This week’s So You Want to Read YA? post comes to us from author Brandy Colbert.

Brandy Colbert grew up in the Missouri Ozarks, holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, and has worked as an editor for several national magazines. She lives and writes in Los Angeles. Her first novel, Pointe, is forthcoming from G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers/Penguin in April 2014. You can find her at brandycolbert.wordpress.com or hanging out on Twitter @brandycolbert.

I love recommending books to people, whether they’re avid readers or haven’t picked up a novel in months. And even better when I’m introducing someone to YA. Young adult novels have changed a lot since I was a teenager, and for the better. They’re much more prevalent, and YA covers such a wide range of topics that there’s truly something out there for everyone. Yup. Even for the snobbiest of book snobs. My list of favorite YA novels is constantly growing, but here are some of my top picks to get you started:

Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick is a book I think about often. The protagonist, Holly, starts out making incredibly poor choices from the first page, and yet I found her a multi-layered, sympathetic character from beginning to end. Strasnick’s writing is quietly edgy, and she’s a master of providing depth and emotion in her lovely, oh-so-spare prose.

I was irrationally nervous about This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers before I’d even picked it up. I’m a huge fan of Summers’ books, but zombies? No. And then this book made me care. The situation is bleak: The zombie apocalypse has arrived and we’re thrown into the story of six teens trapped in their high school while the undead rage and tear apart their town. But this is one of the most remarkable character studies I’ve ever read—which made me completely forget I wasn’t interested in zombies after the first chapter.

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott is majorly tough to get through, despite the fact that it’s less than 200 pages. Scott went there. She wrote a novel from the perspective of an abducted child that leaves no questions about the horrors of such a life. It’s stark and disturbing and the kind of book that will make you set it down mid-scene to get a grip. Alice’s story is impossible to shake, but I think that’s what is so brilliant about this book. Through Alice, Scott deftly reminds us to watch, to care, to never look away from a situation that doesn’t seem right just because it’s easier to ignore.

In Hold Still by Nina LaCour, Caitlin’s pain is palpable as she tries to make sense of why her best friend committed suicide. But this book is also hopeful and rewarding, as we see Caitlin heal and learn to trust again. This is a quiet novel that deeply explores grief, love, and forgiveness with beautifully nuanced writing.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson uses lyrical, unconventional prose to tell a story that’s unlike any other book I’ve read about anorexia. What I find most engaging is that Anderson truly digs into Lia’s soul, and we’re drawn into her mental illness with no reprieve—which is exactly the type of terrifying, uncomfortable, and heartbreaking experience I love as a reader.

I haven’t stopped talking about Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King since I put it down two years ago. It’s everything I look for in a story: Vera has a fantastic voice, and her world is serious and funny and painful and weird (there’s a talking pagoda—which somehow works?). This book is real and raw and uncomfortable and so very special.

This week’s post comes from librarian and blogger Sarah “Greenbean” Thompson!

Sarah Bean Thompson is a Youth Services Manager and loves being a librarian. She served on the 2013 Printz Committee and blogs at www.greenbeanteenqueen.com. When she’s not reading she enjoys playing board games.

Kelly asked me to write a post about reading YA and I jumped at the chance. As a librarian, there’s nothing I love more than talking about books. But can I admit something? When I was a teen, even though I was an avid reader and loved going to the library and getting books, I had a hard time finding books I wanted to read. Plus, add in the fact that I was told over and over again in school that I could read at a higher than grade level reading level and I was convinced I had to be reading adult lit, which I hated. I could never find what I wanted. And I really wanted to be reading romance. I think that’s one reason why I love YA today-they are publishing the books I wanted to read as a teen. 

So you’re wanting to read YA Romance? Here’s what I suggest:

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

This is the book I wanted to read as a teen. Fantasy, strong female character who kicks butt and is generally awesome, and Po who shares in great witty banter with our protagonist and can hold his own against strong Katsa. Katsa doesn’t need to be with Po but she chooses to be and that makes her even more awesome.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If If I Stay doesn’t break your heart and put it back together again, you must be made of stone. This is the story of Mia, her family, and her relationship with her boyfriend Adam. It’s beautiful, romantic and gorgeously written and the sequel is the sequel you didn’t know you needed but always wanted.

The Luxe Series by Anna Godbersen

Before Downton Abbey took over the swooning over historicals world, there was The Luxe, a gossipy, soapy, historical series that is the perfect romantic guilty pleasure. It’s tons of fun with lots of pretty dresses, pretty boys, and lots of drama.

Sean Griswold’s Head by Lindsey Leavitt

This is a book I want to give to girls who think love happens at first sight and it’s all swoony and paranormaly. I love, love, love Payton and Sean and how they grow from random classmates to friends to something more. It’s realistic and I appreciated that it’s not just about the romance but about Payton dealing with difficult family issues as well. It also has one of the cutest flirting scenes ever.

Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Road trips and romance? Yes please! Plus add in awesome playlists made the author, hilarious dialogue and characters and a great friendship first that becomes something more as the novel goes on-it’s one of the books where in my head the characters stay together forever.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Ok seriously, who can resist a romance set in Paris? Anna loves movies, she’s in Paris for school and Etienne St. Clair is irresistible. It’s also a book where the friendship develops so much before the romance and I love that.

The Georgia Nicholson Series by Louise Rennison

Oh Georgia, you’re just too funny! I love her crazy antics and how she’s torn between Robbie the Sex God and Dave the Laugh. You can’t help but laugh out loud at these books each time you read them.

Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell

A historical novel in verse set in the world of King Arthur with a nice twist on the usual tale. Told from the point of view of Elaine of Ascolat (the Lady of Shalott) is a fantastic retelling and a great historical romance.

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

A fantastic mystery/romance told in verse that made me believe in the one special day romance. It’s also one of the few books that I would happily ask for a sequel and stay in the world with the characters much longer if I could.

What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones

This was one of the first books I read when I became a librarian and I was hooked on YA. I love the romance aspect of this book as the main character begins to fall for a boy that’s thought of as a bit of a nerd and not popular. Very sweet and the sequel, What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know, also rocks. It was also the book that introduced me to the novel in verse format which I love.

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

I love all of Elizabeth Scott’s books, but there is just something so wonderful about the romance in this book. Maybe it’s because Hannah is at times a bit awkward and I love her for it. I also love that as readers we totally know who Hannah should be with, even if she doesn’t, and it’s so fun reading about her getting there.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

I don’t know if I can explain how much I loved this book. I think what sold me was that there was somewhat of a love triangle happening in this book, yet I didn’t hate it and it didn’t annoy me. Instead, I liked both guys and the love triangle made sense in the story. It’s also a fantastic best friends turned crush story.

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

I’m a sucker for sappy holiday romances, but this one is my favorite. I love how all three stories weave together and the whole book is just so darn cute, you can’t help but curl up with hot chocolate when it’s snowing outside and swoon over the romance.

I could go on and on, but I’d love to hear what romances everyone suggests. I need to add to my reading pile!