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Book suggestions?
Feb. 20th, 2010 04:53 pmI'm looking for something good to read, and it's been gray and gloomy for so long that I find it's affecting what looks interesting to me as far as books go. Generally speaking, I suppose I read for escape and adventure and a window into situations that aren't mine.
Stuff I'm looking for:
YA--historical fantasy, contemporary fantasy, humor, historical--well, mostly I like a magic or historical or exotic element--ie, NOT my daily life. I'm growing rather weary of the endless books about dead people. It would be nice to have all of the tension and action and stakes, but have warmth instead of just something dark and twisted. I'm not feeling very Halloweeny at the moment. Examples of what I do like: Kevin Crossley-Holland's Arthur series, Megan Whalen Turner, Jackie Dolamore's Magic Under Glass, Elizabeth Bunce's A Curse Dark as Gold. I like a romantic subplot, but not as the point of the book. And if it's contemporary, I want hope/a character who triumphs despite the odds--Marcelo in the Real World did this for me.
Some MG if it's not full of too many quirky! characters! and zany! situations! Ie, I want to be lost in the book world, not be constantly reminded that this is so ludicrous it must be just a story. There's a fine line between great humor and when it's just trying too hard. Again, I'm not so into pretentious fantasy, either--I want to feel a connection, I want the characters to be people I enjoy hanging out with for 300 pages. Savvy and The Magic Thief are a couple examples of MG that I like. Also The True Meaning of Smekday, the Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians books, and Percy Jackson.
What I'm NOT looking for:
YA--issues books. I know, they make you think and blow you away and all. But when I'm already under stress, the last thing I want is a book that says, see, the world will only disappoint you--your experience is as good as it gets, and it's all downhill from there. I want to believe that things can change--for the better! Also, books about the It Girl, chic lit beach reads, etc. aren't really my thing. Also, books with too many narrators and no main character or plot. And like I said, I'm kind of full up on dark and twisted and bleak right now.
MG--too quirky, books with the basic plotline of, someone moved in and stole my best friend, books about dogs or mothers dying, bleak books, books that supposedly have voice but where nothing happens, books with too many narrators and no real main character.
So, any recommendations?
Stuff I'm looking for:
YA--historical fantasy, contemporary fantasy, humor, historical--well, mostly I like a magic or historical or exotic element--ie, NOT my daily life. I'm growing rather weary of the endless books about dead people. It would be nice to have all of the tension and action and stakes, but have warmth instead of just something dark and twisted. I'm not feeling very Halloweeny at the moment. Examples of what I do like: Kevin Crossley-Holland's Arthur series, Megan Whalen Turner, Jackie Dolamore's Magic Under Glass, Elizabeth Bunce's A Curse Dark as Gold. I like a romantic subplot, but not as the point of the book. And if it's contemporary, I want hope/a character who triumphs despite the odds--Marcelo in the Real World did this for me.
Some MG if it's not full of too many quirky! characters! and zany! situations! Ie, I want to be lost in the book world, not be constantly reminded that this is so ludicrous it must be just a story. There's a fine line between great humor and when it's just trying too hard. Again, I'm not so into pretentious fantasy, either--I want to feel a connection, I want the characters to be people I enjoy hanging out with for 300 pages. Savvy and The Magic Thief are a couple examples of MG that I like. Also The True Meaning of Smekday, the Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians books, and Percy Jackson.
What I'm NOT looking for:
YA--issues books. I know, they make you think and blow you away and all. But when I'm already under stress, the last thing I want is a book that says, see, the world will only disappoint you--your experience is as good as it gets, and it's all downhill from there. I want to believe that things can change--for the better! Also, books about the It Girl, chic lit beach reads, etc. aren't really my thing. Also, books with too many narrators and no main character or plot. And like I said, I'm kind of full up on dark and twisted and bleak right now.
MG--too quirky, books with the basic plotline of, someone moved in and stole my best friend, books about dogs or mothers dying, bleak books, books that supposedly have voice but where nothing happens, books with too many narrators and no real main character.
So, any recommendations?
