UKYA Round-Up: Best of 2014 and What to Watch Out For in 2015!

Another day, another best of list!

2014 was a great year for UKYA with a lot of great titles from authors established and debut hitting the scene. Here's a round up of some of the best UKYA of 2014 along with some great UKYA titles you should check out next year.

Carry On Reading!

UKYA BEST OF 2014

Lobsters by Tom Ellen & Lucy Ivison -- This was my personal favourite UKYA of the year  and one of the biggest hits on the UKYA scene last summer. Lobsters is all about first times, fun, friendships and festivals and is laugh out loud funny at every turn –right down to the often cringe-worthy nitty gritty as is the wonderful way of UKYA. This is one book guaranteed to give you a good time! >>Read my review of Lobsters.

The Year of the Rat by Clare Furniss -- The Year of the Rat caused some enormous buzz on the UKYA scene both pre and post release. Heck, it's still making waves here, there and everywhere. Last week, I was sent a copy of the paperback along with a pack of tissues for all the tears I'll cry when I read this book.  Here's what Arianne had to say about The Year of the Rat: " Raw and honest, this heart-breaking tale of loss and anger is one of the most unique and compelling novels I’ve read so far this year." >>Read Arianne's review of The Year of The Rat.

Trouble by Non Pratt -- I've yet to read this one, although it is on my TBR and I hope to get to it very soon. Meanwhile, Arianne has it covered, and if you missed her review of Trouble earlier today, here's what she had to say about Non Pratt's buzzworthy debut novel: "I’d like to start by saying this: in future, if anyone ever needs a definition of classic UKYA, I’ll be handing them a copy of Trouble by Non Pratt. It’s sharp, funny, blunt and devastatingly engaging. It reels you in and doesn’t let go." >>Read Arianne's review of  Trouble by Non Pratt.

Salvage by Keren David -- OK, so, Arianne has not stopped talking about this book since she read it way back at the beginning of the year. I'm serious. She talks about this book almost as much as she talks about her crush on those Braxton brothers from Home & Away. #BraxtonsForever Anyway, Arianne labeled this book "better than chocolate" and we really wanted to see that quote on the cover of the paperback. Instead, the publisher went with 'Heart-rending' from Bliss magazine. Personally I prefer 'Better than Chocolate'. What do you think?  >>Read Arianne's review of Salvage by Keren David.

A Kiss in the Dark by Cat Clarke -- If Cat Clarke's Undone left me a sobbing wreck (maybe I'm exaggerating - just a little, though) then A Kiss in the Dark made my jaw hit the floor. That twist. I'm still in shock now and I read this book back in March or April. Cat Clarke's books are always a bit of a treat. I said it in my review of this book, and I'll say it again: YA doesn't get much better than this. >> Read my review of A Kiss in the Dark by Cat Clarke.

-- These are in no particular order by the way, but if you're wondering Lobsters was my personal fave UKYA of 2014 while I think it's a safe bet that Arianne loved Salvage the most. 

We both read lots of other great UKYA books in 2014. I couldn't include EVERYTHING in this quick round-up but if you hit the UKYA tab at the end of this post you'll find lots more great books to check out!

UKYA - TITLES FOR YOUR 2015 WISH LIST

Now, onto what's in store for 2015. I've narrowed this down to five titles, because, let's face it, if I didn't I could be here ALL NIGHT typing this thing up. There are so many awesome UKYA titles coming your (and my) way in 2015. The titles I've picked are five of my most wanted UKYA in 2015. You should check out >>THIS LIST>> if you want to see all the other brilliant UKYA titles that are releasing next year. (Also, vote for your faves while you're there!)

>>Clicking on book titles will lead you to Goodreads where you can read about each book in greater detail. 

The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich  -- Part-psychological thriller, part-urban legend featuring a ruined school, twin sisters and a lost diary. I want this book NOW!! Seriously this sounds like such a 'me' book and I cannot wait to read it. Goodreads doesn't list a release date for this one, but Amazon says it'll be out in August 2015. August! Argh! I have a long wait ahead of me!

The Lost and the Found by Cat Clarke -- A new book from Cat Clarke is always a cause for celebration and The Lost and the Found which 'marks a new direction for Cat,' according to the press release - is a taut psychological thriller. Nothing better than a taut psychological thriller, is what I say. This one is out in May 2015 according to Amazon.

For Holly by Tanya Byrne -- This book sounds wicked - wicked as in wicked evil and twisted. Ha! So, we've got this girl, Lola Durand who hates her stepmother and it sounds like she's going to TAKE. HER. DOWN. How?  Lola knows her stepmother's secret. And she's going to share it. I can't wait to find out what it is! Share, Lola, Share. June 2015 for this.

This is Not a Love Story by Keren David -- Well, after all of Arianne's 'Better than Chocolate' talk regarding Salvage, I just had to include Keren David's new book on this list. Also, this book sounds pretty damn awesome. This is Not a Love Story has an Amsterdam setting, features a grieving girl called Kitty, and two enigmatic boys, both with their secrets, called Ethan and Theo. Broken hearts or a happy ever after? You'll have to wait until May 2015 to find out. 

Conspiracy Girl by Sarah Alderson -- Two things guaranteed to be in every Sarah Alderson novel: A action-packed plot and the hottest guy you've ever encountered in a YA book. It's true: Sarah Alderson writes some of the hottest book boys around. And the hottest make-out scenes. Her foray into NA with  Come Back to Me (writing as Mila Gray) was a favourite of mine last summer, and I cannot wait to check this one out - and meet Finn Carter - "hacker, rule breaker, player" - reads the blurb. This one is out in February 2015 so not too long a wait. Also, it's on Netgalley for anyone who wants to go grab!

2014 was a great year for UKYA and 2015 is shaping up to be just as good- if not better.

I'd love to hear all about the UKYA you loved in 2014 (feel free to include Irish YA too!)

And let me know what UKYA you can't wait to read in 2015. Who knows, I might find some more books to add to my UKYA wish list!

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