In light of a recent article, and the subsequent Twitter backlash about YA books, I’ve decided to create a list of quality, serious YA literature that you all should read. Not that light-hearted books aren’t worth reading, but the point of the article was that essentially all YA was poorly written, sappy, happy and predictably ending trash. So, I’m here to argue the point with examples.

First up, PURE by Julianna Baggott:

Read my review here. The PURE series is, in my opinion, one of the most beautifully written books to be published in the last decade. Seriously. If you want to argue quality of YA literature, this is the book to do it with. Her prose is exquisite, and her subject matter heart-breaking. If you’re not in tears or holding your breath from shock throughout half of this book, you are an automaton, and should just stop reading this article right now. The beauty of the series is that even with all of the despair and horror of a post-apocalyptic world, we still find hope in their survival. It’s a wonderful balance.

Next, we have the UNWIND Dystology by Neal Shusterman:

This fascinating look at what would happen if abortion was outlawed, but retroactive “unwinding” teens for parts was the solution, will blow your freakin’ mind. Whatever side you fall on with this controversial issue, you will not be able to put down this fantastic, heart-rending read. I absolutely love this series. Read my review to learn more.

Let’s look at THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX by Mary E. Pearson:

Without giving too much away, this book examines what makes us who we are – genetics, our body, our mind or our experiences. When Jenna wakes up from a coma, she has to relearn everything about who she was, and who she will be. Absolutely a fantastic, mind-bending read. Read my review here.

There are so many others, and I don’t have time to list them all. There’s nothing wrong with Romance, if that’s what a reader likes. But condemning an entire category of literature as sub-par and predictable because of one sub-genre is ridiculous. Anyone who did any research would find these fascinating reads – and many, many more.

Adolescence is such a defining time in everyone’s life. That’s what’s so binding about YA lit – we’ve all been there. We all know what it’s like to question our parents for the first time, to realize we have our own opinions, and that we should fight for what we believe in. YA lit encapsulates that rocky time, adds a dash of outside conflict, and runs with it. To say that we, as adults, cannot possibly identify with YA protagonists is just plain wrong. Everyone can identify, to a degree. That’s the whole point. Just because a protagonist is an adult doesn’t mean I understand his or her POV any more than a a teen protagonist. I, after all, don’t share anything with adult characters more than I do YA characters. I’m not a psychopath in a Stephen King novel. I’m not a ravishing beauty in a Romance novel. I’m not a Queen in a Game of Thrones novel.

We, as readers, just need a small piece of humanity to identify with a protagonist. And whatever you like to identify with is fine. It doesn’t make you any less mature or intelligent. You know what does make you less intelligent? Opening your mouth before doing your research.