Top Picks from YA Bloggers in the Know, #5
By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: August 14, 2012
We were thrilled when Joli Huynh of Actin’ Up With Books agreed to put together her list of top five books she can’t wait to read this autumn. Summer may be almost over, but exciting new fall titles are just around the corner. Look for our interview about one of Joli’s favorite picks (Every Day) with YA genius David Levithan in a couple of weeks. Without further ado, we give you Joli’s eclectic reading list including some titles you won’t want to miss.
When I was first asked by The Children’s Book Review to compile a list of my most anticipated reads, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. I love recommending books and sharing the ones that are most memorable with other readers. These are the top five books that I would stop and drop everything, turn off my phone and cancel my plans for.
Live Through This
By Mindi Scott
There are some books that you connect with on such a deep level that you can’t even entirely explain. That is how I feel about Mindi’s 2010 debut novel, Freefall. Freefall was my favorite book of 2010 and is in my top five favorites of all time. It left me stunned, emotionally drained, but also hopeful. Her characters, Seth and Rosetta, seemed real – like they were people that I knew and cared about. When I found out that Mindi had a new book coming out, it immediately went to the top of my wish list. Live Through This is by far my most highly anticipated read of 2012.
Ages 14 and up | Publisher: Simon Pulse | October 2, 2012
Every Day
I will read every book written by David Levithan. His books are “auto-buys” and I have yet to read a book by Levithan that I did not love. His characters are endearing and relatable. Many of his books have the underlying message that we are all connected and I always feel more enlightened when I’ve finished one of his books. Every Day, the story of “A” who wakes up every morning in another person’s body, is different from his contemporary books, but no doubt will be just as powerful.
Ages 12 and up | Publisher: Random House Children’s Books | August 28, 2012
Confessions of an Angry Girl
When I was a teenager, if I had seen this book, I would have picked it up simply based on the title. Even now, I want to read it for the same reason. Who isn’t mad every once in a while? Angry Girl Rose knows that she is geeky and awkward, but she’s also irate and furious, and hurt. She may not always make the best decisions, but she just may have a few justifiable reasons. I love character driven novels and I’m sure that this one won’t disappoint.
Ages 13 and up | Publisher: Harlequin| August 28, 2012
Flesh and Bone (#3)
I tend to stay in the reading confines of contemporary YA, but once in a while I’ll venture out into the wild and this time it was with ZOMBIES!! Jonathan Maberry’s Rot & Ruin really opened my eyes to the types of books that I thought that I liked. It is filled with heart-pounding action and adventure, and yet there were parts that read like a contemporary novel. I almost didn’t include Flesh and Bone on the list because it is the third book of an already existing series, but then I thought that is exactly why it should be included. No waiting. Rot and Ruin (#1) and Dust and Decay (#2) are already out there to enjoy. It’s like that time I waited to read that popular series, you know the one, The Hunger Games. I didn’t starting reading it until the week Mockingjay was published.
Ages 12-17 | Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers | September 11, 2012
The Unnaturalists
With this book, I will be trying something new again. I’ve never read a book labeled “steampunk” and until recently, I only vaguely knew what that was. So, of course, I automatically avoided it. Sound familiar? (read: ZOMBIES, NOT CONTEMPORARY). But I am intrigued by how unusual it all is – a mix of fantasy and magic with touches of realism. I must reveal that I am a little biased about why I am excited about reading The Unnaturalists. Tiffany Trent is a local author and there is a bit of hometown pride that comes with this selection.
Ages 12 and up | Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers | August 14, 2012
Nicki Richesin is the editor of four anthologies The May Queen, Because I Love Her, What I Would Tell Her, and Crush. She is a regular contributor to Huffington Post, Daily Candy, 7×7, Red Tricycle, and San Francisco Book Review. Nicki has been reading to her daughter every day since she was born. For more information, visit: https://nickirichesin.com/.
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