I can’t remember how many young adult books I read in 2025, but there were just three books that stood out to me.
The White Lotus
I’ve recommended The White Lotus to more readers than I can count! A powerful work of historical fiction, what makes it stand out is the way in which the feisty protagonist Arali stands out without seeming oddly anachronistic. She develops slowly and believable, with circumstances shaping ehr character. Although I don’t read mystery much, everything about the story drew me in–the sensitive storytelling, the believable characters, and the compelling plot.
With the Fire on High
Elizabeth Acevedo’s storytelling is stunning. I love how she tackles difficult subjects head-on, layering courage with love as she touches upon a range of themes. With the Fire on High is about a young girl who finds herself pregnant and decides to keep the baby. Keeping Babygirl, as the protagonist Emoni calls her, isn’t the only difficult decision she must make; right through, Emoni must take decisions and then live with them. Through her struggles, every relationship she builds is a treasure, and it is these wonderful relationships that leave the reader with an overwhelming sense of love and hope.
Punching the Air
It feels like hope and justice are themes that have shaped my reading int 2025! Punching the Air is the story of a teenager who is convicted of a crime he did not commit. Based on a true story, this YA verse novel made my heart ache for those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law for no fault of their own. Emotions sparkle through the story as we feel the protagonist Amal oscillating between anger and hope, fear and courage. The way the writers play with form makes the book all the more powerful, leaving the reader feeling both helpless and hopeful.
And a Bonus - Life’s Magic Moments
Why does Ruskin Bond’s Life’s Magic Moments make it here as a bonus? Because it isn’t really a young adult book. It is a collection of thoughts and experiences, a book that reads almost like a journal of the beauty of everyday life. In that sense, it isn’t targeted at any particular age-group. Rather, it’s just a poetic, lovely celebration of the ordinary things that make life worth living.
And that was the last of my lists! Thanks to the wonderful Kahaani Box, I ended up reading a much greater variety of literature than I read in earlier years. Books continue to come in for review, and I’m saying again what I’ve said before—I review only books I enjoy! That’s why my blog makes it seem like I love everything I read. That’s far from the truth!
Another year of reading has already begun; more reviews coming very soon!
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