Looking for escapism? Lose yourself in a cozy, feel-good YA book!
Lost in Taiwan by Mark Crilley
While on a trip to Taiwan with his brother, Paul finds himself hopelessly lost. His first instinct is to panic–he doesn’t even have a GPS! But a new friend offers to show him the way and show him the beauty of Taiwan. A graphic novel.
Meet Me on Love Street by Farah Heron
Sana is a romantic. Miles does not believe in love. But the two must work together to plan a festival to save their gentrifying neighborhood. Sana believes she can change Miles, too. All she has to do is find him the perfect partner. But her plan for Miles’ new love life might be working a little too well–which is a problem when she starts to fall for Miles herself.
Pumpkinheads by Faith Erin Hicks
Deja and Josiah have worked every year together at the same pumpkin patch. Since this is their last year, Deja insists that Josiah has to talk to the cute coworker he has had a crush on forever. Thus begins a wild night of adventure as the two abandon their jobs to find Josiah’s crush before the pumpkin patch closes. A graphic novel.
If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal
Rochelle has big plans to be valedictorian and get into her dream college. She just has two problems. The first is her academic rival, Amira. The second is that her college applications would look better if she had a job. So she gets one at a local movie theater–only to realize that Amira is now her boss. Things are looking bleak, but as Rochelle starts to get to know Amira better, she starts to realize that Amira isn’t as bad as she thought.
We Could Be Magic by Marissa Meyer
Growing up, Tabitha dreamed of acting as a princess as the Sommerland theme park. However, she quickly realizes that she is not quite what the park is looking for–they would prefer actors who have the same body type as their animated characters. Assigned to work a food cart instead, Tabitha determines not to give up. With the help of her friends and a new crush, she plans to show everyone that she’s worthy of being a princess, too. A graphic novel.
With a Little Luck by Marissa Meyer
Jude has always preferred to stay out of the limelight. But then he suddenly finds himself gifted with extraordinary luck. His art is accepted by favorite fanzine. He even wins concert tickets that he uses to ask out the popular girl he has long had a crush on. But then he loses his luck. And he finds himself wondering why he keeps thinking about his best friend Ari. Has he been in love with the wrong girl the whole time?
Just Another Meet Cute by Jenn P. Nguyen
After being rescued by a cute boy during a hike, Nina is determined to find him, even if she has barely anything to go on, except for his name–Ian. Strangely, however, when she finds him again, he doesn’t remember her–and his name is Ryan. But a meet-cute is a meet-cute, so Nina starts dating him. Only to realize that he has a twin brother named Ian.
XOXO by Axie Oh
Jenny only cares about entrance into a prestigious music conservatory–until the night she meets Jaewoo in a karaoke bar, and gets swept off her feet. Then he disappears. But three months later, she arrives in South Korea only to realize that not only is Jaewoo a student at her school, but he is also a member of a famous K-pop band. Unfortunately, his job means he is forbidden to date. Can true love find a way despite the obstacles?
Maya in Multicolor by Swati Teerdhala
After her freshman romance doesn’t work out, Maya plans to begin again. And the perfect way to do that is to host an amazing Holi festival on her college campus. But the student council assigns Nishant, a notorious playboy, as her co-planner. Maya knows she shouldn’t fall for Nishani. But it’s increasingly difficult not to.
The Sticky Note Manifesto of Aisha Agarwal by Ambika Vohra
For her Stanford admissions essay, straight-A student Aisha Agarwal needs to discuss a time she has left her comfort zone–except she never has. Then a boy pulls up in front of her house, telling her to hop in. So she does. It turns out the driver, Quentin, is failing math. So they strike a deal. Aisha will tutor him, and he will create a bunch of sticky note dares to help Aisha expand her horizons and write that essay.
