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Top five young adult books for your reading list
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Full of vibrant colors, a spectrum of emotions and a history of strange and new things, "The Giver" is a must-read about finding oneself. (Shutterstock/File)
E
veryone loves to read a good book once in a while. Welcoming the month of May with National Book Day falling on the 17th, curling up on the sofa and reading a book seems like a cozy prospect.
Why not pick up a young adult book? Common misconceptions can result from many thinking that this kind of book is a mixture of sappy romance, puppy love and fantasy. But not all of them are like that.
Here is a list of good young adult books that are enjoyable for various readers of all ages.
The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
This book depicts the story of Liesel, a young German orphan growing up in World War Two. She was put into the care of Hans and Rosa Herbermann. While at first cautious, Liesel quickly adjusted to life in the quiet little German neighborhood.
In a childhood blur of playing with her best friend Rudy next door and watching Hans play his accordion, Liesel also found pleasure in reading books. As her foster family was poor and could not afford to frequently buy her books, Liesel would steal some of them. Eventually, she earned the name "The Book Thief". As World War Two reached its peak, Liesel’s family began to shelter a Jew. A heartwarming story, The Book Thief is all about family, friendship, innocence and the coming of age.
The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
In a dystopian world where everything is perfect, the same and chosen for you, Jonah is set on a strange path. He is given the task of being the next Receiver of Memory. With the Giver as his mentor, he learns that the real world isn’t just gray and flat. It’s full of vibrant colors, a spectrum of emotions and a history of strange and new things. Among beautiful books about finding oneself, "The Giver" is a must-read.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs
Equipped with creepy vintage photos, this book is an epic fantasy novel about Jacob’s adventure to find out what his grandfather’s last words meant. Stumbling into a world filled with "Peculiar" children, ymbrynes (a class of female ‘Peculiars’ who can shapeshift into birds) and time loops, Jacob is astounded to find out that he’s one of them.
He’s torn between staying with his newfound friends and going back to living a normal life with his parents. But his happiness didn’t last very long as the someone or something that killed his grandfather followed him and would catch them soon.
A thrilling, fast-paced book, it was well-received and loved in the community of young adult book lovers.
The Catcher in the Rye
Author: JD Salinger
A classic. A total classic. It is definitely a must read if you haven’t. It’s hard not to fall in love with Holger, the angsty boy who found himself expelled from school and ended up wandering the streets in New York for several nights. It’s a type of book that you read three times in your life: when you’re in your preteens, when you’re a teenager and when you are in your thirties. You will realize that your opinion about the book changes as time goes on.
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Read also: 10 notable novels for your holiday reading list
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J Maas
A new raging young adult book, this is the first edition of a trilogy. It is a twisted fantasy version of beauty and the beast, depicting the story of a 19-year-old huntress who was captured by a fairy for killing a wolf in the woods.
Similar to the classic beauty and the beast tale, the huntress' feelings for her captor become full of passion. This book is said to be much loved by teenagers and young adults, and Sarah J. Maas was awarded a Number One New York Times Bestselling Author. (ely/mut)
