Books

Ravenclaws Will Love These YA Novels

by Alex Weiss

Ravenclaws are known for their wit, vast creativity, and oddball personality. They're also obsessed with books. You know you belong to the House of Ravenclaw when your ideal way to spend a Friday night is devouring a new book with a cozy cat on your lap and a cup of tea in hand.

Like many Harry Potter fanatics, I've known which Hogwarts house I belong to since the day I cracked open the first installment of J.K. Rowling's life-changing series. Based on the strange looks I received whenever my thoughts trailed off towards wonderland, I knew I'd fit right in with Luna Lovegood.

As a proud Ravenclaw, I know there's a certain style of books I enjoy reading over others. I love empowering female characters. I love complicated and mysterious plot lines. I love endings that take me by surprise. I love opening a book and learning about something I never knew about beforehand. For these reasons (and more!), I generally find myself reading books that belong to the YA genre, which is a kick-ass genre to begin with.

If you're in need of some Ravenclaw-worthy novels to add to your shelf, check out these 10 books that will have you reading all night long:

1. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Any and every Ravenclaw will enjoy The Raven Cycle series, and not just because it has the word "raven" in it. The series consists of five exceptionally intriguing and addicting characters, an exciting mystical search for a long lost dead Welsh king, and cliffhangers that will have your heart racing. If that's not enough, these books are packed with witty and intelligent banter — something a Ravenclaw can't pass up.

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2. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Speaking of interesting characters, let me introduce Graffiti Moon. This novel reveals the hopes, dreams, and fears of four complex teenagers as they search the streets of Melbourne for a beloved graffiti artist. This book, told over the course of 24 hours, will make you fall madly in love with Crowley's writing and Australia. These are the types of characters I'd love to spend more than a night with — and it's one book you won't be able to put down.

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3. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

While Ravenclaws excel at many things, they especially excel at being creative. They like to think outside of the box, which can sometimes be construed as "strange" by other people. Noah and Jude, the twin protagonists of I'll Give You The Sun, would definitely be Ravenclaws. Noah tells his side of the story at age 13, while he's chasing after the boy next door and trying to get into the art school of his dreams. Meanwhile, Jude tell her side of the story at age 16, while she's convinced a ghost is ruining her life. Their stories comes together beautifully, and their artistic minds help create something truly wondrous.

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4. The Six Rules of Maybe by Deb Caletti

As a Ravenclaw, I am always searching for intelligent and funny female characters, and that's exactly what I found in The Six Rules of Maybe. Scarlett Hughes seems to find herself in the background of things, an observer rather than a participant. Her sister Juliet is the complete opposite. But when Juliet comes home pregnant and married, Scarlett realizes this might not be how she wants to live out the rest of her life. Does she have the courage to be herself? It's a question that most Ravenclaws have pondered at one point or another, and it's one that this novel tackles beautifully.

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5. Control by Lydia Kang

If you're a fan of science fiction, get ready for this fact-filled, mindblowing YA novel. After a crash leaves them orphaned, Zel knows she needs to protect her sister, Dyl. Contrary to Zel's plan, the siblings are separated and Zel is sent to a "safe house" filled with other teens — all of whom possess extraordinary gifts. As Zel searches for Dyl, she stumbles upon an incredible scientific mystery. Kang, a physician herself, has created an unforgettable novel any Ravenclaw will enjoy.

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6. Unnatural Creatures by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is an obvious choice for any Ravenclaw reading lists. Unnatural Creatures is Gaiman's whimsical and terrifying YA short story collection. This haunting, alluring collection will be the perfect addition to your blue and bronze common room.

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7. The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

Nix has spent her entire life aboard her father's ship, which sails the world through time and imagination. Her father is obsessed with locating one map: the map of 1868 Honolulu. This map will bring him back to his lost love: Nix's mother. The only problem? Nix's existence could disappear all together if he finds it. The journey-seeking Ravenclaw will fall for this action-packed story.

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8. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Honestly, anything by John Green is a Ravenclaw's dream: smart characters, realistic plots, and heartbreaking lines that'll make you feel as though you're a part of the story. An Abundance of Katherines is especially great because of Colin Singleton, a teenager that has been dumped one too many times by the notorious Katherines. Colin looks at life like one big math problem, and he's out to prove his theory of relationships. If you haven't picked up this book yet, I insist you do so ASAP.

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9. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Samantha Kingston, a popular and well-loved high school senior, expects "Cupid's Day" to be a big party full of valentines and flowers and candies... but she certainly doesn't expect to die in a terrible accident that night. The next day, she wakes up, and she relives the entire day over again... and again... and again. She realizes if she makes tiny, microscopic changes throughout the day, she might be able to rewrite her fate. As a detail-oriented and puzzle-solving Ravenclaw, I loved reading this. I'm more than certain you will, too.

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10. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Full of wit and cleverness (a man's greatest treasure), I Capture the Castle is an exceptionally great book for Ravenclaws. Cassandra, the charming main character, tells the story of her life, her family, and the hardships they all face in their crumbling castle of a home. When two new Americans move in next door, the real fun begins. The writing is gorgeous, and the characters are unforgettable. Trust me, this book will earn itself a permanent spot on your "favorites" shelf.

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Images: Warner Bros.