Earlier in the fall I asked my author and blogger friends to tell me the titles of some of their favorite books so I could pass them on in blog posts. My last two gift suggestion blog posts included books for children as well as a few that worked well for all ages. Today I’m focusing on good reads for the young adult group.
Sci fi/space opera author and blogger extraordinaire Alex J. Cavanaugh (more about Alex’s books in a future post) says he doesn’t usually read a lot of YA novels but really enjoyed Broken Branch Falls by Tara Tyler. Listed as good for middle grades and all ages, this book features an “average fifteen-year-old goblin.”
Madeline Mora-Summonte blogs at the Shellshank Redemption and also writes flash and short fiction. Madeline recommends Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse. Madeline says, “This novel takes place in Amsterdam in 1943 and offers a different perspective on the war. Loved the voice here, and the writing was excellent.”
Gary Raham, previously mentioned in the post for kids’ reads, also suggests War Bonds by Beverly Jones, “a beautiful YA book about a girl growing up in Colorado during WWII. It won the Colorado Authors’ League award in YA fiction this past year.
Teresa Funke, who also gave recommendations for kids’ books, offers these suggestions for teens. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein; The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie; and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
L. Diane Wolfe, author/blogger/publisher, suggests Under a Purple Moon by Beverly Stowe McClure.
From my own reading, I’d like to add Mosquitoland by David Arnold. This story has a lot of my favorite elements: a young female main character, a journey to reach a big goal, and several quirky characters and oddball adventures along the way.
We’ll move on to recommendations for your adult reading pleasure next.
More from my site
Now Let’s Talk Books for Grownups (and a Few Crossovers)
How to Pick the Right Self-Publishing Path for You … by Teresa Funke
The Art of #notwriting
Books Are the Best Gifts for Kids
Shopping for Books for Holiday Gifts? Here Are Some for Kids…
How to Write Good Historical Fiction for Children or Adults … by Teresa Funke
Great recommendations for books. My daughter talked me into reading Code Name Verity. It’s a ten kleenex kind of book. Ugly sobbing.
Hi Susan — I think everyone needs to read a ten kleenex book now and then. I’ve put it on Hold at the library so I’ll get it soon.
I always buy books – physical and ebooks – for people. I also read across the board – MG, YA, and adult – and try to match up people with books I think they’d enjoy. Sometimes it’s a pure guess and doesn’t always work, but other times I hit the nail on the head and they love the book as much as I did. Love when that happens! 🙂
That’s the way I do it too, Madeline. And I always read the books I buy as gifts for children and YA — I think my inner child (and teenager) need to be nourished just as much as my adult self.
These all look like interesting books. It’s always good to have recommendations and giving a gift of a book is a wonderful thing.
I’d rather give books than anything else for gifts, and I would rather receive books than anything else, Mason. I am so thankful my mom turned me into a reader early in life.
Thanks for mentioning Tara’s book! I really enjoyed it.
You’re welcome, Alex. And you;ll be pleased to know that a couple of our blogger friends put your books on their list, so you’ll get the big mention when I do the books for grown ups posts.