A must - read is 'Genuine Fraud' by E. Lockhart. The story is told in reverse, which is a really unique approach. It's about a girl on the run and as the story goes backwards, you piece together what led to her situation. It's full of twists and turns that are typical of a great crime novel but with a YA feel.
One great YA crime novel is 'One of Us Is Lying' by Karen M. McManus. It has an interesting premise where five students enter detention and only four come out alive. The mystery unfolds as the characters' secrets are gradually revealed. It keeps you guessing until the end.
One great YA romance novel is 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green. It tells the story of Hazel and Augustus, two teenagers with cancer who fall in love. Their relationship is beautifully portrayed, filled with humor, deep conversations, and a bittersweet quality. Another is 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' by Jenny Han. Lara Jean writes love letters to all her past crushes and somehow they all get sent out. It's a cute and heartwarming story of first love and family relationships. And 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' by Becky Albertalli is also wonderful. Simon is a gay teen trying to figure out his identity while also dealing with a blackmail situation regarding his emails to a mysterious boy he likes.
One great YA murder mystery novel is 'One of Us Is Lying' by Karen M. McManus. It has a really engaging plot where a student dies during detention and all the other students in the room become suspects. It keeps you guessing throughout.
A must - read in YA epic fantasy is 'The Inheritance Cycle' by Christopher Paolini. It's about a young farm boy named Eragon who discovers a dragon egg and embarks on a journey to overthrow an evil king. The world - building is extensive, with different races, languages, and magic systems. 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children' by Ransom Riggs also fits the bill. It has a blend of vintage photographs and a strange, magical world where children with special abilities live in a time - loop.
Well, 'Ponniyin Selvan' can also be considered in a sense. While it's more of a historical epic, it has elements of political intrigue and crime that are quite thrilling. The detailed descriptions of the power struggles and the devious plots within the Chola dynasty are really captivating. There are also modern Tamil crime thrillers like 'Kaaval Kottam' which is set in the contemporary urban landscape of Tamil Nadu and deals with issues like organized crime and corruption.
One great new crime murder novel is 'The Silent Patient'. It's a psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story revolves around a famous painter who goes silent after being accused of murdering her husband. The narrative unfolds through the perspective of her psychotherapist, and there are many twists and turns that make it a really engaging read.
One great crime suspense thriller novel is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It has a complex plot full of twists and turns. The characters are well - developed and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out what really happened to the missing woman. Another good one is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It combines crime investigation with elements of mystery and has a very unique and engaging protagonist.
One of the best is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It's a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing throughout. The story revolves around a man whose wife goes missing, and as the plot unfolds, you realize there are many layers to the mystery and that nothing is as it seems.
One great YA historical fiction is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It's set during World War II and tells the story from the perspective of Death. Another is 'Code Name Verity' which has a thrilling plot set in the same era. And 'Out of the Dust' by Karen Hesse is also excellent, dealing with the Dust Bowl in the United States.
In 2019, 'A Better Man' by Louise Penny was also notable. It continued the series with Chief Inspector Gamache. The small - town setting added a certain charm, while the crime at the heart of the story was both engaging and thought - provoking. The characters are so well - developed that you really feel like you know them.
One great LGBTQ YA novel is 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' by Becky Albertalli. It's a heartwarming story about a closeted gay teen named Simon who is blackmailed but also on a journey of self - discovery and first love. Another is 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe' which beautifully portrays the friendship and budding romance between two boys from different backgrounds. And 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' is also notable as it deals with a girl's experience in a conversion therapy center and her struggle to accept her own identity.