
- It all started with the magic of “Harry Potter.”
- For Ron and Hermione and all couples who started off as fiery, bantery, teasing best pals.
- Because Diana and I bond over telling each other about our latest favorite books and occasionally even finish books within minutes of each other.
- The Selective Collective crew who makes book blogging fun: Brittany, Candice, Daphne and Kiki, and Tammy!
- Discovering an author is so amazing you want to read every single thing they write.
- Melina Marchetta, especially for Jonah “Effing” Griggs and Taylor; Finnikin and Isaboe; Froi and Quintaina; Will and Frankie (and also Tom Mackee and Lucian and Phaedra, and every other character she’s created)
- Maggie Stiefvater, especially for Puck and Sean (but also Sam and Grace and Blue and her Raven Boys)
- Rainbow Rowell for understanding that the world needs more swoon-worthy Asian boys who look good in eyeliner, for big, beautifully fierce girls who just need to be loved; and for exploring the joys of fandom and first love.
- Gayle Forman whose love stories break your heart and then it put it back together again.
- John Green for helping to educate millions of kids and adults about what’s going on in the world and for creating characters who work their way into your soul.
- Stephanie Perkins and her cheerful romances, especially the fact I read “Anna and the French Kiss” right before going to Paris for my 10th anniversary.
- All those dying or surviving characters who helped me grieve and gave me perspective: Mia and Adam, Tessa and Adam, Hazel Grace and Augustus, Lennie Walker, Amy (and Roger); Jill MacSweeny; and so many more.
- Even though the writing is mediocre, reading “Twilight” helped me appreciate the best friend who doesn’t get the girl.
- For helping me write better reviews about page-to-screen adaptations.
- Kick-ass heroines like Tris, Katniss, Hermione, Karou, Celaena, Katsa, Evanjalin, Alina, Anya, and Tessa.
- Authors who dare to write about tough issues like bullying, rape, drug abuse, homophobia and slut shaming.
- Because I get to write about books not only for fun but as a reviewer at Common Sense Media
- For my Moms Who Love YA book club.
- Park. Ron. Jonah. Finnkin. Levi. Jase. Sean. Adam. Adam. Adam. Adam. Adam (they’re all different). Akiva. Will and Jem. Froi. Mal. Tobias. Chaol. Will Trombal. Willem. Jacob. Roger. Henry. Alex. Sam. Todd. Josh Bennett. Win. Peeta. Simon.
- Because readers like you share my passion for reading YA literature.
Loved this!
And loved thinking through #19! Is one of the Adams from Shatter Me?
Is it Todd Hewitt?
Simon from TMI?
Henry from Second Chance Summer?
Haha! 🙂
Yes, you got it — all of them. You rock!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for introducing me to so many amazing characters!
You’re welcome! It’s always a pleasure to share the love!
Great list, and happy belated! So many of your favorite things are our favorites too. 🙂