Maybe you devoured Twilight or The Hunger Games, or have spent five years in a post-Harry Potter funk. No matter what your favourite series is, here are the books you should be reading now.

Harry Potter

Let’s get the big one out of the way first. For many kids, this was the first time they really fell in love with a book, and with the concept of reading. For adults this was probably the first time they admitted to reading a ‘children’s book.’

What to read next: His Dark Materials Trilogy – Phillip Pullman

It has often been compared the Harry Potter but never quite reached the same level of hype; this trilogy will appeal to any Potter fan. Adults will love the deep allegorical nature of the books, younger readers will enjoy the fantastical parallel worlds and Lyra, the fierce protagonist. Pullman pulls the same devastating cliffhangers Rowling used to deliver, and the world is so vividly described you can’t help but fall into it. Ignore the disastrous film adaptation of the first book and give this series a go, it will not disappoint.

The Hunger Games

There doesn’t seem to be any stopping the growth of this fandom following the huge success of the first film. The books may be still camped out at the top of many bestseller lists, but here are some suggestions for those fans that have already finished them.

What to read next: Lord of the Flies – William Golding and Ender’s Game – Orson Scott Card

Dystopian novels aren’t a new phenomenon, so for Hunger Games fans we can turn back to the classics. Lord of the Flies might first sound like Lost (plane crash, infighting, crazy island beast), but this novel is really about the value of a single life versus the greater good. The scenes of children fighting each other on a deserted island are reminiscent of the group mentality we see in the Careers, and the devastating effect violence has on children who both witness and participate in it.

In Ender’s Game we see a futuristic government controlling the population, setting children against each other, and violence perceived as a game – sound familiar? Ender is manipulated by everyone around him to achieve particular ends, but what about his own choice? The revelations at the end of this book will leave you absolutely reeling. An absolute must read for any sci-fi fan.

Twilight

If you were more interested in the epic romance of Bella and Edward rather than the fantasy genre itself, these novels are for you.

What to read next: The Time Traveller’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger and Anna and the French Kiss – Stephanie Perkins

As love-stories go, you can’t go past The Time Traveller’s Wife, a story of lovers who meet out of order and out of time. Again, don’t dismiss this book based on the film – Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana made a gorgeous couple but they didn’t come close to capturing the tragic romance of the book.

Another gorgeous romance for young adults is Anna and the French Kiss. An exchange student, the city of love, and a charming boy with a British accent – how could you go wrong? Perkins has also published a first companion novel, based in America, and there’s a second one on the way, set in Paris. Anna is delightful, you’ll eat this book up.

The Fault in Our Stars

John Green’s best selling novel wasn’t just about cancer, it was about teenagers acting like teenagers. If you loved the realistic portrayal of Hazel and Augustus, and a little bit of a love story, these books are for you.

What to read next: Saving Francesca and The Piper’s Son – Melina Marchetta

Melina Marchetta is an Australian young adult author who perfectly captures the experience of being a teenager. Saving Francesca follows the experiences of 17-year-old Francesca, who has to deal a family breakdown while simultaneously navigating a new school, loser friends, and her own demons. Heartbreakingly realistic, you will laugh and cry your way through Francesca’s turbulent year.

Marchetta has recently published The Piper’s Son, a companion novel that picks up on the story of Francesca’s friend Tom five years later. This book portrays his complicated transition from teenager to adult, rebuilding a life in disarray while dealing with a family in crisis mode.

Just need more fantasy?

What to read next: The Lumatere Chronicles – Melina Marchetta

For those just dying for that feeling of anticipation that comes with waiting for the newest books in a series, I suggest Marchetta’s epic-fantasy series, The Lumatere Chronicles. The first two books, Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles have been published worldwide. The books take place 10 years after the slaughter of the Royal Family in Finnikin’s home of Lumatere. Book One follows Finnikin’s search for his childhood friend and heir to Lumatere, while he runs from the horrifying prophecy made to him at the age of nine. The series is astonishingly written with remarkable characterization and abundant plot twists and cliffhangers.

The final novel in the series is scheduled for an Australian release in October 2012 and March 2013 in America, giving you plenty of time to read the first two books and plan a release date party. Guys, I promise I’m not a Melina Marchetta spokesperson, she is just brilliant, amazing, and so, so good. I’m just sharing the love.

If you have read any of these books, what did you think? Are you a Melina Marchetta fan-girl like me? Any further suggestions?