The young adult (YA) genre is now more popular than ever. The Hunger Games series, The Fault in Our Stars, The Divergent Series, the Percy Jackson series . . . and of course, the biggest testimony to the success of YA books: the Harry Potter series.
YA novels are popular because they are funny, touching, riveting, and heartbreaking. Despite the fictional settings that are far from reality, like that of The Hunger Games or Harry Potter, readers still relate to the characters. And that’s how these novels and their characters are immortalised.
So, here’s a list of beautiful quotes from five of the most popular YA books in recent times. Although this list doesn’t encompass the entire genre, these quotes are sure to move you.
1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
This coming-of-age novel was made into a movie, starring Emma Watson and Logan Lerman among other talented actors, that proved successful in the box-office and in the eyes of most critics. This poignant story is told in the form of letters written by fifteen-year-old Charlie to an anonymous recipient about his past and his transition to adulthood.
Kudos to the movie makers for capturing that iconic tunnel scene from the book by setting it to the tune of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’.
2. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Eleanor & Park is a stunning young adult debut by Rainbow Rowell about two young misfits living in Omaha, Nebraska. It is such a delight to experience Eleanor and Park’s turbulent story of first love, told from both their perspectives.
This story will definitely spark happiness, anger, nostalgia, despair and hope in the reader. And that ending is – I don’t want to reveal too much – heartbreakingly brilliant.
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Who can forget the dystopian trilogy that went on to break some of the sales records of Harry Potter? Who can forget the blockbuster movie franchise that propelled Jennifer Lawrence to international stardom? The Hunger Games is the story of Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl from District 12, Panem. When she volunteers in the place of her sister in Panem’s televised annual death match, chaos ensues.
This YA series has everything: action, drama, romance, a little bit of humour and, spoiler alert, lots of death.
4. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The entirety of my middle school years was defined by Percy Jackson & the Olympians. Filled with humour, action, and lots of mythology, this series packs a punch. You learn a lot of fascinating Greek and Roman mythology, but the book never feels like a textbook. You even pick up some life lessons about friendship, family and integrity along the way.
Much to the Percy Jackson fandom’s disappointment, the highly anticipated movies didn’t do the books justice. So, unless you have a celebrity crush on Logan Lerman (let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), I would suggest you skip the movies and pick up the books.
5. Looking for Alaska by John Green
No YA list is complete without the mention of John Green, arguably one of the most popular writers in this genre. Love him or hate him, his novels have captured a vast majority of the tween population’s hearts. Although he’s most famous for The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska is his award-winning YA debut. Miles Halter, young and sick of monotony, desperately seeks excitement. Tired of his ‘safe’ life, he chooses to attend Culver Creek Boarding School. And he finally gets exactly what he wants: his life becomes the exact opposite of safe.
Looking for Alaska came under fire for its explicit content and controversial themes, so sensitive readers beware.
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Also published on Medium.
