As an acknowledged reluctant romance reader myself, one key thing that pulls me into a new romance book is a story where the romance is grounded in other literary elements such as solid plot, strong characters, or genre devices. In many cases, the romance may not be the primary plot element, but eventually becomes a significant part of the story.

So, while these may not be considered traditional romance books, here are some books with great romantic elements that can help a reluctant romance reader dip their toe into the genre: 

For fans of literary fiction:

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

This beautiful retelling of The Iliad features a deeply touching and emotional romance between Achilles and Patroclus. 

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

This second-chance story addresses mature topics such as divorce, grief, and healing, and features a romance arc with grown-up stakes and raw emotion.

For fans of fantasy or sci-fi:

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

This quirky space epic includes a richly diverse crew with small, quiet romantic encounters and story arcs.

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez

This historical fantasy set in 19th century Egypt includes ancient magic, enemies-to-lovers tension, and an archaeological mystery.

For fans of mysteries or thrillers:

The Verifiers by Jane Pek

This mystery includes a protagonist that works for a company that investigates potential online dating partners while navigating issues such as fraud and personal identity. 

And, if you’re looking to jump into the genre with a more traditional romance story where love and relationship development  is the central focus of the plot, the following books can also be a good starting point. A reluctant reader like myself may enjoy these novels with strong writing, great character work, and unique settings.

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

This fake-dating academia romance is great for readers who like nerdy characters and humor.

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

This small-town cosy romance centers around the classic grumpy/sunshine dynamic between the main characters and features lots of autumn vibes and witty banter.

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

This contemporary western romance features the developing relationship between the protagonist and her brother’s best friend and emphasises the importance of second chances.  

All in all, the romance genre is a rich, diverse, and interesting category of fiction that will likely have something for everyone, even those readers that are reluctant to give it a try.

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In 2019, he edited and published the Underdog anthology and co-wrote the cabaret show Siblingship. Tobias’s debut novel, Anything But Fine, was published in 2021, and was awarded the Australian Association of Family Therapy’s Book Award for Older Readers, was shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year for Older Readers, was named one of Better Reading’s Top 50 Kids Books (2022), and was included on Bank Street College of Education’s list of Best Children’s Books of the Year (US, 2023). His second novel, Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell, was published in 2022 in Australia and 2023 in the US. Tobias’s third YA novel, Wrong Answers Only, is out now in Australia and the US!

One of the many things I love most about reading is that it allows you to travel literally anywhere in the universe—or to another universe entirely—from the comfort of your couch, or bed, or beach towel. Books open doors to other worlds and elicit a special kind of wanderlust that, I believe, can only be conjured by turning a page. So, to help with your literary exploration, here are seven books that will take you to extraordinary places …

Wrong Answers Only by Tobias Madden (me!)

Fancy taking a cruise to nine of the most iconic, idyllic ports in the Mediterranean? Want to taste some tapas in Barcelona? Sample some snails in Toulon? Throw in some family secrets, best friend drama, and hot gay guys making questionable decisions, and this book really is the all-you-can-eat buffet you’ve been waiting for!

The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley

If you fancy a trip to Europe without the teen angst, you should definitely sign up for The Guncle Abroad. You’ll get to tour some of Europe’s hottest locales with everyone’s favorite witty guncle and his precious (precocious?) niece and nephew. This whirlwind family getaway is sure to warm your heart.

The Expanse Series by James S.A. Corey

If the freezing cold of deep space is more your speed, than take a tour of the outer reaches of the solar system in this epic sci-fi saga. Launching with Leviathan Wakes, this brilliant, nine-book series takes readers all the way from Earth to the moons of Jupiter and far, far beyond. It is mind-bending and utterly breathtaking.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Speaking of mind-bending, why not let Susanna Clarke personally guide you through Piranesi’s house—labyrinthine, infinite, full of marble statues, and periodically flooded by a vast, inexplicable sea. Is there anything beyond the walls of house? Is there anyone else in the world but Piranesi and the Other? Well, you’ll just have to visit to find out!

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

If you like the sound of marble statues but you’d like a little more star-crossed gay romance thrown in, why not head back to Greece and spend some time with our dear friends Achilles and Patroclus? This book will make you feel like you’re sipping wine and breaking bread with the Grecian armies as they lay siege to Troy. Oh, and you’ll be crying the whole time. I should probably mention that…

Midnight Library by Matt Haig

If you’re not afraid of a good cry, you might also want to pick up this global bestseller. You’ll travel with Nora to the Midnight Library and, from there, to alternate lives all over the world as our protagonist tries to right her wrongs and find her perfect life. But is there such a thing? And does the Library have the answers?

The Bump by Sidney Karger

Wyatt and Biz certainly don’t have the answers, but they do have a baby on the way imminently, so they need to get their shit together. Surely a babymoon road trip from NYC to California will give them the time and space to figure everything out before there’s a little one begging for their attention at every minute of every day… Right? Well, no, not exactly, but it makes for one hell of a trip!

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If I say the words coming-of-age story, what do you think of? Probably one of the classics, right? Catcher in the Rye, Little Women, To Kill a Mockingbird… As a kid, I thought that only books focused on children and teenagers could be classified as stories of growing up, because, once you reach the ripe ol’ age of twenty, you’re already a full-fledged adult. You’re mature. You’ve been in love once or twice. You know how to pay taxes.

Ha.

Now, at 28 years old, I know how wrong I was. A person can “come of age” at any age. Growing up isn’t about living for a certain number of days; it’s about figuring out who you are and what you want to do with the life you’ve been given. My upcoming novel, GUY’S GIRL, focuses on exactly those themes. And in anticipation of its release, I’m sharing my list of all-time favorite coming-of-age books. I hope you enjoy.

NORMAL PEOPLE by Sally Rooney

To me, the best books are the ones that articulate emotions you didn’t even know you had until you saw them laid out for you on the page. In NORMAL PEOPLE, Sally Rooney does that with bone-dry, deceptively simple prose, the result of which is a coming-of-age story that made me cry for twelve hours straight while reading it—not because it was tragic, but because reading it felt like holding up a mirror to some of the most difficult parts of myself, then being hugged and told that everything is going to be okay. It’s one of my favorite books ever, and I will never stop recommending it.

TALKING AT NIGHT by Claire Daverley

Written in a similar style to NORMAL PEOPLE (no quotation marks, shifting perspectives, told over a long stretch of time), TALKING AT NIGHT is another gorgeous, lyrically-written love story that begins at high school age and continues long after. Will and Rosie couldn’t be more different, but they are drawn together in an almost fated way, often drifting apart but always coming back together. Over the years, we watch them explore themselves and each other, weathering loss, illness, and much more before they get their happily ever after.

SUCH A FUN AGE by Kiley Reid

Based on this list so far, can you tell I love a good love story? Of course, coming-of-age is about far more than just romance. It’s also about wrestling with questions of identity, race, roots, privilege. One of my favorite novels that explores all these themes and more is SUCH A FUN AGE by Kiley Reid. The story follows Emira Tucker, a young, black college graduate who works part-time babysitting for an affluent white family. An incident where Emira is accused of kidnapping the white child she babysits sets off a fast-paced book that I absolutely couldn’t put down.

THE IMMORTALISTS by Chloe Benjamin

I remember so clearly the day that my old roommate handed me this book. Chloe Benjamin’s captivating novel follows four siblings who, early on in life, learn the dates of their eventual death. THE IMMORTALISTS takes a very unique spin on the coming-of-age trope, as we follow not one but four different stories: Las Vegas magician Klara; artistic Simon who moves to San Francisco just before the start of the AIDs epidemic; serious military physician Daniel; and Varya, whose section was one of the most accurate depictions of living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that I’ve ever seen. Together, these stories do an incredible job of showing how those who start in the same place can still grow into vastly different lives.

THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller

I would be remiss without mentioning the novel that blew up BookTok. Madeline Miller’s stunning work of mythology/historical fiction/romance-guaranteed-to-make-you-ugly-cry (I don’t even know how to categorize it) is the doomed story of Achilles (of the heel) and his best friend, Patroclus. Though it’s set against a sweeping backdrop of war, gods, and monsters, THE SONG OF ACHILLES is, at its heart, a queer love story about two young men who find solace in each other inside a tumultuous world.

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Well, we at The Nerd Daily want to make your life even more magical by recommending some fabulous reads based on your favourite Gilmore Girls character (yes, I know, it’s terrible to make you choose, I wouldn’t be able to, either) so go forth and read, booklovers. Make Rory Gilmore proud!

YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS LORELAI GILMORE
You’re an avid coffee addict, can talk circles around anyone even in your sleep, and have (or aspire to) the kind of confidence that leaves people gaping at your ingenuity and quick wit. You enjoy reading books that keep you on your toes and make you have an emotional reaction – the story just has to be as unforgettable as people describe you to be.

YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS RORY GILMORE
You have read all the greats – from Pushkin to Tolstoy, if it’s classic, chances are a copy of it is stowed somewhere in your room. You enjoy stories that are epic, that require you to keep your wits about you while reading and make you reevaluate your values and beliefs. Classic tales with a new twist are right up your alley.

YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS EMILY GILMORE
You like tradition and order and you like to fit in – whether that’s in the office or in your friends group. You also have a penchant for being the leader of activities and events. You have a natural talent for making people do what you expect of them. If you find the time to read, you want something that is in high esteem and possibly with dark wit that makes you cackle in secret. You also have a hidden love for musicals and are a believer in the one true love of your life.

YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS RICHARD GILMORE
Ah, yes. The patriarch of the Gilmore clan, the man who adores reading about history and still can’t seem to get over mistakes made in the past. A dignified man who appreciates family values and taking responsibility.

YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS JESS MARIANO

While you might be seen as a bit of a bad boy or a rebel, you’re a softie at heart who believes in true love, fighting for what and who you love and above all, making the scrappy life look ridiculously hot. You read anything from Jane Austen to Allen Ginsberg – as long as it keeps you invested, you are here for it.

YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS LUKE DANES
You are outdoorsy and so, if you have to read a book instead of enjoy nature, it better be about nature. Or at least something about sports. Or, you know, just a book that is like Luke – steadfast, loyal and deserving of the description “wholesome grump”. You would also go to the ends of the earth for your loved ones and no sacrifice is too big to make sure that the people you care about are taken care of.

YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS SOOKIE ST. JAMES

Let’s face it, Sookie is wholesome, heartwarming and her hugs are probably just as life-affirming as her incredible food. 

YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS LANE KIM
You are all about the music – you would sacrifice everything for it and there’s no one who knows more about the best and the worst music in the world than you. You like to snatch up the aux cord on any road trip and are all about educating your friends and family with fun facts about obscure musicians that they never knew they needed.

YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS PARIS GELLER
It’s no secret that you are fierce AF, ambitious and determined to a fault. What you want, you get. You work hard and you don’t have time for people who will distract you from your goal. You love stories that are based on honour, moral fibre and integrity…and maybe a bit of revenge now and again.

YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS KIRK

You’re the person who stands out in any room, who will try anything once just to see if it suits your tastes and while you may be a bit awkward at times, your heart’s also in the right spot.

Who’s your favourite character? Or do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

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For more than a decade, Taylor Swift has been blessing us with catchy songs and lyrics to-die-for! She went from cutesy country songs to badass pop singles, and gorgeous love ballads. As much as we adore all her albums, I am sure that we all have slight preferences – be it her sweet debut album Taylor Swift or the snarky Reputation one! And since this quarantine is the perfect time to add some new books to your TBR, I made a list of YA books you should read based on your favourite T-Swift album! Without further ado, here are some epic YA recs that you can read while blasting Taylor at full volume!

TAYLOR SWIFT

Taylor’s self-titled debut album is an almost all-country album that is sweet and fluffy, while talking about high school life, heartbreak, and longing. There are a few songs, like Picture to Burn, that show the sass and confidence we get to expect from the singer in her later albums, but mostly this album is all sugar. So the books selected reflect that sweet quality of the album with occasional bursts of passion and anger! 

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
The To All the Boys trilogy is one of the most beloved YA contemporary series in the book community, best known for its fluff, plenty of baking sequences, and mostly for its ability to divide fans into teams. We follow Lara Jean, a sweet and shy 16-year old who comes face to face with all her past crushes, when her well-hidden love letters to them come out. Drama ensues. 

Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Geekerella might be an adorbs retelling, but with its endless fandom references, an actual actor-geek romance blooming, and a convention in the making it is also a beautiful love letter to fandoms and all their magic. Elle is a huge fan of a classic sci-fi show Starfield and Darien, a famous heartthrob and a secret geek, snatched the role of the main character, Prince Carmindor, in the Starfield reboot. As their paths cross, they learn a lot about themselves and also about the fandom they (in many ways) dedicated their lives to.

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
This beautiful graphic novel is simply the cutest story of first love and self-discovery you will ever stumble upon! Nick and Charlie are high school students in an all-boys school. They are desk mates in class and when their unlikely friendships starts blooming into something more in time, we get a chance to witness a truly inspiring and queer love story that will give solace to the generations to come. 

FEARLESS

Her second album, Fearless, is a country pop album where Taylor delves deeper into her romantic relationships and her perception of them. One of the most prominent underlying themes of this album is unrequited love and yearning that comes with it, making the songs on this album an audio equivalent of seating on your bed, gazing out the window at the falling rain, and daydreaming about the person that puts your heart on fire. To honour Fearless, I picked three books that talk of growing up, growing into yourself, of unrequited love, and longing.

Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen
This is another one of those stories where the characters just suck you in and make you root for them no matter what! When eighteen-year-old Ever is forced to spend her summer in far away Taiwan to improve her Mandarin, she is convinced that her perfect summer of dancing is over. She soon realises that the strict program is actually dubbed ‘Loveboat’ by students and might actually present a chance to be as free as she wants to be and dance her heart out. This is a story of finding yourself, a story of first loves, and giving your dreams everything you’ve got. 

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed
When Jamie, an awkward geeky guy who likes to stay behind the scenes on political campaigns, and Maya, a girl with a heap of problems who is having the worst Ramadan ever, are forced to work together on political canvassing, it seems like the end of a perfectly good summer. But as they get more and more invested in the cause they are canvassing for, they also start falling for each other. Yes No Maybe So is both a love story and an ode to activism, finding your cause, and fighting for what you believe in.

The Upside of Falling by Alex Light
Fake dating trope, cynical view of love, and the improbable odds that change that? Sign me right up! This cute contemporary follows a girl named Becca who gave up on love when her dad walked out on her and her mother, and a boy named Brett who jumps in to help her with a fake boyfriend ruse to get people off his back about not dating in high school will steal your heart! It’s a sweet and fluffy read but with underlying themes of heartbreak, letting go of the past, and believing in love.

SPEAK NOW

Speak Now was the first album written solely by Taylor. This album took her a bit closer to the pop genre with a sprinkle of country here and there, and Swift also expanded on her themes. She still sings about love and heartbreak, but there are also themes of regret, betrayal, and falling for someone you maybe shouldn’t fall for. So my picks are a hearty mix of said themes! 

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
This lovely contemporary with a magical twist will both break and mend your heart! When Jack meets Kate at a party and they bond almost instantly, he is convinced that she is the one! But then Kate dies unexpectedly – and what should be the end of their story actually marks a beginning of a devastating tale. Jack is sent back to the beginning, to the day he first met Kate, and gets a chance to do it all over again and maybe save Kate in the process. But things are more complicated than they seem and Jack will have to figure out what and who he is willing to sacrifice in order to finally save Kate in one of his many time travels!

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
This is one of the books that will make you think of the ‘what ifs’. As Natasha and Daniel’s paths cross, them falling in love seems impossible. Natasha is twelve hours away from being deported and doesn’t believe in love. Daniel always worked hard to live up to his parent’s expectations, but his heart is that of a poet. Which one of them has it right? Can they beat the odds and actually fall in love or does the universe have different plans for them? The Sun Is Also a Star will make your heart sing with joy, but also face the harsh realities of our world. 

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
Now this fantasy book filled with rich imagery and deeper themes might be a more political book, but I believe it might intrigue the fans of Speak Now because of that! When Lei is chosen to be one of the nine king’s consorts picked from the lowest Paper cast, her life is turned upside down. But with the honourable job that threatens to break Lei apart also comes a chance to find out what happened to her mother and fight for her people – and the woman she loves. Will she be able to persist and rebel against the tyrannical king? 

RED

Taylor’s fourth album, Red, was released in October 2012 and it reflects her growth as both a woman and an artist. The title of this album was inspired by the intense emotions she felt during one of the relationships she was in while writing it – and you can feel these emotions throughout the whole album. From burning love and confusion, to jealousy and frustration, the songs dig deeper into one’s psyche and present a more mature angle. Another important theme Taylor touches on is also fame and what it means for her life to be constantly under scrutiny.

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
The first book in The Dark Artifices trilogy is just the type of book that will make you feel as if your heart was put through a ringer. We follow parabatai Emma and Julian as they try to navigate the looming threats to the LA Institute, raising Julian’s younger siblings, and most perilous of them all – their feelings for one another. But parabatai are forbidden to fall in love, this can only bring heartbreak and devastation. Can they find a way to be together in secret while keeping the rest of their family and the world safe from ruin? Basically, Lady Midnight deals with a lot of heart-wrenching drama, unresolved issues, and emotions so deep you will need a whole box of tissues to get through the book. 

History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
Some might argue that every Silvera book is filled with the deepest emotions, the ones that are difficult to face. But this heart-wrenching story of first love and what follows when you lose it in the most permanent of ways packs an especially big punch. As Griffin is trying to deal with the death of his first love and ex-boyfriend, Theo, we journey through the past to piece together their story but also to find out what went wrong. The only thing Griffin can do is confront both his past and his present to be able to move on with his life. 

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Did someone say heartbreak of epic proportions? In this lyrical rendering of the sung-about Trojan War, we see a different side of the story. Not the tale of war and battles, but the tale of fateful love and how it can colour every aspect of your life. As we follow Patroclus and Achilles, epic heroes of the Trojan War, from their childhood all the way to the war we get to know their story of blossoming friendship and later on legendary love.

1989

1989 was Taylor’s first official all-pop album, and the songs are bolder, full of potential, and infinite possibilities. Taylor mentioned that she was inspired by the late 80s pop songs – she still sings about love, but this theme takes a step back to let the themes of self-discovery, leaving idealism behind, and saying goodbye shine.

The books I picked had to be bolder, full of deeper love, and finding yourself in the process, books that aren’t afraid to shine the light on the ugly, call it out, and transform it into something lovelier.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Taylor’s fifth album is full of self-discovery and shows us a different take on love. Nothing sounds more in tune with that than Maggie’s magical book about five characters who work together in order to find a long dead Welsh king and uncover a legend, while also falling in love – but not in the most traditional sense. Love is a very present theme throughout this whole series but it is not limited to the romantic love. In the centre of this magical realism story is the love you feel for your friends and family and how limitless it can make you feel. Let me blast I Wish You Would and cry over all these beautiful character who are all in love with one another. Maybe in different ways, but it is love nonetheless.

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales
This queer Grease retelling will make you go ‘awww’ on more than one occasion! But the beauty of it is not only in its cute love story (though that is a very important part of it as well), but in the journey these characters go through in the book. Every one of them is facing different inner demons and they find their strength in fighting them but also in realising that they are all dealing with things as best as they know how and need to accept and understand that. 

The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman
For some reason, 1989 really fits well with magical realism books for me! A dark story of a small town, its founding families, and five teenagers who have to work together in order to save it from a dangerous monster praying on its locals. This might be a book about monsters and mysterious powers, but in its centre it is also a beautiful story of friendship, forbidden love, beating the odds, and standing up for yourself and what you believe in! Did someone say Bad Blood and This Love?

REPUTATION

Taylor’s most badass album to date dropped heavy and unexpected, rocking the music industry, and bringing Taylor heaps of new fans with its confident and edgy songs! Whether this one is your favourite album or not, you can’t deny that Taylor reached new depths with it. From afar, this is an album about bad blood, enemies, and tarnished reputations, but at a closer look, we can see tendrils of love and romance that survive despite all the ugliness and cruelty.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Now, nothing says cunning and badass as much as cruel faeries that are ready to trick you and get you on your knees in no time. In The Cruel Prince, we follow a story of Jude Duarte, a mortal living in the High Court of Faerie. She is often ridiculed and frowned upon for her mortality, but as Jude gets tangled into a dangerous scheme, she realises she possesses all the thirst for blood and cunning she will need to defy the odds and come out on top!

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Epic heists, mastermind plans, and beating the odds – Six of Crows has it all, and more! There will never be a duology about heists more perfect than this one, but it’s more than that! It is a story of surviving, of finding your crew even when the world all but abandoned you, of finding love in face of all the pain, and scars you were dealt. As we follow along with a criminal mastermind Kaz Brekker and his epic crew as they try to sneak into the Ice Court and free the most valuable and dangerous prisoner, we learn that this heist is about so much more than the money the crew was promised! No mourners, no funerals.

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
This dark academia masterpiece with a gruesome murder in its centre and a group of friends ready to do anything to hide the truth will make you gasp both in horror and twisted delight. The story jumps back and forth – on one hand we follow Oliver Marks as he is released from prison after serving ten years for a murder he might’ve committed, and on the other we delve into the past as we try to piece together what actually happened on that fateful night when one of the seven students, seven Thespians, lost their life. Its many twists and turns are perfect for the fans of a darker and more powerful Reputation. (I might be cheating slightly since this is not technically YA, but it fits Reputation too well to not scream about it!)

LOVER

And last, but never least, Taylor’s most recent album, Lover, which was released in the summer of 2019 and shaked the music industry yet again! Lover is a beautifully romantic album, where Taylor uncovered her personal journey and dared to be vulnerable. The romance is not evident just in the way Taylor sings about her lover, but in the way she sings about everything, as if one puts on the romantic googles. Lover is the album of positivity, vulnerability, and hope, where the main themes are being happy and feeling good.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
This YA classic of a coming out story will warm your heart and make you believe in love again! Simon Spier is an awkward sixteen-year-old with a pen pal who knows Simon’s secret – he’s gay – and who Simon might be in love with. But when someone discovers their emails and starts blackmailing Simon, his life is turned upside down. Will Simon be able to fight off the blackmailer and finally figure out who his mysterious Blue really is? Pick up this cuteness of a book, press play on Lover and buckle up for a geeky ride!

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Nothing says Lover quite like deep yet forbidden love! In Bloodlines, an urban fantasy series that will steal your heart, we follow Sydney Sage who is an Alchemist, a part of a secret society that is tasked with keeping vampires a secret from the rest of mankind. When Sydney is sent on a top-secret mission to keep the Moroi princess safe, she starts questioning her loyalties – especially when said assignment brings an artsy, charming, and sassy Moroi into her life. Do love and loyalty really run deeper than blood? Bloodlines is a beautiful series that next to epic love also tackles some important issues such as mental health and what it really means to defy prejudices you were raised with.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
And we are back at gorgeous retellings that will make you clutch your heart in awe again! When Cinder, ostracised as a cyborg, is forced to volunteer her body for plague research after her stepsister is infected with a plague, her life is turned upside down. Her body carries secrets – secrets not even Cinder knows about. When Prince Kai also steps into the picture and starts falling for Cinder, she must decide between telling the truth and fighting for the future of her world or running away and saving her own life! Cinder (and all the other books in The Lunar Chronicles series) is perfect for fans of Lover – filled with beautiful love stories, badass heroines, and saving the world!

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post YA Books Based On Your Favourite Taylor Swift Album appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Storm Runner by J. C. Cervantes
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Complete with a prophecy, a quest to save the world, plenty of monsters, supernaturals, demigods, and negligent godly parents, The Storm Runner is an absolute treat! (Fun fact: the Maya have a goddess of chocolate called IxCacao who makes an appearance in the book!)

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan
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It’s no news that Rick Riordan is the king of this particular genre as Percy Jackson and the Olympians is the reason most of us learned about Greek mythology after all,  so of course this list features his books. The Magnus Chase series is his take on the vast world of Norse mythology; all three of these books are hilarious and keep you hooked from the first page to the last, include a diverse set of characters, and in typical Riordan fashion, they also carry some very important messages and make you think.

Circe by Madeline Miller
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Circe is mesmerising and devastating at once. It’s above all a story of a woman who learns to claim the power wrongly taken from her. Circe is a glorious heroine, and Miller’s captivating storytelling gives her the ballad she deserves.

A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi
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Technically a companion novel to Chokshi’s The Star-Touched Queen, this can be          read as a standalone. Chokshi is a uniquely talented author; her lush, immersive prose and her intricate and vivid worldbuilding transport the reader into the world of her creation right from the beginning. The characters are flawed and lovable, the romance is well developed and convincing. In conclusion, read it!

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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Maya mythology merged with a Hades/Persephone-esque love story set in the Jazz Age, need anything more be said?

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia 
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Mbalia weaves West African and African-American legends together in a brilliant and wholesome way in his debut novel. Tristan is one of those unique protagonists who wanted nothing to do with valour and yet learned to be a hero the hard way; he is going to stay in your heart for a long time.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
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The Kane Chronicles has diverse characters, Egyptian gods and goddesses, an albino crocodile, a weird cat named Muffin, creatures made of clay who can wreak havoc, a secret magical society, and a baboon who’s a basketball champion and only eats food that ends in -o! Just go ahead and read these books, you know you want to.

The Serpent’s Secret by Sayantani DasGupta
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Steeped in gorgeous Bengali folklores, The Serpent’s Secret consists of an all Indian cast and portrays Bengali culture (and Indian culture in general) remarkably well. DasGupta gives her protagonist a strong voice, making this an empowering book for brown kids and adults around the world.

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse
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A Native American urban fantasy in a dystopian setting, Trail of Lightning is a delicious crossover of the fantasy fiction and science fiction genres that will compel you to finish the whole book in one sitting.

The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F. C. Yee
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Yee’s flowy storytelling seamlessly blends Chinese folklore into a contemporary setting in this action packed adventure story. Also, the romance involves well fleshed out characters who truly make a power couple!

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 10 Fantastic Mythology-Inspired Books appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Being fascinated by mythology while growing up means a part of you will always be drawn back into those enigmatic worlds. Mythology retellings have been the greatest way for me to revisit those characters and see them from so many different perspectives. In a way, retellings have given voices and depth to forgotten or supporting characters that had appeared in mythology

For me, I am grateful for retellings because they’ve been a great remedy to the problematic representation of women in mythology. For example, Circe, who played a small part in The Odyssey and was mostly perceived as a negative character, received a brilliant spin in Madeline Miller’s retelling where her actions and motivations were explained and she was definitely humanised by the end of the book. She became a three-dimensional character whose entire existence couldn’t be summarised as a challenge to the male protagonist anymore. She was her own character and her actions definitely made more sense.

Now if you’re as passionate as I am about mythology and want to see these beloved stories in a different light, then my recommendations will definitely be up your alley!

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
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Penelope is well known in mythology as the faithful wife, the one who waited for Odysseus to come home while keeping the suitors from taking everything she had. Margaret Atwood gives a voice not only to Penelope, but also to the twelve handmaidens that were hanged by Odysseus. She definitely offers a different spin to the myth as during the Odyssey, I have always thought of Penelope and Odysseus as a power couple if you will, yet in this book you become easily more focused on Penelope’s wit and her tribulations as she waited for her husband to return. Her feelings become more apparent and it definitely seems more realistic than Homer’s account where there is no anger, no resentment, just happiness at seeing her husband back home.

Galatea by Madeline Miller
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Galatea is definitely one of the less known works of Miller which is a real shame because her writing is as exceptional as always and the original myth is one of the most complex ones out there in my opinion. This tale of a skilled sculptor who’s rewarded for his abilities by having one of his sculptures (the most beautiful woman) become real has so many feminist sub-themes, discusses idealistic love, and it’s so clever in the way it works around Galatea’s character. It’s definitely a must-read!

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
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If you’re very knowledgeable in Greek Mythology and now want to get a bit more familiar with Norse Mythology, but don’t know where to start, I believe this one might be a great fit for you! The tales are filled with wit, they introduce you to every character from the sneaky Loki to the almighty Thor, and I think they are targeted especially to those who haven’t read those legends before. Gaiman presents the basics, his material isn’t heavy like some other general mythology books and that’s why the book can be perfect for both newcomers and the ones who want to rediscover the Norse tales told in Gaiman’s playful tone.

Outrun The Wind by Elizabeth Tammi
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This book deserves a spot on this list of recommendations solely for the reason that it focuses on Atalanta, a legendary huntress best known for organising races for her suitors and only the man who could beat her in a race could become her husband. Outrun The Wind has an interesting addition in the form of Kahina, who is the other main protagonist, a huntress of Artemis, and who clashes with Atalanta because of their too similar personalities. Recommended especially for those who like hate-to-love romances that are also slow-burns.

The Dark Wife by Sarah Diemer
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Have you always been intrigued by the story of Hades and Persephone? Then maybe you want to try this retelling in which Hades is a woman and Zeus gets what he deserves while still keeping the best themes from the original myth. The romance is well-developed in this one and Persephone grows so much during this book, we see her go from a sheltered, inexperienced girl to a confident woman who knows exactly what her strengths are.

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan
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Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a fan favourite amongst mythology nerds and for a good reason. The plot revolves around Camp Half-Blood which is a place devised to keep the demigods safe from all the monsters that roam around and are trying to kill them. Even if it’s a Middle Grade book, I believe it’s suitable for all ages as the plotlines are very thrilling and you will root for Percy Jackson and his friends from the beginning to the very end.

Circe by Madeline Miller
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I believe what Madeline Miller did with this book is astounding considering the material she had to work with. There are very few mentions of Circe in mythology, very few clues about her personality and her motivation, yet Miller managed to work with and build around these aspects. She crafted this godly character that is so in touch with her humanity and humility, Circe finds strength and resilience in her vulnerability. She has a quiet kind of power that is admirable and definitely amazing to read about.

Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe
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Another (modern this time) retelling of the Persephone and Hades myth that you can read for free on WEBTOON, which is ongoing and updated weekly. You will surely be delighted by the beautiful illustrations and the great plot that has been progressing very well. Persephone’s journey is so easy to identify with as she gets her first job, tries to keep her feelings for Hades hidden and subdued because he’s in a relationship, and struggles with her life in the city after being sheltered by her mother for most of her life.

The Faust Act (The Wicked + The Divine (Collected Editions) #1) by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie (Illustrations), Matt Wilson (Colorist), Clayton Cowles
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The Faust Act is another graphic novel that is inspired by mythology, yet another one where you will fall in love irremediably with the stunning illustrations. This represents the gods as pop stars that keep reincarnating and offers a great discourse into our fan and celebrities cultures. This graphic novel has a diverse cast, the characters’ personalities are also so vibrant, and they are all very interesting to read about.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
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The Song of Achilles is probably one of the most famous retellings, therefore it doesn’t need much of a description because most bookworms out there have at least heard of it. But in case you haven’t read it yet, you should definitely give it a try because it is such a raw, emotional and heart-breaking look into Troy and Achilles and Patroclus’ relationship.

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 10 Books To Read If You Like Mythology appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

From films to TV characters to food, sorting things into Hogwarts Houses has become something of a cultural norm. The notion of giving anything a magical animal identity has permeated the very fabric of society with a person’s House being a somewhat trademark telling of their characteristics and personality. But what about books? Find below a curated list of some of the best books based around those all-important House traits. Maybe dabble in another House’s reading list; after all, if Harry can choose so can you.

Hufflepuff

Geekerella by Ashley Poston
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If retellings are your jam, then this fandom inspired, comic convention novel based on the Cinderella narrative is a decadent treat. This book is bright and sparkly but doesn’t shy away from themes of loneliness and fear. It shines a light on toxic family relationships and shows the importance of equality, friendship and togetherness. There are haters to lovers, a vegan food truck, and lots of nerdy references; a perfect mixture for any Hufflepuff heart.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
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“No mourners, no funerals”, one Dreg says to another. The Dregs are, of course, the rag tag band of misfits featured in this heist duology. While steeped in espionage and betrayal, one theme runs stronger than any other: loyalty. Each of the characters pull from very different backgrounds and it is in these differences that the cast find home with one and other. Even though this series is set in a high fantasy world, the characters are as real as those featured in any contemporary story.

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
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A young boy travels from America to Iran on a family vacation in this heart-warming novel about identify, heritage, and the loyalty of family. Darius is a bit of an outsider, enjoying watching Star Trek, and selling tea in the local store rather than exploring any real form of social life. When he lands on ancestral soil, he connects with his grandparents and befriends the boy next door, Sohrab, who challenges everything Darius thought about himself.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
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A year after 9/11 and Shirin, a teenage Muslim girl, is trying to navigate an extremely politically unsettled America. From her love of break-dancing to the new boy, Ocean James, this book demonstrates the very worst of humanity in order to celebrate the love and uplifting nature of its best parts.

Ravenclaw

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
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Lazlo Strange sets out on a quest to uncover the mystery surrounding the lost city of Weep. This book captures the intelligence and creativity often ascribed to the Ravenclaw house; Lazlo’s determination to solve the puzzle through intense learning and research is perfect for those self-sufficient Ravenclaw’s.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
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In a world where humanity has conquered everything – war, hunger, disease – apprentices Citra and Rowan are thrust into the world of the Scythes: a highly respected society of cloaked individuals who are tasked with population control. For the protagonists, navigating this tricky world is all about being inventive, learning the politics, and adapting to the environment.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North
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The title of this book screams Ravenclaw. Harry August is a man who cannot die; he lives and dies, and then comes back with all the memories and experiences of his previous lives. On top of the relationships and the jobs, the main thread through this novel is science and the intricacies involved with experimenting and investigating and exploring the scientific wonders of the world.

Sadie by Courtney Summers
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Following the mystery of her sister’s murder, Sadie sets out on a quest to uncover the culprit. The audiobook of this story is wonderfully crafted as it follows Sadie’s own perspective, as well as that of a podcast reporter searching for his own answers. Heart-breaking and harrowing, the clues build up as Sadie heads towards the final showdown.

Gryffindor

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
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Bravery comes in many forms, and this tale about lonely outsider, Eleanor Oliphant, is completely mesmerising and devastatingly heart-wrenching. Through the course of the book, the reader learns more and more about the title character; her arrogance, her judgemental attitude but most of all her absolute unflinching courage to confront her past in order to live a better present.

Circe by Madeline Miller
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This retelling of Circe the witch is all too modern. Ostracised by her peers and exiled by her father, Circe hones her occult powers on a lonely Greek island. Terrorised by sailors, the Goddess has to learn to be brave and fearless in a man’s world, showing that courage and determination come in all different forms.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
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When an altercation between the President’s son, Alex and Prince of England, Henry is exposed in the international press, the teams behind each of the high-profile individuals concoct a fake friendship plan to simmer the tension. Their relationship turns into something deeper and more intimate, and both characters have to decide whether their love is bigger than diplomacy in this novel about bravery and authenticity.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
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Starr Carter witnesses the murder of her unarmed black best friend at the hands of a white police officer. What happens next is a series of events that tackle the conversation of racism and police brutality. This is a novel about finding your voice and using it in the times that matter; the times that will make a change. It is about choice and courage in the face of overwhelming prejudice.

Slytherin

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
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Jude and her sister, Taryn, witness the murder of their parents at the hands of the Fey. Whisked to Faerie, Jude crafts her swordsmanship and aims to be as strong as the faeries that torment her mortality. Cunning and ambitious, Jude is ensnared in court politics and ends up under the gaze of wicked and vicious, Prince Cardan. This book showcases peak Slytherin traits: resourcefulness, determination and the gut-wrenching need to succeed.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
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Mia Corvere becomes embroiled in the cutthroat environment of assassin school, The Red Church as she sets out on a quest to avenge her parents’ murders and overthrow the current rulers of Itreya. Filled with danger, gore, and unrelenting action, this novel explores the lengths people will go to see their goal accomplished.

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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This vibrant tale of the rise and fall of a successful rock ‘n’ roll band is seamlessly woven together in this engaging oral history. The novel captures each of the characters voices individually and concocts a juicy, turbulent narrative of a band at their height. Spunky Daisy Jones arrives on the scene and invigorates the members of The Six, and what follows is a chaotic ride through the seventies and the ambitious goal of super stardom.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
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This near future science-fiction adventure story is brimming with the energy of the Slytherin house. From ambitious end goals to securing survival in the vicious world of virtual reality (VR), this book follows Wade Watts as he attempts to decipher the puzzle of his hero’s game. Deep inside the OASIS, a VR style world where anything is possible, deceased creator James Halliday has hidden the keys to his kingdom.

So, wear those colours with pride, pick up a book and celebrate the best traits of your house!

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Sorting Books: Hogwarts House Book Recommendations appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

A simpler way of looking at historical fiction as a genre could simply be that it can include real dates and places (basically, facts found in records and history books), but the things that happen ‘behind closed doors’ are subject to the author’s creativity and understanding of the story.

If you’ve never picked up this genre before, you’re in luck! Here are five ‘must read’ historical fiction novels to get you started. There’s something for everyone on this list, from ancient Greece to medieval England; from the cold shores of northern Iceland to the not-so-distant events of World War II. Let’s get started . . .

The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory

Beginning in 1543, this novel follows Kateryn Parr, the sixth wife of King Henry VIII of England. The novel explores the achievements of Kateryn as Queen of England while also addressing her precarious station – married to a notorious wife killer, she must find her way in a court full of traps and betrayers. The Taming of the Queen also expresses one woman’s love for learning and knowledge in a time when such a thing was dangerous.

Note: While this novel is part of the Tudor Court series, it is possible to read it without having read the other books.

The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe (translated by Lilit Thwaites)

Set in 1944, The Librarian of Auschwitz details the life of those living in Auschwitz’s family camp during World War II. The novel follows fourteen-year-old Dita Kraus, a real-life prisoner of Auschwitz, who was responsible for the makeshift library located in Block 31. Based on real-life people and events, this novel is about finding hope even in the darkest of times, and the value and importance of stories. This novel is beautifully written with passages that will stay with the reader long after the book is finished – definitely a must-read for those who wish for an insight into this time in history.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

An incredible debut novel from Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles is set within the Age of Heroes and recounts the events of the Trojan War. Narrated by Patroclus, this novel reimagines his relationship with Achilles, and follows their triumphs and defeats throughout the ten-year war. It’s a story full of spiteful gods, love, heartache, duty, the lure of immortal fame, and much, much more. This book would suit fans of Greek mythology, but beware: it will break your heart.

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Another incredible debut, this time from Australian author Hannah Kent, Burial Rites tells the story of Agnes Magnusdottir, a woman condemned to death for her alleged association in a brutal double murder. This novel is based upon a true story about a woman surrounded by suspicion, and is set upon the cold backdrop of northern Iceland in 1829. Told through multiple perspectives, Burial Rites pieces together the events of that fateful night and will keep the audience guessing right until its dark and twisted ending.

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

In this novel, Geraldine Brooks depicts the fictional life of one woman living in the very real event of the plague year. Set in 1666, it follows Anna, a survivor in a town which has made the noble decision to close itself off from neighbouring villages in order to keep the plague contained within its own borders. Year of Wonders explores the breakdown of humanity and the struggle to survive the last widespread attack of the bubonic plague, while also including the pull of illicit love and the heartbreak of being one of the few remaining survivors.

And there you have it – five must read historical fiction novels for those who have either just discovered the genre, or are a returning reader. Historical fiction is a fantastic way to get readers interested in particular points in history, and can be a great tool to encourage further reading on a subject.

What do you think? Should historical fiction be utilised as a tool in understanding our past, or does it contaminate the original story too much? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Five ‘Must Read’ Historical Fiction Novels appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet. – Jhumpa Lahiri

To travel is one of the most beautiful things in the world. Do you love to explore new places as I do? I love to lose myself in a foreign city and dive into the culture and history of another country, while others like to go to the beach and explore the beauty of the ocean.

You may pick up a travel guide or search online what you can do in the city you are visiting next. I tend to start writing down a list of everything I want to see and mark it on a map and plan routes so that I will not miss anything. Nevertheless, I also like to get inspired by books I read and I start imagine myself being at the same spot where the characters from the books stood and to embrace the feeling the author wanted to transport a reader to in their story.

Over the years, I have come across a couple of books which have shown me around different cultures and cities through Europe and now, I want to share some of them with you which I highly recommend if you plan to visit Europe.

Let us pick up our backpacks, grab our train tickets, and start explore beautiful Europe!

We will start our journey in Vienna, where I was born and partly raised. Shame on me, but I have not really read a book about Vienna or Austria since I was in school. The most internationally well-known story about Austria is The Sound of Music, which tells the story about the Von Trapp family and what happened to them during the Second World War. Somehow, there’s many Austrians that don’t know this movie even exists! Make sure to see Vienna and Salzburg and visit the places where Empress Sissi and Mozart lived.

The journey takes us next to beautiful Greece where we follow the Greek gods around their temples of which we have heard from Circe by Madeline Miller—because Circe is a Titan, she gives a pretty good overview of Greek mythology. Exploring can make you hungry and after a swim in the crystal clear sea, we eat some Gyros and plan our trip to the next country…

In Italy we follow Lina from Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch through Toscana and visit Crema where the movie adaptation of Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman was made. Italy is perfect for love stories and epic adventures. However, there is also a detective story hidden in Venice. Donna Leon is famous for her Brunetti crime series, and a little fun fact about Leon is that she is an American writer who lives in Venice and her books are published all around the world, but not in Italy because she does not want to be recognised while grocery shopping. So as long as we can bear the hot weather, let’s continue with our trip.

Following Monty from The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee, we end up in Barcelona, Spain. We for sure will have a fun time cursing with him from Italy to Spain and take a go up a tower of Sagrada Familia to see the city from above. How are you feeling? Do you have enough of the heat? Then let’s continue to our next stop.

France, but more precisely, Paris. I have so many books taking place in Paris and I am not sure I can count them all. Who wants to explore old Paris through Eponine eyes from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo? Or follow Anna from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins to every corner of the city? I for sure would not mind to meet some revenants from Die For Me by Amy Plum or take a trip to the fictional village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes and eat some chocolate with Vianne from Chocolate by Joanne Harris.

If you have successfully convinced me to continue our trip, we will make a quick stop in Idris from The Shadowhunter Chronicles by Cassandra Clare. Well, we would if we are able to find it. It is rumoured to be found between Germany, France and Switzerland. I guess we will find out if we are descended from Shadowhunter or if we are mundanes…

I could recommend to you a lot of books taking place in Germany, but unfortunately the majority of them haven’t been translated into English so let’s just stick with the classics, The Brother’s Grimm. Their stories will bring us all over the country, but the moment you see a big bad wolf or a woman talking gibberish, we better keep going to our next stop.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green partially takes place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The book alone is sad enough that we can sit by the Amstel and cry for a bit and then be distracted by all the beautiful flowers that are all over the town.

From Amsterdam it is not that far to take a plane to Ireland. We explore the country like the siblings Addie and Ian from Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch. If we are lucky we even can go to the Electric Picnic Music Festival and dance as long our feet will allow it.

Great Britain is the country of magicians, or so I have heard. I am sure we will be able to find a trace of Harry’s magic in those streets as told by J.K. Rowling. Maybe we will be able to make a trip with Kell from A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab to another London. As Travars!

Have you had enough of magic? Then maybe a little bit of crime is what you need now. Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist from The Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson are waiting for us in Sweden. Be warned, what they have to tell us is nothing that you will forget soon and it will haunt you maybe. So only take this trip when you really are up for it.

Either way, we will continue our trip to Russia and meet with Pierre from War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. I do not know about you, but this is one of my favourite classic stories and its complexity causes you to be immersed in the story a few times and to watch all the different movie adaptions. Moscow or St. Petersburg, I hope we do not keep lost in time and do not forget to continue our journey, because the next one is a special stop for me.

Next up is my second homeland, Poland. There I will tell you the story of Pan Tadeuz by Adam Mickiewicz, which tells the complicated history between Poland and Lithuania. Of course, we have to make a stop in Cracow, my hometown, and take a look at the Church of Our Lady St. Mary were the story of The Trumpeter of Krakow takes place. To say goodbye to Poland is always hard for me, but we are not yet down with our journey.

Want to see Vlad the Impaler’s castle? Well, off to Romania we go. Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco will give us a different perspective of it. Okay, I just saw a very big bat flying above us, can we go now? Please?

Maybe the next stop will be not a scary one. And I Darken by Kiersten White takes place in the Ottoman Empire, now known as Turkey, and with Lada on our side nothing bad can happen to us.

Every good thing has to come to an end, even an epic trip through Europe. Our last stop before we will head back home is beautiful Prague, Czech Republic. Karou from Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor is waiting for us and after sight-seeing, we will chill outside with food and drinks and enjoy the cool evening summer breeze while we talk about all the great memories we have gathered.

We hope you enjoyed The Nerd Daily book journey through Europe as much as we did and we hope you will travel with us again!

What other books and characters would we see along the way through Europe? Tell us in the comments below!

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