2009 Book Lists, Pt. 1

Best Books I Read in 2009
Not necessarily limited to those books published in 2009, these are my favorite reads of the year, many of which are now on my all-time favorites list.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Self-explanatory, really. Everything that everyone has been saying about it? Entertaining, brutal, thought-provoking, suspenseful, well-written...It's all true. Why have you not gone out and seen for yourself? (also on: Best Bids for Canonicity, Dystopian/Apocalyptic/Steampunk, For Boys, Great Protagonists, Use in Classrooms, Give This To Your Parents Too, So You Want to Start Reading YA)

Poison Study by Maria Snyder
Yelena, a prisoner, is offered a choice: she may either be executed, or she may become the Commander's food taster, as he has many enemies who may wish to kill him via poison. Addictively readable, with a unique and fulfilled premise, an incredible protagonist, and one of the best love interests in fantasy. (also on: For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Romance, Night-In Reads, If You Can't Get Enough of Vampire Academy, Best Bids for Canonicity, Smart Reads, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests, Give This To Your Parents Too)

The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale
Becky Jack, dumpy yet devoted Mormon housewife and mother of four, meets her best friend in the form of Felix Callahan, one of the world's most famous actors. There is no shortage of witty banter, and I laugh till I cry and cry till I laugh with every rereading of this. (also on: Humor, Night-In Reads, Branching Out: Adult Fiction & Classics, Tearjerkers)

Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
A well-imagined and complex take on vampires, involving subtle sociopolitical issues, magic, romance, and fighting. There's a reason why so many books of this series have sold; you should check it out if you haven't already. (also on: For Paranormal Lovers, Romance, If You Can't Get Enough of Vampire Academy, Great Protagonists, Use in Classrooms, Smart Reads, Tearjerkers)

Fire by Kristin Cashore
The writing is brilliant, and Cashore deftly discusses issues regarding femininity and beauty in one of the best fantasy books published this year. (also on: For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Best Books Published in 2009, Best Sequels of 2009, Use in Classrooms, Smart Reads)

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Cashore's debut, featuring a tough yet vulnerable protagonist and an interesting setup. (also on: For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests)

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
This new dystopian series is gonna be BIG. It's nearly impossible to put down, so well-written the suspense is. (also on: Best Books Published in 2009, Dystopian/Apocalyptic/Steampunk, For Boys, Horror/Creepy)

Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
YA is typically full of flowery descriptive prose. Not Courtney Summers'. She's relentless in her bluntness, and thus her novel has more impact than many longer ones. Best of all, her books are published in paperback, making them an ideal stocking stuffer! (also on: Best Books Published in 2009, Thought-Provoking Reads, Best Books By a Debut YA Author)

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
If this simple and sweet book about a cellist's decision whether to live or die after her whole family is involved in a car accident doesn't make you use up half a box of tissues, I'm not sure what to do with you. (also on: Best Books Published in 2009, Best Covers, Tearjerkers)

Hunger: a Gone Novel by Michael Grant
The second book in the dystopian Gone series deals more with these kids who suddenly find themselves living in a world where everyone over the age of 15 has disappeared...along with the scary things-that-go-bump-in-the-night creatures and phenomena that starts occurring. The thriller element is pitch-perfect, and readers will plow through this thick book in no time. (also on: Best Sequels of 2009, Dystopian/Apocalyptic/Steampunk, For Boys)

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert
Stephanie's books are way underrated and haven't yet found the large audience they deserve. I'm not sure how to best describe the power this small but dense paperback holds. I highly recommend you go out and buy it for yourself. You'll want to keep it. (also on: Best Books Published in 2009, Thought-Provoking Reads, Use in Classrooms)

Ash by Malinda Lo
A gorgeously rewritten retelling of Cinderella, with a queer twist. Makes you remember the magic that fairy tales hold. (also on: For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Retellings, Best Books Published in 2009, Beautiful Books, Best Books By a Debut YA Author, POC, Night-In Reads, GLBTQ/Gender, Beautiful Writing, Best Covers)

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Wow! Perhaps the most original novel I've read this year. For those who like just a dash of the incredible in their coming-of-age novels, this one is a must-read. (also on: Best Books Published in 2009, Best Bids for Canonicity, Smart Reads, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests, Give This To Your Parents Too, So You Want to Start Reading YA)

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst
Totally compelling, with a strong protagonist and talented writing. This is the first retelling of "East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon" I've read, and I thought Sarah Beth did a fantastic job of blending contemporary realism with fantasy. (also on: For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Retellings, Best Books Published in 2009, Romance, Night-In Reads, Beautiful Writing, Great Protagonists, Smart Reads, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests, So You Want to Start Reading YA)


For Fantasy/Magic Lovers

Fire by Kristin Cashore
See above, re: one of the best fantasy reads published this year! (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Best Books Published in 2009, Best Sequels of 2009, Use in Classrooms, Smart Reads)

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
This Australian important paints a mesmerizing Eastern culture-like fantasy world in which dragons, martial arts masters, political conspiracy, and girls dressed up as boys roam. (also on: Most Overlooked)

Poison Study by Maria Snyder
See above! (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Romance, Night-In Reads, If You Can't Get Enough of Vampire Academy, Best Bids for Canonicity, Great Protagonists, Smart Reads, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests, Give This To Your Parents Too)

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst
See above! (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Retellings, Best Books Published in 2009, Romance, Night-In Reads, Beautiful Writing, Great Protagonists, Smart Reads, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests, So You Want to Start Reading YA)

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
(also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests)

Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter by R. J. Anderson
Has a Disney-like feel as the small fairy Knife struggles to uncover the secret behind the fairies' diminishing power. (also on: Middle Grade, Best Books Published in 2009, Best Books by a Debut YA Author)

Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott
Like Eon, Zoe's book has the feel of a different, more ancient world, where martial arts reigns. (also on: POC, Best Covers)

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
A totally unique premise with a great cast of characters. (also on: Beautiful Books, Best Books By a Debut YA Author, Beautiful Writing, Best Covers)

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
This retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" is written in a style that evokes a past where magic and curses are still possible, and true love can conquer all. (also on: Retellings)

Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception by Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie's writing drew me in immediately, and the romance between Deirdre and Luke is intoxicating. (also on: Romance)

Ash by Malinda Lo
The writing and story are a perfect balance of the old and new. (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Best Books Published in 2009, Best Books By a Debut YA Author, Retellings, POC, Night-In Reads, GLBTQ/Gender, Beautiful Writing, Best Covers)

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
Killer unicorns. A group of girls training to be unicorn hunters. Awesome premise!

Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor
Exotic worlds are introduced to us in this beautifully written collection of three short fantasy stories, accompanied by jaw-dropping illustrations that hover between magical and dangerous. (also on: Beautiful Books, POC, Beautiful Writing, Short Stories)

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
Probably the first book I've read where you can fall happily in love with a clockwork body. Woohoo!


Middle Grade
This books will not only be enjoyed by kids in that age range, but also by a wide variety of other people. Don't overlook MG as being "too young" for you, much as adults shouldn't overlook YA!

Shug by Jenny Han
I LOVE Annemarie. Her voice is amazing, and it's easy to feel what it's like to be in her shoes. You can't help but feel for her, and yet at the same time you kind of, well, want to be her. (also on: Most Overlooked)

Swim the Fly by Don Calame
Why don't more people know about this hilarious book? Yeah, it's about three awkward high school guys, trying to see a real live naked girl. But the book is not crass at all, and actually has a delightful blend of humor and heart. (also on: Humor, For Boys, Most Overlooked)

Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter by R. J. Anderson
Readers of all ages will not be able to get enough of Knife's story. (also on: Best Books By a Debut YA Author, For Fantasy/Magic Lovers)

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Callie Vee's exploration into nature and society at the turn of the twentieth century will resonate with readers even a hundred years after she "lived." (also on: Best Books By a Debut YA Author, Historical Fiction, Give This To Your Parents Too, So You Want to Start Reading YA)

The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander
There's just something about teenagers in a quirky small-town that makes for great reading. Plus, there's a rooster named Charles Dickens--you can't really go wrong when that's part of the story. (also on: Best Books By a Debut YA Author, Feel-Good Contemporary Realism, Most Overlooked)

Bedeviled: Daddy’s Little Angel by Shani Petroff
Middle schoolers will be able to relate to Angel's social dilemmas while appreciating the paranormal twist. It's a quick and cute read, and I'll definitely be picking up the next book in this series.

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z by Kate Messner
When reading this book, you feel like you're really hearing the voice of a precocious yet slightly academically scatterbrained seventh grader, so spot-on is Kate Messner's writing. (also on: Great Protagonists, Best Covers)

Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma
Dani will remind you of the best and worst parts of yourself back in middle school, and that mixture of empathy and the desire to reprimand her will keep you following her around.

Luv Ya Bunches by Lauren Myracle
Just as charming as her books for older readers, it also gracefully includes a diverse range of characters and their backgrounds. (also on: GLBTQ/Gender)

Project Sweet Life by Brent Hartinger
A little silly and a lot cringe-inducing, but what happens at the end is just so cool that you want to keep on reading to see how everything ends. (also on: For Boys)

Also Known As Harper by Ann Haywood Leal
Young readers--actually, readers of any age--don't often get to read about homelessness in such an accessible and relatable way.


Feel-Good Contemporary Realism
Even with the recent surges in the fantasy, paranormal, and dystopian genres, these books will make you remember why contemporary realistic fiction never gets old.

All About Vee by C. Leigh Purtill
Definitely not just another story about a fat girl, because Vee's heart is made of gold, and she has the guts to go after what she wants in the harsh world of Hollywood! (also on: If You Like Sarah Dessen)

The Boys Next Door by Jennifer Echols
Simon Pulse RomComs get a bad rep, but Jennifer Echols is the shining star of the bunch. Her narration is unaffected, her characters utterly charming. (also on: Romance)

Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker
One doesn't expect such a slim mass market paperback to be so good, but that's the truth: it is! This is a beautiful story with memorable characters that grow and change as if they were real. (also on: Summery Friendship Reads)

Fat Cat by Robin Brande
Intelligent, funny, swoon-worthy... times ten. It's not often that you read about characters interested in and good at math and science, but even if you can't relate, you still will be able to like and admire Cat and root her on. (also on: Best Books Published in 2009, If You Like Sarah Dessen, Smart Reads, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests, Most Overlooked)

Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt
This is a sweet, if slightly predictable, road trip, he-said/she-said read that will be popular with most teen girls.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
An unassumingly sweet read, slightly slower than would appeal to many people, but totally worth it. (also on: Best Books Published in 2009, If You Like Sarah Dessen, Summery Friendship Reads)

The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander
See above! Austin's story warms the heart. (also on: Best Books By a Debut YA Author, Middle Grade, Most Overlooked)

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce
Okay, there's magic involved... but the crux of the story is one of the sweetest romances available in YA fiction today. (also on: Best Books Published in 2009, Best Books By a Debut YA Author, Romance, Night-In Reads, Tearjerkers)

Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can’t Have by Allen Zadoff
It's a story about obesity and body image... from a boy's point of view. Well-written, relatable, and funny. (also on: Humor, For Boys)

Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson
I was totally surprised by how much I liked Leigh's story. It's an easy read featuring a college-age protagonist, Meg Cabot-like charm, and a romance that will make you feel faint with giddiness. (also on: Best Books By a Debut YA Author, Romance, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests, For Older Teens, Most Overlooked)


Retellings
I love retellings because I find it interesting to see how the author will be able to put a different spin on old stuff. These have the magic of their foundation as well as the innovation of an update.

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst
A fantastic blend of old fairy-tale magic and the technological pragmatism of a contemporary heroine. (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Best Books Published in 2009, For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Romance, Night-In Reads, Beautiful Writing, Great Protagonists, Smart Reads, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests, So You Want to Start Reading YA)

Ash by Malinda Lo
Most recent retellings of Cinderella update the girl for modern times; Malinda draws Ash back into an exotic world with the appeal of ancient magic and secrets. (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Best Books Published in 2009, Best Books By a Debut YA Author, For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Beautiful Books, POC, Night-In Reads, GLBTQ/Gender, Beautiful Writing, Best Covers)

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
If the idea of bringing retellings back to their roots of beautiful writing and dangerous mystery appeals to you, then you'll also like this book. (also on: For Fantasy/Magic Lovers)

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate
It's a contemporary retelling of Macbeth. No, really, I'm serious. Consider the book with that in mind now.

Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman
A retelling of the Greek myth of Persephone, Demeter, and Hades that makes it accessible for young teens.

Beastly by Alex Flinn
A modern Beauty and the Beast, told from the Beast's point of view. Alex Flinn does a great job of presenting the beloved tale from a different, but still likable, angle.

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2009 Book Lists, Pt. 2 // Pt. 3 // Pt. 4 // Pt. 5 // Pt. 6 // Pt. 7 // Pt. 8

Return to the 2009 Master List of Book Lists!