Top 10 YA picks of 2013

I thought it would be fun to share my top YA picks for 2013.

There's a little of everything in my list: historical, contemporaries (one that is a road trip in Europe), a vampire dystopia, a scary Stephen King worthy thriller, a what-if twist on Anne Frank's life, an amazing futuristic diverse story, and a memoir just to name a few! So many great reads this year! Right now reading SMOKE by Ellen Hopkins which I know will also be included in this year!

So here's my picks!!


10. MARGOT by Jillian Cantor



A teaser: Emotionally beautiful retelling of the Anne Frank story seen through the eyes of what might have been if the older sister had lived to tell her story.

YABC review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/15924-margot

9. THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Robin Palmer



A teaser: Think Gilmore Girls meets Postcards on the Edge with a sprinkling of Gossip Girl laced with humor and a fab voice. At the end, I had a huge smile and wanted to hug not only the book but all the characters. A true sign of a winning book!

8. THE ELITE by Kiera Cass



I'm a huge fan of this dystopian meets The Bachelor series and The Elite was no exception!

Teaser: Loved this book! Let's just say I'm team Maxon. Can't wait for the next book in the series!

7. HOW I LOST YOU by Janet Gurtler



A teaser: Heartbreaking yet real tale that will bring back memories of readers own memories of breaking up with their BFF. Gurtler interlaces the pain, guilt, and love of those times into one amazing story that is bittersweet laced with hope. Gurtler is this generation's Jodi Picoult!

YABC review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/14301-how-i-lost-you

6. WHITE LINES by Jennifer Banash



A teaser: Wowza. Loving the emotional punch of this novel. 17 year old Cat's vulnerability of getting close to anyone is shadowed by her 'night' self where she lets the music, drugs, and high pulsing energy of clubbing try to erase her pain. Totally love the voice of this novel which paints a very realistic portrayal.

YABC review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/13970-white-lines

5. THE ETERNITY CURE by Julie Kawaga



A teaser: OMG. OMG. This book is totally amazing! Edge of the seat suspense with a kick ass heroine I love! Let's just say this book tops the first!

YABC review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/15162-the-eternity-cure-blood-of-eden-2

4. KILLER OF ENEMIES by Joseph Bruchac



A teaser: Gripping multicultural dystopian tale of seventeen-year-old Apache Chiricahua hunter Lozen who battles the monsters left behind before the Cloud destroyed the world she used to know.

Lozen is a strong Native American protagonist living in a harsh world of haves and have-nots. A huge plus of this story is the diverse futuristic world that is lacking in recent dystopia YAs. Add to that a reluctant heroine that is sure to resonate with readers.


YABC review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/15911-killer-of-enemies


#3 MAN MADE BOY by Jon Skovron



A teaser: Just finished reading MAN MADE BOY by Jon Skovron Verdict: Creepy, hilarious read of the son of Frankenstein as he goes on a road trip with the granddaughter of Jekyl and Hyde while battling against his own creation and his heart. A total must read! I predict this book will be big!

YABC review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/explore-ya-fiction/preview?id=16172:man-made-boy

#2 is a tie too between a YA contemp seen through the eyes of a boy and a memoir about a boy questioning his faith and sexuality

2. JUST ONE YEAR by Gayle Forman



A teaser: Romantic coming of age story that answers the question on what happened on that fateful day back in Paris. A very satisfying conclusion to JUST ONE DAY. This time told through the eyes of Willem.

YABC review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/16012-just-one-year

RAPTURE PRACTICE by



I was lucky enough to read this Cybil's nominated book and totally fell in love with the voice. This non-fiction memoir reads like a narrative. The subject matter resonated so much with me. When I was a teen I also questioned my Mormon faith. His struggles, conflicts are beautifully shown.

YABC review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yanonfiction/16017-rapture-practice


And #1 is a tie between an amazing YA contemporary and a thriller:


FAT ANGIE by E.E. Charlton-Trujillo



A teaser: Beautifully written story of a girl. Who was fat. And navigated through such issues as her sister missing in Iraq, bullying, and her feelings towards Romantic KC. I laughed. I cried. I cheered. The voice in this novel is amazing. I fell in love with Angie.

YABC review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/15270-fat-angie


THE FIFTH WAVE by Rick Yaney



A teaser: "OMG, OMG, OMG. This book THE 5TH WAVE? OMG, it's amazingly chilling"

YABC review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/15248-the-5th-wave-the-5th-wave-1-rick-yancey

Comments

Unknown said…
I loved many of these too (The Elite, 5th Wave), and loved your mini-teasers about the books. I'll have to check some of these books, too.
Kim Baccellia said…
So many great titles this last year that it was hard to whittle it down!

Thanks for commenting! And I know that 2014 will have just as great releases, including your own YA, which I CAN'T wait to read!
Jessie Harrell said…
can't wait to read Just One Year - still hoping I get it as a late present! ;)
Kim Baccellia said…
Jessie, Just One Year is amazing! Loved it even more than the first book as it tied the whole story together.

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