Friday Favorites

So I thought that today I would talk about some of my favorite books I've read this year. 2011 was really a fantastic YA year thus far, and there are tons of books I'm looking forward to in the fall. For now, I thought I'd share some of the books I think you have to read before summer is over.

Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz was amazing. It had all the best elements of writing packed into a book with a powerful punch. The characters still visit me in my dreams, and I find myself thinking of Chase and Camus often. When I see someone signing, I immediately picture Gideon's tiny, defiant hands communicating thoughts way beyond his years. Few books stay in my mind like this one did. "I want to tell her not to speak, want to say it, but her lips are on mine again and I taste me and I taste her and I don't taste what we're saying and I don't taste Noah. I taste Camus—I owe to such evenings the idea I have of innocence."

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma was a bizzarre story with so many twists and turns that you were delightfully tangled until you read the last words. The dynamic between the two sisters was perfect and they both shined. I often think of the town and the strange events that took place there. I think of the underwater city with people who refused to move on, even when their lives were in danger. Ruby's character not only enchanted the people within the story, I too find myself entranced and thinking of her words. Ruby was just a creature all her own with weird ideas and a supernatural charisma.  Nova Ren Suma is an author I will be keeping my eye on."...I sat there in the boat under her stars and her moon, gated on all sides by the mountains, watching the last bits of her breath float up and away."

Don't Stop Now by Julie Halpern is the third book of Julie's and the one I love the best. The character's in this story fell together with an effortless air about them. They bantered without a single forced comment. Lillian and Josh were just hilarious and fantastic, and I am a sucker for the whole road-trip/growing as a person metaphor. This was a great journey with an interesting destination and nobody's expectation were in the right places. I really thought this was the best road-trip book I've read. "I'm on my knees in the woodchips, trying to make sense of the Penny messages."

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Cathrynne M. Valente, has a title that leaves you winded and a story that leaves you breathless. This story was so much more fun then I could've imagined. September was just such an interesting girl and the whole of fairyland was not what I expected at all. At times it was downright frightening hearing of the odd things she encountered. The Wyvern she befriends is a good sort too and I enjoyed his knowledge of all things beginning with a letter from the first part of the alphabet."(It is well known that reading quickens the growth of a heart like nothing else.)"

And Then Things Fall Apart by Arlaina Tibensky is the ultimate book to reread, especially if you are feeling under the weather. Keek has chicken pox throughout the novel, and that makes her a little delirious, but come to fantastic conclusion about life. At least she doesn't have to worry about how sick her life makes her, when the chicken pox makes her scratch away. I loved listening to Keek rattle on about Sylvia Plath and her Bell Jar. This book will make you smile whether you are feeling a bit ill or just in need of a fantastic story. "Cute as a fucking button. Esther/Sylvia was as serious as a nuclear bomb."

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray is the bonus book this round, because it was completely hilarious. Seriously, everyone should read this book, unless you are easily offended. This book might offended you, but mostly only if you're a corporate schmuck or a certain dimwitted governor of a certain far away state. Regardless, this book had so many laugh out loud moments that you will not want to read this in public. "'What kind of person doesn't let you have gummi bears?'"