Ten YA Novels You Can’t Pass Up
Looking for an amazing YA novel to read? Check this list to make sure you haven’t missed the best of the best!
I’m an avid reader in the universe of young adult novels, and so like you, I’m always looking for another good read. I’ve read a wide variety, from fantasy to thriller, but these ten books are ones that if you haven’t read them, I promise you that you’ll want to. So, in no particular order, let’s get right into it.
1. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon
Looking for a good love story with a far from cliche plot? Then this is the book for you. Everything everything seems almost like it would be the typical sob story. The girl meets the boy but can’t be with him because of some outside factor. This story, however, is so much more. With two solid characters that you can love equally, and a plot that keeps you hanging on throughout the entire book, you don’t want to miss this love story. And what’s even better, there’s a plot twist at the end that had me throwing my book at the wall. Buckle up and get ready for an emotional rollercoaster when you read this one.
2. The Cellar by Natasha Preston
Natasha Preston is proof that small authors that start on sites like Wattpad can become big-time authors, if they have the passion and dedication. I was never one to read thrillers, but after reading this book, I was hooked. It’s not one for the light of heart, but this is one of those books that will make you crawl in your skin to the point where you won’t want to put it down until you find out what happens to our heroine. Renamed “Lily,” this main character doesn’t play victim, but isn’t completely fearless, which makes the story all the more realistic and nail-biting. If you want something exciting, this one is for you.
3. Every Day by David Levithan
In my book, David Levithan is the god of the young adult universe. I have read almost every single one of his books, and I have never been more disappointed. But if you have no idea who David Levithan is, then this book is the perfect place to start. Ever wonder what the world might be like if there were beings who changed bodies every day? Probably not, but it’s this bizarre idea that has readers intrigued and wanting more. The main character, A, is a being without gender, but a heart of gold as he has to navigate his life falling in love with one girl, but changing bodies every day. It’s one that will never disappoint.
4. Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
If you’re looking for something more fantasy oriented, than this is the right choice. Serpent and Dove is one of the best fantasy YA novels out there, and for good reason. While it had a shaky start with a bit of confusion, if you can push past the french terms and perplexing plot in the first portion, everything will clear up in a way that makes you want to keep reading. It’s a big book, but as soon as you catch on you’re as good as gold. It’s the perfect blend of magic, romance, drama, and action, perfect for anyone who wants to get a little bit of everything out a book. Even better, it’s a trilogy! Books one and two are out right now, and book three is expected July 27th of this year. So if you’re the kind of person who needs the whole series before they start reading, I recommend getting these three; it’ll be worth the wait!
5. Body of Stars by Laura Maylene Walter
This is my favorite book at the moment. I read it in almost one sitting because the concept was so fascinating that I kept wanting to learn more. What if the world was a society in which women had special constellation-like markings predicting their own futures? That is exactly what this book explores. It seems like a fairly simple idea, but Walters takes it into a world of her own, She goes completely in depth with the markings, their body placement, the meanings, and more. Better yet, it explores topics like female sexualization, drug use, and kidnapping in a way that is different because of the type of society these characters live in, but still relatable to our world today.
6. What unbreakable looks like by Kate Mclaughlin
This is another book that is definitely not for the faint of heart. It deals with a girl who was sex trafficked and has to re-integrate into society, but if you can handle graphic scenes, then this is worth the read. Sex trafficking is one of those topics that doesn’t often get written about, because it is hard to read, but Mclaughlin has an amazing voice, this book really opened up my mind to perspectives I’d never thought about originally. To read about this character who has been through more than I ever have recover and become stronger through all of her experiences was empowering, and for those who can handle it, it’s worth your time.
7. Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
A book that may be a little hard to find, but worth the read if you can get your hands on it. If anything, this is a book that will be empowering young females. Why? Because it’s one of the only YA novels that doesn’t shy away from sex. The main character Mercedes is a girl who is single but experienced in the bedroom, and uses this to help the male virgins in her school gain some experience before they have sex with the one who they really have feelings for. It seems absurd, and I thought the same thing, but reading about a female who has so much control and power in her own life was empowering, and the story has drama and interesting twists and turns to keep you going until the end.
8. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
If you haven’t read this book, then you need to immediately close out this article and find it so that you can. This is one of the most well-written YA novels I’ve ever read. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I can’t say much. But what I can say is that this book has drama, secrets, and mystery that will have you confused as all hell up until the very last moment, where you’re screaming at yourself at the absolute shock you’re having to endure as this book fucks with your mind. So please, go read this book.
9. Stranger Than Fanfiction by Chris Colfer
I’ve got to be honest, Chris Colfer was never one of my favorite authors. I just didn’t click with his other works, even the famous ones like Artemis Fowl. So i didn’t expect to like this book, but something about the synopsis seemed to spark my interest, particularly the fact that it’s about teens who get to go on a roadtrip with the celebrity star of their favorite show, only to find out that he’s not who they thought he was. There’s a good reason for this, but again, I won’t spoil anything. It’s another book with a great twist that left me crying, as well as great characters who all go through their own phases of self-discovery on this trip, all because of their beloved celebrity.
10. Alex Approximately
Are you the kind of person who wants to scream at fictional characters for three hundred pages? Then this is the book for you. Alex Approximately is about two teens who have been chatting online, but avoiding each other in real life. After one of them moves, they end up meeting each other face to face and becoming frenemies, but they’re both too stupid and oblivious to realize that they’re talking with the person they’ve been online chatting too all that time. They’ve fallen in love with each other in real life, and in the chats, and so they get to spend the entirety of the story feeling like their cheating on each other…with each other. It’s an amusing read you won’t want to miss.
