Love Stories....Ah! Romance (Teen Stories)
The podcast for this was done just before Valentine's Day; but even though I'm a couple weeks behind on getting this followup blog up, there's always time for romance! I separated the list into 2 parts, one for teens and one for adults. At the library, we don't judge....if you're an adult who likes teen books, enjoy. If you're a teen who likes adult books, between you and your parents; we just lend the books. =)
I kept this list to a realistic base model, so no aliens or supernaturals (vampires, were-creatures, etc); although I did allow psychic gifts or superpowers, as they are still humans but slightly "extra". It was harder than I anticipated (I read a LOT of supernatural/magical/alien stuff).
Enjoy! Here is the link to the podcast if you want to listen: Alchemy of Genres podcast
Allison always does the right thing....until one day when she spontaneously goes off to Paris with William, a cute actor she just met. This is the story of that day and its aftermath. This story is fun and sweet, not too sappy or too tragic, just a great story of a whirlwind romance, and who doesn't love those?
This is the first book, followed by Perry's Killer Playlist (also recommended). I like this because romantic stories are often told from the female point of view and written by female authors; and this is totally a dude centered love story; with adventure and spies and a pretty girl.
Perry is stuck taking the homely exchange student to prom (His mom is making him). Except.....(you called it!) when she is all dressed up, she is WAY hot. She then convinces him to go to NYC instead of the prom and then....well, suffice to say blood is shed, shots are fired and his life changes. This is not a happy ever after book (HEA for shorthand), but is a cool romance with a happy for now ending (and if you read the second book, you'll see where it goes from there).
So much fun, love these books!
A girl is going to her dad's wedding and misses her flight. She doesn't really care, as she isn't sure she wants to go; but she takes a later flight and if she's late.....eh.....it happens. On the flight she meets a handsome young Brit and their connection is instant and deep. They help each other with family stuff, explore England and perhaps....defy the odds and fall in love for ever and ever.
Ignore the title, give it a try!
Boyfriends with Girlfriends is the story of four teen as they explore what falling in love feels like even as they discover one person in each relationship is Bi.
I know I have mentioned this book before, but I will continue to advocate for it ad infinitum....because it is something you just don't find. A story of a boy who is straight and falls in love; but also falls in love with drag and dressing up and performing (his inspiration is Debbie Harry). His girlfriend is so supportive and helpful with no judgements; and everyone needs that kind of love.....just "I got you, it's ok"....let's face it, it's rare at any age.
You should try this book. Seriously.
Netflix made a movie of this one, but I'm nervous to watch it because movies sometimes destroy a book...(so let me know if it's good ok?) However, I do highly recommend the Dash & Lily books, Dash & Lily's Book of Dares, Twelve Days of Dash & Lily and Mind the Gap Dash & Lily (which is brand new)
Rachel Cohn and David Levithan trade writing, by each adopting one of the characters and alternating viewpoints. Dash & Lily "meet" when Dash finds Lily's precious red notebook at a local bookstore. Instead of just returning it, he writes a dare in it; and thus does the story begin....they trade notes & stories in the notebook before finally agreeing to meet in person. Meeting in person is very stressful, since they have already built up an idea of the person through the dares and the notes back and forth, but maybe, they could make it work.
I love the idea of falling for a person via letters, and this is such a fun way to play it without feeling old fashioned. It echoes DM culture without actually going there, which makes it so sweet and quirky.
Nina is smart but slightly dorky and is positive she will be alone forever as she is "hideous and hairy" (her determination). Skunk Girl is a love story but it is also a book about a Pakistani American balancing immigrant family ideals, Muslim expectations and living life on her own terms (which she is also still figuring out). She calls herself skunk girl because she has a stripe of hair down her back that she is mortified by.
This is a really sweet story about accepting yourself and being your own beautiful.
Jason is a basketball guy and very popular. Kyra is an independent girl who doesn't really care about other people's opinions. The two come together due to a class project. The story focuses on the many clique and societal issues trying to divide them and has a kind of "love conquers all" vibe. I love a sassy female lead character who isn't gushing over the guy just because it gains her popularity points. This is a quick, fun read.
Holland is student council president, has a good boyfriend and a chance at an ivy league school, so all is perfect. Then Holland meets Cece and realizes there is something between them but she isn't sure that she is willing to give up the perfect life for a chance at love and happiness...after all, doesn't having the perfect life guarantee happiness eventually?
Peters has written a realistic story of a girl finding out who she is and deciding whether she wants to stay in the closet or not. Peters has a gift for writing characters who feel so real you feel you know them, so feel free to explore her other books as well.
Terra is blonde and has a great body but is convinced that she is hideous because she has a birthmark on her face. She obsesses about keeping the rest of herself perfect in the hopes it will "make up for" her ugly face. Terra has her life planned out (mostly revolving around escaping to college to get away from a truly terribly father) and then she meets Jacob. Jacob is a quirky goth guy who sees her as beautiful and works to convince her of her worth and what true beauty means. This story has really strong characters and a very sweet story about learning to love yourself so you can love someone else.
Crazy Beautiful is a beauty & the beast inspired story. Lucius has lost both of his arms in an explosion and he wears hooks in order to function. He wears hooks instead of something more realistic partly because it is cheaper and partly because it is scarier (and he really wants everyone to leave him alone). Aurora isn't afraid of him. She has no problem with his hooks or his prickly attitude. Lucius knows that he is a terrible person who only deserves bad things and Aurora is better off without him.
I love this story both because it is a great twist on a well known fairy tale; and because it brings in a main protagonist with some physical and emotional issues, but still he finds his love story. I think the other thing the author does well is illustrate that not all traumas leave scars you can see and that love can grow anywhere.
This is another Alex Sanchez novel, but this one is a graphic novel. (But he is still an amazing author, seriously, go read all his books).
In this book, we are in the DC Universe but the main characters are teens. Finding out who you are means even more when your dad was a supervillian; and coming out in a tiny town is really scary. This story is beautifully illustrated and deeply thoughtful.
Heartstopper is another title I have talked about, but I love it, so....listen anyway (read anyway?)
Volumes 1&2 are out, #3 is coming soon and honestly it is so well done. This is a grapic novel about Charlie (out, sort of proud, mostly bullied) and Nick (athlete, nice guy and maybe falling in love with Charlie). Their story could be set anywhere as it feels universal; but I really love the support the characters have from their families. I also adore the truly sweet love story you feel happening on the pages in front of you, feels like watching a movie....and there are laughs and tears and smiles just like in reality.
DJ has a lot going on and needs to figure it all out. One thing she knows is that she loves football and is good at playing. The only reason she isn't playing is that she is a girl. She also knows that if she pushes things, trouble will start. And trouble does start....it starts with Brian, the quarterback for a rival high school team who trains with her in the summer because he "lacks discipline and she can teach him some"; but he turns out to be a really nice guy. DJ has a lot to deal with this year, and Junior year is looking like a mess; but sometimes, you need to make a mess in order to start learning and make changes.
This is a great story (and there is another one, maybe two...it's been awhile) and DJ is a great character, full of strength and intelligence.
Nick has some issues, he knows this. The biggest issue is that Nick needs to be an Extraordinary (another word for superhero). He needs to be able to save people, like his mom who died in a bank robbery or like his dad who is a cop and works too hard in a dangerous job and is the only parent Nick has left.
This is a really sweet and powerful story that will make you laugh and cry and scream in frustration. Klune has an amazing ability to make characters who resonate and feel like you know them and want to go visiting...maybe move in. In Extraordinaries Klune shows with empathy and understanding how ADHD can affect you in many different ways. He shows how sometimes words are the weapons that leave the worst scars. Nick is a boy obsessed with being a superhero, and with a crush on one; but really, he is just terrified that he isn't good enough (and aren't we all?)
The love story was adorably obvious to everyone but Nick; and the humor and love of Nick's friends keep the reader laughing but grounded. Nick's friend group is the "quirky and queer" crowd and his friends are always supportive even when Nick goes off on a crazy tangent. Klune's sly dig at social media's spin and how definitions of "good and bad" are all about agenda and selling headlines is truly amazing and for me is the cherry on top of a truly delectable treat of a novel. Maybe it will make a few readers think about spin and viewpoint when reading a story, maybe not; but this is a truly amazing book regardless and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Everyone should read this book.
The Sun is Also a Star is another book they made a movie of, and again, haven't watched it. It also won a Printz Award.....but it is a good book nonetheless (sometimes I don't understand award criteria and dislike the books that win). This story takes place in a day as two people connect, sparks fly and then we see what happens. You will enjoy this book, it is really good.
Comments
Post a Comment