good books for a 17 year old?

Two series I like are: The Mortal Instruments series and The Infernal Devices series, both written by Cassandra Claire. They are long books (all over 500 pages). Currently there are 4 in the first series, with two more to come, and two in the second series, with one more to come.

I have read all 6 books, and really enjoyed them. After reading the Infernal Devices series, you will understand The Mortal Instruments series better, as it is the prequel series (although it was released after).

The Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neill - this is a funny series with a kick butt heroine who is turned into a vampire and now has to deal with all of the drama that comes with it.

The Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray- A teen girl in the 1800s discovers she is a witch

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray- a single book about a bunch of beauty queens getting stuck on a deserted island...think Lord of the Flies

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl- southern gothic series about a guy who falls for a girl who is a witch (being made into a movie)

Sweep series by Kate Tiernan- super long series about witchcraft

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr- one of the best fairy series out and they aren't like Tinker Bell think evil magical fairies.

Pawn of Prophesy by David Eddings (Book 1 of the Belgariad)

Dragonflight by Ann McCaffrey (Book 1 of Pern)

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

The Fall by Garth Nix (Book 1 of the The Seventh Tower)

I'm 17 too and I read the Ellen Hopkins CRANK series when I was 13. (I think I was supposed to be reading at this age.)

It's awesome and it's like a 4 series book. Really good read!

Read Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead or His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman :)

Anything by Sophie Hannah. She's an extremely talented psychological thriller author.

Maybe you could read an autobiography or a biography.

I read Sherlock Holmes at your age and am still re-reading the stories now.

Brilliant stuff !

You might like these - especially the one with the main character called Daisy.

The Shore of Monsters by David J. Nix – 2011. Five generations earlier, a horde of monsters nearly obliterated humanity. All males are dead or ruined by a monster plague; words like 'father' and 'romance' have lost meaning. When teenager Sky joins an expedition to the shore that falls apart, she must survive amongst the monsters that roam the ruins. She gets unexpected help from a very surprising source. Mystery, action, and romance follow!

Across the Universe by Beth Revis - 2011. When 17-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo on a spaceship, she expects to be thawed 300 years later upon arrival at a new planet. However, her world turns upside down when she is awakened fifty years too early and finds herself embroiled in the mystery surrounding the attempted murders of frozen passengers. Her life endangered by Eldest, the tyrannical leader of the ship's maintenance population, she turns to her only ally: Elder, the young man destined to take Eldest's place as leader. As they solve the mystery together, romance blossoms between Amy and Elder, complicating an already complex situation.

Blood Red Road (Dustlands Series) by Moira Young – 2012. In a post-apocalyptic future, 18-year-old Saba’s twin brother is stolen by black-clad riders. When tough-as-nails Saba launches a relentless search to recover him, she must fight for her life in gladiator cages, overcome enemies both creature and human, and learn to trust others for the first time. And try as she might, she can’t help but fall for the charming scoundrel Jack, who just may understand her more than she knows.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan – 2010. Seven generations have passed since the Return, a plague that reanimates dead humans into creatures that feed on the living. Teenager Mary lives inside one of the last enclaves of uninfected, protected by a chain link fence that surrounds her village. When the fence is breached, Mary flees the village with a small band of survivors. Their flight toward an uncertain salvation is both harrowing and revealing, as they try to determine if they are humanity’s last hope.

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff – 2006. Fascinating novel about the outbreak of a 21st century world war as seen through the eyes of Daisy, a 15 year old American staying with her cousins on a remote England farm. At first utopian, the kid's existence degenerates into horror as the war encroaches on the farm. Through the several month period covered by the story, Daisy grows from a self-centered girl into a determined survivor. This book will leave a mark on the reader for years to come.

The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance by Margaret Mahy - Laura has latent supernatural power, but has kept it in check. However, when she sees the face in the mirror, she knows it is a warning of dire things to come. The utterly evil Carmody Braque has marked her little brother, and now the boy's illness is growing worse. Laura knows that she must "change over" - release her supernatural gifts - for the inevitable battle. But that requires joining forces with the enigmatic Sorenson, who she may hate, or may love. Outstanding!

The China Garden by Liz Berry - When Clare goes with her mother to an English estate with dark secrets, she begins an unexpected journey. The ensuing story spins itself into many layers, featuring mystery, fantasy, and romance, all centered around an ancient family feud of which Clare is unwittingly a part. This novel is very rich in detail with a lot of historical and mythological references, so it is not for the faint of heart. For those who like deep stories with realistic romance, this is an outstanding read.

Down the Dead Road by David J. Nix - Teen "Cowboy" is pursued by Death, who has made multiple attempts on his life. He is an easy target, having lived on the streets his entire life, raised by a homeless woman. A series of events, including encounters with a supernatural figure, a brutal street gang, and a beautiful girl, lead him to search for his origins. The mayhem leaves both his heart and life in danger, but leads toward the astonishing truth. A story that gives humane treatment to the lesser of society, with a sweet romance thrown in. The multiple twists will leave you guessing.

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta - Taylor finds herself the leader of her boarding school's Underground Community, whose mission is to battle their counterparts at an all-male Cadet encampment and the public high school. For two decades the three factions have waged a game of negotiation, pranks, and sometimes physical violence for control of paths, places, and facilities. One problem: Taylor might have a crush on the leader of the Cadets. The author weaves in a back story about how the whole war started, and how Taylor is unwittingly tied to it. Romance, action, mystery, and plot twists, this is just a great story.