Book Recommendations (Must Reads)

This is a list of books that are appropriate for young adults and that are a must-read. Following the title of the book, is the author and a small description of the book. (NO SPOILERS)

1. The Goldfish Boy By Lisa Thompson

Matthew likes clean surfaces, staying in his bedroom and making notes about his neighbours. He hates germs, going outside and feeling like a disappointment to his mum and dad.

When a toddler next door goes missing, Matthew finds himself at the centre of the mystery. Every one of his neighbours is a suspect - and Matthew is the key to working out what happened, even as his own secrets start to unravel.

A story about finding friendship when you're lonely - and hope when all you feel is fear.

2. A Thousand Splendid Suns By Khaled Hosseini

Mariam is only fifteen when she is sent to Kabul to marry Rasheed. Nearly two decades later, a friendship grows between Mariam and Laila, as strong as the ties between mother and daughter. When the Taliban take over, life becomes a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear. Yet love can move a person to act in unexpected ways, and lead them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with a startling heroism.

3. One Of Us Is Lying By Karen M. McManu

Five students walk into detention. Only four walk out.

Yale hopeful Bronwyn has never publicly broken a rule. Sports star Cooper only knows what he's doing on the baseball diamond. Bad boy Nate is one misstep away from a criminal life. Prom queen Addy is holding together the cracks in her perfect life. And outsider Simon, creator of the notorious gossip app at Bayview High, won't ever talk about them ever again. He dies 24 hours before he could post their deepest secrets online. Investigators conclude it's no accident. All of them are suspects.

4. One Of Us Is Next By Karen M. McManu

Another year. Another drama. A whole set of rules...

Bayview High is just about recovered from gossip king Simon Kelleher a year ago. Now there is a new copycat in town who is not ready to forget him yet. A school-wide game of truth or dare is fun, right? But this game is lethal. Choosing the truth may reveal your darkest secrets, choosing the dare could be dangerous, even fatal. The teenagers for Bayview must work together once again to find the culprit, before it's too late...

5. Sisters By Raina Telegemeier

Raina can't wait to be a big sister. But once Amara is born, things aren't quite how she expected them to be. Amara is cute but she's also a cranky, grouchy baby, and mostly prefers to play by herself. Their relationship doesn't improve much during the years. But when a baby brother enters the picture, and later, when something doesn't seem right, between their parents, they realize they must figure out how to get along. They are sisters, after all.

Raina Telegmeir uses her signature Humor and charm to tell the story of her relationship with her little sister, which unfolds during the course of a road trip from their home in San Fransisco to a family union in Colorado. 

I hope you enjoyed this blog about some of my favourite books. I've enjoyed writing this. Please feel free to comment about other recommendations, I'd like to hear about them. Thanks for reading.