Comments on: How old am I?

By: Review: ”Graceling” by Kristin Cashore | Erin Reads

Review: ”Graceling” by Kristin Cashore | Erin Reads — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:21:25 +0000

[...] other, slightly related news, Ann over at Books on the Nightstand has started an interesting discussion about “young adult” fiction. Check it out! [...]

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:21:55 +0000

I took a young adult literature class two summers ago and I discovered Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. That book alone, reintroduced me to YA fiction.

Others:
Stargirl
Anything by Sherman Alexie (I think there is going to be a sequel to Absolute…Part-Time Indian!)

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:21:00 +0000

I took a young adult literature class two summers ago and I discovered Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. That book alone, reintroduced me to YA fiction.

Others:
Stargirl
Anything by Sherman Alexie (I think there is going to be a sequel to Absolute…Part-Time Indian!)

By: Susan Taylor

Susan Taylor — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:26:32 +0000

Graceling
Hunger Games
Little Brother

Those were 3 of the best books I read last year, and I handsold them all like crazy through the holidays. I expect I’ll handsell Catching Fire and Fire throughout this holiday season, and continue to sell the first books to those who missed them last year.

Adults who turn up their noses at teen books have no idea what they’re missing!

By: Susan Taylor

Susan Taylor — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:26:00 +0000

Graceling
Hunger Games
Little Brother

Adults who turn up their noses at teen books have no idea what they’re missing!

By: Pam

Pam — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 05:33:46 +0000

I just finished Sherman Alexie’s book and loved it. The ending came way too soon. Thanks for the recommendation.

By: Pam

Pam — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 05:33:00 +0000

I just finished Sherman Alexie’s book and loved it. The ending came way too soon. Thanks for the recommendation.

By: Daniel Sevitt

Daniel Sevitt — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:21:46 +0000

I have three kids aged 14, 13 and 11, so I try to include YA fiction in my reading so I can make good recommendations.
The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas was a big success for us as well as The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time.
I don’t know if you could count Holes as YA fiction, but it was one of my favourite reading experiences of all time.
Of course back in the day, YA fiction meant Jane Eyre, Great Expectations and Emma and I’d like to think that these books can still be enjoyed by young adults today. I think they are certainly accessible enough to have an impact.

By: Daniel Sevitt

Daniel Sevitt — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:21:00 +0000

By: Ann Kingman

Ann Kingman — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:05:15 +0000

Sonya,

I understand what you are saying about some of the YA books, and certainly reading *only* anything is not good. I suspect that what you are seeing is based on those two series with rabid fans. I’ve not read a lot of YA fiction, but much of what I have read has been as emotional and nuanced as the best adult fiction. THE BOOK THIEF, for instance, stands up to the best adult literature out there (see earlier post about The Book Thief for more on that). Like anything, I think it comes down to choice. I haven’t chosen to read any of the popular YA girls’ series like Cliques; rather my YA reading is currently guided by booksellers and book bloggers that I trust.

Now as far as Sherman Alexie’s comments go re: Kindle. I suppose they were harsh, but not nearly as terrible as they came across in print. I was in the audience, and he delivered everything he said with wit and humor, even though there was an undertone of real concern. And that is what made me want to explore his work — the combination of seriousness and humor, even self-deprecating at times, made me want to read more. (He has since agreed to take a meeting with Amazon to discuss making his work available in e-book form.)