This blog is run by avid readers who meticulously comb through hundreds of YA books to provide the most comprehensive lists possible. They provide favorite trope lists (think of sub-genres or things like love triangles) and other fun lists. This blog is user-friendly, accessible, and visually appealing. There are book reviews, favorite quotes, authors, and helpful resources if you want to start writing your book. It is organized very well, allowing you to search for anything you're looking for, browse my ratings, browse by genre, and more!
A website featuring a vast collection of books that are considered essential reads for high school students. Historically essential reading was always the classics, but this site went beyond that and asked their community a version of the same question, "What novels do you wish you could've read in high school?" and they specified that the titles must have been published in the last decade. The recommendations are fantastic, and there is something for everyone!
Goodreads is, unfortunately, the best online book journal available. It is free and owned by Amazon. You can create your account to track books you have read, are currently reading, and want to read. Additionally, you can add friends and family to see what they are reading or want to read. This link lists their top young adult books. I don't necessarily agree with their choices, but they are often criticized for not being diverse enough. The interface hasn't changed since its launch, and it's glitchy, but there are also giveaways where you can enter to win books (I've won a few myself!).
Five Books is new to me. However, I will be using this more frequently moving forward. This source is an excellent resource for finding books on topics that interest you. Unlike Goodreads, the interface is much more user-friendly. The format involves matching an expert with a topic and then providing their recommendations on the five best books or audiobooks related to that topic. The interview provides a detailed explanation of the book, allowing you to learn more about it and determine whether it's the right fit for you. Many of the experts are best-selling authors themselves, so they have firsthand knowledge of the topics they discuss.
If you are interested in the social aspect of reading and want to read books with your friends, look no further than Fable! On Fable, you can start virtual book clubs and read books with your friends chapter by chapter. You can also add books to your reading list, browse books in different categories, update what you are reading, and review them. This is more user-friendly and interactive than Goodreads, as it also features challenges and graphs to help track your reading progress. If you enjoy creating charts and making your reading more engaging, Fable is a great resource.
Storygraph is another website that features a social aspect, combining elements of Goodreads and Fable. You can add friends and see what they are reading, add books to your to-be-read list (TBR), rate books, review books, pretty much all the same things as Fable and Goodreads, but there are many more graphs and statistics. If you are really into seeing every aspect of what you read in a chart, then this is the right website for you. You can also browse books for recommendations, and there are giveaways to enter, just like Goodreads.
The School Library Journal is one of my absolute favorite resources for finding articles and staying up to date with the world of reading from a librarian's perspective. The School Librarian Journal is primarily focused on catering to librarians and information specialists, but even as an avid reader, it can be an enjoyable and helpful resource. This list is specifically their selection of the best young adult books, and there are many fantastic options.
The School Library Journal advocates for reading widely and diversely (as they should), so this is another list that can be very helpful. Many of the books on this list are ones I have personally enjoyed, such as All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson. I also read a few on the list as a high schooler myself, including Looking for Alaska by John Green. When it comes to reading for pleasure, it is so crucial to also read outside of your comfort zone and explore perspectives unlike your own.
The American Library Association has a page dedicated to finding the best young adult titles. You can browse by year, and you can also use their teen book finder tool from YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) to search for books as well!
The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18. This resource is excellent because it features many captivating and high-quality reads for high school students that they may not have been exposed to before. You can browse the winners of each year going back to 1998, as well as the books that received official nominations.
As fun as fiction is to read, it is also important to be well-rounded and to read non-fiction as well. This award is given to young adult non-fiction books that exhibit excellence in nonfiction for young Adults, and honors the best nonfiction book published for those ages (12-18). There are lists to browse for both current and past winners.