Here's my problem:
I have a sister who doesn't like reading. At all. I recommend books to her, I shove books at her, and she never really gets them.
Anyway, last week I gave her the Hunger games, and after a slow start, she was hooked - to the point where she has read the second book in a day and is on to the third. I am
My problem is what to offer her next to read. She's never liked Harry Potter (she gets bored), doesn't like twilight, and is VERY hard to please. Up until now, she's never been a fantasy or sci-fi reader, so don't want to scare her off.
I'm thinking either Sabriel by Garth Nix or the Demon's lexicon series. I wish I could get her to read Obernewtyn, but I think she'd be more of a Darkfall person if she were an IC person at all.
I need recommendations to pass on to her. I should point out that she's 23 years old, so adult and YA suggestions are welcome.
Try the Ranger's Apprentice series by.... *searches thru internet* John Flanagan!
I've only read the first of the hunger games, but i like the ranger's apprentice series a bit better.
Another author i would try is Margaret petterson Haddix, probably the Shadow Children Series, and the Missing Series.
Hmmmmm and maybe James Dashner. Any series from him is a good one. ;)
These are all YA books, but they have awsome story lines, and alot of quick wit. (I love the 3 Stooges part in one of the Ranger's Apprentice books.... Not gunna tell you which one tho :P
Fantasy or sci-fi that is action packed and hooks you...what about Sevenwaters (Marillier)? Or Kate Forsyth's Witches of Eileanan? I remember not being able to put them down when I was around your sister's age.
What aspect of the Hunger Games do you think she liked/hooked her (if she doesn't like Harry Potter, which is more about characters, then I'm assuming she likes action / intrigue? Or some other aspect of storytelling)?
Ashlings' guildleader
13 years ago
Ashlings' guildleader
Dreamscape Artist
I haven't read the Hunger Games, but based on your sister's age, something she might be interested in that's racing through my friends at uni atm is Kylie Wong's Dark Heavens and Journey to Wudang trilogies (the second one follows from the first). They're adult books but a lot of it reads like YA and I can't seem to put them down.
Main character is an Aussie living in Hong Kong, the books are fantasy but based on Chinese Mythology rather than European and set in a present day context. There's quite a bit of character development, but also action, romance and mystery. They're fairly thick though, so could be daunting to someone that doesn't read much.
The last book in Journey to Wudang is due out early next year, kinda like The Sending, but hopefully without the constant date changes :P
Wanderer Ward
13 years ago
Wanderer Ward
Dreamscape Artist
If she likes intense action type things maybe something by Matthew Reilly would be good (although that's kind of steering away from the fantasy genre). I second Min's suggestion of The Witches of Eileanan, although the Scottish accents can take a bit to get used to :P Maybe also something like The Quickening by Fiona McIntosh (Myrren's Gift, Blood and Memory, Bridge of Souls). I know lots of people don't like the way Fiona McIntosh ends her stories, but I still found this trilogy an intense read.
Mystic Guildmistress
13 years ago
Mystic Guildmistress
Mage
I would recommend the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead if she liked the Hunger Games. I had the same problem with my younger sister, any book I shoved at her :P she couldn't get into so I gave her the Hunger Games and she couldn't put it down. She also loves Vampire Academy and that Marked series (I don't know the author, I haven't read it).
I hope you manage to get her interested! :D
Wanderer Ward
13 years ago
Wanderer Ward
Mage
My younger sisters are the same age, and both very resistant to books. I got them reading the Twilight series (yeah, I know...it's bad), and now the older of the two is obsessed with anything Vampire/supernatural. So, while I've not read any of them, I shall add to the recommendations the Vampire Academy books, and something called Fallen, which I believe is also a series.
I personally think Garth Nix would be a good choice, possibly Philip Pullman (unless his religious/anti-religious notions are an issue). On the supernatual side, there is the Night World series which in my opinion is better than the Twilight books (but is really geared at teens, so may seem too juvenile)
What about some of IC's single books - like Alyzon Whitestar? or Scatterlings?
In another genre all together, what would the chances be of getting her reading the "quirky classics" - the re-told classics such as Sense and Sensibility and Seamonsters, or Little Vampire Women? You don't have to know the original story to be able to enjoy the books...
Speaking of humour, something by Jasper Fforde?
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr is good too, they're YA and about these faeries who live in the world but people can't see them unless the faeires want them to. Except for the main girl. But it's a bit character-y, so maybe not for an action-lover.
I second the recommendation of Matthew Reilly for action. Except for Contest they're not really fantasy or sci-fi, except some things like ancient temple builders building amazing trap systems and the planets all coming in to alignment to kill everyone every so often unless you do something, but most of the actual book is an action movie.
Ashlings' guildleader
13 years ago
Ashlings' guildleader
Dreamscape Artist
Ooh! What about the Mortal Engines quartet by Phillip Reeve or "The Wind on Fire" Trilogy? I read these at about the same time as I read The Abhorsen Trilogy and I associated Sabriel with "The Wind Singer" quite a lot. Also, maybe Shade's Children which is also by Garth Nix? It's fairly grim YA, but has quite a bit of action from memory.
I would suggest either the Uglies series or Peeps, both by Scott Westerfield. Uglies is an action packed futuristic dystopia, less dark than The Hunger Games, but fascinating and gripping. Peeps is about vampires, but it has a unique and fascinating approach, no sparkling whatsoever. SW really knows how to put together a story.
I'm not so sure about Sabriel. Much as I like the series, the first book is a little clumsy - it takes you a while to really connect with the characters and world. If she isn't a reader, this might put her off. The Demon's Lexicon is a good suggestion. Have you tried her with Only Forward, or would that be too crazy intense? Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere is good fun, and seriously creepy to boot. Another book I read recently and was crazy enthusiastic about is Holly Black’s White Cat. It's YA noir dystopia, with a complicated, flawed protagonist and a gripping plot, with some wonderful twists and turns. Have you heard of Incarceron, by Catherine Fisher? Again, dystopia (I'm going with a theme here), set in two different places. One is Incarceron, a failed experiment, a sentient prison for the poor and criminal, supposed to be a paradise, but instead a terrifying malevolent gaol. The other is the outside world, where an attempt has been made to eradicate change, and people live in an artificially constructed society. Everything changes when a boy in Incarceron and the Warden's daughter outside find a way to communicate...
Dreamweavers' Guildmistress
13 years ago
Thu Dec 02 2010, 06:18pm
Dreamweavers' Guildmistress
Dreamscape Artist
One series that I would suggest is The Binding of the Blade by L.B. Graham. I find it is really easy to read, and I've made a tradition that I read it every Christmas holidays. However, I will say that it is a Christian book and as such doesn't always appeal to people.
Another suggestions is Mark Robson's Imperial Trilogy. It's easy reading, very catching and has great characters throughout the set.
I agree with suggestion of Witches of Eileanan. I've only read book one, but the reason for that is I don't have the rest of the series and don't want to kill myself with the wait between buying the books.
Edit: Marlina Marchetta's Finnikin of the Rock- excellent writing, a catching story line and definitely lovable characters. I really couldn't put this book down when I read it, and I've been meaning to invest in my own copy. Definitely a good start in my opinion for someone just starting the fantasy genre.
I'm seconding anything by Scott Westerfeld , Lemony Snicket or Jasper Fforde, also Alyzon Whitestarr, but I wouldn't go for anything steampunk such as Phillip Reeve, not yet anyway. If she starts liking Fantasy type things, and if she likes Matthew Reilly, then definitely try her with Steampunk, and start with Phillip Reeve's Mortal Engines, but make sure if she likes it to get her to read Westerfeld's Leviathan.
Things that she knows as movies are probably also a good idea.
I definatly agree with Garth Nix's but maybe, as Bunne said, go with Lirael instead of Sabriel, as even i took a bit of time to actually get into it. I am obsessed with Lirael btw! :D
Ashlings' guildleader
13 years ago
Thu Dec 02 2010, 06:29pm
Ashlings' guildleader
Dreamscape Artist
Sorry, Alyse's comment made me think of something else. The book 'Holes' by Louis Sachar. Personally I hate it to bits, but I have a cousin who hated reading and, like your sister, never got into the really popular books like Harry Potter. She's read that book like ten times and watched the movie just as many.
I'll shut up now ~:|
Edit: Am I the only person here that loved Sabriel to bits? Sabriel and Over the Wall eat Lireal and Abhorsen for breakfast :nod: :P
Louis Sachar! Of course! Try her on Louis Sachar.
I would recommend The Tide Lord series by Jennifer Fallon. I like it so much more than all of her other series. :nod:
As well as being a generally fantastic book, I think it's also perfect for people who aren't such big fans of reading. It grips you from the very first paragraph. (The book opens with a Tide Lord (called Cayal) preparing himself to be executed. The character of Cayal intrigues you straight away, and you instantly want to find out more about him and the other Tide Lords.) It's complete with biting wit and entertaining dialogue. There's plenty of intrigue and mystery. Every character has an agenda, and none of them are the 'sweet and charmingly naive' kind. In fact, I think the book's greatest assets are its characters. They're so refreshingly witty and down-to-earth, that you can't help but like all of them, no matter how selfish they are. :P
It also keeps you wondering about the motives and schemes of various characters. And I think it had one of the best endings to a series of books that I've ever read.
It's got the whole package - humour, tragedy, romance, and adventure. There isn't a single dull moment, as far as I'm concerned.
Anyway, I've probably ranted enough about that, now. ;P
I'd also recommend The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. It's one of my all-time favourite series of books. It's a bit more slow-moving than The Tide Lords, but I found it really addictive. By the time I'd gotten half way through the first book, I was hooked. I read the next two books over the following two days. ;P My brother and sister both loved the books, too, and they're not usually into fantasy.
It has great, believable characters that are easy to relate to (even if you do curse their stupidity sometimes ;P ), as well as intrigue, adventure, and a great plot. :)
Lemony Snicket's books might be worth trying, as well, depending on whether your sister likes that style of humour. I guess they're more aimed at a younger audience, but I think that the humour makes it just as enjoyable for an older age group, as well. :)
So many good suggestions! I have to sneakily suggest some! And read a number more myself.
I've tried Jasper Fforde on her - nothing.
Finnikin of the Rock is a book I love
I remembered that Robyn McKinley's Beauty is on her to read list - apparently she loves the beauty and the beast story ...
I agree with the suggestion of the Uglies series by Scott Westerfield!! It reminds me some of The Hunger Games!
Oh, I agree Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman is good. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is also amazing, but if she wasn't in to Jasper Fforde she may not like Terry Pratchett's humour either.
What kind of movies does she watch?
Did she read and get into any of them? Do you want any more suggestions?
Well, she started the uglies series by scott westerfield, but didn't finish it ... now she's on an Austen bender - Persuasion, now sense and sensibility.
I have her lined up to read Alyzon Whitestarr (to ease her into IC - Ober straight up would be too much), Lirael by Garth Nix, and some Diana Wynne Jones.
I'll get her onto IC proper one day ... I'll just have to bide my time ...
maybe try the IC short stories - then her attention will not be long monopolised.... or Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter by A.E. Moorat. there are brains involved which is always good fun.
if she likes jane austen maybe try jane eyre or vanity fair?
i can't imagine anyone not liking terry pratchett....
maybe some douglas adams?