Although I’m a young adult author, for a while I read few young adult books. My vampire interest was over, the writing was bland, the conflicts were predictable. Seems I had hit a lengthy bad batch.

But lately I’ve hit a couple of wows.

I’ve already raved about Jandy Nelson, particularly I’ll Give You the Sun. Now let me gush over E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars.

I originally wasn’t keen to read the book. The description didn’t appeal: rich kids, private island, deception. A snooty “we’re perfect and we know it” kind of thing, a tally of their designer clothing kind of thing. Which it isn’t at all.

So what makes it good?

1. The main character’s voice.
2. The main character’s vulnerability.
3. The unique writing: chopping the sentences like poetry, throwing in make-you-think fairy tales.
4. The two-way suspense: what happened in the past? what will happen in the future?
5. And then the twist. My, oh my, what a twist. (What flavour of twist? Get a hint here.)

Needless to say, I can’t say more without ruining it. So run out and get it now!

What other amazing YA books should I read? What do you recommend?

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