The Required Reading Remix
Ah, required reading. How we all love to hate it. Regardless of how you feel about the books you read in high school, it's no secret that some of it can read as a bit dated. So, without any further ado, I present The Required Reading Remix, five young adult books recommended based on themes, settings, and characters found on many required reading lists, perfect for anyone looking to create their own summer reading list!
Swap The Great Gatsby for The Diviners by Libba Bray
Love the glitz and glam of the 1920s but want to take it to the next level? Libba Bray's The Diviners is everything you love about the Roaring 20s in New York City plus murder, magic, and a whole lot of ghosts. This series is an absolute blast (especially on audio)
Swap The Catcher in the Rye for A Lite Too Bright by Samuel Miller
The classic tale of teenage angst and rebellion is fairly polarizing, but regardless of how you feel, you may really enjoy A Lite Too Bright. Samuel Miller's novel takes on similar themes, but due to an incredibly satsifying plot, a ragtag cast of characters, and a protagonist with a ton of heart, this book may be a bit more palatable for the general public.
Swap Romeo and Juliet for Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
(Almost) everyone loves a good romance, but the prose of Shakespearean tragedies isn't always the easiest thing to read. In Always Never Yours, you can find all of the drama, intrigue, and romance one would expect from a work of Shakespeare's, but with no dictionary required. Not to mention, this entire book takes place around a high school production of R&J itself!
Swap Brave New World for Scythe by Neal Shusterman
What happens when you exist in a "perfect" world? Arguably, nothing good. Like Brave New World, Scythe takes a deep dive into a Utopian society and shows just how dystopian it really is. This series is perfect for anyone looking for a great binge read.
Swap The Crucible with The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
Who doesn't love a good revenge tale? Equal parts spooky, atmospheric, and magical, The Wicked Deep is set in a town in which three girls drowned for witchery 200 years ago return for their revenge each year. Truly, what more do you need?