AboutMadeline Expertise I can answer questions regarding "tween", teen, and young adult literature and make recommendations about books you may like based on genres and authors you've read and liked in the past. I'm most familiar with fantasy (and science fiction, to a certain extent), but I've read plenty of other genres as well, and I will make an effort to find the answer to your question even if I don't know it off the top of my head. However, I do not answer homework questions (so please don't bother asking them), and I'm not very good at finding obscure books---the best I can suggest is a Google search! Thanks!
Experience I am an avid reader, and I am trusted by all my friends for my taste in books. I have read books in all of the following genres (though I do not claim to be an expert in all of them): fantasy (I term any book with a fantastical element to it to be "fantasy"), sci-fi, historical fiction, classics, realistic fiction, mysteries, and whodunits.
Expert: Madeline Date: 10/23/2007 Subject: Tough to find books!
Question It's really complicated to get /just/ the right book. I've been trying to get some that I like, but they just end up being dead ends, and just rambles. I like the kind of books with a little drama, comedy, and the whole borderline-romance-it's-omigosh-my-daughter-CANNOT-read-that-(but-it's-really-just-fine)-type-books. (Whew!) Anyway, slight fantasy, but heavy on the comedy, romance, and happy endings.
Answer Hello Raven!
Hmmm...a tricky customer. :-) I must say that, despite your specific description, I'm still a bit foggy on what exactly it is that you're looking for. I guess it would help if I knew some books/authors you've enjoyed in the past. In any case, let's see if I can make some suggestions...if you don't find anything you like, or feel like you'd like to refine your search, please don't hesitate to write back! I'm going to give you a wide sampling of genres and I'll let you pick and choose what sounds about right...:-)
If you're a fan of girly, "chick-lit" books, then definitely read Meg Cabot. She's most famous for her "Princess Diaries" series, but has written numerous other books, including the "Mediator" series and a number of other romance books for both teens and adults. Funny and frank, they're great books to curl up with when you're feeling under the weather. Add some tea and cookies (or ice cream) to taste...:-) Also be sure to look at Louise Rennison's series "The Confessions of Georgia Nicolson" for books with similar topics and style. Like Meg Cabot's books, these are (essentially) light, fun, and frivolous.
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants", by Ann Brashares, is a very, very popular series for teens that you might take a look at if you haven't already read it. If you've seen the movie, I'd still recommend reading the books. Funny, real, and poignant---definitely worth your time!
You know, it seems like most teenage girls I know have heard of and/or read Tamora Pierce's books. If you are one of them, then disregard the following. If not, you should check these out! I think that, at this point, her various series are the ones that (in my mind) best match your description---but who knows if I'm interpreting your meaning correctly? In any case, look at these books. There are a lot of them, actually, and they center around two main worlds. The first is that of her Circle of Magic series. This particular series isn't my personal favorite, but I know many people who do like it. :-) The books that I prefer are the series set in the realm of Tortall. The first three quartets of books go in the following order:
Song of the Lioness (first book: "Alanna: The First Adventure")
The Immortals (first book: "Wild Magic")
Protector of the Small (first book: "First Test")
If the fantasy aspect of it seems a bit out-there to you, then I am here to offer my reassurances and say that it is not. One of the most extraordinary things about Tamora Pierce's characters is the fact that they are so completely human, and the fact that the world they inhabit is every bit as nitty-gritty and solid as our own. My personal favorite of these three is the "Protector of the Small" quartet, which I feel brings out these qualities even more than the other two. But I recommend them all for their adventure, humor, drama, and romance.
"Abarat" by Clive Barker is definitely one of the most..er..."unique" books I have ever read in my life. Full of fantastical paintings done by the author himself (be sure to get an illustrated hardcover version and not a paperback), the story weaves around a fantastical archipelago of islands, each attached to a particular hour of the day. Adventure, with a flavoring of comedy and romance---I really liked this book! It is such a different, quirky concept, but it works very well...:-)
Karen Cushman's "The Midwife's Apprentice" (a Newbery Medal-winner!) is a window into a medieval English village, and the life of a girl with no name who soon finds a place as the apprentice of the town midwife, Jane Sharp. Witty and fascinating, I really liked this book. Ms. Cushman has also written another, funnier (in my opinion), award-winning medieval novel, "Catherine, Called Birdy", which is also a most enjoyable read.
Two adventure/historical fiction novels with similar plotlines are "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle", by Avi, and "Bloody Jack", by Louis A. Meyer. Both are stories of young girls living on the high seas in the 1700-1800's. Both are extremely interesting, quick-paced reads, if you like something a little more exciting (although the latter contains more romance than the former)... Oh, and if you read and like one, be sure to read the other, since (despite the fact that the basic premise is the same) both are very different.
"Gypsy Rizka" by Lloyd Alexander, is a fun, funny, lighthearted book which is great fun to read (did I mention it's fun?). Young Rizka lives an almost Pippi-Longstocking-esque existence in Greater Dunitsa---befriending the townsfolk and their children while simultaneously making sure that nothing is ever too dull for her razor-sharp wits. Very cute, funny, and enjoyable, with short vignette-style chapters that make it easy to read in bits and pieces.
Have you read "Ella Enchanted"? This is another book that I think matches your description very well---funny, interesting, "slight fantasy, but heavy on the comedy, romance, and happy endings". Even if you've already seen the movie version with Anne Hathaway, read the book, since they're significantly different. :-) I thoroughly enjoyed this book! However, it seems likely to me that you would have already read it...
If you'd like something a bit more serious, though, I might suggest a book by Nancy Farmer called "The House of the Scorpion". It's aimed at a slightly more mature audience (i.e. ages 14-17), but if you're a pretty mature reader, it should be fine. It is set in the future in a fictional country called Opium, which is carved out of the southern United States and Northern Mexico. Adventure, romance, and happy endings, but not so much humor. It deals with several controversial issues, but is fascinating and meticulously researched---a very good read. I *highly* recommend it. :-)
I hope I've given you a variety of books to choose from! If (after looking at/reading these books) you feel that I'm still way off-track with my suggestions, please feel free to write back and I'll cheerfully give you some more! Oh, and if you do manage to find something you like, please let me know! I'm always curious to find out what people choose to read based on my recommendations!
