Are you looking for reading recommendations for teens? We can help! Visit us in person or online to get great ideas for your next great read. For one-on-one help call or ask a Library staff member at any of our locations. You can also call, text, or email ask-a- librarian! Here are some more ideas to help you find what to read next.
- Follow our staff’s most recently published book lists on the library catalog home page.
- Don’t miss our If You Like… suggestions that cover all the favorite genres like science fiction, graphic novels, romance, and more.
- Join us Sunday nights at 8:30 p.m. on Facebook for Currently Reading where book enthusiasts offer their suggestions.
- Tune in every other Wednesday at 10 a.m. to the Indy Now Book Club with Ryan and Jillian on Fox59 for reading recommendations and IndyPL program highlights from your own local librarians.
- You can also get reading recommendations online from NovelList or Book Connections. Read book reviews, see “read alike” lists, browse starred reviews, and more.
Make a selection from one of the book lists below created by our staff of avid readers whose reading experiences and tastes cover about any interest you can think of!
Staff Picks 2024- Best of Teen
Enjoy this list of our favorite YA reads of 2024, which spans genres. Enjoy dark academia, fake dating, poetry, comic adventures, subverted fantasy tropes, heists, D&D, and more!
Don’t forget that this year, we’ve included our favorite selections from the back catalog, in the hopes you can get your hands on a book you’ll love right now.
Sports Manga & Anime
Manga and anime cover a wide variety of genres, including sports! Even if you aren’t a big sports fan, these titles still have great characters and often page-turning plots! From volleyball and basketball to figure skating, cycling, and competitive card games, there’s a title for just about everyone!
What to Read Next Based on Your Favorite Taylor Swift Song
Don’t see your favorite song? Head over to your local branch and ask which librarian is a Swifty and they’ll help you figure it out!
Korean Manhwa
Known as manhwa (만화), these graphic novels were originally published in Korean. Manhwa is the general term for comics and print cartoons in South Korea. Manhwa is often inspired by Japanese manga, but there are a few key differences. Unlike manga, manhwa is typically read from left to right and usually features color illustrations. There are a variety of genres represented on this list and each title is labeled with the intended audience. If you’re a fan of K-dramas, you might recognize a few of these titles as several have been adapted for television and film.
Teen Books Featuring Podcasts
Podcasts keep getting more popular! According to statistics by Infinite Dial, almost half of Americans 12 and older have listened to a podcast in the last month. From True Crime to Politics to Entertainment to History, almost any topic is fair game for podcasting. It’s only natural that this popularity would affect the world of books too! These teen books feature podcasts. The main character is the podcaster or a podcast is produced by someone else and affects the main character in some crucial way.
Teen Fiction without Romance
Sometimes I find myself just wanting to read some dramatic, adventurous teen fiction… without the characters trying to get all in each other’s business all the time. Here are some titles for if you can relate to that sentiment.
100 Books Before Graduation
Read 100 books before graduating from high school and receive prizes as you work toward your goal. Prizes will be awarded after reading 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 books! Most importantly, students will expand their mind, vocabulary, critical thinking, and test scores! This program is for students in grades 7-12. Learn more about 100 Books Before Graduation and register.
Dungeon and Dragons Stories
This list is a look at some stories of dungeon divers, dungeon clubs, dungeon trainers and dungeons in general. Enjoy! See our full listing of Dugneon and Dragon upcoming programs.
In-Person & Online Book Discussions for Teens
- Event: Tween Graphic Novel Book Club
- Date & Time: Saturday, January 04, 2:00pm
- Location: Lawrence Branch
- Description: Join the Tween Graphic Novel Book Club as we share our thoughts on this month’s read, “Lo and Behold.” Children ages 9-12 are invited to attend and new members are always welcome!
- Register Here