5 Binge-Worthy Books for Teens Who Hate to Read

Some kids seem to be born with a book in their hands, while others only pick up a book when it’s necessary. As they get older, the gap seems to become even wider between the two.

You know the importance of being a proficient reader and the benefits of enjoying a good book as a means of escape, relaxation, and even education. At this age, it is pretty difficult to force your teen to read – or do – anything. What you can do is provide some fiction books that just might entice your young adult to read the cover, flip through the pages, and maybe, just maybe, give the first chapter a try.

These five books feature characters, plots, and themes that are compelling without being overwhelming:

All Men of Genius

By Lev AC Rosen

Even though she’s brilliant, Violet Adams can’t attend Illyria College, which is the greatest scientific institution in the steampunk version of Victorian London that is Violet’s world. The young and gifted inventor is unwilling to give up on her dream, so she takes on her twin brother’s identity and gains acceptance to the school.

Things quickly become muddled in Violet’s personal life and in those of the people around her. Headmaster Duke Ernest Illyria knows Violet socially and is falling in love with her, but is thrown by his unexplainable attraction to “Ashton,” Violet’s alter ego. Ashton’s friend has a crush on Cecily, who is the headmaster’s ward, but she only has eyes for Ashton.

In addition to the romantic confusion is the question of ethics when it comes to innovation: Is it acceptable to transplant parts from one animal to another in the hopes of engineering an improved version? Should those with superior intelligence govern society for its own good?

This book is recommended for older teens as it does have references to sexual orientation and relationships, strong language, and moral challenges.

And We Stay

By Jenny Hubbard

Emily is struggling at the Amherst School for Girls. Her parents sent her there after Paul, her boyfriend, showed up at school with a gun. He had threatened Emily at first, but in the end the only life he took was his own.

She writes poems that help her cope, learn, and grow. These verses also give readers insight into Emily’s state of mind. Her flashbacks fill in the blanks about her relationship with Paul and her life prior to Amherst. In addition, she believes that the late poet and ASG alumni Emily Dickinson speaks to her.

The lyrical writing and scandalous storyline will have teens captivated from the first chapter.

Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie

By Jordan Sonnenblick

The title alone may be intriguing enough to prompt teens to pick up this book. Steven’s brother Jeffrey is five years younger than he is. Jeffrey idolizes Steven as does everyone else.

He does, that is, until the day that Jeffrey falls off a kitchen stool. He hits his nose and blood is everywhere. Steven’s mom rushes Jeffrey to the emergency room where they learn he has leukemia.

Now Steven’s world is falling apart. His mom has to stay miles away at a hospital with Jeffrey. His dad works every waking hour and never talks about anything. Steven can’t focus on school, the family is in debt, he’s terrified that Jeffrey will die, and there is nothing he can do to fix any of it.

Teens who have gone through family trauma will find this book highly relatable. Those who have not will gain new insight into the lives of their peers.

The 5th Wave

By Rick Yancey

Whether they have seen the major motion picture adaptation or not, teens will find this book riveting. Sixteen year-old Cassie desperately wants to rescue her little brother when an alien invasion has rocked the world.

The aliens hit the planet with five attacks or “waves,” ranging from shorting out all electronic devices to a plague that eradicates 97 percent of the world’s population to the Silencers, who are aliens in human form seeking to take out the remaining survivors.

Cassie’s parents are dead and her 5-year-old brother has been taken to a child soldier training camp. Her only desire is to save him. There is no way she can do this alone, but it’s nearly impossible to trust anyone else.

Seven, the Series

By Various Authors

Okay, so this is not a single book but an entire series, yet it deserves to be included in this list. Although it is a series, a different author wrote each title and they can be read in any order because they all take place simultaneously.

Is your curiosity piqued yet?

David McLean was a great adventurer who passed away. He was also a beloved grandfather of seven young men. Upon his death, David’s grandsons learn that he has left each of them a letter assigning them all individual tasks as part of his will.
The boys in the books are as varied as the authors’ writing styles. In addition, there are now seven sequels and prequels in the series to keep teens reading for months to come.

With so many titles from which to choose, you may not know where to start. Pick one or two books that seem best suited to your reluctant reader’s personality and then offer it as a suggestion. Alternatively, you might want to place it on a bedside table with an attractive bookmark or a plate of cookies. You could wind up with a willing reader on your hands.

Which of these books do you think your teen would enjoy reading? How do you encourage your teen to pick up a book more often? Share with us!

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Tags : books   novels   teens   



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