My little sister moved in with us this month. It's a good thing (I think!). She's 18 and not much of a reader. But, she is in a new place without friends or a job so she needs something to do and is looking for a recommendation.
She really enjoyed the Uglies trilogy (including Extras), so I recommended The Adoration of Jenna Fox, which she read and also really enjoyed. Now she's looking for another book, and I am not quite sure what to recommend. The only other books that she really likes are what my other sister refers to as depressing. For example, she loved The Burn Journals, by Brent Runyon, which is about a boy that attempts suicide by dousing himself in gasoline. She's also read several books about young adults who are addicted to drugs (most of them die); someone who gets raped, contracts HIV, and dies; you probably get the idea. She would tell you that she doesn't like Sci-Fi (though she did like the two mentioned above, so maybe some softer sci-fi would be ok), and she doesn't really like fantasy (including Harry P), mysteries, or adventures stories, and those are primarily what I read.
So, I am turning to the blogging community in hopes of finding some suggestions. Anyone?
Thanks.
8 comments:
Seriously, has she tried the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer?
You might try Ender's game. And also, they're older, but maybe some SE Hinton?
My niece lives with me too and has never (unless for a book report) read a book for pleasure. She liked Twilight. Bella is not a great role model but the books keep the girls interested.
CRANK or anything else by Ellen Hopkins.
Thanks everyone!
Natasha and Laura: She doesn't think she will like Twilight because so and so loves it and she could never read anything so an so loves (she is 18!). I think I will suggest The Host to her though, and maybe Twilight will follow.
J Scott: I actually really liked Ender's Game. I will definately suggest that one to her. I've never heard of SE Hinton, but I will see if I can find him.
Anonymous: Thanks. I will see if the library has anything by her too.
You might try "Walk Two Moons" and an easier read, but fun, would be "Maniac Magee"... Both about teenagers, but a little bit more uplifting. Oh another one of those coming of age books is, "Hatchet" and the following 2 books... Again easy reads but pretty fun.
And just totally off of anything she likes, but if you are looking for an 'adult' easy to read book, my sister LOVES "Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less" by Tom Clancy - and it doesn't fall under any of the categories she doesn't like.
Sorry, one other book is "A Mango Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass - about a girl who has synesthesia.
She might like StarGirl, which is also by Jerry Spinelli. It also has a sequel.
Does she like historicals cause
A Murder for her Majesty by Beth Hilgartner is really awesome.
Missippi Trial, 1955 by Chris Crowe might also interest her if she likes "depressing" stories.
The book of Jude by Kimberly Heuston might also be interesting. I haven't read it, but it is about a teenager struggling with a mental illness and sounds right up her alley.
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