This week's Top Ten Tuesday prompt is actually something I did quite recently. I visited the bookstore with a teacher friend of mine, who was looking for more reading recs. She knew I was an avid reader of YA, particularly in contemporary, so together we browsed the shelves and I pointed out a few of my favorites to her.
I love recommending books to readers who may not have been exposed to these types of stories, so of course I had fun with my friend in the bookstore! If you are a reluctant reader of Contemporary YA, then perhaps my list below will be a good starting point to get your toes wet. As always, be sure to check out The Broke and the Bookish for more details on this awesome weekly feature.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han [add to goodreads]
Strong sister relationships provide a solid foundation for a story about first loves and stepping outside your comfort zone.Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins [add to goodreads]
A whimsical, yet realistic narrative set against the backdrop of Paris as two teenagers navigate their feelings for one another.Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway [add to goodreads]
A hysterical YA contemporary with a fun premise, strong female friendship, and a quirky plot to keep the reader engaged.Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson [add to goodreads]
A strong young female voice about stepping out from beneath the shadows and learning to stand on your own two feet. An unforgettable story about friendship and discovering young love in the least likely places.Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen [add to goodreads]
Every YA contemporary reader needs a Sarah Dessen book in their library. This story is my favorite of hers, a well-rounded plot with an emotional pull to growing up and moving forward.
Breakfast Served Anytime by Sarah Combs [add to goodreads]
An emotional, yet rewarding experience as one character tackles the issues of discovering friendship and seeing people for who they truly are.Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson [add to goodreads]
A young girl is violated, yet told to never speak up about it. Her journey in discovering her voice, and standing up for what was done to her is both profound and inspiring.Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler [add to goodreads]
A strong narrative about family and how the secrets we keep can damage the ones we love most. Set against a beautiful backdrop of summers in Vermont, this Ockler book is one that should not be passed up.Golden by Jessi Kirby [add to goodreads]
A poignant story about following one's path that has been planned since the beginning, or veering off to discover an uncharted destination. Bold, beautiful, and unforgettable.Something Like Normal by Trish Doller [add to goodreads]
Following a soldier home on leave as he deals with the effects from PTSD, this story is both heart breaking and soul crushing; yet its beauty shines through in the most unexpected places.
Contemporary YA- my fave! You chose some awesome books including Audrey Wait, Anna and Speak. Breakfast Served Anytime and Fixing Delilah are two I need to catch up on :)
ReplyDeleteGreat genre and list! I have only read Anna, and it's one of my favorite books of all time.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read To All The Boys soon. And I'm going to have to check out the others, now. It's awful that I've never read a Dessen book! Thanks for the recs!
My TTT
This is probably the perfect post to sum up your reading likes! And I have read every book but one so it is safe to say you have good taste. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreat list G!
I love your choices so much! I adored Along for the Ride, Speak, SLN, FD, Anna, and To All the Boys! I'll have to check out Audrey, Wait! because it sounds awesome.
ReplyDeleteGreat top ten! :)
What an amazing list, and I am slightly ashamed to say I have not read any of these contemporar novels . I need to remedy that soon!
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading ~ Shannon @ Adventuresofateenagebookworm . blogspot . ie
What a Ginger-licious list! I love that it includes a nice variety of serious contemporary and romantic -- shows all sides of the genre!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list--thanks for the recs!
ReplyDeleteYour list is perfection. Contemporary YA is by far my favorite genre, and it makes me happy to see so many awesome titles on this list! The only ones I haven't read yet are Something Like Normal and Breakfast Served Anytime, so clearly I need to get on that!
ReplyDeleteOh Ginger...what a fantastic list! It has your name written all over it! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYes, love ANNA, AUDREY, and SPEAK! (I actually just bought a copy of AUDREY, WAIT! to give to a friend.) :)
ReplyDeleteI love contemporary YA. You simply cannot go wrong with Anna and the French Kiss, or Speak. I would also suggest Winger by Andrew Smith (whoa that book!!!). Great list! I still need to read Audrey, Wait! I've read Benway's other books, but not that one. I know!!!! I'm terrible.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! Some of these have been in my TBR list for a while. I bought Audrey, Wait a VERY long time ago and have yet to read it.. I never see it referenced on book blogs, so I'm happy to see someone recommend it. May be time to pull it out of my book box!
ReplyDeleteLoved Speak, Golden, and Something Like Normal! I need to get around to reading the rest, as they all look so good! Great picks!
ReplyDeleteI read This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen and liked it a lot, though contemporary YA fiction is a genre I've barely touched upon. Nice choices!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my TTT!
Katrina @ Chased By My Imagination
I almost chose to do Contemporary YA myself! Love the inclusion of Golden, Audrey, Wait!, Something Like Normal, and Anna! I have Since You've Been Gone, Fixing Delilah, and Along for the Ride on my TBR too. Great list, G!
ReplyDelete