Top Ten Favourite Stand-Alone Books

A whole lot of YA books that are really popular and hyped up on the interweb are part of trilogies and series and while I love all those books sometimes what I really need is a quick stand-alone book to read in between all these huge series. Here are my top ten favourite stand-alone novels, most of them are contemporary/realistic fiction but I tried to include some fantasy/dystopian books as well :)

#10 Stitching Snow by R. C. Lewis

Stitching Snow is a science fiction, fairy tale retelling of Snow White set in a completely different world where there are three planets governed by the corrupt and violent King Matthias. The main character Essie just happens to be the long lost daughter of the king and wants revenge. Other than the fact that this book has one of the most beautiful covers I have ever seen, the book itself is really imaginative and so much fun!

#9 It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

It's Kind of a Funny Story deals with some heavy topics following a main character dealing with depression and many side characters with other mental illnesses but it does a really good job of exploring these themes but still have a whole lot of really funny scenes along with the emotional ones.

#8 Popular by Maya van Wegenen

Okay so technically this isn't fantasy, contemporary or even fiction but it is a really good book. Popular is basically a memoir of one of Maya van Wegenen's middle school years when she decides to try following this popularity guide by Betty Cornell to try and fit in with people in her year at school. This book was super hilarious and at points super painful to read and it's really easy to relate to Maya's story.

#7 Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

If you're not familiar with Brian Selznick's books (he wrote The Invention of Hugo Cabret which also got turned into a movie) his books are basically half pictures and half words. I have also read his other book but Wonderstruck is definitely my favourite because the pictures just matched so perfectly and the characters, Ben and Rose, were a lot more interesting and complex. 

#6 I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest

I Am Princess X is one of the new releases from this year which I read and absolutely adored. The premise is that two best friends, May and Libby, created their own comic about this character called Princess X. A few years later Libby passes away from a car accident but a while later May starts seeing stickers and merchandise of Princess X which leads her to a webcomic which only Libby could have made except that Libby isn't alive. There's snippets from the comics in the book and they're so pretty and the story is SO cool and I highly, highly recommend this!

#5 Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers

Life on the Refrigerator Door is a short book but really emotional and moving. It's about a mother and daughter who don't get to spend a lot of time with each other because of their schedules but instead communicate through little notes they leave on the refrigerator. I won't tell you exactly what happens but something changes in their lives and it follows how both the characters react to it and it is so so sad but so so so good.

#4 The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

The book thief is quite a famous book which was also adapted into a movie in 2013 I believe. It's quite a long book but I read it all in a day because I was so fascinated by the story. It takes place during WWII in Germany and follows the main character Liesel but is told through the perspective of Death. It's partly historical fiction but mostly just a story about Liesel growing up in this time and how the war affects her relationship with the people around her and it's just really good (I am very good at adjectives I know).

#3 Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

If you still have not read Fangirl then I don't know what you are doing because you HAVE to read this magnificent book! Seriously. Do it. Now. I don't think I have read a book with such a relatable character as Cath. Cath is more comfortable with watching fictional characters' stories play out but struggles with handling her own life and opening up to new people and situations. Did I mention she also writes fanfiction about the Simon Snow series which is basically their version of Harry Potter. I repeat read this book right now.

#2 The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Now I have not read Twilight or any other books by Stephenie Meyer and I don't plan to anytime soon but after my friend recommended The Host to me, I read it and absolutely LOVED it. The story definitely takes some time to get into since there is a lot of world building but once you get used to all the strange names and situations it is an amazing ride.

#1 Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

Aaannddd finally the number one spot goes to Everything Leads to You. I adored this book from the very first page, it was so atmospheric (I'm not sure that's an appropriate word to describe a contemporary but I'm sticking with it), the characters were so real and flawed but likeable and the story had a really lovely happy ending without being cliched at all. There's also quite a lot of diversity in this book which just makes me love it even more and I highly highly highly recommend this as a light read with a really good story.

Well that's it, those are my favourite stand-alone novels! I'd love to hear from you, have I missed any of your absolute favourite books? Which stand-alones are on your list? Comment below :)