Bitchin' Blog Posts
YA and Romance
by SB Sarah | by SB Sarah | August 10, 2010 | Tuesday at 2:34 pm | 82 CommentsChristine, a librarian, forwarded me a link to this article from the NY Times this past weekend: The Kids’ Books Are All Right, by Pamela Paul. Paul takes a look at adults craving the third installment of The Hunger Games, and who seek out YA books in general.
The themes are serious and the discussions intense, but the books are fast-paced and fun. “A lot of contemporary adult literature is characterized by a real distrust of plot,” Grossman said. “I think young adult fiction is one of the few areas of literature right now where storytelling really thrives.”
Y.A. may also pierce the jadedness and cynicism of our adult selves. “When you talk to people about the books that have meant a lot to them, it’s usually books they read when they were younger because the books have this wonder in everyday things that isn’t bogged down by excessively grown-up concerns or the need to be subtle or coy,” explained Jesse Sheidlower, an editor at large at the Oxford English Dictionary and member of Kidlit. “When you read these books as an adult, it tends to bring back the sense of newness and discovery that I tend not to get from adult fiction.”
I’ve long been a fan of YA romance for a number of reasons. First, I think strong emotions are overwhelming at any time, whether you’re an adult or teenager, but YA deals more with the painful management of feelings that you suspect might take you over entirely, and how to figure out relationships with the people causing those emotions. Since, I think, teenagers are pressured more than anyone to remain blasé about just about everything, negotiating internal conflicts that make it hard to remain calm lends a powerful immediacy to a lot of YA literature. Plus, while some folks dislike YA romance because they don’t believe that a happily-ever-after can start in high school, I absolutely know it can. I met Hubby in high school, and while we didn’t get together until after freshman year of college, my angsty-emo-screwed-up teenager self totally had the “Hold all calls, we have a winner” moment at 17. So I know it can happen, and love to read about it when it does.
Lucky me, Christine also forwarded me a link to Forever Young Adult’s list of YA Dealbreakers - the book plots and cover images that will give you the ixnay on the ookbay faster than anything else. I’m with them on “Vampire Kisses” and anything with poetry.
And Crap in a Crockpot I just lost about two hours of my life reading the achives of ForeverYoungAdult. Here, have a list of their most swoonworthy couples in YA, or the New Moon drinking game, or the Flowers in the Attic drinking game, or What Not To Do with YA Covers (OMG YES with the HALF a FACE covers already. Enough!).
YA’s popularity isn’t news, though it’s in the news thanks to the fact that people are absolutely hopping over The Hunger Games conclusion (Did you see that Dear Author is part of the online district tour? Cool!) I have noticed many, many people on the beaches reading both that series, Twilight, and, oddly, Harry Potter as well. I’m always a-hunting for YA romance to read, and love Elizabeth Scott and Jennifer Echols’ books. I also recently read Wildthorn by Jane Eagland, a historical YA novel about a girl who is sent to an asylum for being way too different. It was chilling and powerful - and I still think about it.
In addition to Suzanne Collins’ series, what YA do you absolutely adore right now? And are you as tired of the red-accented half-a-face covers as I am!?
Filed: General Bitching, Random Musings
Tagged: ya, romance, literature, librarian, jennifer echols, jane eagland, historical, elizabeth scott, contemporary
Lindz said on 08.10.10 at 02:47 PM • [link]
Since I started teaching Middle School two years ago, I’ve been reading a whole lot of YA. It gives me a good way to talk with the kids about something other than academics.
A Few of my Favorites of YA lit:
Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series (I got everyone else at my school hooked on the series as well)
“The Forest of Hands & Teeth” by Carrie Ryan
“The Reformed Vampire Support Group” by Catherine Jinks
“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie
Sophie Gunn said on 08.10.10 at 02:57 PM • [link]
Still sleepy from staying up too late reading “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie. Wow. Just wow. Had to wrestle it from my 13yo’s hands.
Brought “The Strange Case of Origami Yoda” to the beach and every member of my family from 9 to 89 read and loved it. *chills*
“Hunger Games,” naturally. Read. Audio-ed. Re-read.
“Stargirl” by Jerry Spinelli. Ok, anything by Jerry Spinelli. I think JS is the greatest writer in any genre writing today.
Have “Ender’s Game” sitting by my computer. Will NOT read it until work is done. (Maybe.)
(I read this blog every day, several times a day and this is the first time ever I’ve been moved to comment. Hmmm…)
heathero said on 08.10.10 at 03:02 PM • [link]
I loved loved loved The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner. But I am reluctant to pick up the sequel because I’m afraid it will ruin the first one for me.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore is another one of my favorites.
JJ said on 08.10.10 at 03:12 PM • [link]
Ohhhhh I have plenty of YA recommendations, since that is all I read outside of work.
1. SEA by Heidi R. Kling, which is the most recent book to have made me cry. (I don’t cry easily in books.) It’s about a girl who travels to Indonesia to help her father with the tsunami relief. It sounds like an “issues” book, but it’s not—it’s a story about first love, forgiveness, letting go, mother-love, and it GUTTED me. SEA sort of broke every “rule” I have about YA: it’s a contemporary (I prefer spec/fantasy), it has FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELINGS (but so very real), and there’s a love triangle (but the love triangle is different and unique and very deftly drawn).
2. FIRE by Kristin Cashore, which is a companion novel to GRACELING, but I will admit to liking FIRE a lot more. I thought GRACELING was a little simplistic and cliche, but FIRE is quite sophisticated with a really unusual heroine.
3. THE DEMON’S LEXICON by Sarah Rees Brennan. But I’ve sung her praises before. The 2nd book in the trilogy—THE DEMON’S COVENANT—also made me cry.
4. THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak
5. Oldies but goodies: Philip Pullman’s Sally Lockhart books. They’re good old-fashioned Victorian potboilers, with a really great heroine. Also, sex! A wee bit more explicit (although not by much) than the ending of THE AMBER SPYGLASS, the ending to which my friends and I still argue over. (I am of the camp that Will and Lyra DID have sex. But anyway.)
Ashley said on 08.10.10 at 03:17 PM • [link]
Patricia McKillip’s “The Changeling Sea”, just beautifully written, with the best descriptions of grief and magic ever. And love - “He lost his balance on her tide”. Sigh. Short book, but sticks with you. Also her “Alphabet of Thorn”. I really just love all of her stuff.
bucko said on 08.10.10 at 03:27 PM • [link]
On my desk is a stack of excellente YAs: Frank Portman’s King Dork and Andromeda Klein, James Fuerst’s Huge, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart, and Libba Bray’s Going Bovine. Those I reread and rereread!
Isabel C. said on 08.10.10 at 03:32 PM • [link]
I adore Tamora Pierce, especially the Protector of the Small series: I like heroines who win through on pluck and stubbornness rather than being the mystical chosen one.
For much the same reason, I love love love Robin McKinley’s Hero and the Crown. I mean, I love pretty much everything by McKinley, but Aerin has a special place in my heart. McKinley’s prose style also knocks me out of the park just about every time, and she has a knack of describing non-supernatural tasks, like gardening or baking, in a way that makes me want to learn how to do them.
Terry Pratchett’s YA books, particularly Nation and the Tiffany Aching series, but also Amazing Maurice. He’s funny, and moving, and again with the strong heroines, which are a major sticking point with me. (Not that they have to kick ass physically, but they should have something that they do, do well, and care about. That’s not a guy.)
I’m currently reading Rachel Vincent’s My Soul To Take, and liking it a lot so far.
Darlene Marshall said on 08.10.10 at 04:00 PM • [link]
I love Sharon Shinn’s YA novels and recommend all of them freely. I’m also a fan of Maggie Stiefvater and can’t wait for the next installment in the Mercy Falls series about werewolves in Minnnesota.
Among the established authors I too have much love for Patricia McKillip. Her books are on my keeper shelf, and have been for many years.
And it’s not YA, but for younger romance readers I heartily recommend (again) Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. I think Sheftu was my first fictional heartthrob.
Jennifer Estep said on 08.10.10 at 04:12 PM • [link]
I just finished Beastly by Alex Flinn and loved it, and Beauty by Robin McKinley is one of my favorite books. Both of those are based on the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale.
Other folks have mentioned Kristin Cashore. I thought that Graceling by her was excellent, but I didn’t like Fire nearly as much.
I loved Hunger Games, although I need to read Catching Fire before Mockingjay comes out.
As far as classics go, one of my favs is Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. I just think that’s a beautiful, touching story on so many levels. It always makes me cry.
I’ve been thinking about reading The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. Anyone read that one?
Michelle said on 08.10.10 at 04:39 PM • [link]
Megan Whalen Turner’s Thief series is excellent. The romance doesn’t hit until book 2-Queen of Attolia. It has one of the most romantic story lines. As one blogger had commented-political intrigue was their foreplay.
Clare Dunkle’s The Hollow Kingdom was very good. A Goblin King who is determined to take a bride, and the two sisters who try to outwit him. Very strong, intelligent heroine.
Erin said on 08.10.10 at 04:59 PM • [link]
Argh, lost my original post. To re-cap briefly:
Love the YA fiction! Recommend/second the following:
- LOVED Graceling (have Fire queued up on my kobo for the weekend)
- Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
- Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
- liked the Maggie Stiefvater, Linger is better than the 2nd one
- LOVED the Forest of Hands and Teeth, companion novel okay, too
- How I Live Now, Meg Rosoff
- old-school fave: Tamora Pierce’s ‘Song of the Lioness’ quartet. Have re-read many times!
Jumping on the ‘Hunger Games’ train in the near future!
Donna said on 08.10.10 at 05:00 PM • [link]
I’m in the middle of “Princess of the Midnight Ball” by Jessica Day George & am totally enchanted. Sort of fitting as it is a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, my favorite fairy tale.
Succumbed to peer pressure & picked up the Hunger Games books and haven’t regretted it.
And there’s nothing odd about reading Harry Potter books.
Barb Ferrer said on 08.10.10 at 05:03 PM • [link]
And are you as tired of the red-accented half-a-face covers as I am!?
Well, now I’m worried…
I second the recommendations for ALL of Jennifer Echols’ work.
I also return to A Swiftly Tilting Planet at least once a year. And of course, the classic that started so much of it, Forever by Judy Blume.
Kristina Cook said on 08.10.10 at 05:09 PM • [link]
I read *tons* of YA—like, pretty much everything out there. The HUNGER GAMES series is among my favorites—but right now I’m totally glomming a lot of excellent contemporary YA. Some of my faves: BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver, CRACKED UP TO BE and SOME GIRLS ARE by Courtney Summers, NOTHING LIKE YOU by Lauren Strasnick, and pretty much anything by Sarah Dessen or Elizabeth Scott.
JamiSings said on 08.10.10 at 05:27 PM • [link]
I’m rather fond of Eion Colfer’s Artemis Fowl series. Also his solo book The Wish List.
Of course Harry Potter.
Dragon Slippers and it’s sequels by Jessica Day George.
On the whole though, not big on YA romance. I just can’t see someone living happily ever after with someone they met as a teenager. I know it happens, but so rarely I can’t suspend my disbelief. I prefer YA adventures.
Scrin said on 08.10.10 at 05:30 PM • [link]
-Terry Pratchett does good YA books. He does good books anyway.
-The Percy Jackson books really kick a LOT of ass. I hated that movie for bending so much of the mythology. (Heads up for all those who only saw the movie: The books do a lot of mythology involved). It also has some strong female characters. One thing that made me want to disavow that the Percy Jackson movie exists was how badly they subverted Annabeth. Rick Riordan, y’all. First book is the Lightning Thief
Ashley said on 08.10.10 at 05:46 PM • [link]
Started reading Tamora Pierce’s Song of the Lioness quartet and was catapulted out of my reading slump. I have since tried to make it a yearly occurrence to read at least those four if not more of her Tortall universe which I absolutely adore.
I work at a library during the summer and I am in close contact with the children’s and teen departments and am constantly told of books to read by librarians and teens. I’ve been able to discover Twilight, Percy Jackson, and most recently the Hunger Games. I highly recommend them all. The Percy Jackson series and The Kane Chronicles (also by Rick Riordan but this involves Egyptian mythology and is just as good!) are really great there’s a bit of everything in them. While the Hunger Games has yet to grab me the way Harry Potter or Percy Jackson did, I want to know what happens to Katness. Dystopian books are not my thing at all, but this has me greatly intrigued.
For a good romance and adventure you really can’t go wrong with Tamora Pierce. She’s my comfort read and anytime I’m really stressed or really need an escape, I read her, I absolutely love the characters and feel like I’m visiting old friends.
Linsalot said on 08.10.10 at 06:37 PM • [link]
Kelley Armstrong has a great YA trilogy set in her supernatural world which I really enjoyed.
Phillip Pullman has the Golden Compass trilogy but also a wonderful series set in Victorian England about a fantastic heroine Sally Lockhart.
Darlynne said on 08.10.10 at 06:39 PM • [link]
Sabriel, the first in the Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix, gets my vote for YA and romance. Also, the House of Night series by Kristin and P. C. Cast, and Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely.
Alpha Lyra said on 08.10.10 at 06:42 PM • [link]
Anything by Elizabeth Scott is amazing! Some of her books are lighthearted and sweet (usually with a strong romance element), and some are dark and terrifying. But they all have a geniuneness to them that cuts straight to my heart.
Verona St. James said on 08.10.10 at 06:47 PM • [link]
I love the Megan Whalen Turner Queen’s Thief books. The newest one Conspiracy of Kings was excellent.
I’m also a big fan of Holly Black’s stuff, especially Tithe and the Spiderwick Chronicles. I liked her newest book The White Cat until the ending, which left a bad taste in my mouth.
I also really love Mara Daughter of the Nile which is about an Egpytian slave and is SO romantic. One of my favorite re-reads ever.
Jessica said on 08.10.10 at 07:02 PM • [link]
Many great suggestions so far. Love Tamora Pierce - have since I was not quite a teen and my librarian gave me the books as one of the early ones had won a librarian award (BBYA I think).
Sabriel and Lirael are some of the best ever and I think do a great job blurring the line between YA and adult.
Lost part of the weekend and all day yesterday to reading Robin McKinley’s book coming out later this fall, Pegasus. Wow. Possibly her best yet and I’ve all of hers multiple times. Comes out in November unless you were lucky enough to get an ARC at ComicCon or the American Library Association conference.
Sarah said on 08.10.10 at 07:11 PM • [link]
You NEED to read Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by debut YA author Morgan Matson. It is absolutely fabulous!!
I also ADORE completely Jenny Han, Elizabeth Scott and I really liked debut YA author Kody Keplinger’s book, The DUFF.
KimberlyD said on 08.10.10 at 08:00 PM • [link]
I loved both Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore. I think its funny that some people only liked one or the other.
Robin McKinley’s books are my favorite YA books (I think technically Sunshine is listed as Adult but its pretty much YA. Totally different take on vampires. Her heroine actually realizes how dangerous vampires are, even though she becomes friends with one-sort of. If you’re tired of the usual teenage vampire romance, read Sunshine!)
Tamora Pierce, of course.
Patricia Wrede’s Enchanted Forest Chronicles (Dealing with Dragons, etc) and Sorcery and Cecilia.
Definitely Kelley Armstrong’s Darkest Powers Trilogy (and her next YA trilogy, Darkness Rising, will start coming out next year. Same universe, different teens.)
Lauren said on 08.10.10 at 08:05 PM • [link]
If I have a longstanding love affair with SBTB, I have a gigantic high school crush on FYA that’s been going on for some time now. The recaps/drinking game for Sweet Valley High are absolutely priceless.
I’ve always loved YA books - and so many of them are romances too! Madeline L’Engle, Tamora Pierce for SURE (The Immortals Quartet almost as much as the Lioness Quartet), Orson Scott Card is wonderful (I reread Ender’s Game yearly, but his re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty in Enchantment is another fave). The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books always pack an emotional wallop. David Eddings isn’t always consistent, but my YA self will always have an enormous crush on Garion.
I’m reading Feed by M. T. Anderson right now - it definitely has romance in it, but I’m not sure it will end with an HEA. It’s feeling pretty dystopian and I’m scared the couple may be in for a 1984-style ending.
I really do love my book reviews with a healthy dose of snark. . . and drinks!
De said on 08.10.10 at 08:10 PM • [link]
Ally Carter - Heist Society It’s just light and fun. I adore heist shows/movies and what could be better than a teenage crew of thieves.
Liz said on 08.10.10 at 08:40 PM • [link]
a couple of years ago, i took a college class on “childhood in urban settings” and we had to read a few YA books. The one I really liked was Kiki Strike and the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller, which is about a city built underneath New York City. There was a sequel: Kiki Strike and the Empress’s Tomb, which I also really liked. I thought there was going to be a third, but I haven’t been able to find it.
The other book that we had to read was Its Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini, which is apparently being made into a movie. What i liked about this book was that it explored teen depression and the reactions to it.
Jennifer said on 08.10.10 at 08:43 PM • [link]
Just chiming in to second the rec for “The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks.” I tell my students that Frankie is the anti-Bella. She’s smart, take-charge, and not about to let a boy dictate what she will do or not do. I can’t praise this book enough.
Sabine said on 08.10.10 at 09:42 PM • [link]
Oh noes! All those amazing books and I don’t have any money! *woe*
That said, I have to pimp Sarah Rees Brennan’s The Demon’s Lexicon and the Demon’s Covenant! I can’t wait for the third book to come out. I love how she takes well-known tropes and just turns them upside down. And her writing is just wickedly brilliant imho:)
Francesca too said on 08.10.10 at 10:07 PM • [link]
I’m adding Sherwood Smith “Crown Duel” to the list, a book that I like to reread at least once a year.
Francesca too said on 08.10.10 at 10:12 PM • [link]
Via BookshelvesofDoom blog: http://www.persnicketysnark.com/search/label/Top 100 YA Titles 2010 to the top 100 titles of YA (not romance only)
Alison said on 08.10.10 at 10:14 PM • [link]
I started a Herald’s of Valdemar novel I hadn’t read yet (I worked by way through most of them as a teen) and although they aren’t usually found in the YA section, most of them are coming-of-age, cinderella rags-to-richs type stuff that I love in a YA novel.
I started it yesterday and read all day, something I haven’t done in years and only ever do with a YA. It’s called Foundation and the main characters a 13 year old boy who’s happy just sitting quietly in the background. I’m loooving it!
Cidi said on 08.10.10 at 10:14 PM • [link]
I read a lot of YA. At the moment I’m loving the Gone series by Michael Grant, Graceling and Fire by Cashore, Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness. I also re-read the Tamora Pierce books annually.
Can’t wait to read Mockingjay. Fallen by Laura Kate is amazing, as is Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, and if you haven’t read Splendour Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore yet, you’re in for a treat.
Can you tell I’m a childrens bookseller?
Another Liz said on 08.10.10 at 11:27 PM • [link]
Not yet mentioned:
Jaclyn Moriarty! Her books seem to get very different titles in different places, so hard to list. The Booksmugglers recently reviewed (very positively) her latest, which is Ghosts of Ashbury High in the U.S.
Catherine Gilbert Murdoch, Dairy Queen (haven’t read the sequels).
Susan Juby’s Alice trilogy, staring with Alice, I Think (must get a Canadian in there).
Michelle said on 08.10.10 at 11:35 PM • [link]
Alison, I am listening to the audioversion of Foundation now. It is really well done. The second of the Collegium Chronicles is coming out soon (I think October). I already preordered it.
Also Diana Wynne Jones Chrestomanci series is good. The romance is low key though. I would start with The Lives of Christopher Chant. Conrad’s Fate is good too.
theladyferris said on 08.10.10 at 11:53 PM • [link]
Liz Berry, especially Easy Connections, Easy Freedom and The China Garden.
EbonyMcKenna said on 08.11.10 at 12:58 AM • [link]
I too am hanging out for Mockingjay. I thought Catching Fire was even better than Hunger Games because it upped the ante and I lost so much sleep because I had to keep reading.
I also love the Gone series, although I’m only 2 books in. I’m really enjoying The Gallagher Girlsm that’s good fun too.
So many great books mentioned in the comments above, so little time! Must add more to the wait list at the library.
The thing I love about reading YA is that they get straight to the point and get on with the story. I love writing YA because I can relive all those high emotions and intense feelings. And also have loads of fun.
Flo said on 08.11.10 at 01:26 AM • [link]
Seriously love that site. Although, honestly, I would love a definitive (and growing) list of YA romance that could be handed out at a Catholic school. I know the girls love reading them (I’ve had to confiscate a few because they were past the YA, in middle school, and into the sexin’ times… fine at home… don’t bring it to school plzkthx!). I also know that the parents want a list that has descriptions and basic plot lines so they could buy their kiddos the books they are begging for guilt free.
I also wonder if there were YA romance (or at least relationship based stories) via the male POV. Just to mix it up and give the guys something to read as well.
If anyone has a list like that… slide it my way! :)
Kirsten said on 08.11.10 at 02:17 AM • [link]
I like Generation Dead by Dan Waters a lot. The sequels are fine, but the original hits the nail on the head. You do get several points of view there.
I loved the first of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. I own the anthology where it was first published as a short story. I also second Tamora Pierce, especially the Circle Opens, and Madeleine L’Engle, especially A Wrinkle in Time. The Sherman Alexie book knocked me over. I bought it for someone else, and it was awful having to pass it on. Estrella’s Quinceanara by Malin Alegria and Never Mind the Goldbergs by Matthue Roth are also excellent.
I loved Cynthia Voigt to pieces in high school, especially A Solitary Blue and Izzy, Willy Nilly. I also loved Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas and read almost everything by M.E. Kerr.
Ally Carter has a series set in a girls’ school for spies, which I have really enjoyed. Most recently, I read The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg, which was amazing. Not romantic in the least… it’s indescribable. You just have to read it.
rest79: if I could rest for 79 minutes, maybe I’d have the energy to put the kids to bed.
Linzenberg said on 08.11.10 at 02:20 AM • [link]
I guess I’m a bit of a cheat, since I work for a children’s publisher and get to read lots of stuff ahead of time AND get paid for it but . . .
Of course, everyone at work is gagging for Mockingjay to come out. It’s going to be epic, no matter what, and, seriously, if anybody wants to slide a Peeta my way, I’d be a happy girl. (Neat trick in upping the authenticity in your own read: Give Katniss an Appalachian accent. That’s how Suzanne Collins does it in all of her readings. It changes EVERYthing.)
I, too, LOOOVE Maggie Stiefvater’s Mercy Falls series and had the honor of reading the second in the trilogy, Linger, back in the winter. It’s so refreshing to see a paranormal romance done WELL, with smart, lyrical characters. I also was rooting for the tertiary couple because I love watching smartasses banter. They reminded me of Lila Fowler and Bruce Patman from Sweet Valley.
Lisa Yee can pretty much do no wrong in my opinion. She does both young YA and middle grade REALLY well and do it with humor.
As a kid, I ate up the Pyrdain Chronicles, Robin McKinley, Narnia . . . ooo! Tim Curry’s audio books narrating “A Series of Unfortunate Events” is awesomesauce. Never again will I have to image Mr. Poe’s unfortunate coughing bouts.
Kaelie said on 08.11.10 at 02:21 AM • [link]
Thanks for introducing me to that site Sarah!
As for my YA read list:
I also recommend Nix’s Abhorsen trilogy.
And I’m seconding the Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr.
Lin said on 08.11.10 at 03:17 AM • [link]
As a Youth Services Librarian I read a lot of YA books & can say that just about every book/author listed here kicks ass - but I didn’t see two of my favorites mentioned: Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy - starting with A Great & Terrible Beauty (Historical Romance/fantasy) or Philip Reeve’s Hungry City Chronicles (not too much romance but so well-written) listed yet. Both are terrific series that appeal to adult/teens alike. I have to agree with those that argue that YA authors face the toughest audience out there and there are so many talented ones, lucky for us!
verism said on 08.11.10 at 03:33 AM • [link]
It does my YA=loving heart good to see someone mention Liz Berry; I imprinted on Easy Connections at an impressionable age and have had a fondness for id-embracing rape-is-love wallowing ever since.
Karen W. said on 08.11.10 at 03:34 AM • [link]
I love YA paranormals, and I could go on and on about favorites, but I’ll try to keep it to a few special favorites. :)
First and foremost, THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak. An incredible book no matter one’s age. It immediately went on my list of all-time favorites.
ELSEWHERE by Gabrielle Zevin.
Two ongoing series that I think are amazing: The “Gone” series by Michael Grant and the “Generation Dead” series by Daniel Waters.
Chachic said on 08.11.10 at 04:22 AM • [link]
I’m also a fan of Jennifer Echols! Another YA romance book that I really liked is Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles. I also recommend Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta, which I loved. I see that the couple in that book is included in Forever Young Adult’s list of swoonworthy couples.
For YA fantasy, I highly recommend the Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner. The romance doesn’t come into play until the second book but it’s well worth the wait. Other favorites are Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith, The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley, The Changeover by Margaret Mahy and Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.
Sycorax said on 08.11.10 at 05:07 AM • [link]
- On the Jellicoe Road, by Melina Marchetta (Everything she has written is brilliant, but this is my favourite. In fact it’s my favourite YA book altogether.)
- The Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan (which I’m glad to see has already been pimped)
- White Cat, by Holly Black
- The Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody
- The Changeover and Memory by Margaret Mahy
- Deep Secret and Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
- Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty (glad to see she’s been mentioned already)
- The Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce
- the Uglies series by Scott Westerfield
... and I should probably leave it at that.
I was surprised to see people mention Liz Berry. In Easy Connections I could never get passed the fact that he raped her, bullied her, used her friends to get at her and finally used media sympathy to get her expelled from college and kicked out of her house so she had to marry him. And the guy was supposed to be a sympathetic character! I suppose it was written in the 80s, when rapist heroes were not uncommon, but honestly!
La Reine Noire said on 08.11.10 at 05:31 AM • [link]
A lot of my favourites have already been mentioned (Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy, just about anything by Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series, Megan Whalen Turner, etc).
I do want to put out a plug for a few more, though:
- Scott Westerfeld, Leviathan (first book in a new alternate history series, steampunk WWI!)
- Jonathan Stroud, The Bartimaeus Trilogy (absolutely brilliant fantasy series set in an alternate-universe London)
- Eva Ibbotson, A Company of Swans and Magic Flutes (Romance with a capital R. The first time I read both of these, they just made me so incredibly happy.)
- Matthew Skelton, Endymion Spring (enchanted books, the Faust legend, and Oxford. What’s not to love?)
- M.T. Anderson, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation (This is an incredibly difficult book to describe—historical fiction? Alternate history? Postcolonial meta-fiction?—but it is nothing short of utterly fascinating. Just read it.)
Tae said on 08.11.10 at 06:46 AM • [link]
loved Graceling, loved Fire even more
The Curious Incident of the Dog at Nighttime by Mark Haddon
Enders game by Orson Scott Card
The Mortal instruments by Cassandra Clare
Agree about Sharon Shinn’s YA books
I haven’t been reading YA as much lately, so I’ve forgotten all the titles
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Megs said on 08.11.10 at 07:35 AM • [link]
I don’t read a lot of YA, but I made an exception for Everlasting by Angie Frazier because I love historical fantasy. It had a great romance and an interesting setting—I haven’t run across a lot of historical fiction set in Australia.
lisa said on 08.11.10 at 07:41 AM • [link]
Wait, so am I the only person who spotted this on the “What not to do with your covers” page?
Shouldn’t there be some form of scolding and/or drinking in your post calling out this nasty stereotyping?
mo said on 08.11.10 at 12:49 PM • [link]
I agree with so many of these recs and have added many on my TBR list. Just finished Demon’s Lexicon, WOW what a great book. And of course the Hunger Games trilogy. A few more books I recently read that I recommend:
- the Moorehawk Trilogy by Celine Keirnan (The Poison Throne, The Crowded Shadows and The Rebel Prince) - cannot believe these have missed a mention because they are AWESOME!!!!
- The Other Countess by Eve Edwards - excellent historical romance
- Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty
- Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
Sarah Rees Brennan said on 08.11.10 at 01:49 PM • [link]
I cheer with deep enthusiasm my best beloved genre talked about at the Bitches. And I sparkle with joyous gratitude (well, we YA peeps, we like our sparklin’) at those kind souls who noted my books. ;)
Now for the important bits: the YA books I love. Diana Wynne Jones, Margaret Mahy, Tamora Pierce and Robin McKinley were the awesome YA of my YA years (and I second the recommendation for Robin McKinley’s new book Pegasus hard - the end is a killer).
Newer YA books that I love and that haven’t been mentioned here already, though it fills me with anguish not to sing praises of the Queen’s Thief series and Fire…
Karen Healey’s Guardian of the Dead. Maori mythology and the heroine beats information out of the mysterious redhaired evasive hot dude in class.
Cassandra Clare’s Clockwork Angel. YA steampunk, a lady who is both a dreamy reader and sensible, a perfect gentleman and a crazy dude who bites vampires.
Malinda Lo’s Ash - lesbian Cinderella, in which the prince’s hot huntress is actually the one who catches our heroine’s eye.
And for Flo especially but everyone else too - Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margi Stohl is a very strong YA romance from the boy’s pov, in which the lady gets to be the mysterious otherworldly creature with angst, and it’s all set in a wee town in the deep South.
erin at FYA said on 08.11.10 at 02:58 PM • [link]
WHAT. Oh my god, you guys have NO IDEA how excited I am that you featured our blog. I have been a SBTB devotee for years and prior to this, I thought the only way to ever be mentioned by you guys was to write a romance novel, which surely would have been given a D grade, and I would have had a sad. BUT THIS IS EVEN BETTER!
This makes the unbearable wait for Mockingjay just a little easier!
Brussel Sprout said on 08.11.10 at 03:24 PM • [link]
My favourite at the moment is the Megan Whalen Turner series already mentioned, but I also loved A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb which is v. romantic.
I also want to mention my favourite YA of about 10-12 years now, published as A Gathering Light in UK, but Northern Light in US, by Jennifer Donnelly. It is one of the best books ever written.
Susan Blexrud said on 08.11.10 at 03:29 PM • [link]
John Green’s books are TO DIE FOR.
Here’s the list…
Looking for Alaska
An Abundance of Katherines
Paper Towns
Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with David Levithan)
Beth said on 08.11.10 at 03:35 PM • [link]
Paper Towns, by John Green
Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green and David Levithan
The Enchanted Chocolate Pot series, by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
Wicked Lovely series, by Melissa Marr
A Ring of Endless Light, by Madeleine L’Engle
Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card
The Young Jedi Knights series, by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta
The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
Another Sarah said on 08.11.10 at 04:01 PM • [link]
Thank you for introducing me to FYA. I love love YA novels, and now I have something I can read that’s a bit more like SMTB. Jezebel had a section like that, but it’s been quiet for a long time.
Favorite YA novels (specifically books that haven’t been mentioned):
- Fire and Hemlock, Diana Wynne Jones (Tam Lin reworked into England in the 80’s. it’s a little slow, but soooo good)
- The Runner, Cynthia Voigt (Same Tillermans, different generation. The kids’ uncle Bullet is the best male protagonist EVER and the end of the book kills me every single time.)
- Tips on Having a Gay Ex-Boyfriend, Carrie Jones (A book on breaking up and falling in love in high school. I haven’t read another book that nails the experience of being a teenage girl in a small town quite this well.)
- Need, Carrie Jones. (It starts off like Twilight- relocation to a small town with an uncomfortable new climate and some supernatural activity- but the heroine is an asskicker and tells the hero where to get off.)
There are more, but these are the ones I love best. It’s worth noting that they all have white protagonists, which means that it’s a pretty flawed list to recommend to actual young adults (although Bullet does struggle with racism- not sure how much that makes up for it).
Pam said on 08.11.10 at 04:21 PM • [link]
This is one of those posts where I read the comments virtual pen in hand. Most of my favorites—including the Hunger Games books—have already been mentioned, but the rest are on or will be added to my TBR list. I would like to put in a word for a couple of much loved oldies—Anne McCaffery’s Pern books and anything by Andre Norton. I have not reread either in a while but my memory of them suggests that they’d age fairly well. Most recently read Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve, but I don’t think I’ll read the rest of the series. Incredibly creative premise, excellent writing, thrilling adventure, but slightly lacking in character depth. Also, when I finished, I realized that I was depressed as hell by it. Liked Westerfeld’s Leviathan better.
Our school has an reading initiative that involves providing students with a book from list of maybe a dozen titles. The books are theirs to keep or trade, and nobody’s trading Hunger Games! In fact I had a number of boys in the library begging for the sequel. That’s what cued me to read it myself. So, thank you, DaVonte!
Also loved my first encounter with FYA. Thanks for the heads up.
Duchess in Denim said on 08.11.10 at 04:21 PM • [link]
I’ve been very curious about Sarah MacLean’s The Season. Regency Romance for YA’s
Jeannie said on 08.11.10 at 07:18 PM • [link]
I’m loving Simone Elkeles right now and I can’t wait for her new book Return To Paradise. I’m a high school librarian and I know the kids will be chomping at the bit to get their hands on it when school opens.
Mandy:) said on 08.11.10 at 09:33 PM • [link]
I recently finished Cassandra Clare’s “Mortal Instruments’ series (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass). I LOVE LOVE LOVED them all. A great forbidden romance, fantasy, action adventure. I think I read the last one in two days, which is a HUGE accomplishment with a 20 month old in the house!!
http://www.readmandyland.blogspot.com
Beth said on 08.11.10 at 11:12 PM • [link]
I haven’t read them myself, but a couple of my friends have and they loved them.
Marissa said on 08.12.10 at 01:42 AM • [link]
I just finished reading The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson, and I loved it… strong writing, great story, characters to adore.
On my list of favorites:
-Sarah Dessen’s books
-Elizabeth Scott’s books (Bloom and Stealing Heaven in particular)
-Maggie Stiefvater’s books (her Mercy Falls books were mentioned here earlier, and her Books of Faerie were great too)
Sarah said on 08.12.10 at 01:46 AM • [link]
I’d love to see SBTB review Sea. I found it to be the works kind of treacly oatmeal…a love story written on the back of a devastating global tragedy that didn’t even scratch the surface of “issue.” Would love to know what others think.
For great contemporary YA, I’d say check out Sarah Ockler’s Twenty Boy Summer, Kimberly Dertig’s The Body Finder and anything by Sarah Dessen!
Nicola Marsh said on 08.12.10 at 02:00 AM • [link]
I’ve been immersed in all things YA the last 6 months and have read some beauties!
Personal Demons by Lisa Desrocher (releasing this Sept)
Meridian by Amber Kizer
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
You can’t go wrong with these 4 books, all fabulous!
Wendy said on 08.12.10 at 02:40 AM • [link]
I have to say WORD on Demon’s Lexicon and Demon’s Convenant by Sarah Rees Brennan. Cannot wait for the third. I have such a thing for Alan - quiet, sweet…manipulative…and love the heartbreaking relationship between him and his brother. And the dialogue is so whipsmart; it’s exactly what I look for in a book.
Katherine DuGarm said on 08.12.10 at 02:54 AM • [link]
I don’t usually read YA, but can be convinced by a good review.
From a male POV, The Cardturner by Louis Sachar. The protagonist learns about what makes family, and the different ways in which people love each other and show that love. I borrowed it because of the instructions on bridge; the characters kept me involved.
Ceilidh said on 08.12.10 at 03:13 AM • [link]
Late to the party as usual but here are my YA suggestions:
Going Bovine (Libba Bray)
Ash (Malinda Lo)
Boy Meets Boy (David Levithan)
Beautiful Creatures (Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl)
Suite Scarlett (Maureen Johnson)
Diana said on 08.12.10 at 05:17 AM • [link]
I’m a Meg Cabot fangirl for life. Love her Princess Diaries series. Michael Moscovitz = dreamy. :)
Janene said on 08.12.10 at 05:43 AM • [link]
I love Melanie Marr’s Wicked Lovely series - definitely pick this up as it isn’t all happy-go-lucky.
I also second Meg Cabot—but I’ll go beyond the Princess Diaries and suggest her “boy” series since I think it’s relatively easy enough to read. Perhaps a bit advanced for the younger teens, but the older teens will definitely be into the ‘working’ aspect, also with her format.
Sci-Fi with a touch of romance YA is Tamora Pierce’s Alanna series, although probably a bit more Tween than YA. Diana Wynne Jones also does a really good two-book series more geared YA (Derkdom series, if memory serves).
Kilian Metcalf said on 08.12.10 at 05:07 PM • [link]
Loved Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Fire not so much, eagerly awaiting Bitterblue. Thank you Library Staff Picks for putting Cashore out there for me.
Love Patricia McKillip, but didn’t know she is YA. I thought her books were written for me, and I’m far from YA. Some of her books are very dark.
When I *was* an actual YA, I loved the Black Stallion books by Walter Farley, anything by Andre Norton, Robert Heinlein, and Zenna Henderson. Looks like my love for sci-fi/fantasy set in early and firmly. Have reread these books as an adult, and they age well
Enjoyed the three medieval YA books by Karen Cushman: Matilda Bone, Midwife’s Apprentice, and Catherine, Called Birdy
Sometimes I question the labeling of books and rigid separation into genres. It makes me flash back to 3rd grade when I couldn’t read any book not on the 3rd grade shelf. A good book is a good book and can be enjoyed by readers of different ages. I agree that there are some books such as Wind in the Willows and Wuthering Heights that lose their magic if not read at the appropriate age. I missed both of these and could not enjoy them when I read them as an adult, but a lot of stuff that is labeled YA can be read by older readers with enjoyment.
ago42 - Seems like I was 42 just a few moments ago
helen said on 08.12.10 at 10:19 PM • [link]
Meridian by Amber Kizer excellent unique paranormal book.
River and Wolfe by Skyla Cameron-Very neat books, about a girl who was a wolf but became human. I recommend these books to everyone I know.
Gillian Shields series
Sea Change by Aimee Friedman
Hex Hall Rachel Hawkins
The body finder Kimberly Derting
Julie Kagawa’s Series
mo said on 08.12.10 at 11:25 PM • [link]
Graceling & Fire by Kristan Cashore
A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb
Book of a thousand days by Shannon Hale
Freaking amazing books!!!
Jan Oda said on 08.13.10 at 12:10 AM • [link]
I don’t think I qualify as a YA fan hardcore style, but it hasn’t been ages since I was YA myself, and I do still reread some of my favorites, and start on the occasional series if I accidentally bump into them.
I am however extremely attached to the books of my youth. The problem I’m currently facing however, is that most of my bookish friends have become online friends. Which means they talk english, which means they haven’t read the books in their youth that I did, because those weren’t translated.
The older I get, and the farther I deviate from the culture I grew up in, the more frustrated I get. Dutch literature isn’t that great imho, but the youth literature is awesome beyond comparison, and I wish I could share it with more people.
Unfortunately translation in literature seems to be mostly one way traffic, occasionally something non english will get translated to english, but I don’t have the feeling that happens often.
And there’s so many great books out there.
So I’ve started a list on YA/Children’s Books that deserve an english translation on Goodreads, for those of you who are interested.
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/6512.Foreign_Children_s_Teen_Books_That_Deserve_A_New_English_Translation
On a different YA subject, I noticed that when it comes to YA, I divert from my usual genres, and read totally different ones. Anyone else who does this?
John said on 08.13.10 at 08:36 AM • [link]
I AM SO LATE TO THIS…To briefly list the amazing YA romances/authors of said romances:
Susane Colasanti - She can write teens like nobody’s business. Definitely appropriate for younger teens, too.
Sarah Dessen - This woman is just amazing. And not very steamy methinks…
Libba Bray - Gotta say, her A Great and Terrible Beauty series is positively daring AND one of the best YA works IMO
David Levithan - Boy Meets Boy. Wide Awake. Will Grayson, Will Grayson. LGBTQ romances that every library should stock.
Angela Morrison - A way too overlooked author of astounding romances. Taken by Storm, Sing Me to Sleep, and Unbroken Connection. She is amazing, and right up there with the greats like Dessen.
Robin McKinley - Her fairy tale retellings REEK of awesomeness. Spindles End and Rose Daughter are my *personal* favs. A Pegasus ARC sits near my bed and I am trying not to grab it too soon.
Julie Kagawa - The Iron King is a great combo of romance and action action action! So yes, Jennifer Estep, you should try it.
Alex Flinn - Beastly sits near me as well. I must read it. But I’ve heard good things. She seems to be a favorite, especially amongst younger teens.
Daniel Waters - His Generation Dead books are supernatural but intelligent. His zombies are one huge metaphor for minority groups and discrimination. HIGHLY SUGGESTED. :P
Ellen Hopkins - Verse novel that so does not read like one. You’ll be enraptured with her brutally honest take on teen angsty angst.
I could go on. Being a YA blogger has it’s upsides. ^.^
cories said on 08.13.10 at 09:39 AM • [link]
E. Lockhart!!
I’m a big Terry Pratchett fan as well, mostly of his Discworld books although the Diggers/Truckers/etc. trilogy was fun, too.
Actually, many of my favorites were mentioned already. I alternate between romances and YA books.
Karin said on 08.13.10 at 05:35 PM • [link]
I really love Michelle Magorian, especially A Little Love Song.
Jessi said on 08.15.10 at 12:44 AM • [link]
I hope you’ve read/will read Shiver and Linger by Maggie Stiefvater. Best teen romance I’ve read, well pretty much ever - partly because the heroine is so down to earth. I fell in love early and am still happily together after too many years to mention. Hey, it’s not my fault if I recognized a good thing when I found it! However, I have also seen too many girls jump into bad relationships because of daddy issues and hang on for dear life. Let’s just say that I believe in true love and I think you can find it early IF both parties are mature and responsible.
Nichole said on 08.17.10 at 04:44 AM • [link]
No one’s mentioned “Blood and Chocolate” by Annette Curtis Klause! This book positively sizzled when I was fourteen or so. Still one of my all-time faves.
orangehands said on 08.18.10 at 10:44 AM • [link]
I LOVE YA. Actually, I really came to third On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. Fair warning, I am not a big crier, but I tear up every damn time I read that book.
Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan…forget the H/H romance (which was great), I lust after that high school.
And I am totally blanking on providing a new name. But YA rocks! *fan girl swoon*
Laura said on 09.07.10 at 06:54 AM • [link]
I have to agree with everyone who’s mentioned Tamora Pierce, Robin McKinley, and Mercedes Lackey. Pierce’s Protector of the Small series is an annual re-read for me. Phillip Pullman’s Sally Lockhart and Golden Compass series are both amazing. “Mara, Daughter of the Nile” and Sherwood Smith’s “Crown Duel” were also all time faves when I was younger.
I’m not crazy about most of Sarah Dessen’s books, but “Dreamland” is one of the best books I’ve ever read. 16-year-old Caitlin’s “perfect” older sister has run away and the boy she gets involved with is bad news. Her interactions with her parents rang really true for me when I was the same age.
It’s not really YA, although I know several people besides myself who started reading this series as teenagers. Laurie R. King’s “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” and its sequels are witty, funny, and starting in the second book, romantic. Sherlock Holmes with a female apprentice and eventual partner—and Mary manages to hold her own intellectually.
Sci-fi and fantasy-wise, I love love love Juliet Mariller’s Sevenwaters Trilogy. Again, more late teen/early 20s age range. Retelling of the fairytale The Swans, where a wicked stepmother changes her stepsons into swans and their younger sister spends years in silence, making shirts of starwort (a prickly plant) in order to free her brothers from the spell. Also a romance in this version. The Wind on Fire trilogy is a great dystopian story, and Sharon Lee and Steve Miller’s books are fun—outer space, complex societies, romance.
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