Books: Part IV

This time I went for a few young adult books and series. I really remember beginning to read a lot when I was in middle school and early high school. That's when I went from reading a book every week or two to reading a book a night. I used to get young adult fiction from the library, and I still re-read some of my old favorites and remember them fondly. Here goes!

His Dark Materials Trilogy
(Philip Pullman)

Possibly better known as The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass, the series in its entirety is called His Dark Materials and is possibly one of the best series I've ever read. What makes it so good is that it can be read at two levels. Level 1: Lyra, a young British girl who lives in an alternate universe version of England, finds out information about her family and the world that sets her on a quest to save, well, everything. This is what makes Borders stick it in the young adult section, I think. It has a deeper layer, though: it is a loose and vague re-telling of Paradise Lost, Milton's famous epic poem outlining the fall of Satan, the destruction of the Garden of Eden, etc. It is fun to read it first on its own, and then go through the plot again matching it up to Milton's work.

Stargirl
(Jerry Spinelli)

Stargirl is a very heart-warming novel. It has a sequel, called Love, Stargirl, which is not as good as this first one, but the first one can be read alone and still mean a lot. It's not a hard read or a long one, but very cute, sweet and endearing. It tells the story of a high school girl who calls herself "Stargirl" and her injection into a new school that doesn't accept what they think to be her strange mannerisms. The point of view is from Leo, another student of the school and eventually Stargirl's boyfriend in their confusing and doomed relationship.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
(Stephen Chbosky)

An epistolary novel (a novel composed solely of documents such as letters, diary entries, etc), the story details the life of high school freshman Charlie, who struggles with being shy, introverted, sexually confused and unpopular. It generally hits home in describing the very awkward and troubling times high school can be in a very eloquent and compelling manner.

Young Miles
(Lois McMaster Bujold)

This book in the first is a long series that details the exciting life of Miles Vorkosigan. Set in the future when other planets have been populated by millions, Miles is a young man who is a "mutant" (physically disabled) on a planet that is generally fearful and intolerant of abnormalities. This first book contains three stories, two novels and one short story between them, introducing you to Miles and his interstellar crazy adventures. Bujold is extremely witty and compelling when writing all of her characters, and very fast and cohesive with the plots. Definitely don't miss out on this one.

A Great and Terrible Beauty
(Libba Bray)

This first book in a trilogy (followed by Rebel Angels and The Sweet Far Thing) really makes you want to read the two that follow it. It is the story of Gemma, a teenage girl in 19th century London high society, who is not only burdened with the pressures of marriage, family and school, but also with her inherited magical powers, a legacy left from her mother who was a member of the mysterious "Order", a group of women who control the magic-infused "Realms" and keep them safe and separate from the human world. Something is happening with the Realms, and it is Gemma who must figure it out. The plot is fresh and fast, although the characters, other than Gemma, could use a little work - they definitely get better in the following books. It is definitely worth picking up if you enjoy the fantasy/Victorian England genre.