Reading Young Adult Novels

I've just finished reading oodles of book reviews of the latest YA novels, and I can't wait to dive into my wish list. Here are titles I'm hoping to read:

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
This novel tops my list and was recommended to me by a librarian friend. The book has received wildly positive reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and Publisher’s Weekly. Described as blending the science fiction, medical thriller, and teen-relationship genres, the story follows a young woman who wakes from a coma and struggles with issues of memory and identity.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
A short novel (just over 200 pages) about a 10th grade girl who embodies non-conformity. Sounds like charming fun, with underlying serious themes.

Sold by Patricia McCormick
50 reviews on amazon and an average rating of five stars (wow!), this is a novel of a young Nepalese girl sold into prostitution by her parents. I’m guessing this will appeal to those who enjoyed The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Feed by M.T. Anderson
This book has been on my “to read” list for three years; everyone I know who has read it has loved it. (it is a science fiction tale about advertising that is piped directly into the brain). What I also learned is that another title I’ve heard good things about is by the same author: The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation.

Looking for Alaska by John Green
A book that is almost universally recommended for its strong narrative voice about young men at a boarding school.

A Room on Lorelei Street by Mary E. Pearson
Gorgeous language is the repeated refrain from strong reviews for this novel about a young woman caring for her alcoholic mother.

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
Amazon customers and critics alike love this novel about a teen father who decides to raise his child. I like that the novel is described as “poetic.”

A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
A novel about synesthesia—a medical condition that supposedly affects John Mayer and the painter, Kadinsky. I’m intrigued to read and learn more.

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
A critically acclaimed page-turner and a historical novel—I’m hooked. Set in the early 1900s, this is the story of a young woman caught up in the story of an actual historical murder mystery. Interestingly, amazon customers who view the book are highly likely to buy one of the Twilight series novels.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
This novel about vampires is described as hopelessly romantic—and my daughter read it in one day. I want to know what all the buzz is about!

The New Policeman by Kate Thompson
A young son sets out to find more time for his mother. Well-reviewed and loved by customers, this novel is set in Ireland and the world of myth. Sounds like DeLint’s The Little Country?

Other picks: Ironside by Holly Black (fairies), Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett (Disc-world for younger readers), Just Listen by Dessen (parallels Anderson’s Speak), West of the Jordan by Halaby (Palestinian young woman), The Earth, my Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler (great title!), Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson (I’ve loved her other books)

And great books I’ve read and can strongly recommend: The Book Thief (by Zusack), Speak (by Anderson), Perks of Being a Wallflower (by Chbosky)

Truth or Dare?

Remember the kids' sleepover game "Truth or Dare?" You could either answer a question with truth--or take The Dare (things like running naked to the mailbox and back or drinking a concoction of gunk that your friends assembled from odd liquids in the refrigerator).

I used to think about non-fiction in much the same way as "truth"--slightly scary, and usually a whole lot more boring than the other options available. But in the last five years, friends have recommended non-fiction books: memoirs, histories, even "information" books, and I've found that the Truth can be pretty exciting, too.

Here's a brief list of some of my favorites:

• The Lost King of France by Deborah Cadbury. This book solves the mystery of the fate of Marie Antoinette's son by combining historical detective work and DNA science. The truth is horrifying.


• Close to Shore by Michael Capuzzo. The book's subtitle, "A True Story of Terror in an Age of Innocence" doesn't begin to communicate the campy creepiness of this account of the real-life shark attacks on which the movie "Jaws" was based. Eeeeeew.


• Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides. This is the account of the harrowing mission to rescue the survivors of the Bataan Death march. It's an "edge of your seat" book.


• The Year of Living Biblically by AJ Jacobs. A laugh-out-loud memoir about one man's attempt to follow ALL the rules of the Bible for one year. The photos of his out-of-control facial hair are alone worth a peek.


• An American Childhood by Annie Dillard. Dillard's writing is pure poetry, and this book is about growing up in Pittsburgh. What else could you want?!