Cicely of Cicely Loves Books’ Top 10 UKYA

Book blogger Cicely of Cicely Loves Books shares her Top 10 UKYA faves.

Naked by Kevin Brooks

A really great, kind of tragic story about early punk in the 1970s; I was kind of taken aback by how much I really loved it. I wasn’t expected great feats from it at all, but it blew me away.

Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott

A beautiful fantasy retelling of Cinderella that twists the story into something that feels fresh and new. It’s a lot darker than the Cinderella I grew up with too, though it only made the story better. I need to read the rest of Zoe’s books!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

What sort of a post would this be if it didn’t have Neil Gaiman on it! Even though he doesn’t technically live in the UK anymore, he still has a British accent so I’m counting it. Also, I guess it’s not 100 percent YA, but I do really love this book. It’s the first Gaiman book I ever read and I loved the feel to it, and the way he writes is amazing! Sorry, I like Neil Gaiman a lot…

Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton

SO. BLOODY. CUTE. I’ll be honest, I was torn between which of Keris’s books to put on here because I love all of them, but just the way New York was described in this book! It gave me a serious case of wanderlust, and now thanks to Emma I want to go to LA too. *saves up for a plane ticket*

Torn by Cat Clarke

One of the most twisted, gripping books I’ve read in ages. I literally couldn’t put it down. I was just so involved in the story and it moved me with how intense it was. The ending is pure evil, but it’s one of my favourite books.

Witch Child by Celia Rees

I read this book ages ago, actually, but I still really love it! It was one of my first introductions to historical YA and I just remember being really caught up in Mary’s story. The sequel, Sorceress, is just as good, but it made me cry. A lot.

Heart Shaped Bruise by Tanya Byrne

Another really dark, intense book (what does that say about me?!) that I just really loved. I was so torn for the whole thing, and I didn’t really know if I could trust Emily, but at the same time despite the crazy I really liked her and it made me feel stuff, guys! I felt so numb at the end, it was like I’d been on an emotional rollercoaster (cheeeeesy, but true).

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

I have so many feelings about this book it’s insane! This is another one of those wicked, moral twisting books that makes you want the wrong thing to happen because even though Ty kidnapped her he’s not that bad! Also, the whole letter-writing style it’s done in is really unique and I loved it once I got used to Ty being called ‘you’.

Adorkable by Sarra Manning

Another adorable book! Or should I say, Adorkable! (or maybe I shouldn’t. Sometimes I can’t hold back on the awful puns. I apologise.) This book just makes me want to hug it, and that’s all I’m going to say because this is already too long.

Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough

So dark and creepy! I loved this book, and I really want to read something new from her soon. Even though it wasn’t until about the last 150 pages that it got really creepy, it still kept me awake at night.

Top 10 Favourite UKYA books, by Kirsty of The Overflowing Library

Kirsty of The Overflowing Library blog, chooses her Top 10 UKYA faves.

I agreed to do this post then I freaked out. As someone who reads over 200 books in a year (and many of those written by British Authors) I didn’t know how I would be able to pin down my top 10 favourite books by British Authors. Below is what I think are my top 10 in no particular order but ask me again tomorrow and the list might have changed. I’m fickle like that.

1) Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt

I loved this book because I loved the main character. She had been in an accident which left her face scarred and the majority of this book deals with her settling into her new life post the accident but also revolves about a beautiful love story with the boy she falls for but doesn;t think she has a chance with because of her scars. It had me hooked from page one.

2) VIII by HM Castor

I love Harriet Castor and I love her book. If I were to write a book (and don’t hold your breath on that one) this is the sort of book I would want to write. It looks at a well known historical figure and looks at him in a different way to the norm. It is historically accurate and engaging and both my YA read and History Teacher Heads love this one. When Harriet talks about this book to kids she compares Henry VIII to Anakin Skywalker which I love as an idea such a good comparison and way to hook readers, especially boys in. FYI sadly there are no lightsabers in this book.

3) Department 19 by Will Hill

I am by no stretch of the imagination a horror reader but I loved this book blood-thirstiness and all. I love the main character Jamie and his potentially heart-breaking ways (give him a year or two) and by the end I wanted to don my very own T-Bone and go out vampire hunting with the Department.

4) Paradise Barn by Victor Watson

This book is not only written by a favourite British author of mine it is also published by my favourite British Publisher, the small but perfectly formed Catnip Books. I love this book and the series that follows. It is a brilliant one for engaging teens in historical fiction and has a cracking storyline.

5) Unrest by Michelle Harrison

I read this book in one sitting and literally found myself flying through it. I found it effortless to read and I really enjoyed every page. It’s about ghosts and has a brilliant lead character who I loved.

6) Adorkable by Sarra Manning

After loving Sarra Manning when I was a teen reading this last month was like stepping back in time. I loved it entirely. I loved the main character Jeane and her quirky ways and I loved the morales of the story. I’ve since lost my copy to kids at school who heard I had a copy early and begged me to read it.

7) The Declaration by Gemma Malley

For me this is one of the first dystopian books I ever read before I even knew such a think existed. I loved every page and the world created within it because you could just about see it happening somewhere in the not so distant future.

8) Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough

Do not read this at night or alone. One of the creepiest books I have ever read and beautifully written. I won’t say much more about this one because I can’t begin to describe it. Just buy it!

9) Hollow Pike by James Dawson

I loved Hollow Pike. I love how funny it is with its cracking one-liners and I really loved how well James can write teenage girls. There are so many bits of dialogue which rung so true with me because I remember saying similar as a teenager or I can well picture one of the kids I teach saying. Also it has a brilliant anti-bullying message which I loved.

10) 12 Minutes to Midnight by Christopher Edge

This book reminds me of an earlier Phillip Pullman. The main character is a plucky Victorian girl making her way in a world in which the odds are stacked against her. I loved the historical elements and there is a twist on the visions seen by one of the characters in the book which is really clever.

Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough

Beware of Long Lankin, that lives in the moss . . .

When Cora and her little sister Mimi are sent to stay with their elderly aunt in the isolated village of Bryers Guerdon, they receive a less than warm welcome, and are desperate to go back to London. But Auntie Ida’s life was devastated the last time two young girls were at Guerdon Hall, and now her nieces’ arrival has reawoken an evil that has lain waiting for years.

A haunting voice in an empty room … A strange, scarred man lurking in the graveyard … A mysterious warning, scrawled on the walls of the abandoned church . . . Along with Roger and Peter, two young village boys, Cora must uncover the horrifying truth that has held Bryers Guerdon in its dark grip for centuries – before it is too late for Mimi.