Throughout high school, you were forced to read all of the classics, A Tale of Two Cities, Catcher and the Rye, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Okay, so maybe that last one was not part of the curriculum, but you definitely were reading those kinds of books instead of the great classics. You know the ones I’m talking about. Those angsty teen novels that gave you false expectations about high school and every romantic relationship you would ever have. They all had the same story line, characters, and endings, and yet you couldn’t help buying the newest Sarah Dessen book, or latest trendy series. Well, lets take a trip down memory lane and review the top five angsty teen novels that you have probably read at some point or another.
5. Bass Ackwwards and Belly Up by Elizabeth Craft. This was a personal favorite of mine. It depicts four friends who are trying to figure out what to do after the bliss of high school is over. I can still remember how much I thought one of the characters modeled my own personal life, except looking back, hers was a lot more interesting than mine. It’s like a more mature version of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
4. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares. You had to know this was going to be on the list. The quiet and slightly dull Lena falls in love with a Greek god, Carmen is going through an identity crisis, and Bridget is way too perfect to be just your average high schooler. This book had a character for everybody. Plus, you know you and your friends constantly argued who was the Tibby of the friend group….nobody wanted to be the Tibby.
3. Perks of Being a Wall Flower by Stephen Chbosky. CLASSIC coming of age novel. This book has everything you could ever want. Plus, Emma Watson stars in the movie adaptation, enough said.
2. Looking for Alaska by John Green. For those of you who are huge John Green fans, you are probably wondering where The Fault in Our Stars lands on this list. Well I am currently in the middle of reading it so it wouldn’t have a proper ranking. John Green has the ability to have you connect with every character, and when one characters cries, you find yourself uncontrollably sobbing as well.
1. Every Sarah Dessen book that has ever been published. This Lullaby, The Truth About Forever, Dreamland, the list goes on and on. As soon as you finished one, you would beg your mom to drive you to Barnes and Noble to get the newest book. Sarah Dessen gave every quirky, uncoordinated girl hope that her ridiculously good-looking yet slightly misunderstood boyfriend was out there trying to find her. I guess, we are just Remy’s hopelessly looking for our Dexter…
Happy Reading!