5 YA Books That Will Give You Major Wanderlust
Summer’s officially over and with it, all of our best-laid vacation plans. Now that school’s in session, the only traveling we’ll get to do for the next few months is the vicarious kind—through the characters in a few of our favorite books. Luckily, we’ve got you covered in the vicarious-vacation department! So without further ado, here are a few YAs set in exotic locales to help tide you over until your next out-of-town trip. But we have to warn you: These novels may give you some serious wanderlust.
I See London, I See France, by Sarah Mlynowski
In this hilarious novel from bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski, nineteen-year-old Sydney is getting ready for what she’s certain will be the best summer of her life—travelling through Europe with her best friend Leela. Their itinerary includes England, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Italy, France—and hopefully making out with a handsome foreign stranger or two. But Sydney didn’t plan for appearances from Leela’s cheating ex-boyfriend and his friends, or updates on her mother’s agoraphobia (which almost kept Sydney from taking off for Europe in the first place). As Sydney and Leela travel from city to city—each new city includes a description of what it’s best known for—Sydney will have to get used to the fact that her trip isn’t exactly going to plan. But that doesn’t have to mean it can’t still be the best summer ever.
Charlie, Presumed Dead, by Anne Heltzel
Some trips aren’t fun-filled vacations. As this novel opens, young, handsome, and charming Charlie Price is presumed dead after a tragic plane accident—all that’s left of him is his bloodied jacket. Friends and family are gathered in Paris to mourn him—including his two girlfriends, Audrey and Lena, each of whom had no idea that the other one existed. Turns out, each girl dated a different version of Charlie, and they’ve begun to suspect that Charlie had even more secrets up his sleeve. Audrey and Lena don’t exactly like each other at first, but their shared suspicions about the boy they thought they knew will lead to an unlikely friendship and a search for the truth that takes them to London, Mumbai, Kerala, and Bangkok. Did Charlie ever love them? Could he still be alive? And if he is, why does he want them to think he’s dead? As this thriller unfolds, readers will discover that Charlie isn’t the only one keeping secrets.
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, by Jennifer E. Smith
Love can find us anywhere—even when we’re stuck at the airport. Hadley Sullivan has just missed her flight to London, and now she’s going to be late to her father’s second wedding. (Not that she’s looking forward to meeting her soon-to-be stepmother.) It’s looking like the worst day of her life when she meets a boy in the airport waiting area. His name is Oliver, he’s British, and Hadley’s pretty sure he’s also perfect. Even more perfect, he’s also sitting in her row on her newly rescheduled flight. But when they arrive in England, the airport is crowded and chaotic, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other. This quirky novel takes place over just twenty-four hours, proving that sometimes our biggest adventures—like falling in love—can take place in the blink of an eye.
Everything, Everything, by Nicola Yoon
Sure, a book about a girl suffering from severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)—a disease that literally keeps her confined to her house—might not seem like the most obvious candidate for wanderlust. But just hear us out. Madeline Whittier’s life is necessarily small—her mother, her nurse, and her books are pretty much her only company. But when a new family moves into the house across the street, she can’t help being curious about them—especially about Olly, the cute boy who likes to climb up on the roof. Maddie knows that Outside is dangerous—but being stuck inside comes with its own dangers, like missing out on life altogether. Maddie is willing to risk it all to see the ocean at last—with Olly. Like all great trips, Maddy’s experiences in the outside world will change her life in ways she never imagined.
Night of Cake & Puppets, by Laini Taylor
Laini Taylor’s bestselling Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy has everything—heartbreak, romance, adventure, trips to mystical foreign cities, and star-crossed lovers. But it all starts in Prague, where an art-student named Karou is hanging out with her best friend, Zusana. In this irresistible novella—a stand-alone companion to the series—Laini Taylor reveals the story of Zusana’s first date with her soon-to-be boyfriend Mik. There isn’t much that makes petite Zusana nervous—after all, her best friend Karou doesn’t call her “rabid fairy” for nothing. But she’s never been able to work up the nerve to talk to Mik, whom she’s nicknamed “Violin boy.” But she’s determined to meet him, so she creates an intricate treasure hunt designed to lead Mik to the treasure—Zusana herself. Told in alternating perspectives, this story takes readers (and Mik) all over Prague on a cold winter’s night—the next-best-thing to being there in real life.
So there you have it—a few far-flung tales to tide you over until your next vacation, while simultaneously (we hope!) giving you some inspiration to plan your next trip. Happy travels, vicarious and otherwise!