There are a gazillion books available to read (or over 130 million according to Google in 2010), but there are still a few books I feel like I’m missing. Would you recommend any titles that fit these descriptions?
Are you in search of any particular plot lines?
“Waiting is hard” was a saying we used when my daughter was impatiently waiting for Christmas one year. Now, it seems like the right words whenever we’re anxiously awaiting something. In this case, the whole world seems to be holding its breath in anticipation of the outcome of Tuesday’s presidential election. If you’re in need of a distraction from the news coverage and the waiting, here are some bookish recommendations.
Re-read a Favorite
This is a good time to re-read something you’ve already enjoyed. You’ve already read it, so your brain already knows what to expect! I don’t know about you, but during the pandemic, I’ve found myself drawn to game shows and episodes of reality TV shows I’ve seen multiple times. These shows are soothing to me, in the same way a well-loved book is. I re-read Graceling by Kristin Cashore during the pandemic. It’s a YA fantasy book that has swoony romance, adventure, and clever banter. It was just what I needed before moving on to a dense adult book. Which book would you choose to re-read?
Read a Children’s Book
Children’s books are the perfect length for short attention spans! Plus, so many new picture books have the most amazing illustrations and witty, clever storylines. Some personal favorites include:
Read a Graphic Novel
Graphic novels are also shorter reads, sometimes requiring only a few hours to complete. The stunning artwork makes reading them a unique experience. They also require concentration because you’re inferring a lot of the story from what is said between the lines and the artwork. I’ve really come to adore graphic novels, but these are my top picks for escaping election stress:
Read Fantasy
Whoa, did I read a lot of fantasy novels during the pandemic. It was a genre I had already enjoyed before, but during the last few months, I took on several lengthy fantasies. These books provide much-needed escapism. I can travel to another world where there are different rules and worries and follow along as the protagonist seeks justice! While there are lots of different types of fantasy novels, a few of my favorites include:
Read a Genre You Don’t Normally Read
I have my go-to genres and authors – titles that I know I’ll enjoy and appreciate. And then I’ll read something outside of my comfort zone and I’ll be blown away. I’ll be reminded that there are so many great things out there to read! I’ve read several new-to-me genres this year, including novels in verse, nonfiction about journalism, and a gothic horror story.
What books help you get through anxious times?
What’s the best book we got from the library this week? One we already own at home! Baby loves the board book Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann, and we found a great big board book version of it at the library. For some reason, this big version is even more fun with its bright, jewel tone colors and easy to turn pages.
Good Night, Gorilla follows a zookeeper as he checks in with each animal before heading home for the night. But what he doesn’t realize is that the sneaky gorilla has stolen his keys, let himself out of his cage, and freed all the other animals from their cages! The animals quietly follow the zookeeper out of the zoo and into his house. Everyone snuggles in for the night – until the zookeeper’s wife notices the gorilla sharing her bed!
The book drives some of my relatives crazy because there are hardly any words in the story. They aren’t quite sure how to read it. But Baby loves to read this book over and over and over and over. She gets it! She even laughs at just the right parts!
This Week’s Honorable Mention:
This Halloween book stays in our book basket year round, as Baby loves to lift the flaps. We actually have three copies of this book now! (Which is not a bad thing, since a few of the paper flaps have gotten a bit loved!) The story asks readers to search for Baby’s special pumpkin so she can go trick or treating. “Is it under the leaves?” or “Is it in the closet?” – you’ll have to read the book to find out!
When I saw Bustle’s list of “16 YA books that will keep your attention ’til the last page,” I was obviously intrigued. I’m always on the lookout for a great YA read. The list included a couple of books I had already read (Eleanor & Park and We Were Liars), as well as several books on my Goodreads To-Read list (Ready Player One, Red Queen, and a book by Neil Gaiman). I’m assuming that since my reading tastes fit this list fairly well, there will be others I’ll enjoy too. Check out the list and see if anything catches your attention.
If I were going to create a list of YA books that kept my attention, I would recommend the following…
The trilogy is set in a strange world where men broadcast all of their thoughts as noise. When one man is able to control and mask his noise, he becomes power hungry. It’s up to teens Todd and Violet to stop him and set things right.
In this novel, there are two groups of people: one group lives in technology controlled pods, while another group lives out in the wasteland with no technological advancements. Violent lightning storms are threatening the survival of both groups. When Aria is kicked out of her pod and forced into the wasteland, she meets Perry and must work with him and his unusual abilities so that humanity can survive.
In the first book of the trilogy, three girls team up to carry out revenge plots. However, as the trilogy continues, they begin to doubt whether they should continue with their plans – especially after people get hurt. With friendships and relationships put to the test, and some supernatural influences too, the series is sure to be a hit with readers who enjoyed Pretty Little Liars.
I happened upon this book duo and was pleasantly surprised. What if Juliet didn’t take her own life? What if Romeo had murdered her in order to attain immortality? 700 years later, Romeo leads a miserable life destroying love while Juliet works for the Ambassadors of Light. The concept is a bit heavy at times, but the story and characters are entertaining and will keep you guessing to figure out how it all ends until the last page.
Juliet is the daughter of a madman. Her father experiments on animals, transforming them into human-like creatures. When Juliet is reunited with her father on a secluded island, she is forced to wonder if perhaps she is a bit mad too. The story is dark and creepy, pulling in elements of the classic tale The Island of Dr. Moreau. There is also a love triangle that brings a modern element to the story. You’ll be hooked by the madness that continues into the next two books in the series.
The trilogy starts with Juliette locked up in a cell so she doesn’t hurt anyone. She has the strange ability of being able to kill people simply with her touch. Now that war is on the horizon, prominent players begin to realize that she could be a powerful weapon. Will Juliette recognize her strength before she becomes a pawn? And just what exactly are they fighting against? There are lots of great twists, intriguing characters, and a love story to keep you interested from the first page to the last.
(Just realized two of these recommendations have a Juliet as the main character and a third has a Juliette! Weird coincidence…)
Do you have any attention grabbing YA books to recommend?
I recently mailed a package to the school I worked at for four years. Inside the box was a stack of books that I had picked up at the Half Price Bookstore, read, and wanted to share. Mind you, I bought these books months ago, but I couldn’t bear to part with them! I almost decided not to mail them at all. Then I looked around at our apartment (which is bursting at the seams already) and decided that since I had read the books, I could live without the physical proof. Here’s what I sent and a review in fifteen words or less, plus some notes to help you decide whether or not you should add it to your summer reading list:
How did I do? Do you think my box of books will be a hit with teenagers looking for something new to read?
LOVE2READ365 