These are book recommendations for all ages. Whether you’re an adult looking for something new or just a teen wanting something interesting to read, these novels are for everyone.

These aren’t numbered in any particular order.

1. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’ Dell

Island of the Blue Dolphins follows Karana, a Nicoleño woman who is left behind with her brother when a ship full of missionaries take her people to a new land across the sea. Things go bad rather quickly, but this book (that’s based off of a true story) will take you on a wild rollercoaster of emotions via the power of friendship and dogs. Mostly dogs.

2. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

You are never too old for a good, old-fashioned princess story. In a world where children are periodically kidnapped to be transported to either a school of good or evil in order to train them into heroes or villains, stereotypically emo Agatha and pretty Sophie are taken, but other than the obvious help-I’ve-been-kidnapped problem that’s going on, they’re also under the impression that they’ve been sorted into the wrong schools.

(Spoiler: They aren’t.)

3. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Princess Academy is about a princess academy. Truly, you cannot get more profound than this.

Basically, the prince has to choose a princess from the region our local MC, Miri, is from, and it deals with resolved resentment, slight emotional constipation, and Miri’s skills involving commerce.

4. Nobody’s Princess by Esther Friesner

If you like Percy Jackson, Madeline Miller’s books Circe or The Song of Achilles, or you just like Greek mythology in general, you’ll like this book. This novel follows the legendary Helen of Troy from beauty to badass, following her on her adventure to become more than just a pretty face.

5. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

Though the recommendation says The Bad Beginning, what I’m really recommending is the entire series. Yes. All of it. All thirteen books that chronicle the adventures of the Baudelaire children as they deal with—you guessed it—a series of unfortunate events.

Because really, their luck is horrible, all the adults lack common sense, and the evil Count Olaf somehow always seems to come up with more and more schemes to steal their substantial family fortune.

6. The Boy in The Stripped Pajamas by John Boyne

WWII, baby. Our main character Bruno’s the son of a German officer in the Nazi Party, and because of his dad’s job, he and his family move out of Berlin to a new house where soldiers were everywhere. Being so young, he has a very limited understanding of what his dad does and what is happening, but everything comes to a head when he meets the titular boy in stripped pajamas.

I will admit that when I started reading, I wasn’t a big fan of this. The writing in the middle seemed bland, and there wasn’t anything to really make it stand out from any of the other books. But the ending—oh, the ending. The ending left me breathless. Definitely a must-read if you have some time to spare.

7. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The last book but definitely not the least, and the visual representation of the truthfulness of this statement is seen on that shiny gold award smacked onto the cover. The Graveyard Book follows our baby Bod, who is raised by ghosts in a graveyard, through the frightening journey of growing up. It’s just [chef’s kiss] perfect.

Closing Thoughts

And that’s it for books that anyone can enjoy! All ages can appreciate the art of implied murder and familial love.

Any other book that you recommend?