All the Earth, Thrown to the Sky by Joe R. Lansdale. Because that is a beautiful title, and the writing continued to be beautiful when I started. Unfortunately the Cybils nominations began, and I really can't read or finish anything that isn't on that list for the next three months. I read the first chapter aloud to my insanely critical husband, and even he was impressed. 
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. Because I haven't read a good ghost story since Beating Heart by AM Jenkins. Or Whitcomb's A Certain Slant of Light. Whichever came out later. I shouldn't be able to count good ghost stories published for teens on one hand.
Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith. Because I truly loved The Way He Lived, and I very much want to see more from her. It's been out since April, so the only excuse I have is that I've never once seen it on the shelves here at my library.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. Because everyone seems to be falling over themselves for this, and because I've been waiting for my hold to come in FOREVER. Which is really unusual for a first-time novelist. Although, Amanda did say "It's no Book Thief." But, really, what is?
Big Crunch by Pete Hautman. Again, this one's been out for ages. I think for the first 6 months I wasn't able to even understand that this brightly colored cover actually had Pete Hautman's name on it. 
Don't Stop Now by Julie Halpern. Because I loved Into the Wild Nerd Yonder with unbridled passion. And the title reminds me of the Queen song.
Everybody Sees the Ants by AS King. Because I think AS King is one of the truly fresh voices of YA.
Every You, Every Me by David Levithan. Because it's David Levithan. Even though the cover model looks just not-Joseph Gordon-Levitt enough to weird me out.
A Plague Year by Edward Bloor. Because how many books for teens have you read about meth? 
The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall. Because I'm curious as to what happens when a someone who's written a metric ton of horse books for tweens writes a murder mystery for teens. I tend to forget that she also wrote Eva Underground (which I liked a lot), and a few other teen titles. 
You Have Seven Messages by Stewart Lewis. Because there's a certain 13 Reasons Why angle there, but I'm hoping for a little bit more depth.I don't think I meant for this list to get so long... lala, back to Cybils madness. Have you submitted your nominations yet?
6 comments:
And here's where I offer non-content commentary:
- All the Earth has been on my shelf for MONTHS and I'm also eager to read it. Same with Anna, bloody Anna.
- Back When You Were Easier to Love was a real disappointment. Weak and offered up a strange religious-y version of Amy and Roger with the road trip aspect.
- Big Crunch was cute. That was about it.
- Everybody Sees the Ants was FANTASTIC. Bullying with the subtle fantasy aspect King is known for.
- Silence of Murder was a real bummer. Boring, honestly.
Well that's a downer of a comment. :(
I believe there is still half a list here for you. Besides, you mostly disagree with me anyway ;)
(this time the word I have to type is desire. Srsly).
Thank you for a list that has a "little more depth" than the books my tween reads. I will be printing this list and visiting the library and bookstores with my daughter to get her inspired. I may post it as a link on my blog, as some of my readers have teen kids and would be interested.
thank you for sharing!
Educationdiva (Ruth Spivak)
Thank YOU Ruth! But remember, I can't actually vouch for any of them, having not read them. Except Between Shades of Gray, which I can recommend.
I have heard very good reviews for A Plague Year from two other co-workers. I personally enjoyed Don't Stop Now and The Big Crunch.
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