Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten YA Books That I Would Use for Book Club

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish.  Each week a new Top Ten list topic is posted and book bloggers fill in their own choices.  I'm a list girl (as in, I don't function without them), so I thought this would be a good choice for me!  This week is a freebie week where we can make any top ten list we want.  I think this week's topic falls in line with my freebie topic last week, Top Ten Books I Think Should Be Read and Discussed in EVERY High School.  Discussion is discussion, whether it's in the classroom or living room...  I will stand by the selections from last week for this list as well, but will add ten more.  I don't know if these would necessarily be my TOP ten, but they are the first ten that came to mind...

Top Ten YA Books That I Would Use for Book Club
*In no particular order.*

1.  The Fault In Our Stars by John Green~ Okay, so really, I think ANY of John Green's books would make great book club picks, but this one is about kids with cancer, so it wins the prize for the one I am featuring.  This book will slay you one moment, and have you cracking up the next.  It takes true talent to tastefully find humor in cancer, and John Green nails it (read my review HERE).  Other books by John that would make great book club picks?  Paper Towns, Will Grayson, Will Grayson, and Looking for Alaska.

2.  If I Stay by Gayle Foreman~ A truly amazing story that will touch your soul.  I could not put this book down.  The same goes for its sequel, Where She Went, so you might as well read it the following month...

3.  Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley~ Much like John Green, John Corey Whaley understands the human spirit.  I am so thrilled that he won both the Morris Award and the Printz Award this past week.  I said last year that I thought this book was the most underrated debut of 2011; I guess I was wrong!  I'm so happy more people are finding out about this book because it would make for amazing discussion.  Read my review HERE.

4.  The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis~ Everyone's read Narnia, but how many people have read C.S. Lewis's other books?  A lot, but as I talk to people, I realize that not enough have.  This book is amazing, and it's one that I think could really generate some great discussion.

5.  Beauty Queens by Libba Bray~ Every time I have a discussion with someone about this book, we laugh and laugh and laugh, so I imagine a group discussing this book would be awesome (especially with a bunch of wine)!  I love Libba Bray and wish I could convince everyone, everywhere to read her books.  Read my review HERE.

6.  The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids by Alexandra Robbins~ This isn't YA, but the characters in it are teens, so I'm including it because parents and teens alike could stand to read it.  I'm a private school mom with above average kids, as are most of the people I am in book clubs with, so this book is VERY relevant.  I'm not a pushy mom, but I know plenty who are and this book is eye-opening (actually, I wonder if I'm not pushy because I read this before my kids were in school. Hmmm..).  

7.  Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer~ This book makes you think.  A lot.  I've read it a few times and it always makes me grateful for all I have (and makes me want to start stockpiling things like food, water, propane, antibiotics, and vodka).  This, and it's two successors would make great picks for book club.  Read my review of the series HERE.

8.  Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin~ I've had some great one-on-one discussions with people about this book.  It seems to really touch the hearts of those who read it.  I think it would provoke a lot of discussion, and I always loving hearing other people's thoughts on it.

9.  Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher~ Honestly, this should have been on my list last week.  It is an amazing book book that puts the dangers of bullying and hurtful words and actions right in your face, but then highlights how hurtful it is when nothing is said at all, and should have been.   A GREAT discussion book for teens AND adults.

10.  The Pact by Jodi Piccoult~ Is Jodi Piccoult considered YA?  I usually can't stomach her books; they rip me to shreds, but the ones I have read all would have made great group reads.  I've read six or seven of her books and they would all work for this list, but this one jumped out at me first, so here it is.

I can't wait to see your lists!  I'm sure I forgot loads of books that ya'll will remind me of!  Thanks for stopping by!

4 comments:

  1. Fantastic extension to last week's list. I can't believe I still need to read Where Things Come Back... You also have me thinking about Thirteen Reasons Why. Thanks for sharing!

    ~ Jenna
    Making the Grade
    Http://mtgreviews.wordpress.com/

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  2. Awesome list. I have wanted to read The Screwtape letters forever. Thanks for the reminder and for all of your suggestions.

    -FABR Steph@FiveAlarmBookReviews
    My Top Ten...

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  3. Great list! I've only read TFiOS and If I Stay, although I'm really intrigued about Where Things Come Back, definitely one I've got to check out!

    Hollie @ Music, Books and Tea

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  4. I have TFIOS here to read and although I can't wait (it's going to be my first John Green book) I also have to wait until I am home alone and I feel like a good cry, because I know it's going to be one of those books!

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