Young Adult Book Reading Challenges discussion

What's been a really good book that you've read lately? It can be young adult or even adult. I would love to read something really really good! :-)

A very short book that surprised me was The Doom Machine by Teague. Even though I initially was reading this to see if it would be a good fit for my junior high students - I would recommend it for high school as well. Interesting storyline.

Now, if you want something really adult but still very good, I would recommend you read Soulless by Gail Carriger. Here is the description: Alexia Tarabotti, a woman without a soul who is viewed as unable to marry, works with werewolf Lord Conall Maccon to clear her name after she accidently kills a vampire and is suspected of the disappearances of other undead members of high society.

I loved the humor and romance in this book as well as the different take on the whole supernatural thing. After reading this book, I devoured Changeless and am on the waiting list for Blameless which was just released.

Todd Strasser's Wish You Were Dead was a good suspenseful read. The overall plot is based on how bullying and cliques have lead to a pretty extreme situation. Strasser incorporates a lot of today's technology into the storyline which makes it even more believable. It's one of the better books that I've read lately.

Shift by Jennifer Bradbury was really good. Two best friends embark on a cross-country bike ride the day after their graduation. Only one boy comes back & the missing boy's father places him under investigation. It's really a story of adventure and human nature. It's the best book that I've read in a long time.

I have recently read Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce that i thought was brilliant

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The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli was a very good book!!

I recently read the last apprentice series. I just finished book 5, and I am looking forward book 6.... although like with every series, the first books were much better than the later ones. I really loved book 1-3.

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink was excellent and so was The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

My soon to be 17 year old daughter took Numbers by Rachel Ward out of my pile of books to read and is half-way done. She said so far, she thinks it will be the huge "hit" next year and that not only should I order a copy for my high school library but I should get multiple copies.

what is Numbers about?

It's not a new book, but I wholly recommend The Princess Bride by William Goldman. It is simply glorious. <3

Brenda wrote: "My soon to be 17 year old daughter took Numbers by Rachel Ward out of my pile of books to read and is half-way done. She said so far, she thinks it will be the huge "hit" next year and that not on..."

Numbers is a book about a British girl who can see numbers above people......She becomes friends with a tall, dangly black kid named Spider and after a terrible accident in which she discovers the numbers are the date in which people will die, the two find themselves on the run together. Lots of action and suspense.

. I've been reading the first book in this new Powerless series, and I'm having a ball with it. It's just such a fascinating place, and I love the characters. I don't know what I'll do when I get to the end!

You should read... some many books.. how 'bout Thirteen Reasons Why?? Really good book!

Thanks for all of the recommendations!

Roxy wrote: "I love - Beautiful Creatures by Garcia & Stohl - I hope there is a sequel coming!

I also just read - A Chance for Charity by SL Baum - it's a digital download at Amazon and again I am hoping for a..."

There is a sequel its called Beautiful Darkness and i think it comes out in oct.

if your looking for a book that has love triangles and is just pure great you should read "The sky is everywhere", "Riding the universe", and "Perfect Chemistry". These are the BEST books!! i have read!!♥

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols is one of my favorite YA books of all time. It's my "go to book" when I'm not sure what to read! I def recommend it to everyone :)

Barbara, indiana jones real sidekick wrote: "i recommend "

I was looking forward to reading this book! So I went to the store and picked it up, I was so happy when I got it I didn't notice I got the book in spanish....

Lol! Another good book is Where the Light is.

I picked up Graceling, the debut novel by Kristin Cashore. I really, really liked it. Totally different twist on paranormal, if you can label it like that. More like ancient, far off lands. Gracelings are "graced" with powers such as reading minds, speed, killing ability. She has a companion book to it that I have not yet read, but my son did and really liked it as well.

I second the Graceling recommendation. I didn't expect the book to be all that great but it COMPLETELY blew me away! The main character is a strong, independent protagonist that kicks butt but also wrestles with her own demons. The writing is VERY good, which sadly, is hard to find in many YA books. You won't be dissapointed! I also relly liked Fire, by the same author (Kristin Cashore). Oh, and you must read Hunger Games, my new favorite book(s).

Barbara, indiana jones real sidekick wrote: "i want to read that book it seems sad but interesting"

if you still want another recommendation, i recommend "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keys its really sad, but what they did to him is also very interesting

Kat wrote: "I second the Graceling recommendation. I didn't expect the book to be all that great but it COMPLETELY blew me away! The main character is a strong, independent protagonist that kicks butt but also..."


I loved your description of the book. totally accurate and exactly what I loved about it :)

@werty I read Flowers for Algernon and I agree, it's a sad, but interesting book.

i have just read Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda i was totally blown away by its awesomeness

you can find my review and more information here on my blog

Diana wrote: "I picked up Graceling, the debut novel by Kristin Cashore. I really, really liked it. Totally different twist on paranormal, if you can label it like that. More like ancient, far off lands. Gra..."

I wouldn't put this in paranormal, since most people think vampires, werewolves etc. :) It is a fantasy fairytale if that makes any sense. I love graceling, strong female character, orginial story.

I love it too. I just finished re-reading it last night and it's still one of my all-time favorites!

Graceling

and the companion book: Fire

i also recommend The Other Countess loving this one

Natcheli wrote: "if your looking for a book that has love triangles and is just pure great you should read "The sky is everywhere", "Riding the universe", and "Perfect Chemistry". These are the BEST books!! i have ..."

I'm reading The Sky is Everywhere at the moment and loving it so much! It's beautifully written, poignant and yet also darkly funny at times. I would definitely recommend it. I think it would make perfect summer reading.

The Sky Is Everywhere is one of the best books I've read so far this year -- and I'm reading my 100th book right now, so that's a lot to chose from!

Just finished "As Easy as Falling Off the Earth." Marvelous, sweet, upbeat, funny read that proves that it's still possible to 'effectively vanish' from the face of the earth.

On the MG side, also finished "Smells Like Dog." Story of a boy who inherits a mystery and an unlikely dog from his recently departed uncle. Funny and quirky. What can I say, I've been blessed lately with happier reads.

Memoirs of a Geisha is such a well written book. Every line flows beautifully and It is like poetry. The plot is wonderful and engaging. One of my favorites books ever.

I really loved Graceling and Fire too. And the Sky is Everywhere was also a beautiful story. My absolute favorite is still the Hunger Games though.

Totally @Mimi the Hunger games is THE BEST

The Historian

I am currently reading The Historian. It's a very long but extremely engrossing and suspenseful book. The main character is an unnamed sixteen-year old girl following the trail of her father's mysterious past through stories and letters while trying to avoid those who are threatening their every move.

I'm kinda stuck. I'm trying to decide which book to read next and i was wondering if ya's had any suggestions. Should I read Evermore by Alyson Noel, Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson, The Forest of Hands and Teeth byCarrie Ryan or Generation Dead by Daniel Waters.

I don't know about the other 2, but DO NOT read Evermore. HUGE waste of time.

Ha well I bought it so I might as well read it at some point.

Deborah wrote: "
The Historian

I am currently reading The Historian. It's a very long but extremely engrossing and suspenseful book. The main character is an unnamed si..."

I've been wanting to read this. Please let me know your thoughts once you've finished the book.

Yvonne wrote: "I'm kinda stuck. I'm trying to decide which book to read next and i was wondering if ya's had any suggestions. Should I read Evermore by Alyson Noel, [book:Claire de ..."


Evermore was an okay book, but the series goes downhill fast! I read The Forest of Hands and Teeth and thought it was a really good book, but I've heard ppl disliked the main character. As for Generation Dead, I just finished reading that last night and thought it was pretty good. It brought some things up that were unresolved by the end so I guess they will come up again in the second book. Just aheads-up, Gen. Dead can be pretty slow at points but its an overall good book.

Roshini wrote: "Deborah wrote: "
The Historian

I am currently reading The Historian. It's a very long but extremely engrossing and suspenseful book. The main charact..."


I enjoyed the book a lot. It takes awhile to really get going. Like
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo there is a lot to set in place. I highly recommend it, the only downside is that I think the author never quite figured out how to end it. That was the only disappointing part of the story. Elizabeth Kostova is a REALLY GREAT story teller, and that is what the book is, stories within stories telling a families history... along with Dracula's.

Let me know what you thought of it when you read it.

Deborah wrote: "Roshini wrote: "Deborah wrote: "
The Historian

I am currently reading The Historian. It's a very long but extremely engrossing and suspenseful book. The..."

Thanks Deborah! I'll try to get to it soon:-)

Beastly
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I really enjoyed The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. It is non-fiction with the topic of the Hela Cell. It covers science, history, and bioethics. It is written as an adult book, however, it would be perfect for middle school and for Black History month or Women's History month.