Hosted by my other blog — The Broke and the Bookish
I thought a lot how I’d approach this list and how I’d definite older. It’s easier to get swept away in all the new releases that we forget the fact that we miss out on some of the “older” books that may have not been the biggest and most buzzed about books out there! I also had in mind that, like me when I first got into blogging, people who just got into the YA genre might have missed out on knowing what a lot of the great, “older” YA books are. I only knew because I had very avid YA reader friends through blogging that helped me catch up with those “ESSENTIAL MUST READ LISTS”.
So, the way I decided to approach this list is if I were talking to somebody who had JUST started getting into reading and I wanted to give them a list of books that weren’t new releases but “older” books that could easily be passed over.
1. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison (published in 1999): I wasn’t even really a YA reader when I read this book. I guess also because the YA scene wasn’t like it is now. Anywho, this book is HILARIOUS. Should be a “required reading” for all YA readers!
2. Not That Kind Of Girl by Siobhan Vivian (published in 2010): Ok this one is not super “old” but I could see it getting glossed over to a new YA reader. I know I did until some great blogger friends mentioned it to me. I shall be reviewing it soon!
3. The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (published 2010): This one isn’t super old either but I really think it is a really powerful and truly moving book that I don’t want to get lost in the shuffle of other really moving stories. This one has a lot of heart and beauty.
4. Sloppy Firsts by Jessica Darling (published in 2001): I know this is super popular in the blogging community — it’s always on these Top ten lists — but I don’t want the newer generation of readers to EVER EVER skip over this series. My little sister is 17 and I just got her into the series and she just adores it. I love that all these years later after it’s published teens still resonate with it so well. It doesn’t feel outdated.
5. Crank by Ellen Hopkins (published in 2004): Ellen Hopkins is my go-to when it comes to novel in verse. This is one of my favorites and I read it early on in my YA reading journey.
6. Anything Judy Blume: You have to at least read ONE Judy Blume book if you love YA since she like INVENTED IT. Haha ok maybe not invented it but YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. I devoured all of them but especially Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret, Tiger Eyes and Forever!
7. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (published in 2008): Great, great middle grade historical fiction! It’s just SO good and I don’t often read MG. I think it’d be great in a classroom!
8. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (published in 2002): Stargirl is a FABULOUS character and this book is so quirky! Would be a shame if people stopped reading this one!
9. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen (published 2004): Lots of great contemps out there — wouldn’t want people to forget some of Dessen’s older books!
10. A Great & Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (published 2003): Fans of historical fiction must read this one!
Have you read any of these? What are a few books that you don’t want people to forget?
Lisa says
I still need to read Sloppy Firsts.
I KNOW.
Also mad second on that Judy Blume action.
Anna says
SO many of the above. Especially Sloppy Firsts. You know how I do.
Megan says
Oh my gosh, I’m so glad you have Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging on this list!! It’s a great pick because I actually totally forgot about it. =) Loved that book so much!
Thanks for stopping by!
Melissa says
Yay for sloppy firsts and Sarah dessen!!! Love those books!
Carla says
I have never read any ellen hopkins! NEVER! and really i don’t think i can after you know what, you know when. like legit mentally scarred for life. put it away lady amirite?
mega fist pumps to sloppy firsts (flutie forever!), the sky is everywhere (even if the protag is called lennie) and not that kind of girl (even if I’m more like spencer) and THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER!! WES I LOVE YOU.
basically everyone should read all these books on this here list OR ELSE.
Christa @ Hooked on Books says
I totally think everyone should read Laurie Halse Anderson! They should read her in schools. I remember reading Speak when I was in high school and the effect that book had on me stays with me to this day.
Amanda @ Letters Inside Out says
I agree with all of your choices! The Truth About Forever was actually on my list until I bumped it for another of her books…she has too many that I love!
Tiffany says
I totally forgot about Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging, I was cracking up the whole time I read that book! And I second Libba Bray, LOVED those books! Great list!
Kayla S says
I haven’t read any of those except part of Crank… I just couldn’t get into that book >_<
I'll have to check out the rest of those.
Hmm books I don't want others to forget about (my tastes in books range far & wide, LOL):
The Lord of The Rings (Including the Hobbit) <- LOVE those books
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer <- True Story I actually lived in AK when this story broke
Prey by Michael Crichton
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
Anyone remember the Sweet Valley High books?? LOL We read those when I was a teenager and loved every minute of them… 🙂
Grad Student @ Young Adult Fiction and Whiskey Sours says
I will ALWAYS agree about The Sky is Everywhere- it is SO GOOD.
Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books says
HOORAY FOR JUDY BLUME! I grew up reading her books. They truly resonated with me, because I’d go back to them time and again for a reread.
Also, I LOVE Sarah Dessen. The Truth About Forever happens to be my favorite book of hers, and I always recommend it to people just starting to get into the YA genre.
Also, I have not yet read the Jessica Darling series. How’s that for a book blogger confession? I know I should, because just about everyone who I love LOVES that series.
Lola says
The Sky is Everywhere! Oh how I loved that one!
I need to read the Libba Bray series!!!
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
I love Georgia Nicolson, that girl is hilarious :p
My TTT @thedailyprophecy
Hollie @ Music, Books and Tea says
Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging! What a book. It always used to get passed around between my group of friends during our library lessons, and we’d giggle our way through most of it!
Quinn @ Quinn's Book Nook says
Wow, I haven’t read a lot of these. I have heard of them all, though, so that is good 🙂
I think Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging is sooo funny. I love that book.
Cecelia says
I agree with you on Dessen and Judy Blume – I don’t think either of those lady’s books will disappear anytime soon. Nice list – thanks for sharing!
Nikki @ Foil the Plot says
What a great way to approach this list. Ya know, I didn’t get into YA until fairly recently so these books (some of which I’ve heard and others not so much) are all great recommendations. As a kid Nancy Drew, Narnia, Little House on the Prairie and The Babysitter’s Club were all pretty regular staples on my bookshelf.
tarynwanderer says
While I’ve heard of many of these, I think the only one I’ve read was Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging, and I very much enjoyed it! They sound like quality YA, and so thank you for sharing your list! It’s always great to find new books to check out. 🙂
Linda says
Yes to Judy Blume! She’s mandatory reading for all young people in my mind.
Jessica says
Definitely agree with Sloppy Firsts and Angus! Those are great series’
Mickey@imabookshark says
I totally agree with Angus! I adored that series. If you like audio books, I do suggest this series. It’s so funny! I need to read Sloppy Firsts so bad! Ellen Hopkins is always a must, too. I didn’t much like A Great and Terrible Beauty, but I’m not a fan of historical fiction anyway. Lastly, I did just read The Sky is Everywhere and very much enjoyed it! Great list 🙂
Shannon says
Check out my Top Ten Tuesday
http://adventuresofateenagebookworm.blogspot.ie/2012/10/top-ten-older-books-i-doesnt-want.html
alicejane011@gmail.com says
I love Judy Blume! I remember reading Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret when I was young and I was just blown away by it.
My favorite series on this list though, has to be A Great and Terrible Beauty. Libba Bray is such an excellent writer and creates the perfect atmosphere.
Crazy Red Pen
Shannon@BooksDevoured says
The Sky is Everywhere is just sitting unread on my bookshelf, I SO need to read it soon!
Kelsey @ The Lost Book Reports says
LOVE that 4,8 and 10 are on this list!
Emily @ Too Many Books says
I’m reading The Diviners now, and it’s awesome! I’m looking forward to reading A Great and Terrible Beauty when I’m done with this one. Thanks for stopping by my blog! And way to go by passing on good books to your little sister!
Jess @ Gone with the Words says
I have a few of these books already on my shelve or kindle..I just need to GET TO THEM! lol Especially the Jessica Darling series. Also, YES to The Sky is Everywhere! It almost made my list 🙂
Kimberly says
Sloppy Firsts is on my list of things I want to read in October so I really hope I finally get to it. And of course anything Judy Blume is a must read!
Jasmine Rose says
I love Stargirl! It’s actually one of the few books I’ve ever reread.
Dana says
The only ones that I’ve read on this list are almost all of Judy Blume’s. Gasp. But I’ve put a bunch of them on reserve at the library so that is about to change!
Kaitlin Michelle says
Wow, haven’t read any of these, except Ellen Hopkins. Just added them all to my TBR list on goodreads.com so that I can remember to buy them though! Thanks for the suggestions. Love your blog.
Jackie says
Oh my gosh. I could *never* forget about Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging. That book was awesome. I remember the first time I ever read that book in high school. I was reading out loud in the car to my mom the bits about Georgia dressing up as an olive for a Halloween party and the bits about her shaving off one of her eyebrows. We had stitches! And my mom was laughing so hard she was crying, and she had to pull the car over because she couldn’t see.