It’s that time of the year again! 2013 is coming to an end and it’s time to do a recap of 2013 Young Adult titles. There were so many great books published this year, but which ones did I like best? Here are my top five picks for best YA titles of 2013:

Ink by Amanda Sun

It’s hard to say no to a book set in Japan and vividly described as this one. It also features some Japanese mythology and a protagonist who struggles to adapt to the change in the environment. Sun treats the Japanese culture with respect and gives the readers a protagonist who exerts her right to make her own choices and mistakes because she hasn’t figured out life yet. Find my review here.

Find Me by Romily Bernard

This is not your typical ‘let’s catch the killer’ thriller novel. Bernard touches on delicate subjects such as suicide, abusive relationships and adoption. They’re treated as respectfully as can be, and they’re just as important a plot point as catching the killer. Find my review here.

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

In a space opera-turned-survival story, the ship Tarver and Lilac are traveling on is pulled out of hyperspace and crashes, and the two have to find their way in a planet that is deserted and has some weird things going on. The writing in this book was luscious, and the characters were well-developed. The sci-fi elements were well done, and the romance was believable and engrossing. This is an unforgettable book. Find my review here.

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Crash Into You is a great contemporary novel about two teens trying to stay afloat in the midst of two dysfunctional families that want to dictate their lives. Beth’s mother is a drug addict and lives with a man who beats her while Ryan lives in what looks like a picture-perfect family, but who lives by appearances ever since his older brother came out. This novel deals with drug use, abuse, dysfunctional families and sexual preference, and it presents it with the rawness that they have in real life. It was wonderful to see Ryan get off his chauvinistic horse and Beth take down her walls. I highly recommend reading this one.

Indelible by Dawn Metcalf

This novel had an intriguing romance the likes of which I hadn’t seen before. Joy, the female protagonist, is teaching Ink how to be more human and how to love in the process. Joy is a human who gets thrown into a supernatural world, and instead of taking it in stride, she tries and struggles. This book features a world that seems to have several layers that still need to be explored and a concept that’s unique. Find my review here.

It was hard to choose from the many books I read this year, but these five made it to my list for many reasons. I hope you check them out. What 2013 YA titles did you like and why?

And now, GIC’s Best of 2013 YA giveaway!

The lovely Romily Bernard has agreed to mail two copies to two lucky winners of her debut title, Find Me. The lovely Amanda Sun gave us signed bookmarks of her debut title, Ink to give away as well. And one lucky winner will win a finished copy of These Broken Stars.

Don’t forget to enter to win! You can get extra entries by following Romily Bernard and Amanda Sun on Twitter and by tweeting the giveaway every day until January 4! Open US and territories only.

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