2009 was an incredible year for first-time YA novelists, and these represent my favorites of them! (Of the ones I've read, of course.)
Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
There's a reason this book keeps on appearing on all my lists: it's that incredible. (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Best Books Published in 2009, Thought-Provoking Reads)
What a fantastically written novel about a dangerous and mysterious world, featuring a very appealing protagonist (hehe...) and some demon-butt-kicking action. (also on: Best Books Published in 2009, If You Can't Get Enough of Vampire Academy, Great Protagonists)
Ash by Malinda Lo
It's the kind of book that you just want to read slowly, savoring each beautifully crafted passage, over and over again. (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Best Books Published in 2009, For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Retellings, Beautiful Books, POC, Night-In Reads, GLBTQ/Gender, Beautiful Writing, Best Covers)
As You Wish by Jackson Pearce
One of the sweetest, straight-up romantic books out there, with a twist of magic. (Best Books Published in 2009, Feel-Good Contemporary Realism, Romance, Night-In Reads, Summery Friendship Reads, Tearjerkers)
I love how Jessica and Lucius both grow as characters throughout the story, and not just as a result of falling in love with each other. (also on: For Paranormal Lovers, Romance, If You Can't Get Enough of Vampire Academy, Best Covers)
Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter by R. J. Anderson
Brings you back to the heart of delightful fairies and a sweet, innocent romance. (also on: Best Books Published in 2009, For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Middle Grade)
The Sky Always Hears Me, and the Hills Don’t Mind by Kirstin Cronn-Mills
An incredible debut, featuring a too-smart-for-her-own-good quirky protagonist. The eccentricities of this book make it stand out and memorable. (also on: Great Protagonists, Smart Reads, Most Overlooked)
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
Another one with a fascinatingly original premise, awesome side characters (the fairies! the love interests!), you'll never look at theatre the same way again. (also on: For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Beautiful Books, Beautiful Writing, Best Covers)
Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson
My review describes it as perfect for readers who may have outgrown Meg Cabot but not the humor and romance that her books always contain. (also on: Feel-Good Contemporary Realism, Romance, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests, For Older Teens, Most Overlooked)
Savannah has a great voice, and she very realistically brings us through the ups and downs of trying to keep a long-distance relationship alive. By the end, you're thoroughly convinced that she can do anything for love, and that her relationship with Jackson will last through everything. (also on: Great Protagonists)
The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander
A precocious, awkward, but determined girl, small-town life--it's so good. (also on: Middle Grade, Feel-Good Contemporary Realism, Most Overlooked)
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Basically the same reason you should read Gianna Z above: a skillful execution of a grand and inspiring story. (also on: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Give This To Your Parents Too, So You Want to Start Reading YA)
Hold Still by Nina LaCour
A beautiful book that deals with suicide, from the point of view of the dead girl's devastated best friend. Also talks about photography, carpentry, art...a lovely read, really. (also on: Thought-Provoking Reads, If You Like Sarah Dessen, Best Covers)
Humor
Everyone needs a little laugh every now and then. I hope these books will have you chuckling, if not rolling on the ground, dying of laughter, and desperate to tell the next person about the book you're reading.
The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale
I love this book. It's like a novelization of your favorite romantic comedy, with all the witty quips and rapid-fire back-and-forths. If that sounds like the kind of movie you like watching, I think you'll like this book as well. (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Branching Out: Adult Fiction & Classics, Tearjerkers)
This little-known book is quite possibly the funniest thing out there. Matt and his friends make it their summer goal to see a real live naked girl, but in the meantime they get in the most hilarious scrapes. All of the male characters are well-developed, funny, and adorable. (also on: Middle Grade, For Boys, Most Overlooked)
How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier
In a world where everyone has a personal fairy, Charlie hates the fact that she has a parking fairy. Along with the help of her friends, she attempts to get rid of her fairy, with outrageous results. (also on: POC, Something Different)
Prom Dates from Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore
The first book in the Maggie Quinn: Girl vs. Evil series is delightfully funny. Maggie is so likable when we get in her head and try to see things the way she does.
This is a book about a boy's insecurities with his weight, but it is far from dull and preachy. It's great to see the world through Andrew's eyes as he blunders around, trying to understand what he wants and what others want of him. (also on: Feel-Good Contemporary Realism, For Boys)
Sprout by Dale Peck
Sprout, the main character, is way too smart, which is difficult for him in his backwards town, but great for us, as it provides hours of reading enjoyment. (also on: GLBTQ/Gender, Smart Reads)
The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp
Sutter's principles are not commendable, but you won't be able to help feeling for him anyway as this egocentric guy struggles to help others while still doing what's best for himself. (also on: For Boys, Great Protagonists, Smart Reads, Most Overlooked, Something Different)
Leaving the Bellweathers by Kristin Clark Venuti
Younger readers will love the physical gag-humor, while older readers will chuckle and snort at the witticisms and pop culture references that I can only describe well as "Shrek-like." (If you know the movie, you know what I'm talking about.) A fun read for readers of all ages.
Romance
Besides for some of the more obvious ones published this year, these will also get your heart pounding and your eyes lighting up.
Leighs wanders around the first half of this book with the completely wrong guy, when the perfect one--and literally, I want my own Nate--has been there all along...and how he feels for her is just *swoon*! (also on: Best Books by a Debut YA Author, Feel-Good Contemporary Realism, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests, For Older Teens, Most Overlooked)
Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Not your typical vampire romance. Sure, there are your typical exciting "vampire, danger!" romance scenes, but the development of the feelings is gradual and grows into a mature, and thus better, love. (also on: For Paranormal Lovers, Best Books by a Debut YA Author, If You Can't Get Enough of Vampire Academy, Best Covers)
Poison Study by Maria Snyder
If everyone could have their own Valek, we'd all be ecstatically happy. In the meantime, we all must read this book and then fight amongst ourselves on Twitter to see who he "belongs" to (I'm looking at you, Julie and Gail). (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, 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)
Jennifer Echols is the master of the classic teen romance, and this summer love story is easy to read and enjoyable. (also on: Feel-Good Contemporary Realism)
Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
Dimitri and Rose are great, and the dynamics of their romance changes as the series goes along, always keeping our attention. (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, For Paranormal Lovers, If You Can't Get Enough of Vampire Academy, Great Protagonists, Use in Classrooms, Smart Reads, Tearjerkers)
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Okay, Patch may also exhibit some stalkerish tendencies... but he's also incredibly sexy in his badness. Like, you know, you just want to get close to him...so you can understand him better...and maybe even reform him...and maybe even have him fall in love with you. (also on: For Paranormal Lovers, For Twilight Lovers)
As You Wish by Jackson Pearce
I just remembered that this book made me cry when I thought that things might not work out. Does that say something? (also on: Best Books Published in 2009, Best Books by a Debut YA Author, Feel-Good Contemporary Realism, Summer Friendship Reads, Tearjerkers)
Ice by Sarah Beth Durst
A fairy tale-like love interest whose inhuman form doesn't stop him from stealing our hearts. Cassie deserves him, and we love her for doing all she can to save him. (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Best Books Published in 2009, For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Retellings, Night-In Reads, Beautiful Writing, Great Protagonists, Smart Reads, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests, So You Want to Start Reading YA)
Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception by Maggie Stiefvater
The attraction between Deirdre and Luke is a little hasty and unexplained, but dang, Luke is just inexplicably alluring, even with all of his flaws. Maybe it's because of his assassin tendencies. Male killers seem to be attractive to me: first Valek (oh, I didn't mention that Valek is also an assassin?), now Luke... (also on: For Fantasy/Magic Lovers)
Whereas Wake mostly developed Janie and Cabel as individual characters, in Fade I really got to see the extent of their love for one another, and was able to appreciate the romance more. (also on: Best Sequels of 2009, If You Can't Get Enough of Vampire Academy)
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
Bill Compton is sexy, whether he's being played by Stephen Moyer on True Blood, or a character in this book. (also on: For Paranormal Lovers, If You Can't Get Enough of Vampire Academy)
POC
These books either feature minority characters, or present us with a world where racial boundaries as we know them may not exist in the same way.
These short stories about Spokane Indians will appeal to anybody, even if you don't know anything about American Indian culture. His humor is acute, his writing excellent. (also on: Branching Out: Adult Fiction & Classics, Short Stories)
Drown by Junot Diaz
Dominican immigrant angst, except darkly funny and touching. Also short stories, but, like Sherman Alexie's, excellent ones. (also on: Branching Out: Adult Fiction & Classics, Short Stories)
Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
This is not just a zombie novel! It paints a startlingly accurate picture of prejudice based on looks in a high school setting.
How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier
I thought it was just a fun and silly little novel when I first read it, too, but then I saw on Justine's blog that actually all the characters in this book are non-white. All of them. Whoa. Intriguing to read the book with that in mind now. (also on: Humor, Something Different)
Liar by Justine Larbalestier
Again, Justine Larbalestier is the best at writing about POC characters in stories that may not directly deal with racial issues, but makes the issue of race present in a genre where it does not get enough attention. Hooray for Justine!
It's an Asian fantasy, set in Asia, inspired by Asian legends, featuring all-Asian characters. The premise and the cover are enough to make me cheer. We need more books like this one!
Ash by Malinda Lo
In putting a lesbian spin on Cinderella, Malinda has already reimagined the way romance is commonly presented in fairy tales. But the world of Ash also breaks down racial assumptions: we do not immediately assume that Ash is white, and in fact Malinda envisions her as Asian. (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Best Books Published in 2009, Best Books by a Debut YA Author, For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Retellings, Beautiful Books, Night-In Reads, GLBTQ/Gender, Beautiful Writing, Best Covers)
Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor
Tales of magic and seduction set in exotic lands that bear a small resemblance to far-off lands that we know of, but may also be of another world. (also on: For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Beautiful Books, Beautiful Writing, Short Stories)
Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott
This old-style fantasy is full of warriors and warring countries. It's easy to imagine the characters being POC. In addition, this fantasy is entertaining to read, and the protagonist is strong and likable. (also on: For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Best Covers)
Night-In Reads
These books will make you never want to go out again. Sort of. Maybe.
The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon HaleAs I mentioned earlier, this book will make you laugh and cry, angry and delieriously happy. You won't be able to put it down if you're anything like me. (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Humor, Branching Out: Adult Fiction & Classics, Tearjerkers)
Poison Study by Maria Snyder
Yelena's ordeals as the food taster in the Commander's place are utterly engrossing. Each chapter ends on a suspenseful note, so you will frantically read just a little bit more... darn you, Maria, for making things so exciting! (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Romance, 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)
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
While not quite as good as The Hunger Games in my opinion, Catching Fire is still difficult to put down. I definitely stayed in one night and read the whole thing. (also on: Best Sequels of 2009)
The story of Viola, Lawrence, and Jinn will keep you reading even as natural disasters occur outside your house. I read this on my train commute, and I was so engrossed I nearly missed my stop. Take my advice: treat yourself more safely, and read this curled up in a chair with plenty of snacks at hand. (also on: Best Books Published in 2009, Best Books by a Debut YA Author, Feel-Good Contemporary Realism, Summery Friendship Reads, Tearjerkers)
Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
The third book about D.J. Schwenk wraps up the trilogy nicely. Featuring, once again, always lovable characters, we follow D.J. through her maturation and her decisions about college and romance. (also on: Best Sequels of 2009, Great Protagonists, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests)
You'll want to stay up all night, savoring each page. (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Best Books Published in 2009, Best Books by a Debut YA Author, For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Retellings, Beautiful Books, POC, GLBTQ/Gender, Beautiful Writing, Best Covers)
Ice by Sarah Beth Durst
This beautifully written retelling will sweep you away to a far-off icy world of magic, modern, and a little something that transcends all that we know. (also on: Best Books I Read in 2009, Best Books Published in 2009, For Fantasy/Magic Lovers, Retellings, Romance, Great Protagonists, Smart Reads, Most Crush-Worthy Love Interests, So You Want to Start Reading YA)
Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
Regina's ordeals are brutal. You'll want to read a few pages, blink and breathe, and dive right back in. (also on: Thought-Provoking Reads, Best Covers, For Older Teens)
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2009 Book Lists, Pt. 1 // Pt. 2 // Pt. 4 // Pt. 5 // Pt. 6 // Pt. 7 // Pt. 8
Return to the Master List of 2009 Book Lists!
So many of these just went onto my wishlist. Thanks for doing this! :)
ReplyDeleteI love your lists, they're so fun to read =)
ReplyDeleteGreat list. Haven't read some of these books, so I'll have to do something about that. Also, Valek is mine and you know it. :P
ReplyDeleteCan I gush one more time about how wonderful your lists are? Please?
ReplyDeleteGush.
And yes, Courtney's books are amazing!
ReplyDeleteJust hear to beam, that's all. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis was a really great and detailed list, thanks for posting about so many great books!
ReplyDeleteEmily