Great Books for Fans of The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
The The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan was one of my top favorite reads of 2018. I discovered the novel after reading a Goodreads review so intriguing that I went hunting for the title during my next Barnes & Noble trip. The Astonishing Color of After was shelved under Teen Fantasy, a category where I never shop, so without seeing the great reviewer comments I might never have discovered this wonderful lovely book of grief and culture and family secrets.
Whether it’s because of the beautiful writing, the love story, the voice, the mystery, or the family culture, there’s plenty of reasons why fans connect with The Astonishing Color of After.
My list of recommendations focuses on the themes of grief and secrets.
1. Drive to June by Khristina Chess
In this heart-tugging novel, a pizza delivery boy in cowboy boots helps a girl with secrets find her way again.
Eighteen-year-old Adriana is refuses to text anymore; she's drinking her dead mother's extensive wine collection; and she doesn't drive.
With her father traveling so much and her older sister away in college, no one knows about her addiction. She drinks to forget something awful that she did; she drinks to go numb. And now she can't seem to stop. Since moving to this new school, she doesn't have close friends or teachers, so there's nothing to stop her free-fall.
Then one night, Ian spots her on the roof and makes an offer.
Don't miss this lovely story that pairs grief and secrets with the important issue of teen alcohol abuse.
2. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
What does a novel about a wealthy, white, privileged family have in common with The Astonishing Color of After?
Lies. Family secrets. Grief. Love. A mystery. A beautiful and disorienting plot that leaves the reader breathless at the end.
If you haven’t picked this one up yet, do yourself a favor. It’s a fast read.
3. Looking for Alaska by John Green
A quiet boy at boarding school meets a charismatic girl, then loses her.
Miles Halter goes away to boarding school, where he makes new friends, takes up drinking and smoking, breaks some rules, and meets a hot girl named Alaska Young. She’s the ringleader of the merry group’s adventures. She’s the one who can get alcohol and cigarettes.
She’s a bit wild.
Then one night while they’re all partying, she receives a phone call and takes off in her car. She never returns.
This coming-of-age YA novel includes lyrical, John-Green writing:
There comes a time when we realize that our parents cannot save themselves or save us, that everyone who wades through time eventually gets dragged out to sea by the undertow-that, in short, we are all going.” – John Green, Looking for Alaska
Like the others in this list, Looking for Alaska presents the themes of love and grief wrapped in a mystery.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Do you have any books to add to my list?
Khristina Chess is the author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. Drive to June, her book about alcohol abuse, was first place winner of the Reader Views Reviewers Choice Awards. You can find her on Goodreads and on Twitter.
Whether it’s because of the beautiful writing, the love story, the voice, the mystery, or the family culture, there’s plenty of reasons why fans connect with The Astonishing Color of After.
My list of recommendations focuses on the themes of grief and secrets.
1. Drive to June by Khristina Chess
In this heart-tugging novel, a pizza delivery boy in cowboy boots helps a girl with secrets find her way again.
Eighteen-year-old Adriana is refuses to text anymore; she's drinking her dead mother's extensive wine collection; and she doesn't drive.
With her father traveling so much and her older sister away in college, no one knows about her addiction. She drinks to forget something awful that she did; she drinks to go numb. And now she can't seem to stop. Since moving to this new school, she doesn't have close friends or teachers, so there's nothing to stop her free-fall.
Then one night, Ian spots her on the roof and makes an offer.
Don't miss this lovely story that pairs grief and secrets with the important issue of teen alcohol abuse.
2. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
What does a novel about a wealthy, white, privileged family have in common with The Astonishing Color of After?
Lies. Family secrets. Grief. Love. A mystery. A beautiful and disorienting plot that leaves the reader breathless at the end.
If you haven’t picked this one up yet, do yourself a favor. It’s a fast read.
3. Looking for Alaska by John Green
A quiet boy at boarding school meets a charismatic girl, then loses her.
Miles Halter goes away to boarding school, where he makes new friends, takes up drinking and smoking, breaks some rules, and meets a hot girl named Alaska Young. She’s the ringleader of the merry group’s adventures. She’s the one who can get alcohol and cigarettes.
She’s a bit wild.
Then one night while they’re all partying, she receives a phone call and takes off in her car. She never returns.
This coming-of-age YA novel includes lyrical, John-Green writing:
There comes a time when we realize that our parents cannot save themselves or save us, that everyone who wades through time eventually gets dragged out to sea by the undertow-that, in short, we are all going.” – John Green, Looking for Alaska
Like the others in this list, Looking for Alaska presents the themes of love and grief wrapped in a mystery.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Do you have any books to add to my list?
Khristina Chess is the author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. Drive to June, her book about alcohol abuse, was first place winner of the Reader Views Reviewers Choice Awards. You can find her on Goodreads and on Twitter.
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