The Best YA Contemporary Reads of 2012
Two weeks ago, I started running down some of my favorite reads of the year.
If you missed my first post: my Favorite YA Historical Ficton and YA Paranormal Books of 2012 are here.
My favorite YA Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic and Fantasy books of 2012 are listed here.
Today, I’ll look at The Best Realistic/Contemporary YA Fiction of 2012.
And, of course, you’re encouraged to tell me what you think!
I love contemporary YA. I love the gritty issue books, the literary contemporaries, the fun romances, and the gripping rom-dramas. I tried to choose a good balance
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley (Knopf)
This is one of those happened-in-one-night stories — a night of art, poetry and magic!
My review of Graffiti moon is here.
Small Damages by Beth Kephart (Philomel)
This “girl in trouble” book is also a story about a teen who’s trying to find her place in the world. Steeped in Spanish history and culture, this book is beautifully written and researched.
This “girl in trouble” book is also a story about a teen who’s trying to find her place in the world. Steeped in Spanish history and culture, this book is beautifully written and researched.
Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols (Simon & Schuster)
With this book, I think Jennifer Echols has perfected the rom-dram.
With this book, I think Jennifer Echols has perfected the rom-dram.
Read my review of Such a Rush here.
If I Lie by Corrine Jackson (Simon Pulse)
I absolutely loved this story about secrets, loyalty and love.
Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally (Sourcebooks)
This crisis of faith story kept me absolutely riveted.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Dutton)
I don’t think John Green can write a book that’s anything but amazing, but this story about teens with cancer and its story-with-a-story about one girl’s desire to find out how her favorite book ends was one of my favorites. You can read my review of Fault in Our Stars here.
I don’t think John Green can write a book that’s anything but amazing, but this story about teens with cancer and its story-with-a-story about one girl’s desire to find out how her favorite book ends was one of my favorites. You can read my review of Fault in Our Stars here.
Speechless by Hannah Harrington (Harlequin)
Speechless is an issue book that is never preachy — check out my review of Speechless here.
Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith (Poppy/Little,Brown)
This sweet love-at-first sight romance will melt even the hardest heart. Read my review of Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight here.
Every Day by David Levithan (Knopf)
Original and gripping, Every Day is a touching story about the universality of love. Read my review of Every Day here.
Great list of books Jen! Some of these would make my list (TFIOS and Stealing Parker for sure) and the others I haven't yet read, but I own quite a few. Happy Friday!
I think Speechless was my favorite of these although I haven't read all of them yet. I really want to give The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight a read-I think that will be a hit with me.
GRAFFITI MOON was great. I loved all the art weaved through the story.
TFIOS is the only one I've read from up there. It's my favorite read of 2012. It was absolutely incredible.
Speechless is a great novel! Absolutely wonderful
I have only read Such a Rush and it was so good! I'm dying to read TFiOS and Graffiti Moon. I love contemporary reads, I'm in a kick right now, that's all I want to read and my first love was PNF stuff, depends on the mood I guess.
I ordered Graffiti Moon and The Faults in Our Stars. Hope they are as good as everyone's been saying. Speechless was so good,even better than Saving June. And you can never go wrong with Jennifer Echols' novel.
I LOVE The Fault in Our Stars. I think it was my overall fave of the year. The Statisitcal Probability of Love at First Sight was another contemp I love. Grafitti Moon was really cute. The rest on your list are on my TBR, waiting for me to get to them.
Some contemps I read this year and loved Dash and Lily, Playing Hurt, Slammed, Something Like Normal, and I am gonig to stop there because I realize there are a lot. LOL 🙂
I have such a rush but haven't read it yet! I really enjoyed If I lie though 🙂
Fab list 🙂
I've only read Such a Rush and actually just finished TSPoLaFS yesterday. Loved them both. I have TFiOS on my shelf, but I'm waiting until I'm in the mood for a good cry. 😛 I seriously only just got into contemps this year, and I've loved every one I've read, I think…especially those Stephanie Perkins books. 🙂 Something Like Normal was fun, too…love a guy's POV. A couple of other favorites were Meant to Be and My Life Next Door. But I'm steadily adding to that list. 😀
You should check out 'Knee Deep' by Jolene Perry, I really liked thta one too 🙂
Can you believe I have not read any of these? I've heard a lot of great things about Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, but just never got around to it. I need to get into contemporary YA. lol
Love your choices! All the books are already on my tbr pile, but I've read only Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight yet.
I've been reading a LOT of contemporary books lately and they were amazing! Like Easy by Tammara Webber (*swoon*), Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry, Slammed and Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover and a lot lot others!
i still haven't gotten catching jordan so stealing parker is on my list but lower
Christina K. in the rafflecopter
I absolutely love a lot of what you listed – Echols, Kenneally, Harrington, Levithan – they're awesome:)
I'd add My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick because the characters were amazing.
Also Something Like Normal Trish Doller because of the voice and emotion:) Both have awesome romance!!
The Fault in Our Stars sounds good, but The Darkest Mind is still the book on my wishlist.
another set of books I myself have not got around to reading 🙂 but have heard good things about all of them!
I loved TSPoLAFS!! I have Speechless and still need to read it. I also recently read Derailed by Alyssa Rose Ivy and loved that book! Flawed by Kate Avelynn is a hard book to read, but is one of my favorites too. Oh and Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein. I will stop now lol!!
TFioS wasn't my favorite book ever, but I definitely cried and cried like a little baby.
I really, really, really want to read If I Lie and Graffiti Moon.
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Bekka
Pretty Deadly Reviews
I've only read a few of these, and the ones that I have read are fantastic! Plus every book you've listed I've heard great things about. I have TFIOS, but I've been waiting for a rainy day…. because it just seems like that kind of book. And my favorite contemps have got to be Stephanie Perkins novels… have you read any of them?
Awesome list you've got there. My favorite was the fault in our stars. I borrowed it from a friend and the book was beautiful. I don't usually cry, but this one made me!
I don't read a whole lot of contemporaries. But I've heard the Fault in Our Stars is a really good book,so I might look into that. 🙂
I'm not usually a big contemporary reader, but The Fault in our Stars was AMAZING. I'll definitely be looking into some of these other ones, if they're even half as good 🙂
Well, thanks to your article I can see I don't read many contemporary novels since I haven't read any of the ones you presented. I promise I will do better next year!
If I Lie was absolutely amazing!
Good choices! I didn't read all of the ones you listed, but these are awesome books. I loved The faoult in our stars and If I lie
Contemp is not one of my favorite genres, but this is a great list for the year. I would add 'Pushing the Limits' by Katie McGarry (sp?). Thanks for the suggestions!
I love contemporary romances. I agree that Stealing Parker was good, but I think Catching Jordan was better. I have been wanting to read Such a Rush, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Statistical Probability of Love. Some I'm my favorite contemporaries that you didn't mention are Fate by Elizabeth Moreno, slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover, Easy by Tammara Webber, Pushing The Limits by Katie McGary, Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
I haven't read any of these. I'm not a big reader of contemporary reads, but I've been meaning to read The Fault in Our Stars and Such a Rush. Thanks for the giveaway.
What a great list! I loved Graffiti Moon and Statistical Probability.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Such a Rush sounds awesome.
There just isn't enough time in the day, month or year to read all the book I want to read. I used to read nothing but series but have started reading more and more stand alone novels and you have mentioned so many that I want to read and a few I have on my shelf for a weekend that I have no plans and can sit and devour them properly!
A couple of my favorites were My Life Next Door, Pushing The Limits and Easy.
I LOVED The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. The swoon factor was high, the characters were relatable, and it was beautifully written. The others are ALL on my TBR list on Goodreads. Can't wait to read Such a Rush. I loved Going Too Far and can't wait to read more by Jennifer Echols.
I don't read that many contemporary books. But this year I did read: Pushing the Limits. And Lola and the Boy Next Door. Both were amazing.
While Such a Rush was good (thank you btw >.<), the tone of the story was a bit too down or depressing for me…not sure why since I like Going Under by Georgia Cates or Pushing the Limits by Katy McGary…maybe I wasn't satisfied by it's closure (tho the piloting in a prom dress was epic!). Tiffany King's Wishing for Someday Soon or Forever Changed could be added ^.^
Great list! The Fault in Our Stars, Statistical Probability & Every Day would definitely be on my list of favorites too! I also loved Pushing the Limits, Easy (mature YA), Slammed, Point of Retreat, & Something Like Normal 🙂 I could definitely include some more with the indie authors I read though too!
Great list of books and all on my wishlist!!! I'm pretty sure I've said that on these last three posts lol Truth be told, I'm very jealous and need to rush out grab all of these! 🙂 I did just get my hands on Every Day and can't wait to dig in. I haven't read too many YA Contemps this year, but I really enjoyed Slammed!!!
Jolene A
I have only read The Statistical Probablity of Love at Frist Sight out of all of these. It's the book I won from you the first time I visited your blog via a blog hop – so happy I found you! I definitely have some reading to do. I can't believe I haven't read The Fault in Our Stars since everyone has loved it. It is top on my list to read.
Great list! I haven't read any of them but many are on my goodreads TBR list. I feel most drawn towards Jennifer Echols' book 🙂
Some of my favorites this year were Notes From The Blender, Pushing The Limits, and Crash.
I still need to read Speechless. Can't wait to do that. I loved Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard. Graffiti Moon was SO good too!
I've read Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, Speechless, and Graffiti Moon. I own If I Lie, but I haven't read it yet. Such a Rush and Small Damages sound really good.
SUCH A RUSH!! YES. And I'm dying for If I Lie!!! 😀
As for Every Day…meh for me. Didn't enjoy it.
Totally agree with you! I read and loved TFIOS, Graffiti Moon, and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. I'm about to read Such and Rush and am sure it'll be awesome too. And I have Stealing Parker, If I Lie, and Every Day on my TBR list.
I also LOVED Slammed (seriously loved!), Pushing the Limits, Wanderlove, My Life Next Door, Bittersweet, The Story of Us and Something Like Normal–I'd recommend any of those books 🙂
I have to read most of those, but The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight was a very good book. The rest I really want to read.
And one of my ultimate favorite contemporay novels is Catching Jordan, prequel to Stealing Parker. LOVE IT!
I am ashamed to admit that I haven't read any of these books. I barely read contemporary, so yeah, I should do something about that! :p But Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight looks interesting and fun. I think I'll try that out!
I had no love for contemporary novels in the past so it was shocking when the genre became my favourite to read this year. The Fault in Our Stars is one of my favourite books and I've got If I Lie on my wishlist. I can't wait to read Every Day, I've been resisting for so long due to exams but now that it's finished I can finally immerse myself in it.
My favourite contemporary novels this year were Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard, Know Not Why by Hannah Johnson, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. I loved the setting in Wanderlove, the characters in Know Not Why were awesome and the romance was too cute. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a fantastic coming of age, I adored the characters, writing and romance.
Love your choices! Such a rush has a great cover!
So many of these books are awesome! Speechless and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight were favorites of mine this year. And I'm dying to read Such a Rush. Jennifer Echols is one of my favorite contemporary authors!
Jesse @ Pretty in Fiction
Amazing and Great list Jen! Speechless was really good, just started The Fault in Our Stars, and Graffiti Moon comes out in Paperback soon so I hope to read it ASAP! Plus I love the covers for all of them! Every day by David Leviathan!!
Happy Reading Jen!
Out of the list above I've only read Stealing Parker. While I enjoyed it it didn't quite make it to my "loved" list. All the rest of them are already on my tbr list. 🙂
I'm usually not a contemporary reader so I don't have any to recommend…except Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (but I don't think that's YA o__o)
I haven't read any of these yet! I've heard great things about Every Day and The Fault in Our Stars. I'm not a huge fan of contemporary though.
the speechless cover is so bare… which makes it kind of intriguing.
I've only read Speechless, but I loved it. I felt like I was with Chelsea throughout the whole book. It was a great read! I also have Graffiti Moon but haven't had the chance to read it yet. It sounds really amazing though!
Thanks for the chance and good luck everyone!!!
Such A Rush blew me away and I was completely not expecting it. Same for Graffiti Moon, even with all of the great reviews. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight was the cutest book ever! I have not read the rest of them yet. Speechless and Stealing Parker are on the list. Fault in Our Stars as well, but I have to be in the right kind of mood for it. I will definitely have to check out the rest.
I feel really sad saying I haven't read any of theses yet. I'm really excited to read Such a Rush, Small Damages, and Everyday. I'm also excited to start The Fault In Our Stars but I'm scared because it makes everyone cry! I've heard amazing things though.
I LOVED The fault in our stars, I think it's one of my favorites books ever. I read The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and I like it a lot.
Yay, been waiting for this post! I love contemporary, it's my fav. genre! I absolutely loved TFiOS, it made me feel all the feels and was just so beautifully written. 🙂
In October the Circulation Staff was allowed to do a display at the library of our top picks and I actually chose Graffiti Moon as one of my YA options. That books was pure poetry to read, just such a beautiful book and I could not recommend it more. The Fault In Our Stars I loved also, for different reasons and I listened to as an audiobook. The narrator captured Hazel's constant breathlessness perfectly, almost to the point that it was difficult to listen to her talk. i spent many a day crying in my car to that one.
The Fault in Our Stars was hands down one of my favourite comtemps of the year! I still have to read Stealing Parker, which will hopefully be soon! All these books look fabulous!
I don't usually read contemporary romances, but I'd like to read Such a Rush.
I loved both The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and Every Day. I also loved Something Like Normal and Pushing the Limits. I wasn't a huge fan of The Fault in our Stars (gasp! I know!) or Stealing Parker. I think I loved Catching Jordan so much and just didn't connect as much with Parker. Otherwise, I have a lot of books left to read!
I loved all of the books on this list that I have actually read – still have yet to read anything by Hannah Harrington or Miranda Kenneally. I know that Heather likes both those authors as well, so I need to fix that soon. The other one I want to read is Every Day. But the rest are also some of my favorites from this year! Great choices.
I really want to read The fault in our stars! And the probability… and Ever day sound great as well 🙂
Totally agree with Stealing Parker and Such a Rush!
I would also add Pushing the Limits!
Thanks,
Leanne
This is a great list. I loved Stealing Parker!
I completely cried over The fault in our stars. The book was so close to me, I had my Gus, and it left me hearbroken all over again
Awesome list, although, I haven't read much of them (I know! It's horrible). I've glimpsed on Fault in our stars and it was pretty eye-catching. Perks of being a Wallflower is good too. Though it makes me think of some of the things in there.
Great giveaway and thanks! 🙂
I'm glad you included THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. A great list.
I just can't wait to get my copy of The Fault In Our Stars. I keep reading great things about it 🙂
Well one of my favorite(and perhaps only) favorite contemporary read this year would be Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. So far I haven't read so many books in this genre 🙂
I love CONTEMPORARY! I really do, I've heard of If I Lie for a while and I really do want to read it. And I have a copy of Stealing Parker and Catching Jordan which I have yet to read.
Ah, you know contemp. is my fave genre these days, Jen! Yes to Graffiti Moon, Speechless, Stealing Parker, TFiOS, and of course, Small Damages! I would also add Wanderlove, and The Sky is Everywhere (even though it didn't release this year), Something Like Normal, Out of the Easy, Things I Can't Forget, and Just One Day (even though those last three are not out until next year!)
I found a copy of The Fault in our Stars by John Green at this little used book store of mine and purchased it. Can't wait to read it!
Of all the books you mentioned, I have only read Graffiti Moon which was a great book. I don't read a lot of contemporary books.
I thought I missed this post! You listed most of my fav contemporaries! Loved Graffiti Moon, Such A Rush, Stealing Parker, Speechless, Statistical Probability, and Every Day!
Graffiti Moon and Every Day have been on my TBR list forever. And I completely agree – The Fault in Our Stars was one o f the best contemporaries I've ever read and one of the most beautiful books I read this year. I can't wait to see what John Green comes up with next. Thanks for the giveaway!
The Fault in our Stars is a beautiful book!
There are so many books on this list that make me react strongly that I don't even know where to begin. I LOVED TFIOS. I think I'm going to actually have to read Catching Jordan and Stealing Parking. I'm dying to read Such A Rush.