BEST GATEWAY BOOKS OF 2010
(in no particular order)
This is a book you don't have to feel embarrassed to read on the subway. Its cover is gorgeous, its weight is heavy enough to scream "THIS IS LITERATURE" to any snobs sitting beside you, and if I see anyone reading it, I'll automatically approach them and we'll drink champagne as we discuss Sam and Kent and death and redemption. And don't you want free champagne? Of course you do.
Prisoner in the Palace by Michaela MacColl
Do you love intrigue?! Scandal?! Corset suspense? (i.e. romantical suspense, and the pins and needles of waiting to find out WHAT the eff is going to happen!!! Even though it's not an action book.) Then this is the historical account of a young Queen Victoria for you! And come on, who doesn't love Queen Victoria?
In terms of gateway books, this is the one that will get you the MOST effed up. Seriously, kids, this ain't yr momma's Mary Jane. The last installment in the Chaos Walking trilogy concludes the gut-wrenching story of Todd and Viola as they struggle against an impending Spackle war and the machinations of the deliciously evil Mayor. This novel is perfect for adults who think YA is simply "kid stuff" because HOW ABOUT SOME DEATH AND TERRORISM, HUH? Ness is one sadistic mothercusser, and even adults might not be able to handle the intensity, pain and serious awesomeness he inflicts.
Rosebush by Michele Jaffe
A hot mystery, this suspenseful latecomer to 2010 will hook readers faster than black tar heroin. Jane's enough of a teenager to bring out those warm fuzzy nostalgic feelings, but sophisticated enough to keep you from shouting, "Don't roll yr eyes at me, young lady!"
Flyaway by Lucy Christopher
This story of family, illness, coming of age, and swans- yes, swans!- will have children and adults alike sobbing into their whiskey. (just kidding. Don't drink, kids. Go mix mommy a martini..) It's a tale that harkens to the likes of Anne of Green Gables, surpassing its genre to become an instaclassic!
Do you enjoy being awesome? Do you wish you were more awesome, but don't know how to be? Have no fear! Just pick up Will Grayson, Will Grayson and learn every life lesson you ever need from the world's greatest non-superhero, Tiny Cooper. There's also some stuff about these guys named Will Grayson, who find love and salvation and horrible best friends, but TINY COOPER is its own reason for being.
Not only does the cover look like some hard hitting journalistic shizz, the pages inside are brimming with the heartbreaking and gorgeously written story of Jacob, a dude locked up in juvie and struggling to escape before his entire soul is sucked completely dry. This novel can lead to many Serious Adult Conversations on the state of our country's educational and prison systems, but most importantly, you'll be left saying, "I had no idea YA could be THIS GOOD."
The Morgue and Me by John C. Ford
Ford's Chandler-esque noir is the perfect antidote to gossipy girlie crush books - like chasing your strawberry daiquiri with a stiff bourbon on the rocks. A murder victim in the morgue, a coverup at city hall, a sexy older woman, cute girl next door and a couple of homicidal lunatics set this YA debut apart.
Just as Harry Potter made it okay for adults to love wizards and witches, Plain Kate makes it okay to love fantasy. In her quest to reclaim her shadow, she weaves through Roma and witches and misogyny and suspicious townfolk, and does it all with a heart of gold and a steel of spine. Plus, I dare you to remain immune to Taggle's charms. It can't be done. That cat is a thinner, smarter Winston. Then again, almost all cats are thinner and smarter than Winston.
Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian
Sure, you'll have to remove the book jacket before going out in public, but that's a small price to pay for such an entertaining and inspiring read. Even the most snobby adults won't be able to tear themselves away from the story of Natalie Sterling, because they're likely to see glimmers of themselves in her uptight, student council president ways. This book is a wonderful exploration of feminism, and did I mention the super hot sexy times?! IN A CHRISTMAS TREE FARM? Yeah, consider yourself hooked.
Ok, technically this isn't a YA book, but once you read it you'll start searching out everything you can get your hands on by Meg Cabot, aka her excellency, the queen empress ruler of the YA universe. And before you look at the blurb and say, "Blech, I'm not reading a freaking vampire book," you should know that's EXACTLY what Meena, this book's heroine, would have said. before she MET ONE. Bonus: since it's not a teen book, there are no limits to the sexy times!
Okay, you're gonna have to get me a defibrillator because I was laughing so hard while reading that list. Thank you, ladies! Be sure to check them out at Forever Young Adult.
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