If you want to read novels about true emotion, struggle for survival and not feeling confident in your own skin, then this list is for you. I loved reading these books growing up. It showed how young girls struggled with their life, romance, along with demons inside. You will laugh and you will cry. But most importantly, you will recognize the heartache and be able to relate!
1. "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Seabold
A hauntingly and beautifully-written novel about a young girl waiting for justice to succumb the life that was taken from her. She watches from the sidelines of her family coping with her death and dealing with the tragedy.
2. "Wintergirls" by Laure Halse Anderson
A story about addiction, downward spiral, and survival. The only thing that is destroying her is the demon in her head and the number on the scale. She wants to be the skinniest girl in school and will do everything to get there, even if it means starving herself to death.
3. "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher
The aftermath of a girl's suicide and the boy who admired her from afar. There are thirteen reasons why she ended her life and she left tapes for people to hear her story from the grave. The boy is learning to cope with her death and the words he never got to say.
4. "Alice in Zombieland" by Gina Showalter
The start of a vivid series of love, loss and zombies. An interesting twist on zombies where only slayers can see the zombies. Alice learns to fight off zombies and her feelings for the mysterious Cole she's attracted to!
5. "The Moon and More" by Sarah Dessen
A perfect book for the start of summer! This is the last summer before college starts and everything is collapsing. Stuck in a small town with big dreams, she debates whether the new guy in town is for her or her boyfriend whom she's known forever! Has a surprising ending that lead to opportunities she does not see coming.
6. "The Forest of Hand and Teeth" by Carrie Ryan
This novel will get you hooked with the post-apocalyptic struggle for survival and the incarcerated and forbidden romance. Trapped on the fence where life is safe from the dangers past it. But what is living if you're in a cage? Risking her life and others she takes her opportunity and runs with it! Literally.
7. "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins
Dramatically written poetry novel that leaves you devouring until the end. Meth is the demon that has taken control of her life. She has let the drug consume her and made decisions that effect her life tremendously. Once you're in, there's no going back.
8. "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead
Don't let the movie fool you, this is a well written novel about survival. Living in a world where vampires exist and are in danger. Someone is hunting them and she will do everything she can to protect her friend from the enemy. She is a warrior fighting physically and kicking butt. Also, there is a war going on inside that she needs to deal with or it will destroy here before someone else can.
9. "Empty" by K.M. Walton
The struggle a girl faces trying to lose weight to be accepted by her family and friends. She tries everything to lose weight but just cant seem to do it. No one gives her the time of day except when a guy forces himself on her at a party. This pushes her over the edge and she feels empty inside.
10. "Scars" by Cheryl Rainfeld
When she is raped multiple times by someone she cannot remember, everyone becomes a predator. She escapes through her art, but her paintbrush turned into a razor and her arm became the canvas. She is attracted to a girl and is conflicted with her feelings inside. Meanwhile she is getting threats from her attacker and she is scared that he will strike again.
11. "Marked" by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
The first book to the serious House of Night Novel. It is a world where vampires exist and have special talents and tattoos. Zoe Redbird is marked and moves her life to a school strictly for vampires. Zoe struggles with her new romance, talents, and dark forces. It is a well-written novel that you will have to finish in one sitting!
12. "Barely Breathing" by Rebecca Donovan
A heartbreaking story about a girl who lost her father at a young age and her mother is an alcoholic and cannot take care of her. She lives with her aunt and uncle, but her aunt is abusive towards her and she only confides in her best friend. A soccer star and straight A student, no one knows what is happening at home when the lights go out and she is left alone.
13. "Go Ask Alice" written by Anonymous
A true story about a girl who engages in drugs and dangerous activities that consume her life. It started out by just wanting to experience life more which she took too far and became addicted to drugs and her misery. She is fighting herself and doesn't seem to know how to get out of the rut that has taken control.
14. "Letting Ana Go" written by Anonymous
Ana struggles with the pressure of being perfect and not wanting to end up like her mother. Her best friend is skinny and all she wants is to be pretty. When her dad leaves her mom for someone skinnier than her mom, she is determined to do whatever it takes to lose weight and keep it off.
15. "Lucy in the Sky" written by Anonymous
When she starts hanging out with the wrong crowd and gets a taste of the party life, she cannot let it go. Watching her grades and morals slip, all she wanted was the next fix. When her "boyfriend" and best friend give her drugs, well, there is no going back to the good girl status.
