What to read next?

[Cathy]

I've read a few books since starting, reading and re-reading the Harry Potter series, but haven't found anything I enjoy as much as Harry Potter. I like the way Rowling writes. I like the characters, her descriptions, the layers of stories within the story, the good vs evil and sacrificial love themes. Any suggestions?

[Israel]

I'd suggest giving this one a try. It's a similar age group target, with quirky characters, an exploration of good v. evil, friendships & family, and fighting for what you love. The backdrop is a distant future where magic & technology have made the world fantastical.

[Hannah]

I think you should go for The Hunger Games Trilogy. HP kicks ass, this is close anyway

[Cathy]

I have read the first two books of The Hunger Games. I enjoyed the first very much and the second a lot, but not as much as the Harry Potter series. Hunger Games, in my opinion, is not as well written nor as interesting. The age group target of Harry Potter isn't important for me. I'm 52. I think Rowling hits on a lot of very important issues for both adults and young adults.

[Jea0126]

Cathy wrote: "I have read the first two books of The Hunger Games. I enjoyed the first very much and the second a lot, but not as much as the Harry Potter series. Hunger Games, in my opinion, is not as well writ..."

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan are pretty good. They start with The Lightning Thief. They are fun and a light read. You could also jump into some serious fantasy and read something like the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb.

[Cathy]

I read the Lightening Thief. Like it! I wondered if the series would grab me if I kept reading, but haven't read past the Lightening Thief. You are all giving me good suggestions here! I just read the description of the Farseer Trilogy. It sounds interesting. I'll have to try it!!

I have Stranger in a Strange Land sitting on my shelf and haven't tried it yet. Anybody read it?

[Shelli]

Cathy as someone mentioned earlier the Lightning Thief books are amazing!! Each book is even better then the one before and the character development is perfect.

Also Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer is amazing. The series starts off with a bratty little rich kid who is too smart for his own good trying to steal fairy gold. As the series goes on he makes so many changes and you feel like you are there with him and his friends. Amazing!!!

[Francina]

I'd have to say Hunger Games is a good emotional one... but I see you didn't like them all that much. "The Search For WondLa" is also on my --if there is an apocalypse I have to grab these-- books shelf next to Harry Potter

[Cathy]

I liked the Hunger Games and The Lightening Thief quite a bit, but I LOVED Harry Potter! It may just be that I read about the Hogwarts gang for so long that I got very attached to them. It sounds silly, but I miss them!

I have almost grabbed Artemis Fowl from the library several times. Haven't seen WondLa.

[Marx]

I don't know what kind of books you're into.. but when I was done reading Harry Potter I started reading the Inheritance cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, 4th book comes out in November) I got into those just as much as Harry Potter.. Really great character development, and great plot. It gave me the goose bumps multiple times while reading.

Another suggestion.. The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials by James Dashner. They were really good books.

Also, I like the Host by Stephanie Meyer.. a little hard to get into through the first two chapters but it gets GOOD after that.

[drew]

You can try the Uglies, (Pretties, and Specials, and Extras) by Scott Westerfeld. ((4 sepreate books 1. Uglies, 2. Pretties, 3. Specials, 4. Extras))

[Beth]

Having read and adored the Harry Potter series, I moved on to the Lightening Thief series..which I also enjoyed very much but felt it really was geared to young adults, whereas the Potter series was great for all ages. I picked up numerous other authors and finally struck gold! Charles de Lint has written numerous books, but they do not have to be read in any specific order, each is complete on it's own, but if you have read others you will see many of the same characters. It is magic and fantasy relating to Native American, Mexican and Irish folklore.
He has written some young adult books which I have not yet read, but I highly recommend his books. Enjoy

[Emily]

I'm going to have to agree with Marx. I've read the Inheritance cycle, and it is easily my favorite series of all time. It just captures you, makes you want to keep reading it.
Also, the Maze Runner IS really good. Not my favorite, but I enjoyed reading it.

Try reading The Seven Kingdoms Trilogy. These books are SO good! I've only read the first two, Graceling and Fire, but thats just because the third one hasnt come out yet. These arent really about magic, though. But they're still that amzing-fiction stuff that makes you wish you lived in their world instead of in your own. Give 'em a try, you might enjoy it:)

[Cathy]

Well, well! Kristin Cashore is from Northeast Pennsylvania and so am I! I will HAVE to read one of her books. I have a good long list now, thanks to all of you! I want to read more of the Percy Jackson books, Eragon (my son has the poster on his wall, but refuses to watch the movie or read the book, because it looks too scary- he's nine), Th eUglies, Maze Runner, WondLa.....As usual, too little time, too many books! Thanks everyone!!

[Steve]

I would recommend Stephen King's Dark Tower series (not a YA series, but does have an appealing boy as a major character...start with Book 2 though, then work your way back with 1) and Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials.

[Cathy]

I'm going to the library today. Going away on vacation tomorrow and have to get at least one more book. I've got your list of suggestions and will see what I can find. Thank you VERY MUCH ALL!

[Janeen-san]

I would NOT recommend His Dark Materials because the author is an atheist and he tries to influence the readers. I WOULD recommend, though, Attica by Garry Kilworth, that book was really good!!!

[Cathy]

I'm not afraid to read His Dark Materials, but do prefer books that uphold my Judeo-Christian beliefs. I think that may be one of the reasons I liked Harry Potter so much.

Thanks for the tips!

[MB (What she read)]

You might try Diana Wynne-Jones' The Merlin Conspiracy or Archer's Goon. They are both good starts if you're new to her as an author. (And work well as stand-alones, although TMC has a semi-related prequel.)

Would you like Robin McKinley? Start with The Blue Sword

Jessica Day George has fantasy that's faith-friendly. I enjoyed Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow.

If you want more suggestions, I have lots. But don't want to bother you with them if your reading tastes are different than mine.

[Cathy]

Right now, I'm very excited and wish I had more time!!! Somebody else mentioned Diana Wynne-Jones. I went to the library, to see what I could find. Unfortunately, I keep forgetting that they're closed on Fridays now, due to state budget cuts. Boo Hoo!

[Steve]

I respect the above posters' comments about Pullman's religious stance, and apologize for not considering that when I made the suggestion. I would not term Pullman an atheist, more an agnostic...but a devout Christian may indeed have some issues with certain aspects of the tale.

[Natalie loves Orlando Bloom!]

this is the BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!

[Sarah]

Cathy, do you like middle grade fiction (besides Harry Potter)?

[Natalie loves Orlando Bloom!]

i think that u shoul try "his dark materials"or the maximum ride.

[Oksana]

Excuse me but how is "His dark meterials" is promoting atheistic believes? Which part of everyone possessing a soul as an animal (which is a life-long companion of a human, can not leave his side and can not be separated from his counterpart without pain and even death?) is atheistic? In this case you sould not try any fantasy series - they might have life on other planets or some viking gods walking among us!

[Emily]

Oksana wrote: "Excuse me but how is "His dark meterials" is promoting atheistic believes? Which part of everyone possessing a soul as an animal (which is a life-long companion of a human, can not leave his side ..."

Completely agree, Oksana. I'm reading "His Dark Materials" right now, and it has nothing even close to being atheist in it. I say give the series a shot before you turn it down, if it offends you just stop reading it. Its pretty simple. Dont go ranting about something being atheist if you took the time to read the books. You could've set the thing down as soon as you thought it was offending.

[Steve]

There is a moment in book 3 that I wont spoil that I am pretty sure may offend devout Christians.

[Emily]

Oh well, I guess I shouldnt be saying anything since I havent read the entire series. I'm still on book one, so dont tell me what happens!
I was just saying that so far I havent come across anything I thought was offensive, and if anybody did find anything offensive they could just put the book down and be done with it.

[Neil]

I'd like to recommend 'Madness of Angels' by Kate Griffin, a fabulous urban fantasy...and she's just published the sequel.

[Shelli]

Neil - thanks for the recommendation. Looks like a good one added it to my "to read" list

[Ella]

Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness is out of this world. It has quite strong good vs evil themes. It starts with The Knife of Never Letting Go.
Also, as you liked HP, you'd probably love The Mortal Instruments series. The author of TMI wrote tonnes of fanfics for HP so it has similar themeing.

[[deleted user]]

I have heard that the Hunger Games are excellent. While I have not read them yet they are on my to be read list. I have heard from family members as well as friends that they are an excellent read. There is also a rumor that there is going to be a movie version made as well, it might be fun to compare and contrast the two.

[Oksana]

You can try reading Garth Nix.

[Allegra]

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins is my second favorite series right after Harry Potter so I definitely recommend them! Also the Mortal Instruments series (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass) by Cassandra Clare is pretty good...the 4th one just came out. I also enjoyed the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz. It's about a teenage spy, so if u like fast-paced action books they're good. I've accepted that nothing can beat Harry Potter, but these are still amazing books.

[Allegra]

I forgot to mention (if u like children fiction) the Peter and the Starcatchers series by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. They're the prequels to Peter Pan and explain how everything came to be in the story...easy reads but very enjoyable. Also the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series by Michelle Paver. Also When the Wind Blows and its sequel The Lakehouse by James Patterson are great.

[Allegra]

forgot to mention the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. classic

[[deleted user]]

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis I would have to agree with Allegra is classic and a really good series of stories. I think they are an excellent way to follow up Harry Potter even if they aren't exactly the same!

[drew]

Allegra, great choices! I loved em!

[drew]

If ya want a laugh, the Twilight series (And I mean laugh as in: oh this is terrrible)

[Mary]

I would recommend;
- Claidi Journals (1. Wolf Tower) by Tanith Lee
- Vivian Vande Velde
- Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
- Magyk (Septimus Heap #1) by Angie Sage
- Ann Rinaldi (if you like historical fiction)
- The Squire's Tale's series by Gerald Morris
- Pendragon series (#1 the Merchant of Death)
- Hilari Bell (the Goblin Wood is my favorite)
- The Last Apprentice/Wardstone Chronicles (1. The Revenge of the Witch) by Joseph Delaney.
And my favorite out of all of this list;
- The Ranger's Apprentice (1. The Ruins of Gorlan) by John Flanagan.
The Ranger's Apprentice is soooo funny!!
P.s. sorry the list is so long, and I also think that Star Wars books are good. I agree with all of you that posted already.

[Paige]

The Septimus Heap series is really good (by Angie Sage) and I've just started the Leven Thumps series. Another good set is the Inkheart books. And of course the Percy Jackson series. Now I must go back through everyone else's picks to get ideas for myself for the next group of books to read! :)

Paige Jackson

[Bjorn-The Last Viking]

Septimus Heap, I was beginning to think that I was the only one who'd ever herd of those books. :)

[Bjorn-The Last Viking]

Janeen-san *Roy Mustang=epic* wrote: "I would NOT recommend His Dark Materials because the author is an atheist and he tries to influence the readers. I WOULD recommend, though, Attica by Garry Kilworth, that book was really good!!!"

Janeen, His Dark Materials wasnt a bad series of books. ITs only when you got to the end that they started to turn a little sour. The whole thing about there being good angels that wanted to wage a war and all that can be upsetting to some people.

yes the author is a atheist. yes he does try very subtly to convert you to his side.

But I am related to you by BLOOD! You are currently about 15 feet away from the at this very moment in time! and I enjoyed the books all the way through...from beginning to end. The first two books where excellent. The 3rd one was a little weird. but you can get by if you simple remember that its a BOOOOOOK!! If you can remember that. Then you will have no problem with the series.

[Cathy]

Wow! I was away on vacation and haven't been online for 10 days. Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone. I ended up reading "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Heinlein, because the library was closed and I had it on my shelf. It was very interesting and challenged every religious idea I'd ever heard. The reviews on Goodreads run the gamut from "trash" to "amazing". I like books that make my emotions and mind run. My mind is still running through this one.

Too many books. Too little time. I now have a very long list. Hope the library has something!
Thanks all and keep 'em comin'!

[☆♪Taylor♪☆]

recommended from best to least favorite
1. re-read harry potter*
2. the hunger games*
3. pendragon*
4. fablehaven*
5. percy jackson and the olympians
6. inkheart
7. septimus heap

[Juliet]

Brooke wrote: "recommended from best to least favorite
1. re-read harry potter*
2. the hunger games*
3. pendragon*
4. fablehaven*
5. inkheart
6. septimus heap"
Umm this is kind of weird because I read literally all of those except fablehaven. I suggest you add Percy Jackson, and read it if you haven't already.

[☆♪Taylor♪☆]

o yeah, i forgot that one, thanks!

[Juliet]

Brooke wrote: "o yeah, i forgot that one, thanks!"

No problem. What's with the stars next to some of the titles?

[Cathy]

Decided to try Eragon. I am enjoying it a lot! Thanks everyone.

[Iskreads]

the Hunger Games trilogy is amazing and also the Septimus Heap series. that one has alot of fantasy too.