Bitchin' Blog Posts
August Book Club Selection: Pushing the Limits by Kate McGarry - with Giveaway!
by SB Sarah | by SB Sarah | August 01, 2012 | Wednesday at 12:39 am | 109 Comments
Time to announce the August Sizzling Book Club selection! This month's pick is Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry.
The summary: No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.
But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.
Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.
This book has been receiving a ton of early favorable reviews, and let me tell you, they are all right. I have some majorly sensitive hype-allergens, but I sincerely think this book is worth your time.
Pushing the Limits is powerful, emotional, and incredibly well done. And if I describe it to people, outlining the plot and the conflict, invariably they say, "This sounds like the most bleak and miserable book ever." The characters, Echo and Noah, have lived through some truly awful experiences, but there is such joy and resilient hope in how they discover one another that helps to balance the pain and sadness they both feel. This is not an easy book, but it is worth experiencing both as a YA novel, as a romance, and as an example of truly skilled writing.
The rebate is on now, so if you buy at ARe, you'll get 50% back in eBook Bucks if you use code SBTBARE at checkout. This book is $14.99, so 50% rebate is a good thing. Plus, if you have coupons to use, load 'em up, because Harlequin is all good with coupon usage. You can also find this book in print at all the places where print books are sold, including Goodreads | Amazon | BN.
I'm still working on setting up the Book Club Chat, so stay tuned for that announcement.
However! I do have some digital and print copies to giveaway!
Leave me a comment and tell me the best YA novel you've ever read (and your preference of print or digital) and I'll pick five winners who will receive a print copy, and five who will receive a digital copy. I am serious about passing this book along - so bring on your "Oh my gosh this rocked my world" YA book recommendations. (I'm secretly hoping that once you read this book, it'll also be among your favorites).
Standard disclaimers apply. I'm not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Must be over 18 and wearing a Corinthian leather jacket to win. Call before you dig. Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear. Failure to adhere to these disclaimers may cause one strangely long hair to grow out of your forehead. No guarantees on hair color. Comments will be open for 48 hours. Good luck!
I really hope you'll try this book and join us for the chat - we will have a LOT to talk about.
Filed: General Bitching, Smart Bitches Sizzling Book Club
Tagged: ya romance, sizzling book club, katie mcgarry, harlequin, free stuff, all romance ebooks
Sveta said on 08.01.12 at 01:04 AM • [link]
Best YA series I’ve read and am constantly re-reading would be Millie Trillie by Lisa Yee: Millicent Min, Girl Genius, Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time and So Totally Emily Ebers. One more novel would be The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause. I would prefer print copy if possible.
Phaenarete said on 08.01.12 at 01:28 AM • [link]
Does anyone here remember the Susan Sand mysteries? I found a couple in the series in a used book store when I was a teenager, and have never found any since. I remember loving how they felt so much smarter, less cloying than Nancy Drew. Not sure if the literary taste of a 14-year-old is to be trusted though…
ms boojunkie said on 08.01.12 at 01:39 AM • [link]
Caridad Ferrer’s WHEN THE STARS GO BLUE is awesome.
(print is my first choice, but I’ll take e if that’s the only way to get the book)
sharivan said on 08.01.12 at 02:28 AM • [link]
YA fiction is my favourite! At the moment, Poison Study stands out - it’s definitely worth a read. And I’d love a digital copy.
Nicole said on 08.01.12 at 05:05 AM • [link]
Pennington’s 17th summer (and the other books in the series), an oldie but a goodie. Digital would be great.
Yatz said on 08.01.12 at 05:45 AM • [link]
Does the Anne of Green Gables series count as one book? Please?
And more recent books- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is always on my nightstand.
If there was room on any shelf in my apartment I wouldn’t say this but- digital.
Ashley L. said on 08.01.12 at 06:26 AM • [link]
Does Judy Blume’s Forever count as YA? It’s about teenagers, but I’ve never heard it referred to as such. I’m sure many people here have read it, but seriously, that book is as relevant today as it ever was because it’s just so real. No instalove, no dickish guy with a weird name who bosses girls around but everyone loves him anyway, no heroine who’s clumsy just so she can fall into the dickish guy’s arms. I could go on and on. I love that book.
Digital please.
TanyaD said on 08.01.12 at 06:41 AM • [link]
Best book, hmmm, not sure, I really like books in a series. I read Tamara Pierce’s Protector of the Small and L J Smith’s Secret Circle serieses as a teenager and loved them.
Sarah Loch said on 08.01.12 at 07:08 AM • [link]
Unwind by Neal Shusterman and Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Both of these books just blew my mind; two fully realized possible future worlds that draw you in and make you care deeply about the protagonists, both of which are very bleak in many ways. But there is hope. There is always hope. (I hate books that are hopeless and depressing. If I want hopeless and depressing, I’ll watch the news. Or the election coverage)
SB Sarah said on 08.01.12 at 07:24 AM • [link]
Sorry - there was a duplicate copy of this entry up for a few minutes. My bad - or the database’s bad, I’m not sure. Either way, we’re back to 1 entry… and a very expensive comment thread because I’m going to want to read all the books I haven’t read yet.
Jen G. said on 08.01.12 at 07:28 AM • [link]
I’m not sure if they’re YA or children’s or what, but the best “non-adult books” I’ve read are the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman.
Leah V. said on 08.01.12 at 07:37 AM • [link]
It’s a tie between Poison Study by Maria V. Shriver and Fire by Kristin Cashore. Both are my all-time favorite books EVER! I love well-written YA literature, and I feel like that genre explores some really interesting themes and alternative lands without getting pegged into the “Science Fiction” or “Paranormal” holes as much as adult literature.
Leah V. said on 08.01.12 at 07:39 AM • [link]
Love Maria V. Snyder!!
TaraR said on 08.01.12 at 07:42 AM • [link]
The books by Megan Whalen Turner really made me happy. King of Attolia is my favorite.
Hydecat said on 08.01.12 at 07:48 AM • [link]
The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley. Every time I reread it, I still think it’s awesome. I picked it up while I was cleaning my bookshelf recently and got sucked in and was halfway through before I remembered I wasn’t supposed to be sitting on my floor reading a book.
KarenF said on 08.01.12 at 07:50 AM • [link]
When my all time favorite book Tam Lin by Pamela Dean was re-released, it came out as YA. I’m not sure that actually is a YA though, since the original release was fantasy.
I’m always re-reading my favorite YA books - probably the best one I have read recently (my mental rule of thumb is if I’ve re-read it since the first time) is Jaclyn Moriarty’s Feeling Sorry for Celia.
[ebook, please]
Alyssa Cole said on 08.01.12 at 07:54 AM • [link]
The best YA novel I’ve ever read is Sarah Rees Brennan’s Demon Lexicon. Magic, demon’s, incredible world building, a kick-ass female protagonist, and Brennan manages to make you laugh out loud on one page and cry the next. It’s the first book of a trilogy, and all three books are awesome. *steps down from fangirl soapbox*
Print preference, por favor.
Lynnd said on 08.01.12 at 08:03 AM • [link]
I loved Robin McKinley’s Hero and the Crowm and The Blue Sword and All of the Anne of Green Gables series. Another favorite is The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula LeGuin.
Mims said on 08.01.12 at 11:04 AM • [link]
I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s so I’m a bit jealous of all the YA dystopian novels being published today. For a long time my favorite book was “This Time of Darkness” by H.M. Hoover.
Digital
h. vert said on 08.01.12 at 11:13 AM • [link]
Oh my. My tbr pile just got a whole lot bigger!
Renee K said on 08.01.12 at 11:37 AM • [link]
Maybe not the best ever written…but absolutely a favorite: SLOPPY FIRSTS. That whole series actually.
Most recently Gayle Forman & Jandy Nelson have rocked my YA reading world.
magneticwave said on 08.01.12 at 11:38 AM • [link]
My favorite YA book is “Sword of the Rightful King” by Jane Yolen—I’ve read it at least a dozen times, probably more, and it’s always fantastic.
Digital!
Jennifer Estep said on 08.01.12 at 12:11 PM • [link]
One of my favorite books is Beauty by Robin McKinley. It’s a lovely retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. And I second the recommendations for Maria Snyder. I liked both Poison Study and Touch of Power by her.
Print, please.
jules said on 08.01.12 at 12:11 PM • [link]
My TBR pile is already leaning ominously from all of the books in it. These suggestions might bring on its complete collapse:) My current YA favorites? Across the Universe and its sequel A Million Suns by Beth Revis. Loved them. I couldn’t put down the first one and the second one had a plot twist I didn’t see coming (then again, maybe I don’t read enough sci-fi). The most unusual YA I’ve read lately? Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel. I can’t decide if I love it or if it had too much over the top wtfery.
Prefer print but would happily take a digital copy.
MsSarahB said on 08.01.12 at 12:14 PM • [link]
“The Sky is Everywhere” by Jandy Nelson is just wonderful. If I win, digital please.
Kris said on 08.01.12 at 12:15 PM • [link]
I really enjoyed the My Blood Approves Series by Amanda Hocking.
Rij said on 08.01.12 at 12:27 PM • [link]
Robin McKinley’s Sunshine
Also want to reinforce the recommendations Megan Whalen Turner’s series (my favourite is the second book, Queen of Attolia) and the Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan. Both are simply wonderful.
Rylie said on 08.01.12 at 12:31 PM • [link]
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta is my favorite. If I win, print please.
Stephanie Burgis said on 08.01.12 at 12:34 PM • [link]
I have heard so many great things about this book! Please enter me in the giveaway - my top preference would be a print copy, but a digital copy would be just awesome, too.
My favorite-ever YA novel is Sarah Dessen’s JUST LISTEN, which again has a really wonderful romance.
Teriannestanley said on 08.01.12 at 12:36 PM • [link]
I’m going to have to go with “Forever” by Judy Blume, too. I haven’t read it in years, so I don’t know how it would stand up today, but it really touched me back in the day.
Zulma said on 08.01.12 at 12:39 PM • [link]
The Vampire Academy series is my fave. Rose and Dimitri rock!
Digital
Ileana A. said on 08.01.12 at 12:44 PM • [link]
My favorite YA is The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting!
I would love a print copy if possible :)
Megan S. said on 08.01.12 at 12:49 PM • [link]
I’ve been eager to read this since Jane talked about on one of the podcasts a little while back!
I have a few all time favorite YA books, I don’t think I can name just one. Sarah Dessen’s The Truth About Forever really captured that in-between time of being a child and being an adult, and there are passages from that book I love so much I have them memorized. Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak is another favorite, and it’s definitely an emotionally wrenching read.
I also love Jennifer Echols’ Going Too Far, which is another book that really puts its finger on the pulse of what it means to be not quite an adult but struggling to be mature enough for what life is demanding from you.
I also want to chime in on the recommendations for Megan Whalen Turner’s series (The Queen of Attolia is my favorite, but read The Thief first!). There are moments in those books when, the first time I read it, I was so wrapped up that I found I was holding my breath.
(And my preference is digital!)
Aimee Gibson said on 08.01.12 at 01:23 PM • [link]
Hard to pick just one! Probably Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen. But really, all of her books are good (I’ve almost read them all!) and I also love Jennifer Echols. Her books are great as well.
I would love a print copy! But can accept digital as well.
katherinelynn_04 said on 08.01.12 at 01:25 PM • [link]
My the most ‘wow’ YA book I’ve ever read is ‘Speak’ by Laurie Halse Anderson. It’s a beautifully written novel about a very touchy subject and thus has made it’s way onto the top 100 most banned books, which boggles my mind.
The set of books I go back to the most is the Damar series by Robin McKinley (and really anything by her. Her writing style is really special.).
Heather Cobun said on 08.01.12 at 01:30 PM • [link]
Far and away the greatest YA novel I’ve found was Markus Zusak’s “The Book Thief.” When you tell people you’re reading a young adult novel about the Holocaust narrated by Death… they are understandably skeptical. But it’s a beautiful story that tells heartbreaking vignettes about those touched by horrific events but also conveys Death’s matter-of-fact view of those events - all in the context of a young girl that Death notices stealing a book one day. A permanent fixture on my book shelf.
(I’d love a print copy)
Kristi Davis said on 08.01.12 at 01:48 PM • [link]
Slammed by Colleen Hover is my FAV YA novel this year right now. AHHH, so good :)
I would LOVE a digital copy OR a print copy!
SamC said on 08.01.12 at 02:00 PM • [link]
The Changeover - Margaret Mahy. Read it first when I was about 12 and still re-read it every year since then :-)
rebecca moe said on 08.01.12 at 02:02 PM • [link]
I couldn’t possibly pick a single favorite (can anyone?), so I’ll just go with some not already mentioned above…
Kelley Armstrong’s Darkness Rising and Darkest Powers series
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls series
The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle
(I prefer reading digital, but I suppose it would be more responsible to request paper, so I can put in my classroom library when I’m done ;))
Alex (A GirlBooks&OtherThings) said on 08.01.12 at 02:08 PM • [link]
Melina Marchetta’s books. they rock and change my world.
Personal favorites include (On the) Jellicoe Road (because it has Jonah Griggs and Jonah Griggs is my ultimate hot teenage guy). And The Piper’s Son (though I guess it would fall into what people are now calling New Adult) this is very much a story about a broken family trying to piece itself together and about Love.
On the lighter side there is Meg Cabot, of course. Particularly Mediator and 1-800 Where R You series.
Paranormally, I love Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy trilogy, The Ghost and the Goth series by Stacey Kade and this little known series called Bard Academy by Cara Lockwood. Oh, and Kelley Armstrong’s Darkest Powers.
There are more, I’m sure, but I don’t want to make this super long.
Itgirl said on 08.01.12 at 02:12 PM • [link]
Best YA book when I was a YA: VC Andrews, My Sweet Audrina.
Best now: Tamora Pierce Wild Mage series.
Itgirl said on 08.01.12 at 02:13 PM • [link]
(no format preference)
Claire Patterson said on 08.01.12 at 02:14 PM • [link]
My absolutely, hands-down favourite YA books are the Tricksters Series by Tamora Pierce. They have a MANY strong female leads, romance, supernatural/fantasy elements, and a fast-paced plot. Whats not to love??
(i prefer physical books! thanks for considering me!)
Julie said on 08.01.12 at 02:15 PM • [link]
I absolutely love the Megan Whalen Turner series, especially Queen of Attolia. Print or digital, either would be just fine for me.
Jen said on 08.01.12 at 02:51 PM • [link]
My top YA pick would be the Soul Screamers series from Rachel Vincent. She captures every emotion a teenager can experience. It hits every point with fun, witty writing to boot. I actually can’t wait to get my hands on Pushing The Limits! (I prefer print)
Lisa Pegg said on 08.01.12 at 03:08 PM • [link]
I can’t pick one book. And in the series category, it would be either the Mythos Academy books by Jennifer Estep, or the Iron Fae series by Julie Kagawa. Or… we could go old school back to the “Shoes” books by Noel Streatfield. Had to buy those recently from an online English bookseller. They held up pretty well, I think.
And I’ll take either, though I’m only 1 book away from having 1000 paper books. :)
aphas1a said on 08.01.12 at 03:13 PM • [link]
I COULD tell you my favorite YA novel, except then I’d have to think for ages, cause there are so many! I love Lynn Flewelling’s earlier series’, and Tamora Pierce, and many many others—right now I’m reading Railsea, China Mieville’s YA steampunk-ish fantasy retelling of Moby Dick. And I’m reading it in print, which is how I would love to read this book if I were so lucky as to win…
Annewithane said on 08.01.12 at 03:13 PM • [link]
One of my favourites would have to be Melinda Marchetta’s “Saving Francesca.” It is filled with excellent and interesting characters, and even though it deals with depression, it is still a fun and witty book. I would love a digital copy of “Pushing the Limits.”
lisaione said on 08.01.12 at 03:55 PM • [link]
As I said at chat the other night I am not really a YA reader but Storm was really good. I am going to have to look at the suggestions here for some reading ideas for vacation. I have a kindle, but will take either format.
MD_uk said on 08.01.12 at 04:07 PM • [link]
I am only trying to get into YA, so it’s hard for me to say “best one I ever read”. I certainly liked Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series, especially The Last Herald Mage trilogy, which had a gay hero, quite unusual at the time.
I’d love to win this one, in digital.
megsan said on 08.01.12 at 04:19 PM • [link]
His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman is probably my favourite however there are a great many YA books that I have read and loved and some I’ve probably forgotten as I went through a pretty big stage of just gobbling them up at one point. Meg Cabot is always a go to author and I liked Libba Brays’s “A great and terrible beauty” trilogy. I also agree with those giving props to Melinda Marchetta.
shawnyj said on 08.01.12 at 04:24 PM • [link]
So many good books on this list. Definitely anything by Robin McKinley, although I think technically some aren’t YA.
The Book Theif by Markus Zusak.
The Adoration of Jenna Fox, by Mary E Pearson
All the Vampire Academy books.
JB Hunt said on 08.01.12 at 05:03 PM • [link]
Hard to pick just one, but these would definitely be in the running:
FEED (M. T. Anderson)
SPEAK (Laure Halse Anderson)
A WRINKLE IN TIME (Madeline L’Engle)
THE THIEF series (Megan Turner Whalen)
GRACELING (Kristin Cashore)
*preference for digital
Sewingturtle said on 08.01.12 at 05:20 PM • [link]
At the moment my favorite is The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. So much going on in the lives of the characters…
*preference for print
Diremommy said on 08.01.12 at 05:41 PM • [link]
Since the series grows with it’s readers, and it’s the one series I read over and over and over again, Harry Potter is my number one childrens-YA series ever.
And I’m a digital gal all the way!
Emily said on 08.01.12 at 05:55 PM • [link]
The Goose Girl
Enna Burning
River Secrets
Forest Born
—all by Shannon Hale
D Cross said on 08.01.12 at 06:57 PM • [link]
I think my favorite YA book thus far would be The Wee Free Men by Pratchett. It was my first Pratchett novel and introduced me to Discworld and Rincewind.
Preference goes to print. :)
BrooklynShoeBabe said on 08.01.12 at 07:18 PM • [link]
Best YA Book I’ve read in the past year had to be Personal Demons by Lisa Deroschers. I’ve so many YA books but I can’t tell you which one is hands down the best ever but there are some really great contenders out there. If I win, I prefer print because I stopped carrying around my ipad2 since my first one got stolen out of my desk at work.
Melissa Railey said on 08.01.12 at 07:18 PM • [link]
Favorite YA is almost impossible to pick but at the top of the list would be the Harry Potter books, Susan Cooper’s Dark is Rising sequence, Diane Duane’s Wizard of Mars series, John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and Anna and the French Kiss.
Preference towards print. Thanks.
BrooklynShoeBabe said on 08.01.12 at 07:19 PM • [link]
BTW, I read the first 30 pages or so of Pushing the Limits when Harlequin had a preview on its site. It is amazing thus far.
hourglassangel said on 08.01.12 at 07:26 PM • [link]
I still read YA - so this is tough. So - Remembrance of the Sun and Enter 3 witches by Gilmore - Life Without Friends and The Road Home by Ellen Emerson White - The Stone Pony by Patricia Calvert - A Great and Terrible Beauty series by Libby Bray - most of Norma Klein’s book (she wrote about sex in a far less flowery way than the romances I was reading) - The Silver Kiss by Anne something - Rats saw God by Rob Thomas - Moon & Me by Hadley Irwin - Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt. But I have to say I loved the Changeover, Sunshine and Tam Lin as mentioned by other people….
I like paper best but will take whatever format since is is like ... free
Vmcclelland said on 08.01.12 at 07:35 PM • [link]
Bloody Jack is a great read. Part Dickens, Part swashbuckler.
Amanda said on 08.01.12 at 07:53 PM • [link]
No question—The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. I prefer to read digitally.
merry Macdougal said on 08.01.12 at 08:18 PM • [link]
Ooooh, Soul Screamers by Rachel Vincent. It’s wonderful.
Poeticbeauty1 said on 08.01.12 at 09:06 PM • [link]
The Fault in Our Stars because the characters stayed with me long after I reached the end.
Digital
Jessica_HookEm said on 08.01.12 at 10:36 PM • [link]
Hmm…my favorite young adult novel…This reminds me of that quote that Jill Shalvis posted on Facebook: “Asking a bookworm to choose a favorite book is like asking a mother to choose a favorite child” or something along those lines. A few of my favorites, that were read repeatedly, were Meg Cabot’s books for the Avon Teen Romance series. I really enjoyed all of the books in the series but hers were my favorites.
I would love a digital copy of this book! My bookshelves are overflowing so all of my new books/loves have to go on my nook.
Kooky Grass said on 08.01.12 at 11:27 PM • [link]
Favorite YA book when I a YA: “Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton.
Favorite YA book now: “Speak” by Laure Halse Anderson.
My preference is digital.
Thanks for reviewing YA books!
Elizabeth Gunther said on 08.01.12 at 11:54 PM • [link]
I’m torn between two novels that I read for a college English class about four years ago. The first is The Night Tourist by Kathleen Marsh. In the book a little boy discovers an entrance into the afterlife and decides to find his mother, who died when he was really little. He ends up going on a trip through the world of the dead where he meets a bunch of famous people, including Dylan Thomas and Tennessee Williams. The Second book is Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City, which is about a bunch of teenaged girls who discover old New York City—the one that the current NYC was built on top of. This book I really liked because it involved a mystery, which I am blanking on at the moment (it was 4 years ago). I ended up finishing it really quickly and I ordered the 2nd book it what i figured would be a series, but there hasn’t been anything new over the last few years.
As a kid, I remember really liking The Giver, which I’ve heard is being made into a movie, and Maniac McGee. Oh, and Number the Stars, which I vaguely remember was about WWII and a Jewish family that was in hiding.
I don’t really have a reading preference, but i’ve been reading a lot of print books lately (scouring my bookshelf for books I bought and haven’t yet read or borrowing stuff from the library).
Knittinglawfin said on 08.02.12 at 12:17 AM • [link]
Recently, The Fault in Our Stars. Overall, the Emily books, by LM Montgomery, A Wrinkle in Time, Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, The Dark is Rising…
Knittinglawfin said on 08.02.12 at 12:18 AM • [link]
I’d prefer paper, but i’m open to digital too.
Jamarleo said on 08.02.12 at 12:36 AM • [link]
I probably read it when I was a little too young (11) but I really loved ‘My First Love and Other Disasters” by Francine Pascal (of babysitters club fame). It was funny and had a great character (Victoria) who found out that she was far better than what the high school stud had to offer. Oh- and there was some heavy petting action that I found far more interesting than “Forever”.
Jessica Lindsay said on 08.02.12 at 02:36 AM • [link]
I don’t know if I can pick a favorite, but certainly a beloved one is Ella Enchanted. I don’t care how I read - digital and print are both great!
Miss Grumpy said on 08.02.12 at 02:37 AM • [link]
The best YA novel I’ve ever read has got to be Sabriel by Garth Nix (book 1 in the Abhorsen trilogy). I was about fourteen at the time and even though I can’t remember much of the storyline, I do know it is one of the reasons that has fueled my love for reading when I was younger/now. I prefer paper over digital, but seeing as I read so much, digital is more convenient nowadays.
Karen Wapinski said on 08.02.12 at 05:59 AM • [link]
My favourites are The Changeover by Margaret Mahy; its a wonderful romance, what I like especially is that the heroine doesn’t let her hormoes run away with her and that the hero is presented as an inhuman character and really acts it. But I still love love love him, Sorry was my childhood pretend boyfriend. Well, one of them anyway.
Also right up there is Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy; I love Gemma’s character and i love the powerful female friendships throughout the book. the romance is exquisite and Gemma’s feelings and longings are so real they just burn right through the pages.
I’d prefer a paper copy please; thanks for the giveaway
Lynn said on 08.02.12 at 06:50 AM • [link]
I loved Unearthly by Cynthia Hand! At first glance I dismissed it because I thought it would be like another angel novel like Hush,hush or Halo. Or yet another pretty girl in a dress on the cover type (Didn’t like Everneath or Fallen very much :X) Unearthly was a wonderful read. I loved the characters, the developments and the plot was unpredictable.
If this is open internationally I’d like a print copy. I’m sure I can order a Corinthian leather jacket sometime. :P
greetingskat said on 08.02.12 at 07:41 AM • [link]
oh my lord yes. Margaret Mahey The changeover!
I read it first when I was 13 and have revisited it regularly. Beautiful juxtaposition of change of life/becoming an adult plus hints of mixed racial background themes that floated my teenaged mixed race self’s boat. I have often wished for some kind “and then…”
and yes, Fire by Kristin Cashore is rather good too.. but it was read in my not so impressionable adulthood, as opposed to “the Changeover”... “a voice softly quelling, like princes being smothered by velvet cushions” .. to paraphrase Margaret.
thank you, I will now go and remember what elese I liked about this book 7 try to find an e copy.
Tabitha said on 08.02.12 at 07:45 AM • [link]
I am interested in a print copy for my living room shelf. :)
I love the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent but of the series If I Die was one of my favorite read. If I had to choose a contemporary YA, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins was also wonderdul. Though I would like to throw in that Easy by Tammara Webber was a tie in for my pick except that Easy is a (college) adult novel.
Jan Lo said on 08.02.12 at 07:47 AM • [link]
The best YA book I ever read was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Still the best. I hated when it ended and read all the followups too, but none were quite as good as the original.
Blynn12 said on 08.02.12 at 08:11 AM • [link]
“Winter of Fire” by Sherryl Jordan. For some reason that book got in my head and will not leave. print please!
Gail Leinweber said on 08.02.12 at 08:12 AM • [link]
Cameron Dokey’s Sunlight and Shadow. It’s a retelling of The Magic Flute and while I like Dokey’s work in general this one is on my all-time favorites list. There are other great YA books on my list, but more people need to read this one!
Tam said on 08.02.12 at 08:33 AM • [link]
Margaret Mahy’s ‘The Changeover’, closely followed by K.M. Peyton’s finale in the Flambards quartet, ‘Flambards Divided’. I still love the final paragraph of that book so much - Christina speeding her horse towards the hedge before the sun goes down, and then jumping into darkness, which to me sums up the whole magnificent gamble which we all make when we pledge hearts and lives to another person. (And I had such a terrible weakness for Mark - between Mark and Mahy’s Sorensen Carlisle, I got a very warped ideal of the perfect boy…)
Annie Quinty said on 08.02.12 at 09:16 AM • [link]
There’s a lot of good YA novels out there but my favorite has to be the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld!
If I win I would love a print copy please!
orchid7 said on 08.02.12 at 09:37 AM • [link]
This book looks really great- I can’t wait to read it. I’d love a print copy.
My favorite YA read in recent months has been Isle of Night by Veronica Wolff. It’s got a smart, strong heroine, and it’s packed with action and just a hint of romance. I’ve read both books in this “Watcher” series, and I can’t wait for the release of the third one this month.
Diana said on 08.02.12 at 09:44 AM • [link]
For me, it’s no question, The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. I even bought extra copies of that book to give away to friends or to pass along and lend to them. Amazing story, beloved characters, just ... wow. Thank you for the chance to win Pushing the Limits, and my preference would be in print form. Thank you!
Bee said on 08.02.12 at 09:45 AM • [link]
This book is everywhere : ) I would love a digital copy. My favorite YA book is probably Dash and Lilly’s Book of Dares by Cohn & Leviathan. Thanks.
Melanie Cremins said on 08.02.12 at 10:02 AM • [link]
Wow, favorite? I’m so torn - I love love love some of the awesome YA out there. But I’ll go with Shannon Hale’s GOOSE GIRL. (But ask me again in an hour - I might switch to E Lockhart’s THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS.)
Digital for me!
Molly Frenzel said on 08.02.12 at 10:23 AM • [link]
I’m kinda new to the genre, but one of the best YA books I’ve ever read is Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. That novel held me entranced and I finished it in one day.
(Print)
Rebe said on 08.02.12 at 10:40 AM • [link]
As much as I love Harry Potter, I think my all time favorite YA books are The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley. I still remember the first time I read them, years ago (not gonna admit how many, lol), and I had to purchase new copies to replace my old ones as they fell apart. They’re fabulous books that inspired years of romance and fantasy reading. I recommend them all the time to young adults and grown ups alike.
Turophile said on 08.02.12 at 10:41 AM • [link]
Best YA? I never know what falls into that category or not. Like other commenters have mentioned, when I fell into that Age group we did not seem to have same wealth of books. One that always sticks out in my mind is the Popularity Plan, in the Sweet Valley High book series. I need to find my copy of that some day (probably in my parent’s basement somewhere). Always liked the idea of coming up with identifying a goal and coming up with a plan to make that goal.
Liz the Librarian said on 08.02.12 at 11:03 AM • [link]
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak had me in tears at the end - not something I expected. A brilliant and moving story set in Germany during WWII.
sam. said on 08.02.12 at 11:24 AM • [link]
wow, that’s hard. i used to be a YA librarian, so i was reading 10-12 YA novels a month in my off time, not to say all i read for work. i think i was so into YA because my parents didn’t get me books or take me to the library; when i was finally able to get myself to the library, you know, after learning to drive, i jumped right in to adult genre fiction.
ahem. best ya. Nation, by Terry Pratchett.
MagsG said on 08.02.12 at 11:47 AM • [link]
Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas convinced me to go on a YA reading binge in the late 90’s much as Tammara Webber’s Easy has done this year.
Digital is preferred format for me.
Lauren Acton said on 08.02.12 at 11:58 AM • [link]
I just had SUCH a hard time narrowing down my favourite YA books to a top 10 in order to vote on the NPR list. And now you’re asking me to pick just one! Torture!
I think I’ll go with something that didn’t make the NPR list and that I reread constantly when I was a YA myself: The Third Magic by Welwyn Wilton Katz. It takes place both in modern day England with some Canadians tourists, and in another world where magic reigns. In this, and then fact that it’s an alternate retelling of the Arthurian myths, it’s very like another of my favourite books of all time, The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay.
I prefer print editions!
britbc said on 08.02.12 at 12:00 PM • [link]
Jellicoe Road was pretty great. I asked a friend to read it and he did so on a long bus ride. The result is the awesome visual of him crying in a bus station in Vegas on halloween at midnight.
Digital, please.
Ekrentzwee said on 08.02.12 at 01:13 PM • [link]
I want to mention an author that my mother pointed me to when I was 14: “My Antonia” by Willa Cather.
It was not my usual fare, but I was desperate enough to take what she offered.
About 8 years ago, my own younger brother gave my daughter a Willa Cather book as a Christmas present(not sure if it was My Antonia or O Pioneers!). She reads a lots of fantasy, so it was a change for her - but a happy one.
I probably should add that my mom was a HS English teacher, and my brother is a college English prof. I send my brother Chris columns about the artificial distinction between high and low literature, my attendance at the IASPR conferences, and try to keep his mind open to romance. (He got married last year at age 44, so he certainly believes in the real thing, even if he does not read it by that genre name.)
Lms Dragonmist said on 08.02.12 at 01:46 PM • [link]
I love YA books—and this sounds awesome! I will have to look it up!
Justine said on 08.02.12 at 02:08 PM • [link]
For YA romance, I highly recommend If I Stay (#1) and Where She Went (#2) by Gayle Forman. Her novels don’t seem to be as widely known among adult romance readers as Anna and the French Kiss (#1) and Lola and the Boy Next Door (#2) by Stephanie Perkins. Echoing Renee K’s comment above, if you enjoy Gayle Forman, you may also like Jandy Nelson’s The Sky is Everywhere. I also love Chime by Franny Billingsley, which is a romantic fantasy novel tinged with mystery.
“I have some majorly sensitive hype-allergens” <—I am adopting this into my personal lingo! With appropriate attribution to SBTB, of course.
Justine said on 08.02.12 at 02:09 PM • [link]
I forgot to say that either print or digital is fine by me.
Ashlandbaby said on 08.02.12 at 02:15 PM • [link]
For me, it would for sure have to be The Magician’s Apprentice by Patricia Wrede, although that one is the sequel to Mairelon the Magician. Wonderful humor and mystery, and one of the greatest, swoon-worthy “oh my god you both love each other so much but don’t know it yet!” moments I can think of.
And I prefer print!
Alyssa said on 08.02.12 at 02:20 PM • [link]
Currently obsessing about Cinder by Marissa Meyer but I’m not sure if it will replace my favorites - Protector of the Small quartet and Trickster duo (both by Tamora Pierce) and the Study series by Maria V Snyder.
Print!
Maureen said on 08.02.12 at 02:21 PM • [link]
I haven’t read much YA but I would say the first Harry Potter which came out when my kids were young. I would prefer the print.
ladymilano said on 08.02.12 at 03:00 PM • [link]
I haven’t read many YA, but I’d choose Perfect Chemistry is the best (yet). I love the plot and the way Simone Elkeles wrote it. I love when a book is too real just like when I’m watching a movie or series. ;)
snowflakesmn said on 08.02.12 at 04:19 PM • [link]
My favorite YA series is the poison studies series by Maria V. Snyder (the first was the best), although I like the frost series by Jennifer Estep that this blog introduced me to. I would prefer ebook because I’m finally going to be visiting home soon & I want a book I can easily take on the plane with me.
Mad4bookss said on 08.02.12 at 05:49 PM • [link]
Best YA read apart from the obvious Harry Potter series would be The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Absolutely amazing!!! The point of view is quite different and you will be left thinking about it long after you have finished it.
I prefer to read print copies. Thanks!
Helen said on 08.02.12 at 06:22 PM • [link]
I loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.
I would love a digital copy. Thanks so much!
mapkristi said on 08.02.12 at 07:43 PM • [link]
I can still remember reading Diana Wynn Jones’ Fire and Hemlock, The Homeward Bounders and Howl’s Moving Castle over and over and over. When she passed away earlier this year, I just about cried because she was such a part of my youth reading.
(I was also sad to see that Margaret Mahy also passed away this week - her books are all excellent.)
Bridget said on 08.02.12 at 10:21 PM • [link]
The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay. I’ve lost count of the times that I’ve read and re-read them.
Violet Bick said on 08.03.12 at 01:20 AM • [link]
Since “Beauty” (Robin McKinley), “Little Women” (Louisa May Alcott), and “The Outsiders” (S.E. Hinton) have already been mentioned, I will say one that hasn’t been mentioned. My favorite books when I was the age to be reading YA books were the Deryni series by Katherine Kurtz.
If I were the age to be reading YA today (and I am, because you’re never too old to be reading YA!), I would be loving Kristen Britain’s Green Rider series. (Although like most fantasy, they are not classified as YA.) However, if I started reading them today as a young adult, I would still be reading them long into adulthood, because each new book takes 4-5 years to publish. (Just so you know. I don’t want you to get hooked without knowing what you’re in for. But they’re worth it.)
*preference = print.
Laine said on 08.03.12 at 02:55 AM • [link]
Hexwood and Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynen Jones
The Changeling Sea by Patricia McKillip
Sorcery and Cecilia by Wrede and Stevemer
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
There’s too many!
Digital please!
Care to comment?
Comments are now closed for this post.
Subscribe to These Comments