Spring Break Reading Recommendations

March 4, 2025 Kaylee Tokumi

The first decade of the 2000s was a great time for young adult fiction and book-to-movie adaptations. Whether you loved teen romance full of battles with high stakes, or journeys of self-discovery, there was always something new to read. Let’s take a nostalgic journey into the past and look at some popular titles (and one television show) that you may remember. Based on your tastes, we’ll recommend some similar titles — primarily from our Casual Reading and Graphic Novel collections. Maybe you’ll find your perfect read for Spring Break. 

Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief was first published in 2005, marking the start of the prolific Percy Jackson & the Olympians series which is still ongoing. This series sparked a lifelong love for Greek mythology amongst many readers. 

Here are some more tales based on ancient stories, myths, and legends from different cultures:

 

• Elektra by Jennifer Saint

Elektra retells the Siege of Troy from the perspective of three Greek women, Clytemnestra, Cassandra, and Elektra. The story is centered around themes of revenge, violence, and family. 

• There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak

Three characters are drawn together by an ancient poem and a single drop of water in a story that transcends time and space. A great read for anyone interested in The Epic of Gilgamesh.

• The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah 

The Stardust Thief tells the story of the Midnight Merchant, a young woman who deals in illegal magic. Alongside her jinn bodyguard, the merchant must embark on a treacherous journey to find a magical lamp within the Arabian desert. 

• The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

Drawn from Asian mythology of foxes, The Fox Wife is a tale of curses and spirits. Follow Snow and Bao as they travel from northern China to Japan and unravel the secrets of their world. 

• Hi’iaka and Pana’ewa: A Hawaiian Graphic Legend by Gabrielle Ahuli’i

Gabrielle Ahuliʻi draws inspiration from moʻolelo to tell the story of Hiʻiaka and Pele as they battle Panaʻewa, an evil lizard, to make their forest safe for all those who pass through. Although it was created for children, Hiʻiaka and Panaʻewaʻs vibrant art and engaging characters make it enjoyable for any reader. 

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The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer was a cultural giant. In many ways, it kickstarted the popularity of the young adult genre, launched fandoms into the spotlight, and sparked conversations about strong female characters. 

If that was a favorite, here are a few supernatural stories (with romance) to feed your nostalgia: 

 

• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Victoria Schwab 

Addie LaRue is immortal but cursed to be forgotten by every person she meets until she finds a young man who remembers her name. 

• Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

Wallace is dead, but he’s not ready to cross over. Alongside Hugo, the mysterious ferryman, Wallace is going to have an adventure of a lifetime in seven days. 

• The Cloisters: A Novel by Katy Hays

Set in the historical Met Cloisters Museum in New York, this gothic horror novel explores the secrets of divination and a renaissance cult. 

• The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Osterag

A graphic novel about mystery and hidden secrets with a fantasy twist. 

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Glee (2009) was a television show filled with drama, catchy tunes, and diverse characters brought together by a musically-talented cast. Though not a book, Glee’s cast of relatable characters and situations make it a noteworthy part of this list. 

If you are interested in fun drama following a relatable cast of characters as they navigate love, life, and school, one of these titles may interest you:

 

• The Art of Fielding: A Novel by Chad Harbach

The interlocking stories of five college students as they navigate romance, their future careers, and baseball. 

• Juniors by Kaui Hart Hemming

The story of a teenage girl who moves to Hawaiʻi and becomes entangled in a web of drama with her friends and family. 

• You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour

A humorous and heartfelt love story with LGBTQIA+ themes led by two relatable main characters. 

• The Secret Loves of Geek Girls by Hope Nicholson (editor)

An anthology about life and love brought together by a team of notable female authors and illustrators, including Margaret Atwood, Noelle Stevenson, and Mariko Tamaki. 

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The Help (2009) by Kathryn Stockfitt is a critically-acclaimed novel. Though the novel may oversimplify civil rights history, its movie adaptation and compelling characters has made it memorable to many. 

If youʻre looking for a more serious read that explores real social issues, you may enjoy…

 

• Calabash Stories by Jeffery J. Higa

Calabash Stories is a collection of new and familiar tales from across Hawaiʻi. Learn about the shadow artist from the plantations and other mysterious and compelling stories drawn from the author’s Japanese-Hawaiian background. 

• Every Drop is a Manʻs Nightmare: Stories by Megan Kamalei Kakimoto

With each story as compelling as the next, Kakimoto creates an interweaving collection of narratives about Hawaiʻi, colonization, and inherited wisdom. 

• The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

When a skeleton is unearthed at the bottom of a well, so are the secrets of a small town in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. This complex narrative weaves a story about racial privilege, ambition and sorrow. 

• Salvage the Bones: A Novel by Jesmyn Ward

Learn about the triumphs and struggles of four siblings from Mississippi as they prepare to hunker down for an incoming hurricane, all while caring for a dying litter of prize puppies. 

Hopefully, you found something that piques your interest. If you’d like to check out any of the titles listed above (and more!), you can visit the Casual Reading collection on the second floor of the library across from the balcony. 

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