[ChristineSarmel Posts: 228 Status: Offline WWW]

I've lucked into a streak of great books.  The latest: MIDWINTER BLOOD by Marcus Sedgwick. It's written in sections, almost like linked novellas and really crosses genres - mystery, romance, horror, myth. I'll be very surprised if it doesn't get serious discussion when the next Printz rolls around.

[Lwrites Posts: 159 Status: Offline]

I'm happy to report that I loved ELEANOR AND PARK - and not just because it's set in Omaha where I happen to live. What I really liked about it was that it's a genuine teen love story and it's about teens who don't always appear in books - multi-ethnic kids, kids from broken families who live on the wrong side of town (so to speak). It's a very realistic portrait of growing up in a place where high school graduation isn't an automatic assumption and your mom sends a note saying you were sick for the school field trip because she doesn't have the $3 fee. And yet first love is just as glorious there as it is anywhere else.

Yes! ELEANOR AND PARK was so wonderful! Great story, great writing, too. (And I'm going to add one more thing to your list of things that made it unique in YA romance: how often do you read a YA romance where the heroine is overweight?)

[cekster Posts: 8 Status: Offline I love kids' books! WWW]

I'm reading a terrific adult novel, Kitchen House.  But just finished reading some fabulous picture books: Michelle Markel's Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909, and  Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw.  I wish I wrote them!

[LindaB Posts: 332 Status: Offline I want to write!]

I just finished Matthew Kirby's Icefall. Wonderful book. Kirby is a terrific writer. He will be leading a workshop at the SCBWI Florida Mid-Year Workshop June 7 & 8 in Disney World.

LindaB

[J-Bert Posts: 257 Status: Offline WWW]

I recently read THE FALSE PRINCE and the sequel THE RUNAWAY KING by Jennifer Nielsen and highly recommend both. Fantasy adventure middle grades.

Now I'm flying through GOING VINTAGE by Lindsey Leavitt. A great YA romantic comedy, perfect for the Sarah Dessen or Stephanie Perkins fans out there.

[Pons Posts: 2,644 Status: Online]

I'm reading Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage, and it is amazing. I recommend it.

[smichel]

Recently finished The False Prince and loved it! Now I'm reading Blackbringer, by Laini Taylor.  It took me a while to get into it but I'm now enjoying it. I have so many titles stacked on my night table.

I read Code Name Verity a while back but it didn't strike me as being a YA novel.  More like an adult novel to me.

Stella

Forgot to add that I also read Hattie Ever After, by Kirby Larsen.

[mrh Posts: 4,773 Status: Offline www.marciahoehne.com WWW]

I also just finished THE FALSE PRINCE and THE RUNAWAY KING. Loved both.

Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson. Liked, didn't love.

[LindaB Posts: 332 Status: Offline I want to write!]

I was blown away by Jonathan Mayberry's Rot and Ruin and found Dust and Decay equally good. What a terrific storyteller!

LindaB

[updog]

 I read Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell over the weekend, and you can add me to the list of people who loved it. Like the characters, I grew up in Nebraska in the 80's, and this book brought back a lot of memories for me, both good and bad. The book is honest in a way that left me feeling gutted, but I loved every minute of it. The characters felt like real people, and I won't soon forget them.

[kategoka]

I'm really into the ANNA HIBISCUS series by Atinuke. I'm always happy to find some diversity on the early reader/ chapter book shelves. I want to check out Atinuke's other series, the No. 1 Car Spotter as well.

I also finished ADAPTATION by Malinda Lo and I can't say anything about it to anyone lest I give some of the juicy bits away. Great YA sci-fi thriller!

And I have put Eleanor and Park at the top of my list too. Thanks for the rec.

[Debby G Posts: 559 Status: Offline WWW]

I read Dante and Aristotle Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a YA novel that won a bunch of awards. I liked it. The author has a simple yet pretty writing style. It was interesting in that it's very character-driven; most of the conflict is internal.

[sameyers Posts: 80 Status: Offline WWW]

I just finished If I Stay by Gale Forman. Heartbreaking, lovely, subtle and warm ~ I absolutely loved it!

God bless,
Susan

[JohnellDeWitt Posts: 53 Status: Offline WWW]

I'm reading two blueboarder books. The Cabinet of Earths and There's an Eyeball in My Garden.

I'm only into the Cabinet of Earths a few chapters, but I'm totally impressed. Anne Nesbet's writing style is fun and I'm enjoying the story as an adult. I'm definitely wowed.

Since it's national poetry month, it was a good time to check out, There's an Eyeball in My Garden--a book of Halloween-type poems, but fun any time of year. My good friend and blueboarder, Jen Judd compiled the book with poems from her writing group (correct me if I'm wrong Jen), which is truly cool.  Love it! The poems were spooky but not scary and my kids enjoyed them...with no nightmares! Happy mom. I was blown away by how clever and well-written the poems were.

There's a lot of talent in these boards and I've only scratched the veneer-- . Can't wait to keep digging.

[ButterflyGirl Posts: 530 Status: Offline @kidlitSarah sarahfloydbooks.com]

I just finished Marissa Doyle's COURTSHIP & CURSES. It is so well written, and totally entertaining. I loved all of her books, but this one is my favorite.

[mrh Posts: 4,773 Status: Offline www.marciahoehne.com WWW]

QUICKSILVER, by RJ Anderson. Next up are THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING by Linda Urban and CROW by Barbara Wright.

[olmue Posts: 3,584 Status: Offline WWW]

The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander, by Barbara Coloroso. SO good. The BEST book I've read on the subject. It's got actual practical solutions to both prevention and how to deal with a situation once it's happened. A full third of the book is about the power of bystanders, which I like, too. Bullying doesn't end once you graduate. Everyone should read this book!

[LindaB Posts: 332 Status: Offline I want to write!]

With all that's happening in Boston, I hope our kids are finding a better world in books. I just finished a fun mystery called Strike Three You're Dead by Josh Berk. It's actually pretty funny. It's a good baseball book set in Philly with good characters.

LindaB

[AnneB Posts: 3,792 Status: Offline]

Shadows, by Ilsa Bick -- the sequel to Ashes. Man, can she PLOT! I would love to see the spreadsheet for this book...the whole series. And the detail! I don't even want to know how she knows some of those things {shudders}.

[AnneN Posts: 509 Status: Offline]

I'm tickled to be mentioned in this thread!
This has been such a surreal week, and my reading has been all over the place as a result, with different types of books for different types of transportation:  William Alexander's GHOULISH SONG, which I really enjoyed and read while walking, and some space opera for a long plane ride (Charles Stross's SINGULARITY SKY), and then as comfort food on the train yesterday so I could avoid thinking about all the extra policemen, C. S. Lewis's HORSE AND HIS BOY....

[Shannywriter Posts: 507 Status: Offline Believe in yourself and never give up WWW]

Just finished Nantucket Blue (ARC) by Leila Howland, and Black Helicopters by Blythe Woolston

Now reading Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt

[Leandra Posts: 59 Status: Offline I love kids' books! WWW]

I'm reading Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. She's got such a great voice! But I've a feeling I'm going to spend alot of this book teary-eyed...

[LTMadison Posts: 109 Status: Offline Cover art avatar by 2020 WWW]

Just finished Crewell by Gennifer Albin. Great narrative drive, huge stakes, and a fun read, even though I still have no idea what all those threads are about.

As for the poster above who characterized Code Name Verity as an adult book...go no further than than the foul SS interrogator who wrings secrets from the heroine by...hang on to your panties...making her strip to her underwear. Those Nazis -- had they no limits?

[Barbara Etlin Posts: 2,255 Status: Offline WWW]

Finally got around to reading REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS by Blueboarder Helene Boudreau. Light, frothy, funny, a delight!

[Barbara Etlin Posts: 2,255 Status: Offline WWW]

Other recent great reads:

COSMIC by Frank Cottrell Boyce (MG) - laugh-out-loud funny, with heart

WHO I KISSED (YA contemporary) by Blueboarder Janet Gurtler

ALCATRAZ VERSUS THE EVIL LIBRARIANS by Brandon Sanderson (MG) - clever, witty fantasy

SMELLS LIKE DOG and SMELLS LIKE TREASURE by Suzanne Selfors (MG) - love the characters (especially Dog) and the humour

[AnneB Posts: 3,792 Status: Offline]

I've been catching up on Blueboarders books: Blythe Woolston's Black Helicopters (amazing--could not put it down even though I had a good idea from the beginning how it was going to end) and YAChicka's Blaze, which I also could not put down. Then I went to your website, Linda, and found out that omg, there really WAS a pink car!

[jodyjl Posts: 389 Status: Offline]

I am thoroughly enjoying John Green's AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES....laughing out loud on numerous occasions.

[Jennifer Cole Judd Posts: 30 Status: Offline WWW]

Omigosh, Johnell, how did I miss this?  You are totally awesome--thanks for the shout out!  I need to tag Laura--this would make her day!  Or Bill...dang it.  Can you tag on Verla Kay???   Wolfie, wolffiiieeee...

I'll let her know you had such nice things to say about Eyeball.  And so glad your kids are sleeping!  LOL! :

As far as what I've been reading...for YA, I JUST finished THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS by Rae Carson.  Was so so so happy...loved the MC!  Really refreshing fantasy. I read COLIN FISCHER in, literally, a day...glued to it.  Highly recommend.

For "market research"...PBs--Just read NUGGET AND FANG by Blueboarder Tammi Sauer--ADORABLE! Totally loved it.    And Lemony Snicket's DARK.  Creepy and clever. 

[Pippa Posts: 386 Status: Offline Never give up! WWW]

Just consumed Jennifer Nielsen's THE FALSE PRINCE 

Started a sci-fi MG, WHISPER by Emma Clayton, but can't get into it (albeit good writing and interesting premise) so have shelved it for another day :
My bedtime reading and general pick-me-up-for-a-giggle is WRITE GOOD OR DIE compiled by Scott Nicholson   
and I just finished a fabulous YA historical fiction ebook, MERELY DEE by Marian Manseau Cheatham  :.

I highly recommend them all.

... and also spent a lot of time in THE HOUSE OF SECRETS by Chris Columbus & Ned Vizzini  . I tried reading the whole thing, I really did. Lots to like about it (the humor is great) but 496 pages?! It just went on and on and on. It's like the authors were having so much fun inventing wild and crazy characters and action that they forgot to move the plot forward. And this novel has huge, huge promo $ behind it (so I had to see what all the buzz was about, right?). I'm left shaking my head, asking why? Anyone else read it?

[Joanna Posts: 162 Status: Offline WWW]

Just finished Seraphina by Rachel Harman and I LOVED it.  : Currently reading The Girl of Fire and Thorns and hoping to snag The Runaway King soon!!