Age: YA (14+) Genre: Historical Fiction Quick Review of Code Name Verity If your book club likes World War II and sad books, this YA historical fiction is right up your alley. It’s not only sad, though—taut and thrilling, the book features a captured teenage Scottish spy who’s writing her confession for the Gestapo in exchange for extra time to live. Even if you’re a bit cold-hearted like I am, this story will move you to tears. I’ve read my fair share of WWII stories and s

If your book club enjoys YA romance with so-awkward-they’re-hilarious situations, The Name Drop is for you.

The story brings up insightful questions about the pressure parents put on teens, the risks we have to take to find ourselves, and the hidden costs of getting ahead.

This sequel is the sweetest kind of YA romance, but that doesn’t mean it lacks substance. While book clubs can still enjoy rooting for Team Peter vs Team John, they can also delve into conversations about insecurity in relationships, the what-ifs of paths not taken, and the bittersweetness of growing up.

The conclusion to this YA romance trilogy brims with nostalgia—for teenagers’ hopes, dreams, and fears, for the bittersweetness of leaving high school, and for first love in all its glory.

This YA fantasy is a beautiful blend of Western fairytale and Eastern folktale, featuring a cursed princess who needs to grow up fast, learn selflessness, and own the magic that will eventually save her.

In addition to enlightening me on the efforts that go into searching for a lost hiker, this adult literary fiction/mystery/suspense novel also delivered insights into mother-daughter relationships, the burnout that stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic, and what people can learn about themselves out in the woods.

This whimsical YA fantasy (or romantasy) is perfect for readers looking for self-worth themes paired with a Regency-inspired world, magical overtones, and a grumpy/sunshine romance. I

Rather than epic scenes escalating to a punchy climax, the book is dozens of small moments, conversations, and thoughts strung together to make you fall in love as gradually as the characters do.

This fun YA romance is perfect for readers who want to vicariously experience D&D while enjoying delicious romantic tension.