Question Home

Position:Home>Arts & Humanities> Good Young Adult Books?


Question:

Good Young Adult Books?

Hey I love to read books for young adults. Has anybody read any good ones lately? I'm in my late teens and prefer books that aren't too farfetched. I also like good, experienced writters that write about mature topics (as in not books like the babysitters club or nancy drew) Anyone have any good suggestions?


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I know you said not too far fetched, but if you are willing to try some fantasy and/or science fiction, I've read a few lately that I'd recommend.

Liked Scott Westerfeld's trilogy: Uglies, Pretties and Specials. At age 16 you have an operation and go from being an Ugly to a Pretty. They change you on the outside, but they also mess with the inside. Not the best of situations. Protagonist is 16 year old Tally Youngblood and it follows her through some adventures.

I've also just finished The Last Days by the same author; this is a sequel to Peeps. Peeps are parasite positives or "vampires". Interesting story. I really didn't think I was going to like the follow-up, but for some reason I ended up liking it more than the first.

His Dark Materials is a fantasy trilogy written by Philip Pullman. Really enjoyed this, too. I know they're making a film of it now (at least the first segment).

Some that aren't so out there...The Lovely Bones and Lucky by Alice Sebold. The Lovely Bones is told from the point of view of a 14 year old murder victim and Lucky is the author's memoir about her rape the last day of her freshman year of college.

What about some historical fiction? You could check out Philippa Gregory's books - The Other Boleyn Girl and The Virgin's Lover were both good, centering around Henry VIII and his follies, progressing to Elizabeth. There are others she has written that get great reviews, but so far these have been my favorites. (I haven't read her latest.)

Her Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult is great for subject matter - one child created as a genetic match for another dying of leukemia. Where do you stop? Again, this author has a new title or two and many people praise them.