Books for YA

Hello There!

Louise here, with a list of books for those of you who like to read, but don’t know which book to pick up next. 

First of many

This is the first of what will hopefully be a sort of “series” on book recommendations. Therefore, I have no genre specification, target audience (other than young adult), or structure for the monumental list I’m about to dump on your head. *evil laughter* 

All maniacal cackling  aside… This is the introductory list, so to speak. 

So grab a notebook, pen, pencil, and read on!

(WARNING!!! MILD SPOILERS INCLUDED 

If you want the completely unspoiled version (content advisory will be included in the first list only) scroll to the bottom of the post. If, like me, you savor every spoiler possible, continue!)

Stand-alones

-The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill-

Fantasy. (It’s been so long I don’t remember much other than origami paper cranes that come to life. I began to eye my own paper cranes every time I passed them. Sadly, none of them ever came to life.) Highly recommended!

-The Letter for the King by Tonke Dragt- 

I LOVE this book. (That’s an understatement.)

-The Princess Bride by William Goldman-

Yeah, yeah, if you haven’t seen the movie (or if you can’t tolerate romance, period *coughs unsuspiciously*) this sounds like a sappy book about a medieval wedding. But look past the deceptive title (and chapter names) and you’ll find a story that it couldn’t count as a “chick flick” even if it got rid of the Sword Wizard’s Revenge, Wickedly Smart and Dumb Sicilian, and Untimely Death of The Hero. 

(Content Advisory: Mild Language) 

-Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw-

Espionage set in ancient Egypt with a stubborn and resourceful Main Character who just happens to become a double spy within the first chapter or two. 

This is like… My dream book!! 

AND IT’S POCKET SIZE! Which means easy transport. Despite the fact that Twi would faint if she ever saw me with a book in my pocket. (She has FOBDS, Fear Of Book Damage Syndrome).

-A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park-

Raw and powerful. It opens your eyes and forces you to experience life through someone else ‘s shoes in a way you don’t see often. 

(Content Advisory: One Protagonist is caught in the middle of a war, mildly dramatic and scarring events ensue for him, though they aren’t dwelt upon.) 

Series

-The Giver Quartet by Lois Lowry-

I haven’t yet finished Son. But that’s just because my brain wouldn’t recover from the horror of Messenger and the late nights reading Gathering Blue. (In other words: GO READ IT!)

-The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner-

The whole series is a fast-action read, with twists and turns that’ll spin your brain and keep you flipping pages late into the night.

(Content Advisory: Violence.) 

-The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer-

This series I have finished. (Promise) And it was incredibly written. This is the kind of book I would take a highlighter to (if they weren’t my mother’s books). All the while Twi once again faints. 

(Content Advisory: Sci-fi war with carnage, and a touch of romance, good and a hint of bad) 

-The Ascendance Series by Jennifer A. Nielsen-

This used to be a trilogy. But now it’s a series. And it’s EPIC.

Since I own the fourth book I will be taking my highlighters and pencils to it as well. (Not in Twi’s sight of course.) Anyway, if you cannot find something that interests you, go find someone with a driver’s license and ask them to take you to the bookstore. BEG THEM if you have to. But if you don’t have to save the world or make dinner… you need to do something productive, and that would be reading a book. *Crickets* Particularly these books. *snaps fingers* So go! 

-The Green Ember Series by S.D. Smith-

You’d be surprised how many people don’t give these books a chance because there are “bunnies” on the cover. 

All judging a book by its cover aside… 

They’re so good I think I’ll highlight them too. (At this point Twi just better not come anywhere near me while I’m reading.)

-Diary of A Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney- 

Believe it or not I’ve listened to almost all of them.

It’s not my fault my parents decided to play them on audio every road trip we ever took. 

And every rainy day we ever had.

And every time we were sick.

And… okay, I’m exaggerating, yes, but What’s-His-Face-Main-Character is such a wimp it’s painful. 

And entertaining.

And exactly what Jeff Kinney was probably going for.

And we’ve all done at least one thing Greg has. 

So… 

Wrap-Up

Not your normal reading list, but hey, we’re not your normal readers.

The next list will have more structure and aim, but till your “dream book” falls into your lap, sift through these and find what clicks with you. 🙂

Most of these you can find on Hoopla, Overdrive, or at your local library. And on Amazon. 

Everything’s on Amazon.

So go pick a book and have a blast! 

Unspoiled Book-List

-The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill-

-The Letter for the King by Tonke Dragt- 

-The Princess Bride by William Goldman-

-Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw-

-A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park-

-The Giver Quartet by Lois Lowry-

-The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner-

-The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer-

-The Ascendance Series by Jennifer A. Nielsen-

-The Green Ember Series by S.D. Smith-

-Diary of A Wimpy Series Kid by Jeff Kinney- 

And with that I wish you the best!

~Louise