One of my favourite sub-genres of fiction is contemporary YA, which is when realistic fiction creates imaginary characters and situations that depict our world and society.
Therefore, I wanted to share 18 of the best contemporaries I read this year (not counting re-reads or thrillers/mysteries, as those will be separate lists). I am limiting myself to one book per author or there would be a lot more Julie Murphy and Chloe Coles.
Also, I would add all 18 of my picks for great mental health representation as well, which is technically cheating, but who cares.
Top 18 Contemporaries of 2018:
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
- I Am Thunder by Muhammad Khan
- Goodbye Perfect by Sara Barnard
- Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
- Big Bones by Laura Dockrill
- Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
- The Poet X by Elizabeth Avecedo
- Skylarks by Karen Gregory
- My Box-Shaped Heart by Rachael Lucas
- The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Stevens
- Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy
- American Panda by Gloria Chao
- Bookshop Girl by Chloe Coles
- Run, Riot by Nikesh Shukla
- Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles
- Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber
- Floored
- Rosie Loves Jack by Mel Darbon
Over To You:
What were your top contemporaries of this year?
A Short Book Lover 
I really loved Always Never Yours. Was my favorite of this year.!!💗
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That’s on my tbr and Christmas wishlist! What’s the best part of it?
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Hey there .
I am just adding the link to my book review so you can a have a good idea. Its kind of a love letter I wrote to the book.! So the best part is Owen the main guy he was so sweet and at times shy too. We need more main guys like this in YA books! It actually revolves around a girl who is a theatre nerd who at times has this inner self doubt that all people who get close to her leave her…!! So its about her achieving her dreams and realising that she is awesome with maybe a Romeo Juliet twist but in a good way.💗💗
I really hope you enjoy reading it..!!🌼🌼
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Thanks so much for linking me to your review and it sounds so, so good!
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You are most welcome.!!💗
And it’s a really good book which deserves more hype. I really hope that you enjoy reading it.!!
And wishing you a merry Christmas in advance.❄❄
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I’ve begun reading more of this genre and have found that I like them more than I thought I would. Great post!
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They’re so adorable, but also usually tackle huge issues as well (at least those are my favourites).
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Yes! Contemporary is definitely one of my favourite genres! 🌟 I thought Floored was really good, as well as all books by Emery Lord, although they could fall into romance (is that what category you call it?) too! 😂 Lovely post, Autumn x
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I really love emery lord. I think romance comes under contemporary, but I’m not sure! Floored is so good and thanks so much Autumn.
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Yay! I swear she has another book coming out next year, so I can’t wait for that! 💞 I think I like Floored because it was written by loads of different authors! 😂 Autumn x
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🤞and I definitely agree. I loved trying to guess which author wrote each character.
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Me too! (Although I failed & basically gave up 😂 – it was too hard!) Autumn x
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They eventually revealed it on twitter and I think I got about 4 right. It was so hard though!
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