Sometimes life gets stuck on repeat or starts to spiral down faster than we can recover from. When stuck in that spiral, the first step is just to remember that we have the ability to change our habits. We have control over our lives and it is a powerful thing.
The hardest part is when we can’t feel that power for ourselves. Feelings are slippery and it’s hard to remember a feeling that you aren’t currently feeling.
If you need to feel that power again, here are three young adult books that will allow you to experience what it feels like to grab your life and steer it in your own direction.
The Serpent King by Jeff Zenther
The Serpent King tells the story of three friends living in the rural south. Dill’s father, previous to being arrested, was a local religious leader who formed a cult-like following in their small town. He and his best friend Travis both feel trapped in this town with no hope for the future or chance of getting out. Their friend, Lydia, on the other hand, comes from a well-off family and is already planning her future beyond their hometown.
Dealing with depression, loss and feelings of worthlessness we follow Dill on his journey to discover the dignity in his life and the power that personal choice has.
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
I’ll Give You the Sun jumps viewpoints and time frames between a set of twins at different times in their lives. We see the perspective of 14 year old Noah at a point in his life when everything is colourful and the world is just awakening for him. We then see the perspective from his twin sister Jude two years later after tragedy has altered both of their lives. The difference between the twins at 14 and 16 is night and day—and not for the better.
After seeing both of the characters lose themselves during the mysterious two year gap, it is empowering to follow them on their journey to find their way back to where they began, stronger for it.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Set in a world where a mysterious organization has developed the technology to accurately predict the exact day of a person’s death, Mateo and Rufus both live in a world where on the day of your death you receive a call at midnight informing you that it is your last day to live.
When timid Rufus and reckless Mateo’s paths cross on their last day to live, this story shows how powerful true connection can be in brining meaning into our lives. Both dealing with their approaching demise they each live an unexpected lifetime in their final day.