If you don't know, I work at an independent bookstore. I'm the YA specialist (fancy way of saying I deal with teenagers and toddlers.) I love it. It's so much fun recommending books I love to teens and tweens and kiddos. The sad thing about the job is that our YA section is lacking. Our problem lies in high school books--the MG is pretty solid. They said they didn't sell many, which I think is because there isn't a huge selection.
I talked my supervisor in a passing conversation about the lack of YA staples that we have in the section--and she told me to bring her a list. I've been compiling one--albeit, it's only small right now since this was just today. It only consists of the ones I love or have read and I know there are a lot that I'm missing.
This is where you come in.
When you go to a bookstore, what are the YA books you look for?
Everyone has that book that needs to be on the shelf...so, please tell me. Help me build a really great list of YA so my store can sell the books that we all love--and hopefully sell to a wider variety of teens. I'm open to ANY suggestions.
I need YA must haves. Classics. Favorites. Everything!
Leave a comment here. Email me. (frenzyofnoise AT gmail). Tweet me (@daniellebunner). Tweet this link. Ask your friends. Share this on your blog. Whatever! This is something everyone has an opinion on.
Some that we already have:
Shiver/Linger, Maze Runner, Hunger Games, Infinite Days, The DUFF, If I Stay, Harry Potter, Paranormalcy, Twilight...
Here's my list so-far:
Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Graceling/Fire by Kristin Cashore
everything Cassie Clare (which we really DONT have all of)
Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Wake series by Lisa McMann
Beautiful Creatures by Kami & Margaret
The Chronicles of Vladmir Tod by Heather Brewer (we only have 3 & the new)
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Willow by Julia Hoban
North of Beautiful by Justine Chen Headley
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
What do you have so far?
ReplyDeleteIt would be helpful if we knew what was already on your list. I'll check back later, so you better include the list soon!
ReplyDeleteUh, yea...I meant to do that. haha. ADDED.
ReplyDeleteSarah Dessen books
ReplyDeleteIron King/Iron Daughter
Hush Hush
Vampire Academy
Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attraction
Darkest powers series (summoning, awakening, and cant think of title of 3rd)
Vampire Diaries
Immortals by Noel
Fallen
Harry Potter
And I would be remiss if I did not add Light of Asteria by Elizabeth Isaacs, it is one of my favorite ya books ever, but it is less well known.
ReplyDeleteWe have a couple Sarah Dessen books (I think Along for the Ride and Just Listen)...which ones do you like best?
ReplyDeleteMy suggestions:
ReplyDeleteSea by Heidi R Kling
When It Happens by Susane Colasanti
Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti (basically anything by her)
Everlasting by Angie Frazier
Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Strange Angels by Lili St Crow
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
Forget You by Jennifer Echols
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally CArter
She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
I second: Light of Asteria (LOVED it -- 4.5)
ReplyDeleteWhat about:
Shannon Hale (Goose Girl series)
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (and later, Delirium)
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala
Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard
Scott Westerfeld, Uglies series
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender
Minder by Kate Kaynak
Alyson Noel: The Immortals, Radiance (MG)
Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert
The Forest of Hands & Teeth, et al by Carrie Ryan
Jenny Han
Ash by Malinda Lo
Matched by Ally Condie
Sea by Heidi R. Kling
The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
The last half are, for the most part, just books that I've heard lots of good buzz about. I haven't actually read them, but I'm sure that others would have them on the list eventually.
Some ideas...
ReplyDeleteGoing Too Far by Jennifer Echols
(you and I were chatting about hot YA makeout scenes the other day... holy shiiiiiiiiit!)
Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
...I'll try to think of more!
I second Jellicoe Road and all the books by Sarah Dessen.
ReplyDelete*Looking for Alaska - John Green
*Paper Towns - John Green
*An Abundance of Katherines - John Green
*Will Grayson Will Grayson - John Green & David Levithan
*The Bermudez Triangle - Maureen Johnson (acctually ALL of Maureen Johnson is good, but I think that's one of my favourites)
*Dramarama - E.Lockhart
*The Disreputable History of Frankie Laldau Banks - E.Lockhart
*Wintergirls - Laurie Halse Anderson
*Tales of the Madman Underground - John Barnes
*Stravaganza: City of Stars - Mary Hoffman
*Life as we knew it - Susan Beth Pfeffer
*Uglies/Pretties/Specials - Scott Westerfeld
Maybe not exactly YA but I still love them:
*The Thief Lord - Cornelia Funke
*Roman Mysteries Series - Caroline Lawrence
*The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin
*His Dark Materials Trilogy - Philip Pullman
ugh, sorry it's *Landau-Banks*
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your thoughts. I submitted the really big list yesterday and they told me today to pick five titles and we ordered one of each to start. (I, somehow, weaseled them out of six!) If they sell then we'll get more!
ReplyDeleteThis is what was picked, based on suggestion and previous sales:
Graceling by Kristin Cashore (Fire in pbk in Feb)
Some Girls Are/ Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
City of Ashes by Cassie Clare (since we were missing it)
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken