Annie Laurie Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 My kids always give me long lists of books for Christmas, which I love. But this year my 13 year old dd says she can't think of any books she has read this year that are so good that she would want to own. I feel really down about this, I have had trouble finding book suggestions for her as she gets older and I feel like as a family, our time spent reading has steadily declined. I was hoping to surprise her with a few really good books, but I can't seem to find any ideas. She loves fantasy most of all. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 The new Rick Riordan 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 Has anyone heard of or read The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Ivy Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) Has anyone heard of or read The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer? I am currently reading the first in the series, Cinder. It's odd, but I'm getting drawn in. I'm about 13 chapters in and there's nothing inappropriate. ETA: Odd as in, they're futuristic fairytales. "Cinderella" aka Linh Cinder is a cyborg (34% machine) who starts a rebellion against the queen that lives on the moon. lol Still, if you're into sci-fi AND fairytales and can separate the original from the futuristic, it's kind of a fun twist. Edited December 10, 2015 by Southern Ivy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Has anyone heard of or read The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer? If this is Cinder etc my older teen liked them a lot. I don't know any specifics though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 I think I might give her the first few of The Lunar Chronicles then, she has always loved fairy tales and might like the futuristic take. What about The Girl of Fire and Thorns? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 I'm buying Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein for my niece (16) this Christmas. Her request. Does she like the Hunger Games? If so, you might take a look at the Matched books by Ally Condie. I will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed two lives by Martin Ganda https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=I+will+always+write+back NPR's list -- includes older books: http://www.npr.org/2013/08/05/207315023/the-ultimate-backseat-bookshelf-100-must-reads-for-kids-9-14 Has she read/Does she have the MAdeline l'Engle Wrinkle in Time series? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) I'm buying Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein for my niece (16) this Christmas. Her request. Does she like the Hunger Games? If so, you might take a look at the Matched books by Ally Condie. I will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed two lives by Martin Ganda https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=I+will+always+write+back NPR's list -- includes older books: http://www.npr.org/2013/08/05/207315023/the-ultimate-backseat-bookshelf-100-must-reads-for-kids-9-14 Has she read/Does she have the MAdeline l'Engle Wrinkle in Time series? Thank you! I'll look at the ones you mentioned that I'm not familiar with. She really likes Hunger Games and read the Ally Condie books. She has read the Wrinkle in Time series and owns them all. It's hard to find her books because she was such a voracious reader for so long and has already read so much. What about the Song of the Lioness books by Tamora Pierce? Edited December 10, 2015 by Annie Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 Does anyone know anything about the sexual content in the Song of the Lioness books by Tamora Pierce? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjand6more Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Has anyone heard of or read The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer? Yes. I just bought them for my dd13 for Christmas. She read them and LOVED them. They were on her list. She asked and is getting the Selection series by Kiera Cass. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 What about the Song of the Lioness books by Tamora Pierce? My daughter loved Tamora Pierce's books as a teen. (And she still reads them now that she's post-college.) Some of her other favorites: the Wren books by Sherwood Smith The Golden Compass and its sequels The Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix Also: Un Lun Dun by China Mieville from the Amazon description: "What is Un Lun Dun? It is London through the looking glass, an urban Wonderland of strange delights where all the lost and broken things of London end up . . . and some of its lost and broken people, too–including Brokkenbroll, boss of the broken umbrellas; Obaday Fing, a tailor whose head is an enormous pin-cushion, and an empty milk carton called Curdle. Un Lun Dun is a place where words are alive, a jungle lurks behind the door of an ordinary house, carnivorous giraffes stalk the streets, and a dark cloud dreams of burning the world. It is a city awaiting its hero, whose coming was prophesied long ago, set down for all time in the pages of a talking book." Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde from School Library Journal: "All of the elements of a good fantasy are present in this adventure. Giannine Bellisario is about to celebrate her 14th birthday. This year, she actually receives a present from her father on time. It is a gift certificate to any Rasmussem Gaming Center Virtual Reality Arcade. Crossing a picket line formed by CPOC (Citizens to Protect Our Children) to enter, she decides to use her certificate for a total-immersion game called Heir Apparent. The object is to be crowned king. When the demonstrators damage the center, the protagonist is on her own and must complete the game successfully in order to escape permanent brain damage. Ghosts, witches, wizards, and magical tools help her as she races against time and faces many setbacks. Challenges range from barbarian attacks and peasant uprisings to a giant dragon. In addition, the half brothers and the hostile queen have treacherous plans to keep the crown for themselves. This adventure includes a cast of intriguing characters and personalities. The feisty heroine has a funny, sarcastic sense of humor and succeeds because of her ingenuity and determination. This unique combination of futuristic and medieval themes will appeal to fans of fantasy and science fiction. Lana Miles, Duchesne Academy, Houston, TX" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 Thank you Kareni, for that great list! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Does anyone know anything about the sexual content in the Song of the Lioness books by Tamora Pierce? I love the SOng of the Lioness. There is NO explicit sex. There is romance and innuendo. She spends a lot of the book masquerading as a boy among boys. There is some romance with the prince and the boy she eventually marries. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjand6more Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 My daughter loved Tamora Pierce's books as a teen. (And she still reads them now that she's post-college.) Some of her other favorites: the Wren books by Sherwood Smith The Golden Compass and its sequels The Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix Also: Un Lun Dun by China Mieville from the Amazon description: "What is Un Lun Dun? It is London through the looking glass, an urban Wonderland of strange delights where all the lost and broken things of London end up . . . and some of its lost and broken people, too–including Brokkenbroll, boss of the broken umbrellas; Obaday Fing, a tailor whose head is an enormous pin-cushion, and an empty milk carton called Curdle. Un Lun Dun is a place where words are alive, a jungle lurks behind the door of an ordinary house, carnivorous giraffes stalk the streets, and a dark cloud dreams of burning the world. It is a city awaiting its hero, whose coming was prophesied long ago, set down for all time in the pages of a talking book." Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde from School Library Journal: "All of the elements of a good fantasy are present in this adventure. Giannine Bellisario is about to celebrate her 14th birthday. This year, she actually receives a present from her father on time. It is a gift certificate to any Rasmussem Gaming Center Virtual Reality Arcade. Crossing a picket line formed by CPOC (Citizens to Protect Our Children) to enter, she decides to use her certificate for a total-immersion game called Heir Apparent. The object is to be crowned king. When the demonstrators damage the center, the protagonist is on her own and must complete the game successfully in order to escape permanent brain damage. Ghosts, witches, wizards, and magical tools help her as she races against time and faces many setbacks. Challenges range from barbarian attacks and peasant uprisings to a giant dragon. In addition, the half brothers and the hostile queen have treacherous plans to keep the crown for themselves. This adventure includes a cast of intriguing characters and personalities. The feisty heroine has a funny, sarcastic sense of humor and succeeds because of her ingenuity and determination. This unique combination of futuristic and medieval themes will appeal to fans of fantasy and science fiction. Lana Miles, Duchesne Academy, Houston, TX" Thank you for these suggestions! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 The Fablehaven series? My dd read these over and over again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 The Illustrated Harry Potter and the third book in the Miss Peregrine trilogy (series?). Otherwise, she gets gift cards so she can buy her own books! If I recommend or buy a book for her, she's automatically disinclined to read it, so I've given up on that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Has anyone heard of or read The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer? DD and I both tried reading Cinder but couldn't get into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) Also: Un Lun Dun by China Mieville from the Amazon description: "What is Un Lun Dun? It is London through the looking glass, an urban Wonderland of strange delights where all the lost and broken things of London end up . . . and some of its lost and broken people, too–including Brokkenbroll, boss of the broken umbrellas; Obaday Fing, a tailor whose head is an enormous pin-cushion, and an empty milk carton called Curdle. Un Lun Dun is a place where words are alive, a jungle lurks behind the door of an ordinary house, carnivorous giraffes stalk the streets, and a dark cloud dreams of burning the world. It is a city awaiting its hero, whose coming was prophesied long ago, set down for all time in the pages of a talking book." It might be interesting to pair it with Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. From Amazon: Richard Mayhew is a plain man with a good heart -- and an ordinary life that is changed forever on a day he stops to help a girl he finds bleeding on a London sidewalk. From that moment forward he is propelled into a world he never dreamed existed -- a dark subculture flourish in abandoned subway stations and sewer tunnels below the city -- a world far stranger and more dangerous than the only one he has ever known...Richard Mayhew is a young businessman with a good heart and a dull job. When he stops one day to help a girl he finds bleeding on a London sidewalk, his life is forever altered, for he finds himself propelled into an alternate reality that exists in a subterranean labyrinth of sewer canals and abandoned subway stations below the city. He has fallen through the cracks of reality and has landed somewhere different, somewhere that is Neverwhere. ETA: There is some language in Neverwhere, but I can't think of anything else that might be objectionable for a teen. I listened to the BBC's radio drama with Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy recently, and it was great. Edited December 10, 2015 by Word Nerd 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 The Fablehaven series? My dd read these over and over again. She has read those over and over too, they are definitely the type of book she likes. The Illustrated Harry Potter and the third book in the Miss Peregrine trilogy (series?). Otherwise, she gets gift cards so she can buy her own books! If I recommend or buy a book for her, she's automatically disinclined to read it, so I've given up on that! Had to laugh about that, my dd was like that for awhile too. Contrary creatures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 If I recommend or buy a book for her, she's automatically disinclined to read it, so I've given up on that! I thought it was just me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsunshine Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 There is a relatively new series out that my dds loved: the first book is called Etiquette and Espionage. It's a "steampunk" series -- very clever and fun. There are four books and the last book was just released last month. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 My standby books here are So You Want to Be a Wizard and Earthsea, but let me look at my shelves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendy not in HI Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 My dd 14 recently read and enjoyed the Cinder book mentioned above (and the others in the series) and The Selection books mentioned above, too. Thanks for starting this thread - I'm not sure what I'll get for dd... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 There is a relatively new series out that my dds loved: the first book is called Etiquette and Espionage. It's a "steampunk" series -- very clever and fun. There are four books and the last book was just released last month. These are fun for adults too, especially if you've read Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series (which isn't for kids). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendy not in HI Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 There is a relatively new series out that my dds loved: the first book is called Etiquette and Espionage. It's a "steampunk" series -- very clever and fun. There are four books and the last book was just released last month. Those look fun! I just added them to my amazon cart for my girls. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd293 Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) There is a relatively new series out that my dds loved: the first book is called Etiquette and Espionage. It's a "steampunk" series -- very clever and fun. There are four books and the last book was just released last month.They're great on audiobook too. I actually spent 2 hours in the dentist chair this afternoon listening to the last of the four books (and not for the first time either - they're such fun!). Dd15 is getting the second Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children book. She has reluctantly and with some resentment acknowledged that I'm very good at choosing books for her! Edited December 10, 2015 by nd293 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 My high school kiddo has started checking out books from her school library. The trilogy that has grabbed her attention is Kerstin Gier's Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue, and Emerald Green. I have not read any of them--I see from Amazon that they involve time travel, fantasy, and romance. What I have under the tree for my girls (15 and just about 13) are The Hunger Games trilogy which they have not read and Magnus Chase, the new Rick Riordan which they haven't read yet (but they've read his others multiple times). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbotoast Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) I read Marissa Meyer's Lunar series and enjoyed it. Books I have recommended to my 18yo sister lately: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Bates by E. Lockhart Pivot Point and Split Second by Kasie West (two book series) ETA: Also The Ruby Red Trilogy by Kerstin Gier and Starbound series by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner Edited December 10, 2015 by melbotoast 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 I enjoyed the Lunar Chronicles series. The final book was just released last month, I think. Girl of Fire & Thorns series was good, but there was sex in the final book. I quite enjoyed Patricia Wrede's Frontier Magic trilogy. It is fun and very innocent. If she likes steampunk, Scott Westerfeld's Leviathon/Behemoth/Goliath series is fun. Has she read Jessica Day George's Dragon Slipper series? Ella Enchanted - Gail Carson Levine? The Septimus Heap books The Magic Thief series (Sarah Prineas -- I also liked her Winterling trilogy) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Dd's getting the Miss Peregrine's trilogy. I'm also getting her some classics, as she's into that lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 I thought it was just me! You as a parent or you as a reader? I will admit that she comes by it honestly--I'm the same way :lol: If a book is making a huge splash, I can't bring myself to read it. The first HP had been out for years before I even deigned to pick it up and read a little :001_rolleyes: Of course I was immediately hooked! She's always been that way. It frustrated me to no end because I couldn't wait to have a daughter so I could share my most beloved books with her, and she wanted nothing to do with them. Until DH pointed out that I do the same thing. Whatever!!! :tongue_smilie: If i really want her to read something, I have a list of people I ask to recommend it to her on the sly :lol: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Adults listen to my reading recommendations and ask me for ideas, but my kids are much more skeptical about my book picks even though they've enjoyed my suggestions before. I try to be really casual when I make suggestions now and not seem too eager. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 There is a relatively new series out that my dds loved: the first book is called Etiquette and Espionage. It's a "steampunk" series -- very clever and fun. There are four books and the last book was just released last month. Dd (16) just started this series ... I've already read most of them, and it is really fun. I also read the "grown up" series (which I do not recommend for teens, but is also lots of fun if you like vampires, werewolves and steampunk all rolled together). She also adored the Lunar Chronicles, although she found the final book disappointing. This year she wants Clint Emerson's 100 Deadly Skills. I wonder if maybe she's taken the Etiquette and Espionage books a little too seriously. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 (edited) The Books of Bayern by Shannon Hale are favorites here The illustrated Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone The Belgariad by Davis Eddings City of Mortal Instruments series is one we also enjoyed very much The new Rick Riordan is wonderful Everything by Gail Carson Levine Diane Wynn Jones Howl's moving Castle Edited December 11, 2015 by Lizzie in Ma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 When my dd17 was younger, she really enjoyed the series called The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins, author of the Hunger Games. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewellsmommy Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 (edited) Dd is getting the 3rd in the School for Good and Evil series. She loved the first two. She's getting some more Emily the Strange. The Lunar Chronicles is on the list, but she has not read any of them. She just finished a manga series by Mark Crilley. I remember it has the seasons in the title and there is one book for each season. Edited December 11, 2015 by jewellsmommy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 When my dd17 was younger, she really enjoyed the series called The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins, author of the Hunger Games. Ah. I think of those as the Gregor the Overlander books. MUCH better than Hunger Games though they get less attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted December 12, 2015 Author Share Posted December 12, 2015 You guys are awesome! So many of these suggestions look like books she'll love that will help rekindle her love of reading. I had ordered a bunch yesterday and then saw the posts about steampunk books today, which she loves, so I ordered a few more. I'm saving the rest of the suggestions for when she needs new reading material from the library. Thanks so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storygirl Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 When you need another idea, try something by Robin McKinley. I love The Hero and the Crown particularly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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