It’s that time where I dole out recommendations according to what kind of mood you might be in at random — whether that be an actual mood or a specific type of book. Check out past Whatcha In the Mood For recs!
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE if you could also leave some recs for my categories in the comments to further help people looking for books that fit! Also, have a good idea for a category or something you have been looking for? Leave it in the comments!
Want an underrated contemporary YA?
Why? It’s a more quiet contemporary YA about a nineteen year old ballerina in a super prestigious and competitive ballet company. Her whole life has been devoted and she’s been used to juggling everything else in life around it…until she meets Jacob and gets a taste for the freedom outside of a life of professional ballet which makes her question if this is what she really wants for her life. The ballet descriptions are so vivid and transports you right into this world! (even more thoughts on Bunheads by Sophie Flack)
Want a fun YA Davinci Code sort of book?
The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall
Why? This book was a really fun YA thriller/mystery that will have you traipsing around the world to figure out a mystery that is rooted in an ancient prophecy. It’s got a dangerous secret society of powerful people, conspiracies, secrets and lies and some eye candy for the main character. I didn’t looove the romance that much, if I’m being honest, but I still had fun with this one and am on board for the next book.
Want a book to fill the void until Orphan Black comes back?
The Unquiet by Mikaela Everett
Why? Okay so it wasn’t Orphan Black level (but what can be as good as Orphan Black) but I really loved this YA science fiction standalone in which there are two parallel earths and the one earth is trying to plant sleeper agents to replace their copy on the other planet so they can take it over because their planet is dying. It was unflinching and brutal! (even more thoughts on The Unquiet by Mikaela Everett)
Want an addictive historical trilogy?
Why? The 1920’s! Flappers! Speakeasies! Jazz! Mobsters! Glitz! Forbidden romance! It’s sooo addictive because Jillian Larkin just transports you into this dangerous and alluring story. (even more thoughts on Vixen by Jillian Larkin)
Fancy a great paranormal romance series?
Why? I read this when I thought I was over YA paranormal romance type series and I kind of didn’t think I’d be into it because…angels?… A love triangle? I was wrong. OH was I wrong. I DEVOURED this series. With gorgeous Wyoming as a backdrop, Cynthia Hand will mesmerize you with her irresistible story of angels, love, destiny and free will. (Even more thoughts on Unearthly by Cynthia Hand)
Have you read any of these? Agree/disagree with my recs? Have any to add?? Also, if you have a specific mood you think I should do next time….drop that in the comments!
P.S. Best YA Historical Books/ Books To Read If You Are in the Mood For YA Books Set Outside the US // top ten books for people who enjoy not-so-easy-to-like characters
Rachel Lightwood @ Quite the Novel Idea says
I love the Unearthly series so much! It seems so cliched at first, so I steered clear of it, but damn, it was so much more than I thought it would be. And the ending was perfect. I couldn’t have been happier.
The Vixen series sounds amazing. I’ve been in such a historical mood lately and the 1920s was such a fantastic era. I’ll definitely be checking it out.
Jamie says
YES I felt the same thing as well about Unearthly! Even in the first chapter or so I was like…oh man. But this trilogy was just incredible and way more than I thought it would be.
I hope you enjoy Vixen if you give it a try! It’s such a fun trilogy! I haven’t read it but I own Bright Young Things which is another 1920’s YA series!
Rachel Lightwood @ Quite the Novel Idea says
I’ve requested Vixen from the library so hopefully I’ll love it. Ooh, I’ve heard of that one so I’ll have to check that out too – thanks.
And I forgot to recommend Styx & Stones by James Ziskin on your other post. It’s set in the 1960s (so a bit later than you’d like) but it’s about a women trying to be an investigative journalist (so pretty much a detective for a newspaper) and it’s got great writing. A little heavy, definitely, but it’s really good.
Kate @ Mom's Radius says
Bunheads and The Conspiracy of Us both sound really good. I added them to my list. Thanks for the recommendations!
Mackenzie @ Keyboards & Coffee says
I keep seeing the Unearthly series but I always steer clear because I had the same thought…angels…love triangle…UGH. But I think I might pick it up now.
Jamie says
I’ll be honest the first couple chapters had me not thinking it was going to be the greatest but oh man this series just gets so intense and great from book one until the end. I only like love triangles when I think they are done well and this one was one of my faves. I’ll be curious what you think if you read it!
Inah @ The Bibliophile Confessions says
I did devour the Unearthly Series too! And I had a great time reading it! As for the others, I’m gonna need to check them out because they’re really promising! Hope I could read them all soon!
Lauren @ Bookmark Lit says
Ooooh a few of these are on my TBR! As far as underrated contemporaries go, I always recommend Aspen by Rebekah Crane and The One Thing by Marci Lyn Curtis. I loved both of the MCs and stories soooo much. I never see them get enough love!
Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic says
I actually had Bunheads but then I gave it away and now that I’m taking ballet classes and hearing good things about the book I’m like why did I do that?! Haha! I will check if my library has these! 😀
Kathleen S. Allen says
I have magical realism YA recs: THE DIVINERS and LAIR OF DREAMS by Libba Bray. WHITE CAT series by Holly Black, THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS by Anna-Marie McLemore, and MAGONIA by Maria Devana Headley.
For YA fantasy: A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC and THE GATHERING OF SHADOWS by V.E.Schwab, TRUTHWITCH by Susan Dennard (not read yet but will soon!).
Meg says
Bun heads sounds fantastic! Thank you for the recommendation! -Meg ebooksandcooks.com
Jamie says
Your are welcome! 🙂 Hope you enjoy it if you check it out!
Caitlin says
The Unquiet sounds really interesting! It reminds me of another YA novel I read a few years ago about overlapping parallel universes, but I can’t remember what it was called! Just that it had a yellow and black cover. Oh well, The Unquiet sounds better than this other novel was anyway!
Jamie says
Hmmm I’m trying so hard to think about what book that could be!! The Unquiet was definitely one of those books I didn’t have the HIGHEST of expectations for but it delivered for me. It was more brutal than I had imagined it.
Caitlin says
I know this is really late to be posting this comment but I finally stumbled across the name of that book! It was ‘All Our Yesterdays’ by Cristin Terrill. Sorry, just had to get that off my chest! 🙂
Kristilyn (A Little Time To Read) says
Bunheads is soooo good! I love that one! And I definitely want to check out Vixens … it looks interesting!
Tasya says
I also think I’m so done with the whole angel and nephilim thing, but when I read Unearthly I am hooked and finished the trilogy in no time! Thanks for the other recs 😀