It's YA Week on Goodreads!

I cannot read YA because of the DRAMA and the immaturity of the characters. YA just makes me want to grind my teeth and YES I believe that as an "older" reader (I am not Methuselah) there is an expectation of what you want from a book. I have read some really good YA though and these have come via Penelope Douglas, Cambria Herbert. If I think of anymore (I am sure there are plenty) I will PM you.

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

Without a doubt, try The Bone Witch. Sounds like it's EXACTLY what you're looking for. ;)

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

You can try Six of Crows, and its sequel Crooked Kingdom for an unforgettable YA fantasy experience!
It's about these 6 teens who come together to plan a heist which will get them lots of money. I don't even realky want to say more because it's better to read it than be told.
It's diverse, has minimal romance which the SoC fandom absolutely thrives for, it has plenty of plot and complex, morally gray characters.
I hope you'll check it out and end up liking it!

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

Try "The Wicker King" by K. Ancrum :) This was truly incredible and very different to the average YA book

To be honest, I'm 28 and I still read some YA books. But really, it's so hard to find a good one. For the time being, there is only one series for which I fell totally in love - The Shades of Magic by V.E. Schwab. I'm so into buying her comics too.
If any of you have a book or books that you can recommend without a main "masochist" heroine, who can beat up everything and everyone (it's seriously boring), without silly love motif and with deep and complex characters, I would be very grateful.

PS. Don't mind the complains of the lady. No hard feelings ;)

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

I think The Raven Boys series really different from any other YA book series I've ever read. I don't feel like there are any overused tropes going on there. The Ascendance Trilogy is good, too, for something not totally cliche, either.

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

one of my all time favourites is the "Six of Crows" duology by Leigh Bardugo :) If you are into fantasy, enticing characters and stellar world-building, you might enjoy it!

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

Bone Gap by Laura Ruby. It's not new, but I just discovered it, and it's so lovely.
Also The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Garth Nix's Abhorsen series is good, and I also loved Tessa Gratton's New Asgard series.
If you want something that takes cliché expectations, mashes them to pulp, and chucks them in the trash can, try Girls Made of Snow and Glass.

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

I read a lot of YA (occupational hazard) and not all YA is good. Even some of the most famous YA writers out there are not necessarily worth reading. But there are LOADS of amazing YA books. Honest.
Try Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
The Short History of the Girl Next Door - Jared Reck
They Both Die at the End - Adam Silvera
Long Way Down - Jason Reynolds
A List of Cages - Robin Roe
We Were Liars - e. lockhart
Sadie - Courtney Summers (and anything else you can get your hands on)
Mosquitoland - David Arnold
The Marrow Thieves - Cherie Dimaline
Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli
Ask the Dark - Henry Turner
I'll Give You the Sun - Jandy Nelson

My reviews for all these books are posted here or at my site theludicreader.com

I hope you'll discover something here that will encourage you to keep trying YA!

You should try The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay. It's an older book (published in 2012), but it is still my favorite YA novel to date and it has excellent ratings/reviews. Good luck - hope you find something you enjoy!!

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. Read it in paperback/hardcover. Its a fun story with a great format and is probably the most "unique" YA I've read in a long time. Best of luck and Happy reading.

My recommendation would be The Queen's Thief series, especially books 1-3 (the later ones are slightly more spin-off).

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

Try Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner. That book is definitely unforgettable. And heartbreaking. And heartwarming at the same time.

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

Try Lovely War. It's amazing and not YA in the sense you're talking about.

PageTurner wrote: "My recommendation would be The Queen's Thief series, especially books 1-3 (the later ones are slightly more spin-off)."

This is objectively correct. Megan Whalen Turner writes so many circles around the other big name YA authors that I kinda feel bad for them, and people are sleeping on her in a big way.

She's just as humbling in person. Sat in on a panel with her and I think three other YA authors at C2E2 2017. One was the Charlotte Holmes lady. Can't remember who the other ones were, wasn't familiar with their work. Anyway, she was so intelligent and funny and interesting that despite obviously being the softest spoken and least extroverted guest, she easily dominated the entire conversation. Everybody wanted to hear what she had to say. It was like an erudite adult flanked by blabbering children. I know whose books I'd rather read, lol. I'm being harsh, I know, but it's kinda true.

To be honest, apart from the first book, they don't even really feel like they were written specifically for a younger audience to me. I often wonder how much of that YA label is just carryover from that first book. My one sentence summary of the series would be something like: "Lord of the Rings, but Greece-esque instead of Britain-esque, with much more interesting characters and satisfyingly fleshed out and realistic geopolitics where people and cultures are at cross purposes but nobody is identifiable as the evil bad guy." In this analogy the first book is The Hobbit equivalent (and much better imo)--same world and characters, but written for a much younger audience than what comes after.

Not sure how to reply on this yet, but to Maedeh: The Prydain Chronicles. Think YA Lord of the Rings with Welsh mythology influences. Main character can be a touch irritating, but you get to see him grow and change.

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I wanShaun David Hutchinsont to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

I'm not sure if he is considered ya but maybe something by Patrick Ness? Also Shaun David Hutchinson, I haven't personally read anything by Hutchinson but I have read that the reviews are good. I like Darius the Great Is Not Okay, I guess it got it's tropes too but I enjoyed it. Also Circe was a fun read for me.

Hannahmowrer12gmail.Com wrote: "Not sure how to reply on this yet, but to Maedeh: The Prydain Chronicles. Think YA Lord of the Rings with Welsh mythology influences. Main character can be a touch irritating, but you get to see hi..."
I think you can only reply like this if you are on a computer or on the computer version on your phone.

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

You should read the Raven Cycle series. It definitely falls under the 'different-and-unique' category that you've mentioned. The first book is The Raven Boys.

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

I've run into the same problem. Some of the titles that have stood out to me over the past few years have been The Boneless Mercies, The Raven Cycle, The Bear and the Nightingale, and The Diviners. The Bone Season is another one I really enjoyed, but that's sometimes shelves as adult. It's kind of on the edge of YA fiction.

Ooo, such supreme timing! I have been extremely prejudiced against YA for a long time, but after speaking just this past weekend to a good friend who is a middle school librarian in Kansas City, I am willing to give it a try. She says not all of it is about magic done by sparkly vampires! So I told her I'd try to free my mind enough to allow this genre a bit of my precious reading time. I did read the first 1 or 2 Harry Potter books. And I did promise her (hi Marianne) I'd try The Hunger Games. Any suggestions not involving sparkles and vampires greatly appreciated. But I retain the right to very picky!

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

I don't know, i'm 33 and still really into YA. I think it really depends, maybe it's not your genre. Really liked a lot of really popular series (Hunger games, Divergent, Court of thorn and roses, legend...), but also less popular ones (Uglies by Scott Westerfield, E-Den by Elodie Tirel), I would say that Red Rising is also a YA serie to me, and it's a excellent one. I don't know if it helps, hope so :)

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

I totally get where you're coming from. YA isn't one of my favorite genres, but there are some decent books under the genre. One of my all-time favs is the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. Not sure if you've read the book, but most have seen the movie. Of course, the author did a better job than Hollywood, but it was very close to the book. You should give it a try. It's light, funny and a decent story line. I think you'd like it.

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."
I totally understand. I usually stick with the fantasy YA stuff. I feel there is a lot more originality in that area than in realistic YA fiction. So my recommendations for you are any of Cinda Williams Chima's books. They are amazing! She is tough on her characters and never gives them anything easily. Its frustratingly satisfying when by book 4 they've finally earned their "happily ever after", after 3 agonizing books of things not going their way.
I am a huge fan of retold fairy tales, so I would recommend the Cinder series by Marissa Meyer, and pretty much everything by Marissa Meyer. She has some other series and stand alones that are fabulous.
And my other favorite is Leigh Bardugo. She's written the Grisha Universe and has 3 series for that universe and they are all good. A little dark, but good.
That's my 2 cents. I hope you can find some YA series you can enjoy!

I'm 25 now and I really think that no matter how old I get I'm still going to enjoy reading books in the Young Adult genre. There is always something so interesting about some of the books that come from this genre - weirdly they're normally more interesting to read and most of the time more diverse than most other books that I tend to read.
I will say though, no matter how many Young Adult books I've actually read, a good 80% of them are always drenched in cliches. Then again, this has sometimes made the book that much more enjoyable to read!

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

I think all readers face this dilemma sometimes. As I see it, you can always drop a book if you don't enjoy it. I have done so and without regret, but I have also found absolute gems while venturing into the unknown, scary as it was :)

I see there's a lot of excellent recommendations (Abhorsen series-Garth Nix!!!!) posted by a lot of others. Here are a few that I enjoyed-
1. The Inkheart Trilogy: Inkheart, Inkspell, Inkdeath
2.Journey to the River Sea
3.The Rithmatist
4.Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children Boxed Set
5.The Seventh Bride
6.In the Shadow of Blackbirds
7.The Uninvited
8.The Cure for Dreaming
9.The Eagle of the Ninth and the rest of the series
10.Tale of Gwyn
11.The Book Thief

Also my all time favourites:The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith,I Shall Wear Midnight
Happy reading!

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

-daughter of smoke and bone
-scythe
-legend
-cinder
-under the never sky
-dear evan hansen

I love fantasy and so truly fantastic authors are YA... Susan Dennard, Sara J Maas and Robin La Fever just to name a few!

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

I am 60 and I do enjoy some YA books now and again. James Patterson has a good selection. Check out his website if you're interested.

PageTurner wrote: "My recommendation would be The Queen's Thief series, especially books 1-3 (the later ones are slightly more spin-off)."

I am curious. Is this your user or real name? Because it is my real name, LOL!

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

It really depends on what you're into. My favorite YA series is A Court of Thorns and Roses. The first book is ehhhh but the second book is amazing!! That series focuses more on relationships and romance.

If you want a unique magical book I suggest Caraval. Be warned people either find this book magical or the most creepy book they have ever read lol. I found it magical and I think the magic is so different and interesting (again the second book in this series is better).

If you're into mystery I would try Stalking Jack the Ripper. This is a murder mystery where the main character is a forensic scientist that examines the dead for clues to solve murders. And the murders are based on real people. But be warned it can get a little disgusting.

If you're into Sci-fi I would try either Aurora rising or Illuminae. Illuminae is written very very differently from any book I've ever read. You follow a programmer (idk if that's what she really is called but that's what she would be in today's present time) and a psycho AI system. Aurora Rising is following a group of misfits that are trying to save the universe more or less. It is much funnier than Illumine in my opinion.

If you want to toe the line between YA and Adult I would try A Darker Shade of Magic. The world building and magic system is very unique and makes the story really amazing. (The first book is okay, the second book isn't that good, and the third book is amazing).

If you want a group heist book I would try Six of Crows. I didn't like the authors Shadow and Bone series but Six of Crows is a much better series. It has a ton of twists and turns (but be warned the second book is very slow and not nearly as good as the first).

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

I have a whole section of awesome YA books on my recommended reads page on my website (http://jenelleschmidt.com/recommended...). Some traditional published, some indie... I've found that if you want stuff that is DIFFERENT from everything else, you really have to go try out indie authors. Most of my favorite indie authors can be found in this directory: http://www.fellowshipoffantasy.com/di... (Not all of these are YA authors, but a good number of them are).

Alright, I agree with some of the others that commented about the immaturity of YA novels, and the string of clichés they all seem to have at some point or other.
But I don't want to give up on the genre.
If there's a book some experienced YA reader can recommend for me, that would be nice.
I really dislike reading about "a seemingly normal person that turns out to possess some incredible power and is a lot more special than everyone else in the book". I would like something along the lines of Six of Crows, since they're all misfits and flawed people that try to work together to overcome their difficulties, and the character development was really good as well.
Thanks in advance!

Јована wrote: "Alright, I agree with some of the others that commented about the immaturity of YA novels, and the string of clichés they all seem to have at some point or other.
But I don't want to give up on th..."

Aurora Rising!! There is a normal character get's extraordinary powers kind of thing in that book but it mainly focuses on the other characters who weren't picked to join a team because they were misfits and so they were paired together. It's really funny but really nice reading about a group like that.
I also enjoyed Illuminae (if you like sci-fi).

I also really liked Stalking Jack the Ripper. There isn't any magic in it so there's no chance of one character get's a crazy power.

A Darker Shade of Magic is another really really good series (it toes the line of adult and ya) but it's written well.

Lastly I would recommend Caraval

Books / Series to avoid for you
Cinder
Shadow and Bone
Red Queen
Strange the Dreamer
Although Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses (my favorite YA series) are amazing if you don't like the one normal person turns extraordinary thing I wouldn't read those.

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

Maybe you should try "And I Darken" from "the Conqueror's saga" if you're also into a bit of historical fiction. I'd also recommend the Six of Crows duology.

Just finished “Heroine”. A high school softballl player is in a car accident and gets addicted to opiods and then heroine. A must read.

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

Literally any book by Maggie Stiefvater I can recommend. Her writing is just too good for this world, in my humble opinion. (TRC still is my favourite book series (even tho I haven't read the fourth one because I don't want it to end. pls send help.))
Hope this helps you out!

Read the Maze Runner series by James Dashner. It's different, scary at some points, a little gross to, there is a bit of everything for everyone. Adventure, Mystery, tiny bit of romance, and a lot more!!!

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

I'm including different genres since I haven't a clue what you read. Hopefully none of these are on your crap list ;)
1. Cruel Prince
2. Scythe
3. Never Let Me Go
4. American Street

I seriously love how respectful every one is in these comments why can’t the whole internet be like this

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

I totally agree with this, I used to devour any YA book but I'm finding that I'm growing increasingly bored and annoyed with them as my reading tastes expand. I recommend reading Scythe by Neal Schusterman. The first two books of the series are out now, and they are probably my favorite YA in a long time. They are a little slow, but they have a wealth of unexpected philosophical ponderings and themes that are reflected in modern politics and advancements in technology. I think a bit of tropey-ness is inescapable in YA, but these books are really refreshing compared to some other ones I've read.

The artwork for this week's theme is beautiful! Is there a way for me to get it as a wallpaper for my desktop?

I think my biggest problem with YA is every time I see a book it's titled #1. I hate reading something that means I'm going to have to commit to at least 3 books, plus a 4 book side series, then a 5 book prequel and another trilogy that takes place in the same universe.
Or it's all very similar stories (Grimm retelling, space romance, court drama).
I do love YA but I just don't want to have to put in this huge commitment.

Any good recommendations for 1 or 2 books?

Maedeh wrote: "Okay, I want to share something here and I hope it's appropriate. I'm literally too scared to read any new YA book because I keep thinking that I'll just hate them and put them aside or throw them ..."

I don't really read YA either. But if you're a fan of Poe I recommend the Nevermore series by Kelly Creagh. The start is cliche BUT once you go past mid point of the first book...the world just sucks you in. Its one of my most favorite settings I've read so far.
Another one: (not sure if its YA) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It was just so uniquely set. I'm all for elaborate settings. And this one was just incredible.

As a recent YA reader, I'm loving Pip Harry's books. She deals with mental health issues well, the storylines are relateable and love that they are set in Aus.

It's always YA week on goodreads.

Hello!

Does anyone have any lists dedicated to popular YA contemporary authors? I typically read Sarah Dessen, Jenny Han, Susane Colasanti, and Colleen Hoover and I am looking to expand my reading of this genera!

I am also looking for my next series or fandom to follow! In the past I have read Harry Potter, Twilight, Divergent, and Delirium to name a few!

I am currently reading The Cruel Prince and I'm not sure if I'm a fan or not...I'm going to try to keep going but I may stop if it doesn't pick up...If anyone has any recommendations for current or pervious series I would appreciate it!

Kendra wrote: "Јована wrote: "Alright, I agree with some of the others that commented about the immaturity of YA novels, and the string of clichés they all seem to have at some point or other.
But I don't want t..."

thank you for the great reply! I love how you gave me a warning too! I will take up the ones you suggested

Joe wrote: "I'm 25 now and I really think that no matter how old I get I'm still going to enjoy reading books in the Young Adult genre. There is always something so interesting about some of the books that com..."

Same. There are some hidden gems out there.