Thursday, July 28, 2011

Top 10 Young Adult Reads

I have been getting into more and more Young Adult reads lately, more so this year than previous ones, and loving them.  Not that I didn't enjoy YA books before, but I seemed to be stuck in a particular groove of books for a while.  And this year so many amazing YA books have been released.  I've acquired so many TO read.  So one of the Top 10 lists is Young Adult books.

I'm so glad a friend book blogger has agreed to join in the fun of sharing her top 10 with us.  And in doing this, I get a glimpse of additional books on her shelves... which I need to go visit... I'm thrilled to first turn the post over to Melissa from Books & Things to share her Top 10 YA Reads.  Take it away Melissa...

Melissa's Top 10 YA Reads:
I'd like to thank Melissa (GREAT name, btw) for inviting me here to talk a bit about my favorite YA books.  I have to admit that I do have YA books on my tbr waiting to be read (like the Hunger Games, rest of the Shiver series… etc) so this is by no means a complete list just because of that.  However, I looked back into what I had reviewed in the past 2 years and this is the list I came up with. In no particular order:

Blood Red Road by Moira Young. Oh this one took me by surprise. I think it is so far one of the best YA books I have read it a while. It has a bit of everything. Adventure, romance, kick-ass heroine. I just loved it. It did take a bit to get used to the narrative style as well as the language, but after that it was a brilly book.

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton. Both Melissa and I enjoyed this book (look for her review here). It was several types of fae stories melded into one great adventure. Again, the heroine was smart and at the center to a great mystery. The sequel is coming out this year. I can't wait!!

The Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon. This was a book I won and didn't know much about. The hard back cover is beautiful (not as much as the paperback) and it is a story of a young girl who escapes her fate of marriage to a bad man and goes on a mythical journey. I just loved it. I also loved that it was set in a culture not often seen in YA.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. This is a book I hope gets banned. Why? Because it is an important book for YA and adults alike and usually important books like this get banned. ;) It is a story about what happened to a Lithuanian families under Soviet rule. Not many know about this story that really happened. Ruta brings this story to life through the heroine's eyes that we follow. It's a must read.

The Iron Fae Series by Julie Kagawa. Oh I just loved this whole series. I felt that the books got better and better as we went along with the story. Oh and I know people took sides of either Team Ash or Team Puck (if you don't know what I'm talking about get this series… another must!), however, I am total Team Grim! ;D Oh and don't forget to check out Melissa's reviews here on these books!

Luminous by Dawn Metcalf. I really enjoyed the world that was created in this book. It was confusing, but the world was supposed to be that way. So, in this rare case it made total sense. I also loved the introduction to Dia de Los Muertos.

Hold Me Closer Necromancer by Lish McBride. Hey! Finally a male protagonist! This one was also very funny and also for older teens. This one had a lot of snark and I just loved snark. Usually the female gets that coveted role, but in this book… it was mostly the males that got that honor.

Virals by Kathy Reichs. The author of the Bones series on tv and the series books. This is the introduction to her YA series and I just loved the first book. Great adventure and characters. I hope that her next book coming up this year even rocks more.

Firelight by Sophie Jordan. You don't get many dragon books in YA so I was interested immediately. Not all questions were answered in the first book and I can't wait for the next book, Vanish, which I cannot wait to read. I have a feeling those that I will understand so much more about this world in this series.

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black. The fae, a young feisty heroine was the fun part, but what made me love this book was the alcoholic mother. Not that I loved her character but that it brought up such an important subject within this YA novel. I think it was done so well.

Now of course I feel like this list is so incomplete. I wanted to showcase books
that were known and books that may have slipped the radar. I have a lot on my
personal tbr I have yet to read so I may be adding to this list in the near future.


Oh, Melissa.  You have just reminded me of soooo many great books I want to get to. *sigh* You are tormenting me once again with amazing books I do desperately need.  Did you mention your books shelves... hmm.... I think it's time for a road trip!

My Top 5 YA Reads:

(again as it's so hard to pick, there is no particular order to my list.  And since I've just started getting really into YA reads, I'm limiting my list to 5.)

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - This really is one trilogy that should be read.  I enjoyed this one as it puts a new spin on the Hunger Games and the Distracts too.

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton - This one won me over as I loved the celtic folklore feel to the story and the time spent on the journey.  Great characters and world.

City of Bones by Cassandra Claire - Aaaa, this one I started not knowing if I would love like everyone else.  And boy, did Cassandra sucker punch me.  I was sucked right into this wonderful world of Shadowhunters and demons and loved it.

City of Glass by Cassandra Claire - This one is my favorite of the beginning trilogy.  I love all the action and movement here along with the protective wards used by the Shadow hunters.

Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa - To me this was the best book of this beginning trilogy.  Wonderful!  Meghan has grown so much to this point.  And wonderful action here.


Do you have any to add to my stack?  I have many here, but always looking to add more to the stacks. :)  What do you think?

32 comments:

  1. I also LOVED the Iron Fey series and Catching Fire! Plus, I've been meaning to read Firelight for forever!! Great list!! :)

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  2. The Cassandra Claire has been on of the series I have enjoyed the most recently.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

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  3. I have red 1 book on those lists :/ But I am reading City of Bones at the moment, trying to brush up on my Finnish.


    Have you read Fire by Cashore? loved it, hated the other book though. And of course loved Poison Study..but hated the rest

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  4. What a great list! Oh wait... nevermind. ;)

    My dear... you rock! This post looks great. Btw... the boy is totally ready for a visit! ;D

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  5. I have only read one book out of all of these, and its the City of bones series. I gotta get onto reading the rest of these!

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  6. I so agree with Tyger, Tyger - loved it so much and now eagerly awaiting the sequel. Everything on your both guys' list has been tempting me and I should just read them. One of these days when I'm in one of my YA moods.

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  7. Have to agree - Melissa is a great name! ;)

    Feel slightly ashamed that so many of those books I haven't read - although Firelight is one I read on holiday (review very soon!) and City of Bones is one I have on my kindle waiting to be read! I have some catching up to do!

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  8. I've read Firelight, The Iron King [loved it and can't wait to get the rest of the series!], Catching Fire, City of Bones [one of my favorite series] and was just lucky enough to get a copy of Glimmerglass from the library today. The rest of the books you've mentioned are all on my wish list because they sound so amazing.

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  9. Wow! I am WAY behind on my YA books! Although I just this week received The Hunger Games Trilogy, the City of Fallen Angels, and The Iron King, so hopefully I'll be able to catch up a little bit:)
    jwitt33 at live dot com

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  10. Great books! Unfortunately, i've just read 2 of them ~Shameful~ i guess i should go and read more xD

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  11. Way behind both of you have only read and was blown away by the wonderful adventure of Tyger Tyger, have 9 of the rest on my To Be Read shelves. Good list ladies and thanks for reminding me what I am missing out on that is waiting to be read!

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  12. Lisa@Read.Breathe.Relax - Thank you for stopping by! So glad you like the lists. I'm really looking forward to Iron Knight now! And need to get to Firelight as well. :)

    Buddyt - Oh I have to say Cassandra is very talented with her works she creates. Such a world and characters. Wonderful. Thank you for stopping by!

    Blodeuedd - Oh, I hope you enjoy City of Bones. It really surprised me. And I have Fire by Cashore here along with Poison Study. I want to get to both of them. :) Thank you!

    Melissa (Books&Things) - Oh, thank you! And thank you for joining in with me. I really really appreciate it. And had so much fun with this list! :) You are the best. And the girls are always ready to play. Stop by any time!

    Magical22 - Oh, I do hope you enjoy the books you get to read from the lists here. :) Thank you for stopping by!

    Anachronist! Hey! Thank you! I'm so glad you got to stop by. :) Thank you!

    StephanieD - Oh, Tyger Tyger is a wonderful read. And I can't wait to get to the next book! :) Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  13. Mel - lol. Melissa is an awwwwesome name! :D Oh, no don't feel ashamed. I have to say I have so many great sounding YA books on the shelves here, but I can't seem to get to them. I really need to though. :) Thank you!

    Ash - Hello! Thank you for stopping by! Oh, you have a great list of books there you've made it through. And so glad to introduce a few new books to your wish list as well. :) Thank you!

    Julie - Oh, don't feel bad. I'm very behind on my YA reads as well. Thank you for stopping by!

    Lissette Martinez - Thank you! And no worries about not getting through all the books. But glad you enjoyed the list and maybe found some new books for you to think on. :)

    JackieB - Hey! Thank youfor stopping by! Oh Tyger Tyger was a wonderful read, and I'm anticipating the next book in the series. :) So glad you enjoyed the list. :)

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  14. Tyger Tyger was pretty good, and I recently received an email from Kersten Hamilton with an offer to get a copy of the sequel, which I'm really looking forward to reading!

    Haven't read Silver Phoenix, but I hear great things about it!

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  15. Bibliotropic - Yes, So glad you enjoye Tyger Tyger too. :) And I'm really looking foward to the sequel. :) Thank youf or stopping by!

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  16. I have just read one book from that list! :O But I have some of them on my TBR. I am especially interested in Blood Red Road and Tyger Tyger. Great picks!

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  17. Iron Fey series an Immortal series are really AWESOME!!!!

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  18. unfortunately i haven't read any of them but I really want t o read Catching Fire :)

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  19. So many books I still need to read. I absolutley love Glimmerglass and the Feariewalker is one of my favourite series. :)

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  20. Misha - Thank you for stopping by! I'm so glad you found some new books here. :) And hope you enjoy Tyger Tyger as much as Melissa and I both did. :)

    Florentine - :) They both are VERY AWESOME! :) Thank you for stopping by!

    Javid Suleymanli - Hi! Thank you for stopping by. I do hope you get a chance to read the Hunger Games trilogy. It really is a powerful read. :) Thank you!

    Nina - Hi! Hope you are well. :) Thank you for stopping by. Oh, I really want to get Glimmerglass and read that series. It sounds amazing. So glad to hear you loved it! :) Thank you!

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  21. I looked at your list and I have only read one or two of those books :( I wasnt able to get the hunger games series for a while since I am pretty much broke, but I finally got the first book yesterday, and I am dieing to read it. I think the only book that I read out of your list was City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I loved it!

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  22. Melissa is a great name!

    And I'm drooling over that top ten list. I've only read three of the ones she has listed and now I'm realizing I must correct this.

    I remember her reviews for these, especially about Luminous and Dia de Los Muertos. I've been dying to read it ever since.

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  23. The Hunger series and then The Mortal
    Interments are next in my TBR pile.


    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

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  24. Magical22 - Oh, I hope Melissa and I gave you some new book ideas then. :) And do hope you get the chance to read Hunger Games. :) I know what it's like when you are broke. Thank you for stopping by!

    Missie - lol. Melissa is a great name! :) Thank you for stopping by!

    Lisa Richards/alterlisa - Oh, I do hope you enjoy Hunger Games series and The Mortal Instuments when you get to them. :) Thank you for stopping by!

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  25. Great list! I loved Tyger Tyger and the Iron Fey series, but haven't read the City of Bones series yet. And I didn't know Dawn Metcalf had a YA book! You two are bad for my book budget, as I'm always adding to my wishlist because of you! *L*

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  26. I agree with your top ten. Between Shades of Gray is very beautiful book.

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  27. TheJay2xA - Thank you for stopping by and so glad you enjoyed the lists. :)

    Alexia - Oh, I think you will enjoy City of Bones series. :) And I can't wait fro the next Tyger Tyger book along with the last of Iron Fey series. :) Thank youfor stopping by and so glad you enjoyed the lists. :)

    Diana - Oh, thank you for stoping by and so glad you enjoyed the lists! :)

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  28. I'm DYING to read Firelight!! I always say this- but I really want it to be on the top of my TBR! So glad you're loving the YA books this year!

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  29. Lisa @ Read.Breathe.Relax. - I've been wanting the Firelight book too. It sounds amazing! Thank you for stopping by! And it's looking like I have many more YA books to read here too. :) Thank you!

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  30. Hi!
    May I ask if you could email me back an answer to this question, please? IF you are able to??
    I am not into YA. I am in Fiction/Literature: Contemporary, Popular, Women's, Chic-Lit, etc/
    I have seen these 2 books ALL over the blogs and they are Frost, and Touch of Frost. What are they about - are they YA? Why do they seem so popular? I have to admit the covers ARE beautiful!!
    I'd SUPER appreciate if you could tell me more about them???
    Thanks SO much!!
    Laurie Carlson
    laurieisreading@gmail.com
    (only IF you can email me!! Thx!)

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