Twisted

by Laurie Halse Anderson
Tyler used to be a nobody, then he decided to spray paint graffiti at school. Now he is the guy who got arrested and whose probation job make him go from scrawny to fit. Even better his secret crush Bethany is noticing him, so what if she is the daughter of his dad’s boss and twin sister of his arch enemy. Life is looking good for Tyler till one event after another starts causing him trouble and makes him question where he stands at home, school, and in the world.
Like Anderson’s Speak, this story deals with some tough stuff .The character of Tyler can be relatable to anybody who has ever felt out of place and has dealt with tough times similar to what he goes through.

Tempest

by Julie Cross
Nineteen year old Jackson has the ability to jump through time. It’s not that exciting though, he can’t change the past or see the future as he can’t actually go more than hours into the past. When strangers burst into his girlfriend’s dorm room one day, in his present year 2009, Jackson suddenly finds himself jumping back further than he ever has before, to the year 2007. Despite multiple tries he can‘t seem to jump back to 2009. After learning that the Jackson in 2007 has disappeared, 2009 Jackson takes over his 2007 identity to figure out what exactly is going on and how he can get home.
While the cover makes it seem like a girly paranormal romance, it isn’t. There is the romance between Jackson and Holly (his 2009 girlfriend) but there are also elements of science fiction, action, adventure and family drama/relationships. The time jumping is easy to follow as the date and time are posted on top of the page whenever it changes. Jackson and Holly are also both great characters that any reader may love.
While the story can be read as a stand alone, it is followed by Vortex, and Timestorm.

Hush, Hush

by Becca Fitzpatrick

There is something about her new and mysterious lab partner, Patch, that Nora does not like. As she gets to know him, she finds herself drawn to him despite warnings from others to stay away. Will learning his secrets make her stay away or only draw her closer to him?
For fans of Paranormal Romance, if looking for one that isn’t about Vampires and/or Werewolves. I had never heard of this book until I found it in my textbook for my YA Lit class and read it because it seemed interesting and my library had it. This book turned out to be so much more than a something I had to read for school that was actually good. I found the whole story interesting. While some aspects were predictable, there was enough to keep me guessing. I was worried Nora would be annoying but I was wrong. As for Patch, well, let’s just say, I found a new paranormal boyfriend.
There are three books that follow this title, Crescendo, Silence and Finale, but you could also read this on its own.

The Color of Silence

By Liane Shaw

Two girls, one who won’t talk and one who can’t.  After an accident claimed the life of her best friend, Alex only talks when she absolutely has to, but if it was up to her she would never talk at all. She refuses to go to school, has given up on singing, and just wants to hide in her room all day. Joanie has always just watched the world go on around her. There is so much that goes on in her mind that she would love to share with others, but she has no way of doing so. When these two girls worlds collide, they may find they are just what the other needs.

Told in alternating first person narratives with each girl’s narrative having a different text font to help make it easier to follow. 

The character of Alex though similar to characters in other books (such as Melinda of Speak refusing to talk after a traumatic incident), her story of loss, and grieving is still an interesting one. Joanie is different as her narrative is all in her head but what she has to say is still interesting. 

Anthem for Jackson Dawes

By Celia Bryce

Thirteen year old Megan is annoyed at having to be treated for cancer in the pediatric unit. The only other teen there is sixteen year old Jackson, who has been there for ages. As Megan’s friends from school distance themselves from her as they fear her illness, Megan be-comes closer to those at the hospital, especially Jackson, whose comfort may be just what she needs.
If you loved The Fault in Our Stars by John Green then you should give this a try. I’m not saying it’s better than TFIOS but it’s a good similar read. The book takes place in England so some of the language is a bit different. 

Be More Chill

By Ned Vizzini


School nerd Jeremy in a need of a confidence boost. Being a loser, he has zero hope in getting Christine, the girl of his dreams. In order to help him he purchases a squib, a pill sized super computer that tells you how to act. What happens when Jeremy gets his squib? You’ll have to read to find out.
In addition to being a great read for anybody who enjoys Science Fiction, it’s even great for those who don’t. The story is about a boy in modern times wanting to be popular, that a squib helps him is what makes the story science fiction. Readers may relate to Jeremy and wonder if they would want a squib of their very own.

The Duff

by Kody Keplinger

Bianca doesn’t think she is as pretty as her two best friends but it still hurts when Wesley agrees by calling her the duff (designated ugly fat friend). She also hates that he won’t leave her alone, as he hopes if he is nice to the duff, one of her hot friends will sleep with him. However, hoping he will distract her from her troubles at home, Bianca kisses Wesley, and discovers kissing him isn‘t so bad. When she finds herself paired with Wesley for a school assignment, the two become enemies-with-benefits as a way for Bianca to distract herself from her troubles. However, things don’t go exactly as planned as she gets to know him.
The first time I read this, the plan was to read for about a half hour then go to bed but that didn’t happen. I kept reading till the book was over and was so disappointed when it was. The second time I read it, I was able to put it down and go to sleep but I was still disappointed when it was over. I also still loved it. 
If you love fan fiction you would probably enjoy this, as well as Keplinger’s second and third novels Shut Out and A Midsummer’s Nightmare, as I noticed some similarities between these novels and some of the Harry Style’s fan fiction I’ve read, though the writing it much better. 

Pushing the Limits

By Katie McGarry

Echo went from being one of the popular girls to the freak who is gossiped about. Noah is the school’s bad boy who Echo is asked to tutor.  These two are opposites in so many ways, but maybe they are just what the other needs.
The story is told in alternating first person narratives between Echo and Noah. While the novel contains romance, it is much more than a love story. The main focus of the story is the characters and the issues they are dealing with. Not all of what Echo and Noah went through is stated out right allowing for the reader to try to figure out what exactly their issues are which helps keep the story interesting. 
Recommended for older readers.

ZOMBIE BLONDES by Brian James

Hannah is used to be the new girl at school and can tell who the popular kids are quickly. At her new school in Maplecrest, the popular crowd appear to be the average cheerleader and jock type. However there is something different about this popular cheer crowd. They're all pretty, blonde, and kind of look alike, not to mention all their names start with "M" and they are all DEAD! Is being popular worth being turned it a Zombie? Find out what Hannah decides.

While the book is about Zombies, it's not really gross and gory but it's not a girly girl book either.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

When the large and loud Garrett family moved in next door to Samantha Reed and her family, her mother told her she wasn't to associate with them. Samantha followed this rule till one summer when Jase Garret joins her on the balcony she always watches his family on and it changes everything. Samantha finds herself getting involved with the Garret family and falling in love with Jase, all the while keeping it a secret from her mother.There's more to this love story as something unthinkable happens that can change everything between Samantha and not only Jase but all the Garretts.

This is a sweet story about a girl's first love with the boy next door with some drama mixed in. Samantha and is great character and girls can find someway to relate to her. Girls may even wish that Jase was the boy next door they could fall in love with. 

For readers who enjoy forbidden love or just a good love story. Also for readers who enjoy Sarah Dessen and Deb Caletti. 

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen.

     Emaline loves her life in the beach town of Colby and loves her perfect boyfriend, Luke. In the summer before college, she meets Theo, who, like her father, believes Emaline is destined for bigger things than staying in Colby. Between balancing her job in the family business, her romance troubles, and family drama, Emaline must decide what life she wants. 

She is an interesting character, and this is about a teen girl coming of age. It's a must read for anyone who like's Sarah Dessen's other books. The Moon and More is a great summer read- you won't be able to put it down!