Top 10 of 2012: Best YA Contemporaries

Top 10 of 2012 is a week long event celebrating the best of books from the past year. It is co-hosted by Rachel from Fiktshun, Lisa from A Life Bound By Books, Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic, Jaime from Two Chicks on Books, & Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads.

Today is reader's choice day for categories, and I have chosen to feature...

Best YA Contemporaries of 2012

In no particular order...

1. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
Gorgeously written and incredibly emotional, this book just confirmed Morgan Matson's status on my auto-buy list.

2. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Despite the crazy twist that occurred part way through, I still really adored this one. I loved the big family aspect, and the relationship between Samantha and Jase felt very realistic.

3. Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally
Miranda Kenneally is the queen of witty, smart, and swoony contemporary YA. I love how this book deals with a lot of sensitive issues without feeling preachy.

4. Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker
This book was so emotionally satisfying for me. I adored the romance, but I loved how it was about family and friendship as well. It contains some of the best side characters I've read about in a long time.

5. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
This is my favourite book of the year, so it definitely had to make this list. Heartwrenching, romantic, and just plain fabulous.

6. Measuring Up by Nyrae Dawn
This was such a fun romance, and a great book of character growth as well. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it so much, so it was a great surprise. One of the best examples of chemistry between two main characters that I've read lately.

7. From What I Remember by Stacey Kramer & Valerie Thomas
This one is just so much fun. I adore the hate to love trope, and this book pulls it off fabulously. Add in some teens behaving badly and you've got an awesome concept.

8. Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
Another great combo of family, friends, and romance. Bonus points for a fabulous wintery feel, hockey boys, and lots of cupcakes.

9. Awkward by Marni Bates
I really can't say enough good things about this one. It was so cute, and absolutely hilarious. If you enjoy humourous books with a great romance, definitely check this one out. I also promise that you'll feel completely socially competent next to Mackenzie.

10. Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols
I've liked all the Jennifer Echols books I've read, but none of them have lived up to the first one of hers I read, Going Too Far, until this one. I didn't relate to the main character at all, and yet I still felt for her. There is also a completely hot romance in this one, and not a love triangle like the jacket flap suggests.