Love John Green? Here Are 5 Books He Can’t Stop Recommending to Readers
Ahead of his new novel, take a look at the books the ‘Fault in Our Stars’ author reads himself
Key Takeaways
- John Green's first adult novel, 'Hollywood, Ending,' arrives September 22, 2026.
- Green calls Angie Thomas' 'The Hate U Give' a future classic of our time.
- 'Piecing Me Together' earned bestselling author Renée Watson a Newbery award.
John Green’s young adult books took the world by storm in the early 2010s. Since then, he has published a few nonfiction books and is gearing up to release his first adult fiction book later this fall. In addition to his writing career, Green has a very successful YouTube channel where he discusses history facts and English rules. He is also active on social media and often shares the books he’s reading. Green is a prolific reader, and he has shared several of his top picks over the years, in a variety of genres. Keep scrolling to see five books he has recommended–they’re just as moving and emotional as his own novels.
‘We Are Okay’ by Nina LaCour
In this powerful coming-of-age tale, Marin is forced to confront her past. No one knows why Marin abruptly moved from the California coast to New York City, not even her best friend, Mabel. But when Mabel decides to visit Marin for Christmas break, Marin realizes that she is going to have to face the truth—before it’s too late.
What John says: “A poetic meditation on loss that took me right back to those last days of adolescence with lines like ‘we were nostalgic for a time that wasn’t over yet.’”
What readers are saying: “One day, I would like to bump into Nina LaCour somewhere, so I can place my hand upon my heart, and let her know just how stunningly and hauntingly beautiful and moving I found this novel. This novel explores love and loss on an extraordinarily deep level. The prose is spare and descriptive and the ending transcends anything I can describe.”
‘The Hate U Give’ by Angie Thomas
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter lives in two worlds: one where she lives in a struggling neighborhood she calls home and one where she attends an elite suburban prep school and is one of their star basketball players. She’s great at keeping those two worlds separate, but when Starr watches her childhood best friend Khalil die in a police shooting, it gets harder for her to do so. Now Starr must find a way to combine both of her lives before another tragedy strikes.
What John says: “I truly believe it will be remembered as a classic of our time.”
What readers are saying: “The Hate U Give is phenomenal. This is the brutally honest kind of book that will stay with you for a long time after having read it and perhaps may cause you to look at life differently after having read it. At the very least, it may cause us to question that which we’ve come to accept as ‘normal.’ This was a gripping story that not only packed an emotional punch but was also an excellent fictional treatment of real-life racial issues facing America today.”
‘Little Fires Everywhere’ by Celeste Ng
In this bestselling novel, which was adapted into a TV show starring Reese Witherspoon, Elena Richardson, a realtor, wife and mother of three, has built her life around following the rules. So when Mia Warren, a free-spirited artist and single mother who challenges everything Elena stands for, rents one of Elena’s properties and their families become intertwined, Elena is forced to confront whether the perfectly controlled life she’s created is truly the one she wants.
What John says: “I know lots of people are talking about it but with good reason, it’s amazing.”
What readers are saying: “Wow, I don’t even know where to begin in describing Little Fires Everywhere. I think that it is definitely at the top of may favorite books of the year. I literally could not put it down. When some character would do this or that, I would think to myself, Oh no, this isn’t going to turn out well. Each event cascading into the next one, like a line of dominos. I can’t say enough good things about this book, I loved it from beginning to end!”
‘The Man Who Couldn’t Stop’ by David Adam
In this nonfiction tale, science journalist David Adam opens up about how his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has affected his life. From the way it makes his mind work to how it’s helped and hurt his career, David leaves nothing out. A moving tale that will change the way readers look at OCD.
What John says: “Some readers of Turtles All the Way Down [John’s 2017 young adult novel] may wanna learn more about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and this is a good place to start.”
What readers are saying: “I loved it because someone was finally able to articulate how I mentally process things and, even though I already knew that I’m not alone, it’s nice to see it in print in a way that doesn’t glamorize or demonize OCD. This isn’t a guidebook on how to deal with someone with it, but it does shine a light on some extraordinarily on-point aspects of the condition and can be incredibly helpful for anyone living with someone with OCD. Plus, it’ll make you laugh.”
‘Piecing Me Together’ by Renée Watson
This Newbery Medal-winning novel by Renée Watson is sure to inspire. Jade spends her days dreaming of escaping her poor neighborhood, and she does…sometimes. Jade goes to an elite private school, but she is also asked to join a mentorship program for “at-risk” girls. Tired of being singled out because of the way she looks, Jade plans to do something about it, no matter what it costs her.
What John says: “A book that genuinely changed the way I think about the role art plays in human life. I read this book in two days and I have been thinking about it for six months.”
What readers are saying: “I really enjoyed this young adult story. I loved the characters, the strong sense of family and of friendships, the wise, young heroine who focused on school and her own personal growth. This was one of the rare young adult books I’ve read that didn’t focus on romantic longings or romance. I was drawn into the setting, the story, and cheering on the characters.”
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