****What We Are Reading - Young Adult, Take 2

The first thread was approaching the 300 post mark, so I thought a new one was in order!

If anyone wants to check out the first thread, you can find it here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/78985

I keep forgetting to check this thread, so I'm going to start afresh here!

I'm currently re-reading all Diana Wynne Jones' Chrestomanci series of books (it's all Foxen's fault) and enjoying it immensely... I'm through The Lives of Christopher Chant and Conrad's Fate and currently on Charmed Life - which was the first DWJ book I ever read (when I was 8 or 9)...

I just finished a reread of The Hunger Games which is just as good the second time around.

Now I'm currently reading A countess below stairs which is a nice fluffy Historical YA Romance. So far, I'm enjoying it and a nice change of pace from the dystopian ya novels I've been reading this year.

Just finished Sarny by Gary Paulsen and thought it was very good. It's about a young woman just at the end of the Civil War. She's freed when her master is bayoneted by a northern soldier. She then sets out to find her children who were sold.

One of his best books, I think. Easy read.

This isn't a very current read, but I've just finished Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz and am now on to the next in the series, The Road to Oz. I'm enjoying these quite a bit more than I suspected I would, since I didn't really care much for the original book.

I finished (and enjoyed) The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. I have the next couple of books in my pile, so I look forward to reading them when I get a chance. Now I'm rereading The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak for book club. So glad to return to that one.

I've written my review of Beswitched (though truthfully I think it's a children's book rather than YA but so are a lot of books mentioned on this thread):

http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Beswitched_by_Kate_Saunders

Don't be surprised if I go on a school story kick though, some time soon.

I finally read A Great and Terrible Beauty which had been gathering dust on my shelf for years. Libba Bray's writing bugged me a bit in places (I thought she too often had characters saying things they wouldn't so she could illustrate some point of life in Victorian England) but I thought it was a fun story. Any thoughts on the sequels? I've heard mixed reviews.

@4 ~ I googled Gary Paulsen recently to see what he'd written besides Hatchet and The Winter Room and was astounded by how many books he's written!!

@5 ~ Scaifea, I didn't care for the original much either, but liked many of the others, esp Ozma of Oz and my favorite The Emerald City of Oz.

madhatter: I'm glad to know that you especially liked The Emerald City of Oz - that's coming up soon for me!

I just finished Witch and Wizard by James Patterson. This would be a good choice for teens who aren't confident readers. 104 chapters in 307 pages go by very, very quickly. I had the most fun with the lists of "reprehensible noise polluters" and "especially offensive books" at the end of the story.

8> Oh, I'm a big "Gemma Doyle" fan, madhatter.

7> And elkiedee, if you haven't read the "Gemma Doyle" trilogy yet, starting with A Great and Terrible Beauty, it's definitely something for your "school story kick." Beswitched is something I definitely have to get hold of. It sounds a good bit like Charlotte Sometimes, as I've already observed on another thread.

And have you ever read Life with Mother Superior (by Jane Trahey)? It's extremely difficult to find at a reasonable price, but I borrowed mine from my local library. It's fairly decent, but more importantly, it was the basis for my second-favorite comedy, The Trouble with Angels (a close second behind my Number One, Cat Ballou).

Also, though it's not specifically YA, Frost in May (by Antonia White) is YA-readable and may be the best boarding-school (or at least Catholic-boarding-school) novel ever written. I say that with the understanding that I don't consider Jane Eyre a "boarding-school novel" considering that the Lowood chapters are so few.

Speaking of boarding-school books, I just quite recently bought Unfinished Desires (by Gail Godwin), which is definitely not YA but has the Catholic-boarding-school ring to it, like Frost in May.

Oh, yes, and for children/YA, I mustn't forget The Worst Witch series by Jill Murphy.

I love Antonia White's novels.

I also mentioned The Worst Witch series in my Bookbag review. At the end of each review there are links to other books which have been reviewed on the site. I like to reference other books anyway, so in cases like this I mention ones which are relevant and then I mention the ones which can be linked to reviews on the site.

Ah - more fans of "boarding school novels"! (What is it about those??) Good to see some recommendations of titles I hadn't heard of.

One of my favorites (but this is for younger readers - more IR than YA) was always The Secret Language.

Boarding school reads - try Bilgewater by Jane Gardam, it's a bit different and Climbing a Monkey Puzzle Tree by Karen Wallace. Part of Eva Ibbotson's The Dragonfly Poolis set in an alternate school and one I haven't read but keep meaning to get it out of the library is Someone named Eva.

I'm still struggling with the last book in the Gemma Doyle trilogy - I got about 200 pages in over a year ago and stopped reading. I had it on my to-read list last year but never picked it up again.

Just finished up Flora's Dare...and I agree with whomever on the previous incarnation of this thread recommended it...sooooooo much better than the first, Flora Segunda! (And it's not that I didn't like the first--I did. But this was just super awesome!)

Also read Catherine Fisher's Incarceron. Not as good as I would have hoped, but the idea was fabulous. A self-aware self-contained prison contains generations of criminals, dissidents, and all their descendants. Noone comes in, and noone comes out...or do they? A fascinating concept!

#8

Madhatter, when I read Hatchet --my daughter suggested that -- I had no idea what I was getting into: The man's a writing machine. I've read 16 of his books so far and still haven't made much of a dent in what's available.

And what's amazing is that I only really disliked one. His foray into scifi: The Transall Saga

=============

edited to add that I just finished "First Test: Book 1 of the Protector of the Small Quartet" last night and I'm off to pick up the rest of the series at the library today. Hard to believe I've never read Paulsen or Pierce before this year.

Just finished up The Road to Oz and now ready to start the next in the series (which will be my last, I think), The Emerald City of Oz.

I just reread the first three and and read the fourth for the first time of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series. I'm waiting for the last book to come out in paperback as I don't enjoy reading hardbound books. I love this series! I wanted to check this thread out for some good ideas of what to read next since I'm craving some new Kid Lit. Just from this thread I already have 4 tabs of books/series to look into. I'm almost scared to go read the first YA thread y'all have going. Oh you people are good for my library but bad for my time management! :)!

I just raced through the whole Percy Jackson series this past week-and-a-half or so, to see what the thing is all about. Fairly decent, but in its plotting style, Riordan seemed to create a crisis almost every chapter (or at least every other chapter) and resolve each crisis just about as quickly. It just seemed a bit out-of-breath and didn't seem to have as complex a plot development as, say, Harry Potter.

I'll probably wait for the movie to come out on DVD. From the trailers I've seen, I really don't like the fact that Chris Columbus made Percy so old. I mean, he was twelve when The Battle of the Labyrinth began and the prophecy involves turning age sixteen, so it doesn't make sense for Columbus to have made him that much older (just to appeal, I assume, to an older teen crowd).

I'm also kind of ticked that Clarisse was omitted from the movie. She was one of my favorite characters.

Okay, I know this is a place for books and all, but The Lightning Thief movie was lame. As you noted, CurrerBell, the books are fast-paced and cinematic as it is -- there wasn't much need for Columbus to tinker, given that the books are already paced for the current generation and don't have a whole lot of extra plot just lying around -- so the tinkering really made it a disappointment of a film. I would save your money, if I were you.

Okay, rant over.

On a happier note, I finally read The Underneath, which was wonderful.

#20: I agree with you about The Underneath! Glad you enjoyed it.

Beserene, I saw the Percy Jackson movie on Sunday with some friends who had also read the books. I have never been as disappointed in a movie based on a book. We complained for hours afterward! He spoils the next 4 installments because of crucial plot points he left out in the first movie. Where is Kronos? Or Ares? Or Clarisse? etc etc etc. I'll stop exploding now... Oh, and Thalia's tree ?!?

Edited to fix spelling mistakes caused by strong emotion. :)

After many LibrayThing recommendations I have finally got hold of a copy of A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle and I started it last night.

#23: One of my favorite books ever! I hope you enjoy it, Heather.

#23 & #24 I think A Wrinkle in Time was just put on top of my "needs to be bought instantly book pile". Thank you for spreading the word of its existence.

Okay, I need some suggestions for my next whole class book read for my seventh grade students. First off, the class is filled with 12 boys that are definitely in the preteen - early teenage boy stage.

Have read to them The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein, Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther and Tangerine by Edward Bloor.

The final marking period I wish to read them a novel based of mythology, Greek, Roman, Norse. It doesn't matter. Or a King Arthur based novel.

I have in my pile to look over The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland, The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer, Graceling by Kristin Cashore and Summerland by Michael Chabon.

Any words on those or suggestions of other I might have missed.

#26: I am not terribly good at figuring out the age-appropriate thing, especially for 7th grade boys, but here are some titles that spring to mind that you could look at: The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Singing the Dogstar Blues by Alison Goodman, The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, Genesis by Bernard Beckett, and Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.

I was going to suggest The Outsiders by S.E Hinton. My daughter read it last year (she was in grade 7) and LOVED it and was shocked that Hinton is a woman, being the book is boycentric.

#26 - My suggestion is Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud. Your choices seem to be fine though.

I'm currently reading Anila's Journey by Mary Finn. It is a beautifully written story set (so far) in India. Anila is a young woman whose (Indian) mother died several years ago. Her father went back to Ireland after his father had died, but promised to come back for them. Anila draws birds, and when she is abandoned in Calcutta, manages to find a position as a draughtsman for a Scotsman who will be travelling up the Ganges.

@26- you might also try May Bird - Ever After by Jodi Lynn Anderson. While the protagonist is a girl, the setting and characters could also appeal to boys (especially the villainous characters!)

#26,

Well for mythology, I don't know if you could do better than read them the first book in the Percy Jackson series. Although if you don't want to go that route you could try the "Odyssey" by Geraldine McCaughrean. I found it to be a very good read aloud when I read it to my children.

edited to add:

The Saga of Beowulf by R. Scot Johns is a huge volume but you could read part of this book to the boys. It's an accessible retelling of the tales. I haven't tried reading it aloud though.

edited again to add:

Almost anything by Gary Paulsen should be popular. Hatchet for example has been popular with kids, especially boys, for over 20 years.

Echoing message #22 - The Underneath is one of my favorite novels. I think I may have reviewed it on librarything - but not sure.
Just finished reading a novel that isn't YA - a bit immature - but one that would be good for some of my 7th graders, Toliver's Secret by Esther Wood Brady. None of the kids chose it this time around, but I hadn't read it and could only read the cover to them. It's a good read - predictable - but some of the kids would like it.

I recently read Unwind by Neal Shusterman and highly recommend it.

#15 I just bought Incarceron and am very much looking forwrd to it. Were you disappointed at all? I hope it reads well.

#33 I just finished unwind as well recently! My favorite quote "People aren't all good and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all our lives. Right now I am pleased to be in the light." - Sonia Unwind

#34: Incarceron wasn't all I'd hoped, but I had really really high hopes for it...a very good read, and one I'd still recommend nonetheless.

Dear avatiakh,
I dearly recommend the book Someone Named Eva for you or anyone else who is reading this message if you like bravery or just a book that has to do with the Nazis or Hitler.

morganwest

I am almost done with my book titled Thwonk. I have no idea what book want to read. I like romance, action, adventure, and suspense. Keep in mind that I an 11 years old, so I would not read any little kid books that are way below my level.
Does anyone have any recommendations on what book I should read?

Thx in advance.

Thx avatiakh for the recommendation. morganwest:)

May Bird-Ever After by Jodi Lynn Anderson is such a great book.
I have my own copy.
morganwest:)

Hey souloftherose,
I didn't Know ur name was Heather. If ur wondering how I know, Message 24 says
the following : #23:One of my favorite books ever! I hope you enjoy it, Heather.
from:alcottacre
Yeah, that how I know
morganwest:)

I just started Liar by Justine Larbalestier. Pretty interesting so far...

Finished Glass Houses, book one of the Morganville Vampires series. Don't know how I missed this when it first came out, but I am super excited to see that there are eight more books so far! It definitely stands out in the YA vampire book club...interesting premise, really great main character.

I was looking at Glass Houses in the bookstore just yesterday... I may have to give it a try!

Someone said Charlotte Sometimes on the last thread (oh and now I've read this one, on this one too!) ... oh, I loved that book. Also Double Spell by Janet Lunn. Timeslip was one of my favourite genres as a kid.

I'll be concentrating on translated YA and children's books for a while. I have The Last Black Cat, Emil and Karl, An Innocent Soldier and Timothee de Fombelle's Toby Alone lined up.
I also want to read my last two Marcus Sedgwick books - The Dead Days Omnibus and Blood Red Snow White.

#27 - Stasia - I also loved Singing the Dogstar Blues.
edit: touchstones

#46: Looking forward to your thoughts on all of those, Kerry.

I found Singing the Dogstar Blues rather by accident. I was reading an anthology called Firebird Rising and it had a short story by Goodman in it. The book mentioned the new title that Goodman had out - Dogstar Blues - so I gave it a try and ended up liking it a lot.

I see Goodman has another book that looks interesting - Eon: Dragoneye Reborn. I'll have to look out for this one as well.

#48: I just got that one from the library the other day. I am not sure when I will be reading it though.

Just remembered I meant to post a link to a great piece in the Guardian on YA fiction: Teenage fiction's death wishes (Alison Flood).

I just requested it from my library - it's called The two pearls of wisdom here in Australia/New Zealand.

Recently read and enjoyed Return to Hawk's Hill. Review is on my thread, which I tried to link to, but couldn't get it to work.

Just recently finished Coraline and The Lightning Thief; I liked the former better. Coraline was creepily lovely. If that makes sense. I think it should have wrapped up a bit faster, or added more suspense with the hand at the end, but otherwise I really liked the imaginary world that he created behind the mirror. I also liked that it didn't spend time giving reasons or rationales for the existence of this world.
The Lightning Thief was entertaining but a little too similar to Harry Potter for my taste. I read Gods Behaving Badly last year, which made me smile a lot more often than The Lightning Thief did. Still, I might read a few more of the series as I'm trying to read more of what my students are reading, and I think there's enough there to keep me engaged as well.

I am currently reading the third book in Darren Shan's Cirque du Freak series, Tunnels of Blood.

I just finished Lady Knight by Tam Pierce, and have started The Haymeadow by Gary Paulsen. The writing in this last one reminds me for some reason of Cormac McCarthy.

When i read about all the other books everyone else is reading i get jealous. I have very little time to spare nowadays. Before i could read about one and a half of a Tamora Pierce book a day. Now a book that thick takes me about 5 days.
Anyway the book that i am currently reading doesn't really fit the bill of those above but it's pretty interesting and informative. I realise or learn something new on almost every page.It's titled (The Battle for Iraq) It's basically a few pages each from BBC correspondents who were embedded in different parts of the US military. They talk about their experiences and sometimes analyse the little slip-ups of the various politicians. This book made me realise that war isn't such a simple concept and that one can't really lump the 'good' guys and 'bad' guys together. This book seemed to give a pretty impartial view of the war, another rare thing to find.

I am starting A Brief History of Montmaray today.

>50 FlossieT:: Flossie, that article was great. Thanks for sharing it.

>53 wisechild:: I am now completely geeked to find and read Gods Behaving Badly -- I don't think I had heard of it previously, but it's right up my alley. Yay!

Read a picture book yesterday, Woolvs in the Sitee which, though children's rather than YA, everyone should totally read. Awesome, creepy, conversation-inspiring stuff. Thought I would share. :)

Currently nearly two thirds of the way through The Lightning Thief and liking it quite a bit. I should be happy to read the rest of the series in due course.

#58, OK, Woolvs in the Sitee in on the list.

#59, LadyViolet, isn't it a great fun read!

=======

I am perusing and possibly starting a book which has an incredible number of negative reviews.

I picked it up Truancy at the library today. The author, Isamu Fukui, wrote this when he was 15. (Which makes me wary as heck._

So far its surprisingly interesting. A dystopian novel about an unnamed city where the educational system is meant to train people to be subservient. I think those who like the writings of John Gatto might be right at home with this POV of lower education.

Today I picked up a copy of Melina Marchetta's latest, The Piper's Son, which is a sequel of sorts to her Saving Francesca which I loved. I was going to read her Finnikin of the Rock next but I might just sneak this one in first.

hey there im a guy yay ride that horse!!!!!!

im on a horse. anything can happen if you have a hatchet and a head

I've been on a YA kick of late.

I've got Gone from the library and have started it.

My favorite YA I've read recently is Swim the Fly. It's a lot of fun and feels like the early American Pie movies (in that you've got teens obsessed with one thing but it's still got heart). I highly recommend it...funny and does just about everything right.

I might have liked it at another time, but A million shades of gray didn't grab me. While it has an interesting point of view and cultural information of interest, I just didn't find enough 'story' there. Give me shallow adventure!

#65: Too bad about that. I really liked Kadohata's Kira Kira when I read it last year.

I was looking forward to it, Alcott, because I had read so many good reviews of Kira, Kira. In any case, since I haven't read that one yet, I think I'll switch.

Btw, started The Island by Gary Paulsen -- yes, another one -- and it is so funny. I laughed until I cried and was sure my husband would wake. The bit about this boy's dad and the 'special plumbing words' struck very close to home :D

Finished The Emerald City of Oz today - now I'm off to start The Children of Green Knowe.

#68: I have read and enjoyed the first couple of books in the Green Knowe series. I hope you (and Charlie, of course) enjoy them as well, Amber.

Stasia: Got halfway through it last night - wonderful so far!

#70: I really liked The Treasure at Green Knowe, which I think is the second book. Yet another series to which I need return. *sigh*

I am really ready for cloning!

Started Birthmarked last night and love it so far. Dystopian future where Lake Superior is now an empty valley, and the suburbs outside the Enclave provide children to those within.

About 50 pages in and I've no clue as to what's really going on, and I love it. The story about the 16 year old mid-wife whose mid-wife mom and father have just been dragged off to prison is gripping. (The first 3 babies from their quadrant must be handed over every month. And that's about to go up to 5 per. I think the author does a good job of making the 16-year-old not more sophisticated than she should be. )

Picked up and devoured all of Gone last night and what a book! A rather disturbing dystopia novel where every person above the age of 15 suddenly disappears and the kids are left to fend for themselves with some rather gruesome results. I'm now eager to read the sequel Hunger although I'm tempted to wait until the paperback comes out.

Interesting article Flossie, thanks for posting. :)
Has anyone read If I Stay or Before I Fall? They both sound interesting.
Or how about Deadline? I recently read a review that said it was better than Jenny Downham's Before I Die which I loved.

#74: Sorry, I have not read any of those.

I'm a bit behind the curve here, having just finally worked my way 'round to reading Paper Towns by LT author John Green. My review is here. Highly recommended for all, young or old!

Finished The Children of Green Knowe - absolutely loved it!

Just finished my fourth reading of Bird by Angela Johnson. I love this novel - the story, the characters, the writing, ...it requires some latitude in the reading as parts aren't believable - not true realism - but many of my students also like this one. I enjoy reading every year.

I just started Wolf brother by Michelle Paver, first in a series. I think I am going to like the books.

#79: That one looks pretty good, Anita. I will be interested in seeing what you think of it when you are through reading.

I'm continuing my Wolves of Willoughby Chase series reread/read with Dido and Pa, the 6th in publication order but 7th in chronological sequence. Dido has very briefly met up with her old friend Simon again (who makes his first proper appearance here since #2 in the series, Black Hearts in Battersea, before being tricked into going off with her own father (a very shady figure who is always up to no good).

I think that the earlier books (to be written) in the series are actually children's books not YA, but even in The Cuckoo Tree and certainly in the later books, the tone and the dangers which face Dido seem darker and more serious. The Twite father daughter relationship is quite a complex one - Dido's father is hardly a model parent and she knows that, she knows he is involved in activities she doesn't support (plotting to overthrow the continued Stuart monarchy and replace it with a Hanoverian prince - this is alternate history as in fact the Stuarts had lost the throne in 1688) and that he puts his politics before her wellbeing, but she is charmed by him. She's very independent but doesn't want to be so alone, perhaps. Really, Aiken's take on family life and relationships in this series is very interesting and complicated.

#74: Ive read If I stay which I loved and I'm currently reading Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver so far so good!

I just finished Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

YA people: I make only a small and cursory apology for cross-posting this (to interesting links, and my own thread!) but: I feel so very strongly about the Guardian's bizarre definition of "best" in their "10 of the best" Saturday Review column. YA author Lucy Coats feels the same so has a blog post (with your votes in the comments) on what should be the 'real' "top 10 heroes/'sheroes'" in children's/YA fiction - vote early, vote often! Do come and have a look - it's quite UK-focused at the moment (for obvious reasons) and it would be fab to open things up a bit.

Highly recommend two recent YA reads, Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta and Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor. The first tells the tale of a kingdom which is cursed, half the residents trapped within by an impenetrable black cloud, the other half barely surviving as exiles without. The second was very fairytale revision-esque--reminded me very much of the feel of Bill Willingham's Fables series.

Re: #83 and Joan Bauer. I love her novels. I use Rules of the Road with my 7th grade classes. Besides Hope Was Here I also enjoyed Peeled.

Marcia (allthesedarnbooks) recommended Rules of the Road. My local library also has a coy of Peeled. Thanks for your suggestions.

#85 - I'm hoping to finish Finnikin of the Rock tonight - it's getting quite tense and unputdownable.

This month so far I have read Rainbow Boys, Fire, and Wintergirls. Wintergirls was top notch. We watch as a girl who has suffered from anorexia reacts to the death of her friend, a sufferer of bulimia. It was a realistic and frightening account of what goes through her head as well as what goes on with her body.

In Rainbow Boys, we follow three homosexual boys through the problems of being gay in high school.

I did not enjoy Fire as much as many others have reported on LT. There were many aspects that bothered me, for instance, I could not tell what the plot of this book was meant to be except that it's really cool to be a "monster" with colored hair who has every male who comes near her fall in love with her and that she can influence people with her thoughts (she made her father put his hand in a fire) like a puppet master.

I am currently reading The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones.

I just finished Split by Swati Avasthi and I'm not sure what to think, nor how to review. It's about a dysfunctional family dominated by an abusive father. The older boy escaped years previously and vanished. His younger brother shows up one day at his door, lip busted, entirely beat up, with no where to go. They struggle with guilt and trying to figure out what 'family' really is.

It's not a book I'd normally read. It's not a book I'm sure I enjoyed. AND yet, I couldn't put it down. Read it over 24 hours. I think that says something about the author's writing.

==============

Currently reading Finnigan of the Rock. Up after that is Jane Yolens newer book Except the Queen

Currently reading Brom's The Child Thief, which is marketed as YA in some stores but may be a little too "explicit" for any YAs other than older teens.

Next up, The Girl Who Fell from the Sky, which seems to be marketed in the "regular" literature sections but could be of cross-over interest for teens.

I started The Forest of Hands and Teeth yesterday. I've got a picture of Night of the Living Dead in my head and I can't lose it. Or, if you prefer; Sean of the Dead for a more recent reference.

> 80: Stasia
the review of Wolf Brother is on my (second) thread

Anita

I just finished Stand Tall -- another gem by Joan Bauer..I recommend this one!

I just picked up Wolf Brother in the middle of reading Rebecca which is going really slow for me

Finally going to read The Maze Runner tonight... stumbled across it at the library last night, I'm still in a bit of shock that it was actually on the shelf and not on its way to someone on a waiting list.

I'm on a Maureen Johnson double header at the moment. I just finished 13 Little Blue Envelopes and didn't like at all but am now in the middle of The Bermudez Triangle, which I am loving so far.

Currently reading the 2008 Newbery Honor award-winning book Feathers..It is so well written!

@98>> I read 13 Little Blue Envelopes a while ago and while I won't say I didn't like it at all, it did seem a bit pointless. I'm curious about The Bermudez Triangle and I'll have to get to it sooner or later. (If it were available for Kindle, I'd probably download it right now on an impulse, but I'm a little reluctant to bring more paper into the house when I'm not overly excited about a previous book by the same author.)

@99>> Thanks for the suggestion, Whisper1. I just downloaded Feathers to my Kindle. (It looks like a quick read.)

I started Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians today.

I read 13 Little Blue Envelopes a few weeks ago... haven't posted my review on it yet, but I liked it well enough for a few very specific reasons that I'll elaborate on when I eventually write the review... but I can certainly see how it might come off as "pointless" to some (and in a way I agree). Looking forward to everyone's reviews on their threads :)

#101: Dude, HOW did I miss that Brandon Sanderson has a YA book about evil librarians?? Thanks, Stasia--I definitely need to read that one!

#103: It is the first book in a series, Jasmine. Sanderson has written 3 books in the Alcatraz series at present.

Just put them all on hold :). Thanks again!

#105: No problem!

Im currently a littel ways into Incarceron I hope it picks up and becomes a little easier to get into.

Here are my comments regarding Feathers..Also listed on my LT thread.
Oh, how I really liked this book.

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

This stunningly beautiful 2008 Newbery Honor award-winning book is just what great writing should be.

It is filled with wonderful images, crisp, clear words and a story line that resonates in the soul of anyone who receives, seeks or longs for hope.

Emily Dickinson's poem Hope is used as the springboard for the storyline.

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all

While there are coming of age elements swirling on the canvas of this book, there are larger brush strokes and elements of light shining on varied hues.

This is a heartfelt tale of 1971 and eleven year old Frannie who lives on the wrong side of the tracks, her spunky, loving brother Sean who is deaf, her mother who has experienced the sadness of miscarriages and her father who works very hard to provide the necessities.

When the new kid, a lanky pale white boy named "Jesus", appears at school, the tables are turned.
He is the minority and the one who struggles to belong.

Frannie's best friend Samantha is the child of a pragmatic fire and brimstone preacher. Samantha is enamored with Jesus and thinks he is sent from God.

Hope abounds:

Frannie's parents hope for a new life to grow; Frannie's brother hopes for inclusion in the non-deaf peers; Samantha hopes that Jesus is the real deal. Jesus, the new white kid, adopted by a black family, hopes that he can overcome the tremendous bullying and find a place on both sides of the tracks.

Personally, I was left hoping that there might be just a little of Jesus in all of us.

Many THANKS to those who suggested Finnikin of the Rock. A most enjoyable read... and I can't wait to find more by Melina Marchetta.

> 96
I picked up the sequel of Wolf brother: Spirit walker it seems better than the fist book.
When I checked the ratings for the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness I saw they went up with each following book.

#109: I read Marchetta's Jellicoe Road last year and loved it, Pam. You may want to give that one a try.

Whisper 1, thank you for the Stand Tall recommendation and the review of Feathers. I've read many of Woodson's novels but not this one; however, I'm sure it's on my shelf at school. Will check that out on Monday.

If you have not yet read When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead and are a fan of realistic fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and or a good mystery - then drop what you're reading and read this first. I bought it before it won the Newbery and can't wait to use this with my 7th graders.

A big thanks are due to Stasia for her recommendation of The Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright. It is delightful.

I just finished When You Reach Me this weekend, and concur with the recommendation--I liked it a lot. My elementary school has NO Enright books, I have to order it through my city branch.

I'm with Arthur in the Incomparable Gardens where Lord Sunday has him chained to the Clock.

Just finished Heidi Durrow's The Girl Who Fell from the Sky (shelved in regular adult literature in the chains, but readable by older teens) and I'm moving on to Holly Black's new story collection The Poison Eaters.

ETA: @113>> And I definitely second Kate on When You Reach Me, which I read a little while back on my Kindle. I don't want to say too much about it to avoid SPOILER.

I'm reading Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkes for review at The Bookbag. Someone here mentioned it and I looked at it a few times before asking. It's a good read so thanks.

It's about a sort of school for young witches, shapeshifters etc who have used their powers in a way which may get them into trouble in mainstream society, a place where kids learn to adapt to their abilities/condition. As it's American I think it has as much in common with films about teenage girls such as Mean Girls or Clueless as it does with the English boarding school or boarding school with magic sub genres.

We finally got the fourth of the Blue Bloods series, The Van Alen Legacy. I started this series after reading the Twilight books and I think I like them better. Yes, there is young love, but it's not as prominant.
Hopefully I can finish it before a student asks for it.

For all those fans of David Almond - he has won the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, which is the children's lit equivalent of the Nobel. http://www.thebookseller.com/news/114910-almond-wins-hans-christian-andersen.htm...

#119: Cool! I have read several of his books (I also have his Raven Summer home from the library now) and enjoyed them all.

Very Happy~ Conspiracy of Kings by Turner is now home from the library. Haven't a clue why this series is considered YA, but it'tis.

> 119: Thank you Kerry!
I am happy for him, it is a prestigeous prize. Maybe this will speed up the translation of his latest books :-)

I am currently reading Nightbirds on Nantucket and when I finish it, I am going to read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

Two very good books there, Stasia.

#124: I finished Nightbirds on Nantucket and thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it appears to be the last book in the series that my local library has. I am very disappointed.

Stasia - if this is your first time reading From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler you're in for a treat. Such a fantastic book. I also really love her Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley and Me, Elizabeth.

#126: Nope, I had never read it before and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading it for the first time. I read Konigsburg's The View from Saturday and liked it too. I am definitely going to look for your recommendation. Thanks!

Edited because I cannot spell or type or possibly both :)

I so loved "Jennifer, Hecate ..." and I so wanted to be a witch after reading it. My poor mom's toiletries and spice rack got so ransacked from me trying to mix up potions. :)

I don't know why The View from Saturday is the only other book of hers I've read given how much I loved - still love! - Jennifer and Mixed-Up Files. I really should track the others down.
Anyone have any others of hers they'd especially recommend?

#128 madhatter - Silent to the Bone and The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place are my favourites.

I am currently reading House of Stairs by William Sleator.

Oh, I have fond memories of House of Stairs! I hope you enjoy it.

#131: I finished it and did enjoy it. I found it very thought-provoking.

I finished The Van Alen Legacy (very exciting - lots of action - have to wait until next episode) and I am now reading the Printz Award winner, Going Bovine. I have break next week so it will be a while before I finish it.

OK, I am probably the last person in this forum to read Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, but I'm not ashamed to admit it. Now I know why so many of the girls in my classes are CRAZY over this novel. It is a real page turner and am looking forward to reading the other three. She creates a believable 21st century vampire lifestyle. It is almost realism. Still not sure how I feel about her references to what Bella is reading for school. To me it seemed like working too hard to appeal to the high school audience, but that may be because I'm reading it as an adult. Still give this one a 9 out of 10. Glad I have the next three in my possession, so I don't have to wait or track them down.

I am currently reading Paper Towns for the March TIOLI challenge.

> 135:
So am I, started this afternoon ;-)

#136: I finished it in the wee hours this morning. I will be interested in seeing what you think of it, Anita. This is the third of Green's books that I have read.

>134 Katethegreyt:: I haven't read Twilight either Kate, but I just recently got a copy from BookMooch that I plan to start soon.

I picked up Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke last night and only put it down when I couldn't keep my eyes open. I had to finish it this morning despite have a million other things to do. Very fun book. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

@134,138 >> Me neither on Twilight. I think I downloaded it to my Kindle some time back, to see what the thing's all about, but I haven't gotten around to it.

I'm just starting Keys to the Demon Prison, the fifth (and final) in Brandon Mull's "Fablehaven" series. I liked the series an awful lot in the beginning, but I'm starting to wish it had been wrapped up in a trilogy. I do want to see how it ends, though.

Plus, I've got pre-orders for my Kindle that are due tomorrow and Thursday, not exactly YA but teen-readable. Silver Borne, fifth in Patricia Briggs' "Mercy Thompson" series, comes Tuesday and Black Magic Sanction, eighth in Kim Harrison's "Rachel Morgan" series, comes Thursday.

Black Magic Sanction has actually been in the stores since late February but with delayed Kindle release, and I've got all her others on K so I put up with the delayed K release for the sake of consistency. I'll probably drop everything else I'm doing as soon as it comes.

I just finished Airborn by Kenneth Oppel which was a fantastic children's/YA read. Airships and pirates!

I read Magic Under Glass earlier today which was fun enough although in a rather bizarro way I was really confused as to what kind of country and time period it was supposed to be representing for most of the book. I got the impression at the start that it was vaguely oldy-worldy like Victorian style era and then they start talking about electricity and motor cars! So befuddling and then throw in the faeries all casual-like and I was pretty much thrown from then on in. I know it was supposed to be a fantasy setting but it just felt like a hodge-podge of several different eras that kind of didn't really gel together.

I also tried to start reading Ballad but was rather naffed off when I realised that it was a sequel to Lament which explained why after only 10 pages I was hopelessly confused. Now I'm going to have to locate myself a copy of that before I can read the other. Thankfully it looks like another library near to me has a copy so I may have to take a quick drive that way sometime soon.

I'm reading Conspiracy of Kings and really enjoying it. Also Mistborn which people have incited me to read. (I actually had to pay for a copy as our library sadly lacks Sanderson on it's shelves.

Hi - I'm new to this thread, but you can find my 75 Books challenge thread here.

I just finished reading the first three books in John Marsden's Tomorrow series - Tomorrow when the war began, Dead of night, and A killing frost. Actually, I thought I had finished, but when I checked the library catalog I discovered there are more!

I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not. Actually, they are good books - very intense/suspenseful. But I seem to read them in one gulp 'cause I can't put them down. So I may take a break for awhile while Ellie & co. are safe in New Zealand.

These have made me think about war from a new perspective. As in what would I do/be willing to do if my home was invaded?

I'd like to recommend a relatively new book, Ash by Malinda Lo. This is Cinderella with a twist, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

First Ash's mother dies, her father remarries, then her father dies, and Ash gets demoted to servant to her evil stepmother & sister (one of them isn't so bad).

But Ash discovers she has a connection to the fey, and seems to be being courted by the prince of the fairies. Would she be better off with him? And then one of her stepmother's servants befriends her as does the king's huntress.

Will she choose the mortal world or the fey? Does she have a choice?

#140: I am glad you liked that one, Heather. It is one of my favorite young adult books thus far this year.

> 143:
I read the whole Tomorrow series in one haul last year. The public library had them in two volumes, containing all seven books.
If you liked the first 3 books you will like the other 4 books too!

As in what would I do/be willing to do if my home was invaded?
I think you will never know for sure what you will do, you will find out when it happens and we all hope that will never happen... But it is good to think about it.

My review of Hex Hall is up at The Bookbag. It's an American YA story about a girl at a school for witches - an enjoyable read although the cliffhanger ending is a bit frustrating since it could be a while before the other books in the planned trilogy are available here.

http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Hex_Hall_by_Rachel_Hawkins

I just finshed the last book of the Chonicles of Ancient Darkness.
The first books wer good, not great, but reading on the characters grew on me and now I am a bit sad that I finished the last book.

I'm not reading very fast this year, but have just finally finished Skulduggery Pleasant and Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians both are quite good fantasy reads for older children. Sounds like the Skulduggery Pleasant books get a lot darker and slightly more violent as they go along so probably would start to appeal to younger teens.
I must finish The Dead Days Omnibus and have started Odd and the Frost Giants too.

I just started Raven Summer by David Almond.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I like to surf the leading edge of the library's pre-order wave/list. For example, I screwed up and am now #26 in line for Rick Riordan's Red Pyramid which doesn't come out until May 4th.

So if anyone would like to exchange data...

Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Kushman is due out April 4th
Foiled (Jane Yolen) - April 13th
Mockingjay - August 24th
The Gardener (Bodeen; MG) - May 25th

===========

Thought of a new one. The second book in "The Kronos Chronicles" by Marie Rutkoski. The Celestial Globe due out sometime in mid April.

I am currently reading Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.

>152 alcottacre: I'll be interested in hearing what you think of that one, Stasia.

I'm getting back into Going Bovine and finding it LOL funny!

I've just finished So Punk Rock: And Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother which was a fun read.

I am starting Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

Stasia, my daughter and I both just read Shiver and Beautiful Creatures, and really enjoyed both of them. Neither are your standard supernatural story, which is nice. The countdown has started for the release of book 2 for both of them. It seems I need a separate calendar just of keep track of when the next book is coming out, so many of the YA books are a series.

#157: I gave up on Beautiful Creatures. It just was not doing anything for me. I may come back to it again, I do not know, but for now, it is being passed by.

I did enjoy Shiver though.

I've been meaning to read Beautiful Creatures for a while now.

Hmm... maybe I should reconsider?

#160: You need to try it for yourself, Zoe. There are an awful lot of people here on LT who like it.

Finally finished slogging through Incarceron. Now I am about 180 pages into Fire Will Fall-- which I'm enjoying much more.

Most people seem to be raving about Incarceron, however I thought the characterization was flat and the descriptions of the prison pretty skimpy. I'm hoping this is like Fisher's "Oracle" series and the latter books will be better.

#152: Shiver is one of my favorites! I am not-so-patiently waiting for Linger to come out. I follow Maggie on facebook! She is very down to earth, talks with her fans, and is currently writing Forever, the third installment in the trilogy! I am looking forward to hearing what you think.

#156 Beautiful Creatures I thought was decent. I loved everything up to the climax, which I felt feel flat. I will probably read the next book int he series when it comes out.

#162 Incarceron was so promising, but I also felt that it fell flat of my expectations. I almost didnt finish it, which is not something i usually do. I agree that the descriptions of the prison were thin at best. I don't think I will read sapphique

I am in the middle of arcadia falls which I got from LTER. It was a little slow going in the beginning, but now I am finding it to be kind of "comfortable" read, smooth, steady story, well written, and presented in a way that piques your interest to keep reading.

Idelprete,

Regarding Incarceron: I found myself in the odd position of finding Claudia's life interesting (which you apparently did not, according to your review :), while not caring one wit about Finn or the prison. And no, Sapphique doesn't look all that intriguing if you go by the current review ratings.

edited to add link http://www.librarything.com/work/2998395/reviews/53884441

Just finished Enchanted Glass, the latest by Diana Wynne Jones, and enjoyed it a lot.

I'm reading The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by British author Alan Garner which is fantastic (imo). I picked it up because there was an article in the Guardian books blog about him (here) and I'm really glad I did!

#166: That one looks good. The local college library has a copy, so maybe I can get hold of it soon.

I'm currently reading How I Live Now, about a group of cousins left to survive on their own in the English countryside during a modern-day war. I'm not sure what I think of it yet.

I am currently reading Afternoon of the Elves, a book Linda (Whisper) recommended recently.

Okay, Elves and Weirdstone in the book pit. Thanks.

I love both The Weirdstone of Brisingamen and its sequel, The Moon of Gomrath--they are my favorite of Garner's work!

@169>> What do you think of Afternoon of the Elves?

SPOILER

SPOILER

SPOILER

SPOILER

SPOILER

I mean, after Sara-Kate's gone, and Hillary goes out back behind her own garage, the place "full of rocks and briers," to move the elf village there? And then, when her mother calls for her, "Hillary seemed to have disappeared"?

This was my first reading of this book or of anything by Janet Taylor Lisle. I downloaded it to my Kindle because of your post in this thread. It's a wonderful book, but that conclusion is difficult, and a little troubling.

#172: that conclusion is difficult, and a little troubling.

I agree. I think there are troublesome things throughout the book, so the ending is fitting but no less troubling.

I am currently reading Time Windows by Kathryn Reiss, which was one of the books chosen for Bonnie's Salon.

I finished How I Live Now last night, and wasn't particularly impressed. I should be starting Birthmarked this evening.

Just finished Lips Touch, Three Times and am going to start Rampant tonight. Killer unicorns FTW!

@176>> I bought Lips Touch, Three Times because I really love both books in Taylor's Dreamdark series, but I wasn't that impressed with Lips Touch. Not at all bad, mind you, but as for Laini Taylor, I'm just anxiously awaiting more in the Dreamdark series.

I read Rampant because of a recommendation on another thread and thought it was pretty good.

My daughter and I finished Shiloh last night. It's the story of a boy who finds an abused dog, and who fights all sorts of problems in order to keep him. Not the least of which is that the man who owns him wants him back.

There's some elements to this story that I don't like. Principally that Marty will do anything to keep Shiloh, including lying and blackmail. BUT on the other hand this is probably the only book of it's sort that my daughter has begged me to keep reading.

We do recommend it. Because of the 'difficult elements' there is lots to discuss.

I wanted to post a link to the Kidliterate blog. Disclaimer = I have no relationship with anyone who writes for this blog. I just discovered it today and have found it to be a good resource thus far. It seems like it includes both 'little' kid books and YA.

I am starting Briar Rose by Jane Yolen.

#179: Thanks for the heads up about that blog, Nancy. I will check it out!

Stasia, I'm supposed to go by the library today and pick up Foiled by Jane Yolen. I think I've only ever read her books for younger children.

#181: Briar Rose was terrific. I have also read Yolen's Here There Be Dragons and The Devil's Arithmetic, both of which I would also recommend, Pam.

In the pit! Thanks.

#183: No problem. I hope you enjoy them all. You will have to let me know how Foiled is.

Certainly.

Just finished the second Ranger's Apprentice book The Burning Bridge.
Again a good book (4 stars).
It ended with a cliffhanger and I have to go to the library for the next book.

#184

Stasia! Foiled is a graphic novel!?!

Not what I was expecting. And so far boring. I gave it 3-Stars out of the generosity of my heart. Not for Adults, young adults, or most teens.

Have you read Brightly Woven? I've got my doubts about it too.

(I guess if it can pour good-books, it can pour the other sort too)

#187: I had no idea Yolen had ever done a graphic novel. I think I will skip it based on your 3-star rating.

No, I have not read Brightly Woven although I do have it in the BlackHole, having seen several good reviews of it here in the group.

I couldn't finish, Brightly Woven, Stasia. I'll be interested in seeing what you think.

Shiloh was good ;D At last a book with a dog on the cover where the dog doesn't die!

#189: My local library does not have Brightly Woven yet, so who knows how long it will be before I actually get to read it.

I am reading both The Phantom Tollbooth and How to Train Your Dragon tonight. Should be great fun!

Just picked up The Invention of Hugo Cabret. This looks so great. I am rushing to finish my 2 book club books so I can delve into this one.

I am reading Good Night, Mr. Tom, which I am loving so far, and Promises to Keep , a junior biography of Jackie Robinson tonight.

>192 sydamy: I hope you will love this book as many others have.

I have recently finished Revolver which is a historical fiction story taking place during the Alaska gold rush. Loved, loved, loved this book.

I also read The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by the author who also gave us Marcelo in the Real World. I thought I was going to need a box of hankies since one of the characters is a teenaged boy with terminal cancer. The book was uplifting and engaging.

I loved that book, Mamzel. Death Warriors will be on my Top 10 for this year for sure.

I am a little more than halfway through Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson and it is very good.

ETA: Touchstones not working this morning?!

Well sign me up for Yellow Fever... well, erm, you know

Just finished Terrier - Beka Cooper. Loooong book.

#194 - I also loved Revolver. I'm going to wishlist The Last Summer of the Death Warriors as I really enjoyed the character of Marcelo in Marcelo in the Real World.
I should make a start on The Piper's Son which I've been meaning to read for a few weeks now, I just haven't been picking up YA books for a while now.

Stasia - I read Jane Yolen's Great Alta Saga a few years ago and liked it, it was a fantasy trilogy.

Just started Philip Reeve's new Fever Crumb. I hadn't realized it's a prequel to the "Hungry Cities Chronicles" (which I've never read) or I might not have gotten it because I'm not in the mood right now to get into any new series, but I am liking it for its title character, although the other characters (especially Charley) seem rather flat and one-dimensional so far.

#198: I will look for Great Alta Saga. Thanks for the recommendation, Kerry.

I am currently reading Daddy Long-Legs by Jean Webster.

Going to start reading Murkmere as soon as I finish up The Phantom of the Opera. :) Looking forward to it, it seems very interesting.

I just finished Going Bovine. It is a twist on the story of Don Quixote and won the Printz Award. Really, really, really good!

#202 - I have just requested Going Bovine from the library, I know that it's good, is it funny? I'm having to review recently published humourous YA books and there aren't that many and everyone's idea of funny is different with some of the sad/funny tales of teen angst.
I've picked up Notes from the Dog, Just MacBeth, Fill out this application and wait over there and Will Grayson Will Grayson to read over the weekend.

I am currently reading A Girl Called Al. Shauna (madhatter) recommended it.

Just finished Immortal by Gillian Shields. The school's called Wyldcliffe, it's on the moors, and it's got a supporting character named Helen Black. Now take a look at my LibraryThing name and you'll realize why I just HAD to read it.

But though the author's biography mentions that she likes the Brontës, Immortal really isn't any particular take-off. Still, if you like the "boarding school schtick" (and I do), you'll enjoy this ghost story (and apparent start of a series), although it's nowhere near as good Libba Bray's "Gemma Doyle" trilogy.

I've nearly finished Joan Aiken's Is, published in the US I think as Is Underground. Dido's sister first appears in the previous book in the series, Dido and Pa. For a few years now she's been living in a wild area south of London and with lots of wolves around (it's now part of the city and is still pretty woolly and wild but not so many wolves!) with another sister Penelope (they all had the same dad but Is has a different mother). But she goes up to the Northlands to find two missing boys - one of them is apparently a cousin.
What she discovers is an industrial nightmare where the slave workforce is children of 5 upwards, sometimes younger, and many of them are killed in accidents - after being enticed onto a free train to Playland.

I'll probably get down Cold Shoulder Road next - I had a bit of a gap between this and Dido and Pa, but I can't wait this time! In spite of Dido's absence, apparently visiting friends in Nantucket, I really like this instalment in the series.

#206: I really regret the fact that my local library does not have the entirety of the Dido series. I have thoroughly enjoyed the ones I have been able to read.

run, don't walk to the bookstore or library to obtain a copy of Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. It is incredible!

Here are my comments:
http://www.librarything.com/work/95506/reviews

I started the first book in Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom series today, Mister Monday.

>209 alcottacre: Great! They are quick reads--you'll breeze through them in no time. Much more children's books as opposed to the Abhorsen books, but still nicely original and fun to read.

#210: I will be reading the Abhorsen books over the summer since we will be doing a group read of them - 1 a month for June, July and August. I have never read them before, so I am anxious to give them a go.

#211 What is the first one? I am wondering if we have it around here somewhere.
--BJ

#212: Sabriel is the first book in the trilogy, BJ.

Thanks!
--BJ

No problem! I will be posting the group read about mid-May just to remind everyone who is interested.

I am starting The Wind Singer and will also be beginning Hope Was Here shortly as well.

I'll try to finish The Dead Days Omnibus this weekend, as I put it aside a while back.

Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan. (But maybe that's "J" lit?)

I just got Hex Hall tonight, and I think I'll start right in on it since it looks like a quick read. (I was in B&N with an "extra 15% off" eMail to buy the new biography of Muriel Spark and stumbled across Hex Hall while browsing through the new YA section.)

Stasia
I loved Hope Was Here...

#220: I know you did, which is why I read it :)

I am currently reading Coraline for my one-word TIOLI challenge this month.

Speaking of one-word titles, I'm reading Inkheart right now and loving it!
I read Coraline a couple of months ago. Great night-time reading.

Currently reading a wonderful book recommended by Stasia!

Daddy Long Legs is incredible.

>224 Whisper1:: I'd never heard of this but it sounds great!

@224,225>> I've heard it mentioned once or twice before here on LT but never gotten around to it. I finally downloaded it last night to my Kindle. Thanks guys!

I am currently reading Feed by M.T. Anderson.

I have been on YA kick. Just finished Invention of Hugo Cabret, Hush, Hush and will be starting Sarah Dessen's Lock and Key today. The two I finished were amazing and I highly recommend them. Very different tho, one part graphic novel, the other a fallen angel love story.

@224,225,226>> Following up on Daddy Long Legs, I just finished the book and I really liked the way Webster captured Judy's voice. Still I guessed the plot twist less than half-way through the story (and I'd never even heard until now of any of the movie adaptations, so it's not like I had any hints). I've just downloaded Webster's Dear Enemy and I'll see if I like that better.

SPOILER

SPOILER

SPOILER

SPOILER

SPOILER

Incidentally, did anyone get creeped out by "Jervie"? He really reminds me somewhat of Paul Emmanuel in Villette, who I think is one of the creepiest, controlling-est characters in literature. I think this is really what my dislike for Daddy Long Legs springs from, and I just can't imagine how Judy didn't smack Jervie one right in the face.

Just started Will Grayson Will Grayson which is a co-authored book about two boys named Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan.
I also have Robert Muchamore's Secret Army, the third in the Henderson's Boys series which is about the early years of Cherub.

Just finished Beastly by Alex Flinn and it reminded me once again how much I love fairy tale retellings.

I saw someone's comment about Ash earlier in the thread, but has anyone read other recent novel-length fairy tale retellings that have been really good? I suspect we are all familiar with those by McKinley, McKillip, Yolen, and others that have been around a while, but there must be newer ones (published in the last few years) that I have not encountered. Thoughts?

Donna J Napoli has written several retellings including Bound & Breath; also from a booklist I have some fairly recent ones include: The Princess and the Hound, East, Scarlet Moon, The Night Dance, Into the Woods, Mira, Mirror, Wildwood Dancing, Impossible. I read a good Rumpelstilskin one last year - A Curse as Dark as Gold.

I did read East and Wildwood Dancing as well as its companion, Cybele's Secret, all of which I liked, but I am delighted to know about the others, especially the Rumplestiltskin one, as that rarely gets done well. Thanks!

I forgot to mention Shannon Hale who has also done some interesting retellings. I've only read her Book of a thousand days and Rapunzel's Revenge.

I'm off to bed to start The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson. I've heard both good and bad things about it, so I'm just going to have to make up my own mind!

Maybe one of you can help me with this. I'm looking for a book, I think it is YA, and I am quite sure I read about it here on LT somewhere. I just can't find it (like the needle in the haystack).

As I remember it was about a group of teenagers who were adopted. They were very smart and good looking. Hmm, I think it might take place in New York(?). I'm not really sure about this, my memory is rather vague, but it bugs me that I can not find the book. Appreciate the help:)

#236: Bente, I do not have a clue. If there is no one in this group that can help, you might try the 'Name that Book' group, created specifically for situations like this: http://www.librarything.com/groups/namethatbook

It sounds a wee bit like Another Faust which is about 5 teenagers who disappear from cities in Europe and reappear several years later at a New York party but that's all I've got.
Hope you find what you were looking for.

#238: Wow, that was it! Thank you, thank you:) I thought my description was way off. It is annoying not to know the title of books you're thinking of. Thanks again.

>239 Apolline: No problem glad to help :) It's about the only thing my stupid memory can do - I can almost never remember important things but when it comes to books and films my brain retains all sorts of random facts.

I am currently reading Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf.

I am starting on a couple of E. L. Konigsburg's books, Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William Mckinley, and Me Elizabeth and A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver, both of which were recommended to me by Shauna (madhatter).

Just started Unwind last night and am having trouble putting it down.

Unwind is one of my top reads for 2010 thus far!

#240 It is a good thing that some of us can remember it, and besides, who says what's important or useful to know anyway?:) Have you read the book btw?

I've been on a YA kick this week.

I really enjoyed Sarah Dessen's The Truth About Forever. I thought it was simple and sweet and one of Dessen's better books.

I also finished Runaway, the last book in Meg Cabot's Airhead series. It was fun but the requisite "happily ever after for everybody" and the overwhelming teen romance drama was a bit too much for me.

I am currently reading Neil Gaiman's Odd and the Frost Giants.

#247 Stasia, I enjoyed that one.
Tomorrow I'll be starting Carlos Ruiz Zafon's The Prince of Mist. He wrote several fantasies for children before he wrote his adult novels but they are only now being translated. I also have Bk2 of Moribito to read, it's a Japanese YA fantasy.

#248: I am finding it delightul, Kerry.

I will be interested in seeing what you think of The Prince of Mist because I loved his The Shadow of the Wind.

I am currently reading The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Stasia, my daughter read that and LOVED it. Started her on a Raskin kick, with The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I mean Noel), Tattooed Potato and Figgs and Phantoms but loved Westing Game the best. Probably one of her all time favourites.

#251: Cool!

I remember loving The Westing Game too when I was a kid - I read it over and over again, and I can't wait for Charlie to read it some day!

I recently finished Voices After Midnight by Richard Peck which I enjoyed. It had a good plot and an excellent sense of place in New York City. And I also finished All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn which was a very good, middle school aged type ghost story set in an inn in Vermont, but I didn't like it as well as the Peck novel. I have another Mary Downing Hahn book checked out from the library that I hope to read soon...Look for Me by Moonlight.

And I also read The Westing Game aloud with my daughter a few years back and we both enjoyed it immensely. Somehow I missed it in my own childhood.

>244 Whisper1: Finished Unwind and loved it too! I've posted my review here

The Westing Game looks interesting. I'm adding it to the wishlist.

Unwind was a great book! I loved the characters and the ending! I willl be reading the short second life of bree tanner by stephanie meyer starting tomorrow!

I'm planning to read The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner in the very near future as well.

For now, I recently read The Willoughbys and The Birthday Ball by Lois Lowry. The first was fantastic, and the second was merely okay.

I have to say that The Prince of Mist has been a terrific read, full of menacing suspense. I've now started Innocent Soldier by Josef Holub about a young soldier in Napoleon's army and Michael Ende's Momo.

#258 I have reserved The Prince of Mist at the library - really excited about it!

I just finished Michael Scott's The Necromancer (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel). I'm sort of "into" the series so I get hold of each book as it comes out, but I'm not as thrilled about this series as I was when it started. The problem I have is, Scott just throws so many new characters into each new installment that I really don't get attached to most of them. Still, I do love Scatty, and I'll be interested to see what happens with Aiofe as the series still further progresses.

Someone on IMDb posted something about a planned movie. (He saw it on IMDb Pro, which I've never bothered spending the money to join.) I'm a little skeptical about a movie adaptation, just because there are so many characters popping up all over the place. They'll really have to telescope some of those characters together, and this is one case where purists won't be able legitimately to complain that the movie doesn't track the book to the letter.

Finished Fantastic Mr. Fox (v. enjoyable little book by one of the masters, imo), and I'm ready to start The Enormous Egg.

I just finished The Mark by Jen Nadol, which was excellent.

I am currently reading Going Bovine by Libba Bray.

And now abandoning it. I got over 100 pages in and the book is doing absolutely nothing for me.

Stasia, that's a shame. Did you read the Great and Terrible Beauty trilogy? I have that sitting on my shelf, I hope it is better.

#263 - Stasia, I have Going Bovine on my tbr and I'll be trying it later this year.

I've finished An innocent soldier and am enjoying Momo. I'll be starting Mimus for the TIOLI translated YA challenge and also need to get on with Monsters of Men.

#264: Susan, Going Bovine was my first book by Libba Bray. I may return to it at some point in the future, but I am in no hurry to do so.

#265: Kerry, I hope you enjoy it more than I did.

I am currently reading Iqbal by Francesco D'Adamo, recommended to me by notoriousspinks.

#265,

Waaaah. MoM is my most anticipated book of the year. I am SO VERY jealous.

==========

#263,

My good buddy, Alcott. Going Bovine is a book you have to be in the mood for. It's just so out there. (I personally think she flubbed the ending. It wasn't as ambiguous as I thought it should be.)

#267: Because I am such a moody reader, Pam, I will give just about any book a second chance. I am not discounting the possibility of returning to Going Bovine - it just will not be any time soon.

I must admit I'm quite intrigued by the plot description of Going Bovine. I didn't finish the last book of her G&TB trilogy, mainly because I couldn't get back into the plot and didn't feel like rereading the first two books.
Pam - I have one more book to finish before I give all my attention to MoM. I'm looking forward to it. I like to build a little anticipation to my reading so I have the book sitting on my coffee table where I see it all the time!

Stasia... aren't most readers moody? I think I've always been except when in college. Then I was sort of trained to read what I had to. After that though, it became nearly impossible to force myself to read something that was out of tune with my mood.

I can't imagine the discipline professional reviewers must have.

An interesting strategy, Kerry.
For me, nothing makes me want to dive into a book more than for it to appear abruptly on my doorstep. So delicious to rip open the packaging and sit on the step and start reading.

As for Going Bovine: It's not firmly placed in the real world. It weaves magic into the familiar, so you have to be open to that. (Personally, I think it was about 50 or so pages too long. But I think that of quite a few books)

#270: I have no idea if most readers are moody or not. I just know I am, lol.

I am currently reading The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey.

Today I finished Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon and now I'm ready to start Danny the Champion of the World

Until July 4th or so, Stephanie Meyer's "Short Life of Bree Tanner" will be available in it's entirety here: http://www.breetanner.com/

Myself: I'm dipping my toe in.
Haven't read anything else by her.

#273 - Me too! How are you liking it? I picked it up because I own the second one and I figured I'd read this one first. Personally I'm getting a little frustrated with Alfred.

#276: I finished the book in the wee hours this morning. I ended up liking it more than I thought I would. I think Alfred grew on me. I have already put the second book on hold at the library.

I'm actually furious about the way Stephenie Meyer is offering the Bree Tanner book. Months ago on her blog she made a big deal about how this was always intended as an "extra" book, so she was offering it as a "gift to her fans", etc.... and then it's not even available for download, but has to be read online? That smacks of profit-seeking to me. It would be one thing if she had just said that she was writing and selling the book, which is what you expect from authors, but to make such a big thing about her generosity at first really rubs me the wrong way.

Anyway, I haven't read it yet, but it seems like a strange place to start, Pam--it has a lower rating than her other books, and I wouldn't be surprised if it assumed a certain amount of knowledge about the series. I'll be curious to hear how you like it.

#278,

As I said, I'm not knowledgeable about the series, but it doesn't seem to be related. (I read about 80 pages last night and didn't recognize any of the well publicized names and whatnot.)

And I was reading somewhere, online, that booksellers are really angry about it being available even in this limited form. I guess no one but me's happy-lol

So far it reads like a short story. I'm enjoying it, but wouldn't fork over money--if ya know what I mean. (I suspect Twilight fans don't like it because there's no mooning-romance)

>279 PamFamilyLibrary: I think the booksellers are just randomly assigning blame wherever they can. The statistics I saw were something like 350,000 copies sold and 15,000 online reads. It's obviously not the online access that's harming sales; people just aren't going to be as excited about a short tie-in as they are about full-length continuations of the main story. There's none of the excitement about wanting to know what will happen to characters you already care about.

And of course, the independents are doing particularly badly in terms of sales because Amazon is offering the hardcover for 46% off. Again, this isn't the fault of the free online offering.

Part 3 of this thread continues here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/92786