I’ve seen a few things in books that I’ve loved, so I wanted to talk about a few types of books I want to read more of. Some of these are books I think deserve more attention and books like those, and some are just some types of books I personally like in novels. Let’s get started!
Books with sex-positivity
I haven’t read many books that portray sex in a positive light or deal with it head-on, but I really want to see more of it. The stigma around sex needs to be stopped because sex is a natural thing and something that shouldn’t be hidden from young readers. I would recommend FIRSTS by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn because portrays sex very well, and it also has a lovely, lovely cover.
Books with LGBTQ+
I feel like LGBTQ+ books are increasing in number, which I fully support and adore. I think it’s important that young adult books (and books in general) need to have accurate representations of people, especially LGBTQ+ people. I would recommend UNICORN TRACKS by Julia Ember or WE ARE THE ANTS by Shaun David Hutchinson because I think both books really express what it’s like to be human.
Books with villain main characters
I have only read one book with this concept, and I loved it! I think this idea really helps show a different side of the story and brings out some moral debates regarding the villains and their actions. I read THE YOUNG ELITES by Marie Lu and adored this concept. I want more!
Books with girls who have to disguise as boys
This is a personal preference, but I find books like these super fun to read. I personally haven’t read many, but the whole concept just seems so exciting and creative. I hear WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER has that concept, and although I haven’t read it yet, I hope to read it just in time for the sequel to come out.
Books with Western settings
Again, this is a concept that I’m not very familiar with, but I think this setting is really interesting and something you don’t see very often in young adult literature. I have only heard of two books with Western settings—WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER by Rae Carson and VENGEANCE ROAD by Erin Bowman. Hopefully in the near future, there’ll be more!
Books with a retelling of the Titanic
This is a weird personal preference, but when I was younger, I was absolutely obsessed with the Titanic. I’d borrow like, 20 books on the Titanic and read them, and I’ve seen the movie countless times, so I would love to have a fictional account of the Titanic’s sinking.
arctic books 
Is it weird that we agree on all of these? Books with sex-positivity is something I’ve been craving for a while. And a retelling of the Titanic should be amazing but soo heartbreaking!
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I think that’s awesome! Have you read FIRSTS yet? Thank you!
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I haven’t, but it’s on my TBR, not sure when I’ll get to it though…
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A Titanic retelling would be amazing! Great ideas!!!
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Ah, thank you!
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Ah, I really like all of these! Especially books with sex positivity, LGBTQIA+ characters, and books about villains.
I think we need books that explore sex in a positive and safe way, because more often than not it is glossed over in fiction AND real life.
I will always champion diversity, and we are always in need of more LGBTQIA+ books. I have yet to read the titles you recommended, so I will definitely get on that!
As for books with villainous characters, if you haven’t read Vicious by V.E. Schwab, then you definitely should! It’s not YA, but it is kind of a cross-over, since there are college-ages characters, and a child character, as well!
If you’re looking for a fictitious account of the Titanic, there is Fateful by Claudia Gray! I haven’t read it, so I don’t know if it’s any good, haha XD
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Definitely! Those are great recommendations; I’ve heard so many good things about them, so I’m definitely going to check them out. Thank you! 🙂
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I love this and agree with all of your choices. If you’re after a great sex positive book I highly recommend Summer Skin by Kirsty Eagar! One of my absolute favs of 2016 so you should definitely check it out.
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Ooh, that looks good! Thank you for the rec!
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LOVE this post, Ali! I agree with so many of your points, esp more villainous main characters and a Titanic retelling! I never thought about that but now I want one too.
I recently read First and I really, really enjoyed it, esp since the sex positivity and the protagonist was really complex. I also love The Young Elites – have you read The Rose Society yet? I think it reaaaaally develops the story to a whole new level and Adelina becomes even more twisted (and yet I still love her)!
Walk on Earth a Stranger was the last book that I read and I enjoyed that too! Now that you mention it, I haven’t read many books in a Western setting – the only ones I’ve read were Walk on Earth a Stranger and True Grit. But I’d love to read more books in that setting. 😍
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Thank you so much, CW! I’m definitely looking forward to reading The Rose Society; I read TYE a while ago so I need a reread. I’m glad we agree on so much!
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If you’re looking for books where the MC disguises herself as a boy, try Tamora Pierce’s The Song of the Lioness series! It’s about a girl who disguises herself as a boy so she can train to become a knight. It’s really good!
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Interesting! Thank you; I’ll check it out! 🙂
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[…] I talked about 6 types of young adult novels that I want to see more of. […]
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