Couldn't score that San Diego Comic-Con ticket this year? We're right there with you. But you can still celebrate the awesomeness of fandom by picking up one of these great YAs featuring fans like you!
It's no Hall H wristband, but we hope it helps.
Rachel loved this "beautifully written" story of a teenage webcomic author whose real life gets complicated when the new boy at school turns out to be her comic's #1 fanfic author.
SCARLETT EPSTEIN HATES IT HERE by Anna Breslaw
Scarlett is an avid fanfiction writer for her favorite tv show, so when it's canceled, she's obviously devastated. In an effort to stop her message board friends from leaving to write fanfic about other shows, Scarlett starts an original story...and they love it! Unfortunately, Scarlett's story is entirely based on the other kids at school, so it's only a matter of time before her online and IRL worlds collide.
Anna reviewed this coming-of-age, road trip novel by a real-life superstar! When four teens obsessed with the TV show Wiz Kids invite its star actor to go on a cross-country road trip with them, they don't expect him to respond, much less actually accept. But the five teens find themselves on a vacation they'll never forget!
I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE by Maurene Goo
No one is more motivated than high school senior Desi Lee. She's top of every class and on the varsity soccer team, and she works hard to be there. But she's no good at romance: too much spontaneity, not enough guidelines. Until she starts really watching the Korean dramas that her dad is obsessed with, and realizes that they use a highly effective formula for romance... One that she can use in her own life. After that it's enter cute boy, and cue awkward Desi theme music.
We can pretty much guarantee that by the time you finish this book, you'll obsess over Korean dramas as much as Desi does (although maybe you'll be a little smarter about romance). Luckily, the author includes a handy Korean drama guide at the end.
Elle is counting on using her obsession with Starfield to win ExcelsiCon's costume contest and use the winnings to escape her horrible stepmother and stepsisters. Darien is the new teen hearthrob slated to star in the Starfield reboot, who genuinely loves the fandom, but is only seen as an empty-headed pretty-boy. When they meet, it's a "feel-good" summer read that reviewer Camille says has "the true essence of a fandom book".
THE GEEK'S GUIDE TO UNREQUITED LOVE by Sarvenaz Tash
Graham's friendship with Roxy started when they were two Harry Potter-obsessed eight year olds and now that they're sixteen they share years of history and a love of comic books. When Graham learns that the creator of their favorite comic is going to be at New York Comic Con, he's sure that this is the perfect grand gesture to show Roxy that he wants to be more than friends. However, things don't always go according to plan, especially when everyone is pretending to be someone they're not. If you're looking for that immersive, comic-con experience in book form, this is the one for you.
FANGIRL, CARRY ON, and KINDRED SPIRITS by Rainbow Rowell
When it comes to fandom writing, Rainbow Rowell's books shine with the power of 100 lightsabers and are as sincere as any Hufflepuff.
Cath is the titular FANGIRL, obsessed with the Simon Snow series about teenage wizards at a magic boarding school. Her twin sister has moved on from writing fanfiction, now that they're starting college, but Cath just feels safer immersed in her fanfic than dealing with their dad's breakdown, a friendly roommate, or a cute boy. CARRY ON is a companion book to FANGIRL. It's basically a mix of Cath's most epic Simon Snow slash fanfic and the actual Simon Snow series, and it is delightful.
KINDRED SPIRITS chronicles the drama and boredom of camping out for a movie (in this case,
Star Wars: The Force Awakens).
