Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Anyone else read anything by Shannon Hale? I loved The Goose Girl and Book of a Thousand Days...

I've read Austenland, which I guess isn't considered YA, and I didn't enjoy it very much. I'm looking forward to The Goose Girl, though. My daughter read Book of a Thousand Days and loved it, so I'll have to read that one, too.

She has a graphic novel too - Rapunzel's Revenge. I've read this one, Goose Girl, and Book of a Thousand Days by her.

I've read Princess Academy and The Goose Girl... well, I listened to both on audiobook. I LOVED THEM! I've heard Book of a Thousand Days was really good, too.

Austenland was all right. Definitely not as good as her YA.

I've been looking forward to reading her books for a long time. The only one on our shelf right now is Princess Academy but I have a few others on my wishlist on PBS and Bookmooch; both are hard to come by.

I have only read Austenland but have really wanted to read Princess Academy for a long time. Which of her YA books would you all consider the best, or the first I should check out?

And I think Rapunzel's Revenge is going to be a must read. The description sounds awesome!

Alexis wrote: "... Which of her YA books would you all consider the best, or the first I should check out?..."

I reckon either Goose Girl or Book of a Thousand Days, Alexis!

My vote is for Book of a Thousand Days, I *loved* it - read it in one sitting.

I haven't read Book of a Thousand Days, but I'd read Goose Girl over Princess Academy, though I really enjoyed both!

Princess Academy is all my library has, so its on my TBR list.

My library has Goose Girl but I was already picking up 4 other books today (in addition to the stack sitting at home) so I'll get that later.

I just bought Book of a Thousand Days last month right from Shannon! I attended a writer's conference five minutes from my home and she was the guest speaker. How cool is that? I have to admit I haven't read it yet. it sounds great!

I lived in Utah for 6 years for college.... (2001 to 2007)... It was GREAT for Twilight stuff, when it was first taking off. I imagine that had I known about Shannon Hale while I was there, I could have gone to some of her signings as well..... Sad!

Princess Academy was WONDERFUL! What a great book! And I also enjoyed Book of a Thousand Days. I am looking for (but have not found) Goose Girl. They are always sold out of it. Guess that says a lot about the book.

Just finished the Goose Girl, and have already read Princess Academy and Austenland (and I'm going to go ahead and differ from everyone here, cause I loved Austenland, but maybe that's just cause I am a Janeite). The Goose Girl was good, definitely a worth while read. I could have done without certain things, ocassional awkwardness and clunky dialgoue, but she can weave a story and creates strong characters. I will read the rest in the series (books of Bayern), and I look forward to Book of a Thousand Days, which has been on my list since it came out.

Allison wrote: "Princess Academy is all my library has, so its on my TBR list."

I don't know what state you live in, but a lot of libraries link together state wide and allow you to request things that are out of your lib system but that are somewhere else in the state -- for free. I can get my hands on just about anything (Michigan). So P.A. may be all they have, but cast your net out a bit. It's worth the extra wait.

yeah I interlibrary loan stuff all the time :) thanks for the advice.

Oh wow I loved Austenland. I read it becasue of my Austen addiction. I may have to read these others by this author

I'm a big Austen fan, too, but I thought Austenland was too much romance novel and not enough substance. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed much of it (love the idea of Austenland itself), but it just wasn't what I expected. This is what I wrote in my book journal: This book was okay. The plot was a bit thin and the main characters somewhat one-dimensional, but it was still a cute little romance that was strengthened by the Austen references and parallels.

On the other hand, I started The Goose Girl late last night and stayed up reading until 2am because I was loving it so much. It is very well-written and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Okay...my library has the second book in the series that Goose Girl starts Heather, Enna Burning. Do you think I can read it independent and not really miss or lose anything? I know you haven't read it...but you said Goose Girl stands alone so I'm curious.

...eh, nevermind. I just ordered Goose Girl interlibrary loan :) hehe.

I do too, so I don't know why I bothered asking! haha.

As I've mentioned in another thread, I finished The Goose Girl last night and I quickly added it to my favorites list. I just didn't expect it to be so beautifully written - I loved it! I'm now waiting for Enna Burning to come in through ILL.

Allison - I think it's probably a good idea that you're starting with The Goose Girl. I'm sure there are spoilers for it within Enna Burning.

I've read the Bayern series The Goose Girl, Enna Burning, and River Secrets. Definitely read them in order, because there are numerous spoilers in succeeding books. I didn't know there was a series and started out with Book of a Thousand Days Library purely by accident and loved it. IIRC, Book of a Thousand Days is set in a neighboring kingdom and makes a reference to the story of the Goose Girl, and tells you the end result, so although is is my favorite of them all, I would read Goose Girl first, then either 1000 Days or continue on with Enna Burning, to avoid spoilers. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series Forest Born too. = )

I've also read Rapunzel's Revenge Graphic Novel, and graphic novels aren't my 'thing', but it was a cute take on the Rapunzel novel, with a very strong female protagonist. I'll probably pick up the next one when it comes out, think it is Calamity Jack.

Haven't gotten to Princess Academy yet, but it looks cute.

Shannon Hale is one of my favorite authors! I love Princess Academy, Goose Girl, and Enna Burning. I haven't gotten a hold of River Secrets or Book of a Thousand Days yet. Austenland was just a fun little read.

I know she is doing the graphic novels with her husband who is an artist.

There are two illustrators co-listed with her for the graphic novels - Dean Hale and Nathan Hale - which is her DH and do you know what relation the other is?

I love everything Shannon Hale. I have not yet read River Secrets, but I'm looking forward to it. Does it live up to the other Bayern books??? My fave is Book of a Thousand Days for sure, and I think Rapunzel's Revenge is very fun, and a great gift book because it's different!

I've read that Nathan Hale is no relation and Dean is her hubby, is that right everyone??

Michelle wrote: "I've read that Nathan Hale is no relation and Dean is her hubby, is that right everyone?? "

Yes, her husband is Dean Hale and on the book jacket for Rapunzel's Revenge it says that Nathan Hale is not related to them.

I've read everything by Shannon Hale so far and enjoyed them all. My favorite is Goose Girl. I'm excited about a fourth Bayern book coming out in September called Forest Born!

Shannon Hale is a YA author that I plan to do some catching up on this summer. I've read Austenland, her adult novel and liked it. I met her and heard her talk a couple of years ago at a book festival, and she was great--very entertaining. Everyone laughed when she talked about sending Colin Firth a signed copy of her book, but she said she hadn't heard back from him. I have The Goose Girl and Princess Academy on my shelf waiting patiently for their turn. I took a look at Rapunzel's Revenge in the bookstore the other day and loved it. I know I will have to buy it, too.

I just bought Princess Academy last week.

I have read Princess Academy, The Goose Girl, Rapunzel's Revenge, and Calamity Jack and I have enjoyed all of them! I am hoping to read the rest of the Bayern series and A Book of a Thousand Days pretty soon!

Carolyn wrote: "I've read the Bayern series The Goose Girl, Enna Burning, and River Secrets. Definitely read them in order, because there are numerous spoilers in succeed..."

I really loved Princess Academy!! And I also loved Rapunzel's Revenge as it was very action packed!

I've read all her YA books and I can't decide if I want to try her Adult books or not. But, I've very much enjoyed all the books of hers I've read. I'll definitely be keeping watch for any new Shannon Hale books!

I enjoyed Austenland, it was fluff but cute. I think the YA genre is really where she belongs though. I think the same thing about Ann Brashares, haven't enjoyed her books for adults at all. Some authors should just stick with what they're good at.

I haven't read Austenland yet, but I heard that it wasn't as good as her YA books. But, hopefully I'll be able to read all of her books since I love her work so far!!

It wasn't as good, but it could have more to do with it not being fantasy, rather than being targeted to a different age group. I think she has a unique writing style that doesn't really mesh well with contemporary stories...

Sara ♥ wrote: "It wasn't as good, but it could have more to do with it not being fantasy, rather than being targeted to a different age group. I think she has a unique writing style that doesn't really mesh well..."

Yeah, I really liked the way that Shannon Hale rewrites various fairy tales in a modern state and I think that's where her true skills in writing stories comes in.

Off topic a bit, her blog post are almost as good as her books lately. She's like 35 weeks along with twins right now and on bedrest. You can imagine how the posts sound! She's very funny.

AngelaSunshine wrote: "Off topic a bit, her blog post are almost as good as her books lately. She's like 35 weeks along with twins right now and on bedrest. You can imagine how the posts sound! She's very funny."

I love reading her blog- by far my favorite of all authors. She is always funny and insightful.

I got to get updated on her blogs! :)

I saw that last week! I would be SO SO STIR-CRAZY! At least her mom is helping her with her boys! It would be one thing to be on bedrest with your first baby(ies), but when you have other kids running around the house? So sweet about the dates with her hubby! :)

Totally agree, her blog is awesome!