As writers, one of the best ways to improve our craft is to study the work of others. I don't know about you, but I spend a lot of time reading. Primarily middle grade, since that's the age group I write for. I did veer off into the YA area a while back with The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. And I'm very anxious for Mockingjay to come out.
So tell us what you're reading at the moment. Or what you've recently read that you would recommend. Or what you've read that you didn't like so we can avoid it. The floor is yours. Leave a comment.
Just finished Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines both by John Green. I blogged about each book's brilliance just yesterday.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm reading Catching Fire.
Currently reading Graceling. I generally post reviews on my blog of the ya novels I read. Stop by and say hello.
ReplyDeleteSome great books mentioned. I just finished Hunger Games and If I Stay. I just began a middle-grade book called When You Reach Me. Waiting patiently for Catching Fire on a library wait list and excited for Mockingjay, too!
ReplyDeleteMarissa
I know I'm light years behind but I finally snatched Diary of a Wimpy Kid (yeah, the first one) from my daughter and read it right through.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to see what all the hubbub was about and also to see if I'd gone over the top or not in my own book. I'm safe :)
I'm reading SPIRIT BOUND by Richelle Mead. It's the fifth book in the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series.
ReplyDeleteI recently finished RELENTLESS by Dean Koontz. He's a genius (and possibly mentally disturbed). LOL.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I haven't read Diary of a Wimpy Kid yet, either. It's on my TBR list.
Finished White Cat by Holly Black. About to start Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev. Both fantastic authors!
ReplyDeleteFunny you should ask - I *just* finished Life, the Universe, and Everything by Douglass Adams and (as I just blogged about 30 minutes ago), I'm about to crack open Mike Carey's third book, Dead Men's Boots.
ReplyDeleteI am currently reading a book on Cryptozoology as research for a WIP... :)
ReplyDeleteI was worried my latest manuscript might be too gross for a chapter book, so I checked out our local library.
ReplyDeleteGreat! I soon found what I was looking for: So Gross is an MG novel written by J.A Mawter. It's not a chapter book, but the first page made me laugh out loud. I needn't have worried about my story. This is one is really gross.
I'm also reading Roald Dahl's book Matilda for the third time and Diary of a Whipmy Kid by Jeff Kinney.
If you want an action packed MG story for boys and girls, try one of my favorites: Wake Up Ginger Meggs, written and illustrated by James Kemsley. The writing is brilliant. I couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. Great dialogue and funny, realistic characters.
Oh, poo! A minute ago, I accidently posted my above comment on the wrong website. When I realized what I'd done, I went back to tell them. They probably wondered why I was telling them what book I was reading instead of congratulating someone for getting a publishing contract. Yipes! What a plonker I am. That’ll teach me not to post on two blogs at the same time. How embarrassing. :(
ReplyDeleteI am reading one of two books titled 'Fly on the Wall', the first being a YA about a 16 year old art student.
ReplyDeleteReally funny, interesting with lots of problems, heart ache, yep a chic flick type of book. My magical fly will never be the same in my tale she has a new life to live.
Right now, I am reading Mistwood, a YA novel by Leah Cypess.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Laurell K. H. Anita Blake series. Picked it up for something different. but waiting for the new Gabaldon book to come out in Sept. Oh and the new Meyers book too. I like to keep my reading broad I need new ideas on how to write, and what i like and dont like about an author, so variety is good.
ReplyDeleteThe Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is brilliant, Sandy Fussell's Polar Boy, Jaguar Warrior and Samurai Kids books are wonderful. Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl books are pretty good too.
ReplyDeleteBridget. Although I'm a big fan of the Anita Blake books they are definitely not kids or even YA books - the later ones are almost Porn.
Jeffrey, yes I agre. I wouldn't let my kids read them. didnt know we had a genre we were supposed to discuss. the only ones im reading are the twilight series. so that fits that genre.
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ReplyDeleteWow! Lots of great comments and great books. Personally, I thought The Hunger Games was excellent. I especially enjoyed the first person present tense, particularly the way it was written. I've read other books in that tense and they were a bit jarring. Shows you the difference in the way writers write. It inspired me so much I made my current WIP in the same tense.
ReplyDeleteCatching Fire was an excellent follow up, and I, too, can't wait for Mockingjay.
I noticed a post mentioned White Cat by Holly Black. I've heard mixed comments on that. More info, please. Did you like it?
I've tried a couple of Artemis Fowl books, but couldn't really get wrapped up in it. Also, the Alex Rider (Ryder?) books that are so popular couldn't keep me interested either. Maybe I'm too particular.
Coraline was scary, although enoyable. Currently reading "The Body" by Stephen King. It's the novella "Stand By Me" (the movie" was based on. The movie follows the book almost exactly. I love that.
Anyway, thanks for all the great comments. Everyone update their "To Read Soon" lists.
I'm currently reading the third book in Rick Riordan's Lightning Thief series. Percy Jackson is a great hero with plenty of faults to make him human, or er, demi-God. The action never slows, and I can see why these books are so popular with kids.
ReplyDeleteAs for the movie, eh... so, so.