It’s time for the 3rd Annual YA Superlative Blogfest! Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, Alison Miller, and Katy Upperman host this blogfest, which highlights favorite YA novels, covers, characters, and story elements. It’s fun to go through the list of 2013 YA releases I’ve read, and it’s even more fun to get a bunch of new titles to add to my TBR list. Today kicks off the blogfest with Head of the Class, and I’ll be posting again on Thursday for Best in Show.
Head of the Class
Favorite Science Fiction: I was a little iffy on how to categorize The 5th Wave, but I’m pretty sure it fits best as Science Fiction. This book is riveting, and I can’t wait for the sequel, out this spring. Coming from someone who regularly has nightmares about alien invasions, that says a lot.
Favorite Contemporary: Sure, Just One Day/Just One Year are technically romances. But what I loved about this contemporary duo was how the very romantic story was about self-discovery (for both characters!) as it was about love and passion. The journey, both literal and figurative, that we went on with Allyson and Willem was as sweetly compelling as the romance.
Favorite Historical Fiction: Out of the Easy is full of secrets and strong women and a really great setting (the French Quarter of New Orleans in the 1950s). Ruta Sepetys again has created characters and places that you can’t soon forget.
Favorite Comedy: Alison Cherry’s Red is technically a satire–and it’s a wickedly funny one. IMHO, the best humor is smart humor, and the pageant shenanigans in Scarletville are full of that.
Favorite Paranormal: Speaking of funny, The Art of Wishing is also hilarious–and full of action and romance. Margo is a relatable, funny, and smart narrator, and I adored her passion for music. I’m excited for The Fourth Wish this spring, so I can figure out what happens next with gender-bendy genies.
Favorite Family Drama: Bring your tissues for the family drama in Second Chance Summer, which tackles very tough subject matter with grace, empathy, love, and just the right amount of humor. This one is moving and memorable.
What were your picks for Head of the Class? I skipped over a few categories (Favorite Dystopian, Favorite Fantasy, Favorite Action/Adventure, Favorite Mystery, Favorite Romance, Favorite Genre Bender), so I’d love to hear your picks for those!
I still need to read some of the books on your list! They’re on my TBR list, but I haven’t been reading as much as I would like lately. (It’s pretty sad, because OUT OF THE EASY has been on my bookshelf for months now.) I classified THE 5th WAVE under sci-fi, so if both of us did, we must be right, right? 😉
It must be sci-fi then. 🙂
I’m glad to see that you paired up Just One Day and Just One Year, too! There’s no way to pick between them!
Ooh, I need to read RED! And the only book I’ve read on here is THE 5TH WAVE, which I enjoyed. Nice list!
I definitely need to read RED, and THE ART OF WISHING is really intriguing, too…man, I love this blogfest!
Yes, Second Chance Summer! I loved that, too. I really need to read Out of the Easy. Katy has been saying how great it is, and now it’s made your Best Of list. It’s a sign. 🙂
First, I love the design of your blog. So cute!
THE ART OF WISHING sounds great–I’ll have to add that to the TBR. 🙂
I’m working on THE 5TH WAVE right now and it’s wonderfully creep sci fi-y, isn’t it? I’m only 100 pages in and I can’t get to it fast enough. I’m loving it so far (as much as you can love a book about the demise of the human race??). 😉
Thanks, Kari!
Isn’t THE 5TH WAVE crazy good?!
Santa is bringing me JUST ONE YEAR and I cannot wait to read it! Great choices, Rebecca! Thanks for participating!
I need to read Red. I am a fan of smart comedy and satire, so it is right up my alley. Also, I hate crying but seem to do it all the time. I suppose I should go ahead and read Second chance summer as well!
Ha! You might cry while reading SECOND CHANCE SUMMER, but it’s worth it.
Yay for THE ART OF WISHING and RED! I also loved JUST ONE DAY and still to read JUST ONE YEAR (I think I’ll re-read the first before I do!). I’m also really excited to read THE 5TH WAVE since it’s gotten so much buzz.