The County Library discussion

What are you looking forward to reading this summer? I'm anxiously awaiting Mockingbird, the new book by Suzanne Collins. And the new Stieg Larsson book, Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

Hmmm, Mockingjay is way up on my list too. I have so many books on my list I will never catch up. I am going to try to read more of the Bewitching Mystery series by Madelyn Alt.

I'm looking forward to Mockingjay, but the book I'm looking forward to the most is Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter.

I will stop reading whatever I am currently in the middle of once I get my hands on Mockingjay.

I've just finished Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, one of the upcoming reader's choice titles. It will make a great book club selection. Takes place in present-day England, with lots of British subtle humor, cultural bias, and a gentle love story.

I have started to try and read as many of the Reader's Choice books that I can by the end of July. Three down and many more to go....

I have 2 readers choice checked out. I want to get them read and some more before the big reader's choice rush in July.

I've read 11 RC books so far. If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be The 13th Hour. Very different plot. The book begins with Chapter 12...on purpose. Aided by a watch with magic properties, the main character goes back in time 2 hours, then has one hour each time to try and change history...mainly, to save his wife. Will he do it? Read The 13th Hour and see!

I've read several of the next round of Reader's Choice books also and my favorites tend to be the character novels. I really enjoyed Bound South mostly for the mother daughter dynamics; Major Pettigrew's Last Stand for the delightful characters and the British sly humor; the Three Weissmanns of Westport for it's modern twist on Sense and Sensiblity. One histoircal novel on the upcoming July list that really grabbed me was Glassblower of Murano which made my recent trip to the Palace of Vesaillesa and the Hall of Mirrors extra special.

I have read Goddess of the Hunt- loved it, Henry's Sisters- nice character novel, Lost City of Z- (what was he thinking??) good though, Physick Book of Deliverance Dane -loved it!!!!!Rivers run dry- bad title for a great book. Untraceable- enjoyed it a lot. Wife of the Gods- different but great!!!

2 of my adult kids were reading Hunger Games last week while we were on vacation. My daughter in law picked up one of the books and read it in 2 days, her husband-my son-then started reading it. Its crazy how its gone from teen novel and kid novel to adults reading. Reminds me of the twilight evolution of reading. Now I have to get 4 copies of Catching Fire.

The big difference between the Twilight series and the Hunger Game series is that Hunger Games is GOOD

Jan wrote: "The big difference between the Twilight series and the Hunger Game series is that Hunger Games is GOOD"

You know I tried to read Hunger Games when it first came out, before it took off in popularity, and only got half way through. I loved the Twilight books the first and second times I read them but now I don't think I'll be able to ever read them again, there's too much drama. Does Hunger Games have staying power?

I think Hunger Games has staying power. I didn't think it was easy to read (kids killing kids), but I thought it was worthwhile. It reminded me of some of the classic apocalyptic literature--Anthem by Ayn Rand comes to mind.

Tina wrote: "Jan wrote: "The big difference between the Twilight series and the Hunger Game series is that Hunger Games is GOOD"

You know I tried to read Hunger Games when it first came out, before it took o..."

Leslie wrote: "I think Hunger Games has staying power. I didn't think it was easy to read (kids killing kids), but I thought it was worthwhile. It reminded me of some of the classic apocalyptic literature--Anth..."

I think it will be very interesting to see which teen books do end up sticking around. Teen lit is really still a new field, and one that relies so much on it's timeliness. Even the books we think of as classics, like The Outsiders or The Chocolate War, have only been around for less than 50 years, and honestly, many teens would say that they have gone stale. So what do you think? Which teen books will still resonate with teens in another 50 years?

The Book Thief by Zusak- I can see this title ending up not only as a classic, but as a book taught for the AP English Lit test.

I think most Young Adult books are written for a current audience. They are not intended to last. I think occasionally there are some that will hang around. I really don't even consider staying power when I review YA.