10+ Best Popular Books for 17-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read for a 17-year-old? Whether they're a voracious reader or just looking for something new to dive into, finding the right book can be a game-changer. In this blog, we'll explore a variety of popular books for 17-year-olds, each with the potential to captivate and inspire. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to resonate with young adults!

Fun Popular Books for 17-Year-Olds

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Romance
  • Synopsis: This novel tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a sixteen-year-old cancer patient who reluctantly attends a support group where she meets and falls in love with Augustus Waters, a former basketball player and amputee.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching exploration of life, love, and mortality, resonating deeply with emotional depth and youthful vigor.
  • Perfect for: Teens looking for a heartfelt, thought-provoking story.

• Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Romance
  • Synopsis: Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of young love and the struggles of fitting in, all while dealing with complex family dynamics.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy realistic stories about adolescence and relationships.

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: In a dystopic future, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to replace her sister in the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death. Katniss must rely on her sharp instincts and the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy to survive.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a gripping story with strong themes of survival, authoritarianism, and societal control, which are engaging and thought-provoking for young adults.
  • Perfect for: Fans of action-packed narratives and strong female protagonists.

• Looking for Alaska by John Green
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Coming-of-Age
  • Synopsis: The story follows Miles Halter as he enrolls in a boarding school to seek what the dying poet François Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps." There he meets Alaska Young, and she pulls him into her labyrinth and catapults him into the Great Perhaps.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses deep questions about meaning, belonging, and loss, which are particularly resonant for teens navigating their own paths to adulthood.
  • Perfect for: Young adults who appreciate deep themes and are dealing with their own personal searches for identity.

• Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Romance, LGBTQ+
  • Synopsis: Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends, and all of his classmates: he's gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a funny, heartfelt book about identity and the complexities of coming out, offering a positive perspective on accepting oneself.
  • Perfect for: Readers looking for a charming, uplifting LGBTQ+ love story.

Educational Popular Books for 17-Year-Olds

• Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
  • Genre(s): Non-Fiction, History, Science
  • Synopsis: This book provides a compelling overview of the history of our species, from the emergence of Homo sapiens in the Stone Age up to the twenty-first century, focusing on why our species succeeded in the battle for dominance.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, critical thinking, understanding of human evolution and societal impacts
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a broad, thought-provoking look at the paths that have led humanity to where we are today, making complex scientific and historical concepts accessible and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Teens interested in history, science, and understanding the factors that shape societies.

• 1984 by George Orwell
  • Genre(s): Dystopian, Political Fiction, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Set in a totalitarian future, George Orwell's novel tells the harrowing tale of Winston Smith and his struggle against the oppressive control of the state, led by the omnipresent Big Brother.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, political awareness, understanding of surveillance and personal freedom
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a powerful cautionary tale that explores the dangers of totalitarianism and the profound consequences of political manipulation.
  • Perfect for: Students interested in politics, history, and the implications of government control over personal freedoms.

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  • Genre(s): Classic, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: This novel is set in the Depression-era South and follows young Scout Finch and her father, Atticus, as he defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. The story explores themes of racial injustice, moral growth, and the loss of innocence.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Ethical reasoning, empathy, understanding of historical racial dynamics
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a profound and moving story that addresses complex themes of race and justice with sensitivity and insight.
  • Perfect for: Readers looking for a classic that challenges societal norms and provokes thought about morality and human rights.

• A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
  • Genre(s): Non-Fiction, Science, Astronomy
  • Synopsis: Stephen Hawking explains the structure, origin, development, and eventual fate of the universe, which is accessible to non-specialists without prior knowledge of scientific theories.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific understanding, conceptual thinking about time and space, problem-solving skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes complex scientific ideas understandable to a broad audience, encouraging curiosity about fundamental concepts of physics and the universe.
  • Perfect for: Science enthusiasts and anyone curious about the cosmos and our place within it.

• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
  • Genre(s): Non-Fiction, Biography, Science
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951, and how the HeLa cells became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Ethical decision-making, scientific literacy, understanding of medical and research ethics
  • Why we recommend this book: It raises important questions about medical ethics and the intersection of race, class, and science in medical research.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in science, ethics, and the impact of medical research on individuals and families.

Challenging Popular Books for 17-Year-Olds

• Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
  • Genre(s): Classic, Psychological Fiction, Philosophical Fiction
  • Synopsis: This intense novel follows Raskolnikov, a destitute and desperate former student, who believes he is superior and entitled to commit crimes for a greater good. After he murders an old pawnbroker, the story delves deeply into his psychological torment and moral dilemmas.
  • Why this book is challenging: It delves into complex themes of morality, guilt, and redemption, with dense and philosophical prose.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a profound exploration of the human psyche and ethics that encourages deep thinking and philosophical questioning.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy deep psychological and philosophical challenges.

• Ulysses by James Joyce
  • Genre(s): Modernist, Literary Fiction
  • Synopsis: The novel chronicles the peripatetic appointments and encounters of Leopold Bloom in Dublin in the course of an ordinary day, 16 June 1904. The novel is highly allusive and also imitates the styles of different periods of English literature.
  • Why this book is challenging: Its stream-of-consciousness technique, complex structure, and rich literary allusions make it a demanding read.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's considered one of the most important works of modernist literature and offers a revolutionary approach to the novel form.
  • Perfect for: Those interested in a deep dive into innovative narrative techniques and complex, layered storytelling.

• Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon
  • Genre(s): Literary Fiction, Postmodern, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Set during World War II, the novel explores the design, production, and dispatch of V-2 rockets by the German military. In particular, it features the quest undertaken by several characters to uncover the secret of a mysterious device named the "Schwarzgerät" that is to be installed in a rocket with the serial number "00000."
  • Why this book is challenging: With its complex plot, myriad characters, and a dense, frequently shifting narrative, it is considered one of the most challenging works of contemporary fiction.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique blend of historical, scientific, and philosophical insights, wrapped in a distinctly imaginative narrative.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy tackling complex narratives and intricate plots.

• Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
  • Genre(s): Literary Fiction, Postmodern, Satire
  • Synopsis: The novel is a sprawling and multilayered narrative that revolves around two main threads: the residents of a halfway house for recovering addicts and the students of an elite tennis academy. It explores themes of addiction, entertainment, and the pursuit of happiness.
  • Why this book is challenging: Its nonlinear narrative, extensive footnotes, and wide range of characters and subplots make it a formidable read.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a deep and rewarding examination of American culture, exploring profound themes with both humor and gravity.
  • Perfect for: Those looking for a challenging read that thoughtfully critiques modern life and its complexities.

• The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
  • Genre(s): Philosophical Fiction, Mystery, Drama
  • Synopsis: This novel tells the story of the Karamazov brothers—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—and the events leading up to and following the murder of their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov. It explores deep questions of faith, doubt, and morality.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book's deep philosophical discourse and complex narrative structure demand significant intellectual engagement.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides profound insights into human nature, ethics, and the existence of God, offering readers much to ponder.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate philosophical depth and moral questioning in their literary choices.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're 17 and diving into some popular books, you might want to enhance your reading experience and make the most out of your reading time. Here are some exercises designed to help you develop great reading habits that will not only improve your comprehension but also make reading more enjoyable. Let’s get started!

• Set Specific Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on how many books you want to read in a month or a specific amount of time you want to spend reading each day.
  • How it helps: Setting goals can keep you motivated and give you a clear target to aim for.
  • Tips: Be realistic with your goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed; start small and increase gradually.

• Join or Start a Book Club
  • What it is: Gather a group of friends or join an existing club where members read and discuss a particular book.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding through discussion and provides different perspectives on the same book.
  • Tips: If you can’t find a book club, consider starting one with classmates or friends who have similar reading interests.

• Create a Dedicated Reading Space
  • What it is: Arrange a specific area in your home where you can read without interruptions.
  • How it helps: Reduces distractions and can help increase your concentration and enjoyment of reading.
  • Tips: Make sure your reading space is comfortable and has good lighting.

• Use Technology Wisely
  • What it is: Utilize apps and devices that can enhance or support your reading habits.
  • How it helps: Technology can provide tools for better organization, time management, and even access to ebooks and audiobooks.
  • Tips: Explore apps that allow you to track your reading progress or that can help you find summaries and analyses of books.

• Reflect on What You Read
  • What it is: Take time after reading to think about the themes, characters, and plot of the book.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and understanding of the book, and helps develop critical thinking skills.
  • Tips: Try writing a brief summary or review of each book after you finish it.

• Read Broadly
  • What it is: Make a conscious effort to read books from different genres, cultures, and authors.
  • How it helps: Expands your knowledge and exposes you to various writing styles and viewpoints.
  • Tips: Challenge yourself to read at least one book outside your comfort zone every month.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you’re not just reading a book; you're enhancing your understanding, enjoying the process, and maybe even discovering new favorites. Happy reading!