Catherine Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 He's reasonably bright, but not much of a reader. I've attempted many read aloud with him that have fallen flat (that succeeded with other kids) including A Tale of Two Cities, Flash Boys (techie book about Wall St. trading that I thought he'd like). No go. Any big successes with your teen boys? He's open to it, but often becomes bored with the books. And please forgive me for popping in after awhile away. You all are missed-but I am having trouble keeping up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 Does he have something to do while you read--like building with legos or something? I can't stand to sit still and listen to anything. I have to have my hands occupied. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 I'd definitely let him being doing something with his hands - clay, drawing, sanding a project, SOMETHING. I can't stand to sit still and just listen either. Hands have to be cleaning or knitting or cooking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 What about audiobooks? By that age my sons were more interested in audiobooks. Ds2's favorite is the Artemis Fowl series read by Nathaniel Parker. And I agree with the others about having something to do with the hands while listening. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 How about something contemporary. Does he like tech & gaming? If yes, Cory Doctorow's Little Brother, & the loosely connected Homeland sequel. (these are published by Tor and are regular books (not self published or vanity press etc) avail in stores BUT the author also gives his books away for free so if you don't want to pay, you can download from his site.) Also, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. .Or maybe a sci-fi classic? Frank Herbert's Dune. Larry Niven's Ringworld. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 Lord of the Flies. 1984 (or other dystopian). The Kite Runner. The Life of Pi. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 Lord of the Flies. 1984 (or other dystopian). The Kite Runner. The Life of Pi. aaaaack no. If I'd made my then 15yo read or listen to these he'd have been tipped into full on despair. These are all SO depressing. but as always, ymmv :) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 How about some short stories? I like Poe's Cask of Amantillado, Jackson's The Lottery, Bradbury's All Summer in a Day, and many others. I really liked Ray Bradbury's compliation of stories...um, The Illustrated Man, I think? I read it while in Israel, and found it quite entertaining. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 Ender's Game. Anathem. The Lord of the Rings.Everyone is always doing something with their hands during a read aloud: arts, crafts, construction kits, playing with a pet, hanging laundry on hangers (we don't fold much here.) Stuff like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted December 2, 2016 Author Share Posted December 2, 2016 That's the second time I've heard of Little Brother in 2 days! I will be getting it! LOTR-tried and failed, maybe 3-4 years ago. I wonder if I should try again? What do you think? Short stories-check. I think that's a great idea and we've read Poe so it makes sense to start there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 aaaaack no. If I'd made my then 15yo read or listen to these he'd have been tipped into full on despair. These are all SO depressing. but as always, ymmv :) LOL - my kid read all 4 of these between 13 and 16. They led to good discussions. I do agree though it is hard to find upbeat stuff worthy of defining as actual lit study. Our high school book club is studying Midsummer Night's Dream this month for a little levity. ;) We do try and mix it up a bit. HAVING the high school book club is a big motivator. Many of the kids use audio books or read aloud with parents. I would say the book club has been the #1 best thing we've done to get through some solid lit choices. I will also say in this book club that kid also read stuff like Jane Eyre, Secret Life of Bees, Grapes of Wrath, Great Expectations, A Separate Peace, etc. Stuff he'd never in a million years pick up but was more than ready to read and discuss 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 My husband and I enjoyed listening to Andy Weir's The Martian. Would that be an option? Regards, Kareni 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibiche Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 (edited) Jerry Kosinski's Being There. George Orwell's Animal Farm. Edited December 2, 2016 by bibiche 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted December 2, 2016 Author Share Posted December 2, 2016 Jerry Kosinski's Being There. George Orwell's Animal Farm. Wonderful ideas! Very timely! We read Animal Farm years ago and have been discussing it a lot lately. But I will give Being There a look. Thank you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 Oo, I liked The Martian. That'd be a fun one to try. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 That's the second time I've heard of Little Brother in 2 days! I will be getting it! LOTR-tried and failed, maybe 3-4 years ago. I wonder if I should try again? What do you think? Short stories-check. I think that's a great idea and we've read Poe so it makes sense to start there. Has he seen the LOTR movies? If he likes the movies I would try the books again; they're a bit slow to get into so you could do some judicious editing to shorten the time it takes to get to the more interesting bits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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