Anonymous
Post 12/07/2022 10:02     Subject: Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
Boys? Girls? Book preferences??
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2022 10:01     Subject: Re:Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
Forgot to add, for nonfiction, they really enjoyed The Console Wars, which is about the videogame industry history, if I remember correctly.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2022 09:58     Subject: Re:Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
My teen enjoyed In the WIld Light by Jeff Zentner. It's a fairly typical YA romance but characters in the book go away to a boarding school and deal with making new friends and fitting in. Although not a perfect analogy, it helped DC think about going away to college soon about which they had some anxiety, so that was helpful. Although the ending is a bit abrupt, I am also considering Lincoln Highway and possibly the Island of Missing Trees for an older teen.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2022 09:49     Subject: Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but how about a 14 year old boy who mostly just likes a good story? He has enjoyed things as diverse as John Grisham’s book about an African basketball phenomenon, historical fiction like The Book Thief, Kite Runner, Larry Bird’s biography, and some of the dystopian YA series (Maze Runner, Hunger Games, though it’s been awhile since he read those etc). I’m mostly just looking for something that is a page turner that might compete with TikTok for some of his attention. Bonus if it broadens his perspectives on the world.

My other, outdoorsy kid who isn’t as into stories and has less patience for reading enjoys Steven Rinella’s books, especiallly the campfire tales ones, which are short stories.



For the 14 yr old I’d consider Ancillary Justice which is sci fi but well written, good plot and makes you think about a few things (or maybe Kaizu Preservation Society, but Ancillary Justice has a sequel if he likes it). If you want similar but novellas then Murderbot.


Second the suggestion for Ancillary Justice and Murderbot as engaging stories. Maybe also Alex Rider? I would also recommend anything by Tanya Huff. The Story of Owen by E.K. Johnston (tear-jerker but very, very good).
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2022 09:33     Subject: Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
Going to go old-school and suggest Great Expectations, Lord of the Flies, 1984, The Grapes of Wrath, The Old Man and the Sea... all really thought-provoking books I read as a young teenager.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2022 09:18     Subject: Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but how about a 14 year old boy who mostly just likes a good story? He has enjoyed things as diverse as John Grisham’s book about an African basketball phenomenon, historical fiction like The Book Thief, Kite Runner, Larry Bird’s biography, and some of the dystopian YA series (Maze Runner, Hunger Games, though it’s been awhile since he read those etc). I’m mostly just looking for something that is a page turner that might compete with TikTok for some of his attention. Bonus if it broadens his perspectives on the world.

My other, outdoorsy kid who isn’t as into stories and has less patience for reading enjoys Steven Rinella’s books, especiallly the campfire tales ones, which are short stories.



Kind of off topic. Can anyone confirm that this book is based on Mamadi Diakete from UVA (now in the NBA)? Grisham lives in Charlottesville.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2022 09:15     Subject: Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
Anonymous wrote:I agree you have to know what they like. A lot of teens are into dystopian novels, but my voracious reader is not.


Agree. My young teen isn't into fantasy, scifi, or dystopian fiction at all. And not really historical fiction either, unless we're talking only as far back as mid-late 20th century. But she wants to read all the realistic fiction and graphic novels about friendships, crushes, and growing up.

Have your teens watched any series or movies that they really enjoyed and now might want to read? Ideas: Heartstopper, The Summer I Turned Pretty, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, Bridgerton, Shadow and Bone, Dune. Or an official or unofficial fan's guide about something they're into, e.g., Stranger Things, Taylor Swift, Friends.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2022 08:38     Subject: Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but how about a 14 year old boy who mostly just likes a good story? He has enjoyed things as diverse as John Grisham’s book about an African basketball phenomenon, historical fiction like The Book Thief, Kite Runner, Larry Bird’s biography, and some of the dystopian YA series (Maze Runner, Hunger Games, though it’s been awhile since he read those etc). I’m mostly just looking for something that is a page turner that might compete with TikTok for some of his attention. Bonus if it broadens his perspectives on the world.

My other, outdoorsy kid who isn’t as into stories and has less patience for reading enjoys Steven Rinella’s books, especiallly the campfire tales ones, which are short stories.



For the 14 yr old I’d consider Ancillary Justice which is sci fi but well written, good plot and makes you think about a few things (or maybe Kaizu Preservation Society, but Ancillary Justice has a sequel if he likes it). If you want similar but novellas then Murderbot.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2022 07:14     Subject: Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
Boys in the Boat, Facing the Mountain
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2022 06:28     Subject: Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
Not OP, but how about a 14 year old boy who mostly just likes a good story? He has enjoyed things as diverse as John Grisham’s book about an African basketball phenomenon, historical fiction like The Book Thief, Kite Runner, Larry Bird’s biography, and some of the dystopian YA series (Maze Runner, Hunger Games, though it’s been awhile since he read those etc). I’m mostly just looking for something that is a page turner that might compete with TikTok for some of his attention. Bonus if it broadens his perspectives on the world.

My other, outdoorsy kid who isn’t as into stories and has less patience for reading enjoys Steven Rinella’s books, especiallly the campfire tales ones, which are short stories.

Anonymous
Post 12/07/2022 06:17     Subject: Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
I agree you have to know what they like. A lot of teens are into dystopian novels, but my voracious reader is not.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2022 06:08     Subject: Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
Take them to McKay’s, give them each $20 and let them go wild. Chipotle is down the street for after.

If you have kids that love books in your life, you have to check the place out. It’s amazing. Worth the drive.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2022 20:30     Subject: Re:Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
I got a great book rec for my teens from a poster in the Teens forum - How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2022 18:59     Subject: Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
What sorts of things/books do they like? That matters more for my recs than age.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2022 18:10     Subject: Recommendations on book gifts for teens?
Looking for recommendations - for young (13), middle (15), and older (18). THanks!