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Blast from the Past: My Favorite YA Reads from the Y2K & Early 2010s
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items Hey book lovers! Ready for a trip down memory lane to the Y2K and early 2010s in the world of teen books? I've put together a list of fantastic reads from that time that are still totally worth diving into today – whether you read them back then or a...Bookshop.org, supporting those awesome local independent bookstores. Happy reading! (Full disclosure: this article contains affiliate links, and I might earn a small commission if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra.)
Sections
5
Paranormal +/- Romance
Sci-Fi
Fantasy
Realistic Fiction
Dystopia / Post-Apocalypse
Paranormal +/- Romance
Paranormal romance was my jam back in middle and high school. I was obsessed with ghosts, psychic powers, etc. These books (and the amount thereof) will reflect that obsession.
Oh my gosh, I absolutely adored this series! Suze Simon's ability to see and talk to ghosts made everyday life pretty interesting, especially when she moved to California and found a rather persistent (and cute!) ghost in her bedroom. Meg Cabot has t...
The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot
This ghost story really stuck with me! Cas is a fascinating main character – a guy who hunts down and "finishes" vengeful spirits, a job he travels around for with his witch mom. The concept of ghosts losing their humanity and becoming dangerous is g...
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
This book holds a special place as one of my early introductions to ghost stories! While it might be aimed at a slightly younger audience, it definitely delivered the chills. The story of a blended family moving to a converted church with a resident ...
Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story book by Mary Downing Hahn
Okay, so maybe Goosebumps leans a bit younger, but come on, who didn't get a thrill from these books back in the day? Each one delivered a fun, spooky story with just the right amount of creepy for a younger teen. From haunted masks to possessed dumm...
The Goosebumps Series by R.L. Stine
I was so thrilled to discover there's a seventh book in the Mediator series! While I haven't had a chance to dive into Remembrance myself just yet, knowing Meg Cabot's talent for witty dialogue, engaging characters, and that perfect blend of paranorm...
Remembrance (The Mediator #7) by Meg Cabot
Angels and Nephilim? Sign me up! Nora's attraction to the mysterious Patch is instant and a little dangerous, which made the whole story so compelling. There's this underlying sense of danger and a lot of secrets that kept me guessing about who every...
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Imagine finding out you're descended from ancient vampires living secretly among the elite in New York City. Schuyler's awakening to this hidden world is fascinating, and the blend of mythology and modern life is really unique. There's a lot of histo...
Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
The Southern gothic atmosphere of this book is just captivating. Ethan's small town is turned upside down by the arrival of Lena, who comes with a family of secrets and magical powers. Their connection feels destined but also fraught with danger. The...
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Sci-Fi
Science Fiction was a blooming interest of mine at this point so I won't have a very diverse selection for this period. I think I started really getting into Sci-Fi with my introduction to Doctor Who.
Seriously, you need to check out this series! The concept of genetically modified kids with wings escaping a lab sounds wild, but trust me, it's absolutely captivating. I was completely obsessed with Max and her flock for years. The action is non-sto...
The Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson
I absolutely loved the unique premise of this series! Imagine being struck by lightning and suddenly gaining the ability to know where missing people are – that's Jess's new reality, and it's as compelling as it sounds. Even though the story is frame...
The 1-800-Where-R-You series by Meg Cabot
What happens when you're cryogenically frozen for a space journey and wake up way too early? Amy's experience on the spaceship Godspeed is both thrilling and thought-provoking. The enclosed world of the ship and the secrets it holds create a really i...
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
This book made me really think about what it means to be human. After a terrible accident, Jenna is rebuilt, but she doesn't remember her past. Piecing together her identity and the truth about her reconstruction is a fascinating and sometimes unsett...
The Jenna Fox Chronicles: The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
This book felt strangely relevant even when it first came out. Imagine a world where everyone has the internet directly plugged into their brains. Titus's experience with the "feed" and the consequences when it malfunctions is a wild ride. It's a sha...
Feed by M. T. Anderson
An alien invasion that unfolds in devastating waves, each designed to wipe out humanity in a different way. Cassie's fight to survive and protect her brother in this chaotic world is gripping. There's a constant sense of danger and uncertainty, and t...
The 5th Wave Collection by Rick Yancey
This book presents a chilling concept: unwanted teenagers are "unwound," their body parts harvested for others. The story follows several teens trying to avoid this fate, and their journeys are intense and thought-provoking. It raises serious questio...
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Fantasy
Fantasy honestly was a bit too young for me in middle school so I didn't read much of it. I finished series I started in elementary school, and a couple recs from friends, but that's about it.
This series was such a fun and imaginative ride! Two orphaned sisters suddenly find themselves living with their mysterious grandmother and discovering that fairy tales aren't just stories – they're real, and their family is right in the middle of al...
The Sisters Grimm Series by Michael Buckley
This was such a delightful read back then. It centers around a princess who, as the title suggests, gets turned into a frog, and her adventures trying to break the spell were so much fun. I recall it being a really charming and imaginative take on th...
The Frog Princess (Tales of the Frog Princess 1) by E.D. Baker
Step into the dangerous and alluring world of the fae! Jude, a mortal living in Faerie, is determined to carve out her own place in this treacherous court. The political intrigue, the power struggles, and the complicated relationships, especially wit...
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
The Old Kingdom and Ancelstierre, a land divided by magic and technology, create a fascinating backdrop for Sabriel's journey. As a Abhorsen, she has the power to bind the dead, and her quest to save her father takes her into dangerous territory. The...
The Old Kingdom Collection: Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen, Clariel by Garth Nix
Get ready for a heist in a richly imagined, gritty world! Kaz Brekker, a criminal prodigy, assembles a crew of outcasts with unique (and often dangerous) talents for a seemingly impossible job. The dynamics between the six characters are electric, fu...
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Realistic Fiction
I've never been a RF fan in all honesty: they tend to be sad and I read for a fun escape from life. These books managed to get past my filters and were thoroughly enjoyed.
Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster with this one. I read it in middle school around 2013, and it definitely left a lasting impression, even if it felt a bit mature at the time. John Green has a way of crafting these beautifully flawed characters ...
Looking for Alaska
If you're looking for a book that will absolutely tug at your heartstrings, this is it. Be prepared for tears, as it centers around teenagers grappling with cancer. While the ending is undeniably sad, the journey and the connection between the main c...
The Fault in Our Stars: a book by John Green
Dystopia / Post-Apocalypse
The Hunger Games was my gateway drug to the wonderful world of dystopia/post-apocalypse reading. I loved the end of the world vibe of this genre, and the idea that one person can incite change and help shape the future.
Seriously, this series is a must-read, and the movies are a pretty great adaptation too! I devoured these books as they came out, completely hooked by the intense world and Katniss's fierce devotion to her sister. Peeta's unwavering protectiveness? H...
The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Book One): Volume 1 a book by Suzanne Collins
You guys, I was absolutely obsessed with this book back in middle and high school! The concept of choosing your faction and then discovering you don't quite fit in anywhere? So gripping! Tris's journey of self-discovery and rebellion in this divided ...
Divergent (Divergent Series, 1)
After a devastating war, the United Commonwealth holds a series of brutal tests to select the brightest students for its university. Cia's journey through these trials is intense and full of betrayal. You never quite know who to trust, and the challe...
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
In a world where love is considered a disease and is eradicated through a procedure, Lena starts to question everything she's been taught. Her awakening and her experience with forbidden love are beautifully written and emotionally resonant. The star...
Delirium: The Complete Collection by Lauren Oliver
In a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a man-made virus, humanity's survival depends on finding a way to coexist with genetically engineered beings called Partials. Kira's quest to save the remaining humans is driven by desperation and hope. The scie...
The Partials Sequence by Dan Wells