Lisa also recently launched a young adult book subscription box service called Uppercase and is offering a giveaway to PBF readers at the end of this post. And be sure to check out her awesome blog, Read.Breathe.Relax for even more recommendations for must-read young adult books! Enjoy and happy reading!
Guest Post: Read.Breathe.Relax
I’m constantly in search of my next favorite book. Although I read a lot (61 books so far this year!) for my YA book blog, I still find that truly excellent books are hard to find.
I’m all about avoiding this situation…
(That gif never gets old…)
…because no one wants to waste their time, energy and money on a book that you want to throw out a window.
So, I’m here to share with you some of my favorites books so far this year. Note: These are all young adult books because that’s my area of expertise. I promise they’re just as sophisticated, fun and interesting as adult literature. 🙂
Contemporary Romance
- On the Fence by Kasie West
If you’re looking for an end-of-the-summer read, then look no further. One the Fence is sweet and lovely – it’s about feeling comfortable in your own skin and not conforming to who everyone thinks you are vs. the real you.
Even though it’s a romance, this book has some serious heart. Plus, it’s laugh-out-loud funny.
Great For Book Clubs
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
If you loved John Green’s books, then you’ll adore Rowell’s work. Eleanor and Park is about first love and so much more – it’s heart-wrenching and beautifully written. The story deals with tough issues while making them relatable and light when it could be so dark.
I’ve recommended this book to everyone this year to the point of being pushy. Yes, I’m totally that person.
Surprise Factor
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
This book is getting some serious buzz, and for a good reason. It’s suspenseful with a writing style I’ve never experienced before.
Do yourself a favor, and read this book without scanning the description or any book reviews. This is a book best experienced without too much outside information.
The only other thing I’ll say is – We Were Liars is a book you won’t soon forget…
The Next Book-to-Movie
- If I Stay by Gayle Forman
I’m also one of those people who thinks books are always better than the movies (with some exceptions. The Host, I’m looking at you…). If I Stay will be in theaters August 22, and I highly recommend you read the novel first.
It’s definitely a tear-jerker, but the story is told so clearly and in such simple language that you’ll be sure to zoom through the pages.
Thrilling Fantasy
- The Grisha Series by Leigh Bardugo
I love a great fantasy read (Game of Thrones, anyone?), and The Grisha series is seriously one of my all-time favorite YA fantasy series. The final book, Ruin and Rising, was released in June, so it’s a great time to read all the books without having to wait years for the next one.
Shadow and Bone is the first book, followed by Siege and Storm, then Ruin and Rising. The world-building is phenomenal, plus there’s some epic romance to boot.
***
If these type of book recommendations are something you’d like regularly, then I’d love for you to check out something I’ve been working on.
I’ve started a young adult book subscription box service called Uppercase. Subscribers receive a hand-picked book by me every month, along with a cute bookish accessory AND access to an online book forum with exclusive content and videos about that month’s book.
And thanks to Julie, one of you will win a free month of Uppercase!
To enter this giveaway, simply comment on this post with the name of one of the last great books you read!
Julie will randomly select a winner on Friday!
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Candle In The Darkness by Lynn Austin! Amazing read!
I just re-read The Undomestic Goddess – I love Sophie Kinsella’s books.
A great YA novel I recently read was The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. I’m excited for the second book of the series to come out in September! I’ll be recommending it to all my students this year. I teach 9th and 10th grade English.
Shanghai Girls!
I just finished Divergent! It was pretty good 🙂
Memoirs of a geisha!
Every day by David Levithan! So many memorable/relatable quotes!
I’m in a book club, and this is giving me new ideas to suggest! The last great book I read was Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters – it was a lovely read.
The last really great books I read were the Divergent series.
I just read The Fault In Our Stars by John Green- obviously amazing and I felt even more involved in the book since I just moved to Indianapolis!!
I’ve been a reading fiend lately! I just finished the invention of wings-really good!
90 Minutes in Heaven. It’s amazing.
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult, loved it
I’m currently reading “The Silent Wife”…i’m not far into it but I think its going to be good! I am going to check out “We were liars” based on your recommendation too…thanks!
-AJ
OccasionallyAJ.com
Looking for Alaska by John Green! Love John Green
I really enjoyed My Grandfather’s Blessings. A wonderful and insightful read!
Tell the Wolves I’m Home!
I reread Outlander, in advance of the Starz show of the same name… LOVE that series!
I’m in the middle of Paper Towns right now and it is great 🙂
i love emily giffin books and just finished the one and only!
The last great book I read was The Kite Runner. Soooo good! I also loved The Hunger Ganmes!!
Scarlet, (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyers. I devoured the first two of this series and can’t wait to pick up the recently released third installment!
I’m currently working through the Legend series by Marie Lu, and I’m loving it!
I recently finished A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and I absolutely loved it. Beautiful language and honest, real characters.
Just finished Orange is the New Black and currently reading I am having so much fun here without you. Both good books!
Brad Thor’s- Act of War!
I actually just finished “If I Stay” and am starting the sequel tonight. I can’t wait to see the movie!
If I Stay made me so mad because it ended with a cliffhanger! Can’t wait to read the sequel and see how the movie plays out 🙂
One problem I have with books is sometimes I pick bad ones. Haha. So if someone could pick ones they recommend would be amazing, because suggestions from others is the best!
The last book I read was Rich Food Poor Food which I really enjoyed. A lot of great information! However a great non-fiction would be a great next read!
Recently read Gone Girl and liked it.
Hi Julie, I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog lately – its good to see you have your vim back! Im sure NC has everything to do with that.
A note re: ‘I still find that truly excellent books are hard to find’.
Can I just say, what a bold statement! And it really means something coming from a wordsmith such as yourself.
Step away from the YA section! You might even find some ‘excellent’ books to read 🙂
That was actually a statement made by Lisa, the guest poster on this blog! 🙂
I just finished reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I know I’m late in the game, but we just finished watching all the movies and now I want to read the series
Indefensible
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon!
Favorite YA book I read this summer was We Were Liars. Loved trying to figure it out!
I really want to see If I Stay! Maybe I will read the book first 🙂
I am currently reading “The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd (the author of The Secret Life of Bees) and it it SO AMAZING! I definitely recommend it.
I recently read ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ and loved it!
Wild by Cheryl Strayed! awesome
I’m reading through Jodi Picoult. Latest was Harvesting the Heart 🙂
It’s definitely a guilty pleasure–Black City!
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Reading Me. Mercedes right now & love it!
I read a lot of great books this summer, but one stand out for me was The Rosie Project. Definitely a fun read!
I enjoyed “Bird Snow Boy” – an unusual read.
Just finished Les Miserables and absolutely loved it!
Just read Love in a Time of Cholera and I’m about to finish Phantom of the Opera… both great!
I just finished the Secret Life of Bees (a little late to that party…) adn loved it. I seriously couldn’t put it down!
A YA book subscription service? I think I just heard angel music!!!… My favorite book of the year so far was Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys. Her books always grab you with the first sentence.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. So so good!
A Street Cat Named Bob. Easy read but very cute!