Gift ideas for Young Adult (YA) Readers
With December fast approaching, it can only mean that Christmas time is just around the corner. Sometimes it’s near impossible to pick out what Christmas presents to gift teens. With so many choices and genres on the market these days, it can almost seem like a never-ending whirlpool of princesses, assassins and villains when shopping online! That’s why we’ve put together a gift guide for young adult book lovers, which should help you pick out some great books for your teens.
What are Young Adult Books, and why are they so popular?
Social media is a massive influencer in today’s generation of teens. In recent years, it has caused a substantial increase within the publishing and book-buying industry. Whether it’s Bookstagram or BookTok, digital platforms are one of the most influential tools that are propelling reading and literacy rates among teens and young adults today.
The Young Adult Fiction category primarily targets readers aged 14-18. These are typically the ages of the main characters in YA books, so they’re often in emotional situations the audience relates to. However, Young Adult fiction encompasses a broad variety of genres ranging from dystopian, fantasy, contemporary fiction, science-fiction, romance, and even graphic novels - just to name a few! This list will be split into book recommendations for each genre to inspire you to find new reads for your teen, whether they’re a casual page-turner or an avid bibliophile!
Romance Books
Whether it’s a cheesy teen sobfest, an awkward romantic encounter, or a hard-hitting enemies-to-lovers novel, Young Adult romance books are among the most popular genres for teens.
And who better to kick off this festive gift guide than one of the most popular
authors on BookTok at the moment- the one and only Colleen Hoover? Some of her most recent books have taken over the bookish community by storm, specifically the It End With Us Series By Colleen Hoover 2 Books Collection Set.
It Ends with Us follows the main character, Lily, who graduated from college and moved to Boston to open a flower shop. There, she meets and develops feelings for surgeon Ryle Kincaid, who is initially reluctant to have a relationship with her. And who else comes strolling into her life other than the lovely Atlas Corrigan - Lily’s first love? And now, everything she has built up with Ryle is threatened.
The sequel, It Starts With Us, follows Lilly and Atlas’ alternating perspectives following the first novel. Like most of Hoover’s books, these books touch on some heavy themes, so they would be better suited for older teens aged 17+. Nonetheless, this book is heart-wrenching, swoon-worthy and ultimately unputdownable!
Another BookTok sensation popular among teens is the Twisted Series by Ana Huang 4 Books Collection. These four paperback novels can each be read as a standalone and dive into the steamy and complicated relationship between possessive and domineering men and the women who melt their icy hearts. This collection features Twisted Love, Twisted Games, Twisted Hate and Twisted Lies.
The first book in the series, Twisted Love, is a modern take on the grumpy love interest falling for the upbeat heroine in this slow-burn romance. A moody and brooding character, Alex Volkov is driven by an inescapable tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life. But when he is forced to look after his best friend’s sister, he feels something in his chest: a crack, a melt, a fire that could change his life as he knows it. Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she cannot remember. But despite her broken past, she cannot help but see the good in the world, including the heart that lies beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn’t want.
Huang has created a host of complex and intriguing characters that breeze past the age-old trope of cheesy teen romances. With relatable characters and suspenseful storylines, it’s hard not to fall head over heels for this series.
Science Fiction & Fantasy (SFF) Books
SFF, more commonly referred to as Science Fiction and Fantasy, covers fiction that is set in an imagined future or world and often encompasses speculative elements that do not exist in reality - magic, advanced future technology and even weird and wonderful creatures.
Let’s kick off this section with a sci-fi fantasy favourite, V. E. Schwab. Author of
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Schwab’s earlier works have seen a resurgence in popularity, especially with her Vicious and Vengeful 2 Books Collection Set. This duology follows the story of Victor and Eli, brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys. In their shared ambition, they discover that, under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary super-human abilities. But when their thesis moves from purely academic research into the experimental, things go horribly wrong. Fresh out of prison, ten years later, Victor is determined to catch up to his old friend and now foe. Meanwhile, Eli is on a sacred mission to eradicate every super-human he can find. Set on a course for revenge, who will be left alive in this gripping tale? Stored in a beautiful slipcase, this duology makes the most stunning gift this Christmas.
From R2-D2 to the Terminator and even HAL 9000, robots are an integral part of science fiction literature. Among the emerging authors of today’s generation, many teens still turn to the classics from some of the most notable authors that have helped shape the genre into what it is today. With this in mind, we cannot help but mention the most prolific writer of science fiction - Isaac Asimov and his most notable work, The Robot Series 6 Books Collection Set. This collection features two books of his iconic short stories and four novels set in the same universe.
In these books, Asimov introduced the famous Three Laws of Robotics, inspiring the real-world development of robotic engineering and artificial intelligence. What happens when a robot begins to question its creators? What would be the consequences of creating a robot with a sense of humour? Or the ability to lie? How do we truly tell the difference between man and machine? Are they really alive? Asimov presents an entertaining and thought-provoking narrative that touches on these existential questions about the future of humanity and artificial life. With six books in this collection, these make the most incredible gifts for any science fiction fanatic. After this, why not follow straight on with the Foundation series, now a TV show on Apple TV+?
Manga & Graphic Novels
Great for both reluctant readers and avid fans, graphic novels are a fantastic choice for a Christmas gift. Whether it’s superheroes, crime, challenging memoirs or laugh-out-loud comic strips, you’re sure to find the right choice for your teen.
One of our bestselling graphic novels is Heartstopper by Alice Oseman:
We have just the box set for those manga and anime lovers out there! Check
out the Demon Slayer Complete Box Set: Includes volumes 1-23 with premium by Koyoharu Gotouge Paperback. Now a hit anime series, check out the manga telling the story of Tanjiro Kamado, who lives in a fictional world set in early 20th-century Taishō-era Japan, where man-eating demons roam the land. Thirteen-year-old Tanjiro strives to become a Demon Slayer after his family was slaughtered by these demons. In his efforts, he tries to find a cure for the sole survivor of the attack, his sister, who is slowly turning into a demon herself.
This whopping box set contains the complete saga of Demon Slayer in one epic collection! This is definitely one gift your teens won’t be disappointed with this Christmas. Along with all 23 volumes of the global hit Demon Slayer, included in the box set is an exclusive Demon Slayer Corps: Special Report booklet AND a double-sided poster.
Merry Christmas from Books2Door!
Give the gift of books this Christmas! Whether it’s for a loved one or a little one, check out some of our Christmas boxes and Bundles for kids and teens of all ages and interests. Also, check out our Christmas Books page, where you can shop by bestsellers, age and even budget. In these collections, you’ll find a range of wonderful books and stocking fillers at the best and most affordable prices. They’re perfect if you’re shopping on a budget but don’t want to compromise on quality, brand-new books.
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, we wish you a Happy Holiday from all of us at Books2Door. And we hope you have a happy new year!