YA Reads Trending on BookTok
by Laurie Espino
BookTok — the corner of TikTok where book lovers dwell — has transformed how teen and young adult readers select their books. This community is the place for readers to connect with one another, build like-minded communities, and discover books they’d never think to pick up otherwise. If you spend enough time on there, you’ll notice certain titles mentioned again and again (and again). So instead of mindlessly scrolling through your FYP (For You Page), we’ve rounded up the top titles to help you decide what book to dive into next. From murder mysteries to gut-wrenching tear-jerkers, this list has them all.
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Sinner's Isle
Buy from:Pirates, sea monsters, and witches — oh, my! Rosalinda, a beautiful witch, has been trapped on Sinner’s Island for years, but now she wants out. She teams up with Mariano, the Prince of Pirates. Can the two of them escape before it’s too late? Lose yourself in Rosalinda and Mariano’s swashbuckling adventure, which weaves Mexican folklore with the high seas. It’s perfect for fans of Tricia Levenseller and Alex Aster!
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The Invocations
Buy from:Dark academia meets witches in this twisty thriller. This beautifully written fantasy mystery set in London pits three teens against a serial killer. It’s full of magic, action, and romance. An instant New York Times bestseller, it’s the perfect book if you’re craving crazy plot twists and strong female leads.
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Check & Mate
Buy from:The queen of STEMinist stories has officially made her YA debut! New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood, writer of the much-beloved The Love Hypothesis, gives us the perfect rivals-to-lovers couple. Mallory Greenleaf used to love chess but has sworn it off forever. In need of money, she decides to start competing again for the cash prizes. She catches the attention of Nolan Sawyer, the current world champion. It’s The Queen’s Gambit meets Love, Theoretically.
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Skater Boy
Buy from:Wesley Mackenzie is Stonebridge High’s bad boy. He’s angry, never does his assignments, and hangs with the wrong crowd. He gets butterflies when he meets Tristan Monroe, a ballet dancer performing at the local Nutcracker production. But he’s not out yet, and being with a dancer doesn’t fit his “bad boy image.” In his debut novel, Anthony Nerada gives a coming-of-age story that emotionally explores the importance of overcoming peer pressure, defying toxic masculinity, and being true to oneself.
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Murtagh
Buy from:Internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini introduced us to the magical land of Alagaësia in The Inheritance Cycle series. Now, he continues the story with this follow-up novel. It’s been one year since the events of Inheritance, and a king has been overthrown. Dragon Rider Murtagh, Eragon’s anti-hero half-brother, and his dragon, Thorn, have been banished to the outskirts of the kingdom. When rumors fly about an evil lurking in Alagaësia, the two have nothing to lose and decide to discover the truth. Whether you’re a fan of Eragon from the beginning, or this is your first foray into its magical world, Paolini’s new novel is the perfect read for fantasy lovers everywhere.
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The Girls I've Been
Buy from:As the daughter of a con artist, Nora O’Malley has assumed many identities through the years. But now, she’s (trying to be) an ordinary girl. One day, she and her friends head to the bank to make a deposit, only to find themselves caught in a bank robbery. Is her past life about to catch up with her? Perfect for thriller fans, this fast-paced, roller-coaster ride is one you can’t miss! P.S.: Be sure to mark it off your TBR list before its screen adaptation on Netflix, starring Millie Bobbie Brown.
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Threads That Bind
Buy from:Attention mythology lovers, this one’s for you! Io is a descendant of the Greek Fates, which means she was born with special abilities. Working as a private investigator, her latest assignment is to find out who’s abducting women throughout the city. Enter a unique and action-packed world where magic is real, fates are predetermined, and ancient myths come to life.
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American Royals
Buy from:Calling all royal lovers, this is the series for you! The Washington family has reigned over America since winning the Revolutionary War. That’s where we meet Princess Beatrice, the heir to America’s throne. While Beatrice prepares to become the country’s first queen regent, her twin siblings, Princess Samantha and Prince Jefferson, make headlines with their social life. Love triangles form, hearts get broken, and America changes forever.
Keep the royal drama going with American Royals: Majesty and American Royals: Rivals!
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A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
Buy from:Love true crime? This New York Times bestseller is for you! For her senior project, Pip looks into her town’s infamous murderer, Sal Singh. The case may be closed, but Pip thinks there’s more to the story. The more she digs, the more she realizes Sal might be innocent. It’s not long before Pip starts to fear for her own safety.
Don’t forget to check out the sequels, Good Girl, Bad Blood, and As Good as Dead.
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The Downstairs Girl
Buy from:From the author of Luck of the Titanic comes the story of Jo Kuan, a Chinese-American girl who lives two lives. On the outside, she works as a lady’s maid to a wealthy family in Gilded Age Atlanta. Behind closed doors, she’s the author of “Dear Miss Sweetie,” the city’s newspaper advice column for society’s upper crust. Get lost in Jo’s story as she navigates through the New South while facing racism and classism.
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House of Salt and Sorrows
Buy from:Once upon a time, twelve sisters lived in Highmoor Manor. Now four of them lie dead. But that doesn’t stop those remaining from sneaking out each night to attend glamorous balls and dancing the night away with mysterious strangers. One sister, Annaleigh, is cautious of their nightly rendezvous and fearful another death lingers around the corner. She can’t help but wonder, could she be next? Lose yourself in a magical world of glittering gowns and eerie happenings with Erin A. Craig’s incredible retelling of The Brothers Grimm’s The Twelve Dancing Princesses.
Be sure to catch the sequel, House of Roots and Ruin!
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Girl in Pieces
Buy from:New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Glasgow’s hauntingly beautiful debut novel explores grief and heartbreak through seventeen-year-old Charlotte Davis. At her young age, she’s already lost many important people in her life. The shard of glass numbs the pain. But Charlotte must find the inner strength to put herself back together despite the heartbreaks life throws at her.
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The Gilded Ones
Buy from:Powerful. Captivating. Exciting. There are many ways to describe Forna’s debut novel that became an instant New York Times bestseller. All 16-year-old Deka wanted was to feel like she belonged in her village. But that became impossible when her blood ran gold at her blood ceremony. To avoid punishment, Deka runs away and becomes a warrior. As she trains, Deka realizes nothing is quite what it seems in the empire. Thought-provoking and inspirational, The Gilded Ones features a diverse cast of characters and strong feminist themes that will keep you glued to the page.
Don't miss the rest of the series: The Merciless Ones and The Eternal Ones.
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We Were Liars
Buy from:Expect the unexpected in this #1 New York Times bestseller! Cadence’s wealthy, old-money family spends every summer on a private island on Cape Cod. One year, a mysterious accident leaves Cadence with migraines and bouts of amnesia. As Cadence tries to piece together what happened to her, secrets are revealed, lies unravel, and no one can be trusted. Lockhart’s hauntingly beautiful novel is filled with mystery and suspense. It will keep you on the edge of your seat until its twisted end.
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Six Crimson Cranes
Buy from:This one is for adventure lovers! When Princess Shiori’anma’s forbidden magic reveals itself, her stepmother banishes her and magically transforms her brothers into cranes. Exiled, Shiori decides to set things right in her kingdom with the help of her ex-betrothed. Inspired by The Seven Swans and East Asian fairytales, Six Crimson Cranes is a fantasy adventure with unexpected twists and turns led by a strong female protagonist.
Don't miss the sequel, A Dragon's Promise.
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Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Buy from:Legendary YA author John Green took to TikTok to tout this as one of the best books he's ever read. Childhood besties Sam Masur and Sadie Green created a blockbuster video game together. Fame, fortune, and everything that goes with it come to them at a young age. It’s a dream come true for everyone, but as the years pass, their creative ambitions and need for love might destroy them. Zevin delivers a multi-layered coming-of-age novel about human growth and the evolution of friendships over time with raw, messy, and complicated characters you can’t help but root for.
Disclaimer: While the writing style, subject matter, and themes will appeal to a young audience, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is an adult novel with some scenes that may not be suitable for younger teen readers.
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One of Us Is Lying
Buy from:Five people enter detention, but only four walk out alive. Simon died the day before he planned to publish an exposé about his four classmates. When his death is ruled a murder, the obvious suspects are his classmates that made it out alive — or is that what the killer wants you to think? Fast-paced, addictive, and brilliant, this page-turner will have you wondering, “who done it?!” until the very end!
Don’t miss the #1 New York Times bestselling sequel, One of Us Is Next!
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Some Girls Do
Buy from:After she comes out, elite track athlete Morgan is forced to transfer from her private Catholic school. That’s when she meets Ruby, a bisexual teen beauty queen. Sparks undeniably fly between the two. But while Morgan is ready to show off their new relationship, Ruby isn’t ready to come out. Is their budding romance doomed to die before it truly starts? Swoon-worthy with complex characters, Dugan gives us a thoughtful story about starting over and coming out, complete with the rush that comes with first love.
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Last Night at the Telegraph Club
Buy from:Set in 1954 in San Francisco, this historical fiction novel depicts what it was like being Chinese American at the height of the Red Scare. Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu has fallen hard for Kathleen Miller. But being queer during this challenging time in history has consequences. Winner of the National Book Award, this New York Times bestseller captures one Chinese-American teen’s emotional turmoil and daringness amid racism and homophobia.
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