Contemporaries recommendation : Back To School special

Contemporaries are one of the most popular books these days. Not only they are entertaining and amusing, but they are also short which makes them the best books to read when school returns (which is very soon, I might add).

Today, I’m suggesting my top six (because I couldn't make them five. These books are simply too good not to be recommended) contemporaries for you to read. Also, I couldn't figure out my favorite of these six books (trust me, I tried) so I'm not putting them in a particular order.

We were liars by E. Lockhart

This book was one of the most anticipated books of the year. Everyone says it’s better to dive in it without knowing anything. I think they are partly right, but I wish someone told me to pay extra attention while reading it. All I’m going to say about it that it’s really, really good, unexpected and thrilling. It’s also really short, I finished it in two days. To be honest though, it’s my least favorite of these books, but it’s a good read, you’ll enjoy it, trust me.

Panic By Lauren Oliver

The plot and the story is so amazing. The story is set during the summer in a town called Carp. Carp is in the middle of nowhere. Nothing exciting ever happens, and the only reason people don’t leave it is because they don’t have enough money to do it. Out of boredom, the seniors of high school came up with a game called Panic. Panic includes a series of challenges that can be illegal. Basically, if you’re caught playing Panic, you’re in trouble. After each challenge someone is eliminated. The winner wins over fifty thousand dollars. That’s a lot of money that can change the lives of people of Carp.
I gave it five stars on goodreads. It’s that good. The characters development is amazing, the story is captivating and thrilling. You’ll find yourself catching your breath so often. It’s one of my favorites. Just read it.

Before I fall by Lauren Oliver

Surprise, surprise ! Another book by Lauren Oliver.

Before I fall is about a girl, Samantha, who dies and re lives the same day of her death seven times.

You’d think it would be boring to read about the same day, with the same events, over and over again. It isn't. Lauren Oliver has a gift of telling a story without making you want to sleep. I especially loved the ideas within this book : how the smallest act can lead to a series of events that can change your life as well as people around you. I also loved how family, friendship, school life, bullying, trust… and so many other subjects are included. It’s a book that makes you think. I loved it so much and I highly recommend it.

Eleanor & Park By Rainbow Rowell

This book is about a really cute love story about two different people : Park who is an asian cute boy, and Eleanor who is new in town and who is chubby, has a very wrong choice in clothes and is red headed. She gets bullied by almost everyone in school.
Rainbow Rowell is the QUEEN of contemporaries. You get hooked after reading the first page. I’m not even kidding. The way she describes Eleanor and Park as they fall for each other is so beautiful you find yourself smiling and giggling.
Something else I love about this book- besides the cuteness - is that she included a very serious topic which is the harassment Eleanor, her siblings and her mother suffer from her stepfather.
Let me tell you something. I cried while reading this.

Attachements By Rainbow Rowell

Also another book by Rainbow.
This book is also a cute romance set in the 90’s. Unlike Eleanor & Park, it’s an adult contemporary (which means that the main character is a grown up). It’s about this boy, man really, who works as an internet security gard at a newspaper building. He monitors other employees’ emails to make sure they don't misuse the internet during work hours by using it for personal purposes.
Lincoln comes across two women exchanging e-mail : Beth and Jennifer. He knows he should report them, but he doesn't because he finds himself entertained by their e-mails. Eventually, Lincoln falls in love with Beth.
When I heard abou this book, my mind instantly jumped to the movie « You’ve got mail ». We all love that movie, don’t we ? Anyway, this book is better.
Again, like Eleanor & Park, it isn’t just about the romance. The main character Lincoln develops and finds himself through the book. This book is so cute and entertaining. You'll love it. All of Rainbow’s books are amazing.

Last but not least, The perks of being a wall flower by Stephen Chbosky

I read this book twice. Never happened before. That’s how good this book is.
I really love the writing style of this book. It’s in the form of letters a boy, Charly, sends to a friend telling him about his life. He first started writing to him because he's terrified of starting high school. What I absolutely adore about this book is how that you can relate to it so much. The story of Charly is touching and interesting even though it’s nothing out of the ordinary. It’s really short and it’s a page turner. One of my best books ever.

What are you reading this month ? I’m planning on reading Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, Life as we knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer and Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green. I will also re read Divergent by Verronica Roth for the ORC read along.

We hope you enjoyed this article. What do you think we should write about next ? Tell us in the comments.

Sarah Laajimi