Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Nearing middle age, Toru Watanbe has just arrived in Germany when he hears a song from his college days, “Norwegian Wood” by The Beatles. Toru’s recollections of his youth in Tokyo are set against a backdrop of civil unrest, heartbreak, and friendship. An essential coming of age story, Norwegian Wood details the pains of outgrowing your first loves.
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Aging Rockstar Judas Coyne’s hobby of collecting the macabre finally comes back to haunt him when he purchases a ghost in an online auction. The ghost arrives attached to a suit belonging to a dead man, inside a heart-shaped box. Judas’s life is turned upside down as the ghost begins to wreak havoc, seeking vengeance for one of Judas’s past misdeeds.
I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo
Varsity soccer star and student body president Desi Lee has almost everything worked out, except for how to flirt with boys. Years of shared bonding with her dad over K-dramas have taught Desi a thing or two, or so she thinks. Desi hatches a plan to win over the boy of her dreams using a classic K-drama formula in this bright YA romcom. Several of Goo’s other novels also have musical titles if you’re in the mood for more sweet YA rom-coms.
How To Save a Life by Sara Zarr
The mid-2000s medical dramas called, and they said we can borrow this title. Call Jill mean, cynical, anti-social even, but she has an excuse. Her dad died and nothing is going to change that. Jill’s mom wants to adopt a new baby, almost to fill the gap left behind. Mandy, on the other hand, knows what it is like to feel left over. When she finds out she’s pregnant, she decides to place her baby up for adoption, in the hopes that her baby will grow up feeling happy and safe. Together, Mandy and Jill must work to carve new paths for themselves.
All the Single Ladies by Rebecca Traister
I’m only slightly cheating by including this title. I think Beyoncé would be okay with it. All the Single Ladies is an exploration of the current lives of unmarried American women. Traister uses history and contemporary anecdotes as background to show how the lives of unmarried/late married women have shaped American culture.
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Kansas and fun. Fans can enjoy this YA fantasy with magic, teenage angst, and wit. Simon Snow is in his final year at Watford School of Magicks. In between annoying roommate troubles, worrying about a prophesy, and magic dead spots, there is hardly time for school work. No matter, Simon and his brilliant best friend, Penelope, have a knack for sorting this sort of thing out.
Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Every year, best friends Sloane and Emily make an epic summer to-do list. Then Sloan disappears, leaving only a to-do list behind. The tasks are typical confidant and bold Sloane, way out of Emily’s comfort zone. Will finishing the list (with the help of Frank, of all people) bring Sloane back?
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Kathy H.’s childhood spent at the austere Hailsham boarding school leaves her a lonesome adult, working as a caregiver for organ donors. Along with childhood friends Ruth and Tommy, Kathy is fated to eventually become one of these organ donors. It is the way their lives were planned to go. Never Let Me Go is an examination of societal morality, bound in a heartrending story of love and discovery.
Chasing Pavements by Neha Yasmin
London-based singer Jamie is still pining after his childhood love when Mukti enters his life and shakes him out of his creative stupor. Torn between his loyalty to his first love and his new interest in Mukti, Jamie’s life is more upside down than ever before.
Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell
There are actually quite a few books with this iconic ABBA bop as a title. In Mansell’s novel, Cleo is forever on the hunt for Mr. Right. She thinks she’s finally found him in handsome gentleman, Will. However, Cleo’s old crush/bully comes back into her life, now successful and just as charming. If audiobooks are more your speed, check out these 7 Terrific Audiobooks with Theatrical Narrators. See our Music archives for more playlist inspiration.
