This week's Teen Tuesday comes from a list compiled by Goodreads. This list is the "best" Young Adult books for the month of September. (I put best in quotations because preference is subjective.) These books are listed in no particular order.
Downton Abbey plus magic? It’s an enchanting
combo in this romantic fantasy that follows islander Jessamin as she discovers
the dangerous, alluring secret world of the Albion nobility and gets to know a
young lord, Finn. Goodreads member Jillian Heise said, “I totally loved reading
this book…. It has a historical feel, with elements of class and acceptance
woven throughout a story of doing good by standing up to bad, entwined with
fate and romance.”
Eva was hit by a car. When she wakes up, she finds that she now
has a sixth sense: She knows how people will die. Eva and her friend Nate try
to prevent their friends’ deaths while eluding a mysterious killer in this dark
and twisty Southern Gothic tale. Sue said, “[A] thrilling book that will…make
you turn on the lights in the middle of the night because you don’t want to
face the darkness. This story is engrossing, vivid, and creepy.”
Virginia, 1959. As part of the battle for civil rights, schools
are being integrated, and tempers are running high. This brave and emotional
dual POV novel follows the relationship between Sarah, one of the first black
students at the all-white Jefferson High, and Linda, whose white father wants
to keep things “separate but equal.” Leanne Bell said, “Words cannot describe
how amazing this book is. Not only does it deal with racism, it also deals with
attitudes toward gay/lesbian relationships in the 1950s…such a beautiful and
inspiring story.”
When Sam joins the first-ever class of girls at Denmark Military
Academy, she faces punishing physical trials and meets a sexy drill
sergeant—nothing she can’t handle. But soon she is the target of brutal hazing
at the hands of a secret society. Will they drive her out? Joshua Bellin said,
“Hensley, who attended military school herself, gets all the details right…. A
book about courage, loyalty, and daring to be different, Rites of Passage marks
the emergence of a major new talent in the world of YA.”
Investigator R.F. Jackaby can see supernatural beings. When
young Abigail Rook becomes his assistant, she is thrust into the hunt for a
serial killer who may not be at all human in this detective thriller set in
turn-of-the-century New England. Emily May said, “This book is so many things,
and all of them are good. It has all the atmosphere of a creepy Victorian
mystery, all the humorous banter of BBC Sherlock; it has complex characters and
wonderful writing. And most of all: It is just so damn charming.”
Just from reading the synopses for each book here's my must-read order:
1. Lies We Tell Ourselves
This book sounds too good to be true. I have my fingers crossed that it hasn't written a check that it can't cash. Racism, integration, and homosexuality are not light topics and I'm hoping that being in the YA category isn't going to make the author breeze over these subjects.
2. Rites Of Passage
The synopsis reminds me of Vampire Academy. That's not to say this book is going to be anything like that, but the main characters seem similar. Considering that this is a YA book I don't expect for the love plot to be sophisticated, but I hope it's a lot better than shallow, mindless obsessions.
3. Illusions Of Fate
This book might be amazing, but the synopsis doesn't tell you anything. It's so vague and that makes me feel like there isn't actually a story here, rather an interesting subject. Subjects don't make stories. Stories come from their subjects actively doing something. I have a feeling this might be a pauper to a princess story, so maybe I should have moved this lower on my list.
4. Made For You
I'm really not too interested in this book. I think if I ever get around to actually reading it I'll have exhausted all my other "to read" books. This book sounds like the YA version of Final Destination. What strikes me as odd right away is that her friends don't start dying until she develops the sixth sense, which makes the plot seem contrived. Also why is it titled "Made For You"? I'm sure the answer to my question lies within the book, but I don't think the title of a book should be baffling to someone looking to read it. The name should concur with the synopsis; I shouldn't have to reach for the meaning.
5. Jackaby
Jackaby ends my list because I have absolutely zero interest in reading this book. I'm not too fond of British settings. Also I'm confused about how this book fits into the YA category. I'm guessing the main character is under 18, but it doesn't seem like it. He's apparently an investigator with an assistant. In my world this is an adult job unless of course he's kin (my NC roots are showing) to Judy Bloom.
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