[RECOMMENDATIONS] If You Liked This 2017 Release, Read These Backlist Books!

So, you guys seem to be totally digging these types of monthly recommendations posts, so I thought, why not finish out the month of July with one of these babies?

I remember coming up with this idea back in March and becoming so excited to share it with you guys. We’ve had a lot of amazing books come out in 2017 (some that are still sitting on my TBR oops), and I’m sure some of you guys are clamoring for the next book in the series if it is one, or holding the book to your chest and sobbing because you will never find a book as beautiful as this.

BUT, surprise surprise, there are these wonderful things called “backlist books,” which are basically books that have been published in years before that don’t get too much attention in favor of the brand new shiny books. So, I thought, “Why not bring those things together?” So here are some backlist book recs for people who were fans of these popular 2017 releases!

…if you want more books where people are separated into two groups (or more) and there’s conflict (!!!).

Red Rising

Tell the Wind and Fire

You like books where people are separated into two or more groups and the main character starts a revolutionary uprising? Look no further than these two dystopian/sci-fi releases where those exact things take place.

…if you want to cry over gay boys some more.

The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley

…if you want a book where the character deals with grief.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye

You like books where the author takes your heart, stomps on it, and then completely crushes it for good measure? Here are some books dealing with grief, mental illness, and gay romance.

…if you want to read more about black kids dealing with the injustices of the prison system.

You liked the anger that arose from you as you read about Mary and her trials in the system or learning more about the intricacies of racism? You’ll enjoy this novel exploring some of those same themes.

…if you want weird fantasy/magical realism novels with pretty covers.

Bone Gap

Vassa in the Night

You liked being completely and totally confused while reading Garber’s debut? Here are two YA novels that will give you those same fantasy vibes.

…if you want sci-fi/dystopian novels that discuss and represent social issues in our world.

The Handmaid’s Tale

Noughts and Crosses

…if you want a diverse sci-fi where a royal and a boy are running away from danger. And aliens.

Beyond the Red

You liked how Belleza represented the current mess of our world while also making a novel with action and romance and betrayal, oh my? You’ll probably fall in love with one of these three choice titles, for those who liked one aspect over the other.

…if you want to read about more girls not ready to enter royalty.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

…if you want to see royal girls in danger.

The Orphan Queen

You like reading more about royal girls that would 100% represent you if you were in their place? Look no further than these two books that’ll give you want you want.

…if you want to read more about black kids feeling like they have two separate identities. 

Black Boy White School

…if you want more books inspired by the #BlackLivesMatter movement or police shootings.

How It Went Down

All American Boys

You liked the #ownvoices experience of reading about systematic racism and learning more about police brutality? Here are three more #ownvoices novels talking about these experiences.

…if you want more weird paranormal stuff.

The Darkest Part of the Forest

…if you want more books with dead people and powers.

Shallow Graves

You liked the weird magic and the paranormal aspects of The Bone Witch? Here are two more books for the PNR fan in your life (I’m guessing it’s you)!

…if you like reading about cute gay couples going to geek conventions.

How to Repair a Mechanical Heart

…if you like to read about fangirls with anxiety.

Fangirl

…if you just like to read about geek conventions in general.

All the Feels

You want to read more about that fandom life and people going to geek conventions? Read these three books that’ll relate to you like nothing else (shout-out to Fangirl for still being the first book where the main character had social anxiety, which helped me a lot to FINALLY relate to someone).

…if you like a lot of WTf-ery.

The Rook

A Drop of Night

…if you like a really good sci-fi story.

Dark Matter

You want to read a book that’ll keep you flipping pages and make your jaw drop because WHAT is actually happening? Here are three books that are right up your alley!

…if you like weird fantasy/PNR (because why not?).

The Space Between

Midwinterblood

(Don’t You) Forget About Me

You want more weird books that are weird for the sake of being weird (but still manage to be beautiful)? Here are three weird YA books of weirdness that’ll give you those Laini Taylor vibes.

…if you like humorous, diverse contemporary.

Will Grayson Will Grayson

Beauty Queens

You want to read more diverse books that you give you those Becky Albertalli feels? Here are two YA contemporaries that should give you just that.

…if you like the trope of girls dressing up like boys and kicking ass.

Eon

Rebel Wing

Defy

You want more books that have girls dressing up as boys at the center? Here are three novels that explore some aspects of the story (and are even a sort of a retelling).

…if you like spies and stuff.

The Book of Ivy

The Fixer

…if you like gay spies and stuff with a nice M/M romance.

Evenfall

You want spies and thrillers and sneaking off and cute gay romances? Here are three books with all the spy things (and one that’s an adult gay romance, which is brilliant).

…if you like a YA thriller that takes place in a high school.

The Assassin Game

…if you like a more mature thriller.

Dare Me

Reconstructing Amelia

You want some more YA thrillers? Here’s a YA thriller much like One of Us Is Lying, and two that are a bit more on the mature side.

And that’s it for this edition of “If You Like This…You’ll Like This”!

I hope you really enjoyed this one; I was so excited to share this idea, and, as always, these take me a long-ass time to write and link.

What did you think about this edition of “If You Like This…You’ll Like This”? Are there any good backlist books you’ve read that remind you of a 2017 release? What have been some of your favorite 2017 releases so far this year?

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