DC Public Library discussion

It's a truth (pretty) universally acknowledged that YA/teen books aren't just for teens; plenty of adults enjoy them. As an adult YA reader, I do have to admit I veer away from the first love fluffy happily ever teen books and more towards fantasy titles like Seraphina or realistic fiction with characters in tough situations like The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian.

Do you read YA? What have you really enjoyed?

I like all fantasy, my most highly rated YA are The Kiss of Deception and Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot

June - The Kiss of Deception is probably too romance heavy for my taste, but Sorcery & Cecelia sounds like a lot of fun! The description reminds me of Etiquette & Espionage. Intrigue and shenanigans at a boarding school to train girls to be spies and society ladies. Have you read it?

I don't read much YA, but I recently came across a copy of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, and it's definitely a must read!

Try out the audio book for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Sherman Alexie reads it himself and adds an interesting layer. Even though the illustrations make so much of the book, you don't feel like you are missing anything.

Theresa - Yes, I have read all of Gail Carriger books, except for the Manga. I have enjoyed all 3 series and hope to continue reading them.

I only read a few YA books a year, maybe 2-5, generally find them disappointing. One interesting one that's coming out is Lord of the Ralphs, which is a case where the author took his existing novel (which I loved) about Chicago teenager in the 1970s and reworked it for the YA market, cutting a bunch of stuff and writing a bunch of new material. I'm really curious to see how it turned out!

I really enjoyed The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, wouldn't have read it if wasn't mentioned in one of my friend's feed.

June wrote: "Theresa - Yes, I have read all of Gail Carriger books, except for the Manga. I have enjoyed all 3 series and hope to continue reading them."

June - ETA: I see you've read Palace of Spies already! I was going to recommend that. Not as witty and funny as Carriger's series, but I still enjoyed it for the elaborate costumes and high society spying.

June - Have you tried The Clockwork Scarab? London, the occult, steampunk, time travel, mysteries, and shenanigans with the daughter of Mycroft Holmes, and Mina Stoker, sister of Bram Stoker. It suffers from trying to fit all those elements into a coherent story, but it was a lot of fun.

Tony wrote: "I only read a few YA books a year, maybe 2-5, generally find them disappointing. One interesting one that's coming out is Lord of the Ralphs, which is a case where the author took h..."

Tony, that sounds like a really interesting concept. I've never heard of an author editing an adult novel for teens. I feel like usually there's abridged versions of classics for kids, so I'll be curious to read this myself.

I love converting YA disbelievers, so in addition to Absolutely True Diary, I would also strongly recommend Code Name Verity and The Book Thief (this is sometimes categorized/marketed as an adult book in some countries) if you like compelling wartime stories and American Born Chinese for an interesting take on the immigrant experience in graphic novel form.

Theresa - The style in Palace of Spies began to get to me though I enjoyed the strong female character. I think I lasted longer with I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You and Grave Mercy. I'll try and give The Clockwork Scarab a try soon. I also enjoy mysteries and loved Nancy Springer Enola Holmes (Sherlock's younger sister) series and Laurie King Mary Russell (Holmes' pupil) series.

June, I think the Enola Holmes series is just wonderful! Satisfying mysteries, a well rounded heroine, and really well written, too!

Theresa, it is my favorite along with Dorothy Hoobler Samurai Detective series. Looking the series up for you I realized I read the first 2 before I got on Goodreads and there are 4 more in the series!

Guin wrote: "I really enjoyed The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, wouldn't have read it if wasn't mentioned in one of my friend's feed."

Guin - what did you particularly like about the book? Are you interested in trying some of Alexie's other books or more YA that's similar to Absolutely True Diary?

Ashley wrote: "I don't read much YA, but I recently came across a copy of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, and it's definitely a must read!"

Do you find that there's just not much YA that jumps out at you? What made you pick up Absolutely True Diary?