Top Ten Tuesday is back and this week's theme is recommendations. There are so many cool and creative ways you can go with this topic but I just want to take the opportunity to gush about some of my favourite contemporary books. It's probably not much of a surprise that YA contemporary, and more specifically contemporary romance, is my favourite genre, so of course I want to talk about it. So here are my ten recommendations for contemporary lovers.
1. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
This is one of my all time favourite books so I had to include it in this list. Isla has had a crush on Josh, a fellow student at her boarding school in Paris, for years and a chance encounter over the summer brings them together. It's cute, relatable and great fun to read.
2. On The Fence by Kasie West
To be honest, I could really include any Kasie West book in this list. Charlie is 'one of the guys' but discovers the world of a 'girly girl', starts living a double life and has late night chats with the boy next door to help her through it all. This is another cute story but with some much more serious underlying topics, a great family dynamic and an adorable love interest.
3. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Emily is left a summer bucket list by her best friend to help her become her own person. This is such a fun, summery book that will make you want to get out and enjoy summer, and also has a cute romance thrown in.
4. Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry
Two very different high school students are brought together and, despite having nothing in common but lots of baggage and a complicated background, find themselves unable to stay away from each other. This isn't your light and fluffy contemporary, there are some pretty deep topics covered, but there is still a great romance mixed in.
5. Paper Towns by John Green
This is probably my favourite John Green book I have read so far. It follows Q as he searches for his long time crush Margo when she disappears after they spend the night getting revenge on those who have wronged her. This is less focused on romance then the others, although there is some, and more about the adventure of searching for Margo.
6. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
There isn't much I can say about this other than it is the sequel to If I Stay. In my opinion, it is much better than the first book despite it being so popular. If you weren't a fan of the first book so didn't pick up the sequel, I would definitely recommend you give it a go.
7. Ignite by Lily Paradis
This is more NA than YA but I wanted to include it. This is the story of Lauren who becomes the guardian of her three step-siblings following her stepmother's death and finds help in the very attractive neighbour Dean. This is another one of my favourite books and deserves so much more love.
8. I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre
Again this is more NA and is the first in a companion trilogy. The first book follows Nadia who is completely focused on school and work until she meets her new neighbour, single father Ty, and a connection forms. This is another one that deserves more love. It was really adorable and I loved the romance.
9. The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares
Four friends spend their first summer apart but stay connected through a pair of jeans that somehow fit all of them perfectly. I read this because I loved the movies but the book is definitely just as good. It's another book that is perfect for summer and more about friendship than romance.
10. If I Lie by Corrine Jackson
This is definitely less light and fluffy than the others I have mentioned. It follows Quinn who has been shunned by her town for cheating on her boyfriend while he is serving in Afghanistan. However, everything isn't as it seems but clearing her name would involve sharing her boyfriend's secret, her boyfriend who has just gone MIA. This is an emotional read that will rip your heart out but it is completely worth it.
What are your favourite contemporaries? I would love some of your recommendations.
Sophie :)
I loved ISLA!! And Pushing the Limits (although, I really didn't love the rest of that series, which was disappointing). Cool list-- I read a lot of YA Contemporary, but not a lot of Romance. I'll keep the rest of these in mind for when I'm in that mood!
ReplyDeleteI haven't continued with the Pushing The Limits series yet but that's interesting you didn't like the rest as much, I'll lower my expectations a little bit for when I do pick them up.
DeleteI really liked Paper Towns too! Great picks! :)
ReplyDeleteCheck out my TTT and my current giveaway
Thanks, Paper Towns is great!
DeleteI've only read a couple of these, but I should get more into contemporary.
ReplyDeleteContemporary isn't for everyone but I love it. I hope you find some contemporary you love too.
DeleteInteresting list! The only one I’ve read is Paper Towns, and I loved it. I can’t wait for John Green’s new book.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Paper Towns is great, I really need to read some more of John Green's books. Hopefully I can get to some more of them before his new book comes out.
DeleteYou're like the first person I know of to like the sequel of If I Stay more than the first book :D Good list, have to add some of these on my TBR :)
ReplyDeleteI know there are not really many of us who preferred the sequel, I have seen quite a few people who really didn't like it. It seems to be a bit of a love it or hate it book but I loved it.
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