My Top Ten for 2010

I haven't posted in months, I know. I'm sorry if you were looking for a post and didn't get one. The sadness of it all. I know.
Anyway, last night I composed a list of top ten books for 2010 for Young Adults (actually teens). I know I'm not a teenager anymore but I read YA books all the time. I want to be a Children's Librarian, someday, so I need to be on top of the reading thing. Also, some stories for the YA audience are amazingly insightful, funny, and just downright good. Don't judge based on age group here. It's all about a good story at the end of the day. Here's the best for 2010 (with commentary because you know you want to know what I think). Oh, and I'm not giving summaries. Look them up yourself.

Best YA Books of 2010:

10. Jennifer Brown, "The Hate List"
This book actually made one of the Young Adult Library Services Association's (YALSA) booklists for 2010. Every time one of these lists come out, I realize I haven't read any of the authors or books. So, last Spring I made a list of ten books from YALSA to read. I don't regret it either. This book was heavy and intense but its message is one we need to hear.

9. Cameron Dokey, "The World Above"
This book is part of the Once Upon a Time series. This series of books are retellings of fairy tales. This one was a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk and had some Robin Hood mixed in there. It was creative and I'm a fan of Cameron Dokey and have been for years. Her books have been the best ones in the Once Upon a Time series for sure.

8. Scott Westerfeld, "Leviathan"
I've been a fan of Westerfeld's since The Uglies Triology (which later turned into a quartet with the release of Extras). I never read anything of his after the Uglies books until "Leviathan", though. Who could deny steampunk, mixed with alternative history, and European settings? It's a must read. I like alternative histories because they take historical fiction into a what-if mode that's way out there.

7. John Green, "Paper Towns"
Early on last year, my co-worker, Carol, turned me on to John Green. He makes some inapproprate jokes in his books and there's some moments of risky behavior but he's really insightful. "Paper Towns" was my first John Green. I've since read every one of his books and enjoyed them. He also has a vlog that you can check out on YouTube. He does it with his brother, Hank. It's so funny. Just look up Vlogbrothers or nerdfighters. Either one should work.

6. Deb Caletti, "Six Rules of Maybe"
Scarlett, the main character, reminded me of myself at 17. She seemed so real and I related to her on a level I barely ever relate to main characters of teen novels on. I was an abnormal teenager, if you ask me, (maybe I was more typical than I like to think but I'd be the first to deny it) and it's also hard to take myself back quite a few years to that time. It seems so long ago. But I bonded with Scarlett. I was emotionally involved as I read this book. That's how powerful Deb Caletti's writing is, though.

5. Robin Mckinley, "Pegasus"
It's been awhile since my last Robin Mckinley before "Pegasus", so I forgot how detailed her books are. McKinley created a new world in this book and didn't miss a beat in describing it. At the end, I wanted more. I also wanted to be on the back of a pegasus, flying in the sky.

4. Suzanne Collins, "The Hunger Games"
This is actually the start of a triology that actually is quite popular. It was a hard decision to put this at number 4 (because on some lists, it may have ended up at number one), but there were three other books I enjoyed even more than this one last year. I ate this triology up. The story line was intense and each installment left you on the edge until the very end of the series. My first Suzanne Collins and it was all so good! I can't wait to read more from her.

3. Jessica Day George, "The Princess of the Midnight Ball"
This is a retelling of "12 Dancing Princesses". It's actually the most excellent retelling I've read of it and I've read a few. I even tried writing my own. It's one of my favorite fairy tales. George does a couple other retellings as well and they're great. She does her own unique take on the stories. There is also tips in the back of the book on how to knit accessories like the characters knit in the book.

2. John Green, "Looking for Alaska"
I read all of John Green's books in 2010 and it's not hard to have him twice on this list. He's that good. "Looking for Alaska" is his best in many ways. So, it wasn't hard to choose it for second place on this list. It was a no brainer.

1. Deb Caletti- "The Secret Life of Prince Charming"
I have read all of Deb Caletti's books and this is my favorite by far. It's insightful and rings true. It's also downright funny. I've recommended to everyone I know who is looking for a good read. I even recommended it during a job interview. That's how much I enjoyed it!

So, that's my top ten for YA books for 2010. The top four books in this list could actually be the best ones I read for 2010, really. That's how much I enjoyed them. Maybe next week I'll compile a list for top ten in another category for 2010. So, look for that. I'll go back to blogging regularly, I promise.

-Nichole