This week’s addition to the “So You Want to Read YA?” series comes from YA author Rae Carson.

Rae Carson is the author of Fire and Thorns trilogy. Locus, the premier magazine for science fiction and fantasy, proclaimed, “Carson joins the ranks of writers like Kristin Cashore, Megan Whalen Turner, and Tamora Pierce as one of YA’s best writers of high fantasy.” Rae’s first novel was a finalist for the Morris YA Debut Award and the Andre Norton Award, and was named to ALA’s 2012 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults. She dabbled in many things, from teaching to corporate sales to customer service, before becoming a full-time writer. She lives with her family in Ohio. You can follow her on Twitter at @raecarson.

“So, Rae, I read your book (or The Hunger Games or Harry Potter), and I want to try some more YA. Where should I start?”

*rubs hands*

I love this question. I’m hearing it a lot lately. According to this article in Publishers Weekly, 55% of YA books are bought by adults. Of those, a whopping 78% are purchased for their own reading.

So why are so many adults gobbling up young adult literature? My totally not-scientific survey of fanmail, fellow authors, and internet articles suggests that most crossover adults are prolific genre readers, often drawn to the faster pacing, tighter (angstier?) POVs, and even the bright, shameless covers of many young adult novels. In other words, adult readers of YA are not crossover Criterati. Maybe YA is appealing to their inner teenagers. Or maybe it’s a good match for already established genre sensibilities.

(This is a sweeping generalization. There are crossover readers from every literary tradition currently enjoying YA. And rightly so.)

So if you’re interested in YA, here is a list of books you might enjoy based on your reading preferences— with an emphasis on speculative romance. (Why speculative romance? Because that’s what I write, and it’s my list, dang it.) Thanks to my totally not-scientific survey, I resisted the temptation to only choose mind-blowing masterworks of literary acclaim. But I promise that each book listed below is someone’s favorite read.

Do any of these scenarios describe you?

You read mostly inspirational romance. You prefer books that are tender, beautifully written, and chaste. Francine Rivers and Karen Kingsbury are among your favorite authors. Try:

1) Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
2) Entwined by Heather Dixon
3) Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

You love psychological thrillers. Bonus points for unreliable narrators or a hint of paranormal. You’ve enjoyed books by Gillian Flynn, Dennis Lehane or Alice Sebold. Try:

1) The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
2) Madapple by Christina Meldrum
3) Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

You read a lot of fantasy. Detailed worlds and epic stakes make a romance even sexier. Some of your favorite authors might be Robin McKinley, Juliet Marillier, or Maria Snyder. Try:

1) Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst (My favorite fantasy of 2012!)
2) Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
3) Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

You prefer your romance with a hearty dose of science fiction. The juxtaposition of new ideas with classic themes makes you swoon. You’ve enjoyed books by Lois McMaster Bujold, Marion Zimmer Bradley, or Sharon Shinn. Try:

1) For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
2) Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
3) Arclight by Josin McQuein (forthcoming April 2013)

You’ll tolerate a little romance if it doesn’t get in the way of the action. You want sharp dialog and high- octane set pieces. Bonus for explosions.

1) Divergent by Veronica Roth
2) Unwind by Neal Shusterman
3) The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

You love a heroine who’s in charge. Even better if she wields supernatural powers and snark. Some of your favorite books are by Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, or Kim Harrison. Try:

1) Hourglass by Myra McEntire
2) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
3) Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

You hoard Twinkies and toilet paper in preparation for the inevitable apocalypse. You love World War Z, The Road, and I Am Legend. Try:

1) Ashfall by Mike Mullin
2) This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
3) Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

You often loathe books other people love, and love books other people loathe, because you’re not afraid to try something risky and unusual. It’s worth it to discover a hidden gem you can be passionate about. Try:

1) Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
2) Above by Leah Bobet
3) Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Any egregious omissions? Tell me in the comments!