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Books like What I Was
An atmospheric, coastal coming-of-age tale driven by the intense, consuming gravity of an isolated adolescent friendship. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with What I Was.
- atmospheric
- isolated
- coastal
- brooding
- 01
Just In Case
Meg Rosoff
An eccentric, dread-tinged exploration of a teenager trying to outrun his own mortality through sheer force of reinvention.
- 02
How I Live Now
Meg Rosoff
A breathless, fever-dream of a survival story where a sun-drenched, rule-free summer abruptly descends into the brutal chaos of an unnamed war.
- 03
When Marnie Was There
Joan G. Robinson
A haunting, salt-breezed exploration of childhood loneliness and the healing power of a mysterious, dreamlike friendship.
- 04
Winger
Andrew Smith
A hilarious, hormone-drenched boarding school romp that unexpectedly shatters your heart into a million pieces.
- 05
Openly straight
Bill Konigsberg
A funny, heartfelt exploration of what happens when the desire to shed labels accidentally means shedding your true self.
- 06
Beyond the Bright Sea
Lauren Wolk
A windswept, lyrical journey about a girl searching the horizon for her past, only to realize her true home is already beside her.
- 07
Good Night, Mr. Tom
Michelle Magorian
A tender, tear-jerking journey of a frightened child and a gruff recluse finding salvation in each other amidst the shadows of war.
- 08
The Schwa was here
Neal Shusterman · 2004
A grounded, empathetic exploration of what it means to feel invisible and the quiet power of finally being seen by a friend.
- 09
Michael
Tony Bradman · 1991
A gentle, encouraging exploration of what it means to march to the beat of your own drum in a world of rigid expectations.
- 10
The Watch House
Robert Westall · 1977
A chilling coastal mystery where the relics of past tragedies awaken a lingering, malevolent force.
- 11
A Separate Peace
John Knowles · 1960
A golden, doomed summer of youth gives way to the quiet, devastating tragedy of jealousy and lost innocence.
- 12
The Tulip Touch
Anne Fine
A tense, psychological descent into the intoxicating and ultimately sinister grip of a toxic friendship.
