Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion
YA Reading Challenge
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YA Reading Challenge #1: Tasks & Discussion
UPDATED30 Point Tasks
1.
A Northern Light
2.
3.
25 Point Tasks
1.
2.
3. TBD
4.
20 Point Tasks
1. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
2.
3. TBD
4. I, Coriander
5. The Book of Lost Things
10 Point Tasks
1. Thirteen Reasons Why
2.
3. The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose
4. The Graveyard Book
My updated list:*Currently reading
30 POINT TASKS:
1. Carnegie Medal 2005 Tamar A Novel of Espionage, Passion, and Betrayal and 2007 Alex Awards The Book of Lost Things
2. A Northern Light
3.
25 POINT TASKS:
1.Firebirds Soaring An Anthology of Original Speculative Fiction (Fantasy), The Book Thief*(Historical),
2.
3. Alis (may change)
4.
20 POINT TASKS:
1.
2.
3. I want to go to Ireland - The Escape From Home
4. The Hero and the Crown- 1984 my birth year
5. Wildwood Dancing*
10 POINT TASKS:
1.
2. The Mysterious Benedict Society - Alethea rated it 5 stars
3. The Angel Experiment
4. The Name of the Wind Alex Awards 2008
5 POINT TASKS:
1. Graceling
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. The Amber Spyglass
4.
Total points: 135
Total Pages: 4112
30 Point Tasks2. Anne of Green Gables
25 Point Tasks
3. Secret Keeper
4.
20 Point Tasks
2. TBD
3. The Thief Lord
5. The Sweet Far Thing
10 Point Tasks
3. The Book Thief
4. A Curse Dark as Gold
5 Point Tasks
2. To Kill a Mockingbird
3. Eragon (recommended by 15 year old cousin)
4. Donorboy A Novel
I just finished Uglies by Scott Westerfield and Shattering Glass by Gail Giles for task 25.2.
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UPDATED30 Point Tasks
1.
A Northern Light
2.
3.
25 Point Tasks
1.
2.
3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
4.
20 Point Tasks
1. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
2.
3. Alpha Dog
4. I, Coriander
5. The Book of Lost Things
10 Point Tasks
1. Bewitching Season
2.
3. The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose
4. The Graveyard Book
5 Point Tasks
1.
2. A Little Princess
3. Thirteen Reasons Why
4. Gingerbread
For task 5.4 I read Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn. I totally loved this book and I'm surprised that I even finished it while I'm hanging out/visiting the fam here in San Diego. I enjoyed it so much that I put in order in at B&N to get the next book
Alright, Ashley and Kristen, if you followed me over, here's what I had to say:When I read The Hero and the Crown, even though I liked it in spite of its flaws, I got the feeling that I might like The Blue Sword better. H/C just felt like McKinley looked at B/S and said, "Now, how does Aerin get to this place?" and then wrote the story from there. It always felt like it was filling in, like it was leading to something, and in 240 pages, it was crammed.
Weirdly, I didn't want to raed this. I searched and searched for something else from my birth year that appealed more, but I was at the library on day to grab my random books, and H/C was there, so I went ahead and grabbed it. When I picked it up one night, my thought was literally "I'm going to have to read it at some point, might as well get it out of the way." I don't know why I felt like that. I have read short workd of McKiinley's before and enjoyed them (she does retold fairy tales in a few of Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling's compilations, like Silver Birch, Blood Moon et al. They have some excellent stories in them, if you've never read them). But for whatever reason *ahem, dragons* I just couldn't make myself want this one. But I loved it. Never judge a book by its cover, as they say...
Good to know, Jennifer... I had that (Gingerbread) on my TBR for awhile. Maybe I will read that for task 5.4 and move A Little Princess to 5.2. Yeah! I like that idea! Glad you mentioned it!
Cool Misty. I think that I like The Blue Sword better, but I love both of them. I think it is interesting that you thought it felt rushed, and like it was filling in info. When I read it, I didn't feel that way. It is possible it's because I read it when I was younger (8th grade, I think) but I thought there would be more connections between the two. I really like Robin McKinley though. I have enjoyed just about everything I have read by her. I love Beauty, which is one of her retellings of Beauty and the Beast. I am glad to hear that you liked it Misty!
Fiona (Titch) wrote: "25.2: Would Puberty Blues - Kathy Lette be ok as a YA?Kathy Lette's first novel, written with her surfie chick friend Gabrielle Carey, when they were eighteen. Written twenty years ago, PUBERTY..."
Hi Titch, sorry for the delay in responding. It seems okay from the viewpoint that the main characters are teens. Is it shelved in the YA or Teen section of your library?
Natalee wrote: "Good to know, Jennifer... I had that (Gingerbread) on my TBR for awhile. Maybe I will read that for task 5.4 and move A Little Princess to 5.2. Yeah! I like that idea! Glad you mentioned it!"No problem Natalee...hope you enjoy it : )
UPDATED30 Point Tasks
1.
A Northern Light
2.
3.
25 Point Tasks
1.
2.
3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
4.
20 Point Tasks
1. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
2.
3. Alpha Dog
4. I, Coriander
5. The Book of Lost Things
10 Point Tasks
1. Bewitching Season
2.
3. The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose
4. The Graveyard Book
5 Point Tasks
1.
2. A Little Princess
3.
4. Gingerbread
Mod
30 Point Tasks2. Anne of Green Gables
25 Point Tasks
4.
20 Point Tasks
2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
5. The Sweet Far Thing
10 Point Tasks
3. The Book Thief
4. A Curse Dark as Gold
5 Point Tasks
2. To Kill a Mockingbird
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Donorboy A Novel
I just finished Secret Keeper for task 25.3. I thought it was just okay. It's just that when I put it down, I didn't have a real big desire to pick it up. After a while, I started liking it, but still, it took too much time. I really did enjoy the descriptions of the differences between the culture in India and the one here in the United States. I thought it was a solid three star (and a half!) book. Plus it made me cry just a little.
So, 225 points so far!
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Quick question. Would Eon: Dragoneye Reborn work for task 25.3 - read a book that takes place in a different country or culture than your own? The author's note says that the setting is "a fantasy world at first inspired by the history and cultures of China and Japan, but rapidly became a land of imagination with no claim to historical or cultural authenticity." Even so, it wouldn't be a country or culture that is mine, right? :) Just wanted to check first, though. I already have a book for that task, but it would be great to be able to swap it out with this one. It was highly recommended by a friend and I need to read it now since it is due soon at the library. So it would be great if I could count it for that task for the challenge.
UPDATED30 Point Tasks
1.
A Northern Light
2.
3.
25 Point Tasks
1.
2.
3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
4.
20 Point Tasks
1. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
2.
3. Alpha Dog
4. I, Coriander
5. The Book of Lost Things
10 Point Tasks
1. Bewitching Season
2.
3. The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose
4. The Graveyard Book
5 Point Tasks
1.
2.
3.
4. Gingerbread
Sorry, more questions...First, if my Lord of the Rings book is all three books in one, does that count as one book or three books?
Second, can someone pleeeease recommend me some books for 10.1 (New book by new YA author) in the fantasy/sci-fi or action/adventure genres?
Last question I think, for 30.2 (Read a Wild Things group read and contribute to discussion), does that mean a current month's group read? If I read the Graveyard Book this month instead of last month, would that still count?
For 10.1 - I used Wondrous Strange and really loved it. You can also use the following: Ghostgirl
The Amaranth Enchantment
The Revolution of Sabine (historical fiction)
Evernight
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Wings
The Demon's Lexicon
Fairy Tale
For the new author task, I did a search on "2008 new YA authors" and a couple of different websites popped up.
www.thestorysiren.com has a whole section on debut authors for 2009. Also try "2009 Debutantes" and "Authors Now!". Both are good websites. Hope you find something good!
Another choice for 10.1 is Graceling by Kristin Cashore - although I used it for 10.2 because Allison gave it a 5-star rating. I plan to read Savvy by Ingrid Law for task 10.1, which is also a suggestion. :)
I'm reading Graceling for 10.1 and seeing as how you have rated similar books 5 stars, I think you would like it.
Thanks, everybody! And thanks for such a long list, Kristen. I'll definitely look into those. It seems like a lot of people have read and liked Graceling for the challenge, so I might have to read that anyway.
Mod
No problem C! Just trying to give you a few options. Graceling is on my list for something else, but it's supposed to be really good :).
30 Point Tasks2. Anne of Green Gables
25 Point Tasks
4.
20 Point Tasks
2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
10 Point Tasks
3. The Book Thief
4. A Curse Dark as Gold
5 Point Tasks
2. To Kill a Mockingbird
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Donorboy A Novel
I just finished The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray for task 20.5. I absolutely loved this book! I think it has to be my favorite out of the Gemma Doyle trilogy. At the beginning, I thought it was dragging a little bit, but then I just got so into it that the pages just started flying by. I am a bit sad to see the series end and was sobbing during the last 100 pages of the book. But I think this will be a series that I will want to re-read constantly. And let me just say how much I loved the character of Felicity. What I wouldn't give to be that fearless. Sure, she was a bit reckless sometimes, but I loved the fact that she was a non-conformist. Same goes with Gemma. And for all those who didn't quite like the sappiness of Twilight, I know command you to pick up the first book in the series, A Great and Terrible Beauty (well not really command, more like beg just a little, please?). Sure, it doesn't have vampires and the sensuality that comes with them, but these are great books with strong female characters (which I loved) and a pretty steamy romance. Definitely underrated series.
Anyway, 245 points and 6,774 pages so far!
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Finished another task!
*Finished Tasks
30 POINT TASKS:
1. The Golden Compass/
The Graveyard Book
5/2/09
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. Ella Enchanted
25 POINT TASKS:
1.
I Capture the Castle
5/11/09/Eldest/The Book Thief
*2.
Ink Exchange
5/21/09/
The Au Pairs
5/28/09
3. A Great and Terrible Beauty
4. The Subtle Knife/ The Amber Spyglass
20 POINT TASKS
1. The Fellowship of the Ring
2. Homecoming
3. Evermore
4. Beyond the Chocolate War
5. The Book of Lost Things
10 POINT TASKS:
*1.Graceling6/12/09
2. Pride and Prejudice (Laura)
3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
4. The Tale of Despereaux Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread
5 POINT TASKS:
1. City of Bones
*2.
Little Women
6/5/09
3. To Kill a Mockingbird
4. A Little Princess
Total Points: 40/350
Total Pages: 2,372
*Finished Tasks
30 POINT TASKS:
1. The Golden Compass/
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. Ella Enchanted
25 POINT TASKS:
1.
*2.
3. A Great and Terrible Beauty
4. The Subtle Knife/ The Amber Spyglass
20 POINT TASKS
1. The Fellowship of the Ring
2. Homecoming
3. Evermore
4. Beyond the Chocolate War
5. The Book of Lost Things
10 POINT TASKS:
*1.
2. Pride and Prejudice (Laura)
3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
4. The Tale of Despereaux Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread
5 POINT TASKS:
1. City of Bones
*2.
3. To Kill a Mockingbird
4. A Little Princess
Total Points: 40/350
Total Pages: 2,372
C wrote: "Sorry, more questions...First, if my Lord of the Rings book is all three books in one, does that count as one book or three books?
Second, can someone pleeeease recommend me some books for 1..."
I have read a few really great debut author books, and know of a few more. Try:
Madapple by Christina Meldrum (this blew me away)
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth Bunce
Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alendar
The William C. Morris Award is given to new authors, you could check that for this year (when it started):
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yal...
Here's my updated list - I've changed a few things around! :) *Currently reading
30 POINT TASKS:
1. Carnegie Medal 2005 Tamar A Novel of Espionage, Passion, and Betrayal and 2003 Australia's Children's Book of the Year award I Am the Messenger*
2. A Northern Light
3.
25 POINT TASKS:
1.Firebirds Soaring An Anthology of Original Speculative Fiction (Fantasy), The Book Thief*(Historical),
2.
3.
4.
20 POINT TASKS:
1.
2.
3. I want to go to Ireland - The Escape From Home
4. The Hero and the Crown- 1984 my birth year*
5.
10 POINT TASKS:
1.
2.
3.
4. The Name of the Wind Alex Awards 2008
5 POINT TASKS:
1. Graceling
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. The Amber Spyglass
4.
Total points: 200
Total Pages: 5756
Luann wrote: "Quick question. Would Eon: Dragoneye Reborn work for task 25.3 - read a book that takes place in a different country or culture than your own? The author's note says that the sett..."For that task, Luann, we're really looking for a different country or culture that is real, not imaginary, but assuming that aspects of Asian culture are worked into that title, it seems like it should still work.
C wrote: "Sorry, more questions...First, if my Lord of the Rings book is all three books in one, does that count as one book or three books?
Second, can someone pleeeease recommend me some books for 1..."
C - that would count as three books, just find the first GR listing for each of the books in the trilogy, even if in the one you're reading, they are all combined in one book.
Task 30.2 is any WT group read, so as long as you contribute to the discussion that was held last month for Graveyard Book, that's fine.
I keep hearing great things about Graceling, so I'm gonna recommend it even tho I've never read it! Let me know what you all think if/when you read it.
Graceling is an awesome book...I highly recommend it. :~)Ok I've been slacking big time....I have 22 books to read in 48 days for this challenge. I got so caught up in trying to figure out my books for the TNBBC challenge. LOL...I find that one fun to do also except I have to be honest the summer challenge over there is very overwhelming to me. I'm having a hard time staying motivated. Maybe I'll just stick to this one. LOL
Laura wrote: "Luann wrote: "For that task, Luann, we're really looking for a different country or culture that is real, not imaginary, but assuming that aspects of Asian culture are worked into that title, it seems like it should still work."Thanks, Laura! When I first asked the question I hadn't read the book yet so I wasn't sure how much of it was based on the culture. But now that I've read it, I feel that the Asian aspects of the setting had a huge influence on the story, and made it something very different and interesting. The author did a ton of research before writing the book, which she lists on her website. She even travelled to Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore as research for the book.
Lisa, I know what you mean! I tried my best to fit my remaining tasks on here into that challenge. Luckily, I don't work over the summer (except an easy night job) and can get a lot of reading done. But it is overwhelming all the same.
I was doing good in May but I am slacking in June. I haven't had much time to read this week. I need to get it together because it's my first challenge and I really want to complete it!
Natalee wrote: "I was doing good in May but I am slacking in June. I haven't had much time to read this week. I need to get it together because it's my first challenge and I really want to complete it! "That's exactly how I feel. I think it's partly the books. Sometimes I just get stuck. There was one called Betwixt (don't bother, unless you want to see writing die a slow, painful death), and I got stuck on it forever. When I finished that I flew through the rest of everything I read, up until now, when I am stuck on The Golden Compass, and I just can't seem to make myself want to read it...
Why not!? I loved The Golden Compass! Do you listen to audiobooks? That trilogy is a great one to listen to on audio.
Finished another task!
*Finished Tasks
30 POINT TASKS:
1. The Golden Compass/
The Graveyard Book
5/2/09
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. Ella Enchanted
25 POINT TASKS:
1.
I Capture the Castle
5/11/09/Eldest/The Book Thief
*2.
Ink Exchange
5/21/09/
The Au Pairs
5/28/09
3. A Great and Terrible Beauty
4. The Subtle Knife/ The Amber Spyglass
20 POINT TASKS
1. The Fellowship of the Ring
2. Homecoming
3. Evermore
4. Beyond the Chocolate War
5. The Book of Lost Things
10 POINT TASKS:
*1.
Graceling
6/12/09
2. Pride and Prejudice (Laura)
3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
*4.The Tale of Despereaux Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread6/14/09
5 POINT TASKS:
1. City of Bones
*2.
Little Women
6/5/09
3. To Kill a Mockingbird
4. A Little Princess
Total Points: 50/350
Total Pages: 2,644
*Finished Tasks
30 POINT TASKS:
1. The Golden Compass/
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. Ella Enchanted
25 POINT TASKS:
1.
*2.
3. A Great and Terrible Beauty
4. The Subtle Knife/ The Amber Spyglass
20 POINT TASKS
1. The Fellowship of the Ring
2. Homecoming
3. Evermore
4. Beyond the Chocolate War
5. The Book of Lost Things
10 POINT TASKS:
*1.
2. Pride and Prejudice (Laura)
3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
*4.
5 POINT TASKS:
1. City of Bones
*2.
3. To Kill a Mockingbird
4. A Little Princess
Total Points: 50/350
Total Pages: 2,644
Kristen wrote: "Why not!? I loved The Golden Compass! Do you listen to audiobooks? That trilogy is a great one to listen to on audio."I'm not sure what it is, but the beginning just isn't grabbing me. I have a feeling I will get sucked in eventually, and I want to like it, but I just don't feel excited about it.
I found the His Dark Materials trilogy to be one of those series that was best in the beginning and then lost momentum towards the end... I enjoyed the whole series, but of the three books, I'd say that The Golden Compass was the best and most exciting, followed by The Subtle Knife and then a distant third The Amber Spyglass. If you are not liking the story now Misty, I'd say chances are good that you may not like it at all. But you should definitely give it a shot. It is very interesting and a different twist on fantasy. :)
Becky wrote: "I found the His Dark Materials trilogy to be one of those series that was best in the beginning and then lost momentum towards the end... I enjoyed the whole series, but of the three books, I'd say..."That's exactly how I felt about it, Becky. I liked it a lot in the beginning, but by the end of the third book I wasn't even sure I wanted to recommend it to anyone.
Yeah. I did spend a lot of time thinking about the series and it's implications after I finished it, because it just seemed like one of those "What?!? That's IT??" endings... And after some thought, I ended up liking it better than my review indicates. But not a whole LOT better, so I didn't bother changing it. It just made a little bit more sense after some thought, and I could accept where Pullman was going with it. I think he could have made the ending a little more satisfying though, even if he didn't change the actual events themselves. It just all seemed so abrupt after such a long build-up. I will admit that I cried buckets at the end though. So clearly I had something invested in the story, and that is good.
30 Point Tasks2. Anne of Green Gables
25 Point Tasks
4.
20 Point Tasks
3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
10 Point Tasks
3. The Book Thief
4. A Curse Dark as Gold
5 Point Tasks
2. To Kill a Mockingbird
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Donorboy A Novel
I just finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling for task 20.2 which was read a book that you would like a young person in your life (or any young person in general) to read and then tell why. So, I picked The Sorcerer's Stone because it's what got me reading voraciously. I first read it when I was in 9th grade (not counting the failed attempt to read it in 5th grade) because I loved the movie. These characters are just all so great and real. It's engaging, funny (My favorite character is Fred who always brings the humor), whimsical, and just an all-around amazing novel, which is great not only for young adults, but adults as well. Who doesn't want to believe that a world full of magic exists? This book (and the subsequent ones) was a way for children (and adults) to experience this world. I'm sure many kids wanted to receive their own letter of admissions to Hogwarts School (even I did and I was a teenager when I first read this). So, the point of this (rather long) rambling is that the Harry Potter series is one that I whole-heartedly recommend to children and adults alike. A little Harry Potter (or a lot in my case) is good for the soul.
Total Points so far: 265
Total Pages Read so far: 7,083
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Kristen wrote: "I hope you start to like it Misty! "It's picking up. Whether I will ever love it remains to be seen...
Thanks for the responses :0Misty - I found the opposite of what Becky felt was true for me. I really, really did not like the first book, but I did enjoy the second and the third.
C wrote: "Thanks for the responses :0Misty - I found the opposite of what Becky felt was true for me. I really, really did not like the first book, but I did enjoy the second and the third."
It's starting to pick up for me (I am about 1/3 of the way through). I think what was putting me off was some of Pullman's structuring. He has weird long sentences from time to time, and some fragments, and there is so much thrown at you in the very beginning that, combined with the style, was just making me want to put it down. But now that I've gotten going and am past the "let's get familiar with this world" portion, it's not bad.
Hey, just a heads up for those reading The Book of Lost Things.... I've seen it classified as adult and YA fiction but it only qualifies if a library classified it as YA. I couldn't find one so I need to pick a different book. Just FYI in case you're in the same boat.
Alright, updating my list, a few books I've read, but I need to read another book to complete the task. Just finished I am Messenger and LOVED it.*Currently reading
30 POINT TASKS:
1. Carnegie Medal 2005 Tamar A Novel of Espionage, Passion, and Betrayal and 2003 Australia's Children's Book of the Year award
2. A Northern Light*
3.
25 POINT TASKS:
1.Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Fantasy), The Book Thief*(Historical),
2.
3.
4.
20 POINT TASKS:
1.
2.
3. I want to go to Ireland - The Escape From Home
4.
5.
10 POINT TASKS:
1.
2.
3.
4. The Name of the Wind Alex Awards 2008
5 POINT TASKS:
1. Graceling
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. The Amber Spyglass
4.
Total points: 220
Total Pages: 5996
Wild Things: YA Grown-Up
Books mentioned in this topic
The Name of the Wind (other topics)Wondrous Strange (other topics)
Airman (other topics)
Fool Moon (other topics)
The Fairy Godmother (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Brandon Mull (other topics)Kristin Cashore (other topics)
Ingrid Law (other topics)
Ingrid Law (other topics)
Ingrid Law (other topics)
1.
Looking for Alaska,A Northern Light
2.
Anne of Green Gables3.
The Goose Girl25 Point Tasks
1.
Speak, The Hunger Games, Evermore2.
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging Confessions of Georgia Nicolson, Angelmonster3. TBD
4.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Second Summer of the Sisterhood20 Point Tasks
1. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
2.
Wintergirls3. TBD
4. I, Coriander
5. The Book of Lost Things
10 Point Tasks
1. TBD
2.
Wicked Lovely3. The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose
4. The Graveyard Book
5 Point Tasks
1.
Stargirl2. A Little Princess
3. Thirteen Reasons Why
4. TBD