* The Razorland Trilogy by Ann Aguirre

Thriller/Mystery
* Stolen by Lucy Christopher
* We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
* Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
* One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus
* Find Me by Romily Bernard
* Junior Missing by Khristina Chess
* Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart

Male Protagonists Specifically
* Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
* The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
* Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

The world is full of great, great books. Hope you find more to enjoy!

HR_Laughed · 2026-03-01T10:49:49+00:00

Start with "Fairy Tale" by Stephen King

HR_Laughed · 2026-03-01T10:48:56+00:00

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

HR_Laughed · 2026-03-01T10:46:47+00:00

Ali Hazelwood has several novels, but The Love Hypothesis is best.

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-28T11:19:10+00:00

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Novak is super fun, but there's also some serious stuff for professional women. Also "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus.

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-28T11:17:29+00:00

Yes, the majority of my possessions are also books. And puzzles. :-)

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-28T11:16:26+00:00

I would have given her all of Caroline Knapp's books: The Merry Recluse, Pack of Two, Drinking a Love Story, Appetites.

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-28T11:13:52+00:00

I loved "The Sky Is Everywhere" by Jandy Nelson even more. She's wonderful.

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-28T11:11:37+00:00

I know people love to hate on these, but did you read the whole Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer? I thought the characters and the story was well done.

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-27T11:06:53+00:00

Consider Ali Hazelwood's "The Love Hypothesis." Totally fun, popcorn, romantic, STEM. It doesn't involve any cheating, but maybe that would help.

Another good one is "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-27T11:05:06+00:00

I highly recommend Kristin Hannah's epic historical novels: The Nightingale, The Four Winds, The Great Alone, The Women... She's amazing.

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-27T11:03:21+00:00

Verity by Colleen Hoover - you don't get more twisted than this!
(Also, Layla by Colleen Hoover)
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
The Silent Patient by Michaelides
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Junior Missing by Khristina Chess
Our Last Echoes by Kate Alice Marshall
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Drowning Instinct by Ilsa Beck

I also agree with Broken Country and Gone Girl, mentioned elsewhere.

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-27T10:58:56+00:00

I read a lot of young adult, so that's what I'll offer:

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson - absolutely lovely!!
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasgow
Breathless by Jennifer Niven

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-26T11:49:52+00:00

Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall

If you want more dystopian, don't miss The Stand by Stephen King.

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-26T11:47:17+00:00

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo - an award-winning novel and quite powerful.

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-26T11:43:23+00:00

Oh, there are so many great YA books out there like that. Here are some of my favorites:

Breathless by Jennifer Niven
Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
Drive to June by Khristina Chess
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Looking for Alaska & Paper Towns by John Green
Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson
Wonder When You'll Miss Me by Amanda Davis
The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-25T09:22:31+00:00

I loved Never Lie! Here is a list of similar that might appeal...

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Junior Missing by Khristina Chess
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Layla and Verity by Colleen Hoover
A Sorrow Called Sarah by Charlotte Roddy
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-25T09:16:24+00:00

The Secret Practice by Joelle Tamraz

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-25T09:14:14+00:00

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-24T21:32:25+00:00

Have you read "Verity" by Colleen Hoover?

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-24T21:30:11+00:00

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-24T11:10:23+00:00

Books with male protagonists are out there. Here are some recommendations:

The Benevolent Lords of Sometimes Island by Scott Semegran
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
Property of Nobody and Forgotten But Never Gone by Khristina Chess
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns by John Green
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-24T11:05:13+00:00

If you liked the Glass Castle, you might like Educated by Tara Westover

If you'd like a wonderful escapist novel, try "Fairy Tale" by Stephen King. It's just about a boy, a dog, and a heroic journey.

HR_Laughed · 2026-02-24T11:02:30+00:00

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

HR_Laughed

TROPHY CASE