More about the birds

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Literature Love: Young Adult Fiction

Greetings everyone!

It's been a while since I have gotten one of these posts in and indeed it is high time to do one! I love all kinds of books and I consider myself to be quite a bibliophile (read: I would rather read than do anything else). Today's focus will be Young Adult Fiction. I am a sucker for this genre and probably always will be. I took a class on this genre and it's importance and that is where I have discovered some of the titles I'm about to recommend. These are all fantastic reads and each very different. Take a look at the links in each one to get to know the authors a little better too.

Here we go!

1. Meant To Be by the amazingly talented Lauren Morrill. I'm not huge into the sappy teen romance thing (well, not always) but this book was just an absolute joy to read. The characters are so loveable and funny and it's a sweet first-love story. It has a New Girl kind of charm/awkwardness to it, which we all love. The author of this book lives in Macon, Georgia as well and she came to my YA Lit class to talk about this book and her career as an author and all around cool person. And she signed my book. And I felt famous. And I live tweeted her whole discussion. I wish I weren't so awkward.


2. Wonder by R.J. Palacio. This book is about a little boy who has a facial deformity and all of his struggles and triumphs. I laughed and cried all the way through this book and was so moved by the beautiful message of understanding. I recently let my best friend borrow this book to read alongside her kids that are 8 and 9. They were at the time becoming acquainted with the fact that some people look differently because of disabilities or what have you. This book helped them all ask questions and discover things about themselves and about others. Guys, it's really amazing. The author also has some great teacher resources for class discussions!



3. Coraline by the infinitely talented Neil Gaiman. On top of being my (current) favorite author, this has made its way to one of my favorite books as well. It is in some ways like a modern Alice in Wonderland but far creepier and very captivating. And God help us if we really all DO have an Other Mother with button eyes. Coraline is like a gateway drug to the rest of his works, because once you start you can never stop. He's that good. Also, if you are a bookish type, you should see what he has to say in his Newberry Award acceptance speech from 2009. Bloody brilliant, this guy.



4. The Graveyard Book by (yes, again) Neil Gaiman. As I said, you've already had the gateway drug so let's just get down to it. This book is near and dear to my heart and has the most beautiful message of self-discovery, identity, confidence and even understanding others. Based loosely on the style of the Jungle Book, this story is about a young boy but it has just as strong a message for us grown-ups. If you like a bit of whimsy and humor then please give this a read. It's one of those books that you'll never forget!


Have any of you read any of these books? Is there another book you're curious/passionate about? Likes, dislikes? Do let me know!

~B~

6 comments:

  1. I didn't know you were back!!! Meant to be sounds good, as does Coraline xx
    www.charlotteswebblog.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YES! I have returned (seemingly from the dead, haha). Yes they are excellent!

      Delete
  2. OOO I am going to add some of these to my must read list :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. As weird and messed up as this sounds, I loved Coraline ever since I was a child. I think it's so intriguing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not weird at all! I have always loved those kinds of books!

      Delete
  4. What a great blog you have here :) and Im happy to follow.

    Check out my blog today...my decor crush on a Fab. Swedish appartment :)

    Have a great day dear

    LOVE Maria at inredningsvis - inredning it's, Swedish for decor :)

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...