Young at Heart

This week we take a look at some amazing young adult books that I read in 2022.

One of my favourite genres to read is Young Adult Fiction. This may be a very underrated genre – and some of the books you will find in this category are bound to surprise you with just how good they are. If you haven’t read a novel in a while, or are worried about picking up a book that is too wordy or requires too much concentration (but don’t want to read a romance!), finding an amazing young adult read is bound to get you back on the reading train. If you like more fantasy, try Harry Potter by JK Rowling. We have a big Harry Potter fan in this house (Mr 6) and he has been listening to the audio books before he goes to sleep at night.  

If you want something heart warming, try Wonder by R J Palacio. If you want something that does have some romance, and amazing character development, try anything by John Green (The Fault in Our Stars, Looking For Alaska, and Paper Towns to name a few). I also really rate the Hunger Games series.

(As I write this, I have just finished an amazing young adult book As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoufa Katouh - add this one to your list. 5/5 from me!)

The books I am looking at a bit more closely this week are all books that I read in 2022, so As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow will be reviewed another day!

First up, is All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir. This is a 5/5 from me, and a 4.56 from Good Reads readers – which is a really high rating! This book is set in the past in Pakistan as well as in the present day US. When the book is in “the past” it follows the story of Misbah and Toufiq who are newly married in an arranged marriage. They come to the United States hoping for a fresh start and open a motel.

In “the present”, we follow the story of Salahudin and Noor who are more than best friends – they are like family. They are growing up in the US. Sal is scrambling to save his family motel, and take care of his sick mother. Noor is trying to escape her Uncle and get to college. I won’t go into too much detail of the plot as I don’t want to give it away, but this book took me on such an emotional journey. Through grief, love, loss, teenage struggles, forgiveness. This book really is a beautiful roller coaster. I really fell in love with these characters, and found myself in their corner, rooting for them. I wanted them both to succeed.

This book does cover some pretty heavy topics, so if you are going to give this to a young adult, please do have a look into the trigger warnings first. When I read it, I did question the “young adult” categorisation of this. I think this is firmly a book for adults but what do I know?

It is so beautifully written. This one will stay with me for awhile. I must hunt out others by Tahir.

Next up this week we have A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. I would liken this book to a true crime podcast in book form, and it feels like this one is much more firmly in the young adult category. I could not put this down. This book is a captivating murder mystery novel that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

The story is set in a small town in England, and follows high school senior Pippa who is conducting an independent investigation into the disappearance and presumed murder of a local girl named Andie Bell. Andie's boyfriend, Sal Singh, was suspected of her murder, but committed suicide before he could be brought to trial. However, Pippa believes that there is more to the story and decides to take matters into her own hands by conducting interviews and collecting evidence in order to prove Sal's innocence and find the real killer.

The plot is intricately crafted, with numerous twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. I kept thinking I knew what was going to happen, and then there would be another twist! The writing is engaging and the characters are well-developed, particularly Pippa, who is a smart, determined and relatable protagonist.

One of the standout elements of the book is the format. The novel is presented as Pippa's school project, complete with footnotes, transcripts, and other documents that Pippa uses to present her findings. This unique format adds an extra layer of intrigue and makes the story feel more immersive.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is a must-read for fans of mystery and thriller genres. It is a well-written and engaging debut novel. This book is actually the first in a series. I generally struggle with books that form a series – I like my books to start and end in one cover! I haven’t read any of the others in the series, but writing this review makes me want to experience the joy of this book again!

Finally this week, and perhaps a more controversial recommendation is They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera. Reading other reviews of this online, people either love it or hate it. This one is 5 stars from me!  This book is a thought-provoking young adult novel that explores the themes of mortality, friendship, and love.

The story is set in a future world where people receive a call on the day that they are going to die. The story follows the lives of two teenage boys, Mateo and Rufus, who both receive their call on the same day. The two boys, who are strangers to each other, decide to spend their last day together, and in doing so, they form a deep and meaningful bond.

The plot is both heart-warming and heart-wrenching. It is a beautifully crafted story that will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately, reflect on the meaning of life. The characters are well-developed and relatable, as they both struggle with personal issues as they face the end of their lives.

One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of the various ways in which people cope with mortality. The novel offers a unique perspective on death and dying, and it is sure to provoke deep and meaningful discussions about life and what it means to live it to the fullest.

The writing is lyrical and emotive, and the author's style is both accessible and engaging. The novel is a quick read – I finished this in a day. It is also a powerful one that will stay with you long after you finish it. I would love to be in a classroom full of enthusiastic young book readers to discuss this book. If there are any teachers out there who have this in their curriculum, let me know!

Interestingly, this book is also part of a series. I must track down book two and see if I love that one as much. And a hot tip for library goers in Hamilton (New Zealand) – young adult books are free to reserve. I am generally not someone who browses the library and walks away with something random. I use the reserve system regularly and it is even better when it is free!

Are you a fan of young adult books? I would love to know some of your favourites so I can add them to my list, because life is too short to read bad books!