Eragon, by Christopher Paolini. This book, for me, was encouraging because the author was so young when he wrote it, yet it turned out so good; you'd never know a fifteen-year-old wrote it. Very impressive, though I'll admit it's a bit Star Wars meets Lord of the Rings with dragons. But then, basically nothing is new anymore. Brisngrr-the third book-was a bloodbath, however; way too much unnecessary details. Human muscle called "meat?" Really, Mr. Paolini? And the weird cult in the first bit of the book wasn't justified, as it served no purpose, not even a fair bit of reflective thought for the main character. But the first two books were brilliant--- especially the title of "Eldest"--- I was so curious to know why the book was called that I read it through. And wasn't disappointed with the answer, either.
The Gallacher Girls series, by Ally Carter. Brilliant idea by the author, but the writing wasn't terrific. I really, really, really hate saying that about any book, but it just wasn't up there. The idea was amazing, though, and I have to give the author a lot of credit for that.
Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte. It's a classic. I started with the abridged version, then when I was in junior high I moved onto the Real Thing. I must say, Rochester really, really annoys me. But it just adds to the book, in some crazy way! Charlotte really had something amazing in her, here.
The Mother-Daughter Book Club, by Heather Vogel Frederick. I have all the published series to date, and am waiting on needles for the next one. They ARE cheesy, I will admit it, but amazing in that. I do wish Ms. Fredrick would drop the 'adventure' at the end of each book, but other than that, my only complaint is that all four girls' first-person voices sound the same. But I love them all: when I read the first one, I was a definite "Emma," with Megan's sewing thing going, but as the series has gone on I'm definitely a Cassidy, which is surprising since Cassidy really annoyed me when the series started! Now that she's just a midge more girly, she's me exactly.
A Series of Unfortunate Events, by Lemony Snicket (or at least, that's the name he published them under...) These books weren't exactly depressing, as the kids always won out, but the presentation of their situations had this dry humor which didn't appeal to me. I usually love humor, but it was a very morbid humor. I did read quite a few of the books. I wanted a resolution. Uh, should have known there wasn't gonna be one of those...
Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli. I cried and cried and cried while reading this book. Stargirl is me---I may not wear full-length prairie skirts, sing the birthday song in the cafeteria, or carry around a pet rat, I'm full of weird quirks which my peers quite frankly don't understand. I cried probably just as hard for Leo as I did for Stargirl---the way his thoughts went, as the book's first-person narrator, showed how truly crushing he and Stargirl's breakup was to him, too. He was so sweet.
The sequel to Stargirl: Love, Stargirl was probably just as much a tear-wrencher as Stargirl was. She was so sad. Her pebble wheelbarrow made me cry the most---it was up to twenty, then down to none. All over Leo. Sad, sad, sad. But beautiful in its sadness.
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. Another classic, Pride and Prejudice seems horrifyingly long and boring during the first read through, and then humorous and short the second time round. Or at least that's how it worked for me. Also, I think I have a characterization-problem-complex: I can't stand Mr Darcy, Edward Cullen, or Mr. Rochester. They all drive me nuts. And they're all better in the movies. Weird, huh?
Aretmis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer. Evil boy genius meets fairy world. Loved it. Okay, it's for young boys, not 15-year-old girls, but still! I've only read the first two books, being that I really am a 15-year-old girl, but I can just sense the goodness coming out of Artemis by book two---he's got a good side, no matter what anyone says. I was ridiculously amused during the second one, when he and Captain Holly Short had to work together...! Admittedly, it's got a bit of that subject that little boys apparently love---bathroom humor--- that bugs me because I live with a lot of that as it is, as I have two brothers from ages 10-14. But brilliant concept in this book, very new. The bad good guy.
Heist Society, by Ally Carter. Whatever Ms. Carter lost in writing style in the Gallacher Girls series, she made it up in Heist Society. Loved the writing. My only major complaint was that I wanted more of all the guys, I wanted to know their characters so much better! This was another good bad guys story. Kat, Hale, Gabrielle and the rest were technically thieves, but in the story they were stealing things back from false owners---to save Kat's father. I had my doubts before reading it through, but I ended up loving it.
Warrior , by Erin Hunter. I loved this in junior high. Fantastic idea for a series, feral cats with a defined system of government. With catfights. And cat romance. Who would have thought of that? This was probably the book which introduced me into the fantasy genre. My siblings, the neighbor kids, and I even, uh, made a Star-clan meeting place. Nothing says book-obsession like giving eachother warrior names, putting our hands on an ice-cold pole in December, and running around throwing gallium at eachother. Good times. 
Fablehaven, by Brandon Mull. Adventure of two kids, plus trolls, witches, and fairies. Very standard fantasy, the kind of things you see after Potter. Mr. Mull had a lot of good ideas, actually, I think I was just a bit too old for his book. I might possibly go onto read the later ones, though, which is saying something, don't you think?
Hope was Here, by Joan Bauer. When my mum first gave me this book, I was possibly in the sixth grade, a voracious reader, and generally thought teenagers were the junk of the human race, who vandalized buildings and caused car accidents. "It's about teenagers, but they're nice teenagers," she told me, and slightly doubtful, I gave it a try. I loved it. I've read it over, and over, and over. Not the best writing in the world, but just one of those books that wanted to be read and read and read. (For some reason, I did this with "Homesick" by Jean Fritz too. I still don't get why I did it with that one.)
Magyk, by Angie Sage. Very young, it's called 3-5th grade level, but, uh, I read it anyway. And all four sequels, and waiting for the next one, if only for Jenna and Beetle. The first and fourth books are especially brilliant.
1984, by George Orwell. This is the creepiest, most horrible, scariest book I have ever read in my life, and I only skimmed. It was terrifying. Absolutely terrifying. Every aspect of it was bizarre, freaky, horrible. Every moment, every detail, and then Big Brother won. Absolutely horrifying.
Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare. Okay, I haven't read it through, but I know the story, and I've actually used it for a project (myself, not school), so I think I'd better throw it in, even if it isn't a 'book,' but a play. A few things---I think they were, uh, too young to commit suicide over eachother, but they really did present 13-year-old behavior. I sincerely hope Romeo was between the ages of 13 and 16, because any older, it would have been stalkerish and just plain creepy. Favorite lines: "Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?"
For some reason, the above was lost on my family, when I realated it with hysterical laughter.
"It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief"
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief"
Maybe it's just because it's classic, but still beautiful.
...and the below is really the only reason why you read this whole post, huh?
Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer. First, I think she had a brilliant idea, or dream, or whatever it was, it was somewhat unheard of. No dragons, no wizards, just a girl and her vampire. However, I'm going to have to say, the series need a bit more of a plotline past the romance to make it a classic, and less descriptions of Edward. And less making out. But great subject idea, in theory. The first book was probably the best, as Bella was somewhat less dependent on her vampire and werewolf, and it sort of had the plotline of "I'm falling in love with a vampire!" which the later books obviously didn't have. I suppose the vampire romance is what the audience wants to read, but it consetrated too much on boyfriend-dependency. It was scary that way. Oh, and I'm scared to open my window at night now, even if vampires don't exist.
Harry Potter, by J. K. Rowling. The Harry Potter series is the single most amazing fictional series I have ever read. I resisted for years---I wasn't going to become one of those Potter people, it was overrated! It must be stupid! But I caved, with the constant nudging of peers. And I wasn't sorry. I think Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was the first book I unconsciously stayed up to two reading, and didn't look at the clock until I was done with. The story is amazing, but the underlying social content is what really gets me: Narissa and Lucius spoil Draco and tell him that killing people and being a general mean bully is okay, Draco is a mean bully. The Ministry of Magic says Harry is good, everyone loves Harry. Voldemort overturns the Ministry, suddenly everyone believes Harry is bad. Draco gets what he thinks he wants most, then when it comes with real pain, realizes that maybe, just maybe, killing and hurting isn't all it's cracked up to be, when he's threatened too. The story is good, the storytelling is spellbinding, the detail is pefect, but the underlying content is the nudge up from 'good' to ridiculously amazing.' Again, the single best fictional series ever written. 
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