What YA book are you reading RIGHT NOW?

[sharpierae]

Or just finished reading? I know there are a lot of threads with recommended YA books, favorites and stuff, but I'm curious to know which books people here are actually reading (whether or not they would recommend them later on).

I just finished reading What Happened to Lani Garver by Carol Plum-Ucci.

I'd never heard of it, and was surprised by how much I liked it.
(Shady and reen, I think you two would especially enjoy it: Possible angels and gender ambiguities. What's not to like?)

Please let us all know, what are you reading?

xxxrae

[TrishD]

I'm reading City of Bones by Cassie Clare.

[Vandal]

Just finished Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen.

It was well-written with some interesting, quirky characters, but a bit too much chick-lit for my taste (I read it more for homework than for entertainment).

[reenkam]

I LOVE What Happened to Lani Garver. So much that I went and bought it after I'd read it from the library. (I don't think Shady was crazy about it, though)

Right now I'm reading:

Nightwood by Patricia Windsor
Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr (i haven't actually started this yet)
The Insiders by J.Minter

[traininvain]

I recently finished Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, parts of which I loved and parts of which I very much did not like. I feel like I'm the only one who didn't go crazy over it.

I'm currently in the middle of You, Maybe by Rachel Vail, a fast and fluffy read but enjoyable, and Nailed by Patrick Jones, which I will probably put down unless it picks up in the next chapter.

[vfury]

I'm reading City of Ashes by Cassie Clare. I'm enjoying it a lot more than I did the first one because it feels like Clare has settled into the story.

[TrishD]

Just finished Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen.

It was well-written with some interesting, quirky characters, but a bit too much chick-lit for my taste (I read it more for homework than for entertainment).

I wasn't a big fan of Keeping the Moon. I like her other work better. If you haven't tried This Lullaby, give it a shot. It's my favorite Dessen.

[TrishD]

I'm reading City of Ashes by Cassie Clare. I'm enjoying it a lot more than I did the first one because it feels like Clare has settled into the story.

It's good to know you like the second book better, because I'm having a hard time falling in love with the first. It feels very Charmed to me, which isn't a bad thing, but it leaves me waiting for something really original to happen.

[Shady Lane]

I started Lani Garver and couldn't get into it. I tend to have a problem with her books. Haven't finished any of them.

I'm actually not reading anything at them moment, but I'm just about to start The Burn Journals and I'm quite looking forward to it.

[reenkam]

I read The Burn Journals and I liked it until the end. Then I was very disappointed. Only because it ended so...well, abruptly.

Still a good book, though.

[Shady Lane]

well I read Maybe and it was like ohmansignlanguagedramageeksorgasmmylife so yeah, I figured I'd better read this one.

[ClaudiaGray]

I just finished Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott (I got an ARC) -- it's fabulous.

[Momento Mori]

I'm currently reading Specials by Scott Westerfeld, which is the third in a SF YA trilogy* and is depressingly good. Have just finished reading Un Lu Dun by China Mieville, which is wonderfully subversive take on many of the tropes you see in YA fantasy.

Trish - I know what you mean about City of Bones. I felt like I was having a constant attack of deja vu all the way through the book. City of Ashes is a better read because the material starts to be used in a more distinctive way and I'll probably try to get a copy of the final book in the trilogy when it comes out next year. If you're looking for something more different, then I'd recommend Un Lun Dun or Justine Larbelestier's Magic or Madness trilogy, which blew me away.

MM


* Which later became a quartet with Extras (and I'm going to read that next).

[Sage]

I'd Tell You I Love you But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter.

And a couple manga

[LitFa]

oh sage, I read I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You and Cross My Heart And Hope To Spy like 2 weeks ago, they are both really cute books. The book I just finished is Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, I enjoyed it and can't wait to read Ink Exchange.

[Cassidy]

Just finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower-- Shady Lane's recommendation and I loved it. And now I'm reading Elsewhere.

[bethany]

I have between 20-30 books in my tbr pile, and an amazon order going in this week. And I am not reading anything at the moment. (Except Speak 3X a day, out loud). I am overwhelmed by life.

[Hillary]

I have The Book Thief by my bed, but I haven't started it.

Truthfully, the only YA I've read recently is only a WIP - really rough, not even a complete draft - slated for the launch-list of a new imprint of HarperCollins. So, basically, I like to think I'm cutting edge.

I need to get reading... This thread makes me want to read more YA. Immediately.

[MerryDay]

I just finished This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. I've only read one other SD book (Keeping The Moon, actually...which is mentioned above) and I must say this is my favorite of the two. She did a really good job making the two main characters realistic and completely sympathetic. Great book.

...sitting on my night stand waiting to be read are: Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway and Airhead by Meg Cabot. From reading reviews, I have high hopes for both of these books. (And now just want finals to be over, so I can read them!)

[vfury]

It's good to know you like the second book better, because I'm having a hard time falling in love with the first. It feels very Charmed to me, which isn't a bad thing, but it leaves me waiting for something really original to happen.

Yes, I had problems with a lot of things in the first book, but the story starts becoming more her own in the second book. I haven't finished it yet, though, so I can only speak for the first third or so.

[vfury]

I'm currently reading Specials by Scott Westerfeld, which is the third in a SF YA trilogy* and is depressingly good. Have just finished reading Un Lu Dun by China Mieville, which is wonderfully subversive take on many of the tropes you see in YA fantasy.

I love those books by Scott Westerfeld. Un Lun Dun restored my faith that turning a lot of YA fantasy tropes on their head can be done extremely well. :)

[Esopha]

I'm rereading Herbie Brennan's Purple Emperor. I really really really want to read Un Lun Dun, but I am having les difficulties locating it in my local BN so I might have to restort to Amazon.

[TrishD]

I just finished Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott (I got an ARC) -- it's fabulous.

I've read Bloom and Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott. I liked them both, but Perfect You was a little better IMHO.

[TrishD]

I just finished This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. I've only read one other SD book (Keeping The Moon, actually...which is mentioned above) and I must say this is my favorite of the two. She did a really good job making the two main characters realistic and completely sympathetic. Great book.

...sitting on my night stand waiting to be read are: Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway and Airhead by Meg Cabot. From reading reviews, I have high hopes for both of these books. (And now just want finals to be over, so I can read them!)

I have not read Airhead, yet, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE Audrey, Wait! It's one of my favorites of 2008 so far.

[Provrb1810meggy]

I'm reading HOW TO BE BAD by E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle, and Sarah Mylnowski.

[TrishD]

I'm reading HOW TO BE BAD by E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle, and Sarah Mylnowski.

That is next on my list and I CAN'T WAIT to read it. I had it set aside at work yesterday, along with Piper Banks' GEEK ABROAD, but realized that without my debit card, I couldn't really buy them... LOL

[Provrb1810meggy]

That is next on my list and I CAN'T WAIT to read it. I had it set aside at work yesterday, along with Piper Banks' GEEK ABROAD, but realized that without my debit card, I couldn't really buy them... LOL

E. Lockhart is my favorite author besides J.K. Rowling!

And I read GEEK HIGH by Piper Banks. GEEK ABROAD is the sequel, right?

[TrishD]

E. Lockhart is my favorite author besides J.K. Rowling!

And I read GEEK HIGH by Piper Banks. GEEK ABROAD is the sequel, right?

Yep. And I love E. Lockhart, too. MJ is still my favorite, but she's a close second.

[Cassidy]

I have The Book Thief by my bed, but I haven't started it.




oh, lucky you. it is so good. i hope you enjoy it as much as i did-- i was blown away.

[Vandal]

A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck.

A great look at what life was like during the Depression.

[Shady Lane]

I just finished The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon (and was impressed) and I'm just about to start Beautiful Boy, which is not YA but is a companion memoir to Tweak, which was YA and was very good.

[Aegwynn]

Let's see.

I finished City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare. Funny that a few of you weren't fond of City of Bones... I loved that one. I'm not so fond of CoA. I am interested to see Idris, though, so I'm looking forward to City of Glass.

I also read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, and it was very disappointing. The premise was interesting - a girl who committed suicide recorded tapes telling the thirteen reasons why she did it - but the story just didn't deliver. I got bored very quickly and I wasn't fond of Hannah's character.

I'm looking for some new stuff now. I might take a break from YA for awhile and read some regular fantasy/horror stuff. Stephen King's Dark Tower series sounds interesting...

[gem1122]

Reading Anderson's Twisted. Flew through the first half in no time. I'm impressed with how well-paced the plot is.

[Shady Lane]

Let's see.

I finished City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare. Funny that a few of you weren't fond of City of Bones... I loved that one. I'm not so fond of CoA. I am interested to see Idris, though, so I'm looking forward to City of Glass.

I also read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, and it was very disappointing. The premise was interesting - a girl who committed suicide recorded tapes telling the thirteen reasons why she did it - but the story just didn't deliver. I got bored very quickly and I wasn't fond of Hannah's character.

I'm looking for some new stuff now. I might take a break from YA for awhile and read some regular fantasy/horror stuff. Stephen King's Dark Tower series sounds interesting...

I agree about 13RW. I was quite underwhelmed.

Reading Anderson's Twisted. Flew through the first half in no time. I'm impressed with how well-paced the plot is.

Oh, MAN. That's a book I really hated.

[gem1122]

Oh, MAN. That's a book I really hated.

Well, don't leave us in suspense -- why?

[Shady Lane]

Well, don't leave us in suspense -- why?

Haha, okay...couldn't stand any of the characters. Felt like the MC was a carbon copy of ever other angsty male out there, and this his struggles had been done a million times before and were not even somewhat interesting.

I can't remember a lot of the specifics...you couldn't pay me to pick that book up again. Okay, you could, but it would be a LOT of money.

[gem1122]

Haha, okay...couldn't stand any of the characters. Felt like the MC was a carbon copy of ever other angsty male out there, and this his struggles had been done a million times before and were not even somewhat interesting.

I can't remember a lot of the specifics...you couldn't pay me to pick that book up again. Okay, you could, but it would be a LOT of money.

I've read more and I agree. Tyler started out kind of interesting, but he's quickly become a stereotype mixture - part geek, part rebel, part outcast, part criminal, and part creep for the way he ogles over all the females. It just is starting to feel like Anderson wanted to cover all the bases. And the pacing that I enjoyed at the beginning is now dizzying -- she's flying through the story. It's hard to become invested in anyone.

[Shady Lane]

Yep, that's how I felt. At the beginning, the thing between him and the girl was kind of interesting---when he was taking care of her after she sprained her ankle? And that's basically all I can remember clearly.

[Hollan]

I just finished Looking for Alaska and wasn't impressed. I couldn't stand Pudge or Alaska so I really didn't care what happened to them. But I just started reading Evil Genius, and I like it.

[gem1122]

I just finished Looking for Alaska and wasn't impressed. I couldn't stand Pudge or Alaska so I really didn't care what happened to them. But I just started reading Evil Genius, and I like it.

I hated Looking for Alaska and couldn't get past page 20 of An Abundance of Katherines. Ugh.

[Shady Lane]

Haha. Looking for Alaska = One of my favorite books in the world. I've read it at least six or seven times.

[Thump]

*sigh* I'm not reading any YA right now. It's hard enough finding adult books in English here in Peru without specifying things like YA, sff or *le gasp* steampunk :D

I have such a craving for Steampunk YA right now! And I'd kill for the second and third books of the Bartimaeus trilogy!

[Provrb1810meggy]

I'm reading Twisted Sisters by Stephanie Hale.

[brainstrains]

I also read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, and it was very disappointing. The premise was interesting - a girl who committed suicide recorded tapes telling the thirteen reasons why she did it - but the story just didn't deliver. I got bored very quickly and I wasn't fond of Hannah's character.


I had the same problem with 13RW. That and I just had a hard time believing a girl would go through so much trouble to punish the people that "made" her commit suicide. I didn't really like Hannah, either, because c'mon, take a little responsibility for your actions! And then someone told me that in the first drafts of the book, the suicide was supposed to be a hoax-- which actually seems a lot more in-line with Hannah's character and more plausible. I still liked it, but I didn't LOVE it, and I wanted to.

I'm reading Audrey, Wait! right now, and I have to say, it's hilarious.

[Hollan]

I hated Looking for Alaska and couldn't get past page 20 of An Abundance of Katherines. Ugh.

I couldn't get very far into An Abundance of Katherines either. I just don't like John Green's writing. It's kind of pompous and annoying. The only character I liked was the Colonel, but not enough to redeem the book. King Dork was a millions times better, IMO.

[Cassidy]

I hated Looking for Alaska and couldn't get past page 20 of An Abundance of Katherines. Ugh.

wow. i loved them both. this is so interesting... just proves you can't write for all readers. good thing there are so many different kinds of books out there.

[sharpierae]

wow. i loved them both. this is so interesting... just proves you can't write for all readers. good thing there are so many different kinds of books out there.

Agreed. Very interesting. I liked John Green a lot, thought he wrote pretty smart. I thought the voice in King Dork was AOK, too (but I haven't finished reading it for reasons that have nothing to do with the book's quality... had to leave town and leave it behind before I could speed read the rest.)

Not reading anything right now, which is scandalous.

[Momento Mori]

I've caved and finally started reading Twilight. It seems to be one of those books that really splits my friends - the ones who hate it, completely loathe it and the ones who love it, are practically evangelical about it. I'm trying to reserve judgment until I get to the end.

MM

[Cassidy]

I'm reading Julie Anne Peters' book Far From Xanadu. I like it. And I just bought Arthur Slade's book Tribes-- haven't read it yet but I thought his book Dust was brilliant.

[Sadie7th]

I am always about a year or more behind. The kids were reading the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. I just finished it. Next I'll start the Pretties, and Uglies series. Are they any good? I'm excited only bc they aren't written in first person!!

[sharpierae]

I *heart* Uglies series. I wish I could read them again for the first time.
Lucky you, Sadie7th.

[Kats]

I'm reading Joel and Cat Set the Story Straight by Nick Earls and Rebecca Sparrow. It's a tandem story with each author writing a chapter in turn - interesting idea, good so far. I love Nick Earls YA books, 48 Shades of Brown and After January in particular.

[gem1122]

I couldn't get very far into An Abundance of Katherines either. I just don't like John Green's writing. It's kind of pompous and annoying. The only character I liked was the Colonel, but not enough to redeem the book. King Dork was a millions times better, IMO.

See, I didn't like King Dork either. I wanted to like it -- same with Green's books. But I just didn't. In fact, I loathed it. I know, I know -- so hateful! But I can't help it! :Wha:

Smarmy. That might be the word I'm looking for. Portman and Green have these wise-ass, smarmy voices. Same thing with Spanking Shakespeare. These books all feel the same to me. They have similar narrators -- conceited, dorky, intellectual, self-absorbed whiners.

(sorry!)

I've been reading Junot Diaz' The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. It's different. It's hard to sympathize with Oscar because time is flying in the book. In the few specific scenes, the hearsay-based narration is so distant. Still, it's a unique voice. I just wish it would slow down a bit.

[Robin]

I just finished AM Jenkins' Beating Heart and Repossessed. I liked both of them, but Repossessed was so funny I laughed the whole way through it.

Before those, I read Lisa McMann's WAKE, and that one was wickedly awesome.

[TrishD]

CRUEL SUMMER by Alyson Noel. It's v.good!

[bethany]

I'm reading Freakshow by James St. James.

[matdonna]

Terry Pratchett, A Hatful of Sky

[TrishD]

I just finished Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr. I have to say, I liked it better than Wicked Lovely.

[eyeblink]

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer, volume three of her trilogy. I'll be reviewing all three once I've finished.

[aspiringwriter]

Just Ask--Diary Of A Teenage Girl by Melody Carlson--very interesting. It's told from the view of a teenage Asian girl that's been adopted by a caucasian family.

[darrtwish]

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, for about the 27th or 28th time, I've honestly lost count. Also, Eclipse(also by Stephenie Meyer) for about the fifth time. I really need to get myself to the library and take out some books, not that I'm getting sick and tired of the Twilight series, or anything...just to get my parents off my back for reading the same books over and over again. :|

[Sage]

Diane Wynn Jones' Conrad's Fate. Not sure if it's YA or MG. I read two of the original Chrestomanci novels when I was a kid. But that's what I'm reading. Hopefully I'll be reading Wicked Lovely next.

[sharpierae]

I'm 30 pages into Holly Black's Ironside, and it's pretty apparent that the book is part of a series... I think I'm going to put it down until I read the first books...

[Momento Mori]

sharpierae:
I'm 30 pages into Holly Black's Ironside, and it's pretty apparent that the book is part of a series... I think I'm going to put it down until I read the first books...

It's the last of her Modern Tales of Faerie trilogy - Tithe and Valiant come first (but Tithe is more directly relevant to Ironside than Valiant).

I've just finished Twilight - not my cup of tea, but I bought New Moon at the same time, so am reading it to see how it develops.

[sharpierae]

It's the last of her Modern Tales of Faerie trilogy - Tithe and Valiant come first (but Tithe is more directly relevant to Ironside than Valiant).

I've just finished Twilight - not my cup of tea, but I bought New Moon at the same time, so am reading it to see how it develops.

haha, I also started New Moon before I read Twilight a few weeks ago! I fail.

I reeally want to like this new, modern, edgy twist on fantasy stuff-- but so far, I'm not feeling it... but maybe if I actually start where the stories supposed to start, I'll get more into it :)

[Dichroic]

I recently finished (and loved) Un Lun Dun, like a lot of people here, but I'm also reading my way through Arthur Ransome. Somehow I entirely missed out on the Swallows and Amazons books as a kid.

[brynna87]

Just finished rereading The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen.

[soleary]

Anne Lemott, "Grace Eventually." She's brilliant.

[Aegwynn]

I just finished Devilish by Maureen Johnson. Next up: Stephenie Meyer's New Moon. *hides* It's my new guilty pleasure. ;)

[TrishD]

I recently finished (and loved) Un Lun Dun, like a lot of people here, but I'm also reading my way through Arthur Ransome. Somehow I entirely missed out on the Swallows and Amazons books as a kid.

How did you like Un Lun Dun? I've got it on my To Read list and it looks like such an interesting book.

I just finished a YA by Debbie Reed Fisher called Braless in Wonderland. It was good--very deep in the world of professional modeling.

[Dichroic]

How did you like Un Lun Dun? I've got it on my To Read list and it looks like such an interesting book.

I just finished a YA by Debbie Reed Fisher called Braless in Wonderland. It was good--very deep in the world of professional modeling.

Well, as you just quoted, I wrote "I recently finished (and loved) Un Lun Dun..."

What else do I need to say?
Paula

[Lady Esther]

haha, I also started New Moon before I read Twilight a few weeks ago! I fail.

I reeally want to like this new, modern, edgy twist on fantasy stuff-- but so far, I'm not feeling it... but maybe if I actually start where the stories supposed to start, I'll get more into it :)

I'm really trying to like Twilight, but... I don't know. I can't seem to get into it either. I got the book to see what all the fuss was about. The book started off okay, but there hasn't been an action for 100 pages! I need more action Stephanie Meyer!

I hate to bash a book but... it's like the author makes unneccessary things happen to Bella so Edward can jump out and save her.

Now, I'm a strong believer in "once you start a book finish it" but I find myself flipping through this book to find action.

For the first time I will say that I actually think the movie will be better than the book.

[Hogwaffle]

I hated twilight, Like really hated it I see her books on the shelf, and read that they are being made into movies and it just makes me mad cause I thought the book was such crap!

That being said I keep hearing so much awesome about her that I am still considering trying another one to see if its any better.

I loved Un Lun Dun and all the ruler of the realm fairie books.

Currently I am reading The lamplighter, which is the second in the monster blood tatoo series by DM cornish. I really liked the first one but found this one harder to get into. I am about halfway now and it just got really good. I think DM cornish is just really into this world he has created, and really took the time to enjoy getting into it again.

I'm looking forward to the second in the tunnels series. and the new pendragon

[Hogwaffle]

and sharpierae I agree with you, I really like the idea of modern edgy fantasy, but a lot of what I have tried to read I haven't gotten into, like Ironside.

[althrasher]

I'm actually not reading any YA right now (I'm pretending to be a Big Person again--and YA is expensive.)

The last YA I read was Ink Exchange, which was good as long as you don't compare it to Wicked Lovely.

[althrasher]

I just finished Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr. I have to say, I liked it better than Wicked Lovely.

Trish, funny how we disagree :)

I couldn't read Twighlight. Of all POVs and tenses I like, I absolutly DESPISE 3rd person present.

[eyeblink]

I don't know if you meant to imply it was, but Twilight isn't in third person present but first past.

I'm seventy pages from the end of Eclipse, Volume 3 of the series - I read Twilight and New Moon earlier this year (review copies). While they're certainly readable in a clear though bland style, they're far too long and Twilight especially bogs down for a couple of hundred pages in the middle while Bella and Edward incessantly discuss their love for each other.

Considering that the central characters are modern-day 17-18 year olds, I found the novels annoying in their coyness about sex. Yes, I can accept that a young couple may decide not to sleep together, but not to mention the subject at all seems evasive to me and possibly writing down to Meyer's perception of a YA audience. To be fair, the subject does come up in Eclipse, but it's only taken two quite hefty novels to get that far...

[althrasher]

I don't know if you meant to imply it was, but Twilight isn't in third person present but first past.


I was talking about Twilight, actually...but I got confused, and I was thinking of Wake.

I haven't even glanced at Twilight, now that I think of it...

[Mandy]

Well, while my internet was down, I read THE SWEET FAR THING and SKIN DEEP.

[maddythemad]

Ooh, I need to read THE SWEET FAR THING! I've only read A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY, but I loved it. I also got to hear Libba Bray read. :D

[Momento Mori]

eyeblink:
I'm seventy pages from the end of Eclipse, Volume 3 of the series - I read Twilight and New Moon earlier this year (review copies). While they're certainly readable in a clear though bland style, they're far too long and Twilight especially bogs down for a couple of hundred pages in the middle while Bella and Edward incessantly discuss their love for each other.

Considering that the central characters are modern-day 17-18 year olds, I found the novels annoying in their coyness about sex. Yes, I can accept that a young couple may decide not to sleep together, but not to mention the subject at all seems evasive to me and possibly writing down to Meyer's perception of a YA audience. To be fair, the subject does come up in Eclipse, but it's only taken two quite hefty novels to get that far...

I agree with all of this, but would add that the obsessive and at times, very selfish, nature of the love between Bella and Edward really disturbs me in terms of the message that some YA readers will pick up from it. And all the kisses in the first two books are close mouthed, which just seemed really ... odd given the age of the protagonists.

MM

[Vandal]

The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson.

She certainly keeps the story moving along.

[Aegwynn]

Finished Stephenie Meyer's New Moon and Eclipse. I'm having a difficult time understanding why they are so popular. There is very little action in the books - they're more soap opera-ish than really compelling stories. When there IS action, it's exciting enough - *SPOILERS, highlight to read* - meeting the Volturi, the battle with Victoria - but there is so much junk in between! I also didn't find the tension between Bella/Jacob and Bella/Edward very compelling. I feel like the characterisation is a bit weak.

I don't know what in the world the final book will be about. There's not much compelling stuff left, except tying up loose ends, which honestly could really only take a couple chapters. But I bet the final book will be just as thick as the rest... and probably full of useless blather in between half-interesting things.

Edit: Oh, next, I'll be picking up Meyer's latest book, The Host. A tad science fiction-y. Should be interesting.

[sharpierae]

just started Big Mouth and Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates

[eyeblink]

Finished Stephenie Meyer's New Moon and Eclipse. I'm having a difficult time understanding why they are so popular. There is very little action in the books - they're more soap opera-ish than really compelling stories. When there IS action, it's exciting enough - *SPOILERS, highlight to read* - meeting the Volturi, the battle with Victoria - but there is so much junk in between! I also didn't find the tension between Bella/Jacob and Bella/Edward very compelling. I feel like the characterisation is a bit weak.

I don't know what in the world the final book will be about. There's not much compelling stuff left, except tying up loose ends, which honestly could really only take a couple chapters. But I bet the final book will be just as thick as the rest... and probably full of useless blather in between half-interesting things.

Edit: Oh, next, I'll be picking up Meyer's latest book, The Host. A tad science fiction-y. Should be interesting.

The Host is an adult book - not that I've read it.

Apparently the next Twilight book, Breaking Dawn, will retell the same events as the first three, only from Edward's POV.

I've now finished Eclipse, which spends 600+ pages (150,000 words) building up to an event which happens after the end of the book. Also, the major threat is dispatched very quickly. Ultimately, Bella may be the narrator, but she's a protagonist who doesn't protag.

[eyeblink]

just started Big Mouth and Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates

I'll be interested in what you think.

I'm a huge fan of JCO's and have been reading her for a quarter century, but I've not read any of her YA novels. Have you read any of her adult novels?

[Alice.S]

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

[sharpierae]

I'll be interested in what you think.

I'm a huge fan of JCO's and have been reading her for a quarter century, but I've not read any of her YA novels. Have you read any of her adult novels?

No. I haven't read anything by her, but she's always been on the list of someone I *should* read.

I'll report back when I'm done. So far I really like the Ugly Girl character, and the voice, and I'm curious to see where the story goes.

[TrishD]

I just finished Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee. Touching and funny.

I also recently read Goy Crazy by Melissa Schorr. A very fun read!

[Aegwynn]

The Host is an adult book - not that I've read it.

Apparently the next Twilight book, Breaking Dawn, will retell the same events as the first three, only from Edward's POV.

I've now finished Eclipse, which spends 600+ pages (150,000 words) building up to an event which happens after the end of the book. Also, the major threat is dispatched very quickly. Ultimately, Bella may be the narrator, but she's a protagonist who doesn't protag.

Good grief, I think if that happens I just might snooze right through it.

Anyway, I have found that pretty much all of the books have a long, meandering, kind of useless way of getting to the point. The exciting stuff always happens within the last 100 pages or so and it is over relatively quickly. That really irks me, because when the book is exciting, it's exciting - but the build up makes me want to scream. There is so much filler stuff that really doesn't need to be in there.

[Kats]

I've just started Twilight. When I've read it I'll be able to stop skipping over posts that mention it for fear of spoilers and actually read them! I want to see what all the fuss is about too!

[sharpierae]

I'll be interested in what you think.

I'm a huge fan of JCO's and have been reading her for a quarter century, but I've not read any of her YA novels. Have you read any of her adult novels?

I finished Big Mouth and Ugly Girl. I liked it, but I'm a big sucker for outcasts finding each other and bonding. It's super well-written, but I don't think there was anything mind-blowing about the story or anything. It was a good read. I'll be seeking out her other YAs.

[caromora]

The Host is an adult book - not that I've read it.

Apparently the next Twilight book, Breaking Dawn, will retell the same events as the first three, only from Edward's POV.

Breaking Dawn isn't the retelling, Midnight Sun (which Meyers hasn't finished yet) is.

I don't really get all the Twilight series love. The books are okay, just not my thing. Bella's too much of a limp dishrag for my tastes. As you said, eyeblink, she's a protagonist who doesn't protag.

I'm reading Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine. Each of the Morganville Vampire books has ended on a cliffhanger, and I know this one will too. With each one, I get pissed off at the ending and vow that I won't read another in the series. And then, of course, I do.

[xiaotien]

just finished princess academy.

i enjoyed it.

[Zoombie]

I'm reading A La Mode.




Does that count?

[SummerAuthor]

The Bloody Jack Series by LA Meyer- his newest book is coming out in Sept. 08

[Zixi]

Madapple - Christina Meldrum

[bethany]

Just finished Audrey, Wait! Going to pick up The Luxe later this week!

[LeslieH]

I'm reading Feed by M.T. Anderson, at the recommendation of an agent who said it is a must-read. I've read about 5 pages so far (just got it today), and it's very interesting.

I just finished reading Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, at my 11-yr-old son's recommendation. It seemed perfect for an 11-yr-old boy, but not too far beyond that.

I tried reading the first of the Bartimaeus trilogy by Jonathan Stroud last week, but I could not stand all the footnotes and stopped after a couple of chapters. The constant notes just distract me and chop up the narrative in a way that I find intolerable.

Finally, I ordered Twilight because I've been informed that it's a YA cultural literacy thing at this point. You just have to be exposed to it so you know what all the fuss is about. Based on synopses and such, I doubt I'll like it. But, like Harry Potter, one must grok the phenomenon.

A friend said he'd lend me the Uglies series, and he swears I'll love it. Looking forward to it.

[Shady Lane]

I'm reading A La Mode.




Does that count?

Yes.

Yes it does.

[sharpierae]

Just finished How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff last night, and now starting What I Was...

[Zoombie]

Yes.

Yes it does.


Slow.


Me am slow ;_;

[Kats]

I really enjoyed Twilight, I'll definitely read her other books. I'm now reading Before I Die by Jenny Downham.

Are the 'Uglies' books more young adult or middle grade? I tried to read Saffy's Angel thinking it was young adult but couldn't get into it as it was too young for my tastes.

[sharpierae]

The Uglies books are young adult, Kats. I thought they were really fun and fast-paced.

[Cassidy]

Just finished How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff last night, and now starting What I Was...


Oh I loved How I Lived Now. Just a beautifully written book, such vivid language and characters, and a page turner too. I have been trying to make myself wait for the paperback edition of What I Was, but I might just have to break down and get the hardcover...

[Kats]

The Uglies books are young adult, Kats. I thought they were really fun and fast-paced.

Excellent, I'll check them out - thanks! How I Live Now looks good too.

[Angela_785]

I'm reading Thirteen by Lauren Myracle

[Esopha]

I just finished How I Found the Perfect Dress by Maryrose Wood. Loved it!

Currently reading The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation. It's pretty good. Kind of dense.

[Shady Lane]

I really enjoyed Twilight, I'll definitely read her other books. I'm now reading Before I Die by Jenny Downham.

Are the 'Uglies' books more young adult or middle grade? I tried to read Saffy's Angel thinking it was young adult but couldn't get into it as it was too young for my tastes.

Saffy's Angel!!!!!

LOVE it. It's definitely Middle Grade, though. I'm a huge fan of that series, though Saffy is probably my least favorite. Indigo's Star (the 2nd one) is easily in my top 5 books ever.

[maddythemad]

Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing.

[Vandal]

Here Lies The Librarian by Richard Peck

[TrishD]

I just finished How I Found the Perfect Dress by Maryrose Wood. Loved it!



I liked this one better than the first.

And I also just finished Goddess Games by Niki Burnham, which was pretty good.

Outside Beauty by Cynthia Kadohata was really good.

[eyeblink]

I'm currently reading Tamar by Mal Peet - 70 pages from the end, enjoying it greatly.

I'm surprised this was published as a YA (the Renaissance Learning site inexplicably thinks the book is MG, but it definitely isn't). Yes, a third of it is narrated by a fifteen-year-old but she doesn't appear until a hundred pages in (out of 430) and most of the book is about her grandfather working undercover in occupied Netherlands in 1944/45 - and the major characters in this part of the book are adults in their mid-twenties. I presume it was because Peet was an already-published YA author. Still, Tamar won the Carnegie Medal, and I can see why.

Incidentally, this is the second Carnegie Medal winner in the last decade dealing (in part) with WW2 Netherlands. The other is Postcards from No Man's Land by Aidan Chambers, which I read earlier in the year and would also recommend.

[sharpierae]

Finished What I Was f i n a ll y. I couldn't really get into it.

Read Eggs by Jerry Spinelli in one day yesterday. it's MG, but jerry spinelli = love.

Just started another Joyce Carol Oates YA Freaky Green Eyes, love it so far.

[Sage]

I was reading Wicked Lovely before vacation, but since my sis bought me Twilight specifically for the trip, I put WL aside and will start Twilight this week.

[donut]

People reading Octavian Nothing -- is it good? I just noticed it's lying around my house... should I read it? I'm currently reading Obedience, which isn't YA, but is by AW's very own Will Lavender.

Actually, it's about college kids, so you could totally call it YA if you wanted to. And for the purpose of fitting in with you cool cats, I will.

[sharpierae]

Finished Freaky Green Eyes. It was pretty great. Not totally original or stunning or anything, but a very engaging read. The family dynamics were uncomfortable and true.

I read Octavian Nothing awhile back, donut. I don't remember too much about it now... just that it was so so different than Feed. i think I liked it??

[aspiringwriter]

The Mediator:Ninth Key very good book so far. Just finised The Mediator:Shadowland good one too. Both by Meg Cabot

[TrishD]

I started re-reading/reading Louise Rennison's Georgia Nicholson series on my lunch breaks. I finished Book 4 today and there were moments I felt like a completely idiot because I was laughing out loud in public.

[Esopha]

Octavian Nothing is... interesting. It's too dense for a summer read, though, so I will probably pick it up again in September. I do like it.

[CommaSplice]

Just finished Purple Emperorr by Herbie Brennan. It and the previous Faerie Wars are beautifully written and action-packed. A mesh of science fiction and fantasy, and there are so many side characters that you come to love, including the antagonists.

I'll stop gushing now. I see that I need to pick up some of the titles mentioned already.

[TrishD]

I just finished Band Geek Love by Josie Bloss and Take Me There by Susane Colasanti. Band Geek Love was pretty good. Take Me There, I liked a lot.

[bethany]

I just finished Marked from the House of Night series. It was a very fast read, but I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters.

I'm probably going to try to finish The Luxe next.

[elissa]

I don't know if you meant to imply it was, but Twilight isn't in third person present but first past.

I'm seventy pages from the end of Eclipse, Volume 3 of the series - I read Twilight and New Moon earlier this year (review copies). While they're certainly readable in a clear though bland style, they're far too long and Twilight especially bogs down for a couple of hundred pages in the middle while Bella and Edward incessantly discuss their love for each other.

Considering that the central characters are modern-day 17-18 year olds, I found the novels annoying in their coyness about sex. Yes, I can accept that a young couple may decide not to sleep together, but not to mention the subject at all seems evasive to me and possibly writing down to Meyer's perception of a YA audience. To be fair, the subject does come up in Eclipse, but it's only taken two quite hefty novels to get that far...

I'm late to the discussion here, but this post struck me (last paragraph about sex and Bella/Edward). I teach eighth grade, and I read Twilight and New Moon last summer and then did a book-talk about them to my students. They were an instant hit, and the books circulated the classes all year long, engaging even some really reluctant readers--kids who certainly wouldn't have ever picked up anything longer or more interesting than the freaking goosebumps crap before. I can't speak to older readers (other than me, much older in my case!), but to the 8th grade girls, the level of sexual tension in these books was great because it was exciting without graphic.

I think something important about the sexual element (down to kisses being closed mouth) is that there's such an element of self-control for both Bella and Edward. There is this hunger (thirst?) that is so powerful, and so dangerous, when they have physical contact. Both young adults are fighting against their desire getting out of control and pushing them off the edge of something scary and thrilling. I think this appeals to the readers (in this case, my 8th graders, but obviously others as well) because it feels like their own experience with sexual desire. Make sense at all?

Sorry for all the parentheses (I'm addicted). Personally, I agree that the books had a lot of filler, and I have a real problem with how controlling Edward is, and how easy Bella is to control. I like Bella better when she is interacting with Jacob.

[darrtwish]

I just started Just Jane by William Lavender yesterday, it's pretty good so far. :)

[TrickyFiction]

I'm reading Melissa Marr's Ink Exchange.

[TrickyFiction]

I was reading Wicked Lovely before vacation, but since my sis bought me Twilight specifically for the trip, I put WL aside and will start Twilight this week.

You should read Wicked Lovely when you're finished with Twilight. They are very similar stories, but the characters in Wicked Lovely are more believable, IMO. The heroine has a strong personality, which I appreciate, as opposed to the rather weak-willed and self-destructive Twilight heroine.

[Alexruns]

Okay, so with my thesis due a first draft pretty soon i decided to start reading the infamous Speed Reading Book (http://buecher.hitmeister.de/speed-reading-tony-buzan-100624/), which i am already dubious about - Tony Buzan (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Tony_Buzan) is clearly a clever chap but didn´t anticipate those reader of his suffering from severe impatience!

[Cassidy]

It's not YA but it has a teen narrator and is a fabulous book-- A Complicated Kindness, by Miriam Toews. A really great protagonist, wonderful character development and a very strong, original voice. I love it.

[Inkspill]

I just finished reading HACKING HARVARD, and I'm a quarter through SARA'S FACE.
And I'm three-quarters through THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET. Even though it's not YA. But I thought I'd say it anyway, because I really like it.

[Provrb1810meggy]

I'm reading Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle.

[Cassidy]

ooh- i just got a copy in the mail of a friend's YA novel which will be coming out this fall and it looks SO COOL. it's called Mousetraps and one of the MC's is a cartoonist and some of her sketches are integrated into the text in a very neat way... i read an early draft of this novel and loved it... and now i get to read the finished book. yaaayyy! it's by pat schmatz, btw.

[Vandal]

Small Steps by Louis Sachar

[Robin]

Rachel Caine's Feast of Fools, the latest in her Morganville Vampires series.

[TrishD]

I'm reading Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle.

What do you think of it?? I've had it on my to-read list, but haven't gotten to it yet.

[eyeblink]

Something I've never myself done before, though I see it done quite often on book blogs, is to read an award short- or longlist. At the very least it should tell you what at least some people consider very good books, even if you find yourself not agreeing. And you may well discover something you wouldn't have otherwise.

So, I have ordered the Guardian [UK daily newspaper] Children's Fiction Award Longlist from Amazon. Here it is - the age ratings being the Guardian's:

Frank Cottrell Boyce, COSMIC (9+)
Tanya Landman, THE GOLDSMITH'S DAUGHTER (11+)
Rhiannon Lassiter, BAD BLOOD (12+)
Siobhan Dowd, BOG CHILD (13+)
Jenny Downham, BEFORE I DIE (13+)
Patrick Ness, THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO (13+)
Anthony McGowan, THE KNIFE THAT KILLED ME (14+)

The winner will be announced in September. Further details <a href="http://books.guardian.co.uk/childrensfictionprize2008/">here</a>.

I'll post mini reviews here as I read the books. Should be interesting!

[Inkspill]

Now finishing THE POSSIBILITY OF FIREFLIES by Dominique Paul.
I had to return HUGO before I finished it, so I'll probably take it out again in August.

[Zoombie]

I'm going OLD SKOOL!

SKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

Alanna: The First Adventure

Signed by Tamora Perice.

Face!

[Provrb1810meggy]

What do you think of it?? I've had it on my to-read list, but haven't gotten to it yet.

I'm not too far into it, because I'm reading The Scarlet Letter for school, but I like it. The best word to describe it, though I normally don't use it in relation to books, would be charming.

[Zoombie]

I've gotten to the 4th book in the Alanna series.

Te-he.

[bethany]

ooh, i just read The Possibility of Fireflies. And when I went to the bookstore I realized I already had The Year of Secret Assignments on my shelf, so I can start that next!

[Inkspill]

Oooh, I loved THE YEAR OF SECRET ASSIGNMENTS.
Next up is the MIDNIGHTERS series by Scott Westerfeld. =D

[^Graff]

Diana Wynne Jones's Fire and Hemlock. It is amazing, and has one of the tricksiest endings ever.

[KC Sunshine]

NOTES FROM THE TEENAGE UNDERGROUND by Simone Howell is magic.

[Perks]

I actually just recently finished a YA. I rarely read in the category and I guess I'm surprised that it fits, but Christina Meldrum's Madapple was absolutely wonderful. The second best book I've read in the last eighteen months.

I also got to do a podcast interview with her. She's very cool.

[bookworm107]

I finally got my hands on a copy of Ljane Smith's Forbidden Game trilogy, and the entirerty of the Night World (excluding the 10th one that has yet to be published...10 years later:rant:) I'll be in that world for the next couple of days, at least.

[Inkspill]

Finished POSSIBILITY OF FIREFLIES. Good.
Started and finished DEADLINE by Chris Crutcher this afternoon. Very good.
Started THE SECRET HOUR (Midnighters series) by Scott Westerfeld.

[stormie]

Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor.

[Cassidy]

I just bought Peter Cameron's Someday This Pain Will be Useful to You. Such a great title. Anyone here read it yet?

[KC Sunshine]

I just bought Peter Cameron's Someday This Pain Will be Useful to You. Such a great title. Anyone here read it yet?

Haven't read it but it's getting rave reviews.

[Cassidy]

It sure is. I'm looking forward to reading it. I was also planning to buy If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period, by Gennifer Choldenko, and Undercover, by Beth Kephart, but by the time I made it to a bookstore I'd lost my scrap of paper and forgotten the titles... duh. So, next time. Plus I'm writing down titles from this thread-- T think I need to make a trip to the library soon.

[TrishD]

I just finished Girl vs. Boy by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout. It was actually cuter than I expected. Definitely a light read, but still quite good.

[Momento Mori]

Just finished Flora Segunda of Crackpot Hall by Ysabeau Wilce, which is depressingly good and reminded me a great deal of Diana Wynne Jones. Definitely worth a look if you're working on a YA fantasy manuscript.

MM

[darrtwish]

I'm reading Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. I went to the midnight release party, and waited two hours in line to get my copy. It was worth the wait. Seven chapters in, and it's the best book I've ever read.

[lilacstarflower]

Almost finished The Book Thief BY Markus Zusak

No complaints so far

[Cassidy]

Oh, I loved the Book Thief. An amazing book.

By the way, Someday This Pain Will be Useful to You definitively deserves all the great reviews it is getting... I thought it was a fabulous book. I'll read it again for sure.

[TrishD]

I read Breaking Dawn today. I will not spoil it. I will only say that I am happy I didn't have to pay for it.

[eyeblink]

Finding Violet Park by Jenny Valentine - read it in two days - it's a mystery which is funny and sad at the same time. Loved it. (The US title is: Me, The Missing and The Dead, which gives a little too much away.)

I'm a third of the way into What I Was, by Meg Rosoff.

[dreamwriter1888]

I just finished reading Breaking Dawn, thought it was a really good conclusion to the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Before that I finished Graceling by Kristin Cashore (an ARC--comes out in OCT) and it's a WOW of a novel, an incredibly fantasy/adventure book. I'm currently reading Marked by PC & Kristin Cast. I'm only halfway into it, but so far it's alright.

[dreamwriter1888]

I finally got my hands on a copy of Ljane Smith's Forbidden Game trilogy, and the entirerty of the Night World (excluding the 10th one that has yet to be published...10 years later:rant:) I'll be in that world for the next couple of days, at least.


I've got all of her books--they're gooooooooood! Tell me what you think when you're done. I think my favorite series of hers is the The Dark Vision trilogy.

Oh and Inkspill, what did you think of The Midnighters books? I thought the first was really intriguing and the second good, but the final book let me down a little.

[Talkatoast]

I'm reading Seeing Redd in the Looking Glass Wars trilogy. Jaunty read, I must say.

Breaking Dawn? I feel sorry for anyone who had to pay for that book. You should see the riots on amazon.

[brainstrains]

I just finished The Forest of Hands and Teeth by our own Carrie Ryan and it is the best book I have read in years. Seriously. I get chills thinking about it. Carrie is going to go far!!

[deborahlea]

Almost finished The Book Thief BY Markus Zusak

No complaints so far

Likewise.

I'm about 50 pages from finishing this, and would finish it if I could only remember where I put it. Aurgh.

[Barber]

Frostbite (follow up to Vampire Academy) by Richelle Mead. I loved the first one so I had to buy the second, and so far I love it just as much, maybe a little more since the world is already established, and the story jumps right in.

I tried Twilight and hated it, so next I'll give Marked a try. Vampire books are fun... and there are so many out there right now!

[Kats]

I just finished the third book in the Travelling Pants series, Girls in Pants. It's a fun series, I'm enjoying them.

[deborahlea]

I just finished "The Book Thief" on lunch. I wish I'd saved it for at home, so I wouldn't have returned to work still sniffling and wiping my eyes.

[KC Sunshine]

SOMEDAY THIS PAIN WILL BE USEFUL is the best book I've read in a long time.

[eyeblink]

What I Was - Meg Rosoff. Liked it a lot. Some might find it a little slow-moving as it's a character piece rather than a plot-driven novel, but there's more to it than at first appears...not to mention a twist towards the end.

Anne Frank's diary next, for research reasons. (I've somehow not got round to reading it before.) Also, a beta-read of the novel of someone in my writing group, but that's probably not YA.

[Inkspill]

Right now I'm reading SOMEDAY THIS PAIN WILL BE USEFUL TO YOU by Peter Cameron. I'm also reading 13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES by Maureen Johnson.
Unfortunately, the Midnighters books were due back before I got past the first chapter. I couldn't renew them; they were on hold. I'll take them out again in September.

[Cassidy]

Just started reading Undercover by Beth Kephart. Also in the middle of The Year of Living Biblically... it is neither fiction or YA so it doesn't belong here (sorry) but it is interesting and very funny. So I thought I'd mention it anyway.

[hlcorbin]

I'm reading "Chosen", the third in the "House of night" series. I'm actually not sure if i like it, but i like the underlying story line so...i keep reading. I'm pretty sure its a paranormal ya.

[Disa]

I've caved and finally started reading Twilight. It seems to be one of those books that really splits my friends - the ones who hate it, completely loathe it and the ones who love it, are practically evangelical about it. I'm trying to reserve judgment until I get to the end.

MM

I've just started Twilight on the recommendation of my sister. She's so smitten with it that she wants to send me all of her copies just so I'll read them and she'll have someone to talk about them with. I mentioned this to my teenage daughter who promptly said- "Mom those books, suck. It's every love cliche ever imaginable and the infatuation is repetitive and sickening." HAHA. She gave me her copy and I see she barely made it half way through. I'm on page 40 and I'm not swayed one way or the other. If my sister weren't counting on me, I'd probably have stopped reading about 20 pages ago... we'll see. It just seems like a very slow start to me.

[pixydust]

I bought Breaking Dawn last week and I'm not too eager to dig in. I have to say, I didn't like the last two, especially Eclipse, but I figured I better find out what happens. It just seems like it's all gone weird. I don't really like any of the characters anymore. They all bug me...lol I'm looking forward to the movie, though. I liked Twilight. She should have just left off there.

I tried reading Marked and ended up trashing it. It felt...I don't know...preachy. Like: the kind of person that doesn't wash his hair and smells in class is the evil guy? What? And all this on and on about clicks and whatnot...uhg! I was wanting to read a vamp book. Not a book about bickering sororities. Just MO.

:)

[sharpierae]

just finished City of Ember (might be more MG than YA??), starting on the second book of the series now.

[rosepddle]

I bought Breaking Dawn last week and I'm not too eager to dig in. I have to say, I didn't like the last two, especially Eclipse, but I figured I better find out what happens. It just seems like it's all gone weird. I don't really like any of the characters anymore. They all bug me...lol I'm looking forward to the movie, though. I liked Twilight. She should have just left off there.

I tried reading Marked and ended up trashing it. It felt...I don't know...preachy. Like: the kind of person that doesn't wash his hair and smells in class is the evil guy? What? And all this on and on about clicks and whatnot...uhg! I was wanting to read a vamp book. Not a book about bickering sororities. Just MO.

:)

I just finished Uglies--had to put down Eclipse half way through. I just can't get make myself care about those characters! And I really hate to leave a book half read.
But I have Marked and was thinking of reading it next...that does not sound like something I'd want to read about either. Still, I bought it so I should give it a try. I think I'll do Wicked Lovely next though.
Has anyone read Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz? Is it Gossip Girls for Vamps because I so do not want to read something like that?

[BarbaraSheridan]

Has anyone read Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz? Is it Gossip Girls for Vamps because I so do not want to read something like that?

I read that not long ago. I didn't care for it and had no desire to try the next in the series. It does have a bit of a Gossip Girls feel to it, to me anyway.

[rosepddle]

I read that not long ago. I didn't care for it and had no desire to try the next in the series. It does have a bit of a Gossip Girls feel to it, to me anyway.
Thanks! I'll may shuffle it to the end of my list.

[dreamwriter1888]

Just finished reading GONE by Michael Grant and man, that was a good book. The ending wasn't too detailed, more of a quick wrap up (it's the first in a series) but it was good enough for me and left me hungering for the next book. Incase anyone hasn't heard of this book, it centers on this town where suddenly (from page 1) anyone over the age of 15 disappears. Then it takes some supernatural, LORD OF THE FLIES turns as the kids now have to take charge. I won't give anything else away, but I highly recommend it.

Now I'm about to read BERTAYED, the sequel to MARKED. I thought MARKED was alright, not horrible, but definetly not the best either (I only picked it and it's sequels up bc they were on sale for $3 each). I though the plot was pretty thin, a ton of descriptions of the new world, experiences, and characters (the good parts), but way too little plot development. Hopefully BETRAYED will be better.

[Kats]

I just finished Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson, it was okay but didn't really interest me. I'm currently reading the NightWorld books by L J Smith which have been rereleased. They're not as good as her Secret Circle books so far!

Next up is Uglies by Scott Westerfield - the series keeps coming up, I've heard good things about it (including in this thread!).

[midknighthaze]

rite now I'm trying to finish stephenie meyer's breaking dawn. i can honestly say i am quite surprised where the storyline is going. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing.

[bethany]

I just finished Oh My Gods! by Tera Lynn Childs, and I stared Octavian Nothing The Astonishing Tale of? Not sure if I'm going to finish it, though, it is kind of making my head hurt.

[hlcorbin]

I just started Blood and Chocolate and im beginning to understand why people were so disapointed with the movie....(love the book so far)

[Viral]

GONE by Michael Grant
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415YL5ZK4hL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

So far I'm having trouble struggling through it... I'm about 100 pages in.

[vfury]

I just started Blood and Chocolate and im beginning to understand why people were so disapointed with the movie....(love the book so far)

I love, love, love Blood and Chocolate! :D

I found a proof copy of Laurie Halse Anderson's Chains at work and may have lunged for it. I have a couple of other books to finish first, and then I'm starting it. I can't wait!

[dreamwriter1888]

GONE by Michael Grant
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415YL5ZK4hL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

So far I'm having trouble struggling through it... I'm about 100 pages in.


I don't have the book with me so I'm not too sure where you're at, but the beginning was a little slow for me, I remember, but I was also really excited to read the book (I loved the premise), and so I just kept reading away despite the bog. What really drew me in were (and I won't go into too much detail incase you haven't gotten to these parts yet--I really can't remember how much story is in the first 100 pages) when Caine and his group shows up, you see that LP and Sam aren't the only special ones, and the FAYZ gets more detailed and explained. As the story becomes more centered around Caine and Sam, the book also gets more intriguing, and any dislike I had of the beginning disappeared. Also, I mostly read the book a couple of chapters here and there (I was usually working), unless I just had to keep reading, and so that could be another reason the slow start didn't phase me too much.

[dreamwriter1888]

Also: Finished BETRAYED by P.C. Cast and I did like it more than MARKED, so much that I jumped right into CHOSEN, the third book in the series--which I finished yesterday. It's easily the best book of the 3 so far. In Chosen you really get a taste of the underlying plot of the whole series, and the author's also did a great job (I thought) of building their MC up to such a high status, only to break her down and screw up her life in the end. It really made me want to know what's next; why I'll be immediately picking up the fourth book when it comes out next month.

Now: I'm reading WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr. I'm only like 5 pages in, (it's getting harder to fit reading time into my schedule now that school has started back up), but so far I'm intrigued.

[Kelsey]

I just finished the Twilight Saga. I tried not to get addicted....

I am now reading Chris Crutcher's Deadline. The book has been out awhile now, but I have an advanced reader's copy I had picked up awhile ago. Just goes to show you how tall the 'waiting to be read' pile beside my bed is:)

[dreamwriter1888]

Finished Wicked Lovely and really liked it. Now I'm taking a break between books, though the next one will be The Eyes Of A King. Hope it's good.

[CommaSplice]

I'm reading "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister", although I'm not sure it's YA. *shrugs*. Just started it, though, so I can't say much.

I see a lot of books up there ^^ that I love, though. Blood and Chocolate... Gone (Although that one is a little to close to my WIP to be comfortable).

[CR.Casanova]

I'm reading "The Truth about Forever", by Sarah Dessen.

I've had a fairly good impression on the book. It's not the best YA book I've read, but it's certainly a good read.

[Cassidy]

Laurie Halse Anderson's Twisted. I'm liking it so far...

[Zoombie]

City of Ember.


Well, and by "reading" i mean, "i have it next to me but have yet to open it"

[sharpierae]

I liked City of Ember and the sequel People of Sparks!... but I just finished the third one Prophet of Yonwood and REALLY didn't like it. :(

[Princesstilly]

I just finished Chasing Tail Lights by Patrick Jones. Gritty, harsh and wonderful.

[Kats]

I just finished How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - I loved it, very compelling. I'll check out her other books now.

I'm now rereading Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld, which is one of my favourite books.

[bethany]

I just read Keeping You a Secret by... the author of Luna ETA- Julie Ann Peters... I really liked Luna, this one was only okay.

Now I'm rereading Smack.

[Heather3]

I am reading aloud to my son "The Lightning Thief" but the last one I read myself was "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer. Sometimes, I think there is better YA than adult fiction out there. Seems to go in waves...

[TWK]

I just started Ellen Hopkins's IMPULSE. It's great so far.

[Kasey Mackenzie]

Let's see. Over the past week I finished Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (not my favorite book ever but I really enjoyed it) and Frostbite by Richelle Mead (the second book in her Vampire Academy series), which I really loved. I haven't read Richelle's adult books yet, but I LOVE her VA books so far.

[Provrb1810meggy]

I'm 100 or so pages into Carmen Rodrigues's book, Not Anything. So far, it's really good. I like the short chapters a lot. Like the character too.

[bethany]

OMG, did you know Carmen was my OTHER critique partner (besides Steph whose book you also loved?)

[CR.Casanova]

uuuuuh *o*


now I'm reading Octavian Nothing

It's great

[Cassidy]

I just finished How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - I loved it, very compelling. I'll check out her other books now.



Kats, I LOVED that book. Brilliant. Have you read Just In Case, also by her? Very weird and very good. I have her new one on hold at the library... looking forward to reading it.

[Kats]

Kats, I LOVED that book. Brilliant. Have you read Just In Case, also by her? Very weird and very good. I have her new one on hold at the library... looking forward to reading it.

No, I haven't - I'll have to check it out! I just got What I Was by her though, looking forward to reading it, she's got a great style.

[Kasey Mackenzie]

Picked up Charles DeLint's "Little (Grrl) LOST" today. I absolutely loved his "The Blue Girl" and am really enjoying this one so far, too.

[Princesstilly]

I just finished The Lesser Blessed by Richard Van Camp. A slim (119 page) book but very powerful...a gritty depiction of a native teen's life in the Northwest Territories.

[dreamwriter1888]

I just finished reading Christopher Paolini's BRISINGR. I think it's the best of his series, although it's been so long since I read Eragon... But although he does bog with the details, I really enjoyed the story. His writing has improved vastly, actually fleshing out his characters and making me care about their opinions and feelings and not just the overall story.

Also, though not YA, I finished John Twelve Hawks THE TRAVELER, which was very thought provoking and, in general, an exciting book.

[hlcorbin]

I recently had a black out so i had a lot of time to read. I read "After" By Francine Prose. I also read both Inkspell and Inkheart which are just wonderful novels. Can't wait for the third to come out!

[neener]

I just finished reading The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. I like the beginning and middle quite a bit--Frankie's character develops nicely and Lockhart hones in on some pretty universal truths about teen relationships, but the end got to preachy for me. I felt like Frankie was only presented with a black/white question about how to be--which isn't my experience!

[rostaria01]

I am reading Wicca= Spellbound by Cate Tiernan

[Vandal]

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

I suppose it's more MG, but I'll give it a shot

[dreamwriter1888]

Just finished two books actually, Andrew Mance's Daemons, basically a novel built around 10 short horror stories--one of which is an awesome and very suspenseful modern-day version of The Babysitter. The other Right Behind You by Gail Giles, now one of my favorite books. It starts with a 9 year old (MC) setting a 7 year old on fire, and consequently killing him, and then continues on about how his mistakes affect his life and those around him over the next several years. It might sound brutal stating it bluntly, but it's very emotional and just a wonderful story.

[Barber]

Halfway through Gone by Michael Grant. Best book.

Ever.

I like to read books slowly and enjoy them, but this one keeps beckoning me to carry on. I was hooked on page one, and it only got better from there. I don't know what it is about Lana's POV, but her story's my favorite out of everything going on.

It's Lord of the Flies meets X-Men. Wicked!

[JustJess]

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

WOW. Awesome book with such a unique and scary premise. Really pulled me in.

[dreamwriter1888]

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

WOW. Awesome book with such a unique and scary premise. Really pulled me in.


Oh man, I've been wanting to read that book; it sounds so good. Unfortunately the Books-a-million in town doesn't have it, nor does the library. I think I'm going to have to order it online. :(

[atwistedmind]

The Stand Stephen King
Nineteen Minutes Jodi Picoult

the former, is weird, while the ladder, is just like, wtf man... really?

[Angela_785]

I'm just about to start "I Know it's Over"

*squee*

[Zellie]

I'm halfway through CITY OF BONES and really enjoying it. It's kinda heavy on the telling vs. showing in giving the history and how the world works but it's a lot of fun too. Dumping holy water into the gas tank of a vampire motorcycle that runs on demon energies..... too funny! I just love her writing style too. Doesn't matter what she's saying, I want to read it.

It's very, very different than the other YA books I've read though. When I had YA Lit as a class the books we read were real thin, very low complexity (although the subject matter was complex and often quite serious). I did love FEED and STARGIRL.

[MerryDay]

I just finished LET IT SNOW by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle, an anthology of three Christmas novellas. Yeah, it's still October, but I can't pass up anything written by Green or Johnson. It was fantastic.

Now if only the 16th would hurry up and get here, so I can read a new full-length J. Green novel!

[MerryDay]

I just finished LET IT SNOW by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle, an anthology of three Christmas novellas. Yeah, it's still October, but I can't pass up anything written by Green or Johnson. It was fantastic.

Now if only the 16th would hurry up and get here, so I can read a new full-length J. Green novel!

Snagged it early! I'm now reading Paper Towns by John Green. :D

[mrockwell]

Read the entire Uglies, Pretties, Specials trilogy over the weekend. I thought it started out a little slow and the ending wasn't as satisfying as I would have liked, but overall it was a good, quick read with some interesting ideas.

-- Marcy

[bethany]

I'm reading A Mango Shaped Space...

[sharpierae]

Finally finished Twilight (I know, I know. I'm so behind the times.) I didn't find it as compelling as other people seemed to, I'm not sure if I'm going to finish the series?

I'm starting to read SLAM, Nick Hornby's attempt at YA. I want it to be good, but maybe my expectations are too high. And I've been a very distracted reader lately... I need a good book to captivate me.

[vfury]

I finished Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater this morning. It was fantastic; I refused to go to sleep until I finished it.

[Kats]

Finally finished Twilight (I know, I know. I'm so behind the times.) I didn't find it as compelling as other people seemed to, I'm not sure if I'm going to finish the series?

I'm starting to read SLAM, Nick Hornby's attempt at YA. I want it to be good, but maybe my expectations are too high. And I've been a very distracted reader lately... I need a good book to captivate me.

I like Nick Hornby, but I didn't like Slam. I didn't relate to the voice, it seemed too young to me.

I just bought Meg Cabot's Airhead and Just in Case by Meg Rosoff (a day of Meg).

[cklayne]

I just finished up Witch by Marie Brennan. I LOVED Warrior, the first of the 2 books. I think she made Mirage, the MC in Warrior, a more relatable character.. at any rate, I enjoyed Warrior more than Witch.

[dreamwriter1888]

Just finished Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks. Liked it a lot and even really enjoyed the advanced math and computer tech talk, very surprising indeed, since it made the MC and some of the stuff he does very believable.

[echnos]

Paper Towns, by John Green (of Brotherhood 2.0 fame)

I'm actually reading it currently--and am thoroughly enjoying it. Lots of fun, and I understand its been picked up by the Juno people (whatever that means--the producers? writers? optioned?). In any case--fun, entertaining, and not a little wicked. I love YA books. They made me love reading again.

[echnos]

Oh, I loved the Book Thief. An amazing book.



I lost my copy and found it again--plan to jump back in. Loved it right up to when I misplaced it. *grrr*

[eyeblink]

Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd - I've only just started it, but it's good so far.

[Angela_785]

Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne Duprau

[Inkyhoof]

Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer

[Elwolf]

I just finished reading The Phoenix Endangered by Mercedes Lackey. It is probably not YA, but I liked it soo much that I'm thinking about reading it again. It is the second book in the Enduring Flame trilogy, and it just came out, so now I have to wait for the third book to come out, and it will probably be another year and a half! AAAAHHHH!!!!

[Wavy_Blue]

Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools. It's rather predictable, but cute nonetheless. Nothing momentous.

[sharpierae]

THE BODY OF CHRISTOPHER CREED BY CAROL PLUM-UCCI

[Mrs. Strange]

Just finished Skinned- Robin Wasserman. The ending was a complete surprise.

[eyeblink]

Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd - I've only just started it, but it's good so far.

I've now finished and was very impressed. SD's first novel (published at an age older than I am now - that gives me hope :)) was A Swift Pure Cry, which I liked well enough. But this is better...seems more substantial (though it's about the same wordcount, around 65k) and developed. The writing style reminded me of another Irish (non-YA) writer, Jennifer Johnston, who's long been a favourite of mine. It's also proof - if any were needed - that there need be no essential difference between an upper-end YA and an adult novel: in complexity of theme, subtlety of expression, use of the English language. The only difference between this and an adult novel is that the protagonist is eighteen (with a coming-of-age theme) and the shorter wordcount. SD also expects the reader to pick up references which today's 12-year-old might not do - though nowadays, if you don't know who Olga Korbut or George Best were (for example) a quick trip to Wikipedia will sort you out.

Bog Child is set in Ireland (near the North/South border) in 1981, with the IRA hunger strikes going on in the background. Fergus's brother (a fictional character, though the strike was real) is on the strike. Fergus and his uncle, out one morning to dig up peat, unearth the body of what appears to be a young girl...whose body appears to have been interred in the bog some 1900 years before.

This is Dowd's third novel. Her second was The London Eye Mystery, which is more middle-grade, and I haven't read it yet. Her next one, Solace of the Road, is out next year and the tragedy is that there won't be any more after that. Siobhan Dowd died in August 2007 of breast cancer, aged just 47, and Bog Child was published posthumously. I can't help wondering what we might have had to look forward to if she had lived.

[vfury]

I started The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins at half past ten last night. I finally had to put it down, 200 pages in, at half past two in the morning because I had work this morning. Otherwise I would have kept on going straight to the end. A very good book so far, but I'm holding my breath on a final judgment until I reach the end.

[soulcascade]

I just finished Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix it was AMAZING :)
Another notable is Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange both by Melissa Marr and both of awesomeness

[Lilwritermonkey]

I'll probably get some flack but.... The CLique Series by Lisi Harrison, Crooked, Zipped and Crushed by Laura and Tom McNeil. After the Rain by Norma Fox Mazer. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, and Im DYING to read Cut by Patricia McCormick

[Shady Lane]

Cut....blaaaah.

[mrs.trujillo18]

I must admit, I love Twilight. And I am writting my own right now so I am only reading ( and reading and reading) that. Emmy's Heart. :)

[Redaelf]

Peeled by Joan Bauer (any other fans of hers here?)

Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing with Fire (Derek Landy, you have my heart...in my mouth. Hah!)

[soulcascade]

I'm reading The Vampire Diaries right now and I can't keep my eyes out of it! :D

[Mrs. Strange]

I went on a buying spree to, ya know, support the floundering publishing industry. Just finished bloom by Elizabeth Scott. I really liked it but not for any one reason; it was well-written, stripped down of devices and just real. Okay, onward and forward to the next one.

[Mercurio Cavaldi]

I'm working my way through "The Amber Spyglass" and am having a hard time with it. I loved parts 1 & 2, but this one just doesn't thrill me at all. I always read several books at once, so I'm also reading "The Dead and the Gone" by Pfeffer (I forget her first name) and the original "Pinnocchio" by Collodi (it looks like I'm having a brainfart when it comes to first names at the moment).

I have a bunch of books waiting to be read: the Percy Jackson series, "The God of Mischief," Philip Pullman's Sally Lockhart series, "Howl's Moving Castle," and "Narnia."

[Inkspill]

I just finished My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. While not YA, I thought the voice felt very YA, even when told through the adult protagonists' point of view.

Up next is Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.

[Momento Mori]

Inkspill:
Up next is Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.

I enjoyed that book - I thought it was a good debut. I keep meaning to buy the sequel - perhaps I should put it on my Christmas list ...

I'm currently reading Sara's Face by Melvin Burgess. I normally like his work, but this one isn't quite doing it for me. Great premise, some v. creepy moments but I think it's the style of narration that's stopping me from connecting with it.

MM

[Shady Lane]

I enjoyed that book - I thought it was a good debut. I keep meaning to buy the sequel - perhaps I should put it on my Christmas list ...

I'm currently reading Sara's Face by Melvin Burgess. I normally like his work, but this one isn't quite doing it for me. Great premise, some v. creepy moments but I think it's the style of narration that's stopping me from connecting with it.

MM

I'm normally a huge Melvin Burgess fan, but I couldn't get more than fifty pages into this one.

[Inkspill]

I stayed up late finishing Melting Stones by Tamora Pierce. I love love love her Circle of Magic series and its sequels, and this companion novel was lovely, too.
I originally tried to buy it as an audiobook on cd, as it was originally written for that, but I had problems loading it onto my computer and ended up with the novel version, instead.

Okay, Wicked Lovely is *really* up now. I need to read it because a friend gave me a copy of Ink Exchange...and I'm rather looking forward to it.

I picked up and put down Sara's Face, as well. I thought the premise was intriguing but the narration was bothering me on some level, I suppose. Well done, just not for me.