Reading a book written in verse is an incredibly powerful experience. It takes reading to a whole other level, and we’re kind of obsessed with it. Check out these must-read books in verse!

One of the great things about books is how they help us understand one another and also empower us. There is real power in being a force of empathy and compassion. Here are a few books whose incredible stories can help us foster understanding, compassion, and empowerment.

My love for Jane Austen’s classic Pride & Prejudice goes back a long way. I was one of those gangly, awkward preteens who had actual fancy-dress, big-hat, cucumber-sandwhich viewing parties for the 5 hour A&E mini series adaptation of Pride and Prejudice (yes, on 6 VHS tapes). One of my final papers in college discussed the role of nature in the more recent film adaptation staring Keira Knightly (because yeah. I got college credit for fangirling. Dreams come true). So when I heard about a retelling with Sasquatch and a broody prep boy, this was my approximate reaction:

I think that if Jane Austen were to come back to life, she would love the how far her story has gone too! Here’s the list of retellings I would recommend to her.

3 Awesome Pride and Prejudice Retellings

1. The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim

This new release is a team favorite, and for good reason! A delightful romcom that perfectly mixes To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Pride and Prejudice, The Love Match follows a Bangladeshi American teen whose meddling mother arranges a match to secure their family’s financial security—just as she’s falling in love with someone else. A love triangle, matchmaking, and ADORABLE romance? SWOON!

2. Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh by Rachael Lippincott

This retelling isn’t out until the fall, but we are SO excited about this one that we had to share! Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh is a sapphic period romcom that combines Bridgerton and Freaky Friday and follows a girl sent 200 years in the past to regency England to find love. Be sure to add this one to your TBR for later this year!

3. Sasquatch, Love, and Other Imaginary Things by Betsy Alderedge and Carrie DuBois-Shaw

In Sasquatch, Love, and Other Imaginary Things, Samantha, like Lizzie Bennet, has an embarrassing family. Unlike Lizzie Bennet though, her family isn’t trying to catch husbands, they’re trying to catch Sasquatch. Amazing right?

P.S. the judgy prep school fellow is a great Darcy.

Want more romance reads? Check out these recs based on your fave classic romance tropes!

There’s nothing like getting so absorbed in a good book that you lose track of time. BUT, if you’re on TikTok, you may have also experienced that quick just-watching-for-a-minute-oh-wait-this-is-so-funny-oh-no-it’s-been-an-hour app check. Friends, allow us to bring your two favorite worlds together—books and hilarious TikToks—with these book recommendations   based on some of the top TikTok trends of this year.

What Book Should You Read Based on Your Favorite TikTok Trend?

1. #YourType – To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

The Your Type trend is fun because you never know fully who or what is being revealed as “Your Type” until the end. Sometimes they’re straightforward or flirty, and sometimes they’re funny—like ones describing a puppy or a pizza.

But if there was one book character who would be all over this trend, it’s Lara Jean Covey from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Lara Jean is a hopeless romantic who writes unsent love letters to all her crushes describing why they’d be perfect together. Let’s face it, Lara Jean basically invented the Your Type trend. She walked so this trend could run. If you haven’t read her story yet (where have you been?!), trust us, it’s your type.

2. #POV – All Eyes on Us by Kit Frick

Can’t get enough of the low-key chilling twists and turns of the ever-expanding Emily universe? Meet Amanda Kelly and Rosalie Bell. Their math teacher isn’t trying to make any moves on them (fortunately), but they are both receiving anonymous texts from a private number who wants to take down real estate heir Carter Shaw. AKA the boy they’ve both been dating without knowing the other girl exists. But being cheated on shapes up to be the least of their worries when their stalker, Private, threatens to turn their lives upside down.

Would come back tomorrow for another part of those #POVs.

3. #IDidABadThing – Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi

If you’ve ever assessed your life choices with a mild sense of hysteria, set to the tune of a jazzy audio meme and adorned with a shameless slew of hashtags (#fyp #foryou #foryoupage #trends #REGRET), do yourself a favor and read Mary H.K. Choi’s Permanent Record. 

Pablo Rind has done more than just one #BadThing. He has done a seemingly un-get-over-able string of #BadThings, including but not limited to: enrolling at a college he could not pay for, dropping out of said college, buying turntables on a Guitar Center credit card that are now collecting dust under his bed while he dodges calls from a debt collector because he never paid them off, and engaging in an unfathomable flirtation with a world-famous pop star he met while working the graveyard shift at a bodega. But maybe that last one isn’t so bad. Maybe that last one is a good thing and his life is finally turning around?

(We promise that both you and Pablo will feel infinitely better about your life choices by the time you hit the last page).

4. #WhatWouldYouDo – This Lie Will Kill You by Chelsea Pitcher

If you’re on Tik Tok, you may never have seen the TV show “What Would You Do?” but you will recognize the gentle “Excuse me Ma’am, I’m John Quiñones from the TV show What Would You Do?” with your ears plugged. This trend strikes fear into our hearts and makes us paranoid that John Q. could show up anywhere at any time and shine a televised light on any questionable choices. 

In the thriller This Lie Will Kill You, five teens receive an invitation to a mysterious contest in a mansion in the hills, and they realize the secrets of their past won’t stay hidden. I’m not saying John Q. invited them, but if this was a Tik Tok, he would definitely be popping in with an “Excuse me Ma’am” to all the characters throughout this twisty story.

5. #Area51 – Exile from Eden by Andrew Smith

Already nostalgic for the future that never came to pass because the promised hordes didn’t descend upon Area 51 to spring our could’ve-been alien besties from government captivity? First of all, SAME.

But it’s probably for the best given that the aliens most definitely would’ve usurped control of our planet and, if Andrew Smith’s Exile from Eden is any indication, sent us all scampering underground in a desperate play for survival where we would be forced to make our home until it was safe to emerge 16 years later. Granted, the unsuspecting humans in this delightfully bizarre post-apocalyptic romp were contending with horny, hungry, six-foot-tall praying mantises instead of aliens, but… same vibe, right?

Looking for more book recs? Check out what books you should read while listening to Harry Styles’ new album on repeat.

Wow am I a sucker for a misunderstood bad boy with a heart of gold. Literally walked out of the theater after watching Thor 2 and couldn’t recall anything about the movie that was not Loki-related. And while I’m absolutely not ok with the male lead being cruel or abusive, I’m definitely all about mystery, troubled pasts, and redemption.

YA Bad Boys You’ll Fall in Love With

1. Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Rowan is such a bad boy in the best way possible. Rowan has been trained to be the ultimate killer and everyone is trying to tell Citra he’s past redemption. But Citra knows that deep down the boy she fell in love with is still there.

2. The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

Christian Kane from The Summer of Chasing Mermaids may not be the stereotypical bad boy, but he is an insolent, arrogant playboy with a past (ok yeah, he’s so a bad boy). He also happens to be completely charming and totally won me over.

3. Cursed by Thomas Wheeler and Illustrated by Frank Miller

Arthur is such a bad boy, but he also has a heart of gold. The first time Nimue meets him he’s literally flirting with her as he sings. But his tendency to run off without saying goodbye makes him very mysterious, especially since it’s all in the name of becoming an honorable knight.

4. Our Wayward Fate by Gloria Chao

Chase Yu, is the new kid in school and after initial resistance, chemistry begins to spark between him and Ali over their mutual competitiveness at martial arts. He’s not the stereotypical bad boy, but he’s got those moody vibes that we totally love.

5. Wake by Lisa McMann

Cabel has dark, dangerous secrets, but he helps Janie when she needs it most. He is surrounded by rumors about what he’s done and where he’s been, but the things he’s survived don’t define him and when it counts, he’s still able to treat Janie with a delicate touch when she needs it most. 

6. The Diabolic by S.J. Kinkaid

Tyrus is kind of a jerk sometimes, but he accepts Nemesis, despite what she is, and he helps her. He sees the best in Nemesis and isn’t afraid of her even though she could literally rip him to shreds. In fact, he applauds her strength while also showing her that she has the capability of being gentle and caring. He also has no qualms about killing people but they mostly deserve it. 

7. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Will is infuriating in the best way: flirty and sometimes distant, has the obligatory troubled past, and is above all else fiercely loyal. Um…did I mention he’s also incredibly dreamy?

8. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Jace might have a tendency to knock on trouble’s door, but he’s a fiercely loyal friend and an incredible Shadowhunter. It’s actually pretty easy to overlook his tendency to cause trouble when he loves so truly and learns to let his vulnerable side show. 

Looking for more? Check out this list of YA books with strong female protagonists.

Like this?

Try this!

Bad Girls with Perfect Faces by Lynn Weingarten

Why?

Pretty Little Liars, or PLL as those of us who have spent the last seven years of their lives with it call it, is excellent at one thing: pulling you the heck into the mystery and never letting go. What starts with an anonymous cyber-bully morphs into massive conspiracies, murder, kidnapping, and secret identities. If you like me, can’t believe it’s over, do yourself a huge favor and check out the addicting, intoxicating thriller that is Bad Girls with Perfect Faces. Here too you will find secrets, lies, mystery and revenge. It will pull you in from the start and swallow you whole.  Get reading!

I am so SO excited about the City of Bones Tenth Anniversary Edition for a lot of reasons (have you seen the cover?!), but one of the top being that Clary is back! Clary definitely has earned her place among the most amazing YA Heroines. To celebrate the 10^th Anniversary release, here are 10 reasons why Clary rules.

1. She is fiercely loyal. She will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves no matter what.

2. She gets stuff done. Clary doesn’t wait for someone else to tell her how to solve problems. She just goes for it.

3. She’s creative. Clary is an incredible artist, and she uses those skills to make change!

4. She’s independent. While Clary certainly has romantic relationships (TEAM JACE FOREVER), she’s still her own person.

5. She’s adaptable. If I were thrown into a world I didn’t know existed, I think I’d take a bit more time freaking out. But Clary doesn’t; she picks herself up and gets to work finding her mom.

6. She’s a good friend. Even when things get awkward or complicated, she’s still there for her friends.

7. She’s a good fighter. I’m not saying I want to learn to fight with Seraph blades myself, but it’s compelling to follow her getting better and better.

8. She lets herself be not okay sometimes. Clary experiences serious trauma and loss, and she doesn’t pretend like it hasn’t hurt her. She carries the emotional scars and lets them be a part of her.

9. She’s not perfect. Clary’s actions hurt other people unintentionally sometimes, and she has to deal with those consequences. It’s refreshing to see her grapple with that.

10. She’s a Shadowhunter. I mean come on!

Do you have other things you love about Clary Fray? Share in the comments!

Have you ever wanted so desperately to be different? I definitely have. In elementary school, I made everyone call me Anika for like a month because I wanted more than anything to be Anakin Skywalker’s twin sister (I’m talking signing-my-timestable-quiz-Anika serious). In The Odds of Lightin by Jocelyn Davies, four former best friends wish desperately to be different at exactly the wrong moment, and something incredible happens. To get you started, here are some of the reasons I loved it:

1. “Super”powers

The characters learn the hard way to be careful what you wish for when natural (maybe supernatural) forces intervene. I won’t give away more details, but the way each character changes is fascinating.

2. Split Narrative

The story flashes back between one night—the night before the SATs—and the past 3 years of high school that built up to it. As pieces click together of why the friends are the way they are, the tension mounts, like the ozone scent before a lightning strike.

3. STORMPOCALYPSE!

I’m a HUGE fan of disaster movies, and the backdrop of this story is a massive superstorm. Transportation closing, crazies running around, people stocking up—sign me the heck up for (watching or reading) that!

4. NYC

As a relatively recent transplant to New York, I love reading books set in the city and matching up places to experiences. Even if you haven’t been to NYC though, many of the scenes they go will seem familiar—Central Park, the subway, Fifth Avenue. And the dynamism of the building storm mixed with the emptying city is the perfect backdrop for the story. It’s no secret that The Odds of Lightning is the PERFECT book for Riveted’s Summer of New York City!

5. Fresh Take on a Trope

With this Breakfast-Club-esque character make-up, this story could be really flat (and believe me I’ve read some cardboard-cut out versions). But though each of the four has distinct traits that set them apart from each other, they’re built out enough to make them three-dimensional. They’re struggles and reactions feel real and relatable.