Every year our staff vote for their favourite books, albums, films and TV shows of the past 12 months. Here are our top 10 young adult books of the year, voted for by Readings’ staff, and displayed in no particular order.

(You can find all our best picks for books, CDs & DVDs of 2016 here.)

The Call by Peadar Ó Guilín

In The Call, teenagers are ‘called’ to a brutal underworld where they have to run for their lives from evil, sadistic fairies. A delicious mixture of The Hunger Games, Stephen King and Irish folklore, this fast-paced thriller will give you nightmares but you won’t be able to put it down.

– Nina Kenwood

The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon

A remarkable story, told through the eyes of a young boy who describes his family and everyday life with energetic matter-of-factness. But his world is a detention centre, and he has never known anything else, till a young girl finds her way in, bringing news and treasures from outside. An engrossing and moving story for any age, but particularly 11–14-year-olds.

– Kathy Kozlowski

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

Cath Crowley’s written another gem. Henry Jones’s family owns a second-hand bookshop called Howling Books, where people leave notes, messages and random underlinings within the pages of the books. Rachel Sweetie has lost her younger brother, and lost herself in the process. Together, Rachel and Henry need to save themselves, save the struggling bookshop, and maybe stir up a little romance into the bargain.

– Gabrielle Williams

My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier

My Sister Rosa is a thriller for young adult readers. A compelling story narrated by 17-year-old Che, who increasingly believes his 10-year-old sister is a psychopath and tries to limit the damage she causes. Gripping and terrifying – but so well written that you can’t turn away.

– Annie Condon

The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis

Three young men are drawn together after their friend Isaac dies. The only thing they had in common is the dead boy. As they grapple with his death, they each fill in a piece of the puzzle that was Isaac and also begin to understand each other. Strong authentic voices make this a moving and, at times, very funny story.

– Alexa Dretzke

Everything is Changed by Nova Weetman

Two teenage friends cope with the aftermath of a huge mistake in Everything is Changed. The deep exploration of male friendship and class alone would set this book apart from the rest, but the story is also told backwards. The novel opens with former best friends, private schoolboy Alex and state-school student Jake, in the hands of police, and gradually reveals the events that led them there.

– Leanne Hall

Gemina (The Illuminae Files_02) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

The Illuminae Files is a thrillingly original sci-fi space-opera trilogy. Immersive, action-packed and utterly addictive – the narrative is tantalisingly revealed through a collection of emails, IMs, classified files, diary entries, transcripts and schematics. Even the most reluctant readers will devour this second story of high-stakes adventure, impossible romance and flawed, fierce teens with attitudes.

– Bronte Coates

The Boundless Sublime by Lili Wilkinson

Ruby’s life has been thrown into turmoil. Lost and vulnerable, she finds comfort in a strange boy who lives at the Institute of the Boundless Sublime with a strange collection of others. Slowly she uncovers secrets that are more and more concerning; but does she want to leave?

– Jo Boyce

The Road to Winter by Mark Smith

Since a virus killed almost everyone in Finn’s Australian town, including his parents, he has survived alone. Then Rose appears, an asylum seeker who has escaped detention. She’s searching for her sister and Finn feels compelled to help her. Told in spare, beautiful language, this is a pacy thriller that had me on a knife-edge.

– Angela Crocombe

This Savage Song by V. E. Schwab

The city of Verity is a dark place, home to monsters who will drink your blood and steal your soul. It’s also home to Kate and August, who struggle to find their place amongst the monsters. A rich, dystopian fantasy for readers who are looking for suspenseful YA without all the romance.

– Holly Harper