Happy Mean Girls day, one and all. Every year on Oct. 3, we come together to celebrate the most important of holidays, brought to you by Lindsay Lohan’s glorious comeback and Renee Rapp’s unearthly pipes. And you know we’re gonna celebrate with a list of book recommendations.
If you like the backstabbing cliques, try The Ivies by Alexa Donne:
The Ivies are five girls with the same mission: to get into the Ivy League by any means necessary. I would know. I’m one of them. We disrupt class ranks, club leaderships, and academic competitions…among other things. We improve our own odds by decreasing the fortunes of others. Because hyper-elite competitive college admissions is serious business. And in some cases, it’s deadly.
If you like a high schooler starting over somewhere new, try A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey:
For Lila Reyes, a summer in England was never part of the plan. But after things fall apart, her parents send her to England to reset. But with the lack of sun, a grumpy inn cook, and a small town lacking Miami flavor (both in food and otherwise), what would be a dream trip for some feels more like a nightmare to Lila.
If you like a revenge plot, try Queen Bee by Amalie Howard
Lady Ela Dalvi’s life was forever changed when her best friend, Poppy, betrayed her. She was sent away in disgrace, her reputation ruined. Nearly three years later, 18-year-old Ela is consumed with a desire for revenge. Her enemy is quickly joining the crème de la crème of high society while she withers away in the English countryside. With an audacious plan to get even, Ela disguises herself as a mysterious heiress and infiltrates London’s elite.
If you like school-themed drama, try Come and Get It by Kiley Reed:
It’s 2017 at the University of Arkansas. Millie Cousins, a senior resident assistant, wants to graduate, get a job, and buy a house. So when Agatha Paul, a visiting professor and writer, offers Millie an easy yet unusual opportunity, she jumps at the chance. But Millie’s starry-eyed hustle becomes jeopardized by odd new friends, vengeful dorm pranks, and illicit intrigue.
If you like watching a young girl discover who she really is (and prom!), try You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson
Liz Lighty has always believed she’s too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it’s okay — Liz has a plan that will get her out of Indiana, forever: attend an uber-elite college, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor. But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz’s plans come crashing down … until she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen.
If you like a look at the classic American high school experience, try The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe
Norris Kaplan, a Black French Canadian, is plunked into a new high school and sweating a ridiculous amount from the oppressive Texas heat. He finds himself cataloging everyone he meets: the Cheerleaders, the Jocks, the Loners, and even the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Yet against all odds, those labels soon become actual people to Norris. But the night of the prom, Norris screws everything up royally.
If you like when the nerdy girl gets the popular guy, try Geekerella by Ashley Poston
When geek girl Elle Wittimer sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? A meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons — before he was famous. Now they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but Darien feels more and more like a fake — until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise.
If you like the drama from anonymous gossip in the burn book, try Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney
Quinn keeps lists of everything — from the days she’s ugly cried, to “Things That I Would Never Admit Out Loud” and all the boys she’d like to kiss. Then an anonymous account posts one of her lists on Instagram for the whole school to see and blackmails her into facing seven of her greatest fears, or else her entire journal will go public.
Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.
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