Favorite YA fiction, part one
Posted By CarrieK on July 9, 2009
I only discovered the joys of YA fiction in the past couple of years, and the majority of the YA titles on my list I have read in the past year. My to-read list is now stuffed full of YA titles – thanks to all the book bloggers who helped convince me that adults can read YA, too.
Pirates!
I listened to Pirates on audiobook, and it remains one of my favorite audio titles. It is the story of a plantation owner’s daughter and a slave girl thrown together by fate and gone “on the account” as pirates.
The Looking Glass Wars
From my review: “This is one of the most inventive books I’ve read in a long time. I literally did not want to put it down! It is wonderfully written and will appeal to lovers of fantasy, old and young alike. It is darker than some juvenile fantasy: unlike the cartoon where the Queen of Hearts yells “Off with their heads!” quite ineffectually, in The Looking Glass Wars heads roll.”
Twilight
Yes, it’s mind candy. But it’s mind candy I couldn’t put down – just like the three sequels. So sue me. 
Gone
From my review: “I read one review that likened this to Lord of the Flies a la Stephen King plus a little X-Men. I couldn’t have described it better myself. First of all, really try to imagine what it would be like if, one day, everyone in your town aged 14 or over disappeared. Poof. Completely gone.
Stay-at-home moms disappear, leaving their toddlers and babies alone, unattended. Teachers, day care workers, doctors and nurses. Policemen, firefighters.
The young kids look to the older kids for answers, for protection. But the oldest one is only 13 years old.”
Uglies
From my review (that I can’t link to, cause it’s on that other site): “I loved this book – it hooked me completely and kept me turning the pages. I’ve always liked dystopian fiction, especially when it seems to expand on concepts and trends that are already evident in today’s society. Our society is so obsessed with beauty that the premise of this book is not far-fetched at all, which I find very scary.”
Stay tuned next week for part two.
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Favorite children’s novels, part two
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Great list! The only book on the list that I’ve read was Twilight. I have The Uglies and The Looking Glass Wars on my TBR pile now. I will definitely add the rest.
Vasilly´s last blog ..Currently reading: Three Bags Full
I’m currently reading (or trying to, anyway) The Looking Glass Wars, Red has just walked in on Alyss’s birthday party and yelled, “Off with their heads.” It’s interesting, but it’d probably be better if I didn’t get interupted every other page.
Of course, I loved Twilight, and Uglies is on Mt. TBR.
The Kool-Aid Mom´s last blog ..Summer Blahs and Distractions… and a new computer doesn’t help!
I really liked Uglies. I also enjoyed Twilight, even while it drove me nuts (I haven’t read any of the sequels). I’ll look into Pirates! and The Looking Glass Wars, those sound interesting. Thanks for sharing your favorites with us.
Laura @ ImBookingIt´s last blog ..Giveaway: The Impostor’s Daughter
Same with me, I’ve only read Twilight (which I won’t let my daughter read, and has made the meanest mom on earth). I will have to look into the other ones. What is your opinion on appropriate ages for these books?
Sandy´s last blog ..When Katie Wakes: A Memoir – Connie May Fowler (Kindle)
I haven’t read any of the books you’ve listed, but I do have the Uglies series on my wish list.
Kathy´s last blog ..Review: Priceless Memories
I haven’t read any of these books except for Twilight (and I’m not a fan, even though I got sucked into that one). I just saw Uglies at my local secondhand bookstore a couple of days ago, so now I’m thinking I should have bought it!
avisannschild´s last blog ..Friday Finds (July 10)
Vasilly – one of the things I like about reading YA is that they jump right into the story – and if it’s a god one, then you’re hooked and can’t put it down. That’s how I felt about Looking Glass Wars and Uglies.
Alisha – finding uninterrupted reading time is always a challenge, isn’t it?
Laura – you’re welcome! I hope you enjoy the ones you choose to read.
Sandy – Hmmm, ages… I’m probably a little more lenient than you, I think – I let my 12 year old read the entire Twilight series, although I read the 4th one aloud to her so I could skip over the honeymoon scenes. With Pirates, I would definitely wait until 8th grade or up – there is a scene of attempted rape. It’s not graphic, but the life of a slave and the life of a pirate are both realistically portrayed. Looking Glass Wars doesn’t have any s*x, but does have some violence – probably jr. high would be a good age. Gone and Uglies both have some fairly innocent romance stuff – though not a major part of the plot. Junior high would be a good age for those, too – there are some themes that would be easier to understand by then. My 12 year old read Uglies, but she didn’t like it as much as I did.
Kathy – In my opinion, the first two in the Uglies series were the best. I’m glad I read #3 and #4, but didn’t like them as well.
Avis – Uglies is a great read – maybe your library has it.
[...] My favorite YA fiction, part one ~ Book review: Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult ~ Book review: The Book of Unholy [...]
I am really enjoying your “favorites” posts.
The only book on this list I have read is Twilight. We have just purchased Uglies (today) and will start that read next week or so. Have heard good things about Uglies.
I need to read Pirates and The Looking Glass Wars.
Deanna´s last blog ..Rivals for the Crown by Kathleen Givens
I will have to check out the first two books. I had not heard of them but I loved Twilight, Gone and Uglies.
Debbie´s last blog ..New Book Blogger’s Discovery July 10
Deanna – thanks!
Debbie – I hope you like them.
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