Fiction Fit for a Young Adult

April 30, 2018

Leah

Today I wanted to explore something different for a change. While I will stick with my favorite genre/s I will take a look at them in a little bit different perspective.

That of a young adult.

So today I will do just that.

Akata Witch

By Nnedi Okorafor

This is a very good book and the setting, Nigeria, brought so much life to the story that it was great fun to read.

Horatio Lyle Series

By Catherine Webb

While they are science/fantasy/action books at their heart they are still light fun. To summarize I will just say they are physicist/scientist against monsters.

Discworld Series

By Terry Pratchett

If you haven't been exposed to Terry Pratchett before there is no time like the present.

I cannot suggest his books strongly enough. And while they are all excellent I very strongly recommend starting from "Guards! Guards." Though you can also jump in with: "Men at Arms", "Hogfather", or even "Mort" to name a few. They parody fantasy, but also taught me a lot about how to be a Decent Human Being.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

In all fairness they should both be fantasy classics.

The first one is about alternate-universe London while "Good Omens" is about the end of the world.

Shades of Grey

By Jasper Fforde

No not that "Shades of Grey," the "Shades of Grey" which is a dystopia novel with a very unique premise.

The book may come across as, well, strange if you haven't read anything by him before. But I can guarantee that Jasper Fforde is definitely a writer worth exploring (though an acquired taste). "The Fourth Bear" is also fun. It is a playful take on nursery rhymes, yet draws inspiration heavily from the noir crime tradition.

And of course anything by Douglas Adams is recommended, unless you have read them, and in that case I would suggest a re-read.

And then there is "1984" which is in every way deserving of its classic status. I first read the book when I was 13, it was life changing in so many ways. And it helped shape my tastes in literature.