How to Read Carrie Arcos's Books
All of Carrie Arcos's novels are written as standalone stories, meaning there is no continuous narrative or recurring cast of characters linking them together. You can read them in any order you choose without worrying about missing critical plot points. However, because her style spans intense contemporary issues, family relationships, historical events, and even science fiction, choosing where to start depends entirely on your reading preferences.
Recommended Starting Points
Depending on what themes appeal to you most, we recommend one of the following entry paths:
- For Contemporary Drama Fans: Start with Out of Reach (2012). As her debut novel and a National Book Award Finalist, it perfectly showcases Arcos's signature ability to write raw, authentic teen voices dealing with heavy, real-world struggles.
- For Fans of Mystery and Sci-Fi: Start with Skywatchers (2020). This book represents a major shift in genre, blending historical fiction set in the 1950s with Cold War paranoia and an eerie extraterrestrial mystery.
- For Readers Interested in History and Identity: Start with We Are All That's Left (2018). This dual-narrative novel offers a powerful exploration of generational trauma, connecting a modern-day terrorist attack in Rhode Island with the horrors of the 1990s Bosnian War.
Carrie Arcos Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to see how Arcos has evolved as a storyteller, reading in publication order is an excellent choice. This path highlights her transition from gritty, contemporary family dramas to historical and speculative fiction.
- Out of Reach (2012)
- There Will Come a Time (2014)
- Crazy Messy Beautiful (2017)
- We Are All That's Left (2018)
- Skywatchers (2020)
A Closer Look at the Novels
Out of Reach (2012)
Rachel Stevens has spent years in denial about her older brother Micah’s methamphetamine addiction. When he runs away, Rachel receives a cryptic email hinting that he is in danger. Enlisting the help of Micah’s former best friend and bandmate Tyler, Rachel sets off on a road trip through southern California to find him. Instead of centering solely on the addict, the story focuses heavily on the emotional wreckage experienced by the family left behind. It is a story about facing painful truths and discovering self-reliance.
There Will Come a Time (2014)
After surviving a devastating car crash that claimed the life of his twin sister Grace, seventeen-year-old Mark Santos is consumed by survivor's guilt, anger, and grief. Everything changes when Mark and Grace’s best friend, Hanna, find a journal containing Grace's unfulfilled bucket list. Together, they resolve to complete the list to honor her memory, triggering a profound journey of healing, mutual support, and self-discovery.
Crazy Messy Beautiful (2017)
Sixteen-year-old Neruda Diaz is an aspiring artist named after the legendary love poet Pablo Neruda. Despite his name, Neruda's search for 'the one' has led to a string of romantic disappointments. When he is paired with Callie for a class art project, he finds himself falling for her. However, as the romantic relationships of the adults around him begin to crumble, Neruda must learn that real love is unpredictable, messy, and often starts with a foundation of genuine friendship.
We Are All That's Left (2018)
This novel weaves together two distinct timelines to examine how the scars of war pass down through generations. Zara is a contemporary teen in Rhode Island whose mother, Nadja, is a Bosnian refugee who rarely speaks of her past. After both are caught in a modern-day terrorist attack at a local market, Zara is injured and Nadja is left in a coma. As Zara tries to make sense of the tragedy, the book takes readers back to 1990s Sarajevo, detailing young Nadja's harrowing survival and escape from ethnic cleansing.
Skywatchers (2020)
Set in 1952 California, this genre-bending historical thriller centers on Teddy, John, Caroline, and Bunny—high schoolers who join Operation Skywatch, a civilian program monitoring the skies for Soviet threats. One night, they witness a strange light crash into the woods. When they investigate, they disappear, returning days later with fractured memories and lives that have been changed forever. The book explores McCarthy-era paranoia, friendship, and the mystery of the unknown.
What to Know Before You Start
Carrie Arcos is celebrated for her refusal to sugarcoat the teenage experience. Her novels frequently deal with severe topics—addiction, bereavement, geopolitical violence, and PTSD—yet they consistently maintain an underlying current of hope and recovery. If you are sensitive to themes of substance abuse, grief, or war-related trauma, you may want to approach her contemporary dramas with care. For a lighter starting point, Crazy Messy Beautiful offers a softer, more character-driven focus on art and friendship.