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Amy Reed Fiction

YA Author of The Boy and Girl Who Broke the World, Our Stories, Our Voices, The Nowhere Girls and other books.

My Top 10 Favorite YA Books (So Far…)

July 28, 2010 By AmyReed 16 Comments

My Top 10 Favorite YA Books (So Far…)

I’ll admit it. I was one of those people who was judgmental about the YA genre at first, even though I later realized it’s what I wanted to write all along.  All I knew were the silly stories for tween girls that were around when I grew up, the ones whose plot lines consisted of the following: crushes on boys, insecurities about pimples, dates with boys, insecurities about weight, hearts getting broken by boys, insecurities about hair, and, um…babysitting? I didn’t read these books.  I tried a couple of times, but I just couldn’t do it.  The only books about young people that really meant anything to me were Go Ask Alice and Girl, Interrupted.  Stories of a runaway drug addict and a girl in a mental institution—fun stuff, right?  I guess you can say my taste for gritty, realistic teen fiction was decided early on, before the genre really existed.

When I was sending Beautiful around trying to land an agent, I was shocked when one finally informed me I write YA. How dare he lump me in the category of those silly books I grew up with? Sure, my characters were teenagers, but they weren’t exactly babysitting and cheerleading and crushing on the quarterback.  And, like, I wanted to write literature.

I have to admit my ego was slightly crushed. My definition of “writer” was based on fancy conversations in my MFA classes where people used words like “meta” and “juxtapostition” all the time and wrote experimental poetry I could barely pretend to understand.  I didn’t even know what “Young Adult Author” meant.  So I decided to do some research.

I scoured the internet for information about YA, bought the books I saw mentioned over and over again.  And then—well, all I can say is WOW. I was floored.  It was like someone had just opened the door into an entirely new world, a world I had been longing for, a world that immediately felt like home. I had been walking around with these tortured teen characters in my head for years, and I had no idea there were more like them.  These were the books I desperately needed when I was a teen. These were the books I wanted to write since I was thirteen years old.

The following ten books (in no particular order) speak to me in a way few adult books have. I am proud to be in company of these brave, brilliant authors. And hell yes, these books are literature. But most importantly, they tell the truth.

Speak—by Laurie Halse Anderson: I think this might have been the first YA I picked up. And thank God! So began my devotion for Ms. Anderson. An achingly honest portrayal of what a girl must do to emotionally protect herself, and begin to heal, from the memory of sexual trauma.

Wintergirls—by Laurie Halse Anderson: Haunting is the best word to describe this book.  It’s about a girl’s struggle with anorexia, but it’s so much more. I’ve said before elsewhere, but I’ll say it again: If anyone doubts the literary merit of YA, they must read this book. Some of the more beautiful prose I’ve ever read.

Luna—by Julie Anne Peters: The story of a girl whose brother is transgendered.  At its essence, I think this story is about how incredibly brave people can be in their journey to find and love themselves.  And thank God such an amazing book exists for kids going through similar things.

Punkzilla—by Adam Rapp: According to Goodreads: “a searing novel-in-letters about a street kid on a highstakes trek across America.”  One of the most memorable voices I’ve ever read.

Looking for Alaska—by John Green: You’ve read this, right? Don’t tell me you haven’t read this. That’s just completely unacceptable. All I’m going to say is I have never cried so hard on public transportation as when I was reading this book. Just thinking about it is making me teary. This man can sure tell a story. Someone should combine John Green’s DNA with Laurie Halse Anderson’s and make a The World’s Greatest YA Author EVER. Anyone out there know anything about genetics?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower—by Stephen Chbosky:  I hate trying to summarize books because a description of the plot could never encompass the feelings I had while reading it. I guess I’d say this one’s about a sensitive outcast’s journey toward finding himself. I just loved this kid. Plus, this book was banned all over the place, so that gives it major cool points, right?

Girl–by Blake Nelson: I kind of hate this description from Goodreads, but it’s pretty accurate: “A Catcher in the Rye for the “Grunge” generation, this instant classic will speak to anyone who has ever had to choose between the suffocation of conformity and the perils of rebellion.” And if it took place in Seattle rather than Portland, it could kinda be my teen years. Ah, vintage dresses with fishnets and big boots, how I miss you.

King Dork—by Frank Portman: Quite possibly the funniest book I have ever read. In contrast to Looking for Alaska, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed this hard on public transportation. The main character is one of the weirdest, most loveable characters I’ve ever read.

Cracked Up to Be—by Courtney Summers:  I guess you could say it’s about a “perfect” girl’s fall from the top and the horrible secret that causes it, but the most amazing thing about this book is how realistic the characters are, how complicated, and how brave Courtney is for making the MC so incredibly unlikeable at times. The way she crafts the story so that the reader learns to like the MC as she learns to like and accept herself—just genius.

Hunger Games—by Suzanne Collins:  Which one of these books is not like the others? Not really though. Dystopian adventure and gritty realism aren’t really that different when you think about it.  The edgy fiction I love explores the psychology of troubled characters, while good dystopian fiction explores the psychology of troubled societies.  Plus this series is also just plain entertaining adventure. Who says an emo girl doesn’t just want to be entertained sometimes?

So I guess my taste is pretty obvious. You won’t find many happy families or well-adjusted characters in these books (and don’t even get me started on vampires and werewolves). I know I’ve barely scratched the surface of all the wonderful YA there is to read. So I’m curious—judging from this list and the kind of stuff I like, what books do you think I need to read next?

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Comments

  1. Arlaina Tibensky says

    July 28, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    Hi Amy. We should so meet up for coffee one day. Me too with the mfa, the tortured teen characters in my head and etc. My first book’s out next year with SP and Anica’s my editor. And I’m still surprised that I wrote it and that I loved writing it and that I’m so weirdly proud of it. I loved Beautiful. My favorite thing was the cartoon duck at the end. Genius. I think your list and mine should hang out sometime too… xx can’t wait for more of your work!

    Reply
    • amyreedfiction says

      July 29, 2010 at 7:49 am

      Yes, let’s definitely do coffee! Are you in the Bay Area? Congrats on your book coming out, and it’s so nice to meet an editor-sister.

      Reply
      • Arlaina Tibensky says

        August 1, 2010 at 1:43 pm

        I’m in NY and have 2 kids and never get to travel anywhere but have a good friend in Alameda via Oakland and a few in SF. One day… when we get there we should rendezvous. And… if you’re ever in NYC… We’re FB pals so let’s if we can! x

        Reply
  2. Daisy says

    July 28, 2010 at 8:28 pm

    I was on a panel a while back and someone asked me what my favorite YA book of all time was. I was caught off guard and the first response that came to me was Blake Nelson’s _Girl_. I think it holds true. It was one of those that really really resonated with me, like Andrea Marr *was* me if I were only cooler…

    Based on your list and on _Beautiful_, I recommend for you:

    The Coldest Winter Ever
    The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
    Dolores: Seven Stories About Her
    Last Night I Sang to the Monster
    Pages for You
    When She Hollers
    Towelhead
    Born Confused
    Prep
    Inexcusable
    Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
    Winter’s Bone
    Boy Toy
    Boot Camp
    Looks
    Audrey, Wait!
    Friction
    My Invented Life
    Rats Saw God

    And I’m going to read _Cracked Up to Be_, the only one from your list I haven’t read.

    Reply
    • amyreedfiction says

      July 29, 2010 at 7:48 am

      Daisy, thanks so much for your suggestions! Some of them I’ve heard of, but a lot of them are new to me. I’ve read Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist and absolutely loved it. Several people have suggested The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. (And I was never actually as cool as Andrea Marr either–I just tried really hard)

      Reply
  3. HPL says

    July 29, 2010 at 1:08 am

    Have you read the Chaos Walking-trilogy by Patrick Ness?
    I read somewhere about “The knife of never letting go” and thought “That sounds interesting”, and had the same reaction as when I read “Hunger game”; I just couldn’t put it down. Great stuff.

    Reply
    • amyreedfiction says

      July 29, 2010 at 7:44 am

      I just read about those books in Publishers Weekly and they sounded fascinating. In fact, I tore out the article so I would remember to get them later. I’m really looking forward to reading those books. I also liked the Uglies/Pretties series by Scott Westerfield.

      Reply
  4. Emily and Her Little Pink Notes says

    July 30, 2010 at 1:00 pm

    Based on your choices I would like to recommend “I wanna be your Joey Ramone” by stephanie kuehnert, one of the best YA book I read in the last 12 months

    Reply
    • amyreedfiction says

      July 30, 2010 at 1:28 pm

      Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve heard good things about stephanie Kuehnert. I just picked up Ballads of Suburbia but haven’t had a chance to read it yet.

      Reply
  5. melanie says

    August 25, 2010 at 8:12 pm

    Amy, I loved your book Beatiful, I was wondering if there is going to be a second book to it… 🙂

    Reply
    • amyreedfiction says

      August 26, 2010 at 9:47 am

      Thanks, Melanie! A sequel to Beautiful isn’t in the works yet, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of the question. My next book, Clean, has a different set of characters, but I think you’ll like it if you liked Beautiful.

      Reply
  6. Heather says

    November 9, 2010 at 6:36 am

    I’m so glad I bought Beautiful. What a powerful book. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Nicole R. Zimmerman says

    December 30, 2010 at 12:10 pm

    Sarah Stone from the CIIS MFA program forwarded me your website. Based on your readers’ comments, I’ll have to read your books as well as your recommendations! I’m in the MFA program at USF as a nonfiction writer, but I know there’s a fiction YA author lurking inside. Fun to read about your discovery of YA too.

    Reply
    • amyreedfiction says

      December 30, 2010 at 12:45 pm

      Nice to meet you, Nicole! Good luck getting to know your inner YA fiction writer–you’re in for quite a ride!

      Reply
  8. Camila says

    November 7, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    I am very late to this list, but I only just discovered your book Clean. I loved the book, and look forward to reading more from you. Looking at your list, we definitely share the same tastes. I must say, however, that although Looking for Alaska made me cry too, it was nothing compared to John Green’s new book, The Fault in Our Stars. If you liked LFA, you’ll love this book, and I strongly recommend you read it. It’s an emotional rollercoaster but I’m sure you’ll enjoy the ride.

    Reply
    • amyreedfiction says

      November 7, 2012 at 12:36 pm

      I made this list quite a while ago, before many newer awesome books. Oh yes, I LOVED The Fault in Our Stars. Definitely my favorite John Green. I cried so hard I had to throw the book at the wall a couple times.

      Reply

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