Friends with Books discussion

What does everyone want to read for October for YA?
Post only two suggestions.
I'll start it off. I probably will let only you guys suggest later on depending on what you think.



We will try to get books on the poll that the majority of people can obtain.

Hi! I would love to read either or .

Also, Article 5 sounds really good! So I second the vote to read that one!

I do have access to Across the Universe but I never read it. Now that I've read an alien type book I would love to tackle that one but I really want to read Wither! Such a beautiful cover... *sigh*

Awesomeness :D

I would suggest either Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys or Drawing from Memory by Allen Say.

Josiah wrote: "I would suggest either Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys or Drawing from Memory by Allen Say.

"

Oh my gosh, I have read Between Shades of Gray and that is definitely one of the most heartbreaking books ever!

@Josiah - I didn't know that Drawing from Memory was a YA book... Are you sure because it kind of sounds like a memoir? But then it is part graphic novel so it's all right with me!

@Kristina - That book is appearing again. I remember you gushing over it before (;

I'm not sure if Drawing from Memory is always classified as young-adult. It might also be considered middle-grade. In fact, it could almost be considered a picture book, which is Allen Say's usual medium (he won the Caldecott Medal for Grandfather's Journey in 1993). In my town's public library, though, Drawing from Memory is shelved as young-adult, so I suggested it in this thread instead of the middle-grade one.

Josiah wrote: "I'm not sure if Drawing from Memory is always classified as young-adult. It might also be considered middle-grade. In fact, it could almost be considered a picture book, which is Allen Say's usual ..."

Oh, okay. I read his Grandfather's Journey in elementary and I adored it. The reason I brought it up really was because when I looked it up it didn't say young adult on the side where it says what people shelf it as. I wouldn't call it a picture book because it is 70 odd pages but some people think it's children. I think it's fine as young adult.

Adriana wrote: "I wouldn't call it a picture book because it is 70 odd pages but some people think it's children."

Of course, sometimes picture books can be quite long. Think of
The Invention of Hugo Cabret, for example, the longest book (by about five hundred pages!) to ever win the Caldecott Medal. :-)

Josiah wrote: "Adriana wrote: "I wouldn't call it a picture book because it is 70 odd pages but some people think it's children."

Of course, sometimes picture books can be quite long. Think of
The Invention of ..."

You're right but I don't think anyone considers it a picture book.

Adriana wrote: "You're right but I don't think anyone considers it a picture book. "

Drawing from Memory or The Invention of Hugo Cabret? The ALA certainly saw The Invention of Hugo Cabret as a picture book, since it won the Caldecott Medal, awarded for the most distinguished picture book of the year. It does feel kind of strange to think of it as a picture book, though, since it's so long.

Josiah wrote: "Adriana wrote: "You're right but I don't think anyone considers it a picture book. "

Drawing from Memory or The Invention of Hugo Cabret? The ALA certainly saw The Invention of Hugo Cabret as a pi..."

You don't call a graphic novel a picture book... Well at least it won an award.

Adriana wrote: "@Josiah - I didn't know that Drawing from Memory was a YA book... Are you sure because it kind of sounds like a memoir? But then it is part graphic novel so it's all right with me!

@Kristina - Tha..."

I know! I wouldn't mind re-reading it. Such a great book.

Oooh! Enchanted looks so pretty and I'm a sucker for a good fairytale :D

I could get behind the idea of reading Legend for October. I'm also looking forward to the second book in the trilogy, Prodigy, but I don't plan on reading that one until 2013.

The other one already has a book cover!? It's reminding me a lot of The Hunger Games covers. Hunger Games - symbols of birds. Prodigy - symbol of a bird. I don't know what Legend is supposed to be but it still makes me think of a symbol.

Enclave by Ann Aguirre and Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire :)

I think that YA books are including more adult themes because youth are growing up faster than ever in recent years. With parents needing to both work full time in some cases and kids having to look out for themselves more and more teens are becoming more adult-like and responsible sooner.
As for swearing, well, any teen in high school hears more f-words in common conversation during an average school day than they read in books. I'm quite sensitive to swearing in books, though, and it does bother me when authors are doing it more and more.

In general, I think that YA is too wide a range for a genre. YA is from 13-17/18 (at least in my library) and I think that a book for an 17 year old should look a lot different than a book for a 13 year old! And when a 13 year old approaches the YA shelf, they don't know whether they are getting an age-appropriate book or a book suited more for high schoolers.

Deep thoughts on my end too, Sara!

Wow I had no idea it dealt with themes like that. I recently bought it but haven't had a chance to read it. I guess I am a little desensitised to these things with me being 21 I am mature enough to read books dealing with more violent or sexual issues but I agree younger readers should not be misled into buying books above their maturity level. Saying that when I was 14 I bought a lot of "YA" books and was surprised by the blatant swearing and sexual content.

Saying that reading books with swearing and sexual content in didn't shock, offend or upset me as by the age of 14 I was very aware of sex and unfortunately around a lot of people who did use swear words quite regularly. I think Trevor is right kids now do grow up a lot quicker there isn't a lot of innocence these days I personally know 14 year olds with kids. It's such a shame but I don't think it takes much to shock or offend kids or teenagers these days

hmm, it is in the adult section of my library. Interesting.

Enclave is like that? Would have never guessed it. It's alright with me because I've read books like that that are YA. It kind of depends what people think YA means. I always forget that it's for younger teens too. The 13 or 14 year olds I consider Middle Grade readers but you are absolutely right. There should be a section or warning or something that it's for older teens. In my library it is Young Adult so...

Wait. What can your second grader be picking up from school? You mean book wise or word wise Sara.

Are you still okay with reading Enclave Emma for a group read?

Sarajayne wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Enclave is like that? Would have never guessed it. It's alright with me because I've read books like that that are YA. It kind of depends what people think YA means. I always forget..."

Oh! I had a feeling. Kids aren't the best influence. It's getting worse.

The bus is a disaster. My mom drove my brother and I to school, but we took the bus home and it was the worst part of my school life. Of course, I was in middle school then and had an iPod that I listened to the whole time to drown out the utter nonsense. But if people are determined to bug you, they will. :/ Hope your kids have better luck this year, Sara! Good idea, choosing to drive them. It's extra work, but it will be a blessing in the end.

Sarajayne wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Sarajayne wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Enclave is like that? Would have never guessed it. It's alright with me because I've read books like that that are YA. It kind of depends what peop..."

I DESPISED going on the bus. You're a great mother for doing that!

Trevor wrote: "The bus is a disaster. My mom drove my brother and I to school, but we took the bus home and it was the worst part of my school life. Of course, I was in middle school then and had an iPod that I l..."

It was the worst part of school life for me too -__-
Why can't people just leave you alone?

Adriana wrote: "It was the worst part of school life for me too -__-
Why can't people just leave you alone?"

I don't know! Kids are so cruel sometimes. =|

Since next month is October, I have a few suggestions that tie in with the Halloween season. A Plague Year by Edward Bloor might be a good choice. Edward Bloor generally comes out with a new book only every few years or so, and I've heard that this is a good one. I've also been looking forward to reading Variant by Robison Wells, which looks like an intense, fast-paced dystopian selection. Another book that I've been curious about is Wolf Rider by Avi. The story's idea sounds almost Cormier-like, and I'm interested in seeing what Avi chose to do with it. The fourth book I want to suggest is I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan. I've never actually read any of her books, and I figure that this one would be a good introduction to her writing, particularly around the Halloween season.

Josiah wrote: "...The fourth book I want to suggest is I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan. I've never actually read any of her books, and I figure that this one would be a good introduction to her writing, particularly around the Halloween season."

I've read a couple Lois Duncan (although not this one in particular), and I think she is an author that would tie in great to the Halloween season. I can't remember whether I liked them or not though... haha

Josiah wrote: "
Since next month is October, I have a few suggestions that tie in with the Halloween..."

Good idea. I would like to tie those in with the challenge for October. I still need to decide how it's going to work and I'll post it up. Thanks! But those also would be great for the young adult part too so we'll put it to a vote!

Okay everyone here are the books you (and I) recommended:


Which books do you not want to read because you've already read already.
If you want a book to be considered for the poll please post a list of the books you would like.
The last four books - do you want them as a choice for the YA book or would you like them incorporated in the October challenge?

Somehow, the cover link for one of the books that I suggested, A Plague Year by Edward Bloor, became lost in transition. Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague isn't the book that I suggested.

I've read none! But I can get any of them from my library, so I'm good. :)

Josiah wrote: "Somehow, the cover link for one of the books that I suggested, A Plague Year by Edward Bloor, became lost in transition. Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague isn't the book that I suggested."

Oops! I fixed it (:

Sarajayne wrote: "The only book I've read from the list is Beautiful Disaster. I just picked up Legend from the library but I can hold on to it/renew it if that's what's chosen :) I also have Enclave on my library p..."

Okay I'll take it off. I'll be posting the poll Friday.

The poll is up for those of you who don't know!