Here is my Christmas gift to you: I'm going to tell you about my favorite YA books of the 2010.They weren't all necessarily published this year, but I read them during 2010. I have to admit, I've read some fantastic books this year, so it was hard to narrow it down to five. I hope there might be something here that you might enjoy.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie:
I stayed up all night reading this book. It's not even a romance (which s what usually keeps me up all night). But it's a beautiful book about friendship and hope and race. However, if you're offended by language and content, the book will probably offend. If you delight in truly beautiful writing, it will most definitely delight.
Once was Lost by Sara Zarr:
I had a dream a couple of months ago that I was having dinner with Sara Zarr and Sarah Dessen (another YA writer). I woke up extremely disappointed that it was just a dream. However, I have actually met and sat in the same room with Sara Zarr for a week; maybe some day I'll be invited to dinner with her.
But that's not why I love this book. Again, the writing is incredible. You might even say literary. It's about a teenage girl whose dad is a pastor, whose mom is drying out in rehab, and whose church congregation is reeling from the disappearance of another young girl. It is a fast read, but I kept putting it down and walking away so I could ponder it.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan:
This is a beautifully written, wait for it, zombie apocolypse novel. Seriously. It takes place in a world where people live in very closed societies and fear that the Unconsecrated will overtake them at any moment. With that, there is a love triangle and an awesome heroine who dreams about seeing the ocean some day. When I finished it, I sat and stared at it. I was in awe of this zombie novel.
Impossible by Nancy Werlin:
What can I say? I was bound to love a book that had its basis in the ballad "Scarborough Fair." It's a super-fast read dealing with rape, teenage pregnancy, love, and evil elves. When I read it, I didn't want to do anything else at home. All I wanted to know was if Luce would complete her impossible tasks.
Matched by Ally Condie:
I got this book on Monday, November 29. Today, Wednesday, December 1, I am putting it on my favorite YA books of 2010. It's a dystopian novel where the Society and the Officials make all of the choices. Even who will marry whom and when. And by some "mistake", Cassia sees that another option might be available to her. It also has some really great bits about writing and creating. Oh! And there's romance.
I hope you all enjoyed my December 1st Christmas present. I'm also working on my favorite adult books of the year for later on. Maybe you'll enjoy those too!
So...what have you read this year that you absolutely loved?
