for teenagers and adults alike, books that entice and engage
ages 14+ years
I have no idea how I came across The Changeling Sea—one day it was just on my bookshelf (probably purchased in one of my many book buying sprees back before kids—when my book budget was unlimited). No matter how it got there, I’m just glad it did. It’s a charmingly well written changeling fable, a classic fairytale story with a fresh and original twist.
When Peri was fourteen, her father was lost at sea and her whole life changed—her mother was lost to heartache and she (Peri) had to take care of herself.
Since moving house a few months ago, I haven’t had as much spare time for reading as I'd like. I've re-read a few of the books from my library but just haven’t had my head on straight enough to search out new reads.
Thankfully a friend lent me Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody and it was just what I needed—a new author and a great read!
Set in the distant future after the world has experienced near total destructions by something known only as ‘The Great White’,
ages 14 and up
The thing about kaleidoscopes is that they need to have two or more points of reflection. Without those points we see only a messy collection of colours and shapes. But, with those points, we see an extraordinary array of beautiful images that meld into each other to produce something inspiring. This book is a kaleidoscope of sorts.
Living on Hope Street is populated with multiple characters whose lives are difficult, heart wrenching and desperate in many different ways. But, as the novel unfolds, it presents that second point of reflection—and the messy collection of characters and circumstances come together to show lives of great beauty and complexity
ages 12+
I love a great adventure story told with skill and wit, the kind that you can pick up, sit back, and enjoy. Frogkisser! by Garth Nix is just that. Here's how it goes:
All Princess Anya wants is to sit in the library and work on becoming a sorcerer (of the good variety).
But with an evil sorcerer step-father who wants to be king at any cost and a flighty older sister whose true love has been turned into a frog, something has to be done. It’s time for a Quest!
ages 12 years and up
Hotaka is the tale of the town of Omori-wan, one of the Japanese villages devastated by the 2011 Tsunami and the people who are trying to learn to live after everything is swept away—it's told through the eyes of a young boy, Hotaka....
teens + y.a.
Modern mythical fantasy is all the rage these days. There have been books about Witches and Wizards, Vampires and Werewolves, Daemons and Demigods—you may be wondering what on earth is left. Well, Trolls! But the ugly, grumpy ‘live under a bridge and eat whatever crosses’ kind of troll is nowhere to be seen in Amanda Hocking's Frostfire. Set in modern day North America,....
A story about letting go of fear to find freedom. It's a nice reminder of the courage of refugees and asylum seekers and an. enticing story to capture the attention of early teens—great for helping them to recognise the good things in life (like freedom and family).
Do you have a go-to comfort book? One that you read over and over again because just the right mix that you need at a certain time?Summers at Castle Auburn is mine. It seems to be an all-round popular choice too, because I'm currently on my fourth copy, the previous three having vanished into the abyss of friends lending to friends.
Ask someone to list their top 10 favourite books and chances are high that there'll be something on it from one (or all) of the Bronte sisters. Charlotte, Emily and Anne are famous for their passionate and original writing styles that contrast starkly with their upbringing in a parsonage at Haworth. Their journey to literary acclaim finds a new telling in this historical/fiction/fantasy novel by Lena Coakley.
Everyone has fears—fear of failure, spiders, heights and so on. Personally I’m terrified of crocodiles. But imagine that the thing you are most afraid of is yourself and what you are capable of doing! A fear that you can not escape! That's how it is for Katsa, orphaned niece of the brutal king of the Middluns...
ages just pre-teen to adult
You don’t get much more Australian than the poem Waltzing Matilda by Banjo Paterson. It’s pretty much our unofficial National Anthem and has the true feel of the Australian bush.... The iconic poem is given a new perspective in this historic novel by Jackie French. Set in Sydney in 1894, A Waltz for Matilda is the story of a courageous and determined young girl (Matilda)
Fairytales are not just for kids - the Once Upon Time series is also great for older readers. It's a collection of the most popular fairytales, published by Simon & Schuster and written by various authors. Each author chooses their fairytale and gives it their own unique and often quite unusual twist.
Transylvania has long been a land of myth and legend, full of monsters, vampires and all things dark and terrifying. But In Wildwood Dancing it becomes beauty, magic and mystery. Life is close to perfect for practical Jena and her 4 sisters (beautiful Tati, wise Paula, vivacious Iulia and innocent Stela)...
If I had to pick a favourite reading genre it would definitely be Young Adult Fantasy.
I think it’s because when I read to relax and escape (which is often), YA fantasy delivers great story without so much of the ‘grit’ that's in older-adult books.And I find, when looking through my library, that my preference is clearly for female lead characters. Especially those with strong spirits, courage and kindness. Dashti from Book of a Thousand Days is just such a character.
in / chapter books but good for adults and young adults too
There are obvious Holocaust themes - and the ordinariness of a friendship between two small boys - all made clearer by the lack of flowery descriptions or moralising tones. There are no upper age limits for reading and absorbing this wonderful story.
I’ve just finished this new book in the Matilda Saga. Actually, you could say I just started it too since I started it last night and finished it this morning! All of us at WTBA love this series, so imagine my delight when I spotted Facing the Flame on the shelves at Avid Reader yesterday, even though the official release date is December 1.
When Louisa saw me reading it she sighed: “It’s short.”—and added with mock exasperation: “Jackie French!” We always hope that the next Matilda Saga book will be in the 600 page realm so that we can enjoy the characters for longer.