Best teen young adult literatue fiction books according to redditors
We found 3,359 Reddit comments discussing the best teen young adult literatue fiction books. We ranked the 1,420 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
And Anne McCaffrey (for kids): Dragon Song, etc.
Some of these were listed on my blog, but here's a list of Fantasy/Romance with Strong Female Protagonists:
And of course, as mentioned by everybody else:
The Giver by Lois Lowry
You joke but we live in a world where THIS is a thing.
I work at a kid's bookstore and get this question all the time! Here are some of my favorite recommendations:
The Chrestomanci books by Diana Wynne Jones, and some of her other books too, like Howl's Moving Castle would be fantastic. She writes great fantasy.
The Emerald Atlas series is great for adventure.
Shannon Hale writes wonderful fairy tale type books. Start her off with Princess Academy or Goose Girl.
Jessica Day George is also a favorite at our store. Tuesdays at the Castle or Dragon Slippers would be great starts to new series.
Kate DiCamillo is wonderful. Her newest book Flora & Ulysses was awesome.
I loved Savvy and Scumble by Ingrid Law. If she likes those she could also try A Tangle of Knots and A Snicker of Magic. Not all one series, but similar ideas.
And lastly maybe something by Brandon Mull? He writes really fun fantasy adventure stories.
Has anyone read Graceling? That is indeed the case. Those with unique eyes like this are considered outcasts and people fear them.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Diana Wynne Jones yet. The Chrestomanci Series is an ideal starting point.
https://www.amazon.com/YOLO-Juliet-OMG-Shakespeare-William/dp/0553535390
good news! that's a thing that exists and can be bought right here.
All of these are fabulous!
I would also add Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles. It begins with Dealing with Dragons, wherein Princess Cimorene decides that she's terribly bored with all this royal business and runs away to live with a dragon (sort of as an apprentice). I remember it being a lot of fun!
As a young adult: The Tripod Trilogy/Quadrilogy
As an adult: The Giver and The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson is a favorite of mine, kind of a weird fantasy/superhero riff that has some rather dark elements, but is generally funny and sweet.
Through the Woods by Emily Carrol is darker, a collection of some excellent, short scary stories (most structured like fairy tales) in comics form. If your daughter likes horror at all, I strongly recommend her work, she is very good. His Face All Red is collected in the book, and is a good introduction to her work.
Here are a few of the YA series I have enjoyed:
With breath-taking suspense, this book follows three teens who all become runaway Unwinds: Connor, a rebel whose parents have ordered his unwinding; Risa, a ward of the state who is to be unwound due to cost-cutting; and Lev, his parents' tenth child whose unwinding has been planned since birth as a religious tithing. As their paths intersect and lives hang in the balance, Shusterman examines serious moral issues in a way that will keep readers turning the pages to see if Connor, Risa, and Lev avoid meeting their untimely ends."
Hey, OP! High school English teacher/book nerd here. Hopefully I can help you find a book that you enjoy! I reviewed your criteria, and the only thing I would like you to reconsider is the length. I know, I know, typical English teacher trying to get you to read more, but I promise you if us Redditors can find you a book you LOVE, then you won't want to put it down! I've read the following list, and think they fit your list for the most part (especially the suitable for a 13-year-old young man, this is essential for my job every day!)
Here's some young adult books that fall into the horror (read: horror, supernatural, psychological thriller, etc) or realistic fiction.
The Replacements: Mackie is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement — left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is slowly dying in the human world.
Asylum: Super creepy, twisting plot line, male protagonist, definitely a great read all around.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BOOK ON THIS LIST A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. If you like this book, definitely read Asylum; I found those two went well together.
Unwind: This is a dystopian (realistic fiction) novel that we teach in 7th grade in my school district. Our students LOVE it, and the good news is that it is a series! We do require mom and dad to sign off before they read (and have never had any complaints...), but check with your parents before you delve into this one!
Enchanted Forest by Patricia C. Wrede These books are hilarious and feature a strong female lead, well multiple strong female leads. Actually, come to think of it, I think the only guys are a talking, floating, blue donkey with wings and an inventor that doesn't get much time.
There's a witch that has an attitude very much reminiscent of the Dowager from Downton Abbey. There's a tomboy princess (the biggest stereotype in the series) who decides she wants to be kidnapped by a dragon. And finally, there's a dragon who is just tired of all these little human shits running around disturbing her plans.
Some more YA books with religious figures and themes:
I think it's important to turn "trusted" figures into dangerous entities in YA fiction, whether that's by turning parents, teachers, coaches, and other authorities into antagonists or just portraying them as occasionally flawed people. While younger readers may benefit from some reassurance that authority figures can usually help them, teenagers are growing up and should be aware that questioning authority and the bases of their moral systems is important!
You should cross-post this thread to /r/YAwriters. Looking for more discussion topics there, and I don't think everyone's subscribed to this sub.
Wearing the Cape is a good superhero series; powers are generic compared to Worm's and tend to fall into common "packages" such as the protagonist being an Atlas class hero (flight, strength, durability). Think of it as a deconstruction of the genre rather than a full reconstruction like Worm.
Overall I'd say it's the best superhero series I've read other than Worm. Worm tying backstory and powers together via trigger event and making evry power unique is missing, but I can't think of any other superhero setting that comes close to doing that as well as Worm.
You seem to have two types of books here, fantasy YA and classics that span the genres.
For fantasy YA-type books I recommend:
For non-YA I think you might enjoy from the other books you've included, I recommend:
They're called The Enchanted Forest Chronicles. Amazon link.
I'm also going to start posting my book recommendations in these posts, since I write them out before recording anyway to stop them from being full of "um"s and "uh"s. If this seems too commercially and anyone finds it offputting, please let me know!
The Golden Compass is the first book in the His Dark Materials trilogy, and it's hard to go into why I'm recommending it without massive spoilers. The series is amazing though, with great characters for every role, from heroes to antiheroes to villains to antivillains, and has one of the most unique multiverses I've ever read.
Just to mention what makes the first book great though, its main character is still my favorite female protagonist in a published novel, people in her world have sapient, shapeshifting familiars, and one of the nations is populated by TALKING ARMORED BEARS.
Seriously, it's awesome. If you like to listen to books as well as read them, then you can get a free audiobook when you sign up for a 30 day trial at audible.com. Just go to www.audibletrial.com/rational to get your book credit, and help support the podcast. Thanks for listening!
>Yeah, can you imagine Shakespeare written in text speak?
https://www.amazon.com/YOLO-Juliet-OMG-Shakespeare-William/dp/0553535390
Gregor the Overlander is a pretty good series!
City of Ember
Inkheart, I don't know if its a bit young for him, but I remember enjoying it over a vast course of ages
Redwall!
The Wind Singer, my personal favorite. Part of a trilogy. I remember loving these when I was younger
I absolutely loved the “Redwall” series by Brian Jacques and “The Alchemyst: Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel” series by Michael Scott as a young adult (still love them now) plus you’ll be set for the next few birthdays and holidays. They both have plenty of sequels in their respective series! (22 novels in the Redwall series and 6 in The Alchemyst series!)
The Enchanted Forest series by Patricia C Wrede is engaging, witty, and sex-free.
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak is wonderful for everyone of any age. It has lyrical writing, a story that sticks with you, and moving imagery. I can't recommend it enough.
Tamora Pierce's Tortall novels are great (I'd recommend starting with the Protector of the Small series or The Immortals series). There is some sex in them, but it's not graphic and it's far from the focus of the books.
The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathon Stroud is witty, well-paced, and engaging.
The Sabriel series by Garth Nix is pretty dark, but no more so than the ones you listed.
Let us know what you end up getting her!
Wearing the Cape
The aurhor follows through on society reacting to the emergence of superheroes. The main character gets herself in deeper than she should on a regular basis.
Singularity by William Sleator!
Sounds like he views reading as a chore and not a form of entertainment. It may be that he hasn't found a book that clicks with him yet. Try focusing on his interests. Does he have a favorite movie? If its been adapted from a book, it might keep his interest.
Take clues from how he spends his free time. What kind of games does he play? Both Halo and Warcraft have their own line of books. I think it boils down to he need to find reading entertaining, and only he will be able to make that distinction.
He are some choices to try out:
Calvin and Hobbes, Far Side, or even try manga, Naruto is very popular.
Good luck with finding the something that he likes.
OH GOD, JEREMY THATCHER DRAGON HATCHER
Further exploits in the life of a young nerd: Bruce Coville's Unicorn Chronicles, Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest series, Jane Yolen's Pit Dragon Chronicles, Susan Fletcher's Dragon Chronicles...
Excuse me, I have to go to the library.
Have you tried the His Dark Materials trilogy?
What, like this?
The Chaos Walking trilogy. So amazing. My mom and I go to my Uncle's for a few days every Thanksgiving, and as they came out I would take them there with me.
Wearing the Cape, its a superhero Novel, and its up to five books now and they are all quite good.
Is it The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede?
This would really depend on your tastes.
I like to recommend The Dresden Files. The link goes to the first book in the series, and the first chapter is available on that page to see if it is something you might enjoy.
Also I liked The Golden Compass. Don't dismiss this book because it is for young readers anymore than you would dismiss a pixar movie. They are still enjoyable for adults, a good story is a good story.
If the fantasy stories aren't your thing, Hunt for the Red October is a fun read. It is also the gateway to a bunch of other novels from Tom Clancy. These are more suspenseful/action driven stories.
My preferences are mostly in the direction of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, so if you would like more things along that path I'd be happy to offer more suggestions.
xD ok this will be a long message bear with me.
Yes! Every serial I write has a home page, and every home page has:
For my serials, the home pages are as follows:
Flameweaver Saga
Halfway to Home
From a quick browse-through of your comments I didn't see you crossing paths with any other serial authors - If you haven't read any of his stuff, I highly, highly recommend /u/Hydrael's work, over at /r/Hydrael_Writes! His Dragon's Scion and Small Worlds projects are exceptional! Small worlds is also published on Amazon!
I can help with that! Some quick recommendations that I personally love - these are loosely ranked in order of how I'd recommend them, but the fact that they're here at all means they've got my support :)
Fantasy novels:
The October Daye series:
Trickster's Choice/Trickster's Queen
Graceling
Scifi Novels:
Agent to the Stars and Old Man's War
The Ender Quartet
The Ship Series
The Knife of Never Letting Go and the rest of the "Chaos Walking" trilogy is an amazing read, with plenty of awesome combat. It also brings up many modern ethical questions. I loved it.
He might also like Ready Player One which I am not quite finished with yet, but has really sucked me in. Even though there are several pop-culture references from the 80s, the reader doesn't need to be familiar with any of them to enjoy the story. I was born in 1983 and was too young to really have experienced much of it, but I'm enjoying the heck out of the book. I believe there is one passage where the main character alludes to masturbating, but content-wise, that's the only thing that a parent might consider questionable that I've come across so far.
Both titles have teenage fighter-type males as protagonists.
It's YA, but Unwind by Neal Shusterman is vaguely medical, dystopian, has an upcoming movie (of course), and has one of the few scenes in any book that's come back to haunt me in the middle of the night.
Maybe [The Monstrumologist] ( http://www.amazon.com/The-Monstrumologist-Rick-Yancey/dp/1416984496) by Rick Yancey? It's about monster hunting - I really enjoyed it. It has more of a science/anthropology bent than pure magic but it is still very much fantasy. It's also set in a similar time period, no modern technology.
Full disclosure, I haven't played Bloodborne but am familiar with the general themes from reviews.
Is this the book you're looking for:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140375988/adamcadreac
Singularity:
Harry and Barry are twins. Their parents have gone on a trip and sent them to an isolated farm out on the prairie. (Missing parents!) Barry's the dominant twin, so much so that even though they're identical, people remark that Harry acts like he's the little brother. When they meet a girl, Harry isn't the one she goes for.
Out on the farm is a shed. One day Barry steps inside and the door slams behind him. Harry immediately opens the door again to find Barry asleep and in need of a shave. He thinks he's been locked in overnight. It turns out that inside the shed is a singularity which distorts time. For every second that goes by outside the shed, an hour goes by inside.
The Redwall series.
Here you go!
Source: am an English teacher.
YA lit is my favourite genre, and i remember being that age and being bored with what the school had us read.
Ideas for you: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Dealing with Dragons series by Patricia C. Wrede (anything by her, actually, but that's where I'd start)
I'll second the Redwall books, there are a BUNCH!
On a slightly different topic, 9 was the age I started reading Dorothy Gilman (specifically, Caravan and Incident at Badamya)and Elizabeth Peters's Amelia Peabody books. If she is a sophistocated reader, they are pretty awesome mystery/exotic books with light romance but nothing narsty.
I myself have just spent my summer re-reading Tamora Pierce's Tortall books for the heck of it, and those are super awesome, if she hasn't read them already. Why don't you have her look over our suggestions, haha?
He might like the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. Start with this original series of 5 books - there is another series of 5 books that come after this one called The Heroes of Olympus, same world and a few overlap characters but not as good as the first series. Riordan also has the Kane Chronicles trilogy.
I would maybe suggest A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (which is currently being made into a movie). It's about a 12-year-old boy trying to emotionally deal with his mother's terminal illness, who is visited by a monster at night that helps teach him valuable life lessons. Ness is an excellent writer but his other books are probably a bit too advanced for him still.
The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel
The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins (same author as Hunger Games)
Lockwood & Co. series by Jonathan Stroud. Book 1 is called The Screaming Staircase, Book 2 is called The Whispering Skull.
His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman
Chronicles of Narnia series maybe?
EDIT: The Iron Trial book has been getting a lot of push from bookstores as well this fall. Looks interesting but many people are just calling it a rip-off of Harry Potter.
holy shit there is 🤣
Emily Carroll wrote a book! Through the Woods is a beautiful, utterly beautiful book by my favorite author. You can read some of her stories on her website--check out "His Face All Red". All her stories are deeply unsettling, she is amazing at what she does!
Is it the The Chronicles of Chrestomanci?
My son's favorite at that age was [Singularity] (http://www.amazon.com/Singularity-William-Sleator/dp/0140375988/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1406035744&sr=8-5&keywords=singularity)
My daughter liked (still likes) Diana Wynn Jones' books - see [Howl's Moving Castle] (http://www.amazon.com/Howls-Moving-Castle-Diana-Wynne/dp/0061478784/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406035839&sr=1-1&keywords=howl%27s+moving+castle&dpPl=1)
Singularity
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede. It's technically a young adult book, but I've loved it all my life and still do. The characters are AMAZING and you will laugh out loud reading it.
I highly recommend "His dark materials" for you to read. It has to be one of the better books I read and it is a series!
All 3 books (tangible copies)
All 3 books (Kindle)
It has coming of age, strong female protagonist, science fiction, and survival story all rolled into one.
If you liked harry potter, there is a good chance you will like this book series. (They tried to make a movie about it but adapted it horribly.. do not judge the book by the movie)
His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman?
Reminds me a lot of The Giver :)
http://www.amazon.com/The-Giver-Quartet-Lois-Lowry/dp/0440237688
Anne McCaffrey wrote a YA trilogy set in her world Pern that might be a good fit.
The book is actually about a girl who lives in a somewhat misogynist society (the setting is like medieval setting in outer space in the far future, with dragons) with leaders who are trying to help society grow. She is skilled in, and wants to do a job that is traditionally male, but her family finds this shameful, is verbally abusive and ends up accidentally-on-purpose maiming her (age appropriate for E, despite how this sounds) to quash her dreams.
She runs away, then is found by people who show her that her gift is a good thing and help her to live up to her potential. The first two books are called Dragonsong and Dragonsinger.
The third book is about someone else and i don't recommend it.
Long shot but the first part sounds like Dragonsong from Anne McCaffery? https://www.amazon.com/Dragonsong-Harper-Hall-Trilogy-Book/dp/0689860080
http://www.amazon.com/Feed-M-T-Anderson/dp/0763622591
I think you would enjoy the book Feed. You can get a good look at the first chapter on amazon to see why I thought of it..
There's no knife on the cover, but the plot sounds similar: The Knife of Never Letting Go
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Gifting is fun!
Boy Proof by Cecil Castellucci (geek girl's senior year of high school in Hollywood) comes to mind.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is about a girl obsessed with Harry Potter-esque fanfiction and cut off from her twin when college starts. Also by Rainbow Rowell, Eleanor & Park might fit - Eleanor's pretty much a loner.
True facts. 25 years old and reading Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell.
The Monstrumologist
http://www.amazon.com/The-Monstrumologist-Rick-Yancey/dp/1416984496
Can I enter on .ca? Even so, I think you'd like "Through the Woods"! It's been on my list a little while now... and I haven't gotten to it yet because it's not my usual type of book. It's a collection of creepy fairy stories with ghosts and haunting, or, as the description reads, "fairy tales gone seriously wrong" (all of this I LOVE!). Most interesting of all is that it's actually a graphic novel so all of this is beautifully illustrated! That would take me out of my element and maybe you'd like to be "out" with me! ;)
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
Every Day by David Levithan
Tree of Codes by Jonathan Safran Foer
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
This is what I send to friends - - -
TLDR version;
(1) worm is one of the best things i've read in any genre
(2) don't tell my parent's i'm a supervillain is fun, age appropriate for kids but good enough for adult
(3) Dire, Super Powereds (and corpies spinoff) are excellent - don't miss these
(4) the rest listed are the best of what i've found in the genre
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Each book or series has the following information
ranking:
age:
rating:
Strengths:
Genre Detail:
Comments:
Cons:
link to book/series
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Each of the above catagories is rated, ranked, or noted using the following (obviously opinion based)
ranking:
n/10 (range for series)
Strengths:
"I"nteresting powers, power sets - not just cookie cutter powers (Worm is the best at this)
"W"orld building - how well the world around the story is built (Worm is the best at this)
"F"un - just plain fun to read (don't tell my parents im a supervillain is the best at this)
"D"rama and storlyline - character interaction and depth of plot (Worm is the best at this)
"T"heme - depth behind the story (Worm is the best at this)
"E"xcellent protagonist / strong main characters - how engaging are the main characters (Worm is the best at this)
Genre Detail:
Fantasy (powers based on magic)
Sci-fi (powers based on altered person)
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worm
note to readers - One friend of mine who read this didn't enjoy it because it is so violent/grey morals, others have unanimously loved it. I was floored at how excellent the story was, had to read it again to pick up what I missed first read through.
ranking: 10/10
Strengths: I/W/D/T/E
Genre Detail: sci-fi
Comments: putting here as a baseline - linked to goodreads seperate writeup. this is a must read as long as the negatives noted there are not a problem
wearing the cape (5 books in series, not complete)
note to readers - this is the most comic-book like of the novels/series, if you are patient with it it gets better as you go along.
ranking: 8/10 + (6.5-9)
Strengths: F/E
Genre Detail: Sci-fi
Comments: worth reading, first book isnt great, each one gets better.
Cons: first book isnt very good. story lines take a while to get decent. characters are fairly cookie cutter power wise.
https://www.amazon.com/Wearing-Cape-Book-ebook/dp/B004XRCC1G/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504392&sr=1-2&keywords=wearing+the+cape#navbar
super powereds (3/4 books done)
note to readers - I really enjoyed this series, Drew Hayes (author) is an excellent indy author who writes what he loves. One of my favorite characters in any book (Nick) in the series.
ranking: 9/10 + (7.5-9.5)
Strengths: I/W/D/E
Genre Detail: Sci-fi
Comments: unique, first chapter of book 1 is first chapter written by the author (first 10 chapters or so are rough reading). has good story, good depth, good powers and treatment of powers, gets better with each book. annoyances (some bad writing early on, and cadence in sections of the overall story) are outweighed by some really long term cool scenes.
Cons: Truly rough reading first few chapters, pacing can be tough, non essential characters motivations are 2 dimentional
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Powereds-3-Book-Series/dp/B010HIUG1C/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504369&sr=1-1&keywords=super+powereds
after reading the above books, this spinoff is a virtual must read, best of the bunch: https://www.amazon.com/Corpies-Super-Powereds-Spinoff-Book-ebook/dp/B01D9C21DE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1473257391&sr=1-1&keywords=corpies
action figures (5 books done, 3 in works for next year)
note to readers - this is more YA targetted, but on occasion goes way beyond what I would expect in YA - still fun and well done
ranking: 8/10 (7.5-8)
Strengths: F/D
Genre Detail: Sci-fi
Comments: steady, easy, enjoyable
Cons: not much depth, angsty, simple, seems to target YA but occasionally breaks boundry to be potentially inappropriate for younger audience
https://www.amazon.com/Action-Figures-Issue-Secret-Origins-ebook/dp/B00GC74K4M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504262&sr=1-1&keywords=action+figures+michael+bailey#navbar
dire (3 books, not complete)
note to readers - Outstanding lead character and really nicely written. I loved DIRE.
ranking: 9/10 (9-9)
Strengths: W/D/E
Genre Detail: sci-fi
Comments: dire is a great character, its a good story, inspired by worm (was originally fan-fiction on parahumas site, the intro to dire)
Cons: taking a while for next book to come out, only sample size of 2 books in series. third book was just released, didnt like as much as first two.
https://www.amazon.com/DIRE-BORN-Dire-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B018L5DJN0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504229&sr=1-1&keywords=dire+born#navbar
Gailsone (2 books, then shifted to periodical short novella releases)
note to readers - Least good of the good ones, If you leave any off this is the most leave-off able.
ranking: 8/10 (7.5-8)
Strengths: F/E
Genre Detail: sci-fi
Comments: fairly unique story, strong main character, quite murdery at times.
Cons: after second book author started releasing .99$ 100 page short excerpts, books are fun but no depth, some annoying interplay between characters
https://www.amazon.com/Gailsone-Big-Japan-Casey-Glanders-ebook/dp/B00GXTADYA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504156&sr=1-1&keywords=gailsone#navbar
Dynamistress (2 books, series done)
note to readers - fan fiction at its finest, a talented author who played City of Heroes wrote a 2 book biography for his character, lots of "labor of love" and nicely written story.
ranking: 8/10 (8-8)
Strengths: F
Genre Detail: Sci-fi
Comments: unique autobiography format, this is more a story of a person who happens to engage in the super human community than a hero story, very well done. oddly enough - inspired by the MMO City of Heroes, written by an author who played the game.
Cons: if you are looking for a heroic story, this is more a person story that unions the genre.
https://www.amazon.com/Reckoning-Many-Deaths-Dynamistress-Book-ebook/dp/B00F6F8NOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470503535&sr=8-1&keywords=dynamistress#navbar
confessions of a d-list supervillain (3 books, not really a series though there is a timeline)
note to readers - These were fun, first ones in the genre I read. Not as good as others in the list, but worth reading if you get into this format (novelization of super/parahuman stories)
ranking: 7.5/10 (7-7.5)
Strengths: F
Genre Detail: sci-fi
Comments: One of the first "super hero" genre books published, fun read but not much beyond that. it has not held up to other books/series since it came out, but still decent enough read
Cons: others are better, not terribly unique or deep. just fun and one of the first forays into this genre.
https://www.amazon.com/D-List-Supervillain-3-Book-Series/dp/B00XM5XKWA/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504127&sr=1-1&keywords=confessions+of+a+d+list+supervillain
don't tell my parents i'm a supervillain (3 books, not complete)
note to readers - book 1 was a blast, and is also very appropriate for young readers (5th -8th grade reading level advised). cant suggest it more highly for a fun read, and you might find it appropriate/fun for your kids too after reading it
ranking: 8/10- (9.5-6.5)
Strengths: I/F/E
Genre Detail: Sci-fi
Comments: first book has Worm inspiration, excellent introduction and very creative. second and third books are not as good. worth reading first book.
Cons: very ya, first book captures a story in a "harry potterish" enjoyable story with a ton of discovery and creativity. second and third books fell off that mark.
https://www.amazon.com/Please-Dont-Tell-Parents-Book/dp/B01A951V2G/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504101&sr=1-1&keywords=don%27t+tell+my+parents+i%27m+a+supervillain
wild cards (many books, all anthologies of short stories by various authors)
note to readers - anthologies by dozens of authors, with an overall theme and world canon maintained by the editor (George RR Martin). you have to take the good with the bad to get through this series, there are alot of both
ranking: 7- (8.5-5)
Strengths: I/W/D
Genre Detail: sci-fi
Comments: anthology format, very unique. some amazing, some awful stories. multi author short stories covering a variety of characters over the course of 30-50 years or so. first of its sort. George RR Martin editor. the first 5 books are mostly good, there are a bunch of bad mixed with some good after that.
Cons: expensive, and quality of stories varies wildly.
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Cards-I-Trust-ebook/dp/B003P8OZ0U/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504054&sr=1-3&keywords=wild+cards+george+rr+martin#navbar
steelheart (3 books, complete)
note to readers - I just didn't like the story, seems like almost everyone disagrees with me based on online reviews. really well written, but it never hooked me.
ranking: 7.5
Strengths: I/D
Genre Detail: sci-fi.
Comments:I didnt enjoy these as much as I thought I would, many others enjoyed more than me based on reviews. well written (the author is a top notch writer) but there was just something off about them that I couldnt place.
Cons: premium cost, other stories (indy pub/other) are just more enjoyable.
https://www.amazon.com/The-Reckoners-3-Book-Series/dp/B0141KGAIK/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504007&sr=1-1&keywords=steelheart
I really enjoyed Wearing The Cape
Ratha's Creature by Clare Bell has some covers where the large cat is carrying a torch or being surrounded by fire.
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci books all have cats on the cover - not so much warriors, though.
Here is a list of fantasy novels about cats (all of the covers have cats on them).
I'm not satisfied with any of these and will def keep looking, but might be a place to start. This is assuming that the giant cat on the cover is a major character and not just a random cat, and I haven't completely gone on a wild goose chase. XD
Singularity maybe?
The old man is snoring
A book to take me back
The reason I chose this book is because it takes me back to my elementary school days when I would stay inside during rainy school days for recess and just read book after book. I was a bit of a geek/nerd so I escaped torment by getting lost in fantasy worlds and developing the look and feel of the worlds with my own mind. To me there is nothing better than a book to escape a rainy day.
I've heard some pretty awesome things about this book.
Get those kids some books!
[This was my FAVORITE series as a kid!](Redwall (Redwall, Book 1) by Brian Jacques et al. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0142302376/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_Imontb0WZZHMF)
They were so fun to read, and written for young audiences as well. I love animals and adventure. :) They are novels through so probably above 5 year old level, but would make great bedtime stories still.
I have lots of books in my wishlist if I win. I also love books!
You should read [Redwall] (http://www.amazon.com/Redwall-Book-1-Brian-Jacques/dp/0142302376/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397698927&sr=1-1&keywords=redwall) by Brian Jacques. It's a fun fantasy novel, full of adventure - and talking animals. I would recommend the entire series.
/u/Morthy you shall be now dubbed Dr. Morthy-o. Let's play a pill version of Tetris.
Demon Haunted World is great for teaching skeptical critical thinking skills.
When I was around his age I loved Redwall. They're great books that really appeal to a young boys sense of wonder and adventure, all while teaching great life lessons along the way.
I take it from Harry Potter and Divergent he likes strong, morally-white protagonists on journeys to save the world. I don't know his exact reading level or interests, so I will make the following suggestions by category. I ranked books in each category by difficulty.
 
Teen Fantasy:
 
Dealing with Dragons: Funny, easy to read, dragons, magic, and sarcasm.
The Lioness Series, Immortal Series, or The Magic Circle Series: Strong female leads and interesting to read with great stories (Think Mulan). My brother loved them.
Artemis Fowl: Strong, morally ambiguous but ultimately altruistic, sarcastic, and smart protagonist against the world.
User Unfriendly: Dudes get sucked into a video/rpg and try to get out without dying. Like Tron, but less sci-fi and more fantasy.
Halo: One of my brothers who HATES reading -- or at least is incredibly picky actually stayed up all night to finish four of Halo books. He also really likes the games. I don't know which one is the first or the best but this one had the best reviews. I dunno if it is dark either -- I haven't read it :'(.
The Dark Elf Trilogy: Darker than anything else I have on here (or can be) hero vs world type fantasy. Drizzit = my brothers' hero growing up. Kinda WOW-esque? Having played both, I understand how much of WOW is inspired by DnD. I personally didn't like this.
Redwall: Harder to read, talking animals save the world from other talking animals. I personally hated this series, but my brothers read every single book in the series at the time.
 
Adult Fantasy:
 
Magician: Magic, totally badass protagonist, BORING first couple chapters, but ultimately the most OP hero I have ever read. Amazing, truly amazing. I think it is two-three books in the first series.
Harper Hall: Dragons, music, strong, but lost protagonist. Deals with sexism and gender biased. The other books in the cycle range from sci-fi to political fantasy.
Dragonbone Chair: Strong, badass hero vs a dragon. What happens? He becomes more badass. It is a lighter verison of LOTR/Sword of Shanara (which is probably too much politics/genetics/enviromental commentary -- generally boring-- for him right now) --
An even lighter alternative, more teen book is Eragon. That being said, I absolutely DETESTED these books. I don't care if he was 16, he didn't coming up with any of his own material. But -- a lot of people really like it, so your brother might!
 
Sci-fi:
 
Ender's game: Amazing ending, especially if he likes videogames. I haven't seen the movie, but my Dad said it was "loosely inspired" from the book. All I know is the book was world-changing. It has some legitimately dark points (like gouging out a giants eye or drowning puppies).
Johnny Maxwell Trilogy: This dude is cool. I didn't know until I linked it that it is hard to get a copy >.<.
Dune: This, like LOTR, is VERY political and can be very easily boring. It might also be too adult or hard for him. There is mental illness and just crazy people in the later books.
&nbsp;
Mature Humor:
&nbsp;
He should be ready for some British humor, which is a little more mature than American humor (sorry) and much more sarcastic. You also have to be in the mood for it, especially if you aren't expecting it.
Sourcery: Really, really funny.
Hitchhiker's Guide: Also funny.
Magic Kingdom for Sale -- Sold: American. Funny take on fantasy books.
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I kept away from darker books where the protagonist is morally grey (Artemis fowl and Drizzit being exceptions -- though they are both still definitely heros), sex, questionable themes, or general mental derangement.
I also stayed away from more modern books, which I have read a lot of if you would like recommendations for those instead. I read a lot in general, so if you have a questions about a book in particular, I can try to help.
Edit: Links
I think the [Redwall] (http://amzn.to/2EL9BYT) series of books by Brian Jacques would be right up your alley!
I've read and loved almost all of the recommendations already here (TAMORA PIERCE). But to add some that haven't been mentioned (and trying really hard to not overload you with 20 books at once), I read and reread Robin McKinley's The Hero and the Crown and its prequel so. many. TIMES. Maybe even more than I reread Tamora Pierce. Patricia McKillip, Maria Snyder, Patricia C. Wrede (Dealing with Dragons quartet), Althea Kontis, Francesca Lia Block, Libba Bray and Susan Fletcher (Dragon Chronicles) are similar authors to check out for awesome female-driven fantasy, with varying degrees of lightheartedness. Wrede, Fletcher, Snyder and Kontis all wrote books that lean a little less epic/serious, Block writes a lot in prose that's also a very quick (but more intense) read, McKillip tends to be more wordy but beautifully so, and Bray can kind of go either way depending on the series.
For more contemporary fiction, RACHEL COHN (of "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist"). Her Gingerbread series has content a good deal more mature than Angus, Thongs, etc., but her style is similarly irreverent and witty and really fun. Seriously, check her out. Sharon Creech's Walk Two Moons is like a much younger version of Cohn, still zingy and sweet. For a quieter modern-day read, Garret Freymann-Weyr writes realistic (more mature) young adult relationships, and introduced me to the idea of bisexuality in a sort of roundabout way.
Julia Alvarez relates stories about the Latina-American experience incredibly well, although I think the first book I read by her takes place solely in the Dominican Republic. According to my reading list, I guess young me got sick of reading about other white people, so I'll add Marjane Satrapi's hilarious graphic novel Persepolis and the more sedate Shabanu series by Suzanne Fisher Staples.
I'd also strongly second comments for Gail Carson Levine, E.L. Konigsberg, and did I mention Tamora Pierce?
(I tried to link a lot of authors to my faves from their work, but I won't be mad if you never look at any of them. Is your reading list long enough now? Also, I know you didn't ask for a ton of fantasy/historical fiction recs, but I think a lot of us defined our teenagerhood by and identified more strongly with one of those series or another.)
tl;dr my top three recs that haven't been mentioned yet are Rachel Cohn, Julia Alvarez, and that one duo by Robin McKinley.
I have a 9-year-old daughter, too. For Roald Dahl, don't miss Danny the Champion of the World, and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (the latter is for older kids, so I'm not sure about the six more, but Henry Sugar is indeed wonderful).
Redwall is a bit on the graphic side. Best skim one first. A substitute for the time being is the Warriors series. My wife and daughter read them independently in unison (my wife reading after her bedtime) and discussed them.
Harry Potter is conspicuously missing from your list. Intentional? I hope you haven't pegged this one as having cruelty as its main theme. It's jam-packed with great themes of friendship, loyalty (within reason), trust, love of parents and family, standing up for what's right, and a whole bunch more. It's one of those book series you want a notebook for, to jot down quotes because there are so many gems.
Dear America is a fictional diary series of girls living in various periods in history.
The Mary Poppins series shouldn't be overlooked. It's quite different from the movie.
I'm putting my money on The Enchanted Forest Chronicles series, first book: Dealing with Dragons. The head-strong princess has no interest in the idiot prince she's supposed to marry, is quite comfortable once she's in the company of a dragon, and no thank you, she has no need for being rescued.
Also, The Mysterious Benedict Society series. It all starts with a newspaper ad seeking "gifted children looking for special opportunities."
Princess Cimorene from Dealing with Dragons
Sherwood Smith. Start with Crown Duel because it's the best to start with from Pierce, but she has a number of really wonderful books. Possibly Maria Snyder's books as well. I didn't discover those until many years since I'd worked through every Pierce book more than once, but they're probably still age appropriate. I'd start with Poison Study. The Enchanted Forest series could also be a nice option. Walter Moers might be a bit intimidating at 12, but I'm a big fan. Robin McKinley's Damar series would also be good.
In no particular order:
Most recently, I read the Quadrail series. It was pretty good. It was kind of like Zahn took The Icarus Hunt and expanded it into a full series, rather than a one-off. I think that The Icarus Hunt was better, though.
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede.
Phenomenal series!
My old stand-by: His Dark Materials Omnibus by Philip Pullman.
I just finished The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh and I'm still all in my feelings over it and suspect I will be for quite some time....I'm perfectly ok with that.
The His Dark Materials series. If you want to teach them to be a critical reader and thinker and inspire them to think independently, without feeling like you forced them to think any certain way, give them these three books. They're age appropriate, they're subtle, and they're almost a perfect foil for the Chronicles of Narnia series; this series is the secular Narnia series.
His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman are absolutely wonderful for an older child or 'tween. (skip the movie). - http://www.amazon.com/Materials-Omnibus-Golden-Compass-Spyglass/dp/0375847227
Currently whipping through Harlan Coben's latest thriller, Missing You and Bob Dylan's Chronicles Vol. 1.
Up next, a few nostalgic re-reads I received from the reddit book exchange, Number the Stars and The Giver.
How about you? What are you reading and looking forward to reading?
Great discussion. Any discussion involving books is good stuff!
Get those kids some books!
oh lawd, this is going to be LONG
for advanced readers,
Enders Game
The Giver
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time
The Harry Potter Series
The Heir Apparent
Farenheit 451
A lot of these books can be read young and then reread when older to get more meaning
For younger beginning readers
Dr Seuss, I really remember Green Eggs and Ham, Go Dog go, and One Fish two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Oh and surprise me, i really like SciFi/Fantasy and have read the Dune Series and ASoIaF, but the Modern High Power Rocketry Book would be very very appreciated.
You might try some Kurt Vonnegut novels. Many delve into sci-fi topics, while others are absurdly realistic, and are written in straightforward language while exploring some really interesting ideas. My favorite, Galapagos, tells a tale about an apocalypse and human evolution over a million years.
The Giver by Lois Lowry is technically considered YA, but it's so amazing it doesn't matter. I still read it every few years as an adult, and I only just found out it is part of a set of four. Another book that is technically YA but is really smart and has a lot of depth is A Wrinkle in Time and the books that follow it. They are stories about imperfect and relatable characters that touch on topics such as cellular biology, time travel and ethics.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Giver-Readers-Circle-Laurel-Leaf/dp/0440237688 Easily one of the best book series I read during my young teens at school. I really hope the movie doesn't disappoint.
Don't feel like you need to 'challenge' him with hard stuff. If it's interesting, he'll read it. A few books I remember reading between age 10 and 14 that were enjoyable were:
A lot of my friends at the time loved the Redwall books by Brain Jacques. I didn't get into them, but your son might.
Looks like this guy token up!
Ok. Five is too young for this, but The Giver. I remember this book being the turning point in my life when I feel in love with books.
Edit: everyone has hit all my knee jerk suggestions. I'll have to think on this!
For the lazy, here's an Amazon link for The Giver: http://amzn.com/0440237688
"In a world with no poverty, no crime, no sickness and no unemployment, and where every family is happy, 12-year-old Jonas is chosen to be the community's Receiver of Memories. Under the tutelage of the Elders and an old man known as the Giver, he discovers the disturbing truth about his utopian world and struggles against the weight of its hypocrisy. With echoes of Brave New World, in this 1994 Newbery Medal winner, Lowry examines the idea that people might freely choose to give up their humanity in order to create a more stable society. Gradually Jonas learns just how costly this ordered and pain-free society can be, and boldly decides he cannot pay the price."
Read The Golden Compass!
My favorite book series EVER.
Thanks for the contest!
/u/Morthy you shall be now dubbed Dr. Morthy-o. Let's play a pill version of Tetris.
The His Dark Materials Triology is really great. Great for both adults and teens. http://www.amazon.com/The-Golden-Compass-Dark-Materials/dp/0440418321
/u/Morthy you shall now be dubbed Dr. Morthy-o. Let's play a pill version of Tetris.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore. It's my favorite book of all time, and I have not found one person yet who doesn't love it.
Here's Amazon's description: Kristin Cashore’s best-selling, award-winning fantasy Graceling tells the story of the vulnerable yet strong Katsa, a smart, beautiful teenager who lives in a world where selected people are given a Grace, a special talent that can be anything from dancing to swimming. Katsa’s is killing. As the king’s niece, she is forced to use her extreme skills as his thug. Along the way, Katsa must learn to decipher the true nature of her Grace . . . and how to put it to good use. A thrilling, action-packed fantasy adventure (and steamy romance!) that will resonate deeply with adolescents trying to find their way in the world.
Based on your criteria, I'd say start with some Young Adult stuff first, it tends to be shorter and less convoluted than the adult high fantasy stuff like WoT and GoT. Maybe Graceling would interest you?
If you want something light hearted that won't take up too much of your brain space, I'd say try Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, the Landover series by Terry Brooks, or the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. All fantasy books plenty of comic relief.
Meg from A Wrinkle in Time, and Menolly from Dragonsong.
I liked Feed. Here's the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Feed-M-T-Anderson/dp/0763622591/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1322792845&amp;sr=8-1
Sometime I like to imagine the lives of people before moderd media. I with more vocabulary and better able to adapt to the world. Only because they did not have all of these 'things' that surround us. I love the internet, but I know that I read more before it.
Sometimes i think, I belive that the world is heading for a future like the book Feed by M.T. Anderson. That would be sad.
Well then, let the corporations whose products you use pay for your doctors' bills in order to assure they have a customer in the future!
(Thanks to a previous Reddit thread, I've read (and recommend) Feed.)
The Knife of Never Letting Go
"Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him -- something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn't she killed by the germ like all the females on New World? Propelled by Todd's gritty narration, readers are in for a white-knuckle journey in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is."
It might sound stupid, but I got it in a Reddit Gift Exchange and I could not put it down. I can't wait to get the next one. It is not what you expect. Reminds me of the Hunger Games in the type of writing and suspense.
That's my problem. I read to much to fast.
I often times read a authors 20 years of work in a few weeks and then have to wait two years for another release. Which sucks.
I finished The Knife of Never Letting Go on Friday as well so I ordered the next two in the series. The tracking number says they will be here tomorrow.
For me the search for a new and talented author is by far the most frustrating and also rewarding part of reading.
Thankfully I have the internet to aid me in the search.
The Reapers Are The Angels.
Summary: Zombies have infested a fallen America. A young girl named Temple is on the run. Haunted by her past and pursued by a killer, Temple is surrounded by death and danger, hoping to be set free.
The style is pretty Southern gothic, sort of like Cormac McCarthy at times. If that doesn't bug you, you might like it. I loved this book.
Also, possibly the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness. Some people like it, some don't. I haven't read it so take a peek at the Amazon "look inside" view and see what you think.
The Knife of Never Letting Go, Chaos Walking #1.
Enjoy!
The Knife of Never Letting Go
My choice would be this book! On a rainy day one of my favorite things to do is get under the covers with a cup of tea and a book and just read for hours. It's so relaxing just listening to the rain while reading! The old man is snoring, thanks for the contest! :D
For people interested in this concept, I highly recommend Shusterman's Unwind. It's quick reading but quite interesting.
I haven't read this series yet, but Unwind comes pretty close -- it posits a world where abortion is effectively illegal, but teenagers can be "unwound" and recycled for organ donation. Let me know if it's any good.
Kindle store - I'm on UK but it looks like they're on the US version too.
https://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Dystology-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912053
This one is next on my list Unwind a lot of my friends have read it and loved it
Mine are some [Earbuds on my iPod list] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007136B7A/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=JA3CGVP7ZEGL&amp;coliid=I114BCC7KXLIS) because my old pair broked :(
Then this book on my book list, it's on there because reading is good!!!
St. Vincent on my CD list because she's amazing
and that's it :\
The Monstrumologist series by Rick Yancey is another good fiction series.
For non fiction it's not quiet crypto but it is ghosts: Ghost Hunter- Hans Holzer. It's a collection of sorts about early paranormal investigation.
Another series I like that's fiction is The Newsflesh series by Mira Grant. It's zombies (I know, over done) but a really cool universe of post apocalypse society.
I thin you will like The monstrumologist series by Rick Yancey
34172
A used paperback of The Monstrumologist would be awesome if I win. Thanks for holding the contest! :)
You should give her book a try. I got it when it came out, and it's just more of that, and probably better. It's something like 5/6 short stories, beautifully drawn and creepy as hell. Highly recommended!
http://www.amazon.com/Through-Woods-Emily-Carroll/dp/1442465964/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1454265097&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=emily+carroll
just about every fiction book is $4 or less. Maybe they are listing prices for new books instead of used?
http://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Complete-Hitchhikers-Guide/dp/0517693119
http://www.amazon.com/Death-Comes-Archbishop-Everymans-Library/dp/0679413197
http://www.amazon.com/Through-Woods-Emily-Carroll/dp/1442465964
(the last one is a recent book so it is a bit more expensive @ $10)
^(EDIT: for those replying, remember the comparison is between how much it costs YOU to borrow a [used] book versus owning a [used] book. How much the library pays for them is not a factor. Also unless you are the first borrower, you aren't borrowing a new book also likely it will be modified and missing a dust jacket.)
^(In this case $33.99 seems to reflect the prices of new hardcover copies)
I LOVE this skirt on my default list but I also have this book in my books list.
Yay!
Recently got back into reading after a looooonnnnnnggggg dry spell (years) and I'm reading some fun ones!
Have you read any of those?!
I don't usually brag about myself, but my family always has. I'm smart, apparently. I don't think so though. I'm not stupid by any means, but I'm not "smart," as people are led to believe; I use common sense to figure out problems, and somehow manage to remember what I need for school without studying.
I'd really like a gift card, if that's okay. I'm saving up for stuff. If not, this book looks neat.
the Horrid Henry books are incredibly silly, my son loves them... me, less so.
He also really enjoyed reading Miss Peregrin's Home for Peculiar Children.
Wow, what a great contest
Hellooo my name is Kate! This is my favorite ebook from amazon. I read a snippet about a year ago and I've wanted to read it ever since! I love reading and a kindle would make it so much easier to do so.
Oh boy, a question I can answer.
I constantly search for superhero books. There are quite a few books in this thread that I like that other people have mentioned. Here's are two I enjoyed that I think have not yet been mentioned.
Prepare to Die! by Paul Tobin
A superhero is defeated by a group of villains. The lead villain gloats and monologues. The situation is dire. How will our intrepid hero escape this peril? A sneaky attack? A rescue by his allies?
No. He gives up.
Reaver, the hero of the story, is burnt-out. He's been fighting for too long, he's seen too many awful things, and all his friends are long dead. He asks the villains for a few weeks to get his affairs in order. Then they can kill him without a fuss.
I enjoyed this story immensely. There are quite a few action scenes, but it's mainly about a hero reminiscing about his old life and trying to tie up some loose ends. The story has lots of flashbacks, which bothers some people. Furthermore, the main character is rather young and rough-and-tumble guy who lived his life as a sort of superhero rock-star, and thus talks very frankly about sex and drugs and the like. This frank talk is the main complaint I've heard about the book, but your own mileage may vary. It didn't bother me at all.
Wearing the Cape! series by Mario G. Harmon
In a world were people gain superpowers in response to trauma, Hope Corrigan becomes a super heroine after a terrorist attack drops a bridge on top of her car.
In this world, superheroes are all corporate. They join teams, have sponsorships, have agents, and sell merchandise. They are carefully regulated by the government and have to undergo strict training.
This story has a very fleshed out, fascinating world, one which I feel presents an accurate depiction of what the real world would look like with superheroes. The main character, Hope, is great. I'm a dude, but I feel as though she's a very well written female character. There are no love triangles, no exasperating sexual tensions, no becoming dysfunctional around her crush, etc etc. She's not a Michelle Rodriguez stereotypical "badass" female character either, she's actually the kind of girl who covers her bed with stuffed animals and listens to cheesy pop songs. Overall, a very good book with a very good main character.
Brandon Sanderson: That man is genius. Writes fantasy with his own twists and spins a plot that surprises you more often than not. I fell in love with Mistborn-Trilogy, the way he makes you relate to every one of his characters and he really doesn't have just one main character, another lovely thing. One of the best book-series I've ever read, left me wanting so much more. (So I picked up his most recent book that turned out to be as addictive: Steelheart <3) The whole Mistborn series has been written so the reader learns about the history and things with the same pace than the characters, so you are graving as much the plot as the information about the history and lore :D Aaaand: Another good thing! He's managed to write quite a lot already <3
EDIT: The book I would like to read: This
Is this still going?
Frank and Beans!
I'm not sure which book in the series, but that sounds like The Chronicles of Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones?
Sure! I know exactly what you mean. So, I will say that a lot of the most interesting stuff in Fantasy is (and has for a while) being done in YA fantasy, and I don't mean stuff like Twilight.
Garth Nix's Abhorsen series (starting with Sabriel) is excellent. Melina Marchetta's Finnikin of the Rock is kind of along the lines of what you're talking about, but is really well done.
Just about anything by Dianna Wynne Jones is great, I will call out specifically Howl's Moving Castle (the inspiration for the Miyazaki film of the same name) and also her 6 part [Chronicles of Chrestomanci] (http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Chrestomanci-Charmed-Lives-Christopher/dp/006447268X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1417629757&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=chronicles+of+chrestomanci).
If you're in the mood for something more adult, I really enjoyed Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series, starting with Kushiel's Dart, but that gets into some S&M stuff, which, YMMV.
And then Terry Pratchett's Discworld. Which is just fantastic.
My first favorite was Singularity. I first read it in 7th grade immediately following Jurassic Park and have been hooked ever since. The one I'm reading now is The Immortal Series by Ted Dekker. I highly recommend them!
I second the Tamora Pierce suggestion. Also definitely Gregor the Overlander! Suzanne Collin's lesser known series (she wrote Hunger Games). I recently finished reading (it's a 5-book series) and it was FANTASTIC. Just amazing. It's a YA series. The House of the Scorpion is also great, might be for your stronger readers. Eragon series is fun, and Dealing with Dragons is still one of my all-time favorite dragon books/series. Bruce Coville is a great author, and his work might be a little young but it's good to have a mix. I absolutely loved everything of his I have read, but especially Aliens Ate My Homework and the rest of that series. Most of these will appeal to the young men, hopefully.
When I was a young lady, I read pretty much anything, but I know a lot of boys like books with a boy main character. I really was a bit horse crazy, so here's some you might look into for your young ladies. The Saddle Club is a very long series about 3 girls and their horse-y adventures. It was really fun and it's great to find longer series because, if they like the first one, there's a lot to enjoy. (Oh a thought - you could always get the first one in a series, then just tell them to get the rest from the library or something, if there's budget concerns) I also liked the Thoroughbred Series and the wonderful Marguerite Henry horse books, especially the famous Misty of Chincoteague but really any of her books is a good read. My all time favorite horse series was and still is The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. Oh, how I loved that book.
There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom was fantastic the first time I read it, and I also like the "Wayside School" books which are both by Louis Sachar. Judy Blume is fun as is Beverly Cleary. Redwall gets a lot of kids into reading, you also might consider some high-level comics/graphic novels to reach a different audience. The Hobbit Graphic Novel has great illustration and I loved reading it so much when I found it one day in a store.
I found history pretty boring so avoided those books but I did enjoy The King's Swift Rider about Robert the Bruce and Scotland, might be the only vaguely historical book I remember reading around those ages. I tried to avoid mystery books more or less, but I loved Encyclopedia Brown (even though according to Amazon it's for younger ages). I enjoyed Harriet the Spy she was a pretty cool girl role-model at the time. My Side of the Mountain was absolutely fantastic and such a great adventure, though I enjoy everything Jean Craigshead George writes. I feel like Julie of the Wolves is pretty standard reading material, maybe not anymore, but what a great story. Oh my gosh, I just about forgot The Indian in the Cupboard, that was such a good story. Anything Roald Dahl is wonderful as is Jane Yolen, I especially recommend the Pit Dragon trilogy. The Golden Compass, So You Want to be A Wizard, Animorphs, Goosebumps, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Kiki Strike, Dinotopia, Song of the Gargoyle and The City of Ember.
I am sure that is way more than you need, but my mind started racing. It was hard to stop once I started -- thank you for that enjoyable tour through my past. Lots of great memories of time spent reading. Hope you find some of this helpful, at least.
Try the Forest Chronicles, starting with Dealing with Dragons. The princess runs away and does housework for the dragon instead of being rescued. Other issues relating to fantasy shows up. It's fun and the main character is witty.
Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book One
The problem is that she probably hasn't found the right genre yet that interests her. Schools are absolutely horrible at this sort of thing, so she probably thinks all books are like the ones they make her read at school.
So go back to basics. Introduce her to Nancy Drew (mystery), Babysitter's Club (random social life), Alanna: The First Adventure (Girl power fantasy), Dealing with Dragons (more sort of straight up fantasy that's not to long), etc.
That and there are some amazing comics out there. Take her to a comic shop and have her look around.
$6.29!
Percy Jackson series seems cool so far, or as I mentioned in another comment The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede, also Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles would be my movie (series?) of choice.
It has the same upside-down take on fairy tales as Shrek, and actually wouldn't be too bad in CGI either - but could also be done with actors/actresses for more realism. Even if only the first one got made, I'd be pleased.
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede were my favorite when I was that age. It's a four book series and it's awesome. It's about a not-so-pretty princess who doesn't want to be rescued.
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede are great. :-) it's a humorous take on fairy tale type stories.
My niece is 13. She is reading an anime series right now. (We do live together) some about high school...I dont know much about anime, but dragons are pretty freaking sweet! I'm really trying to get her to read as much as she can, but she loves it so yay!
(I think thats then link to the right thing)
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles.
These are still some of my favorite books. The first and third books are told from the point of view of female protagonists, though they're important in all 4.
I love the His Dark Materials trilogy. If this helps, Amazon has the trilogy as a single volume.
The Giver
Happy birthday! What's the most exciting thing that happened in your 23rd year on this planet?
I'm excited to turn 24 in 2 years. By then I'll hopefully have a job teaching and making money. crosses fingers lol
item
This it?
The giver , http://www.amazon.com/Giver-Readers-Circle-Laurel-Leaf/dp/0440237688/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1376178450&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=the+giver .
My favorite book in the world. It's part of a 3 book set, I recently found out. I have read the second, Gathering Blue and absolutely loved it too. Just bought the third last week.
This is the first book that made me start questioning life. I mean if the leaders in his world could do so many awful things under the guise of harmony, what could my own leaders being doing? I'd like to read this book because I still love dystopian society books.
Ok, I have The Giver on my book wishlist. You can buy it used for 4.89 with 3.99 shipping making it 8.88!
His Dark Materials trilogy? (The Golden Compass, etc)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0440418321/ref=rdr_ext_tmb
Sorry my Bad.
https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Compass-His-Dark-Materials/dp/0440418321/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=golden+Compass+paperback&amp;qid=1558388276&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-1.https://www.amazon.com/Subtle-Knife-His-Dark-Materials/dp/044041833X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+subtle+knife+paperback&amp;qid=1558388191&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=The+subtle+knife+paper&amp;sr=8-1.https://www.amazon.com/Amber-Spyglass-His-Dark-Materials/dp/0440418569/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=amber+spyglass+paperback&amp;qid=1558388245&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-1
You can go to Amazon and choose.
Ooh and I've heard awesome things about The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (plus the other books in that trilogy). I need to start this one myself.
If you haven't watched The Man in the High Castle on Amazon, or even if you have, you might enjoy the book by Philip K. Dick.
Sorry for my constant additions!
Does this count as a match?
Not the Kindle versions, but I have all three paperbacks on my wishlist. (Three separate links.)
If not well...snooble!
The Golden Compass used :D
Can i lick chocolate chip cookies?
Graceling
Crossing the Wire
A Long Walk to Water
War Brothers
Oh, nice. That is a really good name, but I'm even more attached to Giddon than to him being a Vandagyre, if that makes sense? Giddon's a character from one of my favorite books, so I'm really happy to have him. :)
Thank you so so much for offering! I can't believe the kindness of the people in this community. :)
Graceling by Kristin Cashore It follows a female protagonist who has a special talent (called grace) in this book. The world-building in this book is fantastic and I am sure it will suit her adventurous nature.
You say that as if this doesn't exist.
https://www.amazon.com/YOLO-Juliet-OMG-Shakespeare-William/dp/0553535390
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0553535390/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_1gMSzb4HEWWC6
It is.
"Science Fiction" is a pretty big umbrella -- The Giver is actually sci-fi, if it's the first one in the search results! Doesn't have to be all spaceships and technology to qualify. You might find The Electric Church interesting; the blurb doesn't really do it justice.
Easy reads, hmm. Dragonsong is very readable as straight fantasy, and if you like it there're a lot of books in the series. You might like Pollotta's Bureau 13 series; light, fast-paced action adventure with supernatural and magic elements. Or Elrod's Vampire Files -- the adventures of an undead detective in the thirties.
For straight action-mysteries, I'm going to suggest Travis McGee because one, I love it, and two, it gets progressively more difficult as you go through the series. You could also try Rex Stout.
For non-fiction, Why People Believe Weird Things.
As far as developing reading as a hobby, well, I think the key is to be as eclectic as possible. Read a book. Read a book by an author who has a blurb on the cover of the first book. Read a book you see linked to at the bottom of the page on the second author's book's Amazon page. Hit used bookstores and spend $10 on a bunch of books out of the quarter pile. The only rule is "you don't have to finish it, but at least try it".
At least that's how I grew my collection into what it is today.
(Edit to fix a link and add one)
There's Dragonsong/the Harper's Hall books... I think I liked it better than other McCaffrey works I've tried (which I rather dislike).
It reminds me of this.
> Down the road contact lenses or implants should be a progression of this idea.
I think I read that book...
Definitely Feed by M.T. Anderson. It's told from the perspective of an adolescent living in a future where we have colonized other planets, and everybody has brain implants that basically fulfill the roles of Facebook, Amazon, Grooveshark, etc. Kids can even download viruses into their brains which get them high like drugs would.
The protagonist finds himself having to navigate a glamorous world of instant gratification where everybody talks in Youtube comments, and the unplugged "real world" of a poor but well-educated teacher's daughter that he likes. Published in 2002, it has a lot of spot-on predictions about the social role the internet is fulfilling. Simple language, but challenging themes. Should be required reading for all kids these days, but it's the kind of book a 14-year old would completely get into. The first sentence:
"We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck."
The book Feed was one that I absolutely hated reading for a class, as the style of writing was atrocious, and then I realized...that was the point. It's a pretty short book, and a really interesting reality to consider.
Edit: Amazon link for the curious
Reminds me of the filet mignon farm in Feed.
Has anyone ever read the book FEED?
http://www.amazon.com/Feed-M-T-Anderson/dp/0763622591
Picked up The Knife of Never Letting Go less than 1 month ago, I'm about 100 pages before I finish book 3. My wife started after me and finished first. Very VERY good... and disturbing, but not in a graphical "American Pshyco" type of way.
Actually picked it up because of a comment on Reddit. YA fiction (supposedly) but a great Summer Read.
To be honest, these are just some dystopia themed books I recommended because of Hunger Games. However, I could give better recommendations if you tell me more of what she wants. Young adult? Fantasy? Romantic aspect?
I read for fun every day. Finished Wool this summer and it was pretty great. Followed it up with the Chaos Walking series which was also a solid read. Whole lot of dystopia in a row though, after Wool. Now on the Vorkosigan Saga.
Here are some suggestions that might work:
Eleanor & Park
The 100-Year-Old-Man Who...
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
It really depends on where your taste overlaps.
I think you should read this. I started reading this the other day and its awesome. I love reading books! Book of choice
I just downloaded PT last night at my 13 yo daughter's urgency, then promptly gave her my Kindle so she could read that and Eleanor & Park (another pretty good YA novel), so it might be a while before I get to it!
Here are a couple I read back in the day -
Be More Chill, by Ned Vizzini
King Dork, by Frank Portman
Elanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell
and most likely other stuff from the same authors, too.
Have you read the book Unwind? Possibly the creepiest book I've ever read about a society that allows you to "abort" unwanted kids when they're 16. C R E E P Y
[This] (http://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Dystology-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912053/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&amp;colid=1BGV2L2FWNXQM&amp;coliid=I2IB05LZCRBV85) book looks like an interesting concept. I have a love for dystopian novels and this one fits the bill. It is about people having the right to "unwind" their children. It sounds like a scary concept and I am intrigued by it. I have quite a few books like it on my [book WL] (http://amzn.com/w/1BGV2L2FWNXQM). I just recently read a great book about North Korea called [Escape from Camp 14] (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_5?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;field-keywords=escape%20from%20camp%2014&amp;sprefix=escap%2Cstripbooks%2C282&amp;rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Aescape%20from%20camp%2014&amp;ajr=2) which is a great memoir about a man's journey out of North Korea. I used to live in South Korea so the idea of North Korea and how they treat their people fascinates me.
I like big books and I cannot lie. I love to read and have several books to read on my nightstand but sometimes no time to read them. But that is life so it goes!
Wow, I am so glad you mentioned this! Absolutely loved it. You may also want to try Unwind by Neal Shusterman
http://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912053/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1278536573&amp;sr=8-1
Unwind
The Anthropophagi in The Monstrumologist were pretty wicked!!
Everyone here has already mentioned some good mainstream horror comics, so I'm gonna recommend a couple of short-story anthologies.
https://www.amazon.com/Through-Woods-Emily-Carroll/dp/1442465964
https://www.comixology.com/Six/comics-series/32830?ref=Y3JlYXRvci92aWV3L2Rlc2t0b3AvbGlzdC9jcmVhdG9yTGlzdA
You're very welcome! If you enjoy Emily Carroll's work, she put out a book a while back. It has His Face All Red and a few other stories in it.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, for sure! Super creepy book about kids with superpowers
https://www.amazon.com/Miss-Peregrines-Home-Peculiar-Children/dp/1594746036
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594746036/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_IOIhtb0TA4M7G
Frank and Beans!
Thanks for the contest. I really didn't wanna flash my books ;)
I really want this picture to show up in one of the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children books.
This is one I wanted to do since my freshman year of high school (currently a senior). A teacher at my school breeds tarantulas and has them in one of those glass trophy cases outside their room. So I always wanted to break into the case after school, take all of them out their cages, leaving the cages and case open, and take them to my house. Next day MASS HYSTERIA! Everyone running around, panicking looking for them, while they are safe in my house.
[$10 or less] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594746036/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=2VPWR63H4D2I0&amp;coliid=I11WI9T81YEOQM)
April Fools!
My dad is from the Netherlands and all of my friends call me dutchie. Birthday is July 27. Afraid it's not that interesting of a story, lol, but it's mine.
This http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594746036/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=33U7PBU8Z6ENP&amp;coliid=I28FTRYXM8VH64 is a book I've been wanting to read and since I finished my BA last week (YAY!) I finally have time!!!
These suggestions all fit the category of 1. hard to put down. 2. simple reads
They are also more on the fantasy side of the spectrum.
Highly recommend:
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children All three books in the trilogy are great. Maybe stay away from the movie...
The Night Circus
The Hunger Games trilogy Yes, I'm sure you've seen the movies, but the books will add another level.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. I've been wanting to read this for a while, it sounds like it would totally be my kind of thing! Plus, it's $5.28 on sale for eReader (I read on Kindle App).
Jack goes to the doctor and says "Doc I'm having trouble getting my penis erect, can you help me?"
After a complete examination the doctor tells Jack, "Well the problem with you is that the muscles around the base of your penis are damaged. There's really nothing I can do for you except if you're willing to try an experimental treatment."
Jack asks sadly, "What is this treatment?" "Well," the doctor explains, "what we would do is take the muscles from the trunk of a baby elephant and implant them in your penis."
Jack thinks about it silently then says, "Well the thought of going
through life without ever having sex again is too much, lets go for it."
A few weeks after the operation Jack was given the green light to use his improved equipment. He planned a romantic evening for his girl friend and took her to one of the nicest restaurants in the city. In the middle of dinner he felt a stirring between his legs that continued to the point of being uncomfortable.
To release the pressure Jack unzipped his fly. His penis immediately sprung from his pants, went to the top of the table, grabbed a dinner roll and then returned to his pants.
His girl friend was stunned at first but then said with a sly smile, "That was incredible! Can you do that again?"
Jack replied, "Well, I guess so, but I'm not sure I can fit another dinner roll up my ass!"
FunnyPants
*I'd love this kindle book.
I will take you up on this too if you still feel like doing it for more than 99 cents. I couldn't find under .99 either but these are all under $3.00 as well:
Look Behind You $2.00
[Miss Peregrine's Home for Pecuilar Children] (http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Peregrines-Home-Peculiar-Children-ebook/dp/B004FGMDOQ/ref=sr_1_18?s=digital-text&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1419918189&amp;sr=1-18) $1.99
[Eleanor and Park] (http://www.amazon.com/Eleanor-Park-Rainbow-Rowell-ebook/dp/B008SAZHLQ/ref=sr_1_24?s=digital-text&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1419918189&amp;sr=1-24) $2.50
[Me before you] (http://www.amazon.com/Me-Before-You-Jojo-Moyes-ebook/dp/B0089EHWQE/ref=sr_1_30?s=digital-text&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1419918263&amp;sr=1-30) $2.99
Thank you so much! I am new here and it seems nice :)
In The Old Apartment there were ghosts.
But no...seriously. Shit was haunted as fuuuuu
My favorite book is Princess Bride. I'm going to pick number 13. I'd love to read this book. Thanks for the contest!
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children!
Archives for the links in comments:
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OH very cool... I'm gong light this time, reading a cute one called Wearing the Cape that I got for free a while ago.
Before that I finished Monuments Men!
Wearing the Cape
https://www.amazon.com/Wearing-Cape-Book-ebook/dp/B004XRCC1G
Wearing the Cape is pretty good, and it has more books in that series if they like it.
Cape High
a light read but still very good, it alternate between characters each book, but still maintain a overall plot
The Indestructibles
really nice too
Kid Sensation
Rise of the Renegade X
Please don't tell my parents i'm a supervillain
Wearing the Cape
Meta
Vicious
Wearing the Cape, by Marion G. Harmon
Full disclosure, I haven't actually read it yet, but I was browsing amazon last night, discovered it (and the rest of the series) and was super into what I was reading about it.
Why do I feel this will turn in to what happens in this book.