So I have a friend that is new to reading and listening to her talk about the books that she’s reading and hearing the excitement in her voice when she talks about this character from that book and this person from that story gets me all excited.
She’s been on a reading binge where all she does in her spare time is read.
I, being the gifted reader that I am (ha!) could not be any more excited for this because B-Nice (or B-Nizzle to some folks, hehe) is running out of books to read. She’s read the entire Twilight and House of Night series and now she’s making her way through some other YA books. She’s really into the paranormal/vampire YA books that she’s been reading and I’m trying to rack my brain for books that I think she would enjoy.
While thinking about what books to pimp out to her, I got to thinking about starter kits. I have a a starter kit for romance novels. A Romance Starter Kit is a short list of my favorite romance novels that I would want new readers of the genre to try out. There’s always a variety of titles for them to try out.
So B-Nice seems to like the YA titles that I’ve given her to try out so I’m going to put together a YA starter kit for her but I’d like your help on it. I’m having a bit of trouble trying to make my list and anyway, I haven’t read very many YA titles to consider myself a pro YA reader (not nearly as much as I like to think I’m a romance novel pro reader, haha).
So far, I know that she’s read:
- The Twilight books (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn)
- The House of Night books (Marked, Betrayed, Chosen, Untamed, Hunted, Tempted, Burned)
- The Blue Blood books (Blue Blood, Masquerade, Revelations, The Van Alen Legacy)
- Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
That’s it, I think. She’s loved all of those books, some more than others but she’s really into the whole vampire worlds and so some great paranormal titles would be something I’d like to add but to be honest, I haven’t read very many other books of the YA paranormal sort. So, I need help!
If you were putting a Starter Kit together for YA fiction, what books would you put in there?
More Sarah Dessen! LOL
Along for the Ride and the truth about forever.
And I know Monroe likes those Vampire Academy books by Richelle Mead.
You know, she did ask me if I’ve read those Vampire Academy books. I’ll have to ask Monroe about those.
Thanks, she’s the friend that read Lock and Key and then went to B&N and spent $50 buying out SD’s backlist, haha. She’s addicted to SD.
i suggest:
the hunger games series by suzanne collins (dystopian)
gemma doyle trilogy by libba bray (historical YA fiction/paranormal)
If she’s a Dessen fan I would def go with some Elizabeth Scott.
Ditto The Hunger Games
It’s not paranormal but Graceling is one of my favorites.
I can’t really be of too much help, I’m kinda over the whole paranormal scene (at least in YA…not so much with the adult books).
Definitely The Hunger Games, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like it. Maybe the Mortal Instruments series too, if she can handle the length.
If she’s into paranormal YA, then I recommend Maggie Stiefvater’s books: Lament, Ballad and Shiver. Some other fantasy recs that aren’t paranormal: books by Megan Whalen Turner, Kristin Cashore, Tamora Piece, Diana Wynne Jones, Sherwood Smith, Suzanne Collins and Sarah Rees Brennan.
I’m really going to have to get this Hunger Games series. I keep meaning to but always end up getting something else when I’m at the bookstore or browsing on my nook.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I’ll send a list to my friend and let her go through the list and choose which books she wants to read.
You guys all rock!
Wish I could help, but i don’t have any suggestions. At least in the paranormal/vampire world.
What a fun idea to think about!
I would say for more great YA contemporary, Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman and the Uglies series for dystopian.
Hey Wena,
Its Bnice. I was reading all the commets everyone has posted and I’m so excited. I’m thinking I’m gonna finish with Sarah Dessens books then move on to another author. I’ve already read, Lock and Key, which is my favorite so far, Along for the Ride, another good one, Someone like You, Just Listen and I’m now reading This Lullaby. I have a few more of her books to read, but I’m ready to read other good books suggeted by Wena and so far all the books thats she’s recommended, I have really enjoyed. I wasn’t a reader at all, but after diving into the whole Twilight Series, I just couldn’t stop wanting to read more and thus began my impluse and desire to read, ready and then read more! I’m one of those I like a happy ending kind of reader, but its always good to be thrown a little twist now and then to keep it interesting. I see everyone says that The Hunger Games is a good series, will definitely get to that series after Sarah Dessens books I’m reading.
But thanks again Wena for introducing me to the fascinating world of Books and Reading..who would of thought that in 2010 I would be a reader, I love it. It was one of my goals in 2010 and I’m proud to say that at least this one goal is still holding strong Yea Me! Well can’t say so much about all the other goals, weight loss being one that I know we all have issues with well at lest a good percent of us haha!
Ne-ways appreciate all the suggestions..And TRUST, if the first book in a series is good, I will go t B&N or online and purchase the rest for my new book library of all the books I’ve read. I also love Comedy Romance and Romance DVD’s. So if you have any good suggestions on DVD’s to watc please let me know..
Well thats all for now everyone enjoy their week..
Bnice
B NICE!
Helen read and loved The Hunger Games and is anxiously awaiting the third book in the series that comes out in I think August called Mockingjay. She said that she would definitely recommend that book. Another person that read and loved those books is Lexi Fu’e. She adores those books which is another reason why I have to start those books soon.
I told Lexi that I was going to keep a running list of books she has to read when she gets back from her mission. I’m going to start that list on this blog. I’m so excited!
I’m reading Masquerade right now and I’m loving everything about this Blue Bloods world.
You are very welcome, I’m glad to have someone in my real life (and not just my online life) crazy about reading the way that I am. =P
Wena,
You are like totally on fast mode with the whole Blue Bloods Series, but I totally agreww with you its like you just can’t to get to the good stuff, loss of sleep, working and not working butreading lol..just to find out whats next.I love that feeling! I need to make a list of all the books I’ve read and of all the books suggested so I can keep track. I’m totally going to get the Hunger Games Series. I can’t wait till you finish the Blue Bloods Series so we can chat it up and share our thoughts..good stuff!
So I finished Dreamland and not quite a happy ending for me, but its okay. I really like Dessens other books. Same scenario girl meets guy becomes the boyfriend,but boy was there a twist..always good to have a twist to have me up and on my toes WHOA! I’ll keep you updated with the other books I read.