The Best of 2010: Young Adult Literature
Today I share with you my top seven young adult reads of 2010. The list is in no particular order, but I do list the reasons why I liked each book and include a link to my review. I realize seven is an odd number to choose but I just couldn’t narrow the list down to five, and plus, seven is a lucky number right? So without further ado, my top 7:
This was a book that I was hearing about over and over at BEA in May. I made sure to pick up a copy solely because of the buzz that I was hearing and was so pleased that I did.
I likened the story to a mix between The Hunger Games and The Giver, and enjoyed it much more than I did either of those. In Matched Condie has created a world where a Society governs everything down to the smallest detail based on percentages. Cassia starts questioning the Society and her whole world and must learn to trust herself in a place where you aren’t supposed to have any of your own ideas.
I loved the story and the characters, and cannot wait for the next installment. This is one of those that I liked so much I just had to go pick up a finished copy.
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
Another book that I picked up solely because of the buzz at BEA. This was a contemporary young adult novel which I normally shy away from. Or should I say I used to shy away from them, as this and a few others made me realize how silly that was.
In this book Whitney takes on an important and difficult subject – date rape – and does so in a fantastic way. Alex is never perfect, and she acts as many young women in her situation would. She doesn’t want to admit that it is rape, she doesn’t know what to believe, she doubts herself, she doubts whether she can follow through.
Hello realistic and well done portrayal of rape and the aftermath in a young adult book. Goodbye rape culture, hello Daisy Whitney. This is what made this book extra fantastic for me. (And yes, I bought a finished copy of this one too after giving away my ARC!)
The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger
Oh I was silly at BEA. The buzz was there for this book, I held a copy in my hands… and decided it probably wasn’t for me based on what I knew of it. WHY WAS I SO SILLY?! Thankfully a very very very kind blogger sent me an ARC of it and I instantly fell in love.
In this book Keplinger gives a realistic portrayal of high school and sex for many young girls in a way that many older authors shy away from. Bianca feels like the ugly ones in her friend group and while dealing with family issues she distracts herself by sleeping with someone she really shouldn’t. Keplinger does a great job highlighting the fact that we ALL think we’re the DUFF at some point or another and this is really a book for all of us.
Oh, and yes I passed on the ARC and bought a finished copy! (Are you sensing a trend?)
Thank you so much to Kinna for sending me this book. This is the story of a Ghanaian girl at a British boarding school. Both cultures are portrayed so well. This was one of my first tastes of Ghanaian literature and had me going back for seconds and thirds. Both cultures (British and Ghanaian) seemed to be portrayed realistically and really well.
This is one of those rare books that kept me feeling the suspense and the chill throughout the read. It also highlighted the danger of falling under the spell of another and not relying on yourself and trusting your instincts.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
This was one of the young adult books that was nominated for the GLBTQ category in the Independent Literary Awards. I had been hearing a ton about it but for some reason had never picked it up until then… and was I ever glad that I did.
I felt the two authors did a fantastic job working together and creating a story that flowed and worked together wonderfully with two incredible main characters who were so different and yet both so fantastic.
The book is a bit fantastic and over the top, but in all the best ways!
Stork by Wendy DelsolWhen I first heard of this book I thought it sounded fantastic but then the more I heard the more unsure I was. I mean, an Icelandic Stork Society who match babies to mothers? Sounds odd. Plus I do not like babies. I’m awful glad I trusted my first instinct and gave this book a try because it was a definite keeper.
Or I wish it was a keeper, I had to give the ARC back to Colleen as she has only lent it to me and I haven’t managed to find a finished copy yet 
I’ll have to place an online order for this one.
The book has a super strong female main character who is not afraid to stick up for herself when the occasion arises, and a male lead who reacts correctly when she tells him what happened. How could I not love it?
Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson
A fabulous retelling of a fairy tale called Les Fées by Perrault and also drawing on a book called Steps to Water: The Ancient Stepwells of India by Morna Livingston. The story is set in ancient India.
Not one but TWO fantastically strong female main characters who learn to trust themselves and their gifts in the face of strong odds to win the day. I love fairy tales especially the feminist retellings. This definitely, in my opinion, counts as one of the best that I’ve read to date. It was rich and beautiful and I want to read more by the author.
So there you have it, my top 7 favorite books young adult books of 2010. I loved each for its own reason and on its own merit, and for vastly different reasons. Any here that you especially loved or loathed? – I know a few have elicited strong reactions both positive and negative.
Want to win one of these books to see if you agree or disagree with me? Fill out this form! I will give away one copy of a book of your choice to one winner. (Open internationally to anyone, contest closes at midnight AST on January 10th)
Amy…this is an impressive list. I read most of your reviews and I would agree with you.
Thank you Geosi
Great list! I’ve only read “The Duff” and “Matched” – but I loved them both! Have you read “Delirium” yet? By Lauren Oliver? I loved it even more than “Matched!”
I’m glad you enjoyed those two Raegan! I have Delirium to read from NetGalley actually – I’ve heard great things so am looking forward to it
You know, I’ve never given away an ARC and bought a regular copy of a book. Never. I still have all the ARCs of books I loved sitting on my shelves!
Crazy Amanda! I give away my ARCs all the time to other bloggers… but also just want that pretty finished copy!
Matched is the only one of these that I ended up reading and it fell a litte flat for me. I t was a perfectly good set up but some spark was missing. I am hopeful though for the next book.
Ah sorry to hear it fell flat for you Nicole. I hope the next book does more for you
A great list Amy ,just wish YA appealed more to me but on whole it dosen’t ,all the best stu
Understandable Stu – you read such fantastic books! I hope to read less of this and more of that next year
I have a couple of these on my shelf, but others are fairly new to me. I really want to read The Duff, and Will Grayson, Will Grayson as well, and I hope I get the chance to do that this year! I am also looking forward to reading my copy of Matched. I just love that cover!
I hope that you enjoy them all zibilee! Best of luck
And I love the Matched cover as well!
You are most welcome, Amy. Wonderful list. I really want to read Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Thanks for the giveaway.
You are most welcome Kinna
I hope you enjoy it.
Some good choices Amy!! I am reading Will Grayson now and absolutely loving it. I also have the Duff on my TBBought list.
Glad to hear it Robbie! I hope you enjoy
Interesting list, Amy! I read many of these for my YA lit article, and I have to say, Matched did not work for me at all–the love triangle felt formulaic and weak to me, and I think the author could have done much more with the premise. I would, however love to read Toads and Diamonds! Btw, I’ve read Tomlinson’s Swan Maiden and mostly liked it–it got a little didactic towards the end, but worked well on the whole.
Oooohhhh Swan Maiden is definitely on my wish list now Niranjana, thank you
Sorry to hear that Matched fell flat, it was one of those love it or meh books it seems.
I would have thought you would have put Laurie Halse Anderson on the list. I am dying to read Will Grayson. On a different not I have just started Middlesex and it is brilliant and I am only 50 pages in. Want to read it slowly so it takes me an age to finish it’s that good
It came close Trent, but ultimately didn’t make it. I preferred the way rape was dealt with in The Mockingbirds – it hit me more. Glad to hear you are loving Middlesex – it is on my list to read for this year!
The only one I’ve read on this list is Matched, but they all sound great! I’ve seen The Mockingbirds on a few lists now, so I think I’m going to have to read that one.
I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try Kristen
That’s a great list, and useful recommendations too, because I don’t read a lot of YA and wouldn’t really know where to start. True Murder and the Grayson book look most interesting to me. And you’re giving away books again, thanks for being so generous!
You are most welcome Bina! I wanted to do something for all the wonderful readers and commenters – I love you all
Great list!!!! I’ve heard lots of great things about “Duff” and I really need to get my hands on a copy!
I hope you enjoy it if you get a copy LR!
The Duff was one of the ones I was MOST excited about at BEA and then I haven’t even read it yet, LOL!!
Oh wow Jenny! I hope you love it when you give it a read
I just placed Stork, Matched, The Mockingbirds, and The Duff on hold at the library–all books I’ve kind of wanted to read but became sold on when they made your best-of list. THEN, in the weirdest turn of events EVER, I was sitting at the couch staring at the bookshelf (as one does) and I noticed a book that had something about TOADS on it–and it turned out to be Toads and Diamonds! Ethan had bought it at the library (for a dollar) months ago to swap on Swap Tree! So weird! I’m excited though because my library doesn’t have a copy, so perhaps I will donate it when I am done reading it.
So fun.
Yay yay yay Cass! I did a little happy dance when I read this comment
Also, Ethan has good taste in sale books, he just has to let you know 
I can’t wait to hear what you think of them all.
Great list! I just picked up Will Grayson from the library yesterday. I really want to read Stork. I have not heard of Toads and Diamonds and True Murder but I will check them out.
Thanks for the giveaway. Happy reading!
Thank you thereadingdate – I hope that you enjoy them!
I have to admit to not having read any of these. I did read a few of your reviews. While the Icelandic one sounds interesting, I would say that the Ghanian girls at a British boarding school twigs my interest most. It just seems such an odd fit that you just know something big has to happen.
Yes it is an odd mix isn’t it Heather
wow awesome giveaway!
Glad you enjoy Katie
Great, list! I read Matched and already had The Mockingbirds on my list because I think you mentioned it previously and got me intrigued. I also added a few of your recommendations to my Goodreads
I’m glad I managed to intrigue you Sandie
I hope you enjoy them!!
I really want to read Matched. Everybody keep saying how great it’s and now I’m curious.
Thanks a lot for the chance.
I hope you enjoy it Lilly
And you are most welcome.
Fantastic list! Shamefully I have only read one of those (Matched, which I LOVED!!), but you’ve 100% convinced me that I need to read the others. They all sound fantastic! Thanks so much for the giveaway. I chose The Mokckingbirds
Thank you Brodie! I hope that you really enjoy the others when you read them.
Basically, all of these are on my wishlist. You are making not trying to buy so many books, or crave so many books, very hard
Heh sorry Iris
In my defense… you do the same to me!
Thank you ! This is an amazing giveaway!
You are most welcome Pisinat
aww man. i passed up on stork for pretty much the same reasons that made you hesitate. babies? no thank you. definitely regretting it now! i’ve been back and forth on matched. some say its really good and that makes me want to go get a copy and some said it was horrible. i might just break down because of all the buzz and see what everyone is saying for myself.
Oh too bad toothy! I hope that you get a chance to read it and that you enjoy it
They all sound so good!
Thanks Wehaf