[elisa Posts: 88 Status: Offline]

I just finished The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by Anton DiSclafani (a woman). It's adult literary fiction but it's one of those books that I think could be considered YA or New Adult as the main character is 16. Sexual and suspenseful; I couldn't put it down. . .

[updog]

You all were right about "The Lightning Thief". Now I'm going to have to watch the movie too... and buy the rest of the series.  Next up: "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman.

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

I recently finished PARADOX by A. J. Paquette--great, quick-paced futuristic YA. And ELEANOR & PARK which was so wonderful.

[MysteryRobin Posts: 690 Status: Offline]

I just finished Stephen King's 11/22/63 - amazing. I think I love him.
Just started Ruby Red - I've heard great things!

[JodyJS Posts: 1,278 Status: Offline Preorder now! Out April 2021! WWW]

You all were right about "The Lightning Thief". Now I'm going to have to watch the movie too... and buy the rest of the series.  Next up: "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman.

Another great one, updog. Enjoy!

[Ruth Donnelly Posts: 659 Status: Offline WWW]

I just finished The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by Anton DiSclafani (a woman). It's adult literary fiction but it's one of those books that I think could be considered YA or New Adult as the main character is 16. Sexual and suspenseful; I couldn't put it down. . .

I read that one, too... it's one of those southern gothic-type stories where the characters' lives are forever changed by a traumatizing incident, but you don't find out the scandalous details until the end. It was riveting.

[JohnellDeWitt Posts: 53 Status: Offline WWW]

So...not sure a picture book counts, but I just read one I loved. Snip Snap, What's That by Mara Bergman. It surprised me and more importantly, it really engaged my son, whose a reluctant reader. It's a great read-aloud book and one that would be really fun if you're needing a book to read to a classroom or at a library reading program.

As for adult books I've read lately...ummmm...

[Christine B. Posts: 368 Status: Offline WWW]

I'm reading James Dashner's "The Maze Runner" and it is riveting. It's not the type of book I'd generally pick up, but it was assigned reading for an Intensive with Krista Marino at the SCBWI Summer Conference. So enjoying the read! I look at it as sort of a boy m.c. Hunger Games.

I also just read Katherine Paterson's "Jacob Have I Loved" for the first time ever. Whoa did that book make me cry. Beautiful! It just may be my favorite Paterson book that I've read.

[DimpDavis Posts: 4 Status: Offline Happy endings are still endings.]

I finished reading A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness  few weeks ago and it blew me away. I immediately loaned it to a critique partner, who I knew needed to read it. She let it sit on her shelf until a few days ago. Once she started reading it, she couldn't put it down.
The story is of a boy and his unique way of facing the mother's fight with cancer.  Absolutely a must read, even if you or your loved ones have never battled cancer.

[amandaerbillust Posts: 29 Status: Offline WWW]

I just finished the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix (Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen) and am starting on Enders Game...I know a movie is coming out but I swear I've wanted to read it even before I knew a movie was even in development

[Lwrites Posts: 159 Status: Offline]

Ok, BETTER NATE THAN EVER by Tim Federle is the most happy-making contemp MG I have read in such a long time. Theater-obsessed kid runs away from home to NYC to audition for broadway's new E.T: The Musical? Yes please!

[ChristineSarmel Posts: 228 Status: Offline WWW]

Spending some time with adult lit.  : BIG BROTHER by Lionel Shriver - until the last four pages. Not much more to say without spoilers...

 Now I'm enjoying LOTERIA by Zambrano. It's an eleven-year-old narrator reflecting on the death of her sister and the structure is fascinating. The chapters are short, non-consecutive narratives. Each one starts with a picture of a loteria card. Taken together the chapters reveal her family and (I'm assuming) what happened to her sister, but not in linear order.

[C.K. Posts: 907 Status: Offline WWW]

After reading and thoroughly enjoying Over You by Amy Reed I've gone on an Amy Reed binge and moved on to Clean, with Crazy to read straight afterwards.

[JodiG (MamaG) Posts: 7 Status: Offline WWW]

I am reading 2 books right now: The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore (one of the I am Number Four books) and The Help by Kathryn Stockette

[rab Posts: 541 Status: Offline WWW]

Listening to Water Street by Patricia Reilly Giff. Just started Hothouse: The Art of Survival and the Survival of Art at American's Most Celebrated Publishing House, Farrar Straus & Giroux.

[smichel]

Reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane, by Neil Gaiman, and trying to figure out who his target audience is, kids or adults? it isn't very clear, I'm afraid, but I do love his  creepy stories.

[JonathanMaberry Posts: 27 Status: Offline Knowledge is power. Read. Become Powerful. WWW]

Reading BOTWARS by J V Kade. Lots of MG fun!

[Betsy Posts: 2,123 Status: Offline PICKY EATERS WWW]

I'm reading four books right now, mostly nonfiction, an odd assortment even for me:

NEVER SAY DIE by Susan Jacoby (on tape, I listen in the car) This is about the difference between the reality of old age and the hype.
EATING ON THE WILD SIDE by Jo Robinson -- Everything you wanted to know about fruits and veggies. (O.K., I know what you're thinking. But this is interesting!)
YOUR INNER FISH by Neil Shubin -- How fish invented much of the structure of the human body.

Last but not least I just finished Kathi Appelt's new book:
THE TRUE BLUE SCOUTS OF SUGARMAN SWAMP -- Charming and funny. It doesn't have the depth of THE UNDERNEATH, but more entertaining.

[ChristineSarmel Posts: 228 Status: Offline WWW]

Two books:

Adult fiction: THE SHINING GIRLS by Lauren Beukes -- Time traveling serial killer

YA: BLACK HEART by Holly Black -- part of the curseworkers series

[Betsy Posts: 2,123 Status: Offline PICKY EATERS WWW]

Do you like them? Which is the best? What's Black Heart about? (Just give us a sentence.) Thanks.

[ChristineSarmel Posts: 228 Status: Offline WWW]

I like both of them. SHINING GIRLS is kind of Hannibal Lector meets the time traveler's wife. It skips around a lot, but it's very well written and easy to follow. It is a bit dark so if you're squeamish this is not the book for you.

BLACK HEART is the last of Holly Black's trilogy set in a world where her main character, a teenage boy, has been sent to private school, in part to hide the fact that he's able to work curses - a talent some people have, the government seeks to regulate and everyone else fears. It's urban fantasy which isn't always my thing, but I've loved all three of these.

[Lwrites Posts: 159 Status: Offline]

Do you like them? Which is the best? What's Black Heart about? (Just give us a sentence.) Thanks.

I really enjoyed this trilogy too! Think of 1920s prohibition, only substitute "modern day" for "1920s," and substitute magic for alcohol. The mob is involved in the use of magic. The main character is in a crime family. Great fun!

[olmue Posts: 3,586 Status: Offline WWW]

I'm moving and all my books are boxed up on a moving truck that's somewhere in the western US right now. But in the meantime, we've been visiting my SIL--who happens to be a university librarian with a $10K budget to buy children's/YA books for the library. Her house is full of all the kinds of books I love. So I just reread THE STAR OF KAZAN, by Eva Ibbotson. It's pretty much a perfect MG book. I love the attention to quirky yet believable detail, and I love that justice is served. Probably not every book needs it, but as an element of strong MG fiction, I'd say justice is right up there!

[Betsy Posts: 2,123 Status: Offline PICKY EATERS WWW]

Thanks, Olmue. Happy moving! 

I love it when people give a little synopsis along with the title. Thanks. Some people (me) are reading this thread to find books they might like to read.

WOW! I just checked Amazon. Two starred reviews and only $5.00 for the kindle edition.

[olmue Posts: 3,586 Status: Offline WWW]

It's a FABULOUS book, Betsy. So is her JOURNEY TO THE RIVER SEA (about a British girl who goes to live with relatives on a Brazilian rubber plantation). Also lots of justice served in that one.

[Betsy Posts: 2,123 Status: Offline PICKY EATERS WWW]

I respect your opinion. So I'll give it a try...

[olmue Posts: 3,586 Status: Offline WWW]

I'm honored! And I hope you like it/them. STAR OF KAZAN is lovely--about a foundling girl in Vienna at the turn of the century and the wonderful family of professors and cooks she lives with. And then everything changes when her long lost mother shows up to claim her, and takes her away to dreary northern Germany to live. They are nobles, but things are awfully run down... There's some mystery and there are plucky heroes and heroines and horses and jewels. (But nothing over the top.) Mostly, though, it's a love song to Austria, which Eva Ibbotson left as a child during the Anschluss. It's like she's trying to climb inside Vienna through the book, and it's wonderful.

Journey to the River Sea has a strong naturalist element--some people in the book love the Amazon (the MC, for example), and some do not (the British family she goes to live with). Both books have a lot of heart, and also some nice funny moments. With so many NF books about our wonderful planet under your belt, I suspect this one might especially appeal to you, Betsy.

[Betsy Posts: 2,123 Status: Offline PICKY EATERS WWW]

I ordered THE STAR OF KAZAN, but the other sounds good too. I was in Ecuador many years ago for a vacation and went hiking in the jungle a couple of times. Also saw the Galapagos. So put me down as someone who loves the Amazon. Maybe I should have ordered the second book instead, but I have so many to read...I'm reading five right now and there are a couple of others I have to finish after that.

But I'll get to it.

[Marcia Posts: 474 Status: Offline Never Too Late To Be What You Were Meant to Be WWW]

I've just read Katerina's Wish by Jeannie Mobley--a debut middle grade novel that takes place in the Colorado coal mines circa 1900. I also just finished listening to Neil Gaiman's Ocean at the End of the Lane--his reading (& writing) voice is wonderful.

[hairaplenty Posts: 1,454 Status: Offline Don't ever quit!]

Betsy's right. I come here for people's recommendations-So if you can give a little feedback on your read, all the better.

I'm reading Courtney Summer's Fall for Anything. About a girl devastated by her father's apparent suicide. Dark and edgy, just the way I like YA.
Also, Where'd you go, Bernadette. It's adult, which I rarely read, written mostly in letters from Bernadette to her personal assistant who resides in India. Bernadette's daughter has requested they go to Antarctica for a family vacation      and Bernadette is agoraphobic. I've barely begun but it's fun.
Also, from some recommendation on these boards I'm reading John Truby's, The Anatomy of Story. I got this from the library and am going to buy it for myself. Very good and helpful for plotting and understanding story. It's also got some writing exercises