Gift ideas for the teen who loves to series read

As the holiday's approach, I get prodded more and more by eager parents and family members for suggestions on the perfect book to give the young adult in ones life. The answer that is usually given is there is no perfect book.

Tastes differ and for every taste there is a flavor to indulge it with. With that being said, I thought the best suggestion of "perfect" books would be a list of several, I am including the major themes in the book to help you make the right selection based on the interests of the young adult or young adult lit aficionado that you are shopping for.

View slideshow: Gift Ideas for YA Book Series Lovers

I think most who follow my posts know that I am a huge fan of book series, especially in the YA genre. It's hard not to love a story that continues past the initial 300 plus pages and fleshes out the characters. It is this writers opinions that some of the best YA lit today fits into this category. The best of the bunch are:

The Goddess Test Series - A modern twist on beloved mythology, takes a fresh look at Hades and his epic love story with Persephone. Definitely a love story, but not one that I would recommend for readers under 13 due to some minor sexual situations. This series includes a couple of books and novellas with the final book due this coming year.

If you are looking for another mythology series try: The Abandon Trilogy

The Mortal Instruments/The Infernal Devices Series - I have personally written quite a bit about my love/hate relationship with these beloved characters by Cassandra Clare. A dark fantasy set in a world much like our own but with a darker and more dangerous underbelly this is a series for older readers. Getting involved in these stories is a heavy commitment as TMI currently stands at five (5) book with a sixth and (supposed) final book coming out within the next two years and TID currently at two (2) books with the third and final book coming out next year. The author has also planned a spin off to TMI featuring all new characters which will be another three (3) part series. The long anticipated movie is due out this summer, so make sure that they get through at least the first book in time for the August release. I believe this rich story appeals to both boys and girls, but as most YA books do can skew a bit girly at times.

If you are looking for another dark fantasy series try: The Spellbound Series

The Iron Fey Series - This is my most recent series read and what started as a difficult first book to get through became my absolute favorite Fey series. Based on a world ruled by some of Shakespeare's better known characters and filled with the most fantastical supporting players this is a series that your YA will not want to put down. The series finished off with four (4) books and three (3) e-novellas and has now been spun off into a new series The Iron Prince. As you can imagine by the title of the series the stories kind of played at The Matrix meets A Midsummer Nights Dream, but what an interesting and full series it is.

If you are looking for another fey series try: The Wicked Lovely Series

Princess Series - Reading this series is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket only to find out that the wool that you had come to expect has turned into silk. Jessica Day George takes the most beloved fairytales from childhood and updates them in an exciting page turning way. The series consist of three (3) books and tell the story of the 12 Dancing Princesses, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. A series that any young girl in love with princesses and all that entails will enjoy.

If you are looking for another princess series try: The Princess Diaries

The Vampire Academy/Bloodlines Series - By far and away my favorite vampire series of recent years and my absolute favorite YA vampire series. This six (6) book TVA series and currently two (2) book soon to be three (3) book Bloodlines series tells an intricate story that starts off in an out of the way high school and ends up mired in the intrigue and politics of a royal court. Recommended for older YA readers due to sexual situations, violence and overall scary themes these series will become a hard to put down favorite for your YA reader.

If you are looking for another vampire series try: The Tantalize Series

Matched Series - Set in a dystopian society where one is matched by a computer to their perfect mate this story is a great follow up series to someone who loved The Hunger Games. The third (3) and final book was released a few weeks ago and hopes to put a tight red bow and an story of a young girl who chooses to the fight the system that she was born into.

If you are looking for another dystopian tale try: The Divergent Series.

Tempest Series - A young girl finds out she is the daughter of a mermaid and that she may be the key to winning a long and hard fought war raging under the ocean. For any reader who loves mermaid stories this gives you an excellent look into a gorgeous underwater world and all the turmoil that resides within.

If you are looking for another mermaid series try: Of Poseidon Series

In case you have a voracious reader on your hands here are a few more excellent YA series:

• Midnighters Series by Scott Westerfeld
• The Mysterious Benedict Society Series by Trenton Lee Stewart
• A Beautiful Dark Series by Jocelyn Davies
• Firelight Series by Sophie Jordan
• Everneath Series by Brodie Ashton
• Gemma Doyle Series by Libba Bray

This article originally published on:  Examiner.com 

Some late input on The Mortal Instruments

I have a bit of a secret to tell. Several years ago, on the recommendation of some friends, I picked up City of Bones, the first book in what was then The Mortal Instruments trilogy. To be frank, I hated it. But, the aforementioned friends convinced me that I should put my overwhelming feeling of queasy unease aside and finish reading the series.

It took me much longer than I had expected but after a couple of months I could finally say that I had given it a legit chance and move on with my life. I left the books behind me with a tepid opinion of them.

Then the buzz started because this much beloved series was not only getting a spin off series (prequel to be exact) but several more books were going to be added to the original three, and a movie had been optioned. I didn't get it.

As much as I thought the story was well written, because it is. Much more so than so many other hard to put down YA series, ahem Twilight. I just couldn't understand Jace's appeal and don't even get me started on the creep factor I felt stemming from the love triangle. So, I proceeded to forget about it. My friends got excited about the movie and I ignored it. And then this summer, suddenly finding myself with an incredible amount of free time on my hands I decided to revisit the series I just didn't get, despite an overwhelming stack of to-read books on my shelf and Nook.

My thoughts on the original three books have significantly improved. Do I still feel a bit off about the love triangle, of course, I don't know any one who is reading the series that wouldn't. But I learned to appreciate the nuances in the story, the layered characters, how incredibly developed and rich this world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders that Cassandra Clare created for her readers. I genuinely enjoyed reading it the second time around, and to my surprise found that I didn't remember large chunks of the book, so it was at some points like reading it for the first time.

I have since moved onto books 4 and 5, and I am finding much like the first three I am not in love with them the first time around. I honestly think that, maybe just maybe, the Mortal Instruments Series gets better with age, but I will wait to give a better review upon finishing the remainder of the books.

I can say now that the first movie is in production and I have found a new found love for Jace, Clary, Simon, Izzy, Alec and Magus I am counting down the days along with my friends.

This article was originally published on:  Examiner.com 

Book Coveting

My latest Examiner.com post: Book Coveting

What's on my Reader

I am an avid reader, what does that mean? Well, I am usually in the middle of  two or twelve books at one time...this is a problem.  Because not only am I a reader I am also a collector of books.  So my shelves buckle from the load.  And then to add insult to injury, last year I got a Nook for Christmas.  It's like someone was purposely trying to drain my bank account.  I already give hundreds of dollars to Barnes and Nobles and Amazon on a regular but c'est la vie. 

Sometimes I start a book a don't finish (this, I must clarify, is VERY rare) unless I absolutely hate a story, or do not connect with the characters I must know how it ends.  But that being said, I wanted to share what I am reading and fill you guys in on a semi-regular basis.  (semi being one of my favorite words if you haven't noticed). So here goes nothing:

On the Nook

As much as I love and I mean LOVE vampire lit, I have never read the original in its entirety.  I know shameful, go ahead, slap my hand.  I am still at the beginning of the book and its the part that I read before which makes me wonder why I ever stopped reading it the first time around.  I absolutely love it.

I had been wanting to pick up this book for as long as I could remember. All I heard was positive reviews, how amazing it was, etc.  I have to say the book is exceptional but for me, I can only handle it in small doses.  Maybe 40 pages at one time.  And for a quick reader like me who loves devouring books I don't know how to feel about that.  I am going to table my critique until I have finished reading it.

 I read the first in the series about a Fallen Angel and was entertained enough to pick up the second.  Not necessarily enough to recommend it to all my friends but I know the ones who will appreciate it,  Unfortunately, its on my Nook.  Both books are and none of my friends have Nooks.

 This was a spur of the moment I want a laugh buy.  Very unlike me.  With the possible exception of George Carlin, I don't do comedy reading.  But I find this surprisingly endearing and funny when I'm in that kind of mood.

This will be the last in the series that I read.  I feel like I have been a loyal reader of the series but honestly it has dragged out too far for me.  I am not their target audience and the teenage angst finally got me in this one.  I am struggling with every page.  I am really not sure if I will even be able to finish it. 

Actual Books

 So confession, I'm an Austenite.  A huge one.  I not only love and collect different copies of her original work but I also read remakes and continuations of the stories.  It's kind of the only alternative left to a true addict when the main source of their addiction has been taken away.  This is probably my third "so and so's Diary" written by Amanda Grange and I really do enjoy them.  They give a surprisingly new perspective on the story without changing the root of it.  Very refreshing.

 Followers of my personal blog, Ramblings of a Semi-Literate Mind will know that I don't drive.  I am also super phobic of basically, well, the universe.  That being said I am happily in therapy and conquering my fears daily.  The driving still eludes me.  But this book, well this book sucked me in when I found out that the author also had a fear of driving and part of her Happiness Project was conquering that fear.  Its my most recent pick-up.

 I have mixed feelings about Mr. Coelho on one end of the spectrum he writes one of my all time favorite books, Eleven Minutes, and on the other, he writes one of the arguably most well respected and most inspirational books of our time.  Which I hate.  Yup, I said it, I hate The Alchemist.  Sorry folks.  I know its changed lives, but I was underwhelmed.  I got the message behind it I did.  It just didn't do it for me.  I wanted something different of his to read, something that would reignite that  fire that I had for him with Eleven Minutes.  I love Inspirations. 

 I read Graphic Novels all the time.  Everyone needs their bubble gum amidst their daily routine and serious reads...although, lets be real, most of my reads aren't all that serious. 

Okay, so I've been tackling this monster for what seems like ages.  But I refuse, refuse to give up.  I am obsessed with learning about Henry VIII and I know more than one should probably know but find this book to be ridiculously good despite the fact that all know so much.  The page count is DAUNTING and I read it once in a blue moon.  But I will never give up.  Goonies never say die!!

How many books are you reading?  Please tell me I am not the only crazy who reads ten at a time.

Obsessive Hero Worship

I've decided to do a regular feature where I highlight my favorite literary hero's and why I love them.  I could start off with someone so obvious that anyone who knows me could figure it out but instead I'll start with my second favorite choice:

Edward Fairfax Rochester

He's surly, secretive, haunted, brooding, kind of a whore monger and falls for one of the most plain Jane (literally) heroines ever written.  I couldn't love him more.  Honestly, I think one of the main reasons I love him so much is because he's so crotchety.  What girl doesn't like a challenge?  He barely speaks in the beginning, he just sort of barks and harrumphs but by the end of the story you really get to see a man truly in love get his.  And that dear readers makes me happy.  I have read Jane Eyre so many times.  I remember being scared the first time I picked it up on a suggestion from my 11th grade English teacher.  One of those teachers who knew me so well she didn't even bother telling me about the story, she just looked at me and said "you'll thank me later."  And I did.  Because not only did she introduce me to one of my all time favorite books, but to one of my favorite male leads in the written word.

And here for your viewing pleasure is my favorite Edward Rochester as played by Toby Stephens in the Masterpiece Classic, 2006 version of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.