Monday, 26 July 2010

Top 100 YA Novels (#70-66)

This time around it is a bunch of titles entirely written by women. Vampires to out of body experiences are covered. As are great onion rings and underwear. Here's to a diverse group of contemporary and fantasy titles.

#70 If I Stay by Gayle Forman (2009)
[104 points - 1 #1, 2 #2s, 2 #3s, 1 #4, 3 #5s, 2 #6s, 3 #7s, 1 #8, 4 #9s, 2 #10s]

"For such a short novel this really packs a punch. I cried endlessly at Mia's heartbreaking story and Gayle beautiful writing made it a pleasure to read." Sophie Waters, So Little Time for Books

"I can't say anything but Wow." Jacob, reader.

"This book made my heart ache and brought me to tears, in the best way possible. Her story had it all: love, death, friendship, family- without ever making me role my eyes or seeming too familiar. It was perfection in a book." Melanie Shoemake, reader.

Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, adoring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. Then, in an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the one decision she has left—the most important decision she’ll ever make. GayleForman.com

An instant connection is made between reader and protagonist in Forman’s If I Stay. Despite a grim premise the book is in fact one of love, hope and strength of will. Inspired by a tragedy, the author imagined what one teen might do in a situation between life and death. A New York Times bestseller and recipient of British Fantasy Award, An ALA/YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, South Carolina Book Award Nominee for Young Adult Book Award and TAYSHAS High School Reading List, If I Stay is a moving read.

  • To visit the author’s website click here.
  • Gayle Forman’s Twitter
  • Excerpt
  • Author’s playlist


#69 Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison (1999)
[104 points - 1 #2, 2 #3s, 4 #4s, 3 #6s, 1 #7, 5 #8s, 5 #9s, 7 #10s]

"OMG, such a guilty pleasure. I think everyone can relate to Georgia in her quest for a boyfriend. I read this all the time trying to catch myself up to the latest book of her life to come out. I just think this book is fabbity fab!" Teresa, reader.

Her dad’s got the mentality of a Teletubby (only not so developed). Her cat, Angus, is trying to eat the poodle next door. And her best friend thinks she looks like an alien - just because she accidentally shaved off her eyebrows. Ergghhhlack. Still, add a little boy-stalking, teacher-baiting, and full-frontal snogging with a Sex God, and Georgia’s year just might turn out to be the most fabbitty fab fab ever! GeorgiaNicholson.com


In another life, Louise Rennison was a comedian and in reading her work that becomes startling clear from the get go. The first in a long series of books Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging appeals to a wide array of readers. The novel has been awarded the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Bronze Award, was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award and was named a Printz Honor book in 2001. This title also has the distinction of finding itself on the list of commonly challenged books in the USA due to mentions of “drug use and pervasive sexuality”.

  • Georgia Glossary
  • To visit the author’s website click here.


#68 Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (2008)
[110 points - 2 #1s, 2 #2s, 2 #3s, 1 #4, 4 #5s, 2 #7s, 3 #8s, 2 #9s, 4 #10s]

To be irrevocably in love with a vampire is both fantasy and nightmare woven into a dangerously heightened reality for Bella Swan. Pulled in one direction by her intense passion for Edward Cullen, and in another by her profound connection to werewolf Jacob Black, a tumultuous year of temptation, loss, and strife have led her to the ultimate turning point. Her imminent choice to either join the dark but seductive world of immortals or to pursue a fully human life has become the thread from which the fates of two tribes hangs.

Now that Bella has made her decision, a startling chain of unprecedented events is about to unfold with potentially devastating, and unfathomable, consequences. Just when the frayed strands of Bella's life—first discovered in Twilight, then scattered and torn in New Moon and Eclipse—seem ready to heal and knit together, could they be destroyed... forever? Goodreads.

The fourth title in the Twilight fantasy series, Breaking Dawn was the conclusion to the romantic journey for Bella and Edward. It was named in the ALA Teens' Top Ten (2009) as well as a Children's Choice Book Award for Teen Choice Book of the Year (2009).

  • To visit the author’s website click here.


#67 Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen (1999)
[111 points - 1 #1, 4 #2s, 2 #3s, 1 #4, 3 #5s, 1 #6, 2 #7s, 1 #8, 2 #9s, 4 #10s]

Fifteen-year-old Colie is spending the summer with her eccentric Aunt Mira while her mother travels. Formerly chubby and still insecure, Colie has built a shell around herself. But her summer with her aunt, her aunt's tenant Norman, and her friends at the Last Chance Diner teaches her some important lessons about friendship and learning to love yourself. SarahDessen.com

Keeping the Moon was the final book Sarah Dessen wrote while working as a waitress at the (Dessen-fan famous) Flying Burrito. The waitressing certainly informed some of Colie’s journey with the setting and varied workmates. An exploration of confidence, self-image and acceptance within the confines of one eventful summer.

  • To visit the author’s website click here.
  • Sarah Dessen's Twitter
  • Sarah Dessen Novel Literature Plan directory


#66 City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (2009)
[116 points - 1 #1, 2 #2s, 3 #3s, 3 #4s, 3 #5s, 1 #6, 3 #8s, 5 #9s, 1 #10]

" ... full of adventure, excitement, moments between Clary and Jace and everything an awesome author like Cassandra Clare can think of." Raz Ipong, reader.

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and her best friend, Simon, has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost? Simon&Schuster

The third title in Clare’s Mortal Instrument Series, City of Glass graced the bestseller lists of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and A Publisher’s Weekly. It also was nominated for the 2009 Goodreads Choice Award for Favorite Book & Young Adult Series and Children's Choice Book Award for Teen Choice Book of the Year.

  • To visit the author’s website click here.
  • Cassandra Clare’s Twitter
  • Excerpt

5 comments:

Marg said...

I liked the earlier Twilight books but Breaking Dawn had me wanting to throw the book at the wall.

I really enjoy the Mortal Instruments books and can't wait to read more set in that world.

The Book Guru said...

I read If I Stay on my holidays and was in tears throughout the novel. When I put the book down I could read nothing else for the rest of the day. Great post!

Hannah S. said...

I REALLY have to check out IF I STAY! I only hear awesome things about it yet I still haven't picked it up.
Awesome books, though! (I've read the rest at least. :) )
Love, Hannah

Anonymous said...

良言一句三冬暖,惡語傷人六月寒。......................................................................

Mari - Escape In A Book said...

I love these posts, it is so exiting to find out which 100 books that made the list. I've read two of the books on the list today and I have City of Glass unread in my bookshelf :)

Hannah: You definitly should give If I Stay I try, I just loved it =D