I know that I, as many other book bloggers do, tend to focus on new releases. I already talked about this topic in depth and I don’t intent to do it again. Instead of focusing on the bright new shiny and oh so very attractive new books I am dying to get my hand on, I thought that today, I would instead focus on old books.
Before heading into this, let’s set the record straight: “old” is a totally subjective term. In the book blogging community and in the publishing world – though I am more speaking in terms of the book blogging community, given that I am not working in publishing, unfortunately -, a book is already old if it has been released, say, in January this year or something. Books from over four months ago already feel like old news, when there are so many new releases coming in every week new releases to drool over and that our bank accounts really really hate. And obviously there are all these books we will never get through.
I’m not going to talk about 2018 releases at all, though the temptation was there. There are way too many books, okay. Instead, I went down to the very very very bottom of my Goodreads shelves, browsed my shelves at home and my e-reader books and decided to mention some books I have read years ago that I still have very fond memories of.
Okay. You got me. Please don’t ask me to mention these characters’ names without checking the synopsis, I probably can’t. Still! I loved these books! So I’ll try to remember why for you. Wish me luck. Also aerm wish me luck in trying to summarize these. Will do my best….
Click on the book covers to be redirected to the Goodreads page!
? 10 “Old” YA books I loved
His Dark Materials series, Philip Pullman (First released in 1995 – Fantasy)
What’s it about? An abducted best friend, an adventure to the cold, far North, witches and armored bears, adventure and mysteries, parallel worlds.
I have to start with this one, because it’s one of the series that made me love reading as much as I do now. The world, the characters, the way my heart shattered into a million pieces at the end of it all. If you haven’t read it, YOU SHOULD because it’s a classic for me and it’s brilliant. I’m VERY excited about the next book releasing with Lyra as a young adult, AHHH.
The Uglies series, Scott Westerfeld (First released in 2005 – Dystopia)
What’s it about? A world of beauty, a best friend running away, a rotten system, a rebellion and stunningly realistic world-building.
I think my sister might have mentioned that one more than I did? Rest assured, I love this series as much as she does and I feel a little sad that no one mentions it too much on the blogosphere. I loved this world SO much, I love the focus on beauty and the badass characters, I am so excited to read Imposters coming out this September!
The Sky Is Everywhere, Jandy Nelson (First released in 2010 – Contemporary – TW: dealing with grief)
What’s it about? A teenager losing her sister suddenly, navigating through her grief and new possibilities of love.
As I prepared this list, well… I was kind of shocked to realize that this book has been released over 8 years ago??? I still can’t believe this, also I feel so old. I discovered this book a couple years ago thanks to the community and after reading and falling in love with I’ll Give You The Sun. It’s a brilliant story about sisters and grief and love and I cried on the subway while I read it so… there you go.
Only Ever Yours, Louise O’Neill (First released in 2014 – Dystopia – TW: eating disorder, self-harm, rape, fat-shaming, suicide, torture)
What’s it about? A world where women are bred in school, trained to please men, their only goal : being companions to men and give birth to sons.
Reading this book was like being slapped in the face repetitively. Okay, I’m not making this sound that fun, I apologize. More seriously, Only Ever Yours was an incredible dystopia where women are basically treated as dolls. It’s chilling and way too realistic as well, a must-read if you ask me.
Solitaire, Alice Oseman (First released in 2014 – Contemporary – TW: eating disorder, self-harm, suicidal thoughts)
What’s it about? A pessimist teenager, fitting in, a myterious group of pranksters, adorable brotheeeeeer.
So, Alice Oseman released her first book over four years ago and I feel like a proud mom. I’ve been following her since her debut, Solitaire and have been loving her new books more and more. Solitaire was already a stunning debut, achingly real and incredible portrayal of teenagehood for me.
Revived, Cat Patrick (First published in 2012 – Science-Fiction)
What’s it about? A drug being able to revive people, a strange experiment, a girl being revived five times.
To be honest, before I drafted this post, I had completely forgotten about Cat Patrick’s books and now I am sad that I did. This book fascinated me sooo very much, I think mostly because Cat Patrick manages to have such intriguing premises for her stories and young me loved these sci-fi strange things. Chilling and captivating.
The Luxe Series, Anna Godbersen (First published in 2007 – Contemporary, Romance & Historical Setting)
What’s it about? Manhattan, 1899, the high society, parties and scandal, forbidden loves and secrets.
I remember having such a fun time reading The Luxe series, first in French, then in English and I loved them. I’m not usually big on historical fiction, but that Gossip Girl vibe, with dramas and romance with the big dresses, ballrooms and everything else, ugh, I had such a fantastic time reading these. Also, the author is going to be publishing another book soon with these same vibes and I’m so here for that.
The Disreputable History of Frankie-Landau Banks, E. Lockhart (First published in 2008 – Contemporary)
What’s it about? Boarding schools and pranks, secret societies and bold main characters.
Okay, time to be honest here: I totally read this because John Green recommended it in one of his videos. And I’m so glad that I did, because I had so much fun with this one: it has boarding schools, pranks, great characters and banter and basically everything I love in my stories. Such an entertaining read!
The Mara Dyer series, Michelle Hodkin (First published in 2011 – Fantasy (Paranormal) & Romance – TW: rape, PTSD, blood)
What’s it about? A girl wakes up in the hospital with no memories, strangely unharmed from the crumbling building accident that killed her three best friends.
This series has some of the most mixed reviews out there, yet I’m one of these people that were – still are – obsessed with it. I fell in love with the story, with the atmosphere, the writing, the chilling things happening, the characters and I don’t know, this book and series was so addictive??? Also these covers are my favorites.
Unremembered, Jessica Brody (First published in 2013 – Science-Fiction)
What’s it about? A girl is found unharmed, alive after a plane crash that kills everyone and her DNA doesn’t match any database in the world.
I haven’t thought about this book for a little while and this makes me sad. I remember being obsessed with this series, that reminded me a whole lot of the tv show Kyle XY, which I love so very much as well. This story was fascinating, I loved the characters and twists and remember that I couldn’t wait to get through this series.
? Some other “old” books I remember enjoying a whole lot, too
Also, before you ask: I did not mention Harry Potter, because that would be too obvious. It would be on that list, too.
Side note: I sadly don’t have a good memory and if you know any trigger warnings for some of these that I did not mention, please let me know!
Did you read any of these books? Do you want to add some to your TBR, maybe?
What are some “old” books you have loved? They don’t have to be THAT old, I mean, look at my list. Do you have any recommendations of backlist titles I should get to right away? Let me know in comments!
I love His Dark Materials and Inkheart!!
AHHH I’m so glad you love these books as well, they were amazing, weren’t they? 😀 <3
Thank you so much for stopping by!
They’re awesome!!
Ahh I love the topic of this blog post! It’s so mindblowing to me how 2018 releases can already be considered “old”, but I totally relate to feeling like talking about January releases, like The Cruel Prince, feels like talking about a book that was published ages ago. ?
The Sky is Everywhere sounds so good, and I’m seriously considering just reading it now, and abandoning my TBR. And YES, Solitaire!! It’s my favorite Alice Oseman, actually, which is totally an unpopular opinion, but. ??♀️
I can’t wait to check out the other books, this is an amazing list, Marie! ?
Oh thank you so much Lily, I’m so happy you enjoyed this 😀
It’s funny, isn’t it? I never used to pay attention to books’ releases, but ever since I started blogging, I feel like I know everything by heart somehow? ? I also feel like a book released in January is already so old and… it’s so strange to feel that way ? They’re NOT old, obviously, but things are moving so fast with all the book news every single week!
AHHH YES PLEASE DO! I swear you won’t regret it (or I hope you won’t!). It is one of my favorite books and … well, prepare the tissues ? but it was really, really, really good and emotional and I LOVED IT so much. <3
I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Solitaire as well! It makes me sad that this book doesn't get as much love, I think it deserves ALL the love as well, it was brilliant <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
There are still so many books to read (like almost this entire list…), but new releases sometimes make it hard to get to them.
One of the first YA books that I remember reading is Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver and I still think it’s a great book. Also Amy & Roger’s Detour was one I read a few years ago and it made me want to read all Morgan Matson’s books.
Anyway, love your list, but I actually love all your lists 🙂
I get that – I am the same way, there are so many older releases I haven’t read just yet, because new releases keep coming as well and… I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DOOOO ?
BEFORE I FALL! <3 I love everything Lauren Oliver writes, she is one of my favorite authors of all times. I'm so glad you enjoyed this book 😀 I hope you'll get to all of Morgan Matson's books soon, I love all of them SO much 😀
Thank you, you're too sweet!! <3 <3
I feel like I missed the boat on the Uglies series but I still want to read it!
I love I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson and have been meaning to read her other book! So glad you liked it!
Ohhh I really hope you’ll be able to read it soon, it was such an incredible series, I LOVE IT so much 😀
The Sky Is Everywhere was fantastic, I hope you’ll love it 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Kristin! <3
Some of these reminded me of books I’ve always wanted to read, but never was able to add to my collection. Thank you!
Ohh I’m so glad if I could remind you of some of these 😀
Thank you so much for your comment! 😀
I love the Inkheart series! I wish they would have made all of the books into movies.
Oh I’m so happy you loved it as well, it was such a good series! 😀
I liked the movie, but I prefered the book haha – still, having the others adapted would have been fun 😀
Thank you so much for stopping by, Angela! 😀
I agree, the books are always better, but I also adore Brendan Fraser 🙂
I can understand that, he’s great! 😀
Yes! Only Ever Yours is incredible and so underrated!!
AHHH. I’m so glad you loveed it so much, it’s such a good book! 😀
Thank you so much for stopping by! <3
I never read His Dark Materials, but I was forever sad that the movie franchise didn’t move forward with sequels. I ADORED the concept. And I had a VERY intense E. Lockhart phase and adored Frankie Landau’s story. I don’t know if I told you this or if you remember that, but while I was in Cardiff, I did a video for that book, acting out one of the email exchanges. It isn’t on youtube anymore though, so don’t go looking for it hahaha
Lastly, INKHEART FOREVER AND ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!! That was the book that really got me into fantasy.
KAT. PLEASEEEEEEE read His Dark Materials someday, I would LOVE for you to read it. The concept was incredible and it is, still to this day one of my favorite series of all times. The movie didn’t do any justice to the books (and I am forever bitter about that ?)
OH YOU DID A VIDEO? Why can’t I see it, I am so disappointed now ? it must have been very fun to do haha.
And yes, Inkheart is such a great series, I loved it so, so, so much, I miss it <3 Oh, nostalgia, haha 🙂
Thank youuuu! <3
I will never show that video to anyone ever again hahaha it was TERRIBLE! I put all my videos from my previous attempt at booktube on private.
Okay, so I need to find out how to access your account now … hmmm…
TALKING ABOUT BOOKTUBE, I’m still waiting for videos… someday? 😀
I can’t do them while I am in Berlin. I don’t have any equipment 🙁
Oh right, damn it 🙁 well someday you will get to it, no matter how long it takes, I will be THERE WAITING and it will be awesome haha 😀
This was a really fun post to read! I personally really loved the Narnia Chronicles <3
Aww thank you, I’m happy you enjoyed it 😀 And YAY! Narnia is such a great choice, I loved this series too 😀
Cool post! I rarely read new releases. I think I’ve read 2 this year. I love His Dark Materials. I read it for the first time when I was 13. I want to reread it, but I don’t have a copy anymore because my childhood dog threw up on mine when I was a teenager.
Oh no!! I’m so sorry that happened, it must have been terrible, especially on such a fantastic book 🙁 I hope you’ll be able to get another copy at some point, it’s such a brilliant series <3
Thank you so, so much! <3 <3 <3
Great post! It’s amazing some of the books you forget about from your childhood/teens that were so important to you at the time, I love it when readers talk about some of their earliest favourite books because you can get such a feel for their reading taste. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve yet to read any Philip Pullman – I couldn’t get into Northern Lights when I was younger, but I’d like to give it another try! – and I looooved the Inkworld books so much. I should re-read them, really. I was a big fan of Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom books, too, and it’s another series I should re-read because I feel like I’ve forgotten quite a lot.
Thank you so much! 😀
I know, it’s kind of funny to see how much we forget about these books, they meant so much before and… well, we grew up and read tons of other books and now, we’re here haha. It’s always good to remember them with nostalgia and love though 😀
Oh I’m sorry you didn’t get into the book – maybe if you give Northern Lights another try now, you might enjoy it a bit more? I really hope so! And YAY for Inkheart – such a great series, I loved this world so, very much as well <3
Oh, I'm not familiar with Old Kingdom books at all, but I'm curious now haha 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
I LOVED the first two books of the Luxe series but I forgot about the series and haven’t continued with it. I think it’s time for a reread ?
Ohhh yes, maybe it is, this post is the sign you need 😛 I hope you’ll continue, it’s such a fun series 😀
Thank you so much for stopping by! 😀
I’m definitely going to be revisiting it after this 🙂
Yay!! This makes me happy 😀
I’ve only read Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour from your list but I loved that one. Granted, I recognize the rest, so that’s something, right? LOL I love older books though – especially ones that didn’t get a ton of attention at the time or people easily forgot. One of those – and I highly recommend!!- would be Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Hahaha well you recognized them, so that’s good 😀 I agree, it’s good to see some books that aren’t mentioned that much every now and then, I love discovering hidden gems like that. Oh thank you for that recommendation, I’ll have to check it out! 😀 <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3
I’ve read some of these books and they were great. i guess I will have to pick up the other ones on this list I haven’t read yet like The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer…
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed some of these 😀
I hope you’ll get to pick up more of these books and hopefully Mara Dyer, too, I loved that series SO much 😀
Thank you for your comment! <3
Yeah, I hope I can pick up that book soon 🙂
I hope so too! 😀
I read the Golden Compass many years ago, and I just listened to the audio book to refresh my memories, so that I can finish the series finally.
Oh that’s amazing – I am SO happy you’re going to finish the series, that conclusion destroyed me, but it was amazing 😀 I hope you’ll enjoy it! <3
Thank you so much for stopping by! 😀
Creative post idea! I haven’t read any of these books on the list (because as a reader who only started reading avidly 2 ish years ago, I’ve been so focused on “newer” releases). This post made me realize that! But I see some books I this list that I would like to potentially read, such as The Princess Diaries, Amy and Rogers Epic Detour and The Sky is Everywhere. Thanks Marie for sharing these books, it must have been very nostalgic! 🙂 <3
Oh thank you so much, I’m so happy you enjoyed it 😀
I get that – and there are just so many books out there, it’s so hard to know what to read and new releases are everywhere haha 🙂 I’m so happy if I could add some older books to your TBR! I LOVED The Princess Diaries, scuh a fun series. Amy & Roger made me so happy and The Sky is Everywhere way too emotional. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on these, hope you’ll love them 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
The Uglies series is by far my favourite dystopian series. I’ve been reading them obsessively since middle school! I’m so glad someone else likes them, because you’re totally right, they aren’t talked about enough!
I AGREE, let’s scream together about the Uglies series every two weeks or something hahaha, this series deserves ALL the love. I hope to maybe hear a bit more about it as the new book, Imposters, releases this September? Fingers crossed. AND by the way I am SO excited about that one ahhhhhhhhhh.
Sorry. I’m too happy to be able to scream about Uglies with someone 😀 <3
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! 😀
YES!!! I’m thrilled about the new book!!! I had given up years ago that we would never learn anything new, and I was desperate for anything. The moment I heard there would be more books, I immediately re-read the whole series. It deserves so much love and doesn’t get much attention!!
I thought we would never, ever get something new from that world again, either. I love the original series though and was always craving for more. I AM SO HAPPY now, I can’t WAIT to read it and I hope it will be GREAT! We’ll have to talk about it together once it’s released! 😀
Yes I am totally looking forward to it! So soon!!
Counting the days ?
Great idea for a post and great way to promote books you’ve loved Marie!
Aww thank you so much, I’m happy you enjoyed it 😀
I LOVED The Mara Dyer trilogy. It was so dark and twisted and really kept me on my toes. There were some moments that really creeped me out as well. However, I’ve chosen not to read the companion series. As much as I love Noah Shaw, I was quite content with the ending of Retribution of Mara Dyer and I don’t want the current series to disappoint me.
Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour was the first Morgan Matson book I read and it is still among my favourites.
AHHH I’m so happy you loved it. I unfortunately don’t know a lot of people who love that series and it makes me a bit sad, it’s one of my favorites <3
I have to say… you made the right choice – I felt a bit disappointed by the first Noah Shaw book. Let's be honest, I'm still going to read more of it because I can't help myself apparently hahaha, but the original series was better, for now 😀
Amy & Roger was such a sweet read, I'm so glad you loved it <3 <3
Thank you so, so much, Lois! <3 <3
I LOVED The Luxe series!! I was totally obsessed with them when I was going through my historical fiction phase. Also I totally get the Gossip Girl reference the multiple POVS and drama is definitely like that of Gossip Girl! Great list! I love seeing oldies but goodies when it comes to books 🙂
AHHHHHH. I am SO happy to find someone loving that series. It was such a fun, entertaining and almost addictive read, I loved it SO much. 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Jamie! 😀
I know some of these by name, but the other half is completely new to me. It’s nice to see some “older” books – at least those series are completed so if i ever get into them, won’t need to wait around for follow ups 😀
I read Uglies and i liked it a lot <3 One of the few series i ever finished.
Oh yes – that’s a good thing to have completed series and NOT having to wait for the next book to be released, sometimes… waiting is torture haha.
I hope you’ll want to check some of these books out someday 😀 And yay! Uglies is such a good series, I love it SO much <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Norrie! <3
I love this post. I find that the books I talk about are generally either books I just read or my favorite books, but I don’t talk about some really great ones that I read over a year ago. It also was super weird for me to see the years some of these books were published.
I think I naturally assume that the year I read a book was the year it was published even though that’s not how things works. So finding out that the Mara Dyer series was published 7 years ago when I read it 2-3 years ago was a bit of a shock.
Aww thank you, I am so happy you enjoyed it! <3
It was so weird to find out some of these books' publishing dates, I can't believe how long ago some have been published. Crazy how time flies haha and how many books release, too! 🙂
I hope you enjoyed the Mara Dyer series when you read it!! 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3
I remember Uglies being the hot thing on BookTube back in the day, it was all anyone would talk about! I never read the Mara Dyer book, but it’s interesting that it was published quite a while ago, because I feel like it’s only now rising in popularity!
Ohhh – I wasn’t, and well, I still am not haha, part of the booktube community so I had no idea it was that big there! That’s great, it deserves so much love 🙂
I loved the Mara Dyer series so much, I’m happy people are getting to it more and more and hopefully enjoying it 🙂 x
Thank you so much for your comment! 😀
haha I’m not actually a part of it either but I watch a lot of videos, and especially did so back in the day!
Ohhh okay, that’s great!! I’m happy to hear that book had its moment of glory over on booktube 😀
I love this topic! I have to read so many of these. I feel like I missed so many books between me graduating high school in 2011 and getting into the book community at the end of 2014, so I always appreciate recommendations from that time span!
Aww thank you, so happy you enjoyed it 😀
I’m so happy if you could find some recommendations of books and I hope you’ll give some of them a try sometime! 😀
I adored both of Nelson’s books. I really want her to write something new, because she is amazing.
OH YES I so agree with you, I would pre-order everything she writes as soon as possible and do everything to read it as soon as I can. I love everything she writes so much. We need MORE, that’s for sure 😀
Thank you so much for stopping by ! 😀
Ouuuh I love this post, and your list !
I haven’t read any of thoses yet, but the uglies serie is for sure on my want to read for a while.
I LOVE backlist books, as you know I only got into new release in January ?? and even then I don’t even know what book is gonna get out and stuff – just casually chillin’ on NetGalley once in a while.
One I cannot scream enough about is perfect chemistery. dont ask me WHY, but omg that book. I reread it so many times, and even somewhat remember it, heeeey !! ahah unlike memoirs of a amnesiac teenager where I don’t even remember half of it ..
Aww thank you so much Kristina, this makes me so happy 😀
I’m SO glad that Uglies is on your radar already and I can’t wait for you to read it – I hope you’ll love it as much as I did, it’s such a great book – and series overall <3
Perfect Chemistry – by, Simone Elkeles?! I have read and LOVED that one!!! It was such a great book, I read it years ago just as well 😀
Yes, that one exactly !!
AHHHH. I remember that one, I had such a great time reading it <3 <3
Same !! I reread like a good five times atleast
Wow, that’s A LOT ? That’s great!!
Awww I love this post, Marie! ☺️? It’s definitely important to focus on old books sometimes, too (and I mean, old books were new at some point, right? haha, anyways). It honestly makes me so sad when I think back and can’t remember so many of the books I used to love. Some old books I can remember loving is A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. ? Also, Unremembered has been on my TBR ever since I read A Week of Mondays by the same author (which I highly recommend! ?) and I can’t wait to read it!
Oh thank you so, so, so much Dezzy, you’re so sweet as always, your comments always make me smile SO big <3
Ohh I'll have to give A Week of Mondays a try at some point – I only read Unremembered by Jessica Brody, but I want to read more from her, she has so many good-looking contemporaries released 😀
Thank you so much!! <3 <3
I loved that Frankie book, too! I also loved The Beginning of Everything. Sometimes older books hit the spot!
Agree, some older books are awesome – and they stay awesome, they deserve al the love 😀
This was such a fun post to read through! I have yet to read the Uglies and the Unbecoming of Mara Dyer! Lovely list! ❤️
Oh thank you so, so much Kelly! I hope you’ll read both of these and will enjoy them as much as I did 😀
Some of these books were like mini flashbacks to my high school years! 😀 His Dark Materials is an all-time favourite of mine, and I remember really loving Uglies as well. ❤️ It was a series me and my friends were obsessed over in high school and I wish more people talked about it on the blogosphere (I need to re-read it at some point as well).
When it comes to older books I love, as well as some of the incredible ones you’ve mentioned (The Sky is Everywhere and Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour are favourites of mine as well) the main ones are books by Sarah Dessen, especially her older releases which really stand the test of time and are just as good today as they were when I first read them. 🙂 ❤️
Awww that makes me so happy – sometimes it’s fun to be nostalgic and look back fondly at these books we used to love <3
I am so happy we have so many books in common that we used to love – I haven't read all of Sarah Dessen's books just yet, but I really want to, everything I've read so far, I've been loving 😀
Thank you so much, Beth! <3
Definitely and it always makes me want to go on a massive re-reading spree as well! 🙂
Well I haven’t read all of her books either, so you’re not alone there. It’s her newer releases I need to catch up on.
That’s all right. 🙂 ❤️
I read His Dark Materials and Uglies in high school and ADORED them both!! There are so many awesome YA books and series that were big in the 00s that seem to be almost forgotten these days…
AHHH I am so happy you loved them so much 😀 Oh yes, well there are so many books being released every week and time flies, really! It’s good to remember these books and highlight them a little bit again every now and then 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment 🙂
I love this! I’ve read heaps of those books…or, uh, dnfd two of them…but there are so many good older YA books! I have Hold Still by Nina LaCour, which is excellent, and Sabriel is from like 1995, and Tamora Pierce began writing before that. And Michelle Cooper’s first books came out in, like, 2008. These are some of my favourite books and they’re older. This was such a fun post and I kinda want to do one of my own now…
Ohh… now I’m curious, which ones did you DNF-ed? I’m sorry they weren’t for you! 🙁
Oh Nina LaCour! I really want to read more of her books, thank you for the recommendation 😀
AND YES, oh yes please do a post like this one – and link me to it or just give me a shout out or something so I’m not going to miss it, I would LOVE to read your own post like this one 😀
Great post! I actually just read Solitaire for the first time this month because I read Radio Silence and really enjoyed it so wanted to read some of Alice Oseman’s other stuff and I absolutely loved it! One of my favourite older books is Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman which came out in 2010 (I knew it was old but I couldn’t believe it when I checked that it came out 8 years ago!). Also, I completely relate to not remembering details from books only remembering that I liked them which can be a bit award when I recommend books I read years ago and people ask what they’re about and I just have to be like, umm I can’t actually remember but I remember they were really good, promise! ??
OH I’m so happy you read and loved Solitaire! Did you read I Was Born For This as well? Alice Oseman writes such wonderful books, I love her so much 😀
Ohhh I don’t know that book, I’m going to check it out right now!
It is so hard to remember details after a while – I tend to remember how it made me feel, more than anything else hahaha, like, this made me cry, but no idea why? ???
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! 😀
No not yet but i am definitely hoping to get hold of it sometime soon!! Honestly, i’m like that all of the time ??
I think we’re all like that ? there are just TOO many books ?
I am a little behind because I just read The Sky is Everywhere two weeks ago. I LOVED it so it still holds up. I think a favorite old YA book is Anna and the French Kiss. Fun topic!!
OHH this makes me SO happy you read it – it’s one of my favorite books <3 Anna and The French Kiss was a lot of fun to read, too 😀
Thank you so much for stopping by! 😀
The Luxe Series sounds so good! High society + scandal sounds PERFECT! I think my favorite ‘old’ YA is The Hunger Games, because it was probably the first YA I ever read, and I loved them.
Ahh it was such a good series, I loved reading it, so fun and entertaining 😀
Oh yes, The Hunger Games was one of my first YA books as well. I loved it so much <3
Thank you for stopping by, Elizabeth 😀
THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE WAS RELEASED 8 YEARS AGO WHAT?!?!?! ?♂️ I also totally loved that book, and it made me cry so hard. It was, I think, the first book I read in just one day. I was obsessed with it for weeks after! AND YAY AMY & ROGER’S!!! I have so much love for that adorable book. I also read Mara Dyer (the first book), and I wasn’t the biggest fan, but the atmosphere was definitely memorable for me as well. I do consider the first book to have one of my favorite book openings of all time. ?
Awesome post (as always), Marie!!! ❤?
I KNOW RIGHT? I couldn’t believe it when I saw that. It’s SO long ago. I’m still in shock haha. I’m so, so happy you loved it as much as I did though, it is such a brilliant book!! <3
OH yes – that Mara Dyer opening was amazing. I love it SO much 😀
Thank you so much, Aimee!! <3 <3
It’s crazy to think that I’ve only read like 2 of these books? They’re Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour and The beginning of Everything. I really enjoyed both of those! I’m definitely going to look into Bittersweet and the walls around us! Both of those covers really interest me. Great post Maria xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Oh no it’s not crazy at all – we all have our own books we’ve read when we were younger, if we already read at that time! 😀
Bittersweet was such a fun and sweet read – and The Walls Around Us has a gorgeous cover, the inside is so intriguing and captivating. I hope you’ll love both 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Melina! <3 <3
I haven’t heard of most of these books!
When I was quite young I remember trying to read The Golden Compass HATING it so much– it was one of like two books that I DNF as a kid.
Also The Princess Diaries were THE BEST– I read just about everything Meg Cabot wrote growing up 😉
Ohh well I’m glad if I could make you discover some new books here 😀
I’m sorry you didn’t love The Golden compass! :/ but yay for the Princess Diaries! It was such a sweet series and it made me SO happy 😀
Thank you so much for your comment Anna 😀
OK there are some excellent books here!
Uglies is definitely a favourite for me, I love the whole series and reread them around once a year. I can’t believe it’s over 10 years old!
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk
Ahhh YAY for Uglies! I can’t believe it’s been so long either. I am SO excited about Imposters, soon!! 😀
Thank you so much, Cora! 😀
I honestly can’t believe that I’ve haven’t read most of the books on your list! :O It’s pretty interesting then that we all have our own YA books that define our beginning as a reader. I remember loving the Uglies series because it was the first dystopian book that I read 😀
Oh yes, it’s fun to see the books we used to read when we were younger 😀 I’m SO happy you have read the Uglies series AHHH I did not know you did! Are you gong to read Imposters?? 😀
Thank you so much for your comment, Tiffany!! <3 <3
Ahh I haven’t even heard of imposters! I think I stopped at Extras? It’s definitely one of those series I know I enjoyed but can’t remember the details ?
Well, it stopped at Extras…. Until the news of Imposters came out, it’s set in the same world and everything and I AM SCREAMING about it ? I hope you’ll give it a try eventually once it releases, I know I can’t wait to 😀
I really expected to see a Lauren Oliver book on here 😉
But can you believe I have only read Uglies from your list! and I read that just a year ago… x
I KNOW RIGHT? I am so disappointed in myself right now, I need to edit this post haha. Lauren Oliver is always in a corner of my mind, with her incredible books 😀 <3
I am SO happy you read Uglies!! Did you read the entire series? Are you going to read Imposters, if you did? Sorry, I AM SO EXCITED AHH. I love Uglies <3
Thank you so much, love! <3 <3
I did read them all, I wasn’t so taken with the others as much as I was with Uglies though if i’m honest. I hadn’t heard of the Imposters so I just looked it up and I think I might give it a go, it sounds interesting!!
x
Oh, I can understand that. I just heard someone sharing that they absolutely LOVED Imposters, so I’m even more excited about it now hahaha. I hope you’ll give it a try as well! 😀
I love revisiting old favourites, as well as reading new old books! I’m really glad you chose the Uglies series because I loved it as a teenager. I recently found the first book in a pound shop over here so bought it for the sake of nostalgia haha. Also, yes the princess diaries <3 <3
Oh this makes me so happy that you love the Uglies series as well <3 I was so into it as a teenager and I'm really looking forward to reading Imposters! Are you going to read it? 😀
The Princess Diaries – such a great, nostalgic series for me too, it was SO great <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! 😀
Hello Marie <3
I like that you are giving a shout-out to the older books that are out there! I am a big fan of older books. There are only a few books that I get to read when it is just released, so usually I don't get around to reading a book until it is considered "old" anyway haha :') I say this all the time, but I feel that just because a book is "old" doesn't mean that it is any less good than a book that is new! In fact, if people are still talking about an older book years after its release, it means that it might be even better than a new book (which might be hyped.) One book that comes to mind is The Night Circus which I still see mentioned very frequently in the blogging community!
One older release I want to read is Six of Crows because of how much people still talk about it nowadays 🙂
I agree with you – first, “old” books are well… getting old way too quickly, second, “old” books are incredible and deserve to be highlighted more 🙂 I know that, as book bloggers (me included) we tend to focus on new releases and that’s also what people are interested in, but it feels good to chat about older books too 😀
I really, really need to read The Night Circus at some point as well, I have heard only great things about it 😀 And I can’t wait for you to read Six of Crows, such a great book 😀
Thank you so, so much, Sophie! <3 <3
I think that you will like the Night Circus. Though I don’t remember much about it, I do remember that it was amazing 🙂
I have a feeling I will enjoy it, I can’t wait to read it 😀
I’m so with you on THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE (and I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN), BITTERSWEET, THE WALLS AROUND US, and FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS!!!
ONLY EVER YOURS is totally on my MUST-READ list because I loved ASKING FOR IT. I’m a big fan of backlist books and love seeing them on blogs. Sometimes it gets so booooring seeing the exact same new books everywhere 🙁
AHHH I am SO happy you agree with so many of these books!! 😀
I haven’t read Asking For It, but it sounds like such a good book as well, definitely want to read it soon. I’m glad you are going to read Only Ever Yours and hope you will love it, it was such a brilliant read <3
I get what you mean, sometimes it's sad to see the same books everywhere. I also know that we book bloggers, me included, tend to focus on the new books and want to read the new "hyped" books of the moment and feature them, too, so… I'm guilty too hahaha. It's good to think of older books every now and then 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Michelle! <3 <3
The Golden Compass has been sitting on my TBR forever it seems. I know I’ll just love it to pieces, but I still don’t pick it up. The shame!
Actually I haven’t read any of these books!
Only Ever Yours looks like a very important book. Have you read The Handmaid’s Tale? It has similar themes. I read Asking For It by the same author and think it is a must read!
Ohh, I hope you will get to read The Golden Compass soon. I loved this series so much, the world is incredible, I can’t wait for you to read it <3
I haven't read The Handmaid's Tale, but it is on my TBR and I've heard that it's similar to this book, in a way. I really have to get to it soon 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Amanda! <3
Amazing post, Marie! <3
I adore how you highlighted how great "old" books are, you made me want to get some books out from the bottom of my TBR and read them. Blogging really makes us read only new releases, I was sitting these days and thinking about how most of my reads nowadays are ARCs and while I can't complain a lot because I enjoy reading them, I totally miss reading more old releases.
I miss reading some classics, I should get a classic right now and read it, hahaha.
Thank you SO much, I’m so glad you enjoyed it <3 <3
I get what you mean – seeing all of these new releases, it's hard NOT to want to read them all and not to prioritize them over some older reads. Yet I'm certain there are some gems out there waiting and I can't wait to get to them, too. Definitely trying to remember them and make more of an effort, little by little 🙂
Thank you so much!! <3
I haven’t read these books but I’ve heard of them! Some of my favorites are very old like
Rock and a Hard Place by Angie Stanton, Breathe by Abbi Glines, Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins, Epic Fail By Claire LaZebnik, Boy Next door by Jennifer Echols, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, The Duff By Kody Keplinger,The Avery Shaw Experiment By Kelly Oram etc.
Ohhh thank you for all of these recommendations, I REALLY need to check them all out as soon as I can 😀 I have read Perfect Chemistry a little while ago now and I remember loving it! <3
THIS POST. I love it so much.?I only recently started reading YA, so I can’t think of any that I would necessarily classify as “old,” but I do have many MG books that are some of my old favorites- Harry Potter (I had to mention it XD), Percy Jackson, Mysterious Benedict Society, etc. Also, can I just say, the Friends gif was perfect and I loved it!
AHHH thank you SO much Olivia, this makes me so, so happy <3 <3 <3
I hope you'll find some books you want to read here and that you will enjoy them, if you get to them <3
AHHH. Friends is the best ahah <3
Love that you went down memory lane. Loved Dark Materials series as well as The Uglies. Somehow I missed The Sky is Everwhere. ❤️ Not sure why?! Going to add another to my TBR.
Ahhh I’m so happy you loved both of these books, they’re incredible, aren’t they <3
I can't wait for you to read The Sky is Everywhere, it's such a great story <3
Thank you, Dani! <3
EVERYONE should read Only Ever Yours. It’s funny that you mention it because I included it in a post that I have coming up and SERIOUSLY it is hands down one of the best, most awful (you know what I mean) books I have ever read. I am so glad to see love for it here! ALSO! Impostors was AWESOME. I was only mildly enamored with the Uglies series (at least after the first 2 books) but Impostors steps it up in a HUGE way. I am a fan, I hope you love it too! Revived sounds really good, I need to check that out, and I MUST read The Sky is Everywhere ASAP. Love this post, backlist books need love too!
Ohh great minds think alike 😀 I’ll be looking forward to that post. I agree, it is one of these awful books that I will remember for a long, long time.
WOW. I’m SO happy to hear you loved Impostors so much, it makes me so, so impatient to read it now! 😀
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, Shannon! <3
Only Ever Yours is soo dark–I love it! I haven’t found anything quite like it since.
Lots of love for His Dark Materials and The Princess Diaries as well!
I haven’t either – it is such a unique book. It’s unforgettable, it was so… dark and shocking, in a way. I loved it! 🙂
YAY! I’m so happy to hear you love these books as well, they’re fantastic 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Zoë! <3
AHHHH MARIE HIS DARK MATERIALS ( sorry for screaming here, but this series !!!! )
AHHH PLEASE DO, I am so happy you love this series as much as I do??!!! Did you cry when it ended? Did it break your heart? How awesome was ittttttttt?
Sorry, I’m fangirling right now hahaha.
IT WAS MORE THAN AWESOME. And yeah, I cried a lot ( this series means so much to me ).
AHH I’m glad that I’m not alone – I cry every time I re-read it. It’s just… THE EMOTIONS haha. <3
I’m always so behind the times with books that I haven’t read most of these, even though they’re old! I did love His Dark Materials though, and the Inkheart books have always been favourites of mine. Great post! 🙂
Oh I’m so happy you love these two! His Dark Materials will always have a special place in my heart <3
I hope you'll want to get to some of these books someday, Laura 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!
Ooh His Dark Materials! I’m actually buddy reading the first book with my dad right now and I love it! And omg The Sky is Everywhere and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks are so good. As far as other older ya, the first thing that comes to mind is The Hunger Games, which I was absolutely OBSESSED with in fifth grade. Loved this post Marie, what a fun and creative topic!
Oh wow that’s SO cool that you are buddy-reading it with your dad! I am so happy you’re enjoying it so far, it is one of my favorite series of all times <3
OH YES – I loved The Hunger Games as well, such a great series, I was obsessed with it too!! 😀
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, Annie! <3
Oh yes we all have those ‘old’ favorites ? INKHEART omg the Inkworld books were my favorite when I got into reading, I still love them soo much and really have to reread them some time! I was also obsessed with John Green’s books around the time The Fault in Our Stars came out – ah the good old times 😀
AHH I am so happy you loved Inkheart so much – it was such a great series, I loved it <3
Ahhh yes. Don't start talking to me about John Green, I'll never stop haha, I LOVE him and his books ahhhh. <3
I really want to read The Golden Compass. I actually own two copies of it, haha. I need to finally read it. I have quite a few of these other books you mentioned on my TBR.
Two copies?? Wow, well… you REALLY need to read it haha 😀 I can’t wait for you to do so, I loved this series so much <3 <3
Thank you so much, Ashley! <3
Mara Dyer is an old favourite of mine. I never continued the trilogy but I loved the first book back when I read it!
Ahh I’m so happy to hear it. I was OBSESSED with the book and the entire trilogy, it is so addictive and so good 😀
Thank you so much for stopping by 😀
Oh, The Sky is Everywhere is one of my absolute favorite books still! I really love Jandy Nelson. I also really liked the Luxe series even though I’ve never been hugely into historical fiction and definitely wasn’t at the age when I actually read it. They came out/are coming out (??) with new covers for the series soon and the author is releasing a new book, both of which make me very excited. I’m also a huge Golden Compass fan as well. I listened to those on audio a million times as a kid.
Ahhh I’m so happy you love this book as well <3 Jandy Nelson is one of my favorite writers, I can't wait for her to release a new book…. hopefully soon? haha 🙂
OHHH I did not know there would be new covers for the Luxe series, that's so cool! It was such a fun series to read. Her new book sounds great just as well 😀
I'm so happy to find another Golden Compass fan. This series means everything to me <3 <3
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment Mel! <3
I know right, she really needs a new book ASAP!! although honestly the wait was well worth it for I’ll Give You the Sun so…idk lol 🙂
And same! I feel like so few people in the YA community know about it anymore even though TGC was practically my life when I was young. Have you read the Book of Dust yet? I haven’t gotten around to it yet because I’m so nervous I won’t love it as much as the rest of the series.
I hope the wait will be worth it for her next one as well! I can’t WAIT to read more, really, I just love everything she writes so much. it’s true that I’ll Give You The Sun was incredible! <3 <3
I have! I was so impatient to read it, I pre-ordered it the second I could do that haha. I get your fear – I have to say that I didn't find the magic of the original series in it, but I think it's mostly because we don't get the same characters, too. Lyra is a baby in that one. I really loved the world and I loved exploring it, but it missed a bit of the original magic. I can't wait for the next book though, because Lyra will actually be a grown-up character in it 😀
I read Beauty Queens by Libba Bray last summer, which I guess is old, and if you haven’t you should! So amazing and hilarious.
Great post!
Ohhh I’ve heard of that one! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, I’ll have to check it out 😀
Thank you SO much! <3 <3
I haven’t read any of these books *sighs* but the Philip Pullman series is the one I am looking forward to reading it soon. I have heard amazing things about it. The Sky is Everywhere is another one on my TBR 🙂
AHHH YES PLEASE DO READ THE GOLDEN COMPASS SERIES AHH.
Sorry. I’m screaming, I’m just very excited about it haha. it’s one of my favorite series of all times, I hope you’l be able to pick it up soon and that you will love it <3
There’s actually quite a few of these I still want to read! Oh man, INKHEART WAS MY LIFE. A major booklover as the main character and being able to bring things out of books or go into books? I was so here for that!! I also loved the movies and the books to The Princess Diaries series. I read Uglies and really disliked it, but for some reason still read Pretties? But then I loved Pretties 😛 I haven’t read further into the series since though, although I should…
AHH YES I am so happy you loved Inkheart just as well, it was the ultimate bookworm’s dream, that story! 😀
I’m happy you loved Pretties – I think that book was my favorite of the series! I hope you’ll want to keep on going with it, especially with Impostors being released soon 😀
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! <3
I agree that “old” is a very subjective term. My version of old is probably a whole lot older than yours! 🙂
Oh yes, all of that book blogging and seeing new releases has made every book old way to quickly for me, ugh, I hate that ??
Thank you so much for stopping by, Nicole! <3
I haven’t read any of these but they all sound super interesting! I wanted to get into Luxe and I’ve read something before from E. Lockhart. I guess some old books that I read is the Morganville Vampire series. I absolutely love those book. I really need to go to the bottom of my Goodreads shelf.
Ohh I hope you’ll pick up some of these and you will love them, they’re all fantastic 😀 x