YA Clearinghouse (There's Always More to Read)

I've reviewed a few sources for this project, but its just the tip of the young adult iceberg. After reading contemporary YA titles (and a few oldies but goodies), I'm convinced that young adult literature is one of the most exciting areas in the writing world right now.  

I have a few theories about why YA is so exciting right now (the words "Golden Age" are being bandied around quite a bit in the media). My unscientific, unfounded opinion is that authors are catching on that teens today are intelligent, diverse, hungry for really good stories, and ready to take whatever authors throw at them. Contemporary YA authors seem willing to experiment, to write complex, introspective, funny and searching novels that play with form and explore deep issues. This is the kind of writing teens want and deserve, and YA today is a great read, no matter what walk of life you're from.

And there's so much of it! So much that I couldn't possibly talk about it all. But I've read some really amazing young adult novels in this past year that I didn't get to talk about here. So, to finish off the project, welcome to the YA Clearinghouse: where this Future Librarian tells you about more things she's read and  she thinks you should read too.

Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (Realistic fiction)

John Green is probably one of my favourite young adult authors today. He's written on his blog that he tries to make his novels all-the-way-funny and all-the-way-serious, and the result is amazing.

How I Live Now by Meg Rossoff (Science fiction/Speculative fiction)

This is a devastating, beautiful, intense, original novel about not-so-distant dypstopia. So unique its difficult to describe, but its a must read for fans of contemporary young adult lit

AngelMonster by Veronica Bennett (Historic fiction)

My blog has been very North American centric. This doesn't mean that there isn't great YA coming out of other parts of the world. This English author (who I've had the pleasure to meet on a few occasions) writes great historic novels for young adults featuring famous figures. This one is about Mary Shelley and her dramatic love affair with Percy Bysshe Shelley. This is just a really lovely and heart wrenching novel that I highly recommend.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn (Romance)

Just made into a big screen feature, the superior book is a clever look at the ups and downs of new love. The 'he said' 'she said' chapters alternating between Nick and Norah's point of view is a clever device that gets across the misunderstandings and insecurities inherent in all romantic relationships. And there's lots of fun music talk too!

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (Realistic Fiction)

An unassuming little novel with one of the most engrossing narrators I've read in a long time. Tackling dark issues in a sensitive and real way, this is a great novel that's earned much acclaim.

Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner (Humour/Realistic)

Shakespeare Shapiro has to write his memoirs for his Grade 12 English class, and we get to read about the embarassments and mishaps that have made up his life. This book is laugh out loud funny, and a great guy pick.

Happy reading!