The Best YA Books to Help You Survive the Holiday Season

We love the holiday season! But there are times when the most wonderful time of the year can seem like a lot—a lot of people, a lot of errands, a lot of socializing, a lot of shopping, and a lot of food.

When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, we recommend sneaking away for a few hours and escaping into the pages of a great YA book. Call it self-care. Call it research for gift giving. Call it trying to hit your Goodreads goal by December 31. We’ve made a list of some not-so-jolly holiday feelings you might experience, along with the best YA holiday books we think will get back in the spirit in no time!

When your holiday gathering turns dystopian, read We Were Liars by E. Lockhart.

We Were Liars

By E. Lockhart

Whether it’s an office party gone weird or old grudges revisited at a family get-together, holiday parties can be as scary as a dystopian YA novel. So we recommend diving into a fictional dystopia for some coping strategies. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart delves into the story of a beautiful and distinguished family on a private island, and a group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.

Who Put This Song On?

By Morgan Parker

When every public space seems to have “Santa Baby” playing on repeat, take a break and pick up a YA book that will have you singing a different tune. Who Put This Song On? by Morgan Parker is about a teenage girl trapped in small-town suburbia. Morgan struggles with issues of identity, self-confidence, and mental health. She feels like she’s listening to the same terrible track on repeat and wonders: When can she turn this song off and begin living for herself?

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Hooray for the holiday gift exchange! But after you receive your assigned name, you have to solve one of the great mysteries of the holiday season: What will they love that’s under $20? We’ve cracked the case! Buy them a copy of the YA novel One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus, a story about a group of high school students who are sent to detention and become suspects in a murder. Just like you and your gift exchange partner, they think they know each other . . . but do they, really? And while you’re there, grab a copy for yourself. That way, when dinner feels like detention, you’ll have an escape plan.

Skyward

By Brandon Sanderson

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson is a fantasy set in space that will inspire you to muster your last shred of energy and tackle those tasks! In this YA fantasy book, the last of the human race are trapped on a planet that’s under constant attack by aliens. When Spensa finds the wreckage of an ancient spaceship, she realizes that her dream to be a pilot could actually come true . . . if she can repair the spacecraft, survive flight school, and persuade the ship to help her.

Instructions for Dancing

By Nicola Yoon

All joking aside, sometimes the holidays bring up painful memories or unresolved feelings. If you think a cathartic cry might help, try the YA book Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon, a story about Evie Thomas who doesn’t believe in love anymore. Be sure to add tissues to that shopping list; you’ll need them.

Bridge of Clay

By Markus Zusak

Yes, the holidays can bring you and your loved ones closer together, but sometimes all that togetherness gets tricky. Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak is the story of five brothers who discover the secret behind their father’s disappearance. It’s an unforgettable book about the bonds of family and how they can sustain us through all the ups and downs of life.

All I Want for Christmas

By Wendy Loggia

A sweet Christmas romance about a girl with one wish: to kiss someone under the mistletoe. The holiday escape you need!

The Holiday Switch

By Tif Marcelo

Two rival coworkers with two very big secrets . . . What could possibly go wrong? Cozy up with this charming holiday romance by USA Today bestselling author Tif Marcelo.

New Year's Kiss

By Lee Matthews

If your New Year’s resolution was to find the perfect upbeat romance read…this is it! Tess is ready to ring in the new year–will she have a new boy by her side?

The Best YA Books to Help You Survive the Holiday Season

When your holiday gathering turns dystopian, read We Were Liars by E. Lockhart.

We Were Liars

By E. Lockhart

When you can’t listen to one more Christmas carol, read Who Put This Song On? by Morgan Parker.

Who Put This Song On?

By Morgan Parker

When you find yourself signed up for yet another gift exchange, read One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus.

By

When getting to the bottom of your to-do list seems like an impossible dream, read Skyward by Brandon Sanderson.

Skyward

By Brandon Sanderson

When you need a good cry, read Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon.

Instructions for Dancing

By Nicola Yoon

When you need to remember that you really do love your loved ones, read Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak.

Bridge of Clay

By Markus Zusak

Check out these Underlined paperbacks to get into the holiday spirit!

All I Want for Christmas

By Wendy Loggia

The Holiday Switch

By Tif Marcelo

New Year's Kiss

By Lee Matthews

Did you enjoy this article on the best YA holiday books? Get social with us at @getunderlined!

Join the conversation

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The Best YA Books to Help You Survive the Holiday Season

When your holiday gathering turns dystopian, read We Were Liars by E. Lockhart.

We Were Liars

By E. Lockhart

When you can’t listen to one more Christmas carol, read Who Put This Song On? by Morgan Parker.

Who Put This Song On?

By Morgan Parker

When you find yourself signed up for yet another gift exchange, read One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus.

By

When getting to the bottom of your to-do list seems like an impossible dream, read Skyward by Brandon Sanderson.

Skyward

By Brandon Sanderson

When you need a good cry, read Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon.

Instructions for Dancing

By Nicola Yoon

When you need to remember that you really do love your loved ones, read Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak.

Bridge of Clay

By Markus Zusak

Check out these Underlined paperbacks to get into the holiday spirit!

All I Want for Christmas

By Wendy Loggia

The Holiday Switch

By Tif Marcelo

New Year's Kiss

By Lee Matthews

Did you enjoy this article on the best YA holiday books? Get social with us at @getunderlined!

Join the conversation

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