With books and media in general I tend to gravitate towards real world settings and characters/experiences I can relate to. I like small suburban One Tree Hill town vibes. In terms of YA I've liked Looking For Alaska, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Catcher in the Rye. I had to read Infinite Jest in college, and although it has a weird reputation I enjoyed it how it captured a certain energy that someone my age can relate to. I don't want fantasy or sci-fi. Any suggestions?
by illofthedead
2 Comments
Night Sleep Death the Stars by Joyce Carol Oates
Bubblegum by Adam Levin (it’s not SciFi, more like alternate modern day United States)
A Fine Balance by Mistry
My first thought was to look to some YA authors who also write adult literature. Rainbow Rowell’s [The Attachments](https://www.rainbowrowell.com/attachments) is hilarious, for instance.
But I also wonder if you have read any [Jonathan Tropper](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26163.Jonathan_Tropper)? His books have the same kind of vibe as you’re talking about — especially [*The Book of Joe*](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46661.The_Book_of_Joe)*.*
Charles Baxter might also be worth checking out. [*Saul & Patsy*](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/79982.Saul_and_Patsy) is my favorite and really has that small suburban vibe.