Main Menu:
“Classics”
Books
by Age:
· Early Readers
(8yrs+)
· Intermediate (10+)
· Young Adult (12+)
· Adult (16+)
Book by
Style:
· NonFiction
· Gen. Fiction
· “Fantasy” Fic.
· “Science” Fic.
· Historical Fic.
· Mystery
· Spooky
Warnings:
· Icky or Mixed Review Authors
· Inappropriate or Mixed Rev. Books
Talia’s Book List(s)
*most recent renovations: November 26, 2008
Hi! My name is Jen but when I first started attempting booklists I went by Talia most of the time…. I am also known by various other identities including Lady Talia – first of “Thousand Eyes” (SCA in Idaho 1991-93), then of “Cote du Ciel” (Utah State University 93-98) and, more recently, Macanoni Mom (it’s a long story)….
I am a shameless book “addict” and have attempted to list favorite books before (to share with friends, etc) but the lists tend really long really quick… I have 4 cute kids now, too, so my time for projects is limited and sporadic. Thus, this attempt is meant to be a relatively brief list of favorite authors/books…
Mostly I read children’s and young adult fiction, and a lot of it “fantasy” of sorts, so that is what will be most common on my list(s). I’m pretty fussy about what I consider to be children’s vs. young adult literature and will try to make that clear (but I’ll save the soapbox for later)…
E=Early Reader:
8yrs+ I=Intermediate:
10yrs+ YA=Young
Adult: 12yrs+ A=Adult: 16yrs+
I indicate reading level (difficulty of vocabulary, length of book, etc) and
content “ages” separately. Content
“age” is based on intensity of subject and/or presence of any violence, rough
language, or “mature” situations. This is just based on my opinion
--- please apply your own judgment as well!
Sorcery and Cecelia, or, The enchanted chocolate pot by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer
...being the correspondence of two young ladies of quality regarding various magical scandals in London and the country...
This
story is clever and funny and the characters even more so! I just love this
book! (And Cecelia could so be my friend Kristen!)
**Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
While attending a strict academy for potential princesses with the other girls from her mountain village, fourteen-year-old Miri discovers unexpected talents and connections to her homeland.
This
is not as stereotypical a book as it may sound - the girls in the story do
not have a choice about being sent to the "academy". It's the
choices they discover they do have that make the story…
**Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Ella is cursed to be strictly obedient --- but that doesn't make her docile! She is determined to break the curse before it brings harm to those she loves.
Most
of Levine's books are ok, but this is my favorite by a long shot. (And as far
as I can tell the movie bore little if any resemblance to the book – another
example of read the book first!!)
Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones
As the eldest of 3 sisters, Sophie is resigned to a quiet (dull) life in the family’s hat shop... until a witch turns her into an old woman and she finds herself in the castle of the feared wizard Howl.
I like a lot of Jones's books, but this is a particular favorite. The movie
was good too, but I highly recommend reading the book first (it explains
characters much better and takes a whole different direction with the plot
after the first bit)
Dark Lord of Derkholm by Dianna Wynne Jones
Derk, an unconventional wizard, and his magical family become involved in a plan to put a stop to the devastating tours of their world arranged by the tyrannical Mr. Chesney.
I
just like this book - its original and I love the mix of humor and adventure
and wonderful characters…. The sequel is great, too.
Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
On her way to marry a prince she's never met, Princess Anidori is betrayed by her guards and her lady-in-waiting and must become a goose girl to survive until she can reveal her true identity and reclaim the crown that is rightfully hers.
The
two follow up books to this were really good, too, but I still like the first
the best.
Sabriel by Garth Nix
Sabriel, daughter of the Abhorsen, must journey into the mysterious and magical Old Kingdom to rescue her father from the Land of the Dead before malicious spirits overwhelm the entire region.
This is a fairly original fantasy/quest adventure and very well written. The
two books that follow are not as easy to read, but the complete story is
quite worth it!
Read level: YA/A Content: YA/A
*Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
In a series of poems, fifteen-year-old Billie Jo relates the hardships of living on her family's wheat farm in Oklahoma during the dust bowl years of the Depression.
Hesse’s style is unique and her characters
compelling and memorable.
Calling the Swan by Jean Thesman
When Skylar goes to summer school and tentatively begins to make some friends, she finally starts to come to terms with a family tragedy and its lingering effects.
This story deals with serious issues of loss and grieving, but with a light touch
and sense of hope.
Read level: I/YA Content: I/YA
*The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth Speare
Set in Galilee in the time of Jesus, this story tells of a young Jewish rebel who is intrigued by the gentle teachings of Jesus, but torn by desire for revenge against the Roman oppressors.
Just
kind of a neat book. I also like The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by the same
author.
Bloomability by Sharon Creech
When her aunt and uncle take her from New Mexico to Lugano, Switzerland, to attend an international school, thirteen-year-old Dinnie discovers an expanding world and her place within it.
I can't really explain why I like this one so much. It is just sweet and
funny. "Finding your place in the world" doesn't always have to be
angst-riddled!
*Newberry Medal Winner **Newberry Honor
“Classics”
Books by Age:
Youth (8yrs+)
Intermediate (10+)
Young Adult (12+)
Adult (16+)
Book by Style:
Gen. Fiction
“Fantasy” Fiction
“Science” Fiction
Historical Fiction
Mystery
Spooky/Suspense
NonFiction
