Need a Recommendation? Showing 451-500 of 1,024

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

Welcome to the group, Shelley. We have a lot of fans of Angelfall and DoSaB around here! If you liked Angelfall, you may like Shadows or Sanctum.

[Shelley]

oooh, thank you! Haven't heard of those!

[Isamlq]

So, I'm bringing out the big pics again.... Stacia, Wendy... and anybody into really good YA contemporaries that lean toward the gritty whilst being humorous, you must Read. This. PLEASE:

[Gwennie]

Oooh, I love gritty humorous contemporaries! I'm off to check it out.

[Christina]

Ooooh. I love gritty YA.

[Jamie]

I'd like to read something that doesn't have a big cliffhanger or is an already ended series. Paranormal, dystopia, urban, I don't mind. Just nothing that when it ends I want to throw the book at the wall.

The books I have now that I'm considering are:

[R.A.]

Jamie - I really liked Ashfall, and while I want to read the next in the series, it wasn't a giant cliffhanger. Yes, there is a thread that remains open, but it's mostly setting them up for the next adventure - so I had no problem with it.

I can only speak to that book and VA (but I think VA you should read closer together - reading 1 book of that series a year, like I am, really isn't cutting it).

[Hillary]

While I love Angelfall, it isn't a stand alone, and the next book...well we don't know when it will be out.

I wouldn't start the House of Night series if you haven't already. It isn't finished, and god I wish it was.

Morganville Vampires is a pleasant series. It however also isn't complete, but you have about 13 book out in that one already. MYRNIN is awesome.

VA is an all time favorite. I love Mead's writing.

Soulless was a good book, I have yet to continue on in the series...but def. will be. Good first book.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Under The Never Sky, however the next one in that won't be out for a bit yet.

Unearthly is good and is in a completed series.

The Raven Boys I have, but haven't gotten to yet, so I couldn't tell you. :P Same with Feed and Ashfall...but I don't believe Ashfall is finished yet.

[R.A.]

Jamie -

as for books outside of the ones you were thinking about, I was a big fan of and that whole series is finished (and no major cliffhangers between books either).

I also loved - it has a hit of sci-fi mixed in there - but it reads like dystopian. I haven't finished the series yet, so I can't speak to how it all ends - but I've loved it so far.

Both of those are trilogies, so they wouldn't take up too much time if you ended up liking them.

[Christina]

Um... avoid HoN series. It's the only book I've ever gotten so frustrated about (in a bad way) that I threw it across a room.

[Shelley]

R. wrote: "Jamie -

as for books outside of the ones you were thinking about, I was a big fan of and that whole series is finished (and no major cliffhangers between books eit..."

Thank you R, both these series sound great, and its nice to find complete series.

Jamie, Angelfall was really great, and I felt that it had enough closure to not be frustrating. I believe the next book comes out Sept 2013.

[[deleted user]]

Jamie wrote: "I'd like to read something that doesn't have a big cliffhanger or is an already ended series. Paranormal, dystopia, urban, I don't mind. Just nothing that when it ends I want to throw the book at t..."

I love angelfall like every one else

I just want to scream FEED!!! in your face haha I freaking love the shit out of that series

[Roxane]

Jamie,
I loved series. The last book just was released yesterday.
Also is EXCELLENT. Very fast paced. I couldn't put them down.
And

[Jamie]

Thanks everyone for the help.

Thank you Hillary for the breakdown of my already owned pile. Is VA completed as well?

You all really made me want to read Angelfall likerightnow. But if it's a series and highly lovable I think I'd rather hold off. I really have no patience with release dates.

R & Roxane, thanks for the extra recos. They are on my to read list.

Melanie is the Feed series complete now or non-cliffhanger?

[Katy]

VA is completed but it has a spinoff that's in the middle of the series right now :)

[[deleted user]]

Jamie wrote: "Thanks everyone for the help.

Thank you Hillary for the breakdown of my already owned pile. Is VA completed as well?

You all really made me want to read Angelfall likerightnow. But if it's a ser..."

Feed is complete, 3 in the trilogy, all amazing, all emotionally killing, just ahhhhhhhh!!!

haha probably one of my fav series, and its different to what you expect.

[Jen]

Hey Everyone! I am a long lost member..sorry I haven't been active, I don't usually have a lot of time on GR when I visit so groups are a challenge for me! Anyhoo, I was wondering if someone could help me? I came across a book called and was wondering if anyone know's if it is good or not..it sounds good; but that doesn't always mean that it is! Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

[Jamie]

Thanks Katy & Melanie. I think I'll read Feed next since I'm really intrigued by the in-my-face screaming. Thanks again!


Jen, I'm nearly finished with that so I can't say how it ends but up until this point I'd say it's worth a read.

The female lead made me love her right out of the gate. The atmosphere is creepy. The love triangle seems kind of blah most of the time but it could just be me.

[[deleted user]]

Jen wrote: "Hey Everyone! I am a long lost member..sorry I haven't been active, I don't usually have a lot of time on GR when I visit so groups are a challenge for me! Anyhoo, I was wondering if someone could ..."

I too am almost done with this one, I am loving it.

Nice a creepy a little gory and really good retelling.

I liked the characters a lot which is always good.

Id say give it a try.

[Ashley]

Read ...I've gotten all of the girls at work hooked on that one...OMG...soooooooooooo good.

[Jen]

Jamie wrote: "Thanks Katy & Melanie. I think I'll read Feed next since I'm really intrigued by the in-my-face screaming. Thanks again!


Jen, I'm nearly finished with that so I can't say how it ends but up until..."

Thank you Melanie and Jamie!! I will definately pick this one up then!! :-)

[Breeze]

Hillary wrote: "While I love Angelfall, it isn't a stand alone, and the next book...well we don't know when it will be out.

I wouldn't start the House of Night series if you haven't already. It isn't finished, a..."

ANgel Fall was a fantastic read! agreed. If you liked that one then I highly recommend Laini Taylor Smoke & Bone series!! And another favourite of mine is Madeline Sheehans' My Soul to Take, Holy Trinity Trilogy!

[Breeze]

Ashley wrote: "Read ...I've gotten all of the girls at work hooked on that one...OMG...soooooooooooo good."

If you liked BD then you have to read Thoughtless (series is all out, no waiting) and On Dublin Street! Great love stories!!

[Breeze]

I highly recommend anything written by Madeline Sheehan and Karine Halle!
Unconventional love stories, Paranormal and violence.
They have several different series each and well worth the reads!
AFter Karen Marie Monings Fever Series I couldn't find anything equal or better then I read the Holy Trinity Series and the only disappointment is its a trilogy; it should be a series!!!!!!!
Karina Halle, paranormal, love, sexual tension thru the roof, funny etc. she writes it all and the series is still going strong!

[Casey]

Ok so I dont' so much need a recommendation as I am trying to remember the name of a book. This seemed like the best topic for it.
I believe it is YA. I read it around 13 or so I think. SO it would have to be at least 15 years old. it was a creepy kind of supernatural kids book. Not the Paranormal romance of today.
There was a girl who lived on an island. I think it was like a home for girls or something, and she was boated in to the main land for school. There was an older girl and a younger girl on the island too. The middle girl was the focus.
There was a teacher on the mainland who the middle girl thought was brainwashing the island kids. The older girl appeared to be brainwashed and the middle girl was trying to protect the older one. She was accusing the teacher and fighting with her.
There was granite on that island naturally, and the girl used to say she was "strong like granite" and the teacher kind of made fun of that...

Umm, anyone have any ideas??

[Carina]

One of our members need a rec guys:

Emma wrote: "Driving five hours to provincetowm - lunch stop in plymouth - looking for good book for me my husband and our six and nine year old girls to hear as we go-

English settlers and whales preferred.

Thank you for any thought.

E "

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

Casey wrote: "Ok so I dont' so much need a recommendation as I am trying to remember the name of a book. This seemed like the best topic for it.
I believe it is YA. I read it around 13 or so I think. SO it would..."

Wish I could help but I have no idea.

I don't know much about Emma's request either but for some reason, I'm thinking Emily might if she saw this.

[Danielle]

I'm looking for something soulful. I think I'm in the mood for something dark.

[Emily]

Stacia (and her imaginary friend) wrote: I don't know much about Emma's request either but for some reason, I'm thinking Emily might if she saw this.


Thanks for the vote of confidence, Stacia! Unfortunetly, I did see it and while I can think of a few possibilities with elements of what Emma is looking for, nothing I can come up with has all. And since this is a "find a specific book" situation rather than a "looking for something similar" situation, I didn't think that would help.

There are various list-servs out there for people searching for books they can't remember; I'm not on any, but I'll see what I can find among my librarian cohorts.

[R.A.]

Danielle wrote: "I'm looking for something soulful. I think I'm in the mood for something dark."

is so far both of those things (historical fiction regarding work camps with Soviet Russia and Lithuania). The characters are really well done (haven't finished it yet).

- dystopian with a pretty bleak outlook with the main character

Zombies/horror/emotional/dark journey

dystopian/sci-fi really well written, extremely dark at times (Ness isn't afraid to take it there) and a coming of age story

contemporary, more stylistic, internal dialogue about a girl's struggle with anorexia

sci-fi, realistic telling about Yellowstone erupting and the fallout from that

I think I'll leave it at that. I don't read much contemporary - so sorry if this isn't really what you're looking for!

[Kelley]

I need a question answered.

I was looking through the "Best 'Strong Female' Fantasy Novels" list and ran across the Seraphinium series by Daniel McHugh (The Merchant and the Menace et. seq.) When I clicked on the title, I discovered that not only was it listed there, but it also turned up on other "strong female" lists, including "Speculative Fiction That Passes the Bechdel Test." Yet when I read the synopsis and the reviews for this book, I found no mention of any female character. None. I couldn't help wondering: if the female lead in this book is so awesome that readers vote for the book for lists like this, why does not a single reviewer mention her by name?

So I need to know: has anyone here on this board read these books? Is there a heroine? What is her name? What does she do? I'm quite willing to consider reading this series, but first I want to know if there is in fact a heroine worth reading about and rooting for in these pages.

[Tina]

I fall head over heels for so many book covers and excerpts. But I'm so strangely particular when it comes to actually investing time in reading a book. Can anyone suggest a humor fiction romancey book? YA would be great. I need help!!

[Carina]

Humor, Fiction, Romancey, YA book?
I think qualifies and it's awesome. The follow up book was awesome too.

I'll come back to post some more =)

[Hillary]

First ones to mind are and its cohort

Not tons of humor but there is some.

[Carina]

LMAO! Jinx!!!!!!!

[Tina]

Hillary wrote: "First ones to mind are and its cohort

Not tons of humor but there is some."

Carina wrote: "Humor, Fiction, Romancey, YA book?
I think qualifies and it's awesome. The follow up book was awesome too..."

Tina wrote: "I fall head over heels for so many book covers and excerpts. But I'm so strangely particular when it comes to actually investing time in reading a book. Can anyone suggest a humor fiction romancey ..."

Carina wrote: "Humor, Fiction, Romancey, YA book?
I think qualifies and it's awesome. The follow up book was awesome too..."

Ooh keep em coming! Those seem like a good start. going to investigate further : ) Thanks Carina & Hillary!

[Tina]

Tina wrote: "Hillary wrote: "First ones to mind are and its cohort

Not tons of humor but there is some."

Carina wro..."

After searching around Anna and The French Kiss is not what my crazy head wants to read. I'm not in a senior year mind frame. Maybe a 20 something protaganist is what I'm looking for.

[Jenny]

20 somethings would be more in the New Adult age bracket, but none of those stand out to me as particularly humorous. They tend to be more angsty/issues + romance. At least, the ones that I've read have been like that.

I'd have suggested the Stephanie Perkins books as well. Remember those for when/if you're ever in the mood for teenagers. :)

[Tina]

Thanks Jenny. I have those books in my head so they will become a must read now. It's like a song you can't get out of your head even if you try... Ooh the mental trickery of a recommended book! :)

[Carina]

"They tend to be more angsty/issues + romance. At least, the ones that I've read have been like that."

<--Agreed.
Sorry Tina.

[Danielle]

If your looking for a break from fiction and you like trees and adventure, I really enjoyed Legacy of Luna: The Story of a Tree, a Woman and the Struggle to Save the Redwoods

[Gwennie]

I actually read Legacy of Luna... which is random. I read it years ago. It was beautiful and sad.

Sorry Tina... I'm with Jenny, except for Flat out Love, which still feels angsty, I can't think of any 20something funny romance novel.

[Carina]

I was thinking of Flat Out Love too, but I agree that there is angst that comes throu.

[Tina]

Wendy F wrote: "I actually read Legacy of Luna... which is random. I read it years ago. It was beautiful and sad.

Sorry Tina... I'm with Jenny, except for Flat out Love, which still feels angsty, I can't think ..."

Oh why do so many authors take the 20's so serioisly. I was a comical mess :)
I think I'll just start Anna and The French Kiss.

[Hillary]

Got a couple others that may or may not fit...not NA but YA.

Cute and funny.
Again cute and funny.
A mixture of everything.
Again a mixture of everything.
Cute, funny, and abroad.

Now if you don't mind a little pnr:
or even better...this womans adult series that starts with

[Tina]

Hillary wrote: "Got a couple others that may or may not fit...not NA but YA.

Cute and funny.

[Jamie]

I have a question about novellas/short stories. I'm not sure if this is the ideal thread to post in but I figured, it's kind of a reco right?

So, how important would you say the ".5's" are for a series? Cheap ploy to make more money off a popular story/author?

The very few that I have read seem to be lacking everything I like. Especially the ones that (will remain nameless) are the exact same story but from another character's pov.

[Robin]

Jamie wrote: "I have a question about novellas/short stories. I'm not sure if this is the ideal thread to post in but I figured, it's kind of a reco right?

So, how important would you say the ".5's" are for a ..."

Depends on how much you like the world created. I have read some that I absolutely loved and others that were just eh... None seem to be essential to the other Books. But I have read a few that were just a scene from a different perspective and those were not as compelling as others that I've read to give insight into a side character. Usually you can tell by the synopsis if it is the same scene or something different.

[Hillary]

Jamie wrote: "I have a question about novellas/short stories. I'm not sure if this is the ideal thread to post in but I figured, it's kind of a reco right?

So, how important would you say the ".5's" are for a ..."

It's really like Robin said. Novellas vary. Some are from another characters POV, and then there are some that are a side story that gives insight to a specific character, or to a future situation. The ones from another characters POV are generally something you don't HAVE to read. The others, are sometimes just refreshing to see into a side character or to see a little more of the world and a little taste of what is yet to come in further books.

A good case of a novella is . This one says it is a 0.5. However was published AFTER 1 , . And since I am crazy ocd about my books and reading, I read it in publication order, and it was enjoyable, because those characters piqued my interest in book 1, but I didn't know a lot about their history, and that is what was addressed in the novella.

Definitely read the synopsis like Robin said, and you should be able to judge. Otherwise it doesn't hurt to ask around in here about a specific one you are curious about. More often than not you will find someone who has read it, and can tell you.

[Jamie]

It's great that your example was the series that made me ask the question to begin with, Hillary. Since I start a series so late I never know if I should read the in-betweens in order or skip them altogether.