Though some of the most popular young adult novels are fictional and fantastical stories like Harry Potter, or set in dystopian worlds like The Hunger Games, some of the other beloved works in young adult fiction take a more grounded and realistic approach to build their fiction.
Books, like Let’s Get Lost by Adi Alsaid, are a good example of this trend towards grounded young adult fiction.
Let’s Get Lost depicts the story of a teenage girl named Leila, a nomadic girl who travels across the country in her red car.
Across her journey, she meets four disparate teens whose lives are changed entirely by the unexpected encounter.
Over the course of her travels, Leila learns a lot about herself, and readers are invited to join her on her odyssey to ‘get lost’.
You’re likely reading this article because you are already a massive fan of Let’s Get Lost, and now you need to find other books that can compare.
You’re in the right place because today we are going to look at books like Double and Saving June which serve as perfect companions.
Themes In Let’s Get Lost
Let’s Get Lost didn’t become the massive success in the world of young adult fiction it is today without exploring some genuinely interesting ideas and themes (see also “3 Books Like Shatter Me (By Tahereh Mafi)“).
Let’s take a look at these themes now.
One of the key themes explored throughout Let’s Get Lost is that of memory.
As Leila journeys across the United States, she encounters several interesting characters, each of whom gives her a new perspective on life, which in turn helps her to dig up some long-buried memories that have laid dormant in her brain for many years, quelled by her desire to leave them behind.
The story sees Leila slowly coming to terms with her past, and even some of the more painful memories.
The story is also largely entrenched in the theme of friendship, as, though Leila’s time in each state is only ever short-lived, she develops some truly strong bonds with each of the four characters she encounters.
These friendships drive the central action of the story and are what cause much of her introspection to take place.
The story explores whether friendships can endure over such a great distance and whether friendships can bloom over such a short period of time.
The story of Leila’s nomadic exploits also inherently explores concepts of identity, as Leila’s central reason for heading out and hitting the road comes from a desire to get lost.
This desire is driven by memories of her past, and a desire to leave it behind and become a different person.
The story explores whether it is possible, or even healthy to abandon a sense of identity in such a way, and whether it is even possible to create a new one.
This is another young adult novel that deals with the concept of identity, and what it takes to build and create an identity of one’s own (If you like young adult novels, you might want to check out Books Like Before I Fall).
The story is centered on a sixteen-year-old runaway named Chap who finds himself inadvertently being mistaken for a missing boy by the name of Cassiel.
However, instead of correcting the family and friends that have mistaken him for Cassiel, Chap decided to adopt this new identity, and make the most of the new sense of family and home that he has found.
However, things are not so easy for Chap, as he soon finds that he can’t keep up the facade for too long before others start to raise their suspicions.
As well as this, Chap finds himself drawn to investigate Cassiel’s disappearance. What he finds is truly shocking, and could very well put his life in danger!
This amazing young adult novel is so gripping and bound to keep you reading for hours on end.
Saving June depicts some relatively harrowing subject matter, but manages to craft something truly beautiful from it all.
The story follows Harper Scott, as she, and her parents, grieve the loss of her older sister, June, who took her own life.
Overcome with grief, and uncomfortable with the idea of her sister’s ashes being separated between her divorced parents, Harper instead takes the urn on a trip to California, the one place June always dreamed about.
Harper is joined by her best friend as they travel across the country, and they soon encounter Jake Tolan, a boy who claims to have a connection to June, though their chance encounter with Jake soon turns Harper’s life upside down once again!
This story is sure to get at least a few tears flowing, and is a beautiful story of sisterly love and friendship that will rejuvenate your love for life!
Romance is one of the most popular genres within the world of young adult fiction (If you like this, check out Books Like Here’s To Us), and this book is not just ‘another’ book for the pile, but sets itself apart with its story of opposites attracting.
The story follows Nell Becker, a go-getter that loves to win, and Jackson Hart, a fellow lover of winning, as the two pit themselves against one another.
Nell is desperate to claim victory over Jackson, in sports, school, or even just in life, but he remains one step ahead every time.
However, as their rivalry grows deeper and deeper, a romance starts to blossom between the two.
One that throws a large wrench into the inner workings of their competitive relationship!
We loved how easy this novel was to read, and how heartwarming its eventual conclusion proved to be!
Pros
The central romantic dynamic makes this a sure winner for readers.
Cons
Some of the subject matter is occasionally very dark, which can make it uncomfortable for younger readers.
What if love were powerful enough to literally change time and alter history? This book explores what life would be like if this were the case.
High school senior Cassandra is sent to spend the Summer in a small town in Massachusetts, far from the fun and excitement a teenager of her caliber craves.
However, she soon meets a young man who instantly catches her attention, but when he reveals that the house is his property and that the year is actually 1925, Cassandra finds herself on a quest for love as she attempts to change the past and avert this young man’s unfortunate fate.
We loved the more fantastical take on the young adult romance genre that this book employed. It helped to fully set it apart from its contemporaries, and made it a total shoo-in for this list!
Pros
Features a more fantastical twist on the young adult romance genre.
Cons
A slightly angsty story.
Themes: Time, Age, Love, Romance, Youth.
To Conclude
Why not give one of these incredible books a try right now?
Each of them makes for a perfect replacement for Let’s Get Lost, so if you are a big fan of that book, you will get a kick out of at least one of these.
Whether you want to enjoy the time-traveling escapades of Until We Meet Again or a story about identity like Double, we are sure that these stories will excite you deep down, and provide for hours of happy and content reading.
Best of all, they also share much of their DNA with Let’s Get Lost, being stories about identity, and coming of age, as well as learning to respect and understand oneself.
If you were a big fan of Let’s Get Lost, then you will certainly not get lost while looking through our list of the four best books that share many similarities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should a 21-Year-Old Be Reading?
At 21 years of age, most readers will generally tend to be reading books intended for grown adults, however, many 21-year-olds may still enjoy young adult literature at this age. Generally, by 21, you should be reading whatever you please, as there will be very little that is too challenging for you.
What is the Most Popular YA Book Right Now?
Some of the most popular young adult novels (If you like young adult novels, check out Books Like Dear Martin) right now include titles such as The Hunger Games and Winterkeep.
What is America’s Most-Read Book?
Amongst America’s most-read books are titles such as To Kill A Mockingbird, Harry Potter, and Lord Of The Rings.
Gawonii Chubbuck is a proud Native American writer and poet. Born and raised on tribal land, Gawonii has a deep connection to her culture and heritage which is reflected in her work. Gawonii's writing focuses on themes of identity, tradition and the power of nature. She has a unique ability to capture the beauty of life, while also exploring its darker sides. Her poetry is often inspired by nature, and she often uses nature-inspired imagery and metaphors to express her ideas. Gawonii is a passionate advocate for Native American rights. She is a staff writer at RT Book Reviews.
