What are you reading at the moment?

[Marita]

I'll start this one off:

and and I just bought

[Marita]

I want to read It sounds really good.

[Michelle (Pink Polka Dot Books)]

& ... I've read all 3 books, theyre good once you get going!

[Shelly]

Marita wrote: "I want to read It sounds really good."

Unwind is excellent. I actually love many of Schusterman's books. That would be a great pick for monthly read.

[Shelly]

Shade Just started this one yesterday. So Much to Tell You Finished this one.Tweak: Growing Up On Methamphetamines and just bought this one.

[Library Lady 📚]

Not sure if this is edgy or not, but in the Bible Belt, it's pretty controversial. I love what I've read so far.

[Library Lady 📚]

Just started and LOVE it so far. It's my exact definition of edgy. The atmosphere is very well done. That alone can make me love a book or define it as edgy or not. I've seen the movie but it's been a few years, so I don't remember it too well. The book is amazing. I wish more people knew about this talented author.

EDIT: Although this was in the YA section of my library, I'm not sure I would classify it as YA. I haven't found it listed as YA in any online sites (like Amazon) and it's very adult reading. Whatever it is, it's excellent.

[Farrah]

I just started while I am waiting for to come in from the library. I am a little late on reading the Hunger Games series.

[Library Lady 📚]

Just have to finish the epilogue of . I really wanted to love this book, since I have a slight obsession with flappers, but it wasn't as good as I hoped.

Next I'm starting on audio. That should take a while! Also about to start , late, I know.

[Marita]

Just finished . I loved it, though there were some really sad moments that made me want to change things, because I liked some characters too much. But the author sucked me in fully. I reckon The Hunger Games author must have read this book.

[Christopher]

Reading "Get Well Soon" a teen/ya book - very interesting so far as the author tells the book through a series of diary entry's from a mental hospital - not sure if it qualifies for 'edgy' but a good read nontheless.

[Jennifer]

Peyrac wrote: "Currently reading:

, [bookcover:Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex], , [bookcover:Longtime Companions: Autobiographies of ..."

Wow, Longtime Companions looks interesting. Let me know how it is! I want to read it.

[Jennifer]

Marita wrote: "Just finished . I loved it, though there were some really sad moments that made me want to change things, because I liked some characters too much. But the author sucked me..."

I agree. As soon as I heard about the Hunger Games and then read it, my first thought was that she read Battle Royale. Honestly I think Battle Royale is much better. It's definitely darker.

[Marita]

Jennifer wrote: "Marita wrote: "Just finished . I loved it, though there were some really sad moments that made me want to change things, because I liked some characters too much. But the a..."

I stopped reading The Hunger Games. It wasn't bad, but I get bored easily, so will try and pick it up again. I saw the movie though, which looked like all the parts that I had read.

And I definitely agree with you that Battle Royale was better. I couldn't stop reading it, and it was really intense at times, totally sucked me in, making me get attached to a number of the characters. I will probably watch the movie too.

[Jennifer]

Marita wrote: I loved it, though there were some really sad moments that made me want to change things, because I liked some characters to..."

Oh, I got attached to quite a few of the characters as well. I don't know WHY I let myself get attached considering I knew what was going to happen, and I sobbed. The movie is fantastic. There are parts that are a bit darkly humorous, but overall I enjoyed it. I would say skip the sequel movie. It's not that great. And if you can get your hands on the manga series, check it out. It's definitely graphic and some of the scenes had my eyes popping out of my head. But at the same time you start to feel bad for some of the characters you hate in the book and film because the manga artist shows sides not portrayed in depth.

[Marita]

Jennifer wrote: "Marita wrote: I loved it, though there were some really sad moments that made me want to change things, because I liked some characters to..."

Oh, I got attached to quite a few of the characters ..."

I really didn't want Shinji to die and when he accidentally killed that boy I felt so sad. Him and his mate made me sad, and it was all because of mistrust and not being careful with the light. I thought the book's major theme was about trust-or the lack of it in many cases.

That boy who took the bullet for that horrible girl also broke my heart, because he was so sweet. It really hit home about their ages.

One note: That SciFi fans chapter was a little bit of amusement in there. She made me smile.

I did hold back on buying the book for that reason, because you basically knew most of their fates, but it was more about getting to know them than how things ended up. Thy were all an interesting group. P.S. Also really sad over Hiroki and Shogo.(Man, how many of those characters names started with Y? Loads :)

[Jennifer]

Marita wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Marita wrote: I loved it, though there were some really sad moments that made me want to change things, because I liked some characters to..."

Oh, I got attached to quite a few o..."

Shinji was my favorite character. I loved him. And I also love his actor in the film, so watching that scene killed me. I've seen him in other movies, so it was tough. And Hiroki was my other favorite. God I loved the two of them. Shogo was awesome, too.

If you felt bad for that boy in the book, wait until the manga. It's... crazy. That's all I say. I was a tad disturbed.

[Library Lady 📚]

Jennifer wrote: "Marita wrote: "Just finished . I loved it, though there were some really sad moments that made me want to change things, because I liked some characters too much. But the a..."

I've heard a lot of people say it's the same. There's also a Stephen King short story that's a lot like the premise of HG.

[Library Lady 📚]

Oh, also, I picked up after seeing Marita's post about it, and I'm really liking it. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Marita]

Lena wrote: "Oh, also, I picked up after seeing Marita's post about it, and I'm really liking it. Thanks for the suggestion."

You're welcome :)

[Marita]

Lena wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Marita wrote: "Just finished . I loved it, though there were some really sad moments that made me want to change things, because I liked some characters to..."

I haven't read the Stephen King one. Well, not from memory. I haven't read any of his books for over 20 years now.

Similar, but not the same. Battle Royale is better.

[Library Lady 📚]

I want to say it's called "The Long Walk," but I may be wrong. There are several books with similar premises. That said, there are tons of books out there that aren't exactly original. It's the author's ability to make you care about the characters and story anyway that make it successful, I think.

I'm reading (same author as Speak and Wintergirls) and right now.

[Library Lady 📚]

Marita wrote: "Lena wrote: "Oh, also, I picked up after seeing Marita's post about it, and I'm really liking it. Thanks for the suggestion."

You're welcome :)"

I finished that one. Definitely pushes the boundary on YA. I wouldn't recommend to anyone under 16, and probably only then if they were very mature.

[Marita]

Lena wrote: "Marita wrote: "Lena wrote: "Oh, also, I picked up after seeing Marita's post about it, and I'm really liking it. Thanks for the suggestion."

You're welcome :)"

I finished tha..."

Yes, definitely for the older teens and up. My daughter said she wanted to read it and I said no, explaining it was inappropriate for a 14year-old. I said "Speak" would be a better option for her as that one teaches awareness of the danger of going off with people.

[Library Lady 📚]

Yeah, someone recently told me she couldn't believe her daughter had to read Speak for school. That surprises me. I don't think it's inappropriate at all. In the state right next to mine, a parent tried to get it banned from a school library on the grounds that it was "soft-core porn." I still can't stop shaking my head.

[Marita]

Lena wrote: "Yeah, someone recently told me she couldn't believe her daughter had to read Speak for school. That surprises me. I don't think it's inappropriate at all. In the state right next to mine, a parent ..."

Soft-core porn? I'm shaking my head too. There was nothing whatsoever that could be described as that in there. Some people are ridiculous.

[Library Lady 📚]

I know! I thought that book was extremely subtle. I'm not even sure a 10 year old would be able to tell what happened in the rape scene.

[[deleted user]]

I've just started reading your book Marita. It's hilarious. And the cover's right, I def don't want my mum to see it, lol, especially if she read that first chapter! But, the characters are my age, so no worries. Wish there were more books with these topics in. I'm also going to check out P.S. I'm a New Zealander too.

[Marita]

AngielovesYA wrote: " I've just started reading your book Marita. It's hilarious. And the cover's right, I def don't want my mum to see it, lol, especially if she read that first chapter! But..."

Thanks, Angie, I'm glad you're liking it. Yes, I knew I would get raised eyebrows at the situation in the first chapter, but it drives the plot so I had to have it in there. Plus, it was inspired by someone's experience (not mine!)

[[deleted user]]

Marita wrote: "AngielovesYA wrote: " I've just started reading your book Marita. It's hilarious. And the cover's right, I def don't want my mum to see it, lol, especially if she read th..."

lol, no worries, I didn't find it a problem. It wasn't expected, but it was definitely amusing. The Mrs. Mullen and her false teeth thought was funny. Nice to see things from a male character's view :) They're funny.

[Library Lady 📚]

Just out of curiosity, do you publish your own books, Marita?

And on topic, I'm reading .

[Marita]

Lena wrote: "Just out of curiosity, do you publish your own books, Marita?

And on topic, I'm reading ."

Yes. Both my books are on controversial topics, so I didn't think they would be interested, so I bi-passed them. I paid for an editor (not cheap) and did everything else myself. But, it's been worth it, because Graffiti Heaven is being recognised and has also just won a medal yesterday from a major writers' website. It's going to get a HarperCollins (UK) review because of it. I'm interested in what they say as people have likened it to Skins. Behind the Hood also won reviews from a couple of big publishing companies.

[[deleted user]]

I'm reading the same book as Angie. I don't like the soft YA stuff, only the edgier ones catch my attention, like Leverage. I thought that was a very good book. But, I decided to try Graffiti Heaven because I liked the author's first book Behind the Hood, which was more adult than YA, because the topics were very harsh. At the moment Graffiti Heaven definitely is softer than Behind the Hood, which is appropriate since it has YA in the blurb. Though, I can see some parents raising their eyebrows and snatching the book off their kids. I don't think it would be suitable for anyone under 15, or maybe even under 16 due to the topic of teen sex. Though, at that age I'm sure they would disagree with me, I know I would have because I read adult books at 13, and a few other naughty things kept safely tucked away :)

[Marita]

Harlen wrote: "I'm reading the same book as Angie. I don't like the soft YA stuff, only the edgier ones catch my attention, like Leverage. I thought that was a very good book. But, I decided to try Graffiti Heave..."

You're correct, Graffiti Heaven is meant for older teens. And Behind the Hood is for adults.

[Lyndee]

I'm currently reading My Brain Escapes Me, which is a series of very surreal short stories, and Clockwork Angel which I've already read before but figured while I don't have any new books that I'd entertain myself by reading it once again.

[Hurricane_ReD]

Just finished reading Smack by Melvin Burgess for the 2nd time. It's still just as good as it was when I picked it up the first time 11 years ago.

[Marita]

Tasha wrote: "Just finished reading Smack by Melvin Burgess for the 2nd time. It's still just as good as it was when I picked it up the first time 11 years ago."

I really liked "Smack." Melvin Burgess is one of my favourite authors.

[Marita]

Peyrac wrote: "Smack is actually my least liked one of Burgess. I do so love Doing It and also Nicholas Dane. I need to readKill All Enemies"

I've got Kill All Enemies. It's my least favourite at the moment. After I've finished another book I'll try getting back into it.

[Marita]

Peyrac wrote: "LOL. I now really need to read it to see whether we will be just mirrored on that :O)"

I've probably not given it much of a chance yet, but if I'm not grabbed by the first chapter or two I lose interest pretty quick. I've got a short attention span with a lot of things. After I finish Rot & Ruin (which I love) I'll try again.

[Library Lady 📚]

Marita wrote: "Tasha wrote: "Just finished reading Smack by Melvin Burgess for the 2nd time. It's still just as good as it was when I picked it up the first time 11 years ago."

I really liked "Smack." Melvin Bu..."

That was my favorite by him, but I don't know if I could read it again. It was so intense I was shaking as I read parts of it.
My least favorite was Lady: My Life as a Bitch, but just because it was so silly compared to his other books. It's not a bad book, though. I'd still recommend it. The end is really interesting.

[Marita]

Peyrac wrote: "My main problem with Smack is that I couldn't believe in characters that stupid. They do probably exist, but I felt this was completely out of the world. Hence I couldn't take the rest for serious."

No, I can believe in characters that are that stupid. I've met some really thick people.

[Marita]

Check out the Darwin awards :) I also know someone that could be included in that if he didn't have dumb luck and survive what he did. I'll probably have to delete this message because if his wife reads it I'll get in trouble (though, he won't read it because he can't read very well, and I'm not joking). Anyway, I gave them my old car a few years back. One day this guy was driving his mate somewhere, without a seat-belt on, and really fast. Partway through the drive the driver's door flew open. Now, would you lean out of the car while you're driving fast, without a seat-belt on to close it or like a normal person stop the car? He leaned out to grab it and fell out of the car. Luckily he wasn't majorly injured apart from having to have part of his ear sewn back on. Imagine what his mate in the passenger seat thought. Amazingly when the car crashed he only hurt his finger.

I mentioned in Graffiti Heaven about Ash complaining that his pint was smaller than his stepfather's ... this is a real comment made by a relative of my husband's.

Another comment that you wouldn't believe was real, although I haven't used this one yet. A 14-year-old asked his mother (an old workmate of my husband) whether a girl could get pregnant through oral sex. His mother obviously said no. He said that a senior told him they could, and the kid believed the guy.

I used to work with a lady (when I was a teen) who kept failing her driving tests. She told us that she was really annoyed with this cop for failing her on the last one because she had told him that she knew she was supposed to stop at the stop sign, but since no one was on the road she wouldn't bother to stop. She thought it was alright to do this because she'd already told him she knew it meant for her to stop. Logic anyone?

Honestly, have you not come across people this stupid or naive?

[Marita]

Maybe it's my perception of what thick is. You used: much lowered IQ. Maybe it's my language, I don't say lowered IQ I say stupid or thick. New Zealanders have a much more casual use of language and it doesn't usually relate to IQs.

And yes, you're right about being surprised by people and their knowledge. I've seen different parts of society, associated with many different communities, which is probably why I've come across a cross section of people ranging from extremely intelligent to "thick" ;) I tend to observe people a lot, maybe it's the writer in me, plus I've been told I have a memory of an elephant, which makes writing easier. I used to write five essays per exam and memorise it line for line (mainly for Art History and Italian Studies). I sort of miss the academic life :( It was fun.

[Marita]

I considered Gemma more selfish than stupid. I suppose it's a matter of perception. She left home because she wanted to do what she wanted and not to have her parents interfere in that. People may consider that stupid, and she irritated the hell out of me, but I classed her actions as selfish. She went from one thing to another for selfish reasons, only occasionally doing something right. Her actions may appear stupid, but it got what she wanted until things went downhill. Often teenagers can't understand consequences (not me, I did, but I've seen many that don't). Their brains haven't fully matured yet, combine this with their rapidly growing bodies, and things are bound to go haywire along the way. She didn't understand the consequences at 14. She realised them later and left the boy that she took down with her. That boy was very naive and was easily led astray. Again, he could be called stupid, but naive in his situation is a better description.

I thought Smack was the autobiographical one (not fully, but loosely). I didn't think Nicholas Dane was.

[Library Lady 📚]

Reviving this thread...

I just finished and I'm almost done with . I've got to get back from my fiance and then I'll be starting that one.

[Libby]

I suggest you all read A Million Little Pieces I couldnt put it down. Such an intresting book

[Pierce]

I'm sort of struggling with City of Bones right now. I like parts of it, but I'm a little more than halfway through, and I'm unsure how I feel about it at the moment. Anybody else finished it and felt this way at the halfway point?

-Pierce

[Library Lady 📚]

Peyrac wrote: "I'm contemplating the Hunger Games, but still feel myself resisting the hype. I've read a couple of reviews which buttoned my ears back."

I resisted for the longest time, too. I tend to shy away from the really hyped books. But I liked HG. I found Katniss to be a very refreshing female character.

[Sue]

I just finished
Now reading

[Mike]

A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle


I'm beginning to have interest on the book because of the special characters, though I'm also struggling on finishing it because of school work.