YA Books I Set Down… Should I Give Them a Second Chance?

Posted January 20, 2022 by Kate

Hello, lovelies!!

This was an interesting thing for me to think about. As a mood reader, I set down an unhealthy amount of books, and not because of the books themselves, but merely because I’m “not in the mood” for them or not quite in the right mindset for that genre/trope. I’ve also noticed a sharp deviation from YA in my reading preferences. I’m always excited for new YA books and may purchase with intention to read… but they’re never what I ACTUALLY reach for. Here are some YA books I’d love to try again or give another chance…

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

One of my bookstagram friends Masha @ onceandfuturebooknerd posts and fangirls about this one occasionally, and oh, how I’d love to believe her. I read about half, maybe a third of this book? Then set it down for reasons unknown. I bought the second book after that, so it must not have been the book itself? Someday I’ll give it a try.

A Conjuring of Light by VE Schwab

I LOVE Kell and his multi-dimensional coat with many pockets, and I even adore Lila! I have TWO A Darker Shade of Magic quote stickers on my iPad, and a quote print on my wall. But for some reason, I read a few chapters in the third book and set it down. I loved the first two books, so what happened?? I think, if I had to guess, I was terrified of the trilogy ending. I tend to do that with books I really like, I get really scared of reading the final book, so maybe if I don’t read it, it never ended. This happened with the Angelfall series all those years ago, too. I blame Divergent.

I recently reread book one, and really enjoyed it! I love Kell and Lila as characters, and have never forgotten them. I also adore V.E. Schwab’s writing style. But this isn’t a story I feel an overwhelming urge to keep reading. I’m enjoying it a lot, but for whatever reason, it’s easy to walk away for a time. It feels a little… dense? Even though I really love the writing style? Make it make sense. Which is why the other books were perhaps more intimidating, because they’re quite a bit larger. That said, I’m definitely picking this series up again soon. ✨

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

This absolutely sounds like a book I would adore! I mean, it’s totally up my alley! Female assassin from assassin school?? Hellooo. But I haven’t read any more than a chapter. I have nothing to say for myself. I’ve heard that the writing style takes some time to get into, but once you do it’s like *BAM LOVE*, and I just need to stick to it! Someday.

Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

This was the Biannual Bibliothon group read for their 2018 summer readathon, and I bought the book. I was ready. I got…. 40 pages in (that’s where my bookmark is). But I was road-tripping and I just said I wasn’t in the mood for the witchiness (which is NEVER the case for me) and I reread a Kristen Ashley book instead :) It was a very atmospheric witchy book, so I know it’d be something I’d like. I just need to be the spooky mood! (Goodreads)

The Reader by Traci Chee

I really don’t remember much about this one. Other than… I think… her parents were killed and she was on the run with someone who also got killed? Maybe? I could also be thinking of These Mortal Engines… I just checked the description, I was semi-right. Her father was killed and she’s on the run with her Aunt, who was kidnapped. My bookmark is on page 43. I just wasn’t getting into it. If you’ve read it and liked it, let me know and maybe I’ll pick it up again.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue
by Mackenzie Lee

My bookmark is on page 23 (I think it’s hilarious that my bookmarks are still in most of these books. No wonder I can’t find any bookmarks anymore!) I don’t remember being too impressed with the main character in this one. He mostly just seemed like an angry, petulant little lad. Granted, I think it’s because he’s put in a shitty situation in the beginning and I do not think that he would remain that way through the rest of this book. But, nevertheless, I got distracted away from continuing. (Is this like a gay little woman? someone tell me. Because I’d love to read that).

However…. something happened with the author that I wasn’t super happy with, so I think I’ll just skip this story and stop feeling bad about not reading it. Unhaul!

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

I’ve started this book so many times. Like four. And I cannot get past the first 30 pages! I see quotes from the series and I’m like “oh my gosh, this sounds seriously so cool!” I get Graceling and Fire vibes?? But I just despise the way “fatness” is written in it. I think of this book and all I image is a heroine shoving food in her mouth and hating herself. And like… been there. But I didn’t appreciate the way it was written or reading about it.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

I DNFd this one on page 83, and I don’t really remember why? I think something about the character rubbed me the wrong way, and I just wasn’t as invested as I expected to be.

The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye

This one makes me laugh because I got so far!! I DNFd on page 283, and I remember this book being a bit of a Katniss/Peeta situation in a competition setting, where only one can survive. But I just wasn’t convinced, from what I can remember. It’s such a disappointment because the cover is absolutely stunning! I think this one is a lost cause, however, since it’s been like eight years 😂

The Diviners by Libba Bray

This one I’m actually newly interested in, after reading The Last Magician a while ago, which is similar with the occult societies and magic ✨ But at the very beginning of this book, from what I remember, an ouija board came out and I got scared this was going the horror-esque route! Maybe I should give this one another go, but my expectations are tempered.