Top Ten Tuesday: Old & New School YA

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by the Broke and the Bookish.

The topic this week: Back to School Freebie! I decided to do Old School & New School (Contemporary) YA. Which basically means 5 YA books published somewhere before my time/when I was a teen and 5 very recent YA’s  :). Each of these books I’ve adored at different stages of my life, they’re just amazing! I think every teen/young adult should read these. Many of them have made me like this:

 

Here we go!

Old School:

 

1)

The Outsiders (1967) by S.E Hinton

The Outsiders is an iconic teen novel, starring Ponyboy Curtis and his Greaser friends, who get into of crap due to their ongoing rivals with the Socs (Socials). It’s only a small book, but it packs a good punch and I love it. I think it’s a must read for teens and adults alike, and would ultimately be perfect as a book to start off the new term at school :).

2)

Letters From The Inside (1991) by John Marsden

Letters From The Inside still gives me shivers to this day. John Marsden is such a skilled writer. The book is composed of letters between two girls who become friends and get to know each other’s different worlds. That sounds simple enough, but I’m telling you now, this novel will surprise you in ways you never expected. It’s tremendous.

3)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999) by Stephen Chbosky 

The Perks of Being A Wallflower is so much more popular today than it was when it was published (well, this is what I assume) and for only the reason that as the years have passed it’s gained wider recognition. I adore this book. I couldn’t not have it on my list. Charlie is an all-time favourite character of mine and the whole book is unforgettable, meaningful, heartbreaking and one of the most honest novels I’ve ever read.

4)

Raincheck on Timbuktu (2001) by Kirsten Murphy

Raincheck on Timbuktu is one of the MANY novels I remember finding at my high school’s library and reading all day and all night when I should’ve been doing homework or socialising. It’s a great story about a girl who thinks she has everything planned, but learns you just can’t control life. It’s witty and heartwarming and very enjoyable :).

5)

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (2003) by Mark Haddon

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is such a unique book. If you haven’t read it, get on it now, though I guess I should say I’ve noticed it’s a book some people just absolutely hate (I have no idea why, personally, as I think it’s wonderful). This novel gives you a massive insight into the mind of a boy with Asperger’s Syndrome, and it’s super fascinating. Read it, read it, read it!

 

 

 

New School:

6)

Paper Towns (2008) by John Green 

I couldn’t make a list of YA’s without John Green on it and Paper Towns happens to be my favourite novel of his. I love it because I think there have been times in my life where I could really relate to Margo and her desire to get away from  social/capitalist constructs, because I did/do see the school > university > job > get married structure, when talked about as necessity and something everyone wants, as quite stupid, really. I can see why Margo would prefer to live a simple life, away from all those expectations. I could probably write a whole thesis on this, really, so I better stop.I think this novel has some brilliantly funny moments, which I loved, and the whole mystery of Margo is great to read :).

7)

Love Is The Higher Law (2009) by David Levithan 

Love Is The Higher Law is a novel set during the 9/11. It focuses on the perceptions of this terrible event and aftermath of it through the eyes of a few teens. It’s a wonderful little novel that snapshots what ordinary teens were doing before, during and after 9/11, and I just think it’s a very clever and heartwarming story.

8)

Eleanor & Park (2012) by Rainbow Rowell 

Set in the 90’s, Eleanor & Park is a great novel about a number of serious home and school issues that affect too many people in this world, nerdy things like music and comics, and the budding relationship of Park and Eleanor, two very different teens who find each other. I love this novel a great deal. I think it has the perfect mix of what you need in a YA novel and that it’s definitely worth reading of the many contemporaries out there.

9)

All The Bright Places (2015) by Jennifer Niven

All The Bright Places is a very special novel to me. For many reasons. Theo and Violet are special characters, there are so many amazing lines and ideas that make your heart stop and it’s  book that’s true and real. It’s also the first book I shared with my boyfriend back when he wasn’t my boyfriend yet, so it’s not just special to me, but special to both of us :).

10)

I’ll Give You The Sun (2015) by Jandy Nelson 

What a tremendous book. I love this book so, so much, I can’t even! I can’t even begin to say how much I adore this book and think it so amazing. The characters, the story, the writing…all of it is truly breathtaking. Please read this book if you haven’t already, it’s just the best and I know it’ll stay in your heart forever.

Well, that’s my Top 10 this week. What do you think of my choices? And what’s yours? 🙂