Life is, and I think we all can agree, a wild mess of lessons, harshness, wonderful moments, and so much more—the coming-of-age genre has been so fun to explore for me because it touches on the many aspects of daily life. We all live different lives, and telling the stories of others, fictionally or non-fictionally is always something I have enjoyed. I am a journalist, author of coming-of-age fiction, and a lover of the stories life gives us. I hope you find within my recommended books, stories of growth, stories of dealing with life, and stories of the crazy yet beautiful gift that life is.
I wrote...
The Stars on Vita Felice Court
By
Emily H. Keefer
What is my book about?
Val Beckley is facing what many teenagers do – a yearning to escape her small town in hopes of becoming something more. Feeling trapped in West Virginia, Val convinces herself that she has found the new start she's looking for in the desert of suburban Mesa, Arizona, with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also widely known as "the Mormons" or "LDS Church." Discovering new meanings of home, love, and family, Val takes a journey that leads her to the most unexpected discoveries of all: what resides in her own heart, what creates a happy life, and where she truly belongs.
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
The Books I Picked & Why
Where the Crawdads Sing
By
Delia Owens
Why this book?
Where the Crawdads Sing by Deliah Owens captured my heart. As a truly heartbreaking and moving coming-of-age story, this is a book that is a challenge to put down with its beautiful depiction of the richness of nature, the depth of childhood into adulthood, and its ability to teach vulnerability. I loved this book because it includes a captivating plot, a truly artistic flow to its narrative, and it is a coming-of-age story not only for the character but also for the reader. It is a truly beautifully crafted novel.
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
Through the Waters and the Wild
By
Greg Fields
Why this book?
Through the Waters and the Wild really impacted me because it asks the timeless and relatable questions—“Where shall I go now?” and “What shall I do?” Focused on questions we all ask at some point in life, this wonderfully crafted novel answers that question in a unique way. Moving through the time period of the Irish Civil War, Fields is able to tell the story of a young boy finding his way all the while creating a setting in which is almost unbelievably described. I love this book because it seems as if Fields truly used a time machine, and as the reader, I felt as if I was on the streets in Ireland seeing the story take place.
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
The Weight of This World
By
David Joy
Why this book?
The Weight of this World is one of my absolute favorite additions to southern literature. I enjoyed this book, and honestly all of David Joy’s books, because it is crafted in a way to show darkness while at the same time showing glimmers of hope within the characters. This novel is real, raw, and a wonderful read that I would recommend to anyone who is looking to read a book that you can’t put down because of the action, the moments of self-discovery, and the depiction of the roughness within the world.
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
Southernmost
By
Silas House
Why this book?
I loved this book because it is beautiful in so many ways. It is a coming-of-age tale for many of the characters in a unique way. House challenged my view of ways to love, tolerance, and limits of belief. Additionally, I enjoyed this book because of its wonderfully crafted prose. With lessons richly sprinkled on its pages, it provided me with a new way of thinking. The cherry on top for me, was the quite unique plot that as the reader I followed and could not stop until I finished the last page.
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
Eleanor & Park
By
Rainbow Rowell
Why this book?
Yet another beautiful coming-of-age novel, Eleanor & Park took me on a journey that tells the familiar tale of what it is like to be young and in love. Rowell takes that theme we all know and puts a unique spin on it that made my heart smile while reading it. The author plays with nostalgia, very smart young main characters, and the common tale of the pain of love—a fun, important read for the coming-of-age story lover.
