Literary YA

julie37619

I was reading an article on Book Riot about the arguments against adults reading YA fiction, and was particularly interested in the "YA fiction is simpler" cliche. Can NBC come up with a list of YA choices that are the equivalent of adult literary fiction? I'm interested in exploring the topic on my blog and want a good list, but I'm not as well-versed in YA as some of you.

mrsvedo

I'm taking the obvious choices because they're all I have to ring in with since the other ladies here are so much more well-versed and all my YA recs come from here.

TFiOS
Harry Potter (starting with 3 or 4)

jackiback

The Book Thief is the first that comes to mind. 

kaylynne

I don't understand why Code Name Verity is considered YA, so that might be a good one for this list.

I second TFiOS

sfgiantsjo

The Book Thief 

sfgiantsjo

The Perks of being a Wallflower

Young_Love

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

sfgiantsjo

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas

ewill7911

Well there are a lot that I can think of, most of the books I read are considered YA:

Divergent series

City of Bones series (mortal instruments series)

The Hunger Games series

Harry Potter series

The Hobbit

Twilight saga

Artemis Foul series

Eragon series (the inheritance series)

Fallen series

Starcrossed series

The Abarat Series

There are many, many more I can name since I usually read from the YA section. Some other series that might be considered YA or maybe children...

Guardians of Ga'Hoole

Warriors (by Erin Hunter)

Also look here for the top 100...

Personally the YA books I read when I was a YA were all age appropriate and were understandable, plus I was able to get into the books and actually read them. I have gone back and reread some Adult books I read in high school and can grasp a lot more now then I did when I originally read them. I see many of the YA books as being maybe the precursor of the same style book but in the Adult section. Such as Artemis Foul maybe being the precursor to a the Borne series, its a horrible analogy in the fact that AF has magic and is about a kid... ect, but I think thats the main difference- most YA fiction books are going to have a lot of fantasy aspects that the adult counterparts will not have. I think thats why I enjoy YA so much, I can be much more imaginative with those books. IDK if this helps at all... I may just be babbling at this point.

Lauren620

I think that A.S. King's books could be considered literary YA.  Please Ignore Vera Dietz and Everybody Sees the Ants are wonderfully written with powerful messages.

You would find a lot of great suggestions if you look up the Printz Award and Honor books too.

ETA:

Here is the list of Printz books:

http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/bookawards/printzaward/previouswinners/winners

Lauren620

Also, Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta.  

MrsJenE

I agree with The Book Thief and Jellicoe Road.

booknerd226

::takes notes::

NicoleAnne416

13 reasons why

EliStar

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Shine by Lauren Myracle

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

pinkybooklover09

All the ones that have been listed as well as  The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.

Slytherpuff

The Giver series.

Young_Love

Nova Ren Suma's books are literary - Imaginary Girls and 17 & Gone

shananagins

Between Shades of Grey

The His Dark Materials series

mdupon70997

All four books of The Giver quartet by Lois Lowry. I love this series so much. It's super thought provoking and really makes me want to know even more about the characters. And when the last book ends you don't feel like Lowry left you hanging. Really, I think they can be YA or Adult fiction. 

mdupon70997

I also really like the Hunger Games series.

SWOG31

I agree with The Book Thief and I am Messenger by Marcus Zusak

I would also add: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater and Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, and My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

 

NicoleAnne416

SWOG31 said:

I agree with The Book Thief and I am Messenger by Marcus Zusak

I would also add: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater and Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, and My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

 

Yes! Before I fall by Lauren Oliver.

cnthrdlywt2bwZ

Slytherpuff said:

The Giver series.

I was thinking of The Giver as well.