What YA Friendly Book Are You Currently Reading? Showing 951-1,000 of 1,359

[Michael]

Fire Storm by Andrew Lane

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~]

I just DNF Every Heart a Doorway. It wasn't a world of no, but it was pretty close.

[Avid Reader and Geek Girl]

I just finished which I loved!!! No LGBT but does talk a lot about culture and other topics that are important.

[Ulysses]

Educating Simon
By Robin Reardon

So, the second Robin Reardon book to which I’ve given five stars, and not just because of the adorable redhead on the cover, whom I assume is Simon Fitzroy-Hunt, the protagonist and narrator for this novel-as-journal.

What I love most about this book is Reardon’s clean writing style and her grasp of detail. That’s crucial here because she throws a lot of detail into this teen-angst-coming-of-age story. There’s the Big Plot (16-year-old torn from the London he loves and moved to Boston he hates); and then the various sub-plots (autistic stepsister, transgender adolescent, closeted college boy, burgeoning sex life). It’s a lot to manage, and Reardon handles it more that deftly – she orchestrates it into something rather powerful and, ultimately, transformative for the reader (at least this one).

Most interesting is that, other than being beautiful, Simon is a schmuck. But in some ways he’s no worse than most sixteen-year-old boys. The real oddity is that he’s preternaturally smart, and determined to go to Oxford. He’s also torn up, understandably, about the sudden death of his father a few years back. In fact, Simon is a hot mess, even more than we are given to understand from his surface anger at the forced move to Boston. All of this is woven into the different subplots as Simon’s education, intellectual and emotional, moves forward.

There is probably a little too much sexual activity in this book for a YA “rating,” although as far as I can say (again, I’ve got two kids), it’s the kind of book I’d want my high school student to read. They know all about sex, believe me. But they don’t always know about moral strength.

[Jordyn]

I'm reading Rogue Wave by Jennifer Donnelly.

Speaking of YA, could someone possibly recommend me some books for fans of Percy Jackson? Except, you know, for young adults instead of juniors.

Not sure if I'm allowed to be asking this here. If not, I'll delete my comment and ask elsewhere.

[Emily]

I just read Meredith Russo's If I Was Your Girl, which is a necessary and hopeful contemporary trans romance and am now reading Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven, which is super moving and funny and real and full of pathos.

[Kaje]

J.L. wrote: "I'm reading Rogue Wave by Jennifer Donnelly.

Speaking of YA, could someone possibly recommend me some books for fans of Percy Jackson? Except, you know, for young adults instead of juniors.

Not..."

I'm not sure how you're discriminating "young adult" versus "junior" - you mean aimed a bit older? and what aspect are you looking for...?

Hero
The Student Prince Merlin in a modern setting rather than Greek gods, but humor and magic (college age protags, a little sex content)

[Jordyn]

Thanks so much. I don't really have anything against junior books, but I've been getting a lot of them for my brother, who would like to read something a bit more mature. I work at a library, so he kind relies on me to get him books sometimes.

[Kaje]

No problem - I just wasn't sure how you were defining them. We focus on LGBTQ here - there are some other good YA fantasy books if he's interested in non-het MCs. Although YA tends to put a relationship in books about LGBTQ characters, which is of less interest to some. Fantasy-wise he might like Luck in the Shadows and Lord of the White Hell, Book 1 and if he likes Harry Potter maybe Carry On...

I'm not sure if you can get Student Prince in paper - it's a free book, but you can get ebook and audio.

[[deleted user]]

I am reading him by sarina bowen & Elle Kennedy. It's a great book!

[Kim]

Shaheen wrote: "I am reading him by sarina bowen & Elle Kennedy. It's a great book!"

I liked both Him books but would caution readers here that those are definitely New Adult and up.

[Kaje]

Yes - those books are very good but too erotic for this group. We only discuss and link books that are okay for under-18 readers (even if the characters are late teens.) We have group members as young as 13. Sex as plot is fine, erotic sex with description of body parts and details means it should be reserved for an adult discussion group.

Thanks for posting, and I hope you will again, but we just need to keep the focus on the YA.

[Meghan]

I just recently read and very much enjoyed the Nightcrafter series (Fire in the Shadows, Spies in the Dark, Hunters in the Night) by Ramsey Isler. Definitely an entertaining series suitable for the LGBT YA category. I don't know about the rest of his books though.

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~]

I just started The Hidden Oracle. I've only read the Percy Jackson books, but it hasn't hampered me so far. I'm enjoying it. Apollo is just a tad self-centered. ;)

[Kaje]

Meghan (Obsessive M/M Fiction Reader) wrote: "I just recently read and very much enjoyed the Nightcrafter series (Fire in the Shadows, Spies in the Dark, Hunters in the Night) by [author:Ramsey I..."

Does the first book stand alone? - I'm interested - saw another person enjoying it. But I'm not sure I have time for a trilogy right now.

[Elizabeth ♛Smart Girls Love Trashy Books♛]

I just finished The Scorpion Rules !! It was amazing, and best of all it had lesbians in it!

[Kaje]

Elizabeth♛ Everyone Else Has a Super Long Name With a Symbol So I Might as Well Do it Too♛ wrote: "I just finished The Scorpion Rules !! It was amazing, and best of all it had lesbians in it!"

Would you want to nominate it for our next Book of the Month read? I just put up the nominations thread here - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Elizabeth ♛Smart Girls Love Trashy Books♛]

Sure!

[Meghan]

Kaje wrote: Does the first book stand alone? - I'm interested - saw another person enjoying it. But I'm not sure I have time for a trilogy right now.

Hi Kaje, the first book in the Nightcrafter series (I got the order wrong: Hunters in the Night) can mostly stand alone, or at rather, it's not a cliff hanger ending. They bordered on the edge of novella and novel length. Hopefully that helps.

Yes, so much to read! The biggest thing stopping me is money. Otherwise I'd own ALL the books, mwuhahaha!!

[Kaje]

Thanks for the info. And yeah... budget. The YA mainstream books especially. Luckily some are in my library, including "If I was Your Girl".

[Casey]

Finished and it was good.

[The Book Crusader]

I'm not at the moment, but as I said on the page of the book, I am willing to re-read Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit if it will lead to a discussion—more specifically, a discussion about unrequited love and if it is necessary to include it in LGBT literature.

I am also willing to re-read Keeping You a Secret, to compare and contrast it to George Peaches, even though I can actually remember that book quite well.

[Tully]

I just picked up copy of Beast from the library... has anyone read that one?

[Kaje]

Nope - I'll be interested what you think. I also just picked up If I Was Your Girl from the library - avoiding the issue of giving the author money, while reading the book.

[Kris]

I just finished reading Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. WOW. I cannot remember tearing through a book like I did this one: superb characterization, deals with sexual shame, and memorable lines.
Thinking of adding this quote to my sleeve: "Words were different when they lived inside you"

[Kaje]

Will wrote: "I just finished reading Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. WOW. I cannot remember tearing through a book like I did this one: superb characterization, deals w..."

I love that book and that's a great quote.

[Justin]

Kaje wrote: "Nope - I'll be interested what you think. I also just picked up If I Was Your Girl from the library - avoiding the issue of giving the author money, while reading the book."

I just put "if i was your girl" on my list to buy. Can i ask why avoid giving the author money?

[Kaje]

Justin wrote: "Kaje wrote: "Nope - I'll be interested what you think. I also just picked up If I Was Your Girl from the library - avoiding the issue of giving the author money, while reading the b..."

It was last month's Book of the month - if you go to that thread there are some links to questions of the author's conduct. Comments 4 and 8 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Kris]

Kaje wrote: "Will wrote: "I just finished reading Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. WOW. I cannot remember tearing through a book like I did this one: superb characteriza..."

I can not remember the last time I fell in love with a book's characters. I mean this was to the point that when Ari's parents sat him down to confront him about his sexuality I was screaming "RUN TO HIM" at the book. I want to pick up something else by this author!

[Kaje]

There is supposed to be a sequel coming out - I'm torn between wanting it and not wanting to maybe damage something currently so perfect. :)

[Kaje]

I'm reading Going the Distance - pretty good story of a confused gay teen who loves basketball - there's a lot of telling at the beginning, but for some reason this author's writing makes it work for me. I'm told this has a very unresolved ending though, so I bought book 2 as well...

[The Book Crusader]

I bought this book today: The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson.

I am familiar with the author, having read her story in the YA collaboration novel: Let it Snow. However, the author was not what made me break down and spend an entire sixty-four...cents on the book; it was the final lines of the summary:

While Nina was gone, Mel had her first real kiss. With Avery.

Though I wish whomever wrote this summary had used a dash or ellipses, so that it would look like either of these:

While Nina was gone, Mel had her first real kiss—with Avery.

While Nina was gone, Mel had her first real kiss...with Avery.


—I stil can't wait to find out what happens. The only downside is that it appears that the story will focus on Nina, who is hetro with a male love interest.

[Kaje]

That's a bit teasery if Mel isn't the focus. But I hope it's good.

[Annie]

I'm currently reading I Am Malala and loving it

[Kaje]

Annie wrote: "I'm currently reading I Am Malala and loving it "

She is so impressive, with her comments and insight.

[Kaje]

I'm enjoying Openly, Honestly - a free story that comes between Openly Straight and Honestly Ben .

The only thing that bugged me is that it is alternating first person BUT there are no names heading the chapters. So when the second chapter opened from Ben's POV it took me three paragraphs to work out what was going on, and then I went back for a reread. If you do alternating first POV, please do head each chapter with the POV character name.

Otherwise it's fun to see these guys again, and I look forward to Ben.

[Kim]

I'm glad you mentioned that, Kaje! I hadn't noticed the piece existed, and would've kicked myself later, if I read book 2 and then came across the bridge story.

[Bel]

I'm reading Beast, by Brie Spangler... Beast

[Micaela]

Marrisa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles :)

[[deleted user]]

History is All You Left Me, by Adam Silvera

[The Book Crusader]

A few days ago, I was checking the folder on my hard drive that stores everything from my first PC (a Dell XPS that ended up at a recycling center) and found a certain scene from Lost and Delirious.

Seeing Piper Perabo and Jessica Paré engaged in low-resolution, badly lit, badly angled intimacy made me wonder if I would ever get to read the book the movie was loosely based on.

Well, to answer my own question: http://imgur.com/a/AUWsR

Advice for all: never disregard a Salvation Army 50% off book sale, even if you have to dig through a pile of bargain bin chick-lit (and you probably will).

[[deleted user]]

I'm currently reading "Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights," by Ann Bausum.

[Shelley]

I just finished M.J. O'Shea's "Just Like Heaven". Love the story line, love the characters, love M.J.

[Kim]

After finishing You Know Me Well (which I liked, although multiple aspects of Mark's portion left me a bit cranky -- oddly enough, considering how much I generally enjoy Levithan's work -- ), I'm now starting Of Fire and Stars (about which I've heard lots of good things).

[David]

I'm reading Noah's Song right now. It's a pretty typical YA/coming-of-age m/m novel, nothing too deep or profound and quite a few of the typical cliches and well-worn themes/generic plots, but it's still enjoyable so far, and a nice break from reading some really "heavy" stuff. One of its best features, IMO, is that one of the main characters has a disability, which is not often shown in this genre.

[Kaje]

David wrote: "I'm reading Noah's Song right now. It's a pretty typical YA/coming-of-age m/m novel, nothing too deep or profound and quite a few of the typical cliches and well-worn themes/generic..."

I agree - we need more varied MCs in LGBTQ YA stories in general so that's a good addition if it's done well.

[Emily]

I just read History is All You Left Me. I thought it was a sunny book about love and loss and grief and coming to terms with endings and even the terror of new beginnings. Adam Silvera's writing really sneaks up on you. He's urban and fun. I can't wait for his new book coming out in the fall!

[Kaje]

Emily wrote: "I just read History is All You Left Me. I thought it was a sunny book about love and loss and grief and coming to terms with endings and even the terror of new beginnings. Adam Silvera's writing re..."

That's good to hear - I still have this one in my stack.

[moni]

I'm reading Something Like Winter by Jay Bell. I've read the first book in the series and it felt rushed and unnatural to me for some reason. I'm reading about Tim's POV of what happened between him and Ben over the years. Even though, I find Tim a tiny bit selfish I still want to hear his side of this story. I'm hoping that I won't be disappointed as much as I was before.

[Kaje]

moni wrote: "I'm reading Something Like Winter by Jay Bell. I've read the first book in the series and it felt rushed and unnatural to me for some reason. I'm reading about Tim's POV of what happened between hi..."

There's a movie coming out, of "Something Like Summer" which looks promising. I hope you enjoy the second book.

These are borderline for YA - there is really more on-page sex than is appropriate but they have a YA feel.