5 books nobody is reading even though they should be.

We all have those books that we rant and rave about to any conscious person about and even so they still refuse to read them, and it can feel like nobody other than you is reading these secret little diamonds.

So here's to all the tragically downplayed books that you probably aren't reading even though you should be.

1. Slated by Teri Terry

 Kyla’s memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?

So I may not have been unbitten by the dystopian bug, but even for those of you who have, this refreshing and non-formulaic dystopian is wonderful. Kyla is a surprisingly different heroine and the use of under appreciated Northern England locale gives some beautiful images of the area I live in. Definitely pick this series up. 

2. The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan

Armed with a suitcase and an old laundry bag filled with clothes, Kasienka and her mother head for England. Life is lonely for Kasienka. At home her mother's heart is breaking and at school friends are scarce. But when someone special swims into her life, Kasienka learns that there might be more than one way for her to stay afloat."The Weight of Water" is a startlingly original piece of fiction; most simply a brilliant coming of age story, it also tackles the alienation experienced by many young immigrants. Moving, unsentimental and utterly page-turning, we meet and share the experiences of a remarkable girl who shows us how quiet courage prevails.

Crossan is more known for her science fiction Breathe series but this tiny book written in verse is a treasure. The protagonist is sweet and silently strong as she learns about living in a new country love and having the courage to stand up for herself, even to the people she loves. It's absolutely charming. 

3. The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer

 ‘I’ll tell you what happened because it will be a good way to introduce my brother. His name’s Simon. I think you’re going to like him. I really do. But in a couple of pages he’ll be dead. And he was never the same after that.’

I met Nathan Filer when he did a performance poetry lecture at my old university. He was probably one of the funniest people I have ever had do a reading. This humour follows through into his debut novel about a young man with Schizophrenia. This passionate and enchanting book will have you up all night. 

4. Airhead by Meg Cabot

 Teenagers Emerson Watts and Nikki Howard have nothing in common. Em's a tomboy-braniac who couldn't care less about her looks. Nikki's a stunning supermodel: the world's most famous airhead. But a freak accident causes the girls' lives to collide in the most extraordinary way - and suddenly Em knows more about Nikki's life than the paparazzi ever 

The Airhead series is by far one of the most underrated series out there. Meg Cabot tends to be looked down upon by the writing community, probably due to her churning out book after book but Airhead and its two sequels are an absolute delight of a series. It has one of the most 'on the edge of my seat, oh god let it happen' love stories of all time and Emerson is a delight to read about and to follow. Definitely a favourite. 

5.  The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

 “There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

With the Shiver series under her belt (which was tragic) I was not too trusting of Stiefvater's latest series. Her style takes about 100 pages to get used to so most people give up, but damn is it worth the effort. Not to mention the completely misleading blurb. This is not remotely what the book is about and you'll really be surprised as to where the series takes you. Blue is a dynamite protagonist and her friendship with the "Raven Boys" is wonderful to behold.