the "best YA books of all time"
I just want to say that usually my newsletters would be scheduled by Friday night. But now it’s 8:11am in the morning and I’m still formatting so that it can be scheduled… which means it might not make my usual 8:30am timestamp which stresses me out.
What have I been doing? Well, I was working yesterday (after about 4hrs of sleep the night before), which meat bright mall lights and lots of people and conversations happening around me at the same time.
And right after work, I basically had a series of good-but-still-social interactions all the way til I slept at 2am which meant continual masking and absolutely zero quiet time to recharge. The stress (and cats harassing me to feed them) woke me up at 6, but by the time I appeased the cats it’s… now, and I’m wondering when I can fit in time to recharge in between all the chores and other things I need to get done by the end of the day, because I’m working tomorrow. I was really looking forward to recharging with my journal and Hellfire Gala comics… but I don’t think it’s gonna happen T_T
I don’t know if anyone else has read Ned Vizzini and get It’s Kind of a Funny Story references, but let’s just say, there are many many tentacles overwhelming me right now.
But - one thing at a time, so here it is, I am trying to schedule my email while trying to regulate my breathing and calm myself down by listening to Stationery Cafe.
okay, mask on.
So… ANYWAY!
Time dot com released a list of 100 Best YA Books Of All Time. Of All Time. Normally, I would just ignore these lists unless I was doing a meme based on one on my blog. But after so many publishers sent newsletters about their books being in the list, some of them making me wonder how the book got on the list, I decided… not to criticise the list, exactly, as these things are always subjective, but to comment on the books in the list I’ve actually read (and remember).
So, those books are:
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (3/5)
I read this book as a kid because I was given a copy, and I was told I would like it. I didn’t hate it, so that was something. I think it started out alright, but as a kid I was so indignant and disappointed that Jo (a character I had initially imprinted on) would end up getting married that it superceded every other feeling I had for the book. But I still live for all the retellings where Jo is queer, and don’t have a problem with this being on the list.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (4/5)
This was one of my childhood favourites, and I can honestly say I would be a different person now had I never read this book. Do I think adults now must read this? I think it’s up to them. There’s a lot of racism and other outdated stuff in it, but it doesn’t take away the fact that this was a good book. It’s just not one I can personally reread now, even though I’m glad to have read it so many times my original copy’s falling apart.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (4/5)
I had a mini Anne (Frank as well as Shirley) obsession when I was around 12. If an unexpurgated copy exists in print, and I was able to read it then, I think I would even be more obsessed. I don’t know if it should be in the list of “best” books, but it’s certainly in my “yes do read this” list.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (3/5)
Honestly, I think teens today can do without this book. Especially when The Perks of Being a Wallflower exists. I might have appreciated this more had I read this when I was around 14/15 instead of around 17/18, though.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding (4/5)
Umm, YES. Although I will admit that my opinion is probably completely biased. As many of you know, I had a very limited access to children’s/juvenile fiction as a kid, and mostly grew up reading books from my parents’ shelves. My mother never taught this book, so this wasn’t on the shelf. BUT in one of those rare occasions when she let me watch a movie (the adaptation of this book) at night, and told me it was based on a book, and I begged for a copy. And after much hunting in regular bookstores, we finally found a copy at the University Malaya bookstore. Life before Kinokuniya.... smh.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (3/5)
I am sad to say I was not impressed by this book. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that (1) I did not read it when I was young enough to be impressed by it, (2) I had to read it for a college class, and (3) by this point I had already read a lot ABOUT this book that it spoiled me for the actual book.
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (4/5)
I think, had I read this when I was younger, I would be completely obsessed. As it is, I read this in my early twenties, and think that it’s a very good book that I like a lot, and wish more people would read now.
I’ll Get There. It Better Be Worth the Trip by John Donovan (4/5)
This is one of those books that felt kind of underwhelming when I was reading it, but haunted me after. And the more I thought about it, the more I loved it. It isn’t the best book ever, but it definitely is an important one.
A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L’Engle (4.5/5)
My favourite book in the Time Quartet. I think if I have calligraphy skills I’d write out St. Patrick’s Rune and put it up on my wall. Yes, I would definitely count this among the best YA.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (4/5)
Read this in my mid-twenties. Loved it. Would absolutely recommend this to YA readers, so yes it belongs in this list.
Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block (4/5)
Like many of the older books in this list, Weetzie Bat is very much a product of its time. And its time being the 90s, you can expect cultural appropriation, white people being very white, every character being skinny af, stereotypical depictions of POC, and so on. BUT this book is also such a breath of fresh air from the other YA being published at the time, and Weetzie is such a fascinating character, and I love that this is a very popular YA book from the early 90s (actually it was first pubbed in 1989, but I discovered it in the 90s when the Dangerous Angels series was complete and had cult status) that is not only very queer but is about a queer found family. Weetzie isn’t my favourite in the series (that honor goes to Witch Baby and Missing Angel Juan) but it’s probably the most beloved one by fans in general.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (4.5/5)
I honestly think this book is more MG than YA, but YES. One of the best books, yes. I always feel like this book gets passed on because of the campy, silly movie adaptation (which I enjoyed) that is nothing like the book. Anyway, some of the books in this list, I would agree are great books but don’t necessarily think you’re missing out if you don’t read them. This is one of the few books that, if you haven’t read it, I feel sorry for you.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (4/5)
Did I love this book? It’s complicated. It definitely made me think a lot, and it made me write a lot, when I read it for the first time. Will I reread it? Probably not. Do I think it’s important for teens now to read this? Yes, I do.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (4/5)
Another MG book that will perhaps read even younger than Ella Enchanted. But - I read this in my second year of college, and I loved it so very much. Maybe now people might say that Stargirl is a manic pixie dream girl, but back then, Stargirl was an inspiration.
Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez (3/5)
I feel like this list conflates “important” with “best”, I don’t know. This is certainly an important book, but if I were to choose an Alex Sanchez book as a “best YA”, it might’ve been The God Box or Bait. But important, this book definitely is. I was in my 3rd year of college when I discovered it and even though I grew up on Dirk and Duck (the Weetzie Bat books) and Willow and Tara (Buffy), the fact that this existed still blew my mind.
Feed by M.T. Anderson (4/5)
I don’t know, I just really liked this a lot, but I feel that I haven’t read enough YA sci-fi to decide if this is one of the best YA sci-fi. It’s definitely way up there, though.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (4.5/5)
ALL THE YES. Just read this comic. It’s great.
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff (2/5)
I remember wanting to read this book so much because I heard a lot of good things about it, and being immensely bored by it. I think it may be a good book still, because Meg Rosoff is a decent writer, but it’s not for me.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (3/5)
Again, mixing “important” with “best”. The Lightning Thief is hardly the best book by Rick Riordan, let alone a “best YA”! Plus, it’s more of an MG book. However, this series as a whole is amazing.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (4/5)
And again. Important, yes. Best, maybe? I may be biased due to the fact that I am so sick of seeing this book everywhere. It’s a nice trilogy.
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor (4/5)
I really love this book. It’s more MG than YA. It’s still amazing and I think you should read it.
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor (4/5)
And here, I am not sure. This book is one I would categorise as “really fucking good” but I am not sure if it’s one of the best of all time.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (4.5/5)
Now, this is easily one of the best YA books I’ve read, and I can easily believe that it’s one of the best YA of all time <3
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (4.5/5)
Ditto. Also, Ari and Dante might be obviously my cup of tea, but Code Name Verity is very much NOT my usual preference - except for it being well-written with excellent characters - and I love it anyway.
every day by David Levithan (3.5/5)
I’m a bit torn on this one. On the one hand, I can see why this was chosen - it’s well-written and the concept is really good. On the other hand, the fatphobia. And this was published way into the zaman of “woke YA” so it doesn’t have that “it was that era, y’know” excuse…
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews (3.5/5)
Honestly, I’m surprised this book got in this list. But also, it’s actually a pretty good fun read. And it’s well-written. And it talks about death in a very matter-of-fact way. So… why not?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (4/5)
Ditto, except I’m not surprised, and also it’s a bit (maybe a lot) more melodramatic than Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. If you ask me based on nothing but how good the book discusses death, I would go with Me and Earl. If you ask me based on how fun it is and how teens might respond to the book, I’d go with The Fault in Our Stars.
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (4/5)
This is a really, REALLY good book. I do recommend it a lot. But also, why this book specifically, above all other “really really good books”? I’m not sure.
Noggin by John Corey Whaley (5/5)
Um, okay. Forget what I said earlier about books about death, because THIS is the book to read, even though the main character technically doesn’t die. This is another one of those books where I feel kind of sorry for people that haven’t read it.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (3.75/5)
Another one of those really good books that are good but made me wonder what made them get listed.
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy (3.75/5)
A very good book. Just based on plot and writing, I would put this in the “why” category. But the fact that this book focuses on a fat MC whose life isn’t built on the fact that she’s fat, who gets a “normal” girl storyline, makes me understand why it’s in this list.
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera (4/5)
Yes. It’s not my favourite Adam Silvera (that would be What If It’s Us, or They Both Die in the End), but I understand why this book is in this list.
Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (3.75/5)
Hmm. Another “yes this is a good book, but why.” It’s hardly the first queer YA romcom, and it’s not even the first one to feature “modern” teens… but I guess maybe because it’s the first one that became super mainstream thanks to the cute cis white straight-passing MC?
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (4/5)
Aaaand another one. Do I love this book? Yes. Do I recommend it? Yes. Do I think it’s a “best YA of all time”? Errrr.... maybe there are more deserving books?
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (4/5)
Yes, I get why it’s in this list. Yes, it’s good. Yes, I recommend.
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour (4/5)
I personally feel happy to see this book in any list for silly selfish reasons. But outside of that, yes, this is a gorgeous meandering book that absolutely everyone should read regardless of whether they like YA or not.
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (3.75/5)
I get the feeling that whoever made this list just want to add books by non-white authors and haven’t read enough of them, so they just included whatever book they’ve read. YES this is a really fun book. But it’s also a basic romcom, so I don’t really see how/why it stands out against every other YA books every published.
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi (3.75/5)
Not really even the best YA by a Muslim author about a Muslim character that I’ve read, but Muslim teen coming-of-age stories are still rare, and this is a pretty decent one.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (4.5/5)
Yes, yes, yes. This book is so good, y’all.
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki & Rosemary Valero-O’Connell (4/5)
Look, this is really good, but if I were to choose ONE Mariko Tamaki graphic novel for this list it would be This One Summer. Which is more MG, but there are other MG books in this list so I guess it counts.
Like A Love Story by Abdi Nazemian (4.75/5)
I am very pleasantly surprised to see this book in this list. Definitely one of the best YA books I’ve read.
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo (4.75/5)
Another Elizabeth Acevedo! When The Poet X came up I initially thought but I like With the Fire On High more…. Decided not to say it, because The Poet X does deserve a spot on this list. But now both books are, so yay?
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender (5/5)
A million times yes. This is still not quite up there with Kacen Callender’s King of the Dragonflies which is an MG released in the same year, but they are both so bloody excellent I can’t helpt but nod enthusiastically when I see them on any “best of” list.
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar (4.75/5)
I am too biased to comment on the writing, but on everything else, this book is so good. Plus, it’s intercultural queer Muslim romance. It’s a yes for me.
You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson (4.5/5)
Again, it’s a yes for me.
Books on the list that I haven’t read, but really want to:
- From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsbury
- Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume
- Forever by Judy Blume
- The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (I have two copies of this book why haven’t I read this.)
- American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
- Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Books on the list that made me raise an eyebrow and go, really?
- Legend by Marie Lu
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
- Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
- Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Books that I might have added, were I to compile my own “best of all time” list. All but two of these authors are white, which makes me sad and wish that more non-white authors get published.
We need more books by authors who aren’t white/cis/het/neurotypical/etc and we need more books by these authors that aren’t just typical romcoms/coming-of-age/etc stories - all of which are awesome but won’t put you in my own “best of” list… unless their work is groundbreaking or subversive in some other way.
For some of these authors, I wonder if the only reason they’re not on Time’s radar is because the author isn’t American.
- The Secret Country by Pamela Dean
- That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston
- Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore
- Loveless by Alice Oseman
- Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
- The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
- The Grey King by Susan Cooper
- Hexwood by Diana Wynne Jones
- Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan
- The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
- The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
- The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
- The Sidekicks by Will Kostaskis
- Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman
- Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
- The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
- Our Dreams at Dusk by Kamatani Yuhki