Ryn the Librarian. Almost a whole year!

Hello my peeps! We are already hitting one year since I started this blog and what a year it has been! I know I have been tailing off the last few months; only writing once or twice a month. During winter I tend to get really lazy and tired, (Seasonal Affective Disorder most likely is the cause) which tends to put me behind on even simple things like exercise, errands, and reading.

The past year has been full of exciting moments. I started off writing this blog as an unemployed research analyst who wanted a full time library job working with children. In less than a month, I was hired at a public library working in the children’s department and it has been amazing. I get to do storytimes, Baby Fun Time (my favorite), and other programs such as Summer Reading and Teen Crafternoons. Though I am still trying to work my way into a professional library position (which requires an MLS) I have enjoyed my experience and will continue to work hard for my kids.

This year has proven how quickly things can and do change.

Now onto my topic for today’s post. Valentine’s Day is coming up so I thought I would do a reading list for Teens and Romance. I made a suggested reading list for this topic last year, but that was before I had the opportunity to be employed in a Children’s/Teen section. Now with more experience, I thought I could update it a little bit including books I have read or have seen on the many YA Literature blogs. I personally love Anna Reads and the staff at Teen Librarian Toolbox.

So without further ado, here are some suggested reads for this Valentine’s Day for the teens in your life, whether you are a parent or YA librarian. In no particular order…

Ones I’ve read and enjoyed/recommend

 

1. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. Twilight can be a sore subject among Teen Librarians. We love that it got teens to come in and borrow books (or in my case they occasionally steal them, but that is another story); however, the content and message is debatable among YA fans.  Either way, it is a popular romance series that can be recommended to older teens.
2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Come on, you knew I was going to bring it up. Though this book makes you cry, it has one of my favorite romances in YA lit ever!
3. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell.  Probably my second favorite romance in YA Lit ever. Eleanor and Park live in 1986 and deal with many obstacles that stand in between in their love including school politics, domestic abuse, social pressure, and social class. This book also made me cry at the end.
4. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. I enjoyed this book when I read it last year. Jase and Samantha live next door to each other and that is about all they have in common. Jase is one of seven children and lives in a noisy, messy home, while Samantha has one sister and they very much tend to keep to themselves. It’s when Jase starts hanging out with Samantha that they begin to find some common ground. I loved this read and it is perfect for older teens needing a nice love story.
5. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen.  Since I have yet to come close to North Carolina (my home state!) in my reading across the US challenge, I will discuss my favorite Sarah Dessen briefly here.  Remy knows how this works. You begin with dating and end with heartbreak and this is why you should never get attached to anyone. Then there is Dexter. She likes Dexter…a lot, which is scary for her. Can she get over her issues with love to see what’s standing right in front of her? I loved this book and love Sarah Dessen in general. Definitely recommend.
6. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. I know I gave this one a hard time, but it is difficult for me to read/listen to books that are really lovey-dovey.  However, for teens this one is a hit and is highly recommended for fans of the Twilight series. Plus Maggie Stiefvater’s description and writing are solid. Shiver is the story of Sam and Grace who fall in love in the cold land of Minnesota. One issue, Sam is a werewolf, but not your mythical kind of werewolf.  He only turns when it’s cold out. Eventually a werewolf shift can be become permanent. Is there anything Grace and Sam can do before their time together runs out?
7. Delirium by Lauren Oliver. I have to put this on here as it is a good YA dystopian romance novel. I personally was not a fan. This series has been requested in our YA Book Club many times, so it is popular. You should buy it for your YA collection despite my personal feelings on it. In a time where love is considered a disease vaccinated by the US government, falling in love can be dangerous. Lena is awaiting her operation, but after meeting Alex she isn’t so sure that the vaccination can solve her love woes.

Ones I would like to read at some point

1. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. In this teen romance, Anna is less than enthusiastic to be sent off to boarding school in Paris (which automatically baffles me, but ok) until she meets a boy named Etienne St. Clair. This story follows their year in boarding school which may or may not end with their first French kiss. This comes highly recommended from many YA Lit Blogs and is incredibly popular on goodreads; it has a 4.2 out of 5 ranking.
2. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. Hadley is stuck at JFK Airport while awaiting on her flight to London for her father’s SECOND wedding. It is through fate that she meets Oliver who will be sitting in her same row on the flight over. After they land; however, they lose each other in the chaos of Heathrow without getting each other’s contact information. Can fate intervene once more? Sounds pretty cheesy, but could be a great read.Gotta put this one on my list.
3. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally. I think this one has some serious promise to it. Jordan Woods is the Captain AND Quarterback of her (that’s right HER) high school football team. She is used to being one of the guys and is working hard to get an athletic scholarship to a great university. Her hardwork would have paid off, if Ty hadn’t come into town. He is an amazing quarterback and, of course, ridiculously good looking. Can Jordan keep her head in the game when so much is on the line? Or does she let it go for a chance for love?
4. If I Stay by Gayle Forman. This is the Oregon selection and I have read nothing but good things about this book. This story takes place after Mia is in an accident and it follows the consequences of that accident. I think that means she is a ghost or spirit watching over her family and friends??? There isn’t a lot of plot summaries to the book on the internet apparently, but it’s supposed to be gut-wrenching.
5. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. After looking at a brief summary of this one, it reminds me a lot of A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies. There are angels and a battle of immortal versus the fallen angels. Could be a great paranormal romance read?
6. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner. Titanic, but in space. DONE!