Reading opens up new worlds and can give you an enjoyable activity to do in your free time. If you're not much of a reader, you will be after devouring each book on this list. When you need an escape from your life, a book is the obvious answer, right? The tomes here come highly recommended by Seventeen magazine editors so you know they are going to be good. So make yourself a cup of tea, find a comfy spot to sit and crack open any of these books. You won't be sorry, I promise!
I know J.K. Rowling's series isn't just one book, but I'm going to count it as such. Harry Potter is an essential for everyone's library, regardless your age or gender.
$52.16 at amazon.com
Any girl who reads about strong, resilient Katniss won't hesitate to make Katniss her role model.
$7.34 at amazon.com
This is a fluffy, romance story of an American girl named Anna who falls in love with a boy while at school in Paris. It doesn't sound like it's life changing, but it's actually life changing.
$6.70 at amazon.com
A book about fitting in, feeling left out, how to deal with change and things that worry you, Fangirl is a book every girl should read before heading off to college.
$10.57 at amazon.com
This series follows a girl named Blue and her four guy friends on their quest to finding a supposedly-dead Welsh king. The books are really well written and the plot is great, but you love the books for the characters; the characters are beautiful and very real and people who will stick with you for the rest of your life.
$8.57 at amazon.com
Speak is a very well written novel about a teen who is depressed after something horrible happens to her at a party. The story is emotional and raw, and I believe that it's one that all teen girls should hear.
$4.99 at amazon.com
The main character may not be a girl, but the book captures being a teenager so poignantly, it's a necessity for all teens.
$8.89 at amazon.com
Just One Day is a very special book that starts out seeming like a romance but turns into a story about self discovery and what you can accomplish when you push yourself.
$6.86 at amazon.com
This book is a necessity to any teen girl who is questioning her sexuality. I've never read a better book about a teen who is confused with her sexuality and her journey in that confusion.
$8.11 at amazon.com
This is a story about facing what makes you nervous and doing it without the person who acts as your comfort blanket. I think this is a really important story because it shows how some day you are going to need to face things that scare you on your own, and it shows how some friendships are really worth fighting for.
$7.99 at amazon.com
Stargirl is a book about the importance of being yourself. It's a very short book, but a lot of emotion and meaning is packed into its small number of pages.
$6.00 at amazon.com
This book, which is the first in a series, is directed towards a bit of a younger audience (around 10 years). One of my teachers in middle school read it to my class, and I loved it. It's the first dystopian book I ever read. Since I associate this book so much with my childhood, I really think all kids should have the experience of reading it.
$7.19 at amazon.com
The Disenchantments is another great book not only about self discovery, but about finding out what you want out of life because sometimes you don't want what everyone else does, and it's important to know and accept that.
$7.63 at amazon.com
Katsa, the main character of Graceling, is a very strong and inspiring teen living in a cruel fantasy world. She's an amazing character to get to know and I think all teen girls should get to know her.
$8.81 at amazon.com
This book set in New York City is funny and emotional and really shows the kinds of adventures you can have right where you live. It shows that amazing things can happen wherever you are.
$6.03 at amazon.com
This is another book that is geared toward a younger audience; definitely more for around ages 10-11. Eleven is the story of growing up and learning about what changes when that happens. There are also sequels to read as you grow up, too. These books were a real presence in my childhood and showed me what to expect as I got older (in a good way).
$3.47 at amazon.com
With more mature themes, this book is recommended to older teens. It's an incredibly emotional and beautiful story about a girl whose sister has cancer and what she does to try and help her sister live.
$10.26 at amazon.com
All of these books and stories mean a lot to me. I hope that you enjoy reading them as much as I did!