If you're home from college for the holidays just like me, odds are that you're in your childhood room that's filled with frilly pillows, stuffed animals galore and bookshelves with all of those young-adult novels you're embarrassed to admit you read once upon a time. But I'm in the holiday spirit and am here to tell you I am thankful for these books. These are the words I grew up with. They told stories that taught me how to be brave, to embrace my feelings and to live happily along side my teenage angst. Here are 10 quotes from some of my favorite YA novels (and maybe some of your favorites, too) to help you revel in your past this holiday season.
1. "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
"'Destroying things is much easier than making them.'"
Even though this is about poor Katniss and Rue trying to take out the Careers' food supply, I still get shivers reading it. All of the underlying meaning, all of the pain behind those words. It made my teenage soul tremble. It's fine; I'm only crying a little.
2. "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green
“Even if it’s a dumb story, telling it changes people just the slightest little bit, just as living the story changes me. An infinitesimal change. And that infinitesimal change ripples outward —ever smaller but everlasting. I will get forgotten, but the stories will last. And so we all matter —maybe less than a lot, but always more than none.”
This is not John Green's most famous novel (don't worry, more from the YA master later) but it's my favorite of his by far. He experiments a lot with this story and in turn creates an amazing character, Colin, who goes on a journey to find his self worth. John, Colin, I agree with you both. We all matter; we all have a story.
3. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky
"Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody."
I read this one right before I left for college. It hit me right in the feels.
4. "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher
“You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately, you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life. Everything. . . affects everything.”
This book may be the most depressing thing I've ever read, but it produced some really powerful messages. Take this quote, for instance. Identify with it. Live with it. Be aware of how you treat others.
5. "It's Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini
"I don't know how I can be so ambitious and so lazy at the same time."
Ned Vizzini, writing words so true since 2006.
6. "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson
“When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time. You'd be shocked at how many adults are really dead inside—walking through their days with no idea who they are, just waiting for a heart attack or cancer or a Mack truck to come along and finish the job. It's the saddest thing I know."
I'm picturing sweet little Kristen Stewart, who starred in the film adaption of "Speak" in 2004, saying this line with those big brown eyes, begging teenage me to express myself.
7. "Perfect Chemistry" by Simon Elkeles
"'We're actors in our lives, pretendin' to be who we want people to think we are.'"
I passed this book around my entire friend group in 9th grade and I think we can all agree that Alex Fuentes is the man of every teenage girl's dreams. What's even better is that "Perfect Chemistry" is a series. The Fuentes brothers are gifts to the angsty teenage soul.
8. "Looking For Alaska" by John Green
"I go to seek a Great Perhaps."
The master is back, destroying our hearts one word at a time with the tragic almost-love story of Miles "Pudge" Halter and Alaska Young. Don't know what this quote refers to? Go read this book. It's poignant, whimsical and life-changing.
9. "The Vampire Diaries" by L.J. Smith
"But right now everything looks strange to me, as if I don’t belong here. It’s me that’s out of place. And the worst thing is that I feel there’s somewhere I do belong, but I just can’t find it."
Yes, there are actually books that came before the oh-so-popular television show that completely disregards everything that was ever wonderful about these books. (Like Elena's gorgeous blonde hair and blue eyes! That was a huge plot-line!) In any case, these books ruled my vampire world after "Twilight." I understood and wanted to be Elena. Same thing, right?
10. "Shiver" by Maggie Stiefvater
“Folded in my arms you're a butterfly in reverse
you're giving up your wings and inheriting my curse
you're letting go of
me
you're letting go”
Maggie Stiefvater was a lyrical genius to me at 14 and she is a lyrical genius to me at 21. This quote has been following me around since I read it and I can't particularly tell you why. It's haunting, I guess, and the structure of it makes me read it all chopped up in my head. Those beats hit me and they make my heart tremble. This book may be about werewolves, but Stiefvater's words make this more than another "Twilight." There is art in her story's structure and her words. I can't say enough good things about this book. It's relevant, funny, dark and captivating.
How are you feeling now? Like your soul has been ripped out a little? Me, too, my fellow YA reader. Never been embarrassed about your love for these books or for anything else you love. If it makes you happy or, in this case, makes you want to cry tears of angst, there's nothing wrong with it. There's nothing wrong with something that makes you feel something. Be thankful for all that you love this holiday season and every other day of the year.
