From first page to final book, some book series just steal your heart. Here are seven bingeable reads to sink your teeth into – perfect for teens chasing escapism, magic, mystery and the comfort of returning to familiar worlds.
There’s no need for Wi-Fi or a streaming subscription for the original bingeable series – books. A great book series lets you return to characters who feel like friends, settings that feel like home, and stories you don’t want to leave. From magical worlds and murder mysteries to dystopian trials and small-town secrets, these seven YA and middle-grade series are perfect for diving in and not coming up for air.
WHY BOOK SERIES ARE SO ADDICTIVE TO READ
Some of the most commercially successful books of all time have been series – think CS Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books, and Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga. The appeal is simple: emotional connection. Once you’ve fallen for the characters and the world, you want to keep going back.
Linda Murray, who runs an independent bookshop, says characters in your favourite series can end up feeling more like friends. ‘Series and trilogies work because there is an emotional connection with the characters from one book to the next. Readers feel they know them and know what’s going on in their lives.’ Award-winning children’s author Joanna Nadin agrees: ‘You know what you’re getting with a series. It can feel like a warm hug.’
7 BOOK SERIES TO SINK YOUR TEETH INTO
Whether you love fantasy, suspense, contemporary realism or magical adventures, there’s a series here for you. Each pick includes an age guide to help you choose.
1 THE INHERITANCE GAMES SERIES BY JENNIFER LYNN BARNES (14+)
Avery Grambs inherits the fortune of a billionaire she’s never met. To claim it, she must live in his puzzle-filled mansion with his suspicious grandsons – and survive their riddles, secrets, and twists to uncover why she was chosen.
2 THE RAVEN CYCLE SERIES BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER (13+)
Blue Sargent never thought she’d join the Raven Boys – four students chasing a legendary king. But their search sparks unexpected friendships, strange magic, and secrets that change how they see themselves, each other, and the world around them.
3 TRULY DEVIOUS SERIES BY MAUREEN JOHNSON (13+)
At Ellingham Academy, Stevie Bell is obsessed with one cold case: a triple murder and kidnapping that happened years ago. When she arrives as a student, she splits her time between solving that mystery and navigating new threats.
4 POWERLESS TRILOGY BY LAUREN ROBERTS (13+)
In a world where people have powers – called “Gifted” – one girl with none is thrust into a deadly trial. She must pretend to be powerful enough to survive, uncovering truth and danger along the way.
5 ONE OF US IS LYING TRILOGY BY KAREN M MCMANUS (14+)
Five students walk into detention – only four come out alive. Accused of murder, secrets unravel, alliances shift, and each must defend themselves. A sharp, suspenseful exploration of truth, identity, and consequences.
6 TRACK SERIES BY JASON REYNOLDS (10+)
These four books tell the stories of Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu – kids from very different backgrounds who share a gift for running. As well as following their progress on an elite team, the series tackles big social issues and family life.
7 LIGHT OF LUNA SERIES BY GABRIELLA DIAS (8+)
With six books available (and more to come), the series follows children who discover they can morph into animals and are connected to a hidden world called Barleria. Their magical quests are filled with mythical creatures and family secrets, as they discover who they truly are.
WORDS: Jade Beecroft
This article was originally published under the title A Plot to Love in Issue 49. You can get this issue here to enjoy more mindful inspiration.
