If you're like me then you're probably pretty bogged down by all the "New Year, New You" vibes in the air. I stopped making New Year's "resolutions" a long time ago, but something I have been doing is trying to do one thing a year that challenges me or makes me step outside my comfort zone (which I guess is a resolution in of itself but WHATEVER).
This year I'm challenging myself to read more genres that I don't normally gravitate to. Below are some of examples of YA books/series that serve as fantastic gateways to new genres. Who knows, you might end up LOVING them and have a whole other world of books to explore!
Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother's cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the heart of the world where her grandmother's stories began—and find out why her own story went so wrong.
Gateway Notes: The combination of fairy tale-like storytelling and half of the book being set in modern times makes it easily digestible for a first-time fantasy reader.
Genetically engineered teenagers called the Ones go to extremes fighting for their rights as society turns against them.
Seventeen-year-old Cody and her boyfriend, James, were two of the lucky ones randomly selected before birth to receive genetic engineering. Known as the Ones, this one percent of the population is healthy, beautiful, and talented... and to some that's not fair. Mounting fear and jealousy of the Ones' success leads to the creation of the Equality Movement, which quickly gains enough political traction to demote Cody, James, and others like them to second-class citizens. The line between right and wrong blurs in the face of injustice, and Cody becomes closer to a group of radical Ones intent on fighting back, while James begins to fear just how far she is willing to go for the cause.
Gateway Notes: It's easy to forget Sweren-Becker's novels are even sci-fi with how much relatable content and true to the times allegory is packed in here.
Spencer Northam is not the average young gentleman of leisure he appears. He is actually a spy for the War Office, and is more focused on acing his first mission than meeting eligible ladies. Fortunately, Juliana feels the same, and they agree to pretend to fall for each other. Spencer can finally focus, until he is tasked with observing Juliana's traveling companions... and Juliana herself.
Gateway Notes: Anstey does an amazing job at taking the stuffiness out of pomp and circumstance and filling her historical novels with fun, and vivid characters who break the mold.
After being labeled the music world's newest celebrity trainwreck, a bisexual teen drummer has to find a way to be true to herself in the midst of family betrayal, relationship drama and the ever-present paparazzi attention.
Gateway Notes: A lot of romance deniers cite the genre being too cliché and mushy, so Wilde's witty writing and endlessly sassy cast of characters is the perfect antidote.
Comment below with recommendations for readers trying to break into your favorite genre OR tell us a genre you would love to get into!