Need a Recommendation? Showing 251-300 of 1,024

[Clayton]

well i started reading and so far its good so if your look for a good YA serise that is complete i am going to have to suggest that one right now.

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

Elaina wrote: "Ok I'm stuck between reading matched, city of fallen angels, delirium, and the iron king. Which book should I read first?"

CoFA is the weakest of the series, so it really depends on if you're in the mood for that world. The book right after it is much better though. Are you caught up on Infernal Devices? If not, I'd stop and go read Clockwork Angel before diving into CoFA if you want to stick with the timeline of how the author wrote the two series to connect to each other.

Iron King is one I read so long ago that I remember zilch about it.

Between Matched and Delirium, I prefered Delirium. Matched has lovely prose, but the story dragged a little for me. Although, I know a few members loved it (Jenny being one of them iirc), so it might just be me.

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

Anna wrote: "Ok YA fans- I need some help! I am kind of requesting help all over the place (hope no one gets ticked off) but I am struggling.

I just finished and realized that t..."

It's interesting because I just went through my entire YA list and there aren't a whole lot of series on there that are complete. Some of these are series I've finished, others are ones I've started but not finished.

For Sci-Fi I found : Maze Runner, Hunger Games, Matched, Ender's Game, Chaos Walking, and Uglies. Out of those that I've finished, Hunger Games is the one I liked the most.

For PNR/UF I found : Hex Hall, Wicked Lovely, Darkest Powers, Hourglass Door, Dark Guardian, Modern Faerie Tales, Iron King, Fallen, Hush Hush, Generation Dead, Wolves of Mercy Falls, Existence, Significance, Anna (dressed in blood) and Curse Workers. Out of those that I've finished, my favorite would probably be Curse Workers, although I did also enjoy Hex Hall.

I think that Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series is about to release its final book in another month, so that one's almost complete.

Of note, there are also several series which have 10 plus books, so you'd have a lot to get through and the next book would probably drop before getting to that point. Although I'm not the biggest fan of House of Night, it's one of these types of series. If you want a longer series, I'd be more inclined to go with Morganville Vampires over HoN.

For Historical I found : The Luxe, Flappers, River of Time, and A Great and Terrible Beauty. Of those three, I'd probably pick Flappers, although The Luxe does have a great story arc once you get past book 1's fluff.

For Contemporary I found : Between the Lines, Vincent Boys, Perfect Chemistry, Ruby Oliver. This is tougher. If you want romance, I'd go BTL. If you want snark, I'd go Ruby.

For Fantasy I found : Poison Study, Eon, Percy Jackson, Seven Realms (Demon King), Seven Kingdoms (Graceling). I loved Percy Jackson and Demon King.

If you want stand-alone books, here's a variety of ones that I gave at least 3.5 stars or higher to :

[Anna]

Stacia (the hype killer) wrote: "Anna wrote: "Ok YA fans- I need some help! I am kind of requesting help all over the place (hope no one gets ticked off) but I am struggling.

I just finished and re..."

Good Lord Stacia thank you for this!! I've read some of the books on there. I definitely lean towards the urban fantasy ya paranormal side of things, rather than contemporary romance etc. Between The Lines made me gag just a little bit- but I love that you liked the Lux series, because I am always defending that and telling people to just get through the first book and then it gets way better :)

Thank you for the list! I will go through this whole thing when its not 2:30 in the AM for me.

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

That said, you might have to research some of those. Not every series is one I've completed, so I can't say if they're all good or not. I only looked for ones on my list that were finished, whether or not I'd read them.

[Roberta R. (Offbeat YA)]

Anna, if you like dystopian, I would recommend Frozen (also published as "Skinned"), Shattered (also published as "Crashed") and Torn (also published as "Wired"). Also, The Adoration of Jenna Fox and The Fox Inheritance...though in this case, the last installment Fox Forever is coming in March. As for paranormal, I just adore the first "Remember Me" book by Christopher Pike...the other two not so much...anyway, this is the omnibus: Remember Me. And then of course there are the two horror novels Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares. Hope this helps!

[Gwennie]

Wilfred, this is the second thread you have posted this in. Please post your promotions in the appropriate folder.

This folder is for people to ask for recomendations.

[Rachel]

I hope I am posting this in the right spot. I am a huge reader who devoured YA when she was, well, a YA... I've tried to move on to more "adult" books now that I'm older, but they just haven't hit me like a YA book always did -- I'm talking vintage LJ Smith (when it first came out in the 1990s), Christopher Pike, and who was it that wrote about all those teens who were in love but dying of chronic illnesses? I can't think of the name but I read (and cried) through them all.

So I've finally realized that I don't need to give it up and I have returned to YA and since then I've been trying to catch up.

My question for all of you out there is this... what is the "canon" of YA in the 2012/2013. As I read through these posts I see a lot of references to a lot of books. If I'm going to be up on YA in the 21st century what are the books I need to have in my library? Maybe that is the best question... What does the complete YA library of 2013 have on its shelves?

[Katy]

So you're looking for the most read YA books or just the ones that have come out in the past year? Just making sure I understand you :P

I've been trying to catch up on the popular YA books myself! There are still some series I haven't read that it seems everyone has haha.

[[deleted user]]

if the newer ones your looking for I'm going to throw out there (some I loved and there are some I didnt but now others did)




Before the movies come out




Im sure there is more

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

This is going to be open to different interpretation. Bestsellers aren't always as popular on Goodreads, and Goodreads buzz books/winners don't always match up with group opinion.

I can give you a few examples from each category though when I'm at my computer later. I'm assuming you're open to any genre?

A good place to start might be Hunger Games.

[Katy]

I agree with Stacia, the Hunger Games is always a good one. I'd also recommend the Vampire Academy series if you like the UF/PNR genre.

If you like realistic fiction I'd recommend anything by John Green!

[Gwennie]

Or Melina Marchetta!

[Katy]

I still need to read one of her books!

[[deleted user]]

Katy wrote: "I still need to read one of her books!"
I always find it weird when people haven't read her books, but that's because Im Australian and we had to read her books for school haha

[Katy]

Haha yeah I've never come across her books except people mentioning them on GR.

[Rachel]

I'm open to anything! I'm definitely familiar with the Hunger Games, but I haven't read the Vampire Academy just yet. I'm a huge fan of Divergent (Hunger Games 2.0 in my opinion) and I've wasted some time on some books I wish I hadn't (Fallen, anyone?).

I guess I want to know: what are the books that are just essential? Where if someone was talking about YA you would think "I can't believe you haven't read...."

Help me fill my shelves! There are few things I love more than buying books!!

[Rachel]

Melanie wrote: "if the newer ones your looking for I'm going to throw out there (some I loved and there are some I didnt but now others did)

[bookcover:Hold Me Closer, ..."

Melanie, thanks! I just added the first Anna book to my Amazon wish list. There a few on the list I haven't heard of before {{sneaks off to research and add to her TBR list}}

[Gwennie]

Katy wrote: "I still need to read one of her books!"

Jellicoe Road! It's so amazing!

[Rachel]

Wendy F wrote: "Katy wrote: "I still need to read one of her books!"

Jellicoe Road! It's so amazing!"

Yes! I've heard everyone talking about this! Is this one of those books where you need a box of tissues, a weekend, and a firm grip on your emotional sanity?

[Gwennie]

Um... well yes.. definitely lots and lots of tissues. Definitely, hahaha.

But it's also a really beautiful poignant story of finding yourself. And about family. It's just amazing.

My most favorite YA book ever.

[Jenny]

YA Canon, I dunno. There are just SO MANY that it's difficult to really say what the 'must-haves' would be.

There are the big ones that people may expect other YA readers to have read - such as Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Percy Jackson, The Mortal Instruments. But those are probably easy to figure out.


Here are some authors and works that I think are amazing, or amazingly fun:

John Green (contemporary/realistic fiction)


The Seven Realms (high/epic fantasy)


Gayle Forman (contemp/realistic)


Fire and Thorns (high/epic fantasy)


Dust Lands (post-apocalyptic)


The Queen's Thief (high fantasy)


Some other random stuff

[Elaine]

John Green is definitely one author you need to check out, especially his crazy hit in 2012, The Fault in Our Stars which Jenny has already pointed out.

Also seconding what she said about the bigger ones such as Hunger Games, The Mortal Instruments, etc. Vampire Academy is pretty big as well.

These are a few more others which I find are generally well accepted and generated some hype (which I may or may not love, but just would point it out for you).

[Niel]

Jenny wrote: "YA Canon, I dunno. There are just SO MANY that it's difficult to really say what the 'must-haves' would be.

There are the big ones that people may expect other YA readers to have read - such as H..."


Seven Realms is amazing!
Is the queens thief good?

[Isamlq]

Daniel wrote: "Jenny wrote: "YA Canon, I dunno. There are just SO MANY that it's difficult to really say what the 'must-haves' would be.

There are the big ones that people may expect other YA readers to have re..."

Daniel, is it good, you ask. why... YES (A million times)

[Niel]

Isamlq wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Jenny wrote: "YA Canon, I dunno. There are just SO MANY that it's difficult to really say what the 'must-haves' would be.

There are the big ones that people may expect other YA rea..."

Okay I will add it my list of books to find this year and read. Thanks. (This is going to be a big list)

[Jenny]

Daniel wrote: "Seven Realms is amazing!
Is the queens thief good?"

Gen is one of my favorite characters EVER in the history of EVER.

[Rachel]

Jenny wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Seven Realms is amazing!
Is the queens thief good?"

Gen is one of my favorite characters EVER in the history of EVER."

I've always been a little wary of fantasy but I'm starting to think I've never given it the chance it deserves. Is Seven Realms a good place to start for a fantasy newbie?

[Jenny]

Well, I guess it depends. What is it about fantasy that has made you wary of it?

[Niel]

Jenny wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Seven Realms is amazing!
Is the queens thief good?"

Gen is one of my favorite characters EVER in the history of EVER."

Wow okay then I will have to read it if it's that good.

[Rachel]

Jenny wrote: "Well, I guess it depends. What is it about fantasy that has made you wary of it?"

That is a superb question. And thinking about it now I don't have a good answer. I guess I always thought that the magic and the mythology would just seem too unbelievable to capture my attention. But its not like the vampire/post-apocalypse books I love so much are paragons of truth and reality. Maybe I worry about not being able to connect with the characters? I could envision how I would fight off a zombie in something akin to this world but I can't as easily picture myself going on an epic quest in a Middle Ages type environment.

[Hillary]

A good fantasy that you can connect with the characters even though there is Magic and other such WOO WOO stuffs would be
.

It's sorta a cross over in that people can't seem to officially decide if it needs to sit on YA or Adult Shelves.

[Lynn Blackmar]

I just finished the audiobook for Poison Study and it was great. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Jenny]

The world-building in the Seven Realms series is excellent, so I don't think it'd be difficult to believe the world or connect to it. The characters are amazingly done, as well. There are wizards. There aren't really any epic quests. More like two characters trying desperately to get the things that they want/need, Han for himself and Raisa for her queendom. They're very good. Yeah, I think you should try them.

[Elaine]

I think it might be time I give these fantasy books a try.

[Rachel]

Elaine wrote: "I think it might be time I give these fantasy books a try."

Not a fan of fantasy either? Or just haven't tried the Seven Realms series?

[Niel]

Hillary wrote: "A good fantasy that you can connect with the characters even though there is Magic and other such WOO WOO stuffs would be
[bookcover:Fi..."

Another series to add to my list for this year.

[Elaine]

Rachel wrote: "Elaine wrote: "I think it might be time I give these fantasy books a try."

Not a fan of fantasy either? Or just haven't tried the Seven Realms series?"

Like you, I've never really been able to stomach high fantasy novels. Especially adult high fantasy, but I guess I really need to at least give the YA ones a go.

[Christina]

Elaine wrote: "I think it might be time I give these fantasy books a try."r

Shadow and Bone is a great gateway-drug into high-fantasy YA (tbh I don't really get into the adult ones, aside from ASOIAF) but Graceling et. al. were my introduction, and they were so great. I especially appreciated the "feminist agenda" going on.

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

Out of all of the YA fantasy that I've read, the one which impressed me the most for having cross-appeal to both adult and YA readers was The Demon King (mentioned here as Seven Realms). There are a lot of good ones out right now though.

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

Although, I will agree that Poison Study is probably a good gateway because it's one of the "easier" reads when it comes to YA fantasy. It's not as heavy with the world building or politics right off the bat. The first person perspective seems strange to me though for fantasy...I'm used to third person with that genre.

[Christina]

Ooh, I keep seeing that at B&N and picking it up and then putting it back down. Maybe I'll treat myself tomorrow...

(The Demon King - although I've been meaning to read Poison Study for ages now as well.)

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

I don't read a lot of adult fantasy either, other than ASOIAF (but the show made it easy for me to get into the books). But I do want to get back to at some point because I love assassins.

[Elaine]

Thanks for more feedback guys, looks like I'll have to put Poison Study and Seven Realms at the top of my list! Hopefully they aren't too hard to follow.

[Rachel]

Elaine wrote: "Thanks for more feedback guys, looks like I'll have to put Poison Study and Seven Realms at the top of my list! Hopefully they aren't too hard to follow."

Same here! I've added Seven Realms to my [pathetically long] TBR list. I've seen mixed reviews about Poison Study so I might put that one on the back burner.

[Jenny]

See, I love adult high fantasy. High fantasy is my favorite. A lot of adult high fantasies feature younger protagonists though (kids, teenagers, twenty-somethings) so have that crossover appeal in characters and themes even if the content is more mature. A Song of Ice and Fire, The Kingkiller Chronicles, The Night Angel trilogy, Mistborn (or really ANYTHING by Sanderson).

Stacia, yes to the Night Angel books. Assassins! You get to know Vi later and she's awesome. AWESOME. I love her.

Poison Study is really good. The sequels aren't as good, but are still pretty fun.

[Rachel]

Jenny wrote: "See, I love adult high fantasy. High fantasy is my favorite. A lot of adult high fantasies feature younger protagonists though (kids, teenagers, twenty-somethings) so have that crossover appeal in ..."

Alright, you got me there... I did read (and love) Game of Thrones. But is that considered high fantasy? Dragons are obviously a theme, but there isn't any magic per se. Or does high fantasy simply mean a complex, author constructed mythology?

[Niel]

Jenny wrote: "See, I love adult high fantasy. High fantasy is my favorite. A lot of adult high fantasies feature younger protagonists though (kids, teenagers, twenty-somethings) so have that crossover appeal in ..."

I need to read all of those! I am so jealous you have read all of those.

[[deleted user]]

Yes to all who are thinking of reading the night angel trilogy and the Mistborn trilogy.

If you want a push of the cliff into reading I will push you!

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

Melanie, maybe in Feb. we can set something up.

I also really need a buddy for Seven Realms book 2 at some point if anyone ever gets through book 1. It's a series I want to get back to because I loved the first book, but keep feeling overwhelmed because I know it's a long book and lately my mind has been craving shorter books.