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It's YA Week on Goodreads!
Comments Showing 51-100 of 253 (253 new)
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 ..."What about the Tamir Triad by Lynn Flewelling? Or The Queen's Thief Series by Megan Whalen Turner?
I believe I'll always love YA, even though I've been drifting towards adult more and more often. YA just has some absolute bangers.
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 ..."This book is not new but it's getting a Tv series. The His Dark Materials trilogy is one of my current favorite books. I would try giving it a read, its long but I enjoyed it.
I used to really be into YA books during my middle school - college years but since I've started working a few years back, YA seems to just become another genre that I tend to drop. A few of them that I've picked up ended up staying with me for a long time, but others I just end up marking them as DNF or I don't bother picking them up at all. I'm going to try and pick up the YA genre again this year and hopefully I will get back into it!
I'm currently reading: The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe by Ally Condie, Lovely War by Julie Berry, On the Come Up by Angie Thomas, and Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau-Preto. I'm 45 years old. I didn't have yummy YA like this as a kid, so I'm catching up.
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 recommend Melina Marchetta's "On the Jellico Road." She's an Australian YA author, and that book was so wonderful that I read it in one sitting and was left in awe of it. I hope you read it and enjoy.
Someone mentioned it already but Leigh Bardugo’s books are awesome and well written. Also, A.S. King writes very strange YA novels that are definitely interesting. I just finished Dig by her and would recommend it but want that it may be an uncomfortable reading experience. Lastly, Sarah Porter’s Vassa in the Night is a wonderfully strange him I enjoyed very much.
I'm listening to STEPSISTER by Jennifer Donnelly. I have read many of her previous books and met her at two author events. Her point of view and attention to the littlest of details make her one of my favorite authors. And the narrator of STEPSISTER is fantastic! I'd be happy to listen to her reading a phonebook!
Currently reading A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas gonna finish it ASAP and then Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson.
Merrisa wrote: "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 yo..."I love this book and never see it mentioned. Seriously underrated!
I am reading Sorcery of Thorns right now and it has everything in it that I love about YA!
I love the recommendations in this discussion! Queen Gryffindor and Јована, I'd recommend these fantasy titles:
🔹Tamora Pierce, Terrier
🔹Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke & Bone
🔹Katherine Arden, The Bear and the Nightingale
🔹Rachel Hartman, Seraphina
🔹Naomi Novik, Spinning Silver
also, maybe Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men. Tiffany Aching may only be 10 years old in this book, but she kicks ass. And Pratchett makes me laugh.
Highly recommend Patrick Ness, unique and well written. Everything I have read by Victoria Schwab has been wonderful (including her adult books written under V E Schwab).
Adam Silvera writes stories of friendship, relationships and family with a more realistic slant than some YA.
Shaun David Hutchinson is fascinating and writes very unique ideas. Even if he doesn't quite land the ending sometimes the ride is well worth it.
I'm going to be reading The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried by Shaun David Hutchinson for sure.
Maedeh, sounds as if you're fed up with the usual :D Here are some possibilities, almost all averaging at or near 4.0 ratings on GR:Urban Fantasy
Daniel O'Malley, The Rook
Ben Aaronovitch, Rivers of London*
Claire North, The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
Charles de Lint, The Blue Girl
fictionalized history
Jennifer Donnelly, Revolution
Edward Carey, Little
R.F. Kuang, The Poppy War*
for Anglophiles:
Hilary McKay, Saffy's Angel
Maureen Johnson, The Name of the Star
Lisa O'Donnell, The Death of Bees
Kate Atkinson, Behind the Scenes at the Museum*
Tana French, The Likeness*
graphic novels
Emil Ferris, My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Vol. 1
Una, Becoming Unbecoming
Emily Carroll, Through the Woods
*These four are technically adult titles. But they fit here.
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 ..."In general i dont like YA either but these books were good (3 or 4 stars)
Turtles All the Way Down
Sadie
The Poet X
An Absolutely Remarkable
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-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 ..."I recommend...
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson
Feed by M.T. Anderson
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
Almost all of them are Contemporary YA which means it's going to be more real-world realistic and they have very few adolescent stereotypes or tropes. I highly recommend starting with either A Very Large Expanse of Sea or Piecing Me Together. Feed is more sci-fi/dystopian. Hope that helps gets your foot in the door of YA lit. 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 ..."One college classmate of mine was against young adult with the rest of my fiction writing class and he started reading Fangirl and other Rainbow Rowell books this year and appreciated the genre finally.
Currently almost done with "On The Come Up!" I used to think reading YA was "embarrassing" because I'm almost 26. But let's be real-although they are targeted towards teens, there's still valuable content/lessons within (some of) them. Plus, if anything else, they're a quick, easy way to add books to your reading challenge!
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 really liked the Hunger Games series. Perks of Being a Wallflower. I also enjoyed Twilight (though the movies were awful). I can see what you mean though with a lot of young adult...but you have to expect that, it's what that age group likes. I am not sure if this one is considered young adult but I REALLY liked Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. It was SOOOOOOOO good, I was pleasantly surprised.
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 ..."The Hate You Give. I bought 4 copies for my classroom and they have circulated throughout my 7th grade class and were all checked out for the summer!
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 for sure check out A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro. It is a spin on Sherlock Holmes and is just such an amazing story. It really incorporates all the great deductions and a very similar writing style as that of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I get super frustrated with all of the annoying tropes in YA but there are so many good books that avoid that. Wilder Girls just came out this July and it is also a thrilling feminist story. If you do the right research you can find YA books that fit your needs. Good luck and 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 ..."The Queen's Thief series by Meghan Whalen Turner is a very unique YA series, with deep and complex plots and characters and a lot of mystery and medieval politics.
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 recommend the half blood academy
Everyone should read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Especially if you are a Mother to boys, it is so good. Such a touching story of the teenage years, discovering new friends, discovering ourselves and love...and shows that Moms ALWAYS know before the kids do. I would buy a copy and give to everyone I know if I could.
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 or maybe Jackaby?
I recommend Denton Little's Death Date by Lance Rubin. I thought it was an interesting concept. The overall premise of the plot was not what I predicted at all. I also liked that it wasn't yet another Twilight or Harry Potter knock off. It seems a lot of YA authors are riding on the skirt tails of those popular series.
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 ..."1. I agree emphatically with whoever recommended The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner. They should have been marketed as adult fantasy in the first place, in my opinion. Sophisticated, smart, with great humor, suspense, great world-building...I can't praise them enough. I've read the entire series three times.
2. I also agree with Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. Didn't like the first series, but these two are really solid, entertaining, not focused on romance.
3. No one has mentioned so far: Laini Taylor's Strange the Dreamer and Muse of Nightmares.
4. A series that has a slight disadvantage: Melina Marchett's Finnikin of the Rock and its two sequels. The first book is okay, but nothing really outstanding, but the second and third books will blow you away. They are 500 pages and I read them each in two days. But you have to read the first one first to understand the context.
5. Though some disagree with me, I LOVE Graceling, by Kristin Cashore. Great independent kick-ass heroine, good story, good world=building.
6. I agree, also, with the books of Benjamin Alire Saenz, and the books of Jandy Nelson. Both excellent.
I know exactly to what you object in much of YA fiction—the dithery heroines who can't decide whether to get on with it or just sit and daydream over a cute guy. None of these are like that.
And to the person who recommended Caraval...Maedeh, please read my review before you go there!An addendum: Yes, the Shades of Magic series by V. E. Schwab is fantastic, as is Vicious.
Read The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater.
And a new series by Seanan McGuire, called The Wayward Children. Absolute little gems of storytelling.
Definitely The Wee Free Men and sequels by Terry Pratchett.
Likewise The Last Dragonslayer and sequels by Jasper Fforde.
The Girl with All the Gifts, by M. R. Carey
The Naturals series, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes! Every adult to whom I recommend this loves it.
The Knife of Never Letting Go and sequels by Patrick Ness.
The Lockwood & Co. books by Jonathan Stroud!
Okay, this could go on for a while. I was a teen librarian for 11 years, and bought all the books for that demographic.
Stephanie wrote: "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 readin..."
Based on the authors you like, definitely try Deb Caletti!
Sadie by Courtney Summers is also a great unique YA mystery/thriller!
Saunders wrote: "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 exp..."You should try reading some of Maggie Stiefvater books! They won't disappoint.
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 ..."My fav YA books:
In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan - laugh out funny, yet also sweet.
The Touchstone Trilogy by Andrea K. Höst, beginning with vol. 1 Stray.
If you like fairytales, The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo is a beautiful read.
I agree Uprooted and Spinning Silver are very good, although I don't tend to think of them as YA, and so group them in with my favorite The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (18 yr old protagonist, so technically New Adult?).
For those with the need for actual literary skill, I highly recommend "Downsiders" by Neal Shusterman (whose writing has unfortunately gone downhill, in recent years, as he seems to be courting that very kind of readership that you & I can't stand). Also outstanding are the engrossing "The House of the Scorpion" & its compelling sequel "The Lord of Opium" by Nancy Farmer, as well as eerie mystery "Ink & Ashes" by Valynne Maetani (I am still awaiting its promised sequel). I've recently enjoyed "The BlackThorn Key" series including "The Assassins' Curse" & "Curse of the Wraith" by Kevin Sands. You'll notice that the best ones probably preceded the aughties, however, I still search for fun fiction that doesn't feature self-absorbed Millenial morons whining about how they can't get that guy's attention, while they endlessly complain about their family & life. The books I suggested have real character development, intriguing stories, interesting dialogue, and likable protagonists struggling to do the right thing. Please let me know what you think if them (and share with me what you have enjoyed in the past)!
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 adored Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. So much so that I have read them multiple times. Though I must warn you that they're also fantasy (which isn't generally my thing, though in these books it was perfect).
Monika wrote: "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..."She usually publishes her YA books under Victoria Schwab and her adult ones under V.E. Schwab. The shades of magic series isn't considered YA. But I agree nonetheless I adore her books :P Vicious is one of my favourite.
Hello all! I'm kind of curious as to what books/series are considered the quintissential YA novels? The ones that established the tropes of the genre, like the love triangles, hyperstrong female characters, etc. - all the tropes that makes YA an underappreciated genre today. Any thoughts?
Christie wrote: "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..."Thank you for all the suggestions! We Were Liars was one YA book that truly surprised me last year. I didn't expect it and it stuck with me for weeks to months after reading.
Not reading YA. Even if I DIDN'T believe that YA rots the brain, right now I can't even read non-YA. And I can only read my screen right now because I have it enlarged to 200% of normal.
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 ..."Read The Poppy War. You won't regret 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 really like Sarah Dessen, Tamora Pierce. Carrie Vaughn has a couple that are good as well, Steel and Voices of Dragons, Robin LaFevers, Ally Carter, Marissa Meyer. There’s another series that is great but so far unfinished by Elizabeth Bunce, the first book is Star Crossed.
I'm currently reading The Exact Opposite of Okay. So far so good for a debut. It's contemporary. I'm not really a fan of dystopian or fantasy YA but to each their own.
I've set up a listopia list
YA Lit "Something Different"
just because I'd love to see a list of these titles. Although it can't replace the advice, descriptions, and discussion here and now :)
My list:
1. I highly recommend Marie Rutkoski's The Winner's Trilogy https://www.goodreads.com/series/1195.... Very underrated series (no magic though).
2. Still on my TBR - Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. I'm currently reading Skyward.
3. Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco. Book 4 comes out in September.
4. Anything by Leigh Bardugo. Shadow & Bone trilog & King of Scars are still on my TBR.
5. Contemporary YA - I go for Jenn Bennett, Rachel Lynn Solomon and for some cute/adorable, Sandhya Menon.