29 Best books for 15 year olds

13 Minutes is a psychological thriller audiobook with a killer twist. From the #1 internationally bestselling author Sarah Pinborough. “Mean Girls for the Instagram age.” —The Times (London)

The New York Times bestselling author known for her thrilling twists is back.

They say you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but when you’re a teenage girl, it’s hard to tell them apart.

Natasha doesn’t remember how she ended up in the icy water that night, but she does know this–it wasn’t an accident, and she wasn’t suicidal. Her two closest friends are acting strangely, and Natasha turns to Becca, the best friend she dumped years before when she got popular, to help her figure out what happened.

Natasha’s sure that her friends love her. But does that mean they didn’t try to kill her?

A Neon Darkness, the second Bright Sessions novel from creator Lauren Shippen, asks: “What if the X-Men, instead of becoming superheroes, decided to spend some time in therapy?” (Vox)

Robert Gorham always gets what he wants. But the power of persuasion is as potent a blessing as it is a curse.

Robert is alone until a group of strangers who can do impossible things–produce flames without flint, conduct electricity with their hands, and see visions of the past–welcome him. They call themselves Unusuals and they give Robert a new name too: DAMIEN.

Finally, finally he belongs. As long as he can keep his power under control.

But control is a sacrifice he might not be willing to make.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Teen

This four-book audio collection presents the complete Sweet Seasons Novels series, which follow Candace as her first job at a local theme park turns into a year-long roller-coaster experience. YA readers thirteen and up will enjoy the humorous plotlines and relatable characters, as well as the first-love romance and exploration of faith and friendship.

Perfect for fans of rom-coms, clean love stories, and contemporary young adult fiction, the complete Sweet Seasons Novels series is now available in one audio download!

A Sweet Seasons Audio Collection includes:

• The Summer of Cotton Candy: When sixteen-year-old Candace is forced to get a summer job, the only position available is at a candy booth at the local theme park. Surviving the many odd surprises The Zone has in store for her won’t be easy … but it may be worth it if she can get to know her handsome and mysterious coworker.
• The Fall of Candy Corn: As autumn approaches, Candace finds herself working as a monster in the big Halloween maze attraction. But when she discovers her youth group is planning to come for an event, she might be the one getting the biggest scare. Especially when it appears one of her fellow monsters is taking their role a little too seriously.
• The Winter of Candy Canes: Candace usually loves Christmas, but in her role as an elf, things aren’t so merry. From issues with her boyfriend to discovering one of her coworkers is in desperate need, Candace will have to draw on her faith and rely on her friends to bring out the true meaning of Christmas.
• The Spring of Candy Apples: As her senior year is coming to an end, Candace has big decisions to make–about college, her future at The Zone, and whether her friendship with Josh could become something more.

#1 New York Times bestselling author of The Selection series Kiera Cass is back with her most epic novel yet–a sweeping enemies-to-lovers standalone romance.

“Love has a sound. It sounds like a thousand heartbeats happening at the same time.”

Princess Annika has lived a life of comfort–but no amount of luxuries can change the fact that her life isn’t her own to control. The king, once her loving father, has gone cold, and Annika will soon be forced into a loveless marriage for political gain.

Miles away, small comforts are few and far between for Lennox. He has devoted his life to the Dahrainian army, hoping to one day help them reclaim the throne that was stolen from them. For Lennox, the idea of love is merely a distraction–nothing will stand in the way of fighting for his people.

But when love, against all odds, finds them both, they are bound by its call. They can’t possibly be together–but the irresistible thrum of a thousand heartbeats won’t let them stay apart.

Kiera Cass brings her signature sparkling romance to this beautiful story of star-crossed lovers and long-held secrets.

This program includes an author’s note read by the author, and a bonus chapter.

From one of the most followed booktubers today, comes Again, But Better, a story about second chances, discovering yourself, and being brave enough to try again.

Shane has been doing college all wrong. Pre-med, stellar grades, and happy parents…sounds ideal — but Shane’s made zero friends, goes home every weekend, and romance…what’s that?

Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. Time’s a ticking, and she needs a change — there’s nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She’s going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure!

Easier said than done. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart.

Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic – the possibilities are endless.

Booktrack Edition adds an immersive musical soundtrack to your audiobook listening experience! *

Essun’s missing daughter grows more powerful every day, and her choices may destroy the world in this “magnificent” Hugo Award winner and NYT Notable Book. (NPR)

The season of endings grows darker, as civilization fades into the long cold night.

Essun — once Damaya, once Syenite, now avenger — has found shelter, but not her daughter. Instead there is Alabaster Tenring, destroyer of the world, with a request. But if Essun does what he asks, it would seal the fate of the Stillness forever.

Far away, her daughter Nassun is growing in power — and her choices will break the world.

N. K. Jemisin’s award winning trilogy continues in the sequel to The Fifth Season.

*Booktrack is an immersive format that pairs traditional audiobook narration to complementary music. The tempo and rhythm of the score are in perfect harmony with the action and characters throughout the audiobook. Gently playing in the background, the music never overpowers or distracts from the narration, so listeners can enjoy every minute. When you purchase this Booktrack edition, you receive the exact narration as the traditional audiobook available, with the addition of music throughout.

Discover and rediscover the world of the Queen’s Thief, from the acclaimed novel The Thief to the thrilling, twenty-years-in-the-making conclusion, The Return of the Thief. The epic novels set in the world of the Queen’s Thief can be read in any order.

New York Times-bestselling author Megan Whalen Turner’s entrancing and award-winning Queen’s Thief novels bring to life the world of the epics. This first book in series introduces one of the most charismatic and incorrigible characters of fiction, Eugenides the thief. The Queen’s Thief novels are rich with political machinations and intrigue, battles lost and won, dangerous journeys, divine intervention, power, passion, revenge, and deception. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, Patrick Rothfuss, and George R. R. Martin.

Eugenides, the queen’s thief, can steal anything–or so he says. When his boasting lands him in prison and the king’s magus invites him on a quest to steal a legendary object, he’s in no position to refuse. The magus thinks he has the right tool for the job, but Gen has plans of his own. The Queen’s Thief novels have been praised by writers, critics, reviewers, and fans, and have been honored with glowing reviews, “best of” citations, and numerous awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, a Newbery Honor, the Andre Norton Award shortlist, and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award.

A Newbery Honor Book

An ALA Notable Book

A YALSA Best Book for Young Adults
A Horn Book Fanfare Book
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
A Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection

“The Queen’s Thief books awe and inspire me. They have the feel of a secret, discovered history of real but forgotten lands. The plot-craft is peerless, the revelations stunning, and the characters flawed, cunning, heartbreaking, exceptional. Megan Whalen Turner’s books have a permanent spot on my favorites shelf, with space waiting for more books to come.”–Laini Taylor, New York Times-bestselling author of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone novels and Strange the Dreamer

“Unforgettable characters, plot twists that will make your head spin, a world rendered in elegant detail–you will fall in love with every page of these stories. Megan Whalen Turner writes vivid, immersive, heartbreaking fantasy that will leave you desperate to return to Attolia again and again.”–Leigh Bardugo, New York Times-bestselling author of the The Grisha Trilogy and Six of Crows

“Trust me. Just read it. Then read it again, because it will not be the same river twice.”–Lois McMaster Bujold, acclaimed and Hugo Award-winning author of the Vorkosigan Saga, the Chalion Series, and the Sharing Knife series

“In addition to its charismatic hero, this story possesses one of the most valuable treasures of all–a twinkling jewel of a surprise ending.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“To miss this thief’s story would be a crime.”–Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

“A literary journey that enriches both its characters and readers before it is over.”–Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A tantalizing, suspenseful, exceptionally clever novel.”–The Horn Book (starred review)

“Devious, delicious, and gasp-worthy.” (Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces)

In this genre-defying page-turner from Lygia Day Penaflor, four teens befriend their favorite novelist, only to find their deepest, darkest secrets in the pages of her next book–with devastating consequences.

Miri Tan loved the book Undertow like it was a living being. So when she and her friends went to a book signing to hear the author, Fatima Ro, they concocted a plan to get close to her.

Soleil Johnston wanted to be a writer herself one day. When she and her friends started hanging out with her favorite author, Fatima Ro, she couldn’t believe their luck–especially when Jonah Nicholls started hanging out with them, too.

Penny Panzarella was more than the materialist party girl everyone at the Graham School thought she was–and she was willing to share all her secrets with Fatima Ro to prove it.

Jonah Nicholls had more to hide than any of them. And now that Fatima’s next book is out in the world, he’s the one who is paying the price…

Perfect for fans of One of Us Is Lying–and told as a series of interviews, journal entries, and even pages from the book within the book–this gripping story of a fictional scandal will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

A New York Times bestseller!

“A bewitching gem…I absolutely loved every moment of this story.” –Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series
“If you loved the Hogwarts Library…you’ll be right at home at Summershall.” –Katherine Arden, New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale

From the New York Times bestselling author of An Enchantment of Ravens comes an “enthralling adventure” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) about an apprentice at a magical library who must battle a powerful sorcerer to save her kingdom.

All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery–magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather.

Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire, and Elisabeth is implicated in the crime. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught–about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

From NYT bestselling author Brent Weeks comes the first novel in his breakout fantasy trilogy in which a young boy trains under the city’s most legendary and feared assassin, Durzo Blint.

For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art — and he is the city’s most accomplished artist.

For Azoth, survival is precarious. Something you never take for granted. As a guild rat, he’s grown up in the slums, and learned to judge people quickly — and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint.

But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassins’ world of dangerous politics and strange magics — and cultivate a flair for death.

Personalities clash and friendships shift between six very different girls in this audio collection of the first five books in Melody Carlson’s Carter House Girls series. YA readers will enjoy the juicy storylines, new romances, and hidden secrets of each girl, as well as the changes each experiences as they spend time together in a boarding house, where they get to know more about themselves and explore their faith.

Perfect for fans of high school drama shows, fashion, and relatable stories with a touch of glamour, this first audio collection of books in the Carter House Girls teen series is now available in one audio download!

Carter House Girls Audio Collection features:

• stories that speak to issues teens are facing today
• diverse characters and backgrounds
• interesting plotlines that also gently examine what it means to be a Christian and live out your faith

In addition, this audio download is:

• ideal for birthdays, Christmas, or any gift-giving occasion
• wonderful for summer reading, travel, or listening around the house
• great for YA fans 13 and up

Carter House Girls Audio Collection includes:

• Mixed Bags: DJ isn’t sure what to make of her grandmother’s “finishing school” scheme, especially when five very different girls move into the house. As the summer goes on and cliques begin to form, especially among the richer housemates, it becomes clear manners and deportment aren’t the biggest lessons the group will face.
• Stealing Bradford: As the school year starts, several of the girls begin dating, but when Taylor decides to go after Rhiannon’s new boyfriend, the entire house finds itself caught in relationship drama. And DJ is left wondering if there is any chance for her and her crush after his confusing behavior at a party.
• Homecoming Queen: The Homecoming Dance is approaching, and Taylor and Eliza are determined to be crowned queen. When DJ also finds herself on the ballot as a write-in vote, friendships are stretched and people’s true colors begin to shine.
• Viva Vermont!: After their first big fashion show organized by her fashion icon grandmother, DJ and the Carter House girls head to Vermont for a quick vacation. But instead of a restful weekend at the slopes, some of the girls have plans to turn the chalet into a party house.
• Lost in Las Vegas: Taylor is visiting her mom in Las Vegas, and DJ agrees to come for a few days. But when she arrives, DJ soon realizes Taylor has been spending her days getting into as much trouble as she can find. And what happens in Vegas is only getting crazier as Eliza soon joins them and adds fuel to Taylor’s fire.
• New York Debut: Mrs. Carter is determined to get the girls ready for Spring Fashion Week in NYC, which turns a few girls into model divas battling for top billing at the show. And a few girls have some personal issues that threaten to derail the experience altogether.

Look for the rest of the series–Spring Breakdown and Last Dance–as individual audio downloads!

In this riveting sequel to the national bestseller The Queen of the Tearling, the evil kingdom of Mortmesne invades the Tearling, with dire consequences for Kelsea and her realm.

With each passing day, Kelsea Glynn is growing into her new responsibilities as Queen of the Tearling. By stopping the shipments of slaves to the neighboring kingdom of Mortmesne, she crossed the Red Queen, a brutal ruler whose power derives from dark magic, who is sending her fearsome army into the Tearling to take what is hers. And nothing can stop the invasion.

But as the Mort army draws ever closer, Kelsea develops a mysterious connection to a time before the Crossing, and she finds herself relying on a strange and possibly dangerous ally: a woman named Lily, fighting for her life in a world where being female can feel like a crime. The fate of the Tearling –and that of Kelsea’s own soul–may rest with Lily and her story, but Kelsea may not have enough time to find out.

In this dazzling sequel, Erika Johansen brings back favorite characters, including the Mace and the Red Queen, and introduces unforgettable new players, adding exciting layers to her multidimensional tale of magic, mystery, and a fierce young heroine.

INCLUDES “FAIRY TALE OF LONDON” A BONUS SHORT STORY FEATURING WILL AND TESSA

#1 New York Times bestseller

“A pure distillation of fantasy’s enchanting mirror held up to our own truths.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Richly imagined…rife with action, intrigue, and smoldering romance.” —Publishers Weekly

From #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare comes the first novel in a brand-new trilogy where evil hides in plain sight and love cuts deeper than any blade. Chain of Gold is a Shadowhunters novel.

Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to battle demons. When her father is accused of a terrible crime, she and her brother travel to London in hopes of preventing the family’s ruin. Cordelia’s mother wants to marry her off, but Cordelia is determined to be a hero rather than a bride. Soon Cordelia encounters childhood friends James and Lucie Herondale and is drawn into their world of glittering ballrooms, secret assignations, and supernatural salons, where vampires and warlocks mingle with mermaids and magicians. All the while, she must hide her secret love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else.

But Cordelia’s new life is blown apart when a shocking series of demon attacks devastate London. These monsters are nothing like those Shadowhunters have fought before–these demons walk in daylight, strike down the unwary with incurable poison, and seem impossible to kill. London is immediately quarantined. Trapped in the city, Cordelia and her friends discover that their own connection to a dark legacy has gifted them with incredible powers–and forced a brutal choice that will reveal the true cruel price of being a hero.

From the award-winning author of The Field Guide to the North American Teenager comes a whip-smart and layered romantic comedy. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han.

Henri “Halti” Haltiwanger can charm just about anyone. He is a star debater and popular student at the prestigious FATE academy, the dutiful first-generation Haitian son, and the trusted dog walker for his wealthy New York City neighbors. But his easy smiles mask a burning ambition to attend his dream college, Columbia University.

There is only one person who seems immune to Henri’s charms: his “intense” classmate and neighbor Corinne Troy. When she uncovers Henri’s less-than-honest dog-walking scheme, she blackmails him into helping her change her image at school. Henri agrees, seeing a potential upside for himself.

Soon what started as a mutual hustle turns into something more surprising than either of them ever bargained for. . . .

This is a sharply funny and insightful novel about the countless hustles we have to keep from doing the hardest thing: being ourselves.

The best science fiction and fantasy stories from 2019, guest-edited by author of the mega-best-selling Outlander series, Diana Gabaldon.

Today’s readers of science fiction and fantasy have an appetite for stories that address a wide variety of voices, perspectives, and styles. There is an openness to experiment and pushing boundaries, combined with the classic desire to read about spaceships and dragons, future technology and ancient magic, and the places where they intersect. Contemporary science fiction and fantasy looks to accomplish the same goal as ever—to illuminate what it means to be human. With a diverse selection of stories chosen by series editor John Joseph Adams and Diana Gabaldon, The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020 explores the ever-expanding and changing world of SFF today.

Author Beth Fantaskey injects a little humor into the vampire romance genre with this critically acclaimed debut novel. High school senior Jessica Packwood is a down-to-earth mathlete who’s not sure what her future holds. What she definitely doesn’t see coming is foreign exchange student-and vampire-Lucius Vladescu showing up at her door. According to Lucius, Jessica is actually vampire royalty, and they’ve been betrothed to one another since infancy. “The romance sizzles, the plot develops ingeniously and suspensefully, and the satire sings.”-Publishers Weekly, starred review

Shadowhunters and demons square off for the final showdown in the spellbinding, seductive conclusion to the #1 New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series–now with a gorgeous new cover, a map, a new foreword, and exclusive bonus content! City of Heavenly Fire is a Shadowhunters novel.

Darkness has descended on the Shadowhunter world. Chaos and destruction overwhelm the Nephilim as Clary, Jace, Simon, and their friends band together to fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell. Nothing in this world can defeat Sebastian–but if they journey to the realm of demons, they just might have a chance…

Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world will change. Who will survive the explosive sixth and final installment of the Mortal Instruments series?

In a world where magic is tightly controlled, the most powerful man in history must choose between his kingdom and his son in the first book in the epic NYT bestselling Lightbringer series.

Guile is the Prism. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. Yet Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live.

When Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he’s willing to pay to protect a secret that could tear his world apart.
If you loved the action and adventure of the Night Angel trilogy, you will devour this incredible epic fantasy series by Brent Weeks.