March Challenge - Coming of Age Autumn

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

March is the first month of Autumn - the first in the easing of the Aussie summer heat... March also means choosing a Coming of Age novel to enjoy:)

'Coming of Age'
a coming-of-age story is one that focuses on the growth of a protagonist from youth to adulthood ("coming of age"). A journey or quest can help the main character grow in maturity but it can be any story where the main character is younger, and goes through struggle/conflict which teaches life lessons and the outcome changes them and makes them a wiser, more mature person.



To help lower your TBRs, choose your Coming of Age read from there - read as many or as few as you'd like...



Some links to help:
30 Best Coming of Age Novels
12 Best Coming of Age Novels
Coming of Age Book Lists



Please link your choices to help others decide:)

Have fun lowering your TBRs in this special way!

[Chris]

I'll be readingThe Age of Miracles

[Lila]

Hmmm, I've been meaning to read The Fault in Our Stars so I might read that for this challenge!

[Renee V]

I'll be reading either Vernon God Little or Lord of the Flies or then again maybe both :) (Both are on my TBR shortlist)

[Valerie]

I'll join in and read The Book Thief

[Kathryn]

I'm going to read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Gonna try to get through The Deed of Paksenarrion. Good luck to me, I haven't read a book over 600 pages in a LONG time.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I've chosen two books - The Keeper of Dawn by J.B. Hickman and The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

[Andrea]

Lila wrote: "Hmmm, I've been meaning to read The Fault in Our Stars so I might read that for this challenge!"

Me too, Lila. So first up I will read The Fault in Our Stars, and then I might follow up with Black Swan Green to satisfy my David Mitchell curiosity.

[Janine]

I have chosen two for this challenge
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

[Gothie]

I'll go with The Fault in Our Stars and possibly The Lovely Bones as well :)

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Jesus so much John Green.

An Abundance of Katherines and Looking for Alaska are both great alternatives if anyone wants to read something of his that isn't TFIOS.

[Jenn]

I am going to read.The Secret Life Of Bees Saving Francescaand Looking for Alibrandiand maybe Tully as well.

[Binari]

I'm going to read Paper Towns

[Georgie]

One of my favourite novels is Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta, and is one of the best Coming of Age novels I've read. It's been a fews years since I've read it, so I might do it again!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Liam wrote: "Jesus so much John Green.

An Abundance of Katherines and Looking for Alaska are both great alternatives if anyone wants to read something of his that isn't TFIOS."

Oi! What's wrong with John Green??

[Lila]

Liam wrote: "Jesus so much John Green.

An Abundance of Katherines and Looking for Alaska are both great alternatives if anyone wants to read something of his that isn't TFIOS."

Haha, alas, I'm not sure what else of my TBR is coming of age. And currently I'm not looking for more books to add - so much on my TBR shelf! I might take a peek and see if any others are Coming of Age though.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Brenda wrote: "Liam wrote: "Jesus so much John Green.

An Abundance of Katherines and Looking for Alaska are both great alternatives if anyone wants to read something of his that isn't T..."

Nothing, but The Fault in Our Stars isn't the only book he's written.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

No I realize that, but it might coincidentally be the one on each person's TBR;)

[Veronica ⭐️]

I think I will readThe Fault in Our Stars and The Perks of Being a Wallflower or maybe To Kill a Mockingbird before my daughter has to return it to school

[Mish]

And the movie will be released this year - The Fault in Our Stars - so it's a good opportunity read it before then :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

There are a lot of great choices being posted:)

[Elaine]

A great challenge once again Brenda. I have a few books on my TBR that qualify for this one...not sure yet which one I'll choose.

[Kathy]

I am thinking Major Pettigrew's Last Stand or Gone Girl. I think they fit the theme?

[Carolyn]

I'm in!
Think I'll give The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach a go.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Michael wrote: "Great challenge as always Brenda. I will be reading The Virgin Suicides"

This one sounds great Michael, and has lots of high ratings:) Enjoy!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "A great challenge once again Brenda. I have a few books on my TBR that qualify for this one...not sure yet which one I'll choose."

Have fun choosing!

[Gothie]

Liam wrote: "Jesus so much John Green.

An Abundance of Katherines and Looking for Alaska are both great alternatives if anyone wants to read something of his that isn't TFIOS."

I've not long ago finished An Abundance of Katherines, and am still waiting for a copy of Looking For Alaska :P
TFIOS is on my shelf at the moment, so easy to pick up read :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathy wrote: "I am thinking Major Pettigrew's Last Stand or Gone Girl. I think they fit the theme?"

I don't think Gone Girl fits the bill Kathy but Major Pettigrew's Last Stand should:)

[Lila]

Crash into You is another I'll try for. And, I'm not certain, but according to a list The Graveyard Book and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children are coming of age books? So I'll try and knock them down too, if I can fit them in to this busy month! :)

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I am thinking Major Pettigrew's Last Stand or Gone Girl. I think they fit the theme?"

I don't think Gone Girl fits the bill Kathy but [bo..."

I was going to say that I didn't think Major Pettigrew's Last Stand would qualify... I read it last year (and it is a wonderful story) but both of the main characters are middle-aged, if not elderly, so I would have said they were a bit old for a coming-of-age story.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I am thinking Major Pettigrew's Last Stand or Gone Girl. I think they fit the theme?"

I don't think Gone Girl fits the bil..."

I haven't read it, but reading the blurb I saw they were elderly, but they are attempting a new life together...that's why I said "should". But if you've read it and suggest it won't I'll bow to your knowledge Kathryn:)

[Kathryn]

Well, it's true that they are tentatively exploring a new friendship together. I guess it depends on your understanding of "coming of age" - I was thinking of young people moving from adolescence to adulthood, or going through rites of passage in early adulthood, but other people may have a different interpretation.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "Well, it's true that they are tentatively exploring a new friendship together. I guess it depends on your understanding of "coming of age" - I was thinking of young people moving from adolescence t..."

That is mainly my interpretation too Kathryn, as I'm sure the term means going from youth to adulthood. If Kathy can find something a little closer to the identification of "coming of age" that would be good...

[Sally906]

I'll join in - not sure what I'll read yet or how many. There are some good ideas already

[Kathy]

Mmm, thanks Kathryn and Brenda. The two books did come from the link of list of suggestions but I wasn't sure. Maybe I will continue on with my January book instead.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathy wrote: "Mmm, thanks Kathryn and Brenda. The two books did come from the link of list of suggestions but I wasn't sure. Maybe I will continue on with my January book instead."

Kathy it will be fine to read Major P..you can give us your thoughts of how close YOU thought it was to the definition when you're finished, if you want :)

[Kathy]

Brenda wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Mmm, thanks Kathryn and Brenda. The two books did come from the link of list of suggestions but I wasn't sure. Maybe I will continue on with my January book instead."

Kathy it will b..."

:)

[Sharon]

Seeing as I picked up The Book Thief from the library today I will read that to start with :)

[[deleted user]]

Ill be reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I decided to pick something at random from one of the lists and chose The Clay Lion. It sounds interesting and gets an extremely good rating.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "I decided to pick something at random from one of the lists and chose The Clay Lion. It sounds interesting and gets an extremely good rating."

Ooh it does sound good Phrynne! Will be interested in your thoughts later :)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Why are we up so late?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Why are we up so late?"

I'm not sure - it cut down on my late night reading time too;)

[May]

Two reads for this challenge. Too Many Passings by Cathy Cash Spellman and Captains and the Kings by Taylor Caldwell. Both forty odd year old tales of the immigration of the Irish to America after the potato famine.(I've a Celtic soul) And if I can manage it,The Fault in our Stars because its current and so many people are talking about it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

May wrote: "Two reads for this challenge. Too Many Passings by Cathy Cash Spellman and Captains and the Kings by Taylor Caldwell. Both forty odd year old tales of the immigration of the Irish to America after ..."

So Many Partings by Cathy Cash Spellman
Captains and the Kings: The Story of an American Dynasty by Taylor Caldwell
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The links to your choices May:)

I notice you are new to the group - welcome! It's lovely to have you with us, and joining this challenge:) If you'd like to introduce yourself here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... you can meet some of the other members!

[Valerie]

As well as The Book Thief I have also added The Long Prospect: Text Classics (because I'm currently reading it anyway!) and also The Fault in Our Stars (even though I hate to follow the crowd!)

[Sally906]

Jennie wrote: "Ill be reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith"

Oh excellent choice - is a great book!!

[Prashamsa]

This is one of my favorite genre. MY favorite book of this is To Kill a Mockingbird
I have also loved The Book Thief and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
These two,The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Catcher in the Rye are pretty good too.
The Fault in Our Stars did not live up to the hype for me.
I think The Glass Castle or A Painted House are some of the underrated but good books.
I am going to read Lord of the Flies

[Nicola]

This challenge is probably the hardest one I have done - this is definitely outside my radar - but I have searched the lists and found a couple to that have been on my Classic reading list for some many years I can't count! Also a classic reread for me as well.
The Catcher in the Rye / J.D. Salinger
To Kill a Mockingbird / Harper Lee
Something Wicked This Way Comes / Ray Bradbury
Not sure if I can fit them all in (Uni starts on the 3rd) but will give it a good go!