I get asked a lot, "What are some books that are similar to yours?" and "What books do you recommend for teens?"
At this point I can't direct you to books that are super similar to the HIDDEN Series, but I definitely have some favorite reads I'd be happy to share with you.
So, here goes. (Disclaimer: I'm not sophisticated, and I read much like my teenage target audience. ;) I like fast-paced, contemporary YA fiction. I prefer Christian themes but will read anything with depth of meaning and a compelling storyline. Not everything on the list falls into this category, but I love these reads nonetheless.
My Favorite Fiction
1) I AM MARGARET by Corinna Turner. Catholic dystopian fiction for teens and people like me who like a light love story wrapped in a future full of destruction and people being jailed for their beliefs. I especially love that this is a lengthy series so you can really follow the characters through their choices long term. Book 2, The Three Most Wanted is just as good, as is book 3 and book 4. I really can't recommend this series enough.
2) Brave Water by Sarah Robsdottir. An award-winning Catholic novel depicting the struggles of young African woman who risks her life for something we take for granted: a drink of water. This heart-stopping story is profound while answering the question, "What does it mean to be truly brave?" The solid five star reviews on this one really say it all.
3) Clive Barker's The Thief of Always. So, this one is not exactly Christian fiction. It's actually not Christian fiction at all, but is an exceptionally immersive middle grade spooky tale that is a popular book rec from teachers in middle schools across the nation because of it's wholesome theme and ability to swoon young readers into falling in love with reading. A dark fairytale, The Thief of Always captivated me even as an adult.
4) Awakening by covert Catholic author Jacqueline Brown. Jacqueline's stories are contemporary, relatable, and thoughtful. They in no way force Catholicism upon the reader and are accepted and loved in even secular circles, but at their heart Jacqueline's stories are thoughtful and rich with Catholic undertones. The Awakening Series is a wonderful introduction to the truth of spiritual realities. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to readers who especially enjoyed the darker angelic theme of HIDDEN.
5) The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis is a category of its own. The back of the book has only this succinct summary: "A Masterpiece of Satire on Hell's Latest Novelties and Heaven's Unanswerable Answer." Through the story of a demon learning to be better at being bad, Lewis expertly explores themes of temptation, sin, and human nature. A must read. Or even check out The Screwtape Letters Bible Study for Teens.
6) The Light by Jacqueline Brown is another noteworthy, contemporary Catholic novel many teen girls especially enjoy (my not-so-teen self among them). A piece of the online description declares The Light "Quietly suspenseful, The Light explores how the stories we tell ourselves shape the person we present to the world, and what happens to that person when the world falls away."
7) Carnegie Medal Winner, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, was so darkly enchanting. I wish I had first read it as a child, being that it's a middle grade story of a boy raised in a graveyard by ghosts and ghouls. None-the-less, it still dazzled me as an adult.
8) The BFG by Roald Dahl. I know. I'm a middle schooler trapped in a woman's body. But I'm going to own it. Roald Dahl is a creative genius. Who doesn't want to read about a girl stolen out of bed at night by a giant (a friendly one, I might add) and journeys on a marvelous adventure catching dreams?
9) I'm a sucker for a good dystopian novel. And a series is all the better. I'm going to say it; I thoroughly enjoyed The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins. Love her writing style, but reader be warned, these novels contain graphic violence. They are about rebellion against a tyrannical government, after all. Happily, though a pop cult phenomenon, there is no smut to be found, however. Not exactly Christian in theme, I do still appreciate the demonstration of sacrifice, justice, and hope, which align with Christian values. The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, demonstrates selflessness and courage, while the story emphasizes standing up against oppression and the power of love and compassion. ***If you want to keep your dystopian reads strictly Christian, word on the street is that Jacqueline Brown has released one entitled Altered. I'm ultra curious and can't wait to check it out.
10) How could my list be complete without mentioning the acclaimed Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis? I'm sure there is no one on the planet to whom this series is unread, but if this happens to be you, please don't walk—digitally run—to the nearest online marketplace to pick yourself up a beautiful, boxed hard cover set. It's allegory. It's fantasy. It's wonderful. No more to be said.
So, if you know me at all, you are aware that I adore nonfiction as much (if not more) than fiction. And so, much of it has informed my own novel-writing. Here are some books I couldn't do without:
Some of My Favorite Nonfiction
1) How to Find Your Soulmate Without Losing Your Soul: 21 Secrets for Women by Jason and Crystalina Evert - Countless tips I wish I had understood as a young woman. Priceless.
2) Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis - "C.S. Lewis is the ideal persuader for the half-convinced, for the good man who would like to be a Christian but finds his intellect getting in the way." — Anthony Burgess, New York Times Book Review
3) Angels and Demons: What do we really know about them? by Peter Kreeft - Peter's knowledge of biblical angels is unparalleled.
4) Interview With an Exorcist: An Insider's Look at the Devil, Demonic Possession, and the Path to Deliverance by Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea - Yes, it is what it says it is. And it's wonderfully terrifying. Everyone should read it. Everyone.
5) Imagine Heaven by John Burke - A book on actual near-death experiences. Invaluable insight for teens and wondering adults alike.
If you read any of these books and find them enjoyable or valuable please let me know in the comments! Cheers!
-Verity
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