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Eragon. And quite enjoying it.

I should be reading some old Star Trek novels I inherited from a friend soon. Since she didn't want them anymore, not many promises on quality, but I want to see for myself before letting them go to the used book store.

Reading Eragon is on my to do list - I can never seem to pick it up. I am still reading Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials". It's amazing! But I only like it as one book, not as three.

I recommend getting it on the 'doing' list. Finished it yesterday and am quite happy.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

By "only like it as one book", do you mean reading the entire trilogy in one go? Or that you only like the first book? I admit I've read the first book, and thought it was good, but not as good as the reviews I read made it seem. Still, it is on the list of series to finish off 'someday'.

Yea - I read the first book and but I am reading the second and third all in one go and it's really good! Eragon will definitely be next!

I'm going to have to give Pullman another try. I liked the first book, but it didn't quite grab me and I've never gotten around to the rest. But, there's so much out there 'to read', it may be quite a while.

Currently reading Mutiny on the Enterprise. Old Star Trek novel. Okay, not great, which isn't surprising, it's an early one, and it took a while for the quality come up from 'decent fan fiction'. Unlike a couple others I've read recently, I'm thinking about keeping it, and it will come down to how good the ending is.

Over Sea Under Stone by Susan Cooper. It is the first in the Dark is Rising series. I'm reading it in preparation for the upcoming movie.

I'm listening to Over Sea, Under Stone on audio (yes, I've read it at least twice in paper form.) I just finished "Book of the Dead" which was quite an interesting read.

It's a nice series. The author committed what I consider a big no-no at the end of the final book (making most of the main characters forget everything), which put me severely off of it.

Still going through old Star Trek novels. Will be keeping Mutiny, and figure I will be keeping the current one, Vulcan!, which is one of the better Bantam ST-books I've come across.

I've just started reading Inkheart. It's good so far, about a little girl who loves to read books and her father who is a bookbinder. Starts off with great intrigue.

I have never read that book.Is it good?

Am reading the Book Thief right now, for a YA lit class. I've heard good things about it but the style is putting me off. Anyone else read it?

I picked up Over Sea, Under Stone the other day at B&N, but put it back and got Holes for my nephew. He loves that movie.

I just finished Inkheart, thought it started out a bit slow but I'm glad I stuck with it - I liked it.

Jess, I listened to the audio version of The Book Thief and loved it. Perhaps you'd find it easier to get into in audio form? I found the style a bit off-putting right at first, but soon I was used to it, and around the middle I found I actually appreciated it, liked it.

Right now I'm reading Airborn by Kenneth Oppel and am throughly enjoying it - it's unputdownable :)

Rindis - I recently read The Golden Compass and thought it was ok, don't really understand all the hoopla. I'll probably read the next book - see if I think it gets better, but I agree there are so many books I want to read it may be awhile.

Book Thief is better, now that I am used to the style. It was hard.

Inkheart was great, but it's been years since I read it. Same with the Golden Compass. But I loved both of them. Some say the first book is the best, from Pullman, but I enjoyed all of them.

Jess,
Don't forget that The Book Thief and all of Cornelia Funke's books have been translated from German. There might be something lost in the translation, but I still think it is a beautiful example of magical realism.

So glad you picked up Holes--i love it so much! I have taught that book for years and the students collectively love it.

There is a Sequel not called Small Steps. Very different, but still good.

It took me a good while to get into The Book Theif, once I did though, I read about 300 pgs in one sitting to finish it because I couldn't put it down. It is very heart wrenching though as a warning.

Airborn is about a cabin boy on an passenger air ship. It takes place in an alternate history of our world - so it may be classified as fantasy, but it is not really a fantasy story - it's an adventure story. Has an 1800's or maybe Edwardian feel - the manners, the fashions (women wear dresses down to their ankles), the "scandel" that weathy Kate befriends a lowly cabin boy (and escapes her chaparone to explore an island with him).

They are taken over by pirates. There is also a side story with a plucky girl (Kate) he befriends regarding a search for a previously unknown species her grandfather sighted from his own balloon. It's a bit of a mystery - what are the things really, imagination? real? The protagonist, 15 year old Matt, is likable, responsible, honest and the story is well written. There wasn't anything in it to give parents pause - except for a few deaths in the battles with the pirates - a couple good guys, a few bad guys, but although there were sad deaths (the good guys) nothing was too graphic. Well, one guy (a bad one) gets his head bitten off by a wild animal, but it's not described further. No bad language, a couple chaste kisses. I think this would be a great book to read to kids that were not old enough to read it themselves. Pretty G rated. I'd only hesitate with very young children because of the deaths, and the pirates may be scary for them.

Jess,
Whoops--disregard my previous comment. I was confusing the Book Thief with The Thief Lord. I have read too many books and follow too many discussions.

I highly recommend both books. I thought the Book Thief was haunting. It really made me think. I recommend the audio book to anyone having trouble getting through it. It really sped up the process for me. It is a book that everyone should read and discuss.

The Book Thief really was haunting, I bet it was great on audio book.


I'm currently reading Secret Society Girl by Diane Peterfreund ( I may have mispelled the authors last name). It's actually the first book in a series I believe. Pretty good, more of a high school level book.

I'm having my little bro read all my Susan Cooper books right now, and I am currently reading some Star Wars books, finishing the Riddle Master of Hed trilogy, and also reading Sister in Fantasy 2.

Just finished "A Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos. It's about his youth and how he landed in prison and cleaned up his act.

There is some discussion in my YA class that it is too mature for middle school readers and some are questioning its place on their shelves. Has anyone read this?

I've actually taught A Hole in My Life to 8th graders. It was a great unit because most of the students grew up on the Joey Pigza books. So, when they realize what he went through to get to his successful life, it is really inspiring. Plus, I think adults forget how much pre-teens and teens witness in the world. Most of the stuff Mr. Gantos addresses is not a shock to them. I highly recommend it.

Hello ¡
I've just joined this group. I'm reading the second book of the book series "The Wheel of Time" by Robert Jordan and I like it so far, it is called "The Great Hunt", but if I had to recommend a book I would recommend the book series "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin, they are simple great, my favourites.
Now I'm thinking about whatt to read when I finish "The Great Hut", any suggestions?
Have you read "Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell" by by Susanna Clarke?

i also really enjoyed eragon... although not so much with eldest. i feel like it's a bit of a knock-off of tolkien and the story a bit predictable, but i loved that it was written by a young person. and it was quite interesting (although again eldest did not interest me nearly as much)

i thought book thief was very good and i'm waiting for the golden compass to arrive at the library... looking forward to it.

i just re-read frindle and the view from last saturday. i love those books!!

Blanca, you may just want to go on to the third book (The Dragon Reborn? or that book four? been too long).

If you like epic fantasy, you may want to consider what I'm currently (re)reading, The Dragonbone Chair - book 1 of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. Tad Williams is a very good author, though possibly moving out of YA range. (I have trouble understanding where YA begins and ends outside of books decidedly meant for such.) The trilogy began before WoT started, but by the time the third book came out, WoT had its first 2-3 books out, which I think hurt recognition of it.

Hello Rindis¡
Yes, I like epic fantasy, and sometimes is very difficult for me to get those books here in Spain in English... I have to buy them via internet or buy them when I travel abroad.
I didn't know the book "The Dragon Chair" and the series "Memory, Sorrow and Thorn". Is there any interesting female character in that book? If not I might lose interest.
What does it mean "YA range"? sorry I'm Spanish and there are certain expression that I don't get.
Thank you for the recommendation ¡¡

Female... I think there is. It's been two decades since the last time I read it, and I'm just getting up to the point where any major characters beyond the main character will get introduced.

Another suggestion for epic fantasy I was reminded of yesterday is The Crown of Stars (starting with (The King's Dragon) which is set in an analog of central Europe ~AD 1000. Definitely has a good female central character.

"YA" = Young Adult = late grade school through high school, and is what this group is technically about. I'm just sometimes uncertain as to what actually falls within the definition, writing-wise.

I loved Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars series - a must read!

My favourite fantasy writer - who writes mostly YA but could just as easily be in the "adult" section - is Isobelle Carmody. The Obernewtyn Chronicles, Alyzon Whitestarr and Scatterlings are personal favourites that I re-read a lot. Her Legendsong Trilogy is excellent, though not YA.

I also loved the Bartimaeous Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud, and Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. YA fantasy is great! I recently started a new fantasy trilogy by Libba Bray that starts with A Great and Terrible Beauty - it and the second one are really good. Has anyone else read them?

I didn't like Eragon much, personally.

I just finished the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series and had an absolute ball reading them!

I am now reading Pippi Longstocking with Lauren Child's magnificent illustrations!

I remember reading Pippi Longstocking in primary school - they were great books; funny, too. I haven't seen those books around in a long time.

I still love Avi's True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. I recently read Bloom by Elizabeth Scott: it was good but maybe a little too simple a story, though there were lots of interesting, darker issues underneath.

Hi everyone - New to Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and new to this group. I am currently reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and next up is The Amber Spyglass by Pullman.

I just joined this group and have been getting into reading a lot of YA books that I can share/discuss with my 13 year old son. I just finished reading The Golden Compass and will pick up Subtle Knife at the library today. I have Inkheart and Inkspell on my to-read list. Anyone know when Inkdeath is supposed to release? I hate reading a trilogy or a series and have to wait so long for the next book.

I just finished E.L. Konigsburg's newest, THE MYSTERIOUS EDGE OF THE HEROIC WORLD. I enjoy the many different themes she manages to weave together. This wasn't her strongest book, but still enjoyable.

I think Pullman's HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy is quite possibly some of the best books ever written for YA.

I am currently reading Book 3-The Amber Spyglass by Phillip Pullman. So far, I like Book 3 better than 2. I am especially enjoying reading about the mulefa. I plan on reading Inkheart and Inkspell, also. I have them both in my to-read shelf. I am trying to get my son to start reading The Golden Compass. We saw the movie but I think he will enjoy the books, too. Got to get him off the video games ftom time to time.

I started Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell in audio, and got bored with it. I intend to try again though, sounds like I may like it if I stick it out.

Right now I'm reading The Storyteller's Daughter by Cameron Dokey, a retelling of the story of Shahrazad.

I just finished reading the Hooblers' series about Seikei -- a young merchant's son who wants to become a samurai and assists Judge Ooka in solving crime.

The first book is called The Ghost In The Tokkaido Inn, in which Seikei witnesses part of a crime and assists Judge Ooka in solving the mystery. (There are four others so far.)

Seikei is very concerned about behaving with honor -- like a samurai. He also immerses himself in different societies to solve mysteries. In one book, he becomes part of a theater troupe. In another, he becomes an apprentice puppeteer, so a reader learns a little about the culture as well as enjoying the mystery.

Now, I'm working on Dogland by Will Shetterly because I want to read The Gospel of the Knife and I'm somewhat obsessive with reading books in order.

Hello ¡¡
I've just finished the first book of "His dark materials", "the golden compass". I liked it very much, I think tonight I will go to the cinema to watch the movie. Has anyone watched it? Is it good?
Now, before reading the second book I've just started "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman, since Santa Claus left it for me under the Christmas tree,Have you read it?. Although I'm so looking forward to read "The Subtle Knife".
Happy Holidays to everyone ¡¡

Happy Holidays! I just joined this group, and the last YA book I have read was The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix. The funny thing was, I read the second book first unknowingly. I just found out that it was a trilogy when I saw the last book, Abhorsen. It's really good.

I'm glad to see some comments about The Book Thief. I've been wanting to read it for ages!

I have The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper, but since it's at home, I still haven't read it yet, and I've had that book for a long time! I hate myself for watching the movie first before reading it, but I didn't want to pass the chance to see how the movie was.

I love Chronicles of Narnia, too. I've read 1 and 2, so when I find lots of time, I'll finish the entire series.

I started The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray yesterday and so far it's as good as the first two in the trilogy, for anyone who has read them. For anyone who hasn't and likes a mixture of Victorian England, witchcraft, and gossip...it's a fun series. Lots of good twists in it to keep someone like me happy, as well!

I am currently reading PRISONER OF THE IRON TOWER, THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS, GOSSAMER and THE KILLING SEA. Some are previewing for classes at school, and some are current with classes, but I'm liking them all. Next in the queue are SEEING RED (2nd in the LOOKING GLASS WARS) and THE FIRE WITHIN.

right now I am reading Scott Westerfeld's Specials for the second time b/c I am rereading the trilogy to get ready for Extras. I am also anxious to start Love, Stargirl (Spinelli). I really enjoyed Stargirl.
I have read The Golden Compass and truly enjoyed it... looking forward to the second 2 books.
I just cannot get through Eragon... I couldn't get through the movie either! My students loved it but I am struggling!
Inkheart is one of my all-time favorites, I hope to reread those two before book 3 is released... Inkdeath I think... hopefully soon!!

First Inkdeath is scheduled to be released in Oct.

I am currently reading Runemark by Joanne Harris of Chocolat fame. This is her first YA book and so far it is very good. It's based on Norse mythology. Check it out.

I just finished Maximum Ride-The Angel Experiment. A great read. A real page turner. One series I will be finishing.

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

I am new to this group. I am currently reading the "Ranger Apprentice" books by John Flanagan. My 13 year old son recommended them to me. The first four are available in the US, there are seven at this time. They are full of adventure. Just a great and a fun read. I am also a huge Twilight fan and looking forward to August. I have pre-ordered Stephenie Meyer's "The Host" due out next month.

There will definitely be a sequel to Runemarks. I just finished it and she left the ending open for another tale.

I just started the second in the Sister Grimm series The Unusual Suspects is the name of the book. The first one was really cute. I'm hoping to enjoy this one as much, as there are five, so far in the series.

Lisa, the information you gave us about there being 7 of the John Flanagan books is interesting. I just bought the first in this series. Looking forward to giving it a try.

I, too, love the Twilight series and am looking forward to Friday night as I just picked up two copies of The Host and two wristbands to see Stephanie Meyers at her signing in Houston. This is what my daughter wanted for her 16th birthday which is Thursday, so I'm glad I could pull it off. If course, it does help that I love her writing, too.

Celeste- The first four books are printed in the United States. I went on Amazon and was able to get the remaining three. The covers look different, because it is the Australia edition. My kids don't like the covers, but I didn't care, as long as the printed words are the same.
Don't fall into the trap of buying the "Oakleaf Bearers". I did, it cost quite a bit, but it is the same book as "The Battle for Skandia". I ended up donating the "Oakleaf Beareres" to my local library. Book 8 is coming out in October or November in Australia. Hopefully I can get it on Amazon.

I just received "The Host" yesterday. I need to hurry and finish the book that I am reading so I can get started.

Another fun series that I didn't mention is the Children of the Lamp by P.B. Kerr.

My daughter is a huge fan of the Sister Grimm series. She is often telling me that I have to read it.

Thanks for the information Lisa. You really should try Sisters Grimm they are so cute yet they each have a nice twist.

I also have the first book of the Children of the Lamp series I just haven't read it yet. I'll get there. As I tell the kids in the bookstore I work in that complains about the size of a book; just take it one page at a time.

Happy reading.

Oh. While I'm thinking of it. One of my fellow employee just discovered a new series in the children's section he's been recommending. I don't remember the author, but the book is called H.I.V.E. I think there are two out at this point.

I'm reading the Uglies Series and am currently on Specials. Also, I'm going to be having a summer reading fest so any books you want to recommend would be great! Just in a different topic!

Percy Jackson and the Olympians are fabulous.

Has anyone read or heard anything of "The Last Apprentice" books by Joseph Delaney?

I am just about to start Libba Bray's The Sweet Far Thing [third in the trilogy] and am amidst David Edding's series "The Mallorean". I revisit David Edding's Belgariad and Mallorean every 5 years or so, it was my fave in middle and high school.

I am about 400 pages in to New Moon in the Twilight series. After that I have The Time Traveler's Wife and then Dead Witch Walking.

Also on my list is The Sweet Far Thing, To Catch a Pirate, The Luxe, Eclipse...well, I have a ginormous list of books to read. Lots of young adult stuff.