Waiting for Turtles All the Way Down? You're not alone.

John Green, superstar author of The Fault in Our Stars and many other YA favorites, is coming out with his first new book in five years. It's another YA tale of love and adventure, with a mystery wrapped up in it as well.

NYPL bought hundreds of copies of this book (265, to be exact, plus ebooks and audiobooks), but it's impossible to get our hands on enough copies for every adult and teen alike who'll want it on the very first day it comes out.

So put your name on the holds list (we'll wait here) and then check out some of our favorite Green readalikes — character-driven, emotional, engaging reads about teen relationships —  to check out while you wait.

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Dimple Shah wants nothing to do with her parents' plans for an arranged marriage with Rishi Patel -- and she wants nothing to do with Rishi himself, either. But when they meet up at a summer coding program, she has to reevaluate her first impressions.

This book is: funny, romantic, sweet.

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

From the author of the Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda comes a sweet-but-not-corny romance set in the leafy D.C. suburb of Takoma Park. Two twins — one who dates other girls and one self-described chubby girl — approach their moms, their futures, and their romantic lives with humor, honesty, and insight. 

This book is: character-driven, romantic, seriously good writing.

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

When Cath gets to college, everything changes — especially her relationship with her twin sister and her dad. Writing fanfiction is her one constant, but even that is called into question by an intense new writing class.

This book is: amusing, engaging, seriously good writing.

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

The title says it all: When Paul meets Noah, he thinks everything is perfect... until it's not.

This book is: funny, offbeat, upbeat.

Optimists Die First by Susin Nielsen-Fernlund

Perpetually anxious Petula meets mysterious, talented Jacob  in an art therapy group at school. Both of them are trying to overcome traumas in their past, and they might just be able to do it together.

This book is: emotionally intense, quirky.

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

A small, claustrophobic Tennessee town provides the backdrop for this story about three friends who don't fit in and are trying to find ways to get out. 

This book is: bittersweet, compelling, setting-driven.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

A classic coping mechanism -- writing letters you never intend to send -- leads to disaster for Lara Jean, when all her letters to the boys she's ever liked wind up in the mail. The first of a triology.

This book is: character-driven, engaging. 

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Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!