The Dream Thieves, Maggie Stiefvater
The Dream Thieves picks up where The Raven Boys left off, and delivers a plot built upon the cryptic last line of the first novel. The expectation of a more Ronan- centric plot line thrilled me, and this book delivered. As implied by the title, the story centers around Ronan’s ability to take objects from his dreams and into real life. With the multiple perspective writing style utilized by Stiefvater, the reader is also able to witness the internal struggles of Blue, Gansey and Adam as they are each forced to face their hidden demons. New villains the Gray Man and Joseph Kavinsky are delightfully deceptive, and each bring out fresh storylines and unexpected turns that keep the plot progressing. Ronan delves deeper into his abilities, Adam struggles with defining his identity and his role in awakening the ley line, Gansey worries about how to deal with the growing chaos surrounding their hunt, and Blue’s psychically predicted love for Gansey grows. Stiefvater’s character centric style allows the reader to feel intimately connected to each of the main characters, who defy the traps of typical teenage stereotypes and stand out as unique. Stiefvater is endlessly creative and may actually be the goddess of young adult literature. She is able to write unique plots with fascinating, multi-layered characters that have qualities that are relatable, despite their supernatural circumstances. Hats off to you, for writing a sequel every bit as good as I'd hoped.
Eleanor and Park, Rainbow Rowell
| I read this book in one day, moved about twice the whole time and immediately decided that Rainbow Rowell is one of my favorite authors. This book captured my heart and had me overflowing with love for the characters right from the beginning. Every word was wonderful and it truly is a work of art. This story hits hard, but in all the right ways, and it captures feelings that are more real than almost any other book I've ever read. These characters aren't perfect, and they aren't cool or gorgeous but they are so right. Rainbow Rowell should just write and write and write and I will read every page. This book made me feel everything. I don't think there are words for my feelings. Perfection. |
Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell
To continue my ode to Rainbow Rowell, I have Fangirl. Rainbow Rowell is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. I loved Eleanor & Park, and although Fangirl is quite different, I loved it just as much. I savored reading it, trying to make the story last because the characters were all so perfect. Cath's fan fiction obsession was so real that I was practically googling Carry On, Simon to get reading. I related to Cath more than almost any other character that I've ever read, and her story was so real and raw and realistic that I could have kept reading and reading and still been happy. Also, I occasionally laughed out loud. Also also, I wrote about this book in my college application essay because it's that important to me.
Just One Year, Gayle Forman
| I have now read four Gayle Forman books in one sitting per book. This one lived up to my expectations, and finally answered the questions I'd been left wondering about for far too long. The close misses in this were torture, even though I knew how it would end, but I loved hearing Willem's side and experiencing his voice. It was charming and occasionally painful and perfect and my only complaint is that I wish she would write a sequel so I could know what happens next! Willem's story was just as compelling as Allyson's in my opinion, and the journeys that each of them undertake to find each other and find themselves are executed perfectly. |
Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire , Elizabeth Wein
I have told many people that they need to read this book and I have also told many people that it was the best book I read last year. There is no other word for Elizabeth Wein than brilliant, and this book deserves every bit of the press that it receives. It's difficult to put into words the emotion that I feel for this book because it is so incredible and unlike anything else. The characters, especially Verity and Maddie, are spectacularly drawn and the historical backdrop is flawlessly executed. This is a piece of literature, and I want to preach its gospel to everyone I see and hand a copy to everyone that walks into my bookstore. If you haven't read this, I expect that you stop reading right now, acquire a copy, and read it before you do anything else.
I think Elizabeth Wein is brilliant. This story was certainly vastly different from Code Name Verity however I loved it just as much. I was wowed by Rose, happy to see Maddie again and impressed yet again by Wein's writing style. She is truly a master story teller and I absolutely loved this novel, despite its intense subject matter. At some points all I wanted was to help Rose out, but she didn't need the help because she was pretty damn incredible. My heart, much like that of the Grinch, swelled three sizes while reading this book because I was overflowing with emotion for these characters. There is nothing else like this out there, and I think it's a story everyone should read.
Winger, Andrew Smith
When asked in September what my favorite books from the summer were, I responded that they were Winger and The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont before realizing that both of those books take place at boarding schools and include major plotlines around gay characters. Still not sure what that says about me. I started this book as a refreshing change of pace from my usual reads. It then turned into so much more than that. I felt a seemingly inexplicable draw to Ryan Dean and all of his confusion and frustration and hilarity. He felt so real to me. As the story drew on, I became more and more emotionally invested in the characters and events leading up to the concluding moments. The ending was beautifully written, even if the shift from semi light- hearted to serious was sudden and almost rushed. This book was a complete departure from any of my reading norms but it was also unforgettable.
We Were Liars, E.Lockhart
| E. Lockhart is so, so brilliant and she has written another masterpiece. I love it and will treasure it and reread it over and over. She built an incredible piece of literature, playing with the reader and mesmerizing them. So incredible. Everyone should read this and then find someone else who's read it and talk about it with them. I was shocked and enthralled and thoroughly devoured and then spit out by this book. It played with all the little pieces in my head and mixed up all my feelings in a crazy abstract swirl. I won't reveal too much because it's not out until May but I swooned and cried and played crazy mind games with this book and I concluded that E. Lockhart is either a genius or an evil supervillain who toys with her readers' emotions. |
Gorgeous, Paul Rudnick
| This book is funny and unique and almost a fairy tale if fairy tales were snarky. At first I found myself annoyed by Becky's inner monologue, but by the end of the book I was fully wrapped up in the story and anxious to know how it would end. In the first few chapters, I felt like the author was trying too hard to make Becky into the sassy, plucky teen heroine but eventually I adjusted. I enjoyed the storyline for the most part although there were occasional parts that bothered me and I flew through most of it, rabidly curious about the ending. Overall I was satisfied and would recommend this to others for something a little different and a really, really fun piece of writing. Kudos to Paul Rudnick for building a creative story that provides intelligent and funny social commentary and goes in an utterly unexpected direction. |
Wonder, R.J. Palacio
Wonder is truly a wonder. This book could be cliche, or a little cheesy, and maybe it is but I still thought that it was beautiful. I understand why schools are recommending this, and we've been telling everyone at my book store to pick it up. Completely worth buying in hardcover. I made my mom read it and my best friend read it and tell everyone else I know about it. It's a little more middle grade than young adult, but Auggie's story will strike a chord with anyone and everyone. Each little detail made his story that much more real and he was so easy to fall in love with that I felt like my heart was breaking from the very first page. The different perspectives were written and utilized masterfully, and this is really a work of art.
The Selection, Kiera Cass
This book captivated me. At first I was unsure how I felt about America and her unwillingness to enter the Selection. Truthfully, I never warmed up to her romance with Aspen and kept forgetting his name as the story went on. So that subplot and her initial refusal to consider Maxon bothered me, but as soon as she left Carolina, I was trapped in the story. I loved the details of the Selection and the other girls and I fell head over heels for Prince Maxon. My stomach fluttered the first time they kissed and I was thrilled with the way the story developed. I was finally happy with America after she tells Aspen she's in it for herself and no one else. Overall, the palace, the dresses and the characters drew me in and enchanted me right through the end of the story and I'm already looking forward to the sequel. Maybe it's because I've always wanted to be a princess and wear gorgeous dresses and fall in love with a prince, but I fell in love with this world and as soon as I finished, I wanted to go back.
In addition, I have a few honorable mentions of books that I reread this year by authors that I love, an one book that I didn't count because it's an adult book. On the reread boat, I reread John Green's The Fault in Our Stars several more times, and it's still one of the most fantastic works of YA literature out there right now. I also journeyed back through my favorite Sarah Dessen books, including This Lullaby, The Truth About Forever, and What Happened to Goodbye. When I'm in the mood for realistic fiction or something that just feels like me, I love to pick up her books and reread them because they mean something different to me every time. I also reread The Hunger Games in the wake of the second movie, and I found myself racing through them with great intensity even though it was probably the fourth or fifth time I'd read them. One final honorable mention is The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont, which I didn't include because it's an adult book but it is truly incredible an unforgettable and brilliant and you should all go read it.
-April
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