While She Knits--Intriguing New YA

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Happy almost Friday!

I've been working on a book order for my library and came across some intriguing-sounding new books. Has anyone read any of these, or heard hype about them?

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer (companion book to Letters to the Lost)
When Light Left Us by Leah Thomas

If not those titles, has anyone read anything great lately? 

Comments

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

Suffice to say, I haven't been finding a lot that intrigues me in the YA section these days (and this makes me sad)! I keep hoping to find something fresh and exciting, or at least something in the traditional vein that is nevertheless well-written and captivating!

So I've turned to re-reads and trusted authors in the desert. 0:) Currently reading Shannon Hale's Book of a Thousand Days for the first time, and eagerly anticipating the book-shaped packages that have manifested under the Christmas tree. :)

Anyone else hoping for books this holiday season?

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

I'm reading The Reader by Traci Chee and am really enjoying it. It's YA fantasy and, although pretty traditional, it's hard to put down. I'd compare it to Leigh Bardugo and Patrick Rothfuss. The sequel is out, too, which I'm sure I'm going to want to read.

And anything by Shannon Hale is bound to be trusted!

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the rec! I have enjoyed Leigh Bardugo's books (even her Grisha trilogy, which I heard criticized for its cliches). :) Patrick Rothfuss, however... I've heard so many good things, and yet I couldn't get past the first few chapters of Name of the Wind. And normally I have a pretty high tolerance for slowness in books. Does it get better??

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I'd have to say no it doesn't. It's super bloated and I can't imagine rereading when the next book finally comes out. If it didn't work for you, give it a miss. I liked it but think I was just in the mood for that kind of book. My daughter tried it and, like you, couldn't take it after a few chapters.

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

Good to know I'm not the only one, I guess! 0:)

[manderelee.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I haven't seen or read these ones you mentioned yet. I might look them up though!

I just finished reading Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor, which I thought was really well done. I'm also currently reading The Speaker by Traci Chee. It's the sequel to The Reader, which I read earlier in the year and I remember liking it a lot (except for a few minor things). I think both books have fascinating worlds and empathetic characters.

[(Anonymous)]

Yes! Strange the Dreamer is fantastic! I can't wait for the sequel. I actually haven't read The Reader - on the strength of what you say, I think I'll pick it up, though!

~Deirdre

[manderelee.livejournal.com]

I think The Reader and The Speaker (which I didn't get to finish, because I had to return it to the library) deserve some really good sit-down time when you're reading them. They're meant for slow devouring and careful attention, lol.

Oh, and I should probably add this to the thread. I just finished Frances Hardinge's The Lie Tree, which was so so good! She has a new book out, I think. I'll check that out some time soon.

[(Anonymous)]

None of those sound familiar. I am trying to get back into more current MG/YA, so I will have to look those up. I have an ulterior motive though—I need some black and white illustrations appropriate to the current MG/YA market in my portfolio, thus the interest. Well and of course the fact that I enjoy MG/YA.

I am currently making my way through Brandon Sandersons latest tome, which was a performing as expected. I shall need something very non-Sandersony when I eventually emerge on the other side.

[rosaleeluann.livejournal.com]

‘‘Twas I. Forgot to login it appears.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

It sounds like More Than We Can Tell is full of feelz. Sort of an anguished romance, from how it sounds. Maybe that would spark illustrations!

[(Anonymous)]

OH, Illustrations!

What a lovely idea - and maybe check out the new Leigh Bardugo, "The Language of Thorns." The illustrations are amazing! (I didn't love all the stories, but I admired them all, and I loved a couple of them).

~Deirdre

[frosted-feather.livejournal.com]

I have been reading Marissa Meyer's 4 book Luner chronicles (starting with Cinder, a cyborg cinderella story), and am really enjoying them. I read the first 2 books and didn't stay interested since the main plot was to be continued, but now that I can read all 4 at once, I'm enjoying them a lot.

[(Anonymous)]

I really enjoyed those, too!

Just now, I'm in the midst of "Heartless," her riff on Alice and Through the Looking Glass. I'm not enjoying it as much as the Lunar Chronicles.

However, I'm liking the latest Maggie Stiefvater, "All the Crooked Saints." I'd love to know whether anyone else has read that one, and what you thought.

Happy Reading, and Happy New Year!

~Deirdre