I've decided to do the A to Z Blogger Challenge this year. In case you are unfamiliar with the A to Z Blogger Challenge, the rules are pretty simple. Blog every day in April and have your blog posts follow an A to Z theme. I've decided to recommend five books each day in April. Each days recommendations will be in the same genre and the genre's will follow an alphabetical pattern. So today, C is for Contemporary. Paranormal and Dystopian novels are all the hype these days, but contemporary young adult will probably always be my favorite genre. Here are five of my favorite contemporary books.
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen - I love everything about this backwards coming of age story. Auden has acted like an adult for her entire life, so in one whimsical summer she goes on a quest to find her childhood. Her adventure involved everything from learning to ride a bike to her first food fight to her first love. While all of Dessen's books are wonderful reads, this one will probably always be my favorite.
Paper Towns by John Green - You can't talk about contemporary YA without talking about John Green. This book is a beautifully written love story about a boy's unusual and unfaltering search for the girl next door after she runs away from home. Like all of Green's novels, this book will take you to places you never expected to go.
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - Yesterday, I recommended Twisted on my boy books list. Well, Wintergirls has to be my favorite of all of Anderson's girl centered novels. It is a painfully honest book about a girl suffering from sever anorexia. Reading it is not only powerfully moving, it also feels a bit like a master class in voice. Lia is so malnourished she's crazy. And Anderson writes half-starved crazy so well it's scary. I can't recommend this book enough.
My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody - This book is a lot lighter than Wintergirls, or even Paper Towns for that matter. But sometimes a fun read is what's in order and books don't get much more fun than My Life Undecided. Fearing she truly lacks any form of common sense, Brooklyn decides to poll strangers on the internet before making any and all major life decisions. The events that unfold when her life is left in the hands of the people make for a very fun read.
Room by Emma Donoghue - Technically this book isn't Young Adult, but it is contemporary, and it is captivating. Told from the point of view of a five year old that has spent his entire life locked in a room with his mother, this book examines humanity from a powerful new angle. I know several people who refuse to read books that depict violence toward children. But if you aren't to faint of heart, Room is a compelling read.What about you? What's your favorite contemporary novel?
