Khristina Chess's Blog, page 2
February 23, 2022
February 9, 2022
New Release Giveaway - Check It Out!
I'm offering a GIVEAWAY for my new YA contemporary, The Cutting Edge of Friendship, on Goodreads right now:
Book Giveaway for The Cutting Edge of Friendship
100 Kindle copies are available. Enter to win before March 8.
Book Giveaway for The Cutting Edge of Friendship
100 Kindle copies are available. Enter to win before March 8.
January 26, 2022
Books You’ll Love If You Enjoyed Girl in Pieces
Girl in Pieces is one of the top YA novels about self-harming and cutting. This wonderful story was the kind of book that kept pulling me away to a quiet room to curl up with a cup of tea and a lamp until I finished. I had to know what was going to happen to Charlie. I had to know whether or not she was going to be okay in the end. Because although she seemed to be making progress, this guy in her life wasn't a good choice for her. And then her friend from the hospital shows up, and she doesn't seem to be a good direction either. And if you've ever known addiction or seen someone struggling with recovery from anything, you know that the line is so easy to cross.
Find your next great read by exploring my reviews of these YA books if you loved Girl in Pieces.
1. The Cutting Edge of Friendship
“Sometimes my inside hurts so bad that I need to make the outside hurt worse so the inside will stop. ~ Sadie” ― Khristina Chess, quote from The Cutting Edge of Friendship
Sadie and Elana are keeping dangerous secrets.
Best friends since elementary school, they know everything about each other, but on the night of the fireworks, something terrible happened to Sadie that she hasn’t told anyone. She can’t even say the word to herself. Instead, she’s started cutting to deal with the pain.
Elana has a secret of her own; she’s texting Hunter and making plans for a clandestine meeting with him. She doesn’t know what he did or why he really wants to keep their relationship secret.
To end this dangerous cat-and-mouse game, Sadie must reclaim her courage and rescue Elana before a rapist can attack again.
If you loved Girl in Pieces, you won’t want to miss this thrilling story about the complicated nature of friendship, cutting, and the aftermath of sexual assault.
2. Willow
“It's hard to keep a secret when it's written all over your body.” – Julia Hoban, Willow
In this complex novel about self-harming and grief, I met the wonderful character of Willow. She is an orphan with terrible secrets. Guilt. Pain. Numbness. And love.
I can’t speak about whether or not Willow suffers from a deep self-harming mental illness, or if she’s simply a teenager who doesn’t know how to deal with the terrible things that happened in her life. Cutting seems like an answer. She feels alone and sad. At any rate, the book felt emotional and honest to me. I loved reading her story and connecting with her pain as she journeyed to wholeness.
Be sure to check out this thought-provoking and heartbreaking YA book that wrestles with cutting, grief, and the healing power of love.
3. Every Last Word
“Everyone's got something. Some people are just better actors than others.” – Tamara Ireland Stone
I loved everything about this book. Sam is a wonderful, flawed character with a lovely story to share. Although on the surface she looks like a typical teenager with the normal set of diverse friends and interests, she is something else. She has a secret, OCD, which she hides from everyone.
Watching her new friendships and romantic relationship with AJ develop was compelling, and I was pleasantly surprised by some of the plot twists along the way. The poetry is awesome! Everything about Sam's world felt very vivid and rich--Poet's Corner, the swimming pool, Sue's office... The Odometer! There is so much depth to this novel. What a satisfying read all around.
Readers who loved Girl in Pieces also liked this one, and I can see how they’re rated as similar. It’s about having the secret life.
4. We Were Liars
“Life feels beautiful that day. The four of us Liars, we have always been. We always will be. No matter what happens as we go to college, grow old, build lives for ourselves; no matter if Gat and I are together or not. No matter where we go, we will always be able to line up on the roof of Cuddledown and gaze at the sea. This island is ours. Here, in some way, we are young forever.” ― E. Lockhart, We Were Liars
What an unexpected and beautiful story!
I wasn’t sure I’d like this book, but I fell in love with it. By the end it made me cry. We Were Liars is about a group of privileged young friends and their lies, family secrets, grief, and love. It’s a mystery. The beautiful and disorienting plot will leave you breathless until the very end.
If you haven’t picked this one up yet, do yourself a favor. It’s a whirlwind read.
What about you? Do you have any recommendations about self-harming to add to my list? If you enjoyed Girl in Pieces, are there other similar books you loved?
Khristina Chess is the author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Goodreads and on Twitter.
Find your next great read by exploring my reviews of these YA books if you loved Girl in Pieces.
1. The Cutting Edge of Friendship
“Sometimes my inside hurts so bad that I need to make the outside hurt worse so the inside will stop. ~ Sadie” ― Khristina Chess, quote from The Cutting Edge of Friendship
Sadie and Elana are keeping dangerous secrets.
Best friends since elementary school, they know everything about each other, but on the night of the fireworks, something terrible happened to Sadie that she hasn’t told anyone. She can’t even say the word to herself. Instead, she’s started cutting to deal with the pain.
Elana has a secret of her own; she’s texting Hunter and making plans for a clandestine meeting with him. She doesn’t know what he did or why he really wants to keep their relationship secret.
To end this dangerous cat-and-mouse game, Sadie must reclaim her courage and rescue Elana before a rapist can attack again.
If you loved Girl in Pieces, you won’t want to miss this thrilling story about the complicated nature of friendship, cutting, and the aftermath of sexual assault.
2. Willow
“It's hard to keep a secret when it's written all over your body.” – Julia Hoban, Willow
In this complex novel about self-harming and grief, I met the wonderful character of Willow. She is an orphan with terrible secrets. Guilt. Pain. Numbness. And love.
I can’t speak about whether or not Willow suffers from a deep self-harming mental illness, or if she’s simply a teenager who doesn’t know how to deal with the terrible things that happened in her life. Cutting seems like an answer. She feels alone and sad. At any rate, the book felt emotional and honest to me. I loved reading her story and connecting with her pain as she journeyed to wholeness.
Be sure to check out this thought-provoking and heartbreaking YA book that wrestles with cutting, grief, and the healing power of love.
3. Every Last Word
“Everyone's got something. Some people are just better actors than others.” – Tamara Ireland Stone
I loved everything about this book. Sam is a wonderful, flawed character with a lovely story to share. Although on the surface she looks like a typical teenager with the normal set of diverse friends and interests, she is something else. She has a secret, OCD, which she hides from everyone.
Watching her new friendships and romantic relationship with AJ develop was compelling, and I was pleasantly surprised by some of the plot twists along the way. The poetry is awesome! Everything about Sam's world felt very vivid and rich--Poet's Corner, the swimming pool, Sue's office... The Odometer! There is so much depth to this novel. What a satisfying read all around.
Readers who loved Girl in Pieces also liked this one, and I can see how they’re rated as similar. It’s about having the secret life.
4. We Were Liars
“Life feels beautiful that day. The four of us Liars, we have always been. We always will be. No matter what happens as we go to college, grow old, build lives for ourselves; no matter if Gat and I are together or not. No matter where we go, we will always be able to line up on the roof of Cuddledown and gaze at the sea. This island is ours. Here, in some way, we are young forever.” ― E. Lockhart, We Were Liars
What an unexpected and beautiful story!
I wasn’t sure I’d like this book, but I fell in love with it. By the end it made me cry. We Were Liars is about a group of privileged young friends and their lies, family secrets, grief, and love. It’s a mystery. The beautiful and disorienting plot will leave you breathless until the very end.
If you haven’t picked this one up yet, do yourself a favor. It’s a whirlwind read.
What about you? Do you have any recommendations about self-harming to add to my list? If you enjoyed Girl in Pieces, are there other similar books you loved?
Khristina Chess is the author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Goodreads and on Twitter.
January 16, 2022
How Goodreads Reading Challenges Keep Me On Track
I don't know about you, but setting a Goodreads Reading Challenge is tough for me. One year, I set it to 12 and easily sailed past that. The next, I upped it to 25 and felt pressured the entire year to reach my goal.
“You’re 2 books behind schedule,” the progress indicator on the Goodreads Home page noted whenever I logged in—as if my life wasn’t stressful enough already.
I might as well add that dismal statistic to the list:
- You’re 10 pounds above goal weight.
- Your department is over-budget.
- The average bounce rate for your website is above 70%, which is officially classified as ‘disappointing’.
Good grief, who wouldn’t want to just turn on Netflix and binge for the next twenty years?
I have friends on Goodreads who are reading machines. They must be professionals or something. One woman had a Reading Challenge of 150 books, and she sailed past that with more than 200 before the year ended. She wasn’t alone with this kind of goal and outcome either. Compared to those readers, I felt like a total failure with my measley 25-book goal.
The thing is—I love reading. When I go on vacation, I take at least 4 novels and devour all of them, often while in transit. It’s not unusual to arrive at my destination with half of my books already consumed. Reading is a joy, not a chore. It’s a guilty pleasure. If anything, I put it off until all my other must-do activities are done for the day, so that by the time I finally sit down to read, I often fall asleep within 10 pages.
So how does a Goodreads Reading Challenge help me stay on track?
1. Competition
I’m a competitive person. If I set a goal, I’ll pour everything into achieving it. This hyper-drive competitive force is a recurring theme in the characters of my own YA novels. A girl decides she wants to be Valedictorian of her class, and nothing will stop her. A girl decides she’s going to lose weight for the prom, and nothing will stop her. A girl decides she has to attend MIT, and nothing will stop her—including an unplanned pregnancy.
If my Goodreads friends can meet their goals of reading 150 books in a year, I can meet my modest challenge of 25. Nothing will stop me. I will not sleep until the work is done. Please pass the caffeine.
2. Visual progress reminder
I’ve made a habit to check Goodreads daily to update progress on my book, so the Reading Challenge progress indicator is right there for me to see. Either I’m “on track” or behind schedule. When I’m racing against a clock, there’s nothing like a stopwatch to kick me into high gear.
The Reading Challenge progress indicator lets me know every day whether I’m still on target to meet my goal—or I’m behind.
3. Congratulations for Success
To motivate me further, when someone else meets their goal, Goodreads posts a banner in my feed so I can celebrate with them.
I celebrate with Jennifer and am simultaneously humiliated by my pittiful progress on 25 books—which I still have not yet completed.
Plus, Goodreads celebrates everyone. Dave isn’t even my friend, but Goodreads is kind enough to show me when HE is done.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy for Dave. Yeah Dave, congratulations! He’s amazing. But his celebration only serves to remind me that I’m still not at goal—and the clock is ticking down to the end of the year.
I need to pick up the pace.
If I wasn’t overwhelmed for being behind in my Reading Challenge before, when I start seeing other people complete Reading Challenges with 5 times more books, I definitely start feeling the heat to complete my own goal.
Parting Thoughts
While setting a reading goal and tracking progress on Goodreads is great, I also see how the Reading Challenge can distort something lovely into a thing of pain. Reading is meant to be a joy to be savored, not a checklist to be rushed and forgotten. Reading is that pleasure best enjoyed on a rainy afternoon with a warm cup of tea or on a beach lounge chair with a cool drink. A good book is as wonderful the second or third time time through as it was on the first.
I never want the challenge to create such anxiety that I dread reading; a 150 book challenge would do that to me. In fact, my challenge for next year will be fewer books.
I’m already excited about my reading list for this year. There are several titles I’m eager to pick up, and this means a trip to the bookstore to wander the shelves for an hour or so—another guilty pleasure of mine.
What about you? What are your goals for next year’s Reading Challenge? Are you going to cover the classics or explore some new authors?
“You’re 2 books behind schedule,” the progress indicator on the Goodreads Home page noted whenever I logged in—as if my life wasn’t stressful enough already.
I might as well add that dismal statistic to the list:
- You’re 10 pounds above goal weight.
- Your department is over-budget.
- The average bounce rate for your website is above 70%, which is officially classified as ‘disappointing’.
Good grief, who wouldn’t want to just turn on Netflix and binge for the next twenty years?
I have friends on Goodreads who are reading machines. They must be professionals or something. One woman had a Reading Challenge of 150 books, and she sailed past that with more than 200 before the year ended. She wasn’t alone with this kind of goal and outcome either. Compared to those readers, I felt like a total failure with my measley 25-book goal.
The thing is—I love reading. When I go on vacation, I take at least 4 novels and devour all of them, often while in transit. It’s not unusual to arrive at my destination with half of my books already consumed. Reading is a joy, not a chore. It’s a guilty pleasure. If anything, I put it off until all my other must-do activities are done for the day, so that by the time I finally sit down to read, I often fall asleep within 10 pages.
So how does a Goodreads Reading Challenge help me stay on track?
1. Competition
I’m a competitive person. If I set a goal, I’ll pour everything into achieving it. This hyper-drive competitive force is a recurring theme in the characters of my own YA novels. A girl decides she wants to be Valedictorian of her class, and nothing will stop her. A girl decides she’s going to lose weight for the prom, and nothing will stop her. A girl decides she has to attend MIT, and nothing will stop her—including an unplanned pregnancy.
If my Goodreads friends can meet their goals of reading 150 books in a year, I can meet my modest challenge of 25. Nothing will stop me. I will not sleep until the work is done. Please pass the caffeine.
2. Visual progress reminder
I’ve made a habit to check Goodreads daily to update progress on my book, so the Reading Challenge progress indicator is right there for me to see. Either I’m “on track” or behind schedule. When I’m racing against a clock, there’s nothing like a stopwatch to kick me into high gear.
The Reading Challenge progress indicator lets me know every day whether I’m still on target to meet my goal—or I’m behind.
3. Congratulations for Success
To motivate me further, when someone else meets their goal, Goodreads posts a banner in my feed so I can celebrate with them.
I celebrate with Jennifer and am simultaneously humiliated by my pittiful progress on 25 books—which I still have not yet completed.
Plus, Goodreads celebrates everyone. Dave isn’t even my friend, but Goodreads is kind enough to show me when HE is done.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy for Dave. Yeah Dave, congratulations! He’s amazing. But his celebration only serves to remind me that I’m still not at goal—and the clock is ticking down to the end of the year.
I need to pick up the pace.
If I wasn’t overwhelmed for being behind in my Reading Challenge before, when I start seeing other people complete Reading Challenges with 5 times more books, I definitely start feeling the heat to complete my own goal.
Parting Thoughts
While setting a reading goal and tracking progress on Goodreads is great, I also see how the Reading Challenge can distort something lovely into a thing of pain. Reading is meant to be a joy to be savored, not a checklist to be rushed and forgotten. Reading is that pleasure best enjoyed on a rainy afternoon with a warm cup of tea or on a beach lounge chair with a cool drink. A good book is as wonderful the second or third time time through as it was on the first.
I never want the challenge to create such anxiety that I dread reading; a 150 book challenge would do that to me. In fact, my challenge for next year will be fewer books.
I’m already excited about my reading list for this year. There are several titles I’m eager to pick up, and this means a trip to the bookstore to wander the shelves for an hour or so—another guilty pleasure of mine.
What about you? What are your goals for next year’s Reading Challenge? Are you going to cover the classics or explore some new authors?
August 15, 2021
Compassionate YA Books about Schizophrenia
Find your next great read by exploring my reviews of these compelling and amazing YA books about schizophrenia.
Reading young adult books about schizophrenia is a great way for teens to educate and entertain themselves at the same time. Schizophrenia is often diagnosed in young people in their late teens to early 30s, and this illness affects 20 million people worldwide.
Reading books about schizophrenia is a great way to see through another viewpoint that is very different from our own. And through this lens, we might gain some insight about the richness and complexity of what it means to live in that world, especially a world where a person’s perception of reality and social interactions become altered by mental illness.
Here are my personal recommendations for young adult books about schizophrenia that you’ll want to check out.
1. Unquiet Riot
Fans of My Sister Rosa and One of Us Is Lying will love this YA psychological thriller that explores the consequences of silence about bullying and early-onset schizophrenia in teens.
Riley is not a psychopath.
It’s just that he was born unable to feel emotions.
Is that person embarrassed or insecure? Suspicious or curious? It’s confusing when someone says, “Please don’t hate me,” but their face says, “You should definitely hate me for occupying the same planet right now because I wrecked your car.”
Riley’s life is filled with mind-numbing boredom until Henry arrives. Henry’s amazing! Henry believes the world is populated by robots posing as humans. He believes the shadows in his room are monsters escaping from the electrical wires, and he sleeps with knives under his mattresses. For Riley, visiting Henry’s world is like being a tourist in a foreign land.
When police question Riley about Henry’s disappearance, Riley lies about their dangerous game and scrambles to save himself from being named accessory to mass murder. If Henry talks, Riley loses.
Don’t miss this tragic story about friendship, mental illness, and betrayal.
2. Words on Bathroom Walls
“Real is subjective. There are a lot of things that aren't actually real to everyone. Pain, for example. It's only real to the one experiencing it. Everyone else has to take your word for it.” – Julia Walton
This story is told through journal entries or letters to a therapist, and so it took me a long time to connect to Adam. I'm glad I stuck with it, though, because I really enjoyed how the book ended. I appreciated that there weren't easy answers for his illness and that the people in his life came through for him in unexpected ways.
Check out this small YA book about schizophrenia that depicts a character with this disease in a loving, beautiful, and hopeful way.
3. The Wicker King
"Perception is relative. So is sanity, if you think about it. It's totally a Minority vs. Majority thing. If you fall on one side of the line, take a ticket and proceed. If you fall on the other, shit gets real." – K. Ancrum
This book is a fast-paced read with super-compelling characters in a relationship that evolves into a more dangerous thing with each passing page. I had a paperback copy and enjoyed the layout and visual design of the experience of the book. You can physically see the descent into darkness on the side of the pages.
There are moments between these two boys that are truly chilling, when Jack's dominance over August goes too far:
"We have to drown you," Jack continued bluntly. "Or just nearly enough that you pass through the gates, but not so much that you can't come back from there."
I won't give any more away. The psychological dynamic between these two characters will draw you in and keep the pages turning!
Other YA Books about Schizophrenia and Mental Health Issues
You can find also several great Goodreads Schizophrenia Lists, such as YA Psychotic Disorders/Schizophrenia Fiction, and if depression and anxiety are the mental health issues that you want to understand more deeply, be sure to look at my post on 6 Gripping Young Adult Novels on Depression and Anxiety Struggles.
Do you have any YA books about schizophrenia to recommend to me? I’m always looking for another great read in this category.
Khristina Chess is the award-winning author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter as an active daily contributor in the #5amwritersclub.
Reading young adult books about schizophrenia is a great way for teens to educate and entertain themselves at the same time. Schizophrenia is often diagnosed in young people in their late teens to early 30s, and this illness affects 20 million people worldwide.
Reading books about schizophrenia is a great way to see through another viewpoint that is very different from our own. And through this lens, we might gain some insight about the richness and complexity of what it means to live in that world, especially a world where a person’s perception of reality and social interactions become altered by mental illness.
Here are my personal recommendations for young adult books about schizophrenia that you’ll want to check out.
1. Unquiet Riot
Fans of My Sister Rosa and One of Us Is Lying will love this YA psychological thriller that explores the consequences of silence about bullying and early-onset schizophrenia in teens.
Riley is not a psychopath.
It’s just that he was born unable to feel emotions.
Is that person embarrassed or insecure? Suspicious or curious? It’s confusing when someone says, “Please don’t hate me,” but their face says, “You should definitely hate me for occupying the same planet right now because I wrecked your car.”
Riley’s life is filled with mind-numbing boredom until Henry arrives. Henry’s amazing! Henry believes the world is populated by robots posing as humans. He believes the shadows in his room are monsters escaping from the electrical wires, and he sleeps with knives under his mattresses. For Riley, visiting Henry’s world is like being a tourist in a foreign land.
When police question Riley about Henry’s disappearance, Riley lies about their dangerous game and scrambles to save himself from being named accessory to mass murder. If Henry talks, Riley loses.
Don’t miss this tragic story about friendship, mental illness, and betrayal.
2. Words on Bathroom Walls
“Real is subjective. There are a lot of things that aren't actually real to everyone. Pain, for example. It's only real to the one experiencing it. Everyone else has to take your word for it.” – Julia Walton
This story is told through journal entries or letters to a therapist, and so it took me a long time to connect to Adam. I'm glad I stuck with it, though, because I really enjoyed how the book ended. I appreciated that there weren't easy answers for his illness and that the people in his life came through for him in unexpected ways.
Check out this small YA book about schizophrenia that depicts a character with this disease in a loving, beautiful, and hopeful way.
3. The Wicker King
"Perception is relative. So is sanity, if you think about it. It's totally a Minority vs. Majority thing. If you fall on one side of the line, take a ticket and proceed. If you fall on the other, shit gets real." – K. Ancrum
This book is a fast-paced read with super-compelling characters in a relationship that evolves into a more dangerous thing with each passing page. I had a paperback copy and enjoyed the layout and visual design of the experience of the book. You can physically see the descent into darkness on the side of the pages.
There are moments between these two boys that are truly chilling, when Jack's dominance over August goes too far:
"We have to drown you," Jack continued bluntly. "Or just nearly enough that you pass through the gates, but not so much that you can't come back from there."
I won't give any more away. The psychological dynamic between these two characters will draw you in and keep the pages turning!
Other YA Books about Schizophrenia and Mental Health Issues
You can find also several great Goodreads Schizophrenia Lists, such as YA Psychotic Disorders/Schizophrenia Fiction, and if depression and anxiety are the mental health issues that you want to understand more deeply, be sure to look at my post on 6 Gripping Young Adult Novels on Depression and Anxiety Struggles.
Do you have any YA books about schizophrenia to recommend to me? I’m always looking for another great read in this category.
Khristina Chess is the award-winning author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter as an active daily contributor in the #5amwritersclub.
July 31, 2021
Chilling Teen Psychopath Books
Find your next great read by exploring my reviews of these chilling books about teen psychopaths.
Nearly 1 percent of children in the population exhibit psychopathic traits, about as many as have autism or bipolar disorder. Reading books about teen psychopaths is a great way to learn about this disorder of “empathy erosion” and what the world is like for those who experience it.
No one wants to think their own child, sibling, best friend, boyfriend, or other significant person might be a psychopath. But don’t worry; mental illness isn’t contagious.
Reading books about psychopaths won’t turn you or your teen readers into killers. Most psychopaths aren’t killers anyway. However, they might grow up to be CEOs.
Here are my personal recommendations for several amazing books about teen psychopaths that are guaranteed page-turners. And unlike the psychopaths on the pages, you will feel a wide range of emotions.
1. Unquiet Riot
Riley is not a psychopath.
It’s just that he was born unable to feel emotions.
Is that person embarrassed or insecure? Suspicious or curious? It’s confusing when someone says, “Please don’t hate me,” but their face says, “You should definitely hate me for occupying the same planet right now because I wrecked your car.”
Riley’s life is filled with mind-numbing boredom until Henry arrives. Henry’s amazing! Henry believes the world is populated by robots posing as humans. He believes the shadows in his room are monsters escaping from the electrical wires, and he sleeps with knives under his mattresses. For Riley, visiting Henry’s world is like being a tourist in a foreign land.
When police question Riley about Henry’s disappearance, Riley lies about their dangerous game and scrambles to save himself from being named accessory to mass murder. If Henry talks, Riley loses.
When someone feels nothing, do things like loyalty, friendship, and trust really matter?
Don’t miss this YA thriller that tackles the tough issues of teen psychopathy, schizophrenia, and bullying.
2. My Sister Rosa
I went into this book with high expectations that Rosa would be some creepy 10-year-old future (or current) serial killer, and that story question drove the plot for me. What terrible thing will she do?
Although there are some slow points, the pacing in the second half of the book is excellent, and events took some thrilling and quite unexpected turns.
Most of the conversations between Che and his sister Rosa, who is a psychopath, are fascinating, dark, and disturbing.
Rosa shrugs. “How should I know? I asked Seimone lots of questions. She answered them all. I showed an interest. I know all sorts of things about her now.”
She’s a seriously messed-up kid.
Rosa smirks though she can’t see the phone. “I’m going to get a dog, Che. When I get it I won’t hurt it. You’ll see. I keep my promises.”
Indeed she does.
3. We Need to Talk About Kevin
Told through a series of letters, this novel tells the story from the mother’s point of view. Eva isn’t a particularly likeable mother, and she portrays her son, Kevin, as a bad seed from birth. As events unfold, however, the reader is left wondering about the difference between nature and nurture. Was Kevin born a psychopath who would bring violence to his classmates? Or was he made into a sociopath because of the way he was raised and the failure of his mother to love him?
This novel includes a dramatic crescendo to the actual events at the school, and although I’ve read this book twice now, I could read it again and still find is as chilling as the first time. Shriver deftly manages to create nuanced characters that I simultaneously felt empathy for and utter disgust and loathing.
Don’t miss this devastatingly powerful book that tackles important issues of school violence, psychopathy, parenting, and the problem of silence.
4. The Lost by Natasha Preston
"Life is a game; you just have to make sure you’re in control." — Natasha Preston (The Lost)
This short YA novel kept me engaged in the story, turning pages to see how these characters were going to escape their situation. I forgave the implausible premise because the whole thing was just super creepy. This "cabin in the woods" seemed to go on forever with its torture rooms, and the author built an entire world that I could imagine. The suspense and tension in the plot wasn't predictable for me.
The ending could have worked better if Piper had been given a little different character development earlier in the book.
5. The Talented Mr. Ripley
“Mr Greenleaf was such a decent fellow himself, he took it for granted that everybody else in the world was decent, too. Tom had almost forgotten such people existed.” ― Patricia Highsmith, The Talented Mr. Ripley
The Talented Mr. Ripley is the first in a series of books about a psychopath. You’ve probably watched the movie by now, starring Matt Daemon, but the books are much better, as books almost always are, for giving you the first person viewpoint into character’s thoughts and actions.
Tom Ripley is 23 at the start of the story. He’s one of those boys who has had a series of bad luck: orphaned, not particularly successful. Then he meets a wealthy man and sets on a journey to Italy.
When I read the book the first time, I had no inkling about the events that would follow. No idea.
If you’re looking for books about psychopaths, you definitely want to check out Patricia Highsmith’s series about Tom Ripley.
Other YA Teen Psychopath Books
Goodreads also has a list on Teen Psychopath Books and Psychopath Book Lists.
Do you have any personal favorites to recommend? I’m always looking for another great read in this category.
Khristina Chess is the award-winning author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter as an active daily contributor in the #5amwritersclub.
Nearly 1 percent of children in the population exhibit psychopathic traits, about as many as have autism or bipolar disorder. Reading books about teen psychopaths is a great way to learn about this disorder of “empathy erosion” and what the world is like for those who experience it.
No one wants to think their own child, sibling, best friend, boyfriend, or other significant person might be a psychopath. But don’t worry; mental illness isn’t contagious.
Reading books about psychopaths won’t turn you or your teen readers into killers. Most psychopaths aren’t killers anyway. However, they might grow up to be CEOs.
Here are my personal recommendations for several amazing books about teen psychopaths that are guaranteed page-turners. And unlike the psychopaths on the pages, you will feel a wide range of emotions.
1. Unquiet Riot
Riley is not a psychopath.
It’s just that he was born unable to feel emotions.
Is that person embarrassed or insecure? Suspicious or curious? It’s confusing when someone says, “Please don’t hate me,” but their face says, “You should definitely hate me for occupying the same planet right now because I wrecked your car.”
Riley’s life is filled with mind-numbing boredom until Henry arrives. Henry’s amazing! Henry believes the world is populated by robots posing as humans. He believes the shadows in his room are monsters escaping from the electrical wires, and he sleeps with knives under his mattresses. For Riley, visiting Henry’s world is like being a tourist in a foreign land.
When police question Riley about Henry’s disappearance, Riley lies about their dangerous game and scrambles to save himself from being named accessory to mass murder. If Henry talks, Riley loses.
When someone feels nothing, do things like loyalty, friendship, and trust really matter?
Don’t miss this YA thriller that tackles the tough issues of teen psychopathy, schizophrenia, and bullying.
2. My Sister Rosa
I went into this book with high expectations that Rosa would be some creepy 10-year-old future (or current) serial killer, and that story question drove the plot for me. What terrible thing will she do?
Although there are some slow points, the pacing in the second half of the book is excellent, and events took some thrilling and quite unexpected turns.
Most of the conversations between Che and his sister Rosa, who is a psychopath, are fascinating, dark, and disturbing.
Rosa shrugs. “How should I know? I asked Seimone lots of questions. She answered them all. I showed an interest. I know all sorts of things about her now.”
She’s a seriously messed-up kid.
Rosa smirks though she can’t see the phone. “I’m going to get a dog, Che. When I get it I won’t hurt it. You’ll see. I keep my promises.”
Indeed she does.
3. We Need to Talk About Kevin
Told through a series of letters, this novel tells the story from the mother’s point of view. Eva isn’t a particularly likeable mother, and she portrays her son, Kevin, as a bad seed from birth. As events unfold, however, the reader is left wondering about the difference between nature and nurture. Was Kevin born a psychopath who would bring violence to his classmates? Or was he made into a sociopath because of the way he was raised and the failure of his mother to love him?
This novel includes a dramatic crescendo to the actual events at the school, and although I’ve read this book twice now, I could read it again and still find is as chilling as the first time. Shriver deftly manages to create nuanced characters that I simultaneously felt empathy for and utter disgust and loathing.
Don’t miss this devastatingly powerful book that tackles important issues of school violence, psychopathy, parenting, and the problem of silence.
4. The Lost by Natasha Preston
"Life is a game; you just have to make sure you’re in control." — Natasha Preston (The Lost)
This short YA novel kept me engaged in the story, turning pages to see how these characters were going to escape their situation. I forgave the implausible premise because the whole thing was just super creepy. This "cabin in the woods" seemed to go on forever with its torture rooms, and the author built an entire world that I could imagine. The suspense and tension in the plot wasn't predictable for me.
The ending could have worked better if Piper had been given a little different character development earlier in the book.
5. The Talented Mr. Ripley
“Mr Greenleaf was such a decent fellow himself, he took it for granted that everybody else in the world was decent, too. Tom had almost forgotten such people existed.” ― Patricia Highsmith, The Talented Mr. Ripley
The Talented Mr. Ripley is the first in a series of books about a psychopath. You’ve probably watched the movie by now, starring Matt Daemon, but the books are much better, as books almost always are, for giving you the first person viewpoint into character’s thoughts and actions.
Tom Ripley is 23 at the start of the story. He’s one of those boys who has had a series of bad luck: orphaned, not particularly successful. Then he meets a wealthy man and sets on a journey to Italy.
When I read the book the first time, I had no inkling about the events that would follow. No idea.
If you’re looking for books about psychopaths, you definitely want to check out Patricia Highsmith’s series about Tom Ripley.
Other YA Teen Psychopath Books
Goodreads also has a list on Teen Psychopath Books and Psychopath Book Lists.
Do you have any personal favorites to recommend? I’m always looking for another great read in this category.
Khristina Chess is the award-winning author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter as an active daily contributor in the #5amwritersclub.
May 20, 2021
New Release Giveaway - Check It Out!
I'm offering a GIVEAWAY for my new YA psychological thriller, Unquiet Riot, on Goodreads right now:
Book Giveaway for Unquiet Riot
20 paperback copies are available. Enter to win before June 8.
Book Giveaway for Unquiet Riot
20 paperback copies are available. Enter to win before June 8.
May 10, 2021
New Release Giveaway - Check It Out!
I'm offering a GIVEAWAY for my new YA psychological thriller, Unquiet Riot, on Goodreads right now:
Book Giveaway for Unquiet Riot
20 paperback copies are available. Enter to win before June 8.
Book Giveaway for Unquiet Riot
20 paperback copies are available. Enter to win before June 8.
May 1, 2021
Great YA Books about Bullying
Find your next great read by exploring my reviews of these YA books about bullying.
Bullying is a problem that spans generations. Everyone understands what it’s like to be bullied—or perhaps to be the bully and later regret those actions. What makes bullying different today is that it can lead teens to depression, violence, and even suicide.
Reading YA books about bullying can shed light on the complex worlds facing teens so we can recognize the signs and offer the right kind of help. Cyberbullying and technology in general takes the problem to a whole new level.
Here are my top 5 personal recommendations for the best YA books about bullying that are guaranteed page-turners. The list includes complex stories with both bullies and the bullied that are sure to generate discussion.
1. Unquiet Riot
“Bullying on the bus and in the hallways had been part of my education since elementary school. From the dawn of time, humans felt compelled to ostracize those who didn’t fit into their social norms, and my strangeness made me an automatic outsider. When you’re the smallest and ugliest kid in third grade, you can’t stare blankly out the window like an alien pod person awaiting the return of the mother ship; that was a fast jaunt to a bloody playground brawl.” – Khristina Chess, Unquiet Riot
Riley’s life is filled with mind-numbing boredom until Henry arrives. Henry’s amazing! Henry believes the world is populated by robots posing as humans. He believes the shadows in his room are monsters escaping from the electrical wires, and he sleeps with knives under his mattresses. For Riley, visiting Henry’s world is like being a tourist in a foreign land.
Henry’s strangeness makes him a target for the same slander, harassment, and assault that Riley has been suffering for most of his school life.
But when the bullies take it too far, Henry decides to strike back.
When police later question Riley about Henry’s disappearance, Riley lies about their dangerous game and scrambles to save himself from being named accessory to mass murder.
Fans of My Sister Rosa will love this YA psychological thriller that explores the consequences of silence about bullying and early-onset schizophrenia in teens.
2. The Truth About Alice
“There is one thing I've learned about people: they don't get that mean and nasty overnight. It's not human nature. But if you give people enough time, eventually they'll do the most heartbreaking stuff in the world.” ― Jennifer Mathieu, The Truth About Alice
Told through multiple points of view, this YA novel tells the story Alice, a girl who is being bullied and shamed by her classmates because of sex. Each of the four narrators have a different perspective of Alice and what happened the night of the party, but because of their agendas, they are unreliable narrators. The worst ones are the girls who create the cloud of hate and shame around Alice.
The narrators are cruel and generally unlikeable people who spend their time justifying their actions. At the same time, because the book is short, there isn’t enough depth for them to do this adequately. I wish I’d had a little more.
In the end, only Alice can tell us what really happened—in her own voice.
3. Before I Fall
“But before you start pointing fingers, let me ask you: is what I did really so bad? So bad I deserved to die? So bad I deserved to die like that?
Is what I did really so much worse than what anybody else does?
Is it really so much worse than what you do?
Think about it.” – Lauren Oliver, Before I Fall
Samantha Kingston is dead.
In this YA-version of Groundhog Day, a “mean girl” gets a chance to relive her last day and the drinking party she attended with her friends before the fatal car crash. She has an opportunity to make the same choices over and over, until she makes different ones.
This beautiful novel is a mystery about bullying and redemption. Samantha’s character arc really blew me away, and although I disliked her in the beginning, I was cheering for her by the end, and I love the way Lauren Oliver wrote the ending.
Don’t miss this YA book about bullying that shows the consequences of the bully’s actions and also an unusual look at redemption.
4. Thirteen Reasons Why
“You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life. Everything… affects everything.” - Jay Asher, Thirteen Reasons Why
Hannah Baker committed suicide, and she left behind 13 tapes explaining why she did it.
When Clay receives these tapes, he goes on a journey to understand why she did it. It’s a terrible story involving crimes and bullying, and with every tape, there is suspense in wondering how Clay contributed to this girl’s death.
Clay is a nice guy. He has a thing for Hannah. It doesn’t seem he could have anything to do with it, but this story shows how you often don’t know what another person is going through.
5. By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead
This short, brutal young adult novel tells the story of a bullied teen who failed her first suicide attempt but intends to get it right next time.
Daelyn is going to kill herself in 23 days.
A website named Through the Light provides support to wanna-be suicide “completers” like Daelyn, and she spends a lot of free time there. Counting down the days.
Then she meets a boy. She tries to ignore him, but he’s pushy. Persistent. Charming, even.
But is he charming enough to keep her from going through the light when the countdown ends?
This YA book about bullying isn’t an easy, happy, or hopeful read, but it’s an authentic and real look at the depression and suicide that can result from the cruelty of others.
BONUS: Other YA Books about Bullying
Goodreads also has lists on YA Bullying Books and Cyber Bullying Books. Do you have any personal YA books about bullying to recommend for my list? I’m always looking for another great read in this category.
Khristina Chess is the award-winning author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter as an active daily contributor in the #5amwritersclub.
Bullying is a problem that spans generations. Everyone understands what it’s like to be bullied—or perhaps to be the bully and later regret those actions. What makes bullying different today is that it can lead teens to depression, violence, and even suicide.
Reading YA books about bullying can shed light on the complex worlds facing teens so we can recognize the signs and offer the right kind of help. Cyberbullying and technology in general takes the problem to a whole new level.
Here are my top 5 personal recommendations for the best YA books about bullying that are guaranteed page-turners. The list includes complex stories with both bullies and the bullied that are sure to generate discussion.
1. Unquiet Riot
“Bullying on the bus and in the hallways had been part of my education since elementary school. From the dawn of time, humans felt compelled to ostracize those who didn’t fit into their social norms, and my strangeness made me an automatic outsider. When you’re the smallest and ugliest kid in third grade, you can’t stare blankly out the window like an alien pod person awaiting the return of the mother ship; that was a fast jaunt to a bloody playground brawl.” – Khristina Chess, Unquiet Riot
Riley’s life is filled with mind-numbing boredom until Henry arrives. Henry’s amazing! Henry believes the world is populated by robots posing as humans. He believes the shadows in his room are monsters escaping from the electrical wires, and he sleeps with knives under his mattresses. For Riley, visiting Henry’s world is like being a tourist in a foreign land.
Henry’s strangeness makes him a target for the same slander, harassment, and assault that Riley has been suffering for most of his school life.
But when the bullies take it too far, Henry decides to strike back.
When police later question Riley about Henry’s disappearance, Riley lies about their dangerous game and scrambles to save himself from being named accessory to mass murder.
Fans of My Sister Rosa will love this YA psychological thriller that explores the consequences of silence about bullying and early-onset schizophrenia in teens.
2. The Truth About Alice
“There is one thing I've learned about people: they don't get that mean and nasty overnight. It's not human nature. But if you give people enough time, eventually they'll do the most heartbreaking stuff in the world.” ― Jennifer Mathieu, The Truth About Alice
Told through multiple points of view, this YA novel tells the story Alice, a girl who is being bullied and shamed by her classmates because of sex. Each of the four narrators have a different perspective of Alice and what happened the night of the party, but because of their agendas, they are unreliable narrators. The worst ones are the girls who create the cloud of hate and shame around Alice.
The narrators are cruel and generally unlikeable people who spend their time justifying their actions. At the same time, because the book is short, there isn’t enough depth for them to do this adequately. I wish I’d had a little more.
In the end, only Alice can tell us what really happened—in her own voice.
3. Before I Fall
“But before you start pointing fingers, let me ask you: is what I did really so bad? So bad I deserved to die? So bad I deserved to die like that?
Is what I did really so much worse than what anybody else does?
Is it really so much worse than what you do?
Think about it.” – Lauren Oliver, Before I Fall
Samantha Kingston is dead.
In this YA-version of Groundhog Day, a “mean girl” gets a chance to relive her last day and the drinking party she attended with her friends before the fatal car crash. She has an opportunity to make the same choices over and over, until she makes different ones.
This beautiful novel is a mystery about bullying and redemption. Samantha’s character arc really blew me away, and although I disliked her in the beginning, I was cheering for her by the end, and I love the way Lauren Oliver wrote the ending.
Don’t miss this YA book about bullying that shows the consequences of the bully’s actions and also an unusual look at redemption.
4. Thirteen Reasons Why
“You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life. Everything… affects everything.” - Jay Asher, Thirteen Reasons Why
Hannah Baker committed suicide, and she left behind 13 tapes explaining why she did it.
When Clay receives these tapes, he goes on a journey to understand why she did it. It’s a terrible story involving crimes and bullying, and with every tape, there is suspense in wondering how Clay contributed to this girl’s death.
Clay is a nice guy. He has a thing for Hannah. It doesn’t seem he could have anything to do with it, but this story shows how you often don’t know what another person is going through.
5. By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead
This short, brutal young adult novel tells the story of a bullied teen who failed her first suicide attempt but intends to get it right next time.
Daelyn is going to kill herself in 23 days.
A website named Through the Light provides support to wanna-be suicide “completers” like Daelyn, and she spends a lot of free time there. Counting down the days.
Then she meets a boy. She tries to ignore him, but he’s pushy. Persistent. Charming, even.
But is he charming enough to keep her from going through the light when the countdown ends?
This YA book about bullying isn’t an easy, happy, or hopeful read, but it’s an authentic and real look at the depression and suicide that can result from the cruelty of others.
BONUS: Other YA Books about Bullying
Goodreads also has lists on YA Bullying Books and Cyber Bullying Books. Do you have any personal YA books about bullying to recommend for my list? I’m always looking for another great read in this category.
Khristina Chess is the award-winning author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter as an active daily contributor in the #5amwritersclub.
March 15, 2021
6 Gripping YA Books about Depression and Anxiety Struggles
Find your next great read by exploring my reviews of these YA books about depression and anxiety.
With COVID-19 quarantines, school disruptions, and social distancing from friends, today’s teens are struggling with depression and anxiety at higher levels than ever before. Suicides among our young people are on the rise. Mental illness is isolating enough without the added complexity of a global pandemic.
Reading stories about depression, anxiety, and even suicide is one way to find hope in the darkness. For readers, books offer entertainment and escape, and connecting with characters who also suffer with depression, anxiety, OCD, or other mental illness can help you recognize that you’re not alone. The young adult books about depression are as varied as the individuals who experience it. For some, anxiety and depression are best friends; for others, depression and suicide carry on a dangerous flirtation.
If you currently have thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
So what are the best YA books about depression and anxiety struggles? Here are reviews of my favorites in this category.
1. Straight A's by Khristina Chess
Fans of It’s Kind of a Funny Story will enjoy this high-stakes story about an anxious teen on track for class valedictorian.
When Kim realizes she might get a B in calculus, she makes secret preparations to commit suicide. As academic pressures mount and depression threatens to overwhelm her, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with the cute new guy in Writer’s Club.
If the semester doesn’t end in her favor, can a poet help her realize that her life means so much more than a letter grade?
Don’t miss this hopeful, sweet, and romantic YA novel about one teenager’s struggle to find a path out of the downward spiral of despair.
2. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
You are all the colors in one, at full brightness. – Jennifer Niven, All the Bright Places
Theodore Finch has more than a touch of the blues.
Violet Markey wants to escape the grief that lives in her hometown where her sister recently died.
Together they embark on a school project journey to explore the natural wonders of their state, but in the process they make a few unexpected discoveries about one another.
3. It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
A humorous and hopeful novel about a boy whose suicidal episode sends him on an interesting journey through an adult psychiatric ward in a New York City hospital and back to life.
Tentacles is my term—the Tentacles are the evil tasks that invade my life. Like, for example, my American History class last week, which necessitated me writing a paper on the weapons of the Revolutionary War, which necessitated me traveling to the Metropolitan museum to check out some of the old guns, which necessitated me getting in the subway, which necessitated me being away from my cell phone and e-mail for 45 minutes, which meant that I didn’t get to respond to a mass mail sent out by my teacher asking who needed extra credit, which meant other kids snapped up the extra credit, which meant I wasn’t going to get a 98 in the class, which meant I wasn’t anywhere close to a 98.6 average (body temperature, that’s what you needed to get), which meant I wasn’t going to get into a Good College, which meant I wasn’t going to have a Good Job, which meant I wasn’t going to have health insurance, which meant I’d have to pay tremendous amounts of money for the shrinks and drugs my brain needed, which meant I wasn’t going to have enough money to pay for a Good Lifestyle, which meant I’d feel ashamed, which meant I’d get depressed, and that was the big one because I knew what that did to me: it made it so I wouldn’t get out of bed, which led to the ultimate thing—homelessness. – Ned Vizzini in It’s Kind of a Funny Story
That is the wonderful, funny, and utterly unique voice of the narrator of this novel, Craig Gilner, who has ambitious goals for his life, but also anxiety and depression. He’s trying. Really. But things like The Tentacles get in the way.
This sweet, insightful book about a quirky guy is a must-read for anyone interested in YA books about depression and anxiety. Buy it. Read it. Ned Vizzini’s writing is masterful.
4. By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters
A brutal novel that will appeal to fans of Wintergirls–this short, enthralling book tells the story of a bullied girl who failed her first suicide attempt but intends to get it right next time.
Daelyn is going to kill herself in 23 days.
A website named Through the Light provides support to wanna-be suicide “completers” like Daelyn, and she spends a lot of free time there. Counting down the days.
Then she meets a boy. She tries to ignore him, but he’s pushy. Persistent. Charming, even.
But is he charming enough to keep her from going through the light when the countdown ends?
This raw book is a fast read. It’s not easy, happy, or hopeful, but it’s an authentic and real look at depression and suicide.
5. This Is Not A Love Letter by Kim Purcell
A hard-hitting story that combines mental illness and racism. Recommended for fans of John Green’s Turtles All the Way Down.
Chris is missing.
While he’s gone, his girlfriend Jessie decides to write letters to him, so the entire book is a series of scenes narrated to Chris. The mystery of his disappearance deepens as more of the bullying that Chris had endured unfolds.
Heartbreaking, beautiful, and powerful, Jessie’s letters are her way of coming to terms with the fact that the boy she loved went running one night but never came home again.
6. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Hannah Baker committed suicide, and she left behind 13 tapes explaining why she did it.
When Clay receives these tapes, he goes on a journey to understand why she did it. It’s a terrible story involving crimes, and with every tape, there is suspense in wondering how Clay contributed to this girl’s death.
Clay is a nice guy. He has a thing for Hannah. It doesn’t seem he could have anything to do with it, but this story shows how you often don’t know what another person is going through.
You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life. Everything… affects everything.” Jay Asher in Thirteen Reasons Why
This is one of the best YA books about depression and anxiety and suicide. After reading it, check out my post about why the mini-series is better than the book—and watch the show! (And in case you think YA is only for teens, check out my post on 13 Reasons Why Adults Love Reading YA.)
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Do you have any YA books about depression or anxiety struggles to add to my list?
Khristina Chess is the award-winning author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter as an active daily contributor in the #5amwritersclub.
With COVID-19 quarantines, school disruptions, and social distancing from friends, today’s teens are struggling with depression and anxiety at higher levels than ever before. Suicides among our young people are on the rise. Mental illness is isolating enough without the added complexity of a global pandemic.
Reading stories about depression, anxiety, and even suicide is one way to find hope in the darkness. For readers, books offer entertainment and escape, and connecting with characters who also suffer with depression, anxiety, OCD, or other mental illness can help you recognize that you’re not alone. The young adult books about depression are as varied as the individuals who experience it. For some, anxiety and depression are best friends; for others, depression and suicide carry on a dangerous flirtation.
If you currently have thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
So what are the best YA books about depression and anxiety struggles? Here are reviews of my favorites in this category.
1. Straight A's by Khristina Chess
Fans of It’s Kind of a Funny Story will enjoy this high-stakes story about an anxious teen on track for class valedictorian.
When Kim realizes she might get a B in calculus, she makes secret preparations to commit suicide. As academic pressures mount and depression threatens to overwhelm her, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with the cute new guy in Writer’s Club.
If the semester doesn’t end in her favor, can a poet help her realize that her life means so much more than a letter grade?
Don’t miss this hopeful, sweet, and romantic YA novel about one teenager’s struggle to find a path out of the downward spiral of despair.
2. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
You are all the colors in one, at full brightness. – Jennifer Niven, All the Bright Places
Theodore Finch has more than a touch of the blues.
Violet Markey wants to escape the grief that lives in her hometown where her sister recently died.
Together they embark on a school project journey to explore the natural wonders of their state, but in the process they make a few unexpected discoveries about one another.
3. It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
A humorous and hopeful novel about a boy whose suicidal episode sends him on an interesting journey through an adult psychiatric ward in a New York City hospital and back to life.
Tentacles is my term—the Tentacles are the evil tasks that invade my life. Like, for example, my American History class last week, which necessitated me writing a paper on the weapons of the Revolutionary War, which necessitated me traveling to the Metropolitan museum to check out some of the old guns, which necessitated me getting in the subway, which necessitated me being away from my cell phone and e-mail for 45 minutes, which meant that I didn’t get to respond to a mass mail sent out by my teacher asking who needed extra credit, which meant other kids snapped up the extra credit, which meant I wasn’t going to get a 98 in the class, which meant I wasn’t anywhere close to a 98.6 average (body temperature, that’s what you needed to get), which meant I wasn’t going to get into a Good College, which meant I wasn’t going to have a Good Job, which meant I wasn’t going to have health insurance, which meant I’d have to pay tremendous amounts of money for the shrinks and drugs my brain needed, which meant I wasn’t going to have enough money to pay for a Good Lifestyle, which meant I’d feel ashamed, which meant I’d get depressed, and that was the big one because I knew what that did to me: it made it so I wouldn’t get out of bed, which led to the ultimate thing—homelessness. – Ned Vizzini in It’s Kind of a Funny Story
That is the wonderful, funny, and utterly unique voice of the narrator of this novel, Craig Gilner, who has ambitious goals for his life, but also anxiety and depression. He’s trying. Really. But things like The Tentacles get in the way.
This sweet, insightful book about a quirky guy is a must-read for anyone interested in YA books about depression and anxiety. Buy it. Read it. Ned Vizzini’s writing is masterful.
4. By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters
A brutal novel that will appeal to fans of Wintergirls–this short, enthralling book tells the story of a bullied girl who failed her first suicide attempt but intends to get it right next time.
Daelyn is going to kill herself in 23 days.
A website named Through the Light provides support to wanna-be suicide “completers” like Daelyn, and she spends a lot of free time there. Counting down the days.
Then she meets a boy. She tries to ignore him, but he’s pushy. Persistent. Charming, even.
But is he charming enough to keep her from going through the light when the countdown ends?
This raw book is a fast read. It’s not easy, happy, or hopeful, but it’s an authentic and real look at depression and suicide.
5. This Is Not A Love Letter by Kim Purcell
A hard-hitting story that combines mental illness and racism. Recommended for fans of John Green’s Turtles All the Way Down.
Chris is missing.
While he’s gone, his girlfriend Jessie decides to write letters to him, so the entire book is a series of scenes narrated to Chris. The mystery of his disappearance deepens as more of the bullying that Chris had endured unfolds.
Heartbreaking, beautiful, and powerful, Jessie’s letters are her way of coming to terms with the fact that the boy she loved went running one night but never came home again.
6. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Hannah Baker committed suicide, and she left behind 13 tapes explaining why she did it.
When Clay receives these tapes, he goes on a journey to understand why she did it. It’s a terrible story involving crimes, and with every tape, there is suspense in wondering how Clay contributed to this girl’s death.
Clay is a nice guy. He has a thing for Hannah. It doesn’t seem he could have anything to do with it, but this story shows how you often don’t know what another person is going through.
You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life. Everything… affects everything.” Jay Asher in Thirteen Reasons Why
This is one of the best YA books about depression and anxiety and suicide. After reading it, check out my post about why the mini-series is better than the book—and watch the show! (And in case you think YA is only for teens, check out my post on 13 Reasons Why Adults Love Reading YA.)
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Do you have any YA books about depression or anxiety struggles to add to my list?
Khristina Chess is the award-winning author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter as an active daily contributor in the #5amwritersclub.
