American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.” His quote is a reminder of the way books can shape someone’s life and provide a way of escape. Below are books that deserve more recognition for their plots: 

“#murdertrending” written by Gretchen McNeil, is a near-future dystopian novel following our main character, Dee Guerreva, a teenage girl who gets accused of murdering her step-sister. Instead of the classic death sentence we know of, in this world you get sent to an island for your death to be broadcast to the public for their enjoyment. But when she manages to escape her first death, she now has to try to survive the rest of the broadcast as she journeys through surviving on Alcatraz 2.0. This novel is full of unexpected plot twists, subtle romance, constant betrayal and the need for success, #murdertrending is a must for one’s TBR list.

“The Obsession” by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a book I highly recommend as it was one of the first few books that got me into reading. The book follows our main character, Delilah, who has a stalker named Logan who delusionally believes he’s the one meant to be for her. He goes so far as to secretly place cameras that spy on her from afar. Strings get tied when Logan witnesses Delilah killing her step-father and finds it the perfect way to blackmail her into a relationship. A book that will leave one wanting to flip the page at two A.M despite having to get up early in the morning, “The Obsession” is a perfect fast-paced thriller novel.

“Divine Rivals” written by Rebecca Ross, is an easy to read fantasy with everyone’s favorite style: dual POV. Iris works as a journalist who makes little pay and lives alongside her alcoholic mother. With much pressure from her rude boss, alongside a mother who’s not mentally present, she seeks comfort by writing letters to her brother who is fighting in the battle between the two nation’s two powerful rulers which can end with the death of thousands. But instead of actually sending the letters to her brother, she slips them under her closet which provides her some sense of comfort in letting her emotions out. Little does she know that through some magical force, the letters are slipping into the room of her journalistic enemy, Roman. Throughout this they develop a bond through their words but still despise each other in real life. As the story goes on, they realize how much they truly need each other, and the string that is inching them closer to one another. Rebecca Ross manages to perfectly capture the feeling of a slow burn that emphasizes the thin line between love and hate. This is one of my favorite enemies to lovers that isn’t too corny.

Best known for her “Shatter Me” series, Tahereh Mafi wrote the emotionally stunning novel, “An Emotion of Great Delight.” The story takes place in 2003, following Shadi, a Muslim teenager dealing with multiple struggles, which include Islamaphobia, and the loss of her brother, and her father struggling with an illness all while looking for her own hope in the world. Throughout the story, she deals with friendship feuds, having a crush and dealing with her blurry identity. This story is not often talked about which I think needs to change. It’s stunning, breathtaking, emotional and is for sure a novel that will not bore someone.

The first book I completed that made me start my reading journey is “All These Bodies” by Kendare Blake. This is a thrilling YA murder mystery taking place in 1958. After a series of murders have erupted in the Midwest, people are filled with anger and want justice to whoever the ruthless killer is. But people are more concerned with how every victim of the killer is drained of their blood. Tensions start to rise when Marie Catherine Hale is spotted at a crime scene making her the main suspect, even though she is just a teen. On top of this, she only talks to the son of the sheriff, Michael Jensen who is aspiring to become a journalist but he never expected this to be his first story. I highly recommend this book, especially if you have never read any mysteries, this is an amazing book to start with. 

If any of these books interest you, you can get them on your Kindle, Libby, Barnes & Nobles, your local library and more!